Dr Clark is a double board-certified obstetrician and gynaecologist and maternal-foetal medicine specialist focusing on the care of people with perinatal or foetal complications in pregnancy. With a special interest in pregnancy after the age of 35, Dr Clark has been inspired not only by the experiences of friends and patients but by her own personal experience of trying to get pregnant in her forties. We talk about Dr Clark’s journey to her role in as an OB/GYN serving pregnant people over the age of 35, and her own challenging, personal experience of getting pregnant (with twins!) for the first time at the age of 42.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women and it is increasing in women aged 35 to 54 years. Women who have had preeclampsia have approximately double the risk for heart disease and stroke over the next 5 to 15 years. That risk increases if preeclampsia occurred in more than one pregnancy or if the baby was small. For some women the stress of pregnancy on the body can possibly expose underlying health issues. Many of the risk factors for preeclampsia, high blood pressure and heart disease are the same.

While still unknown whether the risk is caused by preeclampsia or if the woman was already predisposed, these risks first emerge in the years following a complicated pregnancy. Although this may seem daunting, ample research shows that there are many ways for women to protect their heart health and that of their families!

Ever heard the phrase Rome was not build in a day? Or to see the view from the mountain top you must first climb one step at a time? Pregnancy is your ‘Rome’ or your ‘mountain’ and some days the climb is going to be difficult and the building slow. As a Physio I want to urge you to be more prepared for this.

Much is written on understanding pain and pain relief in labour. When new mothers are asked to describe the pain they felt in labour there are a variety of answers. Some women will depict a positive experience by saying labour was exhilarating, gave her a sense of strength and feel empowered. Others will depict a negative experience saying painful, exhausting and traumatic. Whilst some women may even say tedious, uncomfortable and manageable. The preparations a woman makes for birth influences her birth experience. When women are taught coping techniques and choices of pain relief, they cope with pain during contractions.

The birth of my rainbow was an emotional one. It was exhausting for me, mentally and physically. The end of the pregnancy was full of many mixed feelings. I was terrified of becoming a mom of three. I was sad to be thinking of Nadia’s (3½) turn being the baby coming to an end. I wondered how I could handle the demands of more children, not to mention how I could love them all.

My name is Darian Ryan. I am a mom to the most amazing human. Ok, I guess I’m being biased but don’t all moms think that their kids are the best? I come from a family of creatives and have been blessed to have had the chance to travel the world working as a photographer.

If you’re a new or expecting parent, you’ve probably come across the phrase “skin-to-skin” a few times as you read up on all things parenting. Also referred to as SSC, skin-to-skin is an important practice that should be prioritized as soon as possible after birth, with benefits that extend long after baby is born. So, what is skin-to-skin? How is it beneficial for you and your baby? How long do you need to practice skin-to-skin for it to have a positive impact on your little one?

If there is a day or week where you no longer feel like you are loving or even enjoying breastfeeding, does it mean that this is the right time to stop?

Kneading, patting, twiddling, scratching, pinching, grabbing mom’s nose, biting, pulling at mom’s shirt, playing with or pulling mom’s hair, blowing raspberries on mom’s breast, breastfeeding standing up, breastfeeding upside down, acrobatic breastfeeding…

All of these things are very normal breastfeeding behaviours for older babies and toddlers. Many things children do when they are breastfeeding are cute or downright funny – but what if it’s a behaviour that you don’t like? However normal it may be, there is no reason mom has to put up with behaviours that are painful or annoying when breastfeeding.

What is a parenting style?

The parenting styles commonly used in psychology today are based on the work of Diana Baumrind, a developmental psychologist. Baumrind noticed that preschoolers exhibited distinctly different types of behaviour. Each type of behaviour was highly correlated to a specific kind of parenting. Baumrind’s theory is that there is a close relationship between the type of parenting style and children’s behaviour. Different parenting styles can lead to different child development and child outcomes.

Raising kids is never easy. In fact, it's often one of the most challenging - and often frustrating - things you will ever do, especially because you are learning as you go. No one goes into parenting knowing exactly how to handle everything that is thrown at them. But the best parents are always looking for ways to improve.

Waiting for the arrival of a new member of the family is an exciting time, but growing your family can put great strain on your finances. Fortunately, according to Anel Coetzee, Financial Planner at Sanlam, if you approach your finances together as parents and consider them carefully, such difficulties can be avoided. The key is to take control of your financial future and call in the help of a professional.

In this special edition of the Evidence Based Birth® COVID-19 Newsletter, we focus on the new information coming out about pregnancy and the COVID-19 vaccine. We share key information about preliminary findings of mRNA vaccine COVID-19 safety in pregnancy, the first study to examine the impact of the COVID-19 vaccines on the placenta, and research on vaccine response in pregnancy and lactation. Finally, we share links to professional guidelines on the vaccine in pregnancy and lactation.