Wow, 2018 is almost over! Didn’t it just begin? For some of you this year began with dreams of becoming pregnant and now the reality of motherhood is knocking at your front door. For many of us, this year came bundled with joy, sorrow, laughter, suffering, adventures, personal growth, but hopefully above all, a whole lot of love.
Thank you for making Mother Rising a part of your motherhood journey. I am honored to be a part of your story whether it’s just in the sillier parts of pregnancy, the more serious, or even the really hard stuff of becoming a mother. Wherever you’re at in your journey, I’m so glad you’re here.
Thank you for taking time to read what’s written on the pages of Mother Rising. There’s a lot of you out there! And if any of you readers are anything like me, it’s always fun to peruse a good recap. This blog post is all about the best of 2018!
Merry Christmas from my family to yours!
The Best of Mother Rising, 2018 Edition
——>>> Best of Mother Rising, 2017 Edition
——>>> Best of Mother Rising, 2016 Edition
Without any further rambling, here’s what you loved the most in 2018!
10. Tips for Natural Birth That Will Decrease Your Pain
Pain coping and exploring our responses to pain is one of my favorite things to teach. I’m just weird like that!
Whether you’re dead set on a natural childbirth or just want to see how things go, use these tips for natural birth to decrease your pain (no matter what’s on your birth plan).
9. Water Breaking: All Your Questions Answered
Water breaking during pregnancy can be cause for alarm, celebration, and much in between. Find out what it feels like, when it can happen, how long until baby arrives, and much more!
If you’ve got questions about water breaking, I’ve got answers.
(Amazing photo captured by lifebykate.com)
8. Do You Think Pineapple to Induce Labor Really Works?
Considering the physical and emotional stress that accompanies the third trimester of pregnancy, it’s understandable that many parents wonder if eating pineapple to induce labor actually works.
I mean, come on, if all it takes is eating pineapple to go into labor, this information needs to be made public and pineapples need to be dolled out en masse during that final month of pregnancy.
But does pineapple to induce labor really work? And if it does, should pineapple be avoided during pregnancy to avoid miscarriage or preterm labor?
Also, how much pineapple needs to be consumed in order to cause contractions? Which is best for natural induction purposes – fresh, frozen or canned pineapple? Does the core need to be consumed? Can the same effect be achieved by juicing a pineapple, drinking it, and calling it a day?
This and much more than you ever wanted to know about using pineapple to naturally induce labor is discussed in this blog post. 😉
7. 5 More Things Your OBGYN Won’t Tell You About How to Have a Better Birth and Postpartum
In 2012 I wrote an article called 5 Things Your OBGYN Won’t Tell You (About How to Have a Better Birth and Postpartum) and it became very popular. In fact, it went nuts! My first ever traffic spikes were all because of that article.
Since then, in my experiences as a childbirth educator, doula, blogger, and mother, I have noticed 5 more things your OBGYN won’t tell you, about how to have a better birth and postpartum that I must share.
Sadly, the majority of the following information will NEVER be discussed during the average prenatal appointment or birth. The burden is therefore on the childbearing woman to research, discuss, and advocate for her care and eventually create change in her community.
6. Natural Birth 101: What It Is, Why You’d Want One, and How to Make It Happen
The idea that a woman would purposefully choose a natural childbirth may seem illogical to those that have not investigated the subject closely. On the surface, it doesn’t make sense to not use the “get out of jail free” card, if you know what I mean.
However, the benefits of a natural birth include a faster, safer, healthier, more satisfying, and less complicated birth. It makes sense that a natural birth is an attractive option to many women.
If you’re wanting to know more about a natural birth and how to have one, you’ll definitely want to check out this blog post!
5. How to Get to the Hospital Without Having a Car Baby
Nobody wants to have a car baby. I’ve never read a birth plan that expressed the desire to go into labor, hop in the car, have a baby on the side of the road, and then drive to the hospital with baby in arms.
Parents don’t want car babies, nurses don’t, and neither do doctors or midwives. However, with these crazy car birth videos going viral on the internet, it makes sense that parents want to know how to get to the hospital without having a car baby.
4. 43 Powerful Bible Verses for New Moms
Mothering for the first time may fill us with wonder, fear, doubt, excitement, isolation, hope, and many other complicated emotions. Use these 43 powerful bible verses for new moms to stay grounded in truth, connected to the Lord, and encouraged in your faith.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
Check out my printable bible verses for new moms on Etsy!!
3. When to Go to the Hospital for Labor
Whether you’re a first time mom, a seasoned pro, planning for a VBAC, or pregnant with twins, it’s important to know when to go to the hospital for labor. Many women use the rule of thumb 5-1-1, and others use 4-1-1, while others go on different information entirely. Which is right for you?
In this blog post we’ll discuss the ins and outs of knowing when to go to the hospital for labor so that you’ll make it with plenty of time (and not have a car baby).
2. 15 Signs That It’s Time to Fire Your OB, Now!
OBs play very influential roles in women’s lives during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Having the right or wrong person at your birth can make or break your vagina. Literally.
Unfortunately, sometimes the doctor or midwife a woman chooses in the first trimester turns out not to be such a great fit as pregnancy progresses. But how should you know when it’s time to fire your OB or midwife? Glad you asked.
Parents, pay attention! Here are 15 tell-tale signs that it’s time to fire your OB, midwife, or other care provider.
1. Castor Oil to Induce Labor: How to and Is It Worth It?
Oddly enough, your favorite blog post of 2018 was about using castor oil to induce labor. LOL!
Castor oil is a pale yellow oil that comes from castor beans which has many uses around the home. Because it’s also a laxative, many women have found success drinking castor oil to induce labor towards the end of pregnancy.
But is castor oil a reasonable and safe choice? In this blog post we discuss the ins and outs (mostly outs… ha!) of using castor oil to induce labor.
The Best of Mother Rising, 2018 Edition
After looking at this list of the best of Mother Rising 2018 edition, I see a theme. Do you see it too? The most popular posts of this last year are mostly about getting labor to start or navigating the ins and outs of childbirth.
Just to recap, the following are the blog posts you loved and read (a lot!) in 2018.
10. Tips for Natural Birth That Will Decrease Your Pain
9. Water Breaking: All Your Questions Answered
8. Do You Think Pineapple to Induce Labor Really Works?
7. 5 More Things Your OBGYN Won’t Tell You About How to Have a Better Birth and Postpartum
6. Natural Birth 101: What It Is, Why You’d Want One, and How to Make It Happen
5. How to Get to the Hospital Without Having a Car Baby
4. 43 Powerful Bible Verses for New Moms
3. When to Go to the Hospital for Labor
2. 15 Signs That It’s Time to Fire Your OB, Now!
1. Castor Oil to Induce Labor: How to and Is It Worth It?
Thank you again for being a part of Mother Rising! If it weren’t for you, this website wouldn’t exist!
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Leave a comment and let me know what your favorite blog post in 2018 was OR what blog post you’ve loved reading the most no matter when it was written. I can’t wait to hear from you!