Congratulations – you’re having a baby! The first trimester – especially if it’s your first – is exciting. But it is also a time full of great changes, some of which are quite uncomfortable and even uncomfortable.

Growing a baby is hard work – especially during this phase of rapid cell division and initial growth from conception to about 13 weeks. As a result, many moms-to-be experience some of the most acute symptoms of pregnancy, such as fatigue, nausea, insomnia, and headaches, during the first trimester.

It’s normal to deal with physical and emotional changes as well: Your bras and pants may feel tight, you may notice that your gums are tender and inflamed, and your skin may itch or become more prone to irritation. You may have trouble sleeping (and when you do, you have unusually vivid dreams). You’re probably also adding tons of to-dos to your daily list — like going to your prenatal checkup, documenting your bump, making appointments, and going to various doctor’s appointments. All of this can give you a lot of butterflies that vacillate between the happy and worried kind.

To help you stay focused on what’s really important – taking care of yourself and the growing life inside you, we’ve created the ultimate first trimester shopping checklist. This way, during these very busy, and sometimes overwhelming, early months of pregnancy, all you have to do is click and wait for everything to ship.

Each item on this checklist has been carefully selected to meet the needs of women in their first trimester, as well as to help them capture sweet memories of this special time. So keep reading to find our favorite diary, anti-nausea remedies, and prenatal vitamins. And if you’re looking ahead, find out what you need for the second and third trimesters as well.

So your baby is fussy and has white spots on the tongue? It could be thrush, a fungal infection common in infants.

This yeast infection is usually no big deal, but it’s no fun either – for you or your baby. Thrush will require a professional diagnosis and a trip to the pharmacy to get some antifungal medicine. Read on for symptoms, causes and treatment.

What is thrush and what does it look like?

Thrush is a type of fungal infection that most often occurs in infants and babies. Also known as a Candida infection, it is most likely to occur in the mouth.

You will notice white or yellowish patches on the baby’s tongue, gums and inner lips. Although you won’t be able to see it, the infection can also spread down the throat and into the esophagus.

Thrush can also affect the baby’s genitals, appearing around the vulva or groin.

What causes thrush in babies?

Yeast is present in everyone’s mouth, digestive system and vagina – it’s perfectly natural. But infection occurs when there is an imbalance between the yeast and the area in which it lives.

There are several ways that babies can get oral thrush.

• If you give birth vaginally and happen to have a yeast infection at the time, your baby may come into contact with the infection during its journey through the birth canal.
• Babies can also get thrush from your nipples if you have an infection while breastfeeding.
• Antibiotics can also cause thrush because while they fight the “bad” bacteria in your baby’s system, they also kill the “good” bacteria that normally keep the yeast in balance.

Babies can also get diaper rash when their diaper area is too hot and wet, when their clothes are too tight, or if they don’t change diapers often enough.

Is thrush contagious?

In short, yes. Some moms and babies pass the infection back and forth: Your baby can spread thrush to you if you breastfeed, resulting in a painful yeast infection on your nipples that will require treatment.

You can also give your baby thrush if you breastfeed and develop a yeast infection on your nipples.

On the other hand, it is possible to remain symptom-free, even if you are breastfeeding a baby who has thrush. Similarly, your breastfed baby may not be affected by a yeast infection.

What are the symptoms of thrush?

If you only notice a white coating on your baby’s tongue, it’s probably just leftover milk (especially if you can wipe it off easily). But call your baby’s doctor if you see any of the following signs:

• White or yellow spots on the baby’s lips, tongue, roof of the mouth or inside the cheeks, gums or throat. Thrush stains look like cottage cheese and do not wash off easily.
• Crying while breastfeeding or sucking on a pacifier or bottle. Thrush can be painful and make feeding uncomfortable if the infection is severe. (Note: Some babies with thrush experience no pain or discomfort and can feed normally.)
• Some babies with thrush also develop a diaper rash – a raised, blotchy or bright or dark red rash with clearly defined borders. Small red spots often appear around the edges of the main rash. The affected area is red and may be tender or painful, and the rash may creep into the folds of skin around your baby’s genitals and legs. It almost never appears on the butt.

How to treat thrush

If your baby’s doctor diagnoses thrush, he or she may prescribe oral antifungal medications (often nystatin) and recommend giving your baby acetaminophen for pain. It may take about two weeks for the infection to clear.

“Your doctor will probably instruct you to use an antifungal medicine for a few days after the white spots have disappeared, just to make sure that any remaining yeast is completely eliminated,” says Liz Donner, MD. MD, Pediatric Hospital and member of the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board.

For diaper rash, your doctor may also prescribe nystatin ointment to use in the diaper area.

If you’re breastfeeding a baby with thrush, many providers recommend applying nystatin or clotrimazole to your nipples so you and your baby don’t pass the infection back and forth.

Check with your doctor if the infection still doesn’t seem to clear up – it’s not uncommon for thrush to recur.

Home remedies for thrush

If you want to try an alternative therapy, ask your baby’s doctor about gentian violet.

Gentian violet is a dye that can also be an effective antifungal treatment, but if used for too long or in too high a concentration, it can cause sores in your baby’s mouth. It will also stain anything it comes in contact with. Be sure to talk to your child’s provider before using it.

If you want to try gentian violet and your health care provider is okay with it, you can ask your local pharmacist to prepare a gentian violet solution for you or prepare it yourself at home.

Can you prevent thrush?

Not always. Some people are naturally more prone to yeast infections, but you can take the following steps to reduce your baby’s chances of getting thrush. (These measures can also help you avoid re-infection if you and your baby are being treated for thrush.)

• Do not give your baby antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. (Antibiotics do not help against viral infections.) Thrush is often caused by taking antibiotics.
• Clean and sterilize pacifiers after each use and disinfect any toys that go into your baby’s mouth.
• Allow nipples to dry between feedings.
• If you’re bottle-feeding, thoroughly clean all equipment—including nipples—after each use by washing it in warm, soapy water or running it through the dishwasher.
• Wash your hands often, especially after feeding and changing diapers.
• Change your baby’s diapers often.

Can thrush be harmful to your baby?

Most cases of thrush are not harmful and will not have long-term effects on your baby, but they can be uncomfortable. If your baby is fussier than usual, thrush could interfere with feeding. It can be very distressing (for both of you) when a hungry baby finds it painful to eat.

Give your baby all the comfort she needs and follow your doctor’s instructions for pain relief and medication. And remember that this infection too will pass.

Cases of walking pneumonia are on the rise among young children aged 2 to 4, according to the announcement Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Opens a new window published on Friday. While a bacterial infection, clinically known as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is rare for this age group, parents should not panic: young children had mostly mild symptoms.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is generally not the most common form of pediatric pneumonia in this age group. “Usually babies and young children have viral respiratory pneumonia or bronchiolitis such as RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, infections,” he says Zachary Hoy, MDOpens a new window., a board-certified pediatric infectious disease specialist at Pediatrix Medical Group in Nashville, Tenn.

Although there is no reason to panic, careful monitoring is still recommended. Understanding the symptoms of walking pneumonia in children and taking a few simple, protective steps can help keep your child and others safe.

What to know about the current rise in pneumonia

There is no national surveillance system to monitor the actual rates of cases of walking pneumonia in any population, including children, CDC saysOpens a new window. However, reports show that nearly 10% of all pediatric emergency room visits were for walking pneumonia in August, when cases peaked. In September, it fell to 7%.

It is important to note that while these rates have been high in recent years, they are still lower than pre-COVID-19 levels, according to a February 2024 CDC reportOpens a new window.

Although the exact reason for the current increase is unclear, it is possible that during COVID, social distancing prevented people from getting sick from other infections as well, he explains John Schieffelin, MD., chief of infectious diseases at Children’s Hospital New Orleans.

Although it is important to be informed about the spread of infectious diseases in your area, dr. Schieffelin doesn’t want parents to panic. “Most cases are mild, and many patients are so mild that they never seek medical attention,” he says. “It’s rarely life-threatening.”

It’s actually nicknamed “walking pneumonia” because people often feel better than they normally would with a lung infection, the CDC explains. However, it is important to pay attention to your child’s health and it will help parents to report problems with their care team.

“Monitor symptoms and if any illness lasts longer than four to five days, seek medical attention to evaluate for atypical pneumonia,” he says. Inderpal Randhawa, MD,Opens a new window MD, a pediatric pulmonologist based in California.

Symptoms of walking pneumonia in babies and young children

Symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia may begin gradually. Early symptoms to look out for include:

• Cough

• Fever

• Sore throat

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“Especially in young children, cycles of high temperature lasting more than three days may indicate atypical pneumonia,” says Dr. Randhawa.

Symptoms that are more specific for the diagnosis of walking pneumonia in children are:

Treatment of walking pneumonia in children

The CDC says that many people do not need medical treatment for walking pneumonia and can manage with rest and over-the-counter options to relieve symptoms. Sometimes an antibiotic may be needed.

“In the US, most strains are susceptible to macrolide antibiotics such as azithromycin, which is usually given as a five-day course,” says Dr. Hi.

However, the CDC mentions that they are monitoring antibiotic resistance.

“There is some resistance, especially in other countries,” says Dr. Hi. “Typically, resistance would manifest as someone who is on the third to fourth day of antibiotics and symptoms are not improving or worsening… If there is concern about resistance, a respiratory swab should be sent to confirm the diagnosis of mycoplasma and evaluate for co-infections such as which are influenza or RSV.”

Other antibiotics can be used, such as fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines, says Dr. Hi. However, he says these antibiotics are more widely used and can have different side effects, so doctors don’t prescribe them as often.

How to protect small children from this pneumonia

Although your child should have received all doses of the pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) by age 2, there is no vaccine specifically for walking pneumonia.

“Some experts believe that vaccination against other respiratory diseases, such as RSV, influenza or COVID, could help reduce those diseases, which in turn could make someone less susceptible to mycoplasma infections,” adds Dr. Hi. “Wash your hands often and consider wearing a mask in high-risk situations.”

It is also important to remind your children not to share utensils and try to avoid people with the infection. Protecting other children – especially those with underlying conditions that predispose them to more severe cases of walking pneumonia – is also important.

“Because it spreads when infected people cough, children with symptoms should stay home and not go to school,” says Dr. Schieffelin.

When I found out I was expecting twins, I knew she was waiting for me high-risk pregnancy. Carrying multiples is inherently risky, and even though I was young and generally healthy, I couldn’t avoid it. But the first and second trimesters were pretty smooth.

With each clear ultrasound and “everything looks great” from my doctor, I began to wonder if I might make it through my twin pregnancy without any major hiccups.

But as I entered my third trimester, my belly started to itch. Then an angry, red rash appeared. At first I thought it was just dry skin – the humidity decreased with the change of season and my skin started to stretch over my belly. But the rash was getting redder and more itchy day by day, and I was extremely uncomfortable. Eventually it got so bad that I had to get out of bed multiple times during the night to jump in the shower, alternating between hot and cold water to get some relief.

That itch started appearing on other parts of my body as well: down my arms and legs, on my hands and feet, across my chest and on my neck. Luckily the rash didn’t touch my face – but every other inch of my body was covered. I knew it was time to see my doctor.

My worries and discomfort were dismissed

While I saw a wonderful and compassionate doctor most of my pregnancy, the doctor in the office I met with today was new to me. He did an ultrasound, measured my stomach and said everything looked good. When I started telling him about the rash, he waved his hand in the air as if dismissing my concern. They’re just stretch marks, he insisted.

There was no further discussion of treatments or ways to get relief. He also didn’t mention any other warning signs that I should look out for that might indicate there is cause for concern. He acted like absolutely nothing was wrong. I felt like my concerns and questions were dismissed as insignificant.

My symptoms were too dire to ignore

After that check-up, the rash quickly started to get worse – and the itching started to spread to my chest and down my limbs within days.

As a prenatal health journalist, I’ve heard of a condition called intrahepatic cholestasis, or cholestasis of pregnancy, that can cause itching. It is very rare, affecting only one to two out of every 1,000 pregnancies, but it is also serious. This can cause premature birth and breathing problems for the baby – or even a stillbirth. And, like most pregnancy complications, it is more common among women carrying multiples.

I wondered if cholestasis could be the cause of my aggressive itching, although this rare condition does not usually cause a rash. Considering how serious this condition is, I did something that was not natural for me: I called the doctor’s office again to schedule a new examination.

Standing up for myself may have saved my babies’ lives

The physician’s assistant who did my follow-up exam took one look at my rash (which at this point was mostly localized to my abdomen) and said that what I was experiencing looked more like PUPPP, or pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy. This was another condition I read about in my own research and flagged it up with my care team.

PUPPP is incredibly uncomfortable for expectant mothers, but ultimately poses no real health risk to the mother or baby. There isn’t much one can do to deal with the discomfort of PUPPP, but the condition usually resolves after delivery, she said.

Even after this diagnosis was made, the PA still listened to my concerns about cholestasis and ran tests to check for that as well. Soon after, I got a call from the gynecologist: I was diagnosed with PUPPP and cholestasis. I was immediately prescribed an oral medication and my due date was moved up – it was recommended that I not carry my twins past 37 weeks.

At my request, my doctor also scheduled twice-weekly non-stress tests (NSTs) to monitor my baby’s heartbeat and movements. And that’s when my pregnancy started to feel like a full-time job. It was exhausting and overwhelming, but I was so grateful for those regular reassurances that my babies were safe.

At what was supposed to be my last NST at 36 weeks, we discovered that my blood pressure was elevated. I was alone in the hospital as the nurses crowded around my chart trying to get answers about how best to proceed with my case. I was diagnosed with preeclampsia that day, a few days after my scheduled c-section. Preeclampsia could have been fatal for both me and my baby, so I was relieved when the nurse came in and informed me that my doctor had consulted with a maternal-fetal medicine doctor (a provider who specializes in high-risk pregnancies). They decided to deliver that day.

It was a terrible day, but it could have been a lot worse

My children were born prematurely and one of them had to spend time in intensive care, but in the end they made it safely into the world. My c-section, although earlier than originally planned, went smoothly.

But I can’t help but relive my experience and wonder, “What if?” What if I hadn’t asked for another check-up or pushed for that blood test that showed I had cholestasis? What if I didn’t have those extra NST tests that showed I had pre-eclampsia? I don’t know what would have happened to me or my baby if I hadn’t given birth when I did.

Maybe another doctor would have paid attention to my discomfort at the follow-up examination, maybe I would have given birth safely without a diagnosis, maybe I would have given birth just a few hours after an emergency C-section.

But I could have suffered in silence and something terrible could have happened. I’ll never know. If I could share one thing from my experience with expectant parents, it’s this: Standing up for yourself can save lives—ours and our babies’.

Each manufacturer of top loading washing machines puts their own design on the laundry detergent dispenser. Adding liquid laundry detergent can be confusing, especially if you don’t use the machine regularly.

We’ve put together a guide to help, but here’s a tip: you can’t go wrong by adding the detergent to the bottom of the drum before adding the dirty laundry.

Add liquid laundry detergent to the dispenser

Many brands and models of top-loading washing machines have a designated single-load dispenser for liquid or powder laundry detergent.

• Find a dispenser: Some detergent dispensers are located in pull-out drawers on top of the tub, while others are located along the top edge of the tub.
• How to use: Add detergent before selecting the load size, cycle and water temperature and start the washer.
• Additional information: You will also find dispensers for fabric softener and bleach. While all dispensers are labeled on new washing machines, if the label has worn off, the detergent dispenser is usually the largest.

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Add liquid laundry detergent to the washing machine and wash

The fill and go liquid detergent dispenser allows you to fill a large dispenser once and depending on its capacity, it will last 14-40 loads of dirty laundry. You don’t have to fill the dispenser for every load, you will save time when doing laundry. Here are three things to know about fill-and-go dispensers.

• Adjusts the amount of added detergent. After you select a cycle and load size, most load-and-go dispensers automatically adjust the amount of detergent added to the wash load.
• Adjustable according to detergent concentration. Another advantage of the fill-and-go dispenser is that you can change the amount of detergent dispensed depending on the concentration level of the product. Detergents can be concentrated from 2X to 8X. Be sure to read the label on the detergent bottle to adjust the load and make adjustments as needed.
• It can be disabled. The load and start function may be disabled if you use a special detergent such as a wool wash or a detergent formulated for washing babies.

Add liquid laundry detergent to the washing machine drum

If the washing machine does not have a dispenser, liquid laundry detergent can be added directly to the drum or tub of the washing machine. Always add detergent before loading dirty laundry to help distribute it more evenly.

The best practice is to add the detergent to the drum and let the water start to fill the drum before adding the dirty laundry. The water helps to distribute the detergent evenly throughout the load.

Additional tips for using liquid detergent

• Read product labels. The concentration level (lack of dilution from water) of the detergent makes a big difference in how much you should use for each load of laundry.
• Find a washing manual online. Go online to find the owner’s manual for your make and model of washing machine. You’ll find detergent dispenser diagrams, instructions and tips on how to add liquid laundry detergent.
• Clean the dispenser drawers. Dispenser drawers can become clogged with dried detergent and cannot be dispensed properly. Drawers should be removed, if possible, and cleaned with hot water and a soft-bristled brush. If the dispenser cannot be removed, pour hot water into the dispenser to dissolve any clogs.
• Use the dispensers correctly. Never put a single-use capsule in the dispenser of the detergent drawer. It will not dissolve properly and will clog the dispenser. The pod should be placed at the bottom of the washing machine drum before adding dirty laundry.
• Measure. Measure. Measure. Adding too much liquid laundry detergent can cause stains and residue on fabrics. It can also increase the chance of mold and mildew odors in your washing machine caused by detergent build-up in the dispenser and inside of the drum. Using too much detergent also wastes money. If you’re not using a fill-and-go dispenser, use measuring spoons for precise measurements and cleaner clothes.

It’s no secret that some of the finer things in life—sushi, gooey cookies, booze—are off the table during pregnancy. But as the sober-curious movement has expanded, so have the options for soft drinks. From non-alcoholic beer to de-coholized wine, alternatives to classic drinks abound.

Are these sips really safe during pregnancy? Here’s what gynecologists say about drinking non-alcoholic beer, wine and spirits when you’re expecting.

What is non-alcoholic beer and alcoholic beverages?

There are different categories of soft drinks and their differences are crucial, especially for pregnant women. Here’s what you should know about each type:

• “Alcohol free” or “alcohol free”. Products with these labels must not contain detectable alcohol, according to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation. This means that all alcohol-free and soft drinks have an alcohol content by volume (or ABV) of 0%.

• “Non-alcoholic.” Non-alcoholic beer and wine may contain traces of alcohol. The FDA simply requires soft drinks to be less than 0.5% ABV.

• “Low alcohol.” There is no official definition of a “low alcohol” drink. The label essentially refers to alcoholic beverages with a slightly lower than expected ABV content. For example, a low-alcohol wine may have an ABV content of 7%, while an average wine may have an ABV content closer to 12%.

Each option is made differently. Non-alcoholic beer and wine often go through a filtration process that removes all or most of their alcohol components. This is why you may see these options marked as “alcohol removed”.

Alcohol-free or alcohol-free products are often made with ingredients such as juice concentrates and flavored herbal products.

Are non-alcoholic beer and alcoholic beverages safe to drink during pregnancy?

Unfortunately, there simply isn’t enough research on non-alcoholic beer, wine, and spirits to prove whether consuming alcohol in trace amounts is safe during pregnancy.

It’s also difficult to get more information about the risks of consuming trace amounts of alcohol in pregnancy because it’s unethical to test it on pregnant women, he says. Megan Bernstein, MD,Opens a new window assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

What experts do know is that alcohol can alter the normal growth and development of a fetus, he says Hailey McInerney, MDOpens a new window from 1060 OBGIN. The most serious consequence of exposure to alcohol during pregnancy is fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), he adds Erin Higgins, MDOpens a new windowgynecologist at the Independence Family Health Center of the Cleveland Clinic.

Finally, there is no accepted safe “cut-off” point below which you can be sure that your baby will not suffer alcohol-related risks. It is possible that even small amounts of alcohol can harm your child.

Another concern is the lack of clarity around the exact ABV content. “The biggest concern is that these products may have more alcohol than what is listed on the label,” says Dr. Bernstein. In fact, almost one-third of non-alcoholic or low-alcohol drinks have a higher alcohol content than what is stated on their labels, studyOpens a new window found.

For these reasons, both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) state that there is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy.

“We can’t control every toxic exposure from our environment,” says Dr. McInerney, “but alcohol-related birth defects are entirely preventable.”

Bottom line: To be on the safe side, add soft drinks when you’re expecting.

What about non-alcoholic drinks?

Soft and non-alcoholic drinks are certainly less risky than non-alcoholic options as they are required to have an ABV content of 0.0%.

You’ll want to check the ingredient lists of these products, though, as some alcohol-free drinks contain excess caffeine, unpasteurized vinegar, or herbal ingredients like CBD and ashwagandha that are best avoided during pregnancy.

The best bet is to “watch out for alcohol-free products that contain extracts that aren’t usually found in the drinks we drink every day,” says Dr. McInerney.

How to choose alcohol-free drinks during pregnancy

Not sure what to order at the next work happy hour or when you’re playing bar trivia with friends? Here are some tips for choosing fun drinks when you’re expecting:

• Check the ABV content. To be on the safer side, choose alcohol-free or alcohol-free options with an ABV content of 0.0%.

• Read the ingredients list. Watch out for ingredients that may not be safe for pregnancy, such as excessive amounts of caffeine, CBD, or adaptogens like ashwagandha.

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• Avoid excess sugar. “The mocktail movement is great, but I warn you that some mocktails contain a lot of sugar,” says Dr. Higgins. Consider reducing the sugar content by mixing your favorite cocktail with seltzer or soda instead of tonic.

• When in doubt, ask your doctor or dietitian. If you If you’re ever in doubt about the drink’s safety profile, check with your gynecologist before drinking it.

Don’t underestimate the power of a homemade cocktail either. Combine seltzer, plenty of lime juice and frozen blueberries in a fancy glass with a DIY salt rim for a good time.

If you have a large tape collection, you know that it can be difficult to keep everything on a reel. The first step is always to sort through it, discard any pieces that are too small to be used, and organize the rest by color, material or occasion.

From various wall mounting options to different storage baskets and organizing tools, learn how to create functional tape storage in a stylish way using one of these 16 creative ideas.

If your lochia is light enough to wear a regular pad (or if you choose to wear a pad along with a waterproof underwear), many moms suggest Always Infinity FlexFoam pads. The Overnight sizes are extra absorbent, as well as extra wide and extra long, so you’re protected from leaks that want to seep through the sides. The wings secure your base through all the twisting and turning that new motherhood requires, including multiple nighttime awakenings.

They are widely available in drugstores and convenience stores, so you can send a partner to buy them when needed. They are also fragrance free, which all those who are sensitive to fragrances will appreciate.

“Always Infinity pads have been great during the day, especially in the first few days after birth,” says Leah Rocketto, Assistant Store Director for BabyCenter. “They absorbed the discharge well without adding extra weight to my underwear. I normally don’t opt ​​for wings when using pads, but I found them helpful in this case to keep the pad from moving and the discharge from getting on my clothes.” Leah also used the Always Infinity pads to make postpartum healing pads (padsicles) about a month before her due date and found that they worked well, despite sitting for a while before using them.

What is a birth doula?

A doula, specifically a birth doula, is a trained labor and delivery assistant who helps pregnant women before, during, and immediately after childbirth. Doulas provide emotional support as well as help with other non-medical aspects of your care.

A doula can share guidance to help you make informed decisions about your birth options. And while they will never make any decisions on your behalf, a doula can also serve as a liaison between you and the rest of your birth team, communicating your birth plan and your wishes.

The word “doula” comes from an ancient Greek word meaning “woman who serves”. Today, women, men, and non-binary doulas continue to serve mothers during childbirth.

Estimates reveal that about 6 to 15% of mothers opt for a doula during labor. The choice often comes down to your personal preferences, your finances and whether or not you have other sources of support to be with you during the birth.

What is a postpartum doula?

Postpartum doulas differ from postpartum doulas in that they provide support after the birth, usually by visiting you at home to help with breastfeeding, preparing healthy meals, and more.

What does a doula do?

While it may seem like a birth doula doesn’t start helping you until after you go into labor, their services usually begin during pregnancy—so they can help you prepare for labor—and continue until labor and up to a few hours or days afterward.

Typically, a doula handles the following:

• It answers your questions about what to expect and eases your fears before giving birth
• Provides resources that can help you during and after pregnancy
• It helps you develop a birth plan and advocates for the type of birth you hope for
• It prepares your space and mind for the arrival of your baby
• Suggests different birthing positions during labor and helps you breathe through contractions by helping and providing words of encouragement and massage
• It explains what happens during childbirth
• Encourages you to communicate your wants and needs with your health care providers, including your obstetrician or midwife and your birth nurses
• It helps you immediately after giving birth, providing information on newborn care and breastfeeding guidelines

A postpartum doula can offer support in the first few weeks after giving birth, giving you information and guidance on how to care for, feed and bathe your baby. They will support you as you recover from birth and offer you information about care options for you and your baby. Postpartum doulas generally provide these services during the day, but you can also hire a nighttime postpartum doula to help care for your baby overnight so you can get extra rest.

It’s possible to hire one doula to help with both labor and postpartum, although it could be two separate people if you choose that route. One of the potential benefits of having the same doula is that they are aware of what happened during your birth as a first-hand witness, so they can better tailor their postpartum advice to you and your experience.

What is the difference between a midwife and a doula?

A midwife is a medical professional who can do almost anything an obstetrician can do, except perform a C-section, but a doula is not a medical professional.

Doulas do not have medical training, but there are professional training and certification programs for birth doulas and postpartum doulas through organizations including DONA International, Opens a new windowHOODOpens a new window (Professional Association for Childbirth and Postpartum), ICEAOpens a new window (International Association for Childbirth Education), i Childbirth InternationalOpens a new window. Community doulas – doulas who are funded by counties or private dollars to help mothers who may not be able to afford care – are trained through community doula training organizations.

Certification programs vary, but birth doulas typically attend workshops on doula work, childbirth, and breastfeeding. (Postpartum doulas have different coursework and requirements that focus on postpartum needs.) Aspiring doulas may have to write essays, provide doula services for several clients, and provide written recommendations before becoming certified.

Certification is not required for most doulas, and it is up to you whether you want your doula to have one. (Many doulas who aren’t certified by a specific entity are still able to provide excellent help and care.) It’s smart, however, to find out how many births your doula has attended—the more, the better—and to ask about your potential doula training. and experience.

What are the benefits of a doula?

It’s impossible to predict or control how labor and delivery will go: Will you bond with your nurse and will she have time for you? How will you react to pain? Will you be able to stick to your birth plan even if you end up having to be induced? Will you have a fast delivery or a long, drawn-out delivery? And if you have a partner who will be present at your birth, how will they hold up under the pressure?

Faced with these uncertainties, many women find great reassurance in having a doula by their side. Research has found that women who have continuous one-on-one support during labor tend to use less pain medication, have slightly shorter labors, and are less likely to have a C-section or forceps or vacuum-assisted delivery. In fact, if you’re serious about trying to have a natural, drug-free birth, a doula may be your best ally.

Women who have ongoing support are also more likely to report being satisfied with their birth experience. One theory is that mothers who have this support produce lower levels of stress hormones during labor than women who are left alone or with the help of inexperienced assistants.

How much does a doula cost?

A birth doula charges anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars for their services, depending on where you live—doulas tend to cost more in larger cities, for example. Some health insurance plans will cover some or all of the costs, and some doulas are willing to work on a sliding scale based on your ability to pay. Doula communities are usually free to the client. A few pioneering hospitals even provide doulas to patients who want them.

Some doulas charge by the hour, while most have a flat rate for their services. Also, some may offer you different packages, with only hospital support during the birth, or with more comprehensive support in the days and weeks before or after.

You can ask your doula if she provides text or call support during the early hours of labor, and if that’s an extra fee, as that time frame can last for days for some moms. This service can help you better understand what you’re feeling, get help timing your contractions and know when to go to hospital or seek medical help if you’re giving birth at home.

How do I know if I should hire a doula?

If you’re seeing a midwife in a low-volume hospital practice or planning to birth in a birth center or at home, you’re likely to have more continuous one-on-one support from your midwife. If you’re having a baby in hospital, it’s likely to be a different story – and hiring a doula can be a great way to make sure you have an experienced helper by your side during labor.

In a typical hospital setting, the laborer and some midwives do not stay in the room with you continuously during labor. Labor nurses often have to divide their time between several patients and may come and go according to shifts.

There are many reasons you may choose to hire a doula if you are able, such as:

• You are giving birth without a partner and want a support system in the room
• You prefer not to invite family into the room as your support system
• You are hoping for an unmedicated birth and want support with navigating pain
• Communicating with hospital staff is difficult or anxiety-provoking for you, especially if it involves asking for alternative options or explaining why the healthcare professional is recommending something. A birth doula can be your advocate.
• You want to be able to discuss the birth later with someone who witnessed it and can help you mentally examine and process what happened. This can be especially helpful if you have had a traumatic or difficult birth experience in the past.
• You want additional advocacy if you feel mistrust of medical systems
• You are a woman of color who believes that having a doula of color with you will help. There is a black maternal health crisis in the US, and research has shown that implicit bias can affect your care. The gift of a doula can help you learn how this affects your birth and can empower you to have a louder voice when it comes to your care.

How to find a doula

Organizations like DONA InternationalOpens a new window, HOODOpens a new windowand the National Association of Black DoulasOpens a new window can help you find a reputable doula near you through the referral locator on their website, and you can always ask your birthing instructor, midwife, obstetrician, or family and friends for their recommendations.

If you’re looking for a doula, plan to start interviewing them early, in the second trimester, as you book them months in advance. If you find a doula who seems full around your appointment, ask to be added to their waiting list, as the needs of their other clients can change at any time. However, you may not realize you want a doula until later in your pregnancy; if that’s the case, don’t be afraid to try to find one anyway, even if you’re already in your third trimester.

It’s not a bad idea to interview several doulas before deciding which one you would like to hire. Since your birth doula will be with you during one of the biggest moments of your life, it’s especially important that you feel comfortable and that your relationship is in harmony.

Read more:

Video: What is a doula?

Video: Painkillers during childbirth: How common are they?

Hospital Bag Checklist: What to Pack for Labor and Delivery

For me, few things compare to the thrill of hunting when frugal. Not knowing what hidden gems are waiting to be discovered is just exciting. It’s probably hard, but as The Spruce’s senior visual editor, I’d even argue that frugality is part of my job.

As a home website, The Spruce’s team is full of expert thrifters so I’m in good company. There are plenty of potentially valuable items that you should never pass up in the thrift store, but what about the items that are better left on the shelf? Read on for our editors’ advice on what they’d personally take to thrift stores.

Bedding and linen

For me, thrifting used bedding and bedding in general is a no-no. I live in New York, so I’m always at risk of bed bugs. I’d rather not risk bringing something into my apartment that could harbor pests.

Of course, there are exceptions. If I came across a really rare find, like a vintage tablecloth, I could put it in a plastic bag right after I bought it and take it straight to the dry cleaner before putting it in my home.

Kate McKenna, senior editor, echoes this sentiment.

“I would probably skip the used sheets and towels at the thrift store,” she says. “I’m sure they do their best to clean things before putting them up for sale, but you never know the level of care and frequency of cleaning these items received in their previous homes.”

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Books

Hear us out on this: Everyone loves the look and feel of an old book, but saving them can have consequences.

“Even though I’m an avid reader, I never buy books at a thrift store,” says Associate Editor Aliyah Rodriguez. “I know it’s a great way to save money (because why are books so expensive these days?), but I just can’t get over the idea of ​​book lice or bed bugs between my pages. And before anyone suggests putting them in freezer—I know, I just don’t want to be reading my books weeks later and the frozen bug falls out.”

(Some) Glasses

Social media editor Sara Brown says that while she loves vintage glassware, she’s hesitant to buy it at a thrift store.

“Some glassware from the past contained lead and other toxic substances,” she says. “I’d rather not buy a nice glass at the expense of exposure to harmful toxins.”

Her advice?

“If you plan on drinking from vintage glassware, be sure to test it for lead! Buy lead testing kits online and you won’t have to wonder if you’re accidentally poisoned.”

Rusty, scratched or darkened dishes

“I wouldn’t take any rusty or stained dishes,” says associate editorial director Jenny Hughes. “I know you can get a lot of those clues out, but I don’t trust my deep cleaning abilities enough to do that.”

Hughes also has reservations about buying scratched pans, especially non-stick ones. Scratches can compromise the non-stick coating, potentially releasing harmful chemicals that could end up in your food.