If your intention is to have a vaginal birth, your OB mentioning the possible need for a cesarean can come as quite a shock. There’s a lot to know about why they happen, how they happen, and what it means for your postpartum experience. As April is Cesarean Awareness Month, we thought we’d share some answers to some of the most common cesarean questions, answered by one of New Mom School’s advisory Doctors, Dr. Jeffrey Illeck, MD. Q: What are the main reasons a woman would need a cesarean? The most common reason for a first-time mom to have a cesarean is for arrest disorders (ie: she ... Read This Post

Before our baby is born, we don’t quite know what to expect in the newborn phase. We typically think we are going to have a cute little accessory to dress in cute clothes and tote around everywhere with us. We don’t understand why people we know who have had babies had such a hard time. We often think “that won’t be me.” Although the joy of a newborn baby is heartfelt and exciting, the reality can be vastly different than what was expected. Coupled with an imbalance of hormones, any type of birth trauma, sleep deprivation and any tension in the relationship, the transition can come with ... Read This Post

Your newborn is a precious addition to the world but also requires an adjustment to your daily schedule. Here are some essential tips that should help.     1. Don’t try and force a schedule.  Infants are demanding but that should be expected. Though you may desire a certain schedule of your own, do your best not to force a schedule on your newborn. It can take weeks, sometimes months, to know your baby’s needs. Go easy on yourself and give it time to learn what they’re telling you.  Let your baby eat whenever he or she wants without applying a regular timetable. Before you ... Read This Post