World Health Organization Study Reveals Drug Could Save New Mothers’ Lives

Although many of us don't consider the dangers of childbirth in the modern age, the reality is that pregnancy can prove fatal -- even here in the United States. The U.S. actually has the highest rate of maternal deaths among developed countries, with around 700 female fatalities related to complications during pregnancy or delivery, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of course, worldwide statistics are even more harrowing; as the World Health Organization (WHO) reports, 70,000 women die every year as a result of post-partum hemorrhages alone. But according to a recent WHO study, childbirth could soon become a whole lot safer -- thanks to a new formulation of a drug that's already in use. After a new mother delivers a baby, her work isn't totally done. She still … [Read more...]

Liberate Your Upper Back, Neck and Shoulders

*Disclosure: This is a guest post.  Affiliate links may be used for compensation.  Opinions are 100% those of the guest contributor. Your upper back, neck and shoulder regions of the body can become stiff and sore when breastfeeding and carrying around a newborn or a toddler. In Iyengar Yoga, we have many ways to relieve this tension and restore full range movement from this, and other parts of the body. Below are a few simple shoulder rejuvenators that you can do with a yoga strap, tie, towel or exercise band. They do not require a lot of time and can be done anywhere.  Shoulder lubrication: Motion is lotion! Try doing large arm circles like you are swimming the backstroke and the crawl stroke to increase circulation and get your arms, ribs moving, and your shoulder … [Read more...]

A Mother’s Day Well Spent

It's another week and I'm coming down from the high that was a fabulous Mother's day. The girls made me gluten-free blueberry muffins that they served with fresh berries in bed. My Darth Vader mug full of hot coffee and the Washington Post accompanied the spread. I must have stuffed at least three of those fluffy, moist muffins into my pie-hole before heading out the door for a four-mile run. For me, Mother's day is about freedom. I don't have to be anywhere at anytime or do anything I don't want to do. In the past it was a diaper-free day. Now it is more like go running without coordinating schedules with the rest of the family. I did four miles. A distance that I hadn't done since the fall. As I made my way back to my block this happened. … [Read more...]

Giving In But Not Giving Up

I could feel my temper rising and my nerves flaring up as a bitter little voice in my head screamed, "No school on Tuesday! Again! Really?  I mean come on! That is one of my only two actual work days and I have to keep giving them up?!"  I wanted to scream out loud.  Instead I whispered, "Son of a bitch!" as I glared at The Fifth Element and Comedian's school calendars. I had already forgotten my phone at home that morning due to starting the day with some serious early risers cutting into my fleeting and precious work time. I was frazzled, out of sorts and generally a bit screechy. We left the house in a rush and I cursed to myself on the car ride to school for losing the half hour between drop-off times for both girls where I return emails from my phone.  I try very hard to segment my … [Read more...]

What a Woman Does in an Hour

The laptop was open, perched precariously atop the counter. A sink full of dishes, piles of laundry, dirty floors, too much on the to-do list all wait on standby.  And can someone tell me why are there two radios were going at once in the same room?  Small children tinker in corners, scattering toys, chucking sippy cups half full of milk and spraying it around the room. The dog walks by and poops on the floor.  I should probably call that vet about that problem.  I look at the clock and decide to take an hour, one hour, to tidy up the house.  How much can I accomplish in 60 seconds? GO! 10:00 a.m.- feed kids snacks.  Refill sippy cups. Pick up sippy cups off floor.  Wipe up leaky mess. Right. There's dog poop.  Clean it up. Flush toilet.  DOES NO ONE KNOW HOW TO FLUSH around … [Read more...]