I was six months pregnant when a smiling stranger on a bus asked where I was delivering. Within minutes, this woman was sharing intimate details of her own birthing experience -- the water breaking, the contractions that failed to get closer together, and the way her doctor deftly sewed up the four-inch incision from her Caesarean section. "I'm telling you, this guy was good," she said. "Next time, I'm just scheduling my C-section. None of this pushing stuff."
My mom died nine months ago, and two days later, I gave birth to my daughter (she was full term, actually late, and completely healthy). I have been struggling with depression and all sorts of other medical problems since my mom passed. I cannot seem to get past crying over my mom. I cried all the time. We were very close, and losing her has been very hard. At the time, my husband was in Iraq, so I was dealing with a newborn by myself, as well as the loss of my best friend, my mom.
Shortly before last Mother's Day, 28-year-old Lauren Meehan-Machos broke down in front of her startled husband. "This is more than I can handle," she sobbed.
Some are girlish 22-year-olds; others are women approaching 40. They come from South Carolina's rural counties and its booming cities. They are loud and muted, lively and vacant, hopeful and desperate.
Some are girlish 22-year-olds; others are women approaching 40. They come from South Carolina's rural counties and its booming cities. They are loud and muted, lively and vacant, hopeful and desperate.
Kathryn Gutowski is a stay-at-home mother of four. For the past 11 years she has juggled laundry, carpooling and homework. Before becoming a mom, she was an attorney. She always planned to re-enter the work force, so she kept her skills polished, renewed her license regularly and did volunteer work.
More than one in 10 women develops depression during pregnancy. Now, a new study suggests that women who are treated with antidepressants are more likely to give birth early or to have newborns that need to spend time in a neonatal intensive care unit.
Next week, the long-awaited H1N1 vaccine is expected to arrive. At least three of the four vaccine makers have begun shipping their products to undisclosed distribution centers.
Women who develop a mild case of gestational diabetes during pregnancy tend to have fewer complications and healthier babies if the diabetes is treated, according to the first large-scale randomized trial in the U.S. to address whether such treatment leads to health benefits for mother and child.
Not long ago, frustrated that my 3-month-old refused to sleep in his brand-new crib, I posted the following on Facebook: "Patty is wondering why Will hates his crib so very much."
I was six months pregnant when a smiling stranger on a bus asked where I was delivering. Within minutes, this woman was sharing intimate details of her own birthing experience -- the water breaking, the contractions that failed to get closer together, and the way her doctor deftly sewed up the four-inch incision from her Caesarean section. "I'm telling you, this guy was good," she said. "Next time, I'm just scheduling my C-section. None of this pushing stuff."
My mom died nine months ago, and two days later, I gave birth to my daughter (she was full term, actually late, and completely healthy). I have been struggling with depression and all sorts of other medical problems since my mom passed. I cannot seem to get past crying over my mom. I cried all the time. We were very close, and losing her has been very hard. At the time, my husband was in Iraq, so I was dealing with a newborn by myself, as well as the loss of my best friend, my mom.
Shortly before last Mother's Day, 28-year-old Lauren Meehan-Machos broke down in front of her startled husband. "This is more than I can handle," she sobbed.
Some are girlish 22-year-olds; others are women approaching 40. They come from South Carolina's rural counties and its booming cities. They are loud and muted, lively and vacant, hopeful and desperate.
Some are girlish 22-year-olds; others are women approaching 40. They come from South Carolina's rural counties and its booming cities. They are loud and muted, lively and vacant, hopeful and desperate.
Kathryn Gutowski is a stay-at-home mother of four. For the past 11 years she has juggled laundry, carpooling and homework. Before becoming a mom, she was an attorney. She always planned to re-enter the work force, so she kept her skills polished, renewed her license regularly and did volunteer work.
More than one in 10 women develops depression during pregnancy. Now, a new study suggests that women who are treated with antidepressants are more likely to give birth early or to have newborns that need to spend time in a neonatal intensive care unit.
Next week, the long-awaited H1N1 vaccine is expected to arrive. At least three of the four vaccine makers have begun shipping their products to undisclosed distribution centers.
Women who develop a mild case of gestational diabetes during pregnancy tend to have fewer complications and healthier babies if the diabetes is treated, according to the first large-scale randomized trial in the U.S. to address whether such treatment leads to health benefits for mother and child.
Not long ago, frustrated that my 3-month-old refused to sleep in his brand-new crib, I posted the following on Facebook: "Patty is wondering why Will hates his crib so very much."
For the past several months, Amy Wolf has been glued to the television, intently watching for information on how best to prepare for H1N1 flu.
Think a little spanking won't do much harm to kids? New research says the effects can be long-lasting.
"This never gets old," says father-of-18 Jim Bob Duggar, whose wife Michelle is due in the spring
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar of Tonitown, Arkansas, who have 18 children and one grandchild on the way, are expecting a new addition to their household -- baby No. 19 will arrive in the spring.
Infant car safety seats can -- and do -- save newborns' lives in traffic accidents. In fact, you can't leave the hospital without one.
You might think childbirth would be a topic too personal, too beautiful or way too graphic to write about on Twitter.
Women with a family history of breast cancer may have a new weapon against the disease: breast-feeding. In a new study of more than 60,000 women, nursing a baby for at least three months cut the risk of breast cancer in half for those who had a family history of the disease.
When Lana Phillip, now 45, decided to breast-feed her baby, she never imagined she would continue for three whole years.
When Holly Betten, 28, came home from the hospital after a rough delivery, she had one day to adjust to her new life as a mom before her husband went back to working 12-hour days as a computer-software architect.
Pregnant women infected with the H1N1 virus are more likely to be hospitalized from it and perhaps even more likely to die from it, according to a federal study released Wednesday.
After my wife had given birth to our second child, my editor at BabyTalk called me with an assignment: See what it's like to be pregnant by wearing an "empathy belly" -- a sort of pregnancy suit for men (expectant dads try them on briefly during childbirth class) -- for one day.
After a difficult pregnancy with life-threatening complications, the actress has a healthy son named Holden
Pregnant women in Peru are dying at scandalous rates, according to the author of an Amnesty International report into maternal mortality in the South American country.
Pregnant women in Peru are dying at scandalous rates, according to the author of an Amnesty International report into maternal mortality in the South American country.
Hank Baskett says, "I've seen more baby television shows since she got pregnant than I have in my entire life"
I am exclusively beast-feeding my 4-month-old baby, who was diagnosed with allergic colitis at 3 months. I have been off dairy and soy for eight weeks now. We still see blood specks in his poop. He is gaining weight, albeit very slowly. Question, is it beneficial for me to be on an elimination diet and figure out what he is allergic to or is a hypoallergenic formula the answer? Has any research been done on this? My baby won't take those formulas and I am torn on what to do. Is breast-feeding detrimental in this case or will he outgrow it eventually in six months or a year? Please advise.
She says there's "something wonderful" about pregnancy, but is ready to be done with it
Diana Adam, 35, and her husband wanted to have a second child this year. The timing just seemed right. She had a job as a software engineer at a big market research company near San Francisco, California, and it had good benefits -- including paid maternity leave. He was looking for a faculty position after finishing his Ph.D. in sociology but had a steady job as a lecturer at a state university. Their first child, a boy, was three.
After two pregnancies, she ditches the cupcakes and turns up her workouts to get into the best shape of her life
For years, Candace Eloph searched for her half-brother, who was given up for adoption in 1977. She found him -- living across the street.
Decades-old time off given women for pregnancy leave cannot be counted when deciding pension eligibility, the Supreme Court decided Monday.
Decades-old time off given women for pregnancy leave cannot be counted when deciding pension eligibility, the Supreme Court decided Monday.
The SNL star is having another child with director Paul Thomas Anderson
A mother's work is never easy, and for a mother who works outside the home, things are especially tough this year. In these trying economic times, moms are finding the balancing act between family and work is more challenging than ever, according to CareerBuilder's annual Mother's Day survey of 469 working mothers.
A pregnant British woman jailed in Laos was denied access to a British lawyer who flew out to meet her, a human rights group said Tuesday.
The View co-host says she's so busy she's "lucky to have a prenatal pill by the end of day"
Had she been born a generation earlier, Kim Hoffman might have had a shotgun wedding. As it turned out, she and Steve Miller took the time to plan their dream nuptials -- outdoors, on an organic farm, and with their 10-month-old daughter in tow.
Malawi's decision to reject pop star Madonna's adoption of a local child has reignited global debate about the ethics of international adoption.
Twins? Triplets? Octuplets? Sounds like a lot of stress to handle more than one baby at once.
Pop star Madonna and her adopted son met with the young boy's biological father in Malawi as the singer awaited a court decision on whether she could adopt a girl from the same country, her publicist said Tuesday.
"Now stay in bed and go to sleep," my husband, Bill, said as he hugged our 3-year-old son, Davey, good night. "If you don't, I'm gonna talk in my troll voice all day tomorrow."
The average cost of medical care for a premature or low birth-weight baby for its first year of life is about $49,000, according to a new report from the March of Dimes Foundation.
Their paths crossed on YouTube on an August night last year.
New book reveals Palin thought that not disclosing her condition would prevent unwanted attention
In a case that's captured international attention, Nadia Suleman, the mother of six children, gave birth to octuplets in Bellflower, California.
As more details of the mother who gave birth to octuplets come to light, ethicists are debating the moral quandaries involved.
The expectant mom describes herself as being like "a Koala bear where I'm slightly stoned"
The 40-year-old actress's pregnancy will be written into the storyline of her show The Secret Life of the American Teenager
Every day in the United States, thousands of women and families experience one of the most joyous occasions in their lifetime -- the birth of a child.
"I am Fertile Myrtle," says the singer, who tells Bonnie Hunt she loves "being 40 and pregnant"
The star and her fiancé are expecting their first child together
When mothers-to-be and their doctors schedule repeat elective Caesarean sections before the 39th week of pregnancy, the baby is up to twice as likely to experience serious respiratory problems and other complications, according to a study published Wednesday in The New England Journal of Medicine.
The season three couple who wed in March are due to have their first child in July
Is it possible for a woman to still get pregnant after having her tubes tied?
Sexual content on television is strongly associated with teen pregnancy, a new study from the RAND Corporation shows.
Daily television viewing for two or more hours during early childhood can lead to behavioral problems and poor social skills. The study, which is published in the October 2007 issue of Pediatrics, was conducted by Johns Hopkins researchers on children aged 2 to 5.
Naptime at our house used to be a recurring mystery: When would Lucy go down today? I'd be on the lookout for clues and remain suspicious through dim lights, books, and droopy eyelids.
Thomas Beatie, known as "the pregnant man," was interviewed Monday by CNN's Larry King. Joining Thomas was his wife, Nancy. Thomas gave birth in July to the couple's first child, Susan, and now they're expecting again.
The "pregnant man" who gave birth to a daughter earlier this year says he is expecting a second child.
Thomas Beatie, who is due in June, breaks his baby news with Barbara Walters
Karen Kornbluh is not famous, but her ideas are. As Barack Obama's chief policy director, political insiders call her his "brain."
The Access Hollywood co-host, who lost her own mom last spring to Lou Gehrig's disease, will release her book next April
The elated singer is six months along with her first child – and it's a boy!
Depressed moms-to-be are more likely than nondepressed women to have a preterm birth, and the worse their mood, the greater their risk, says a new study published in Human Reproduction. In fact, women in the study who were severely depressed during early pregnancy more than doubled their risk of giving birth to premature babies.
A comprehensive 30-year analysis of abortion rates in the U.S. finds they're on a steady decline
Do you speed over to your child's school, or even college, whenever something goes wrong?
The revelation that Bristol Palin, the 17-year-old daughter of GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, is five months pregnant puts teen pregnancy squarely in the spotlight again this summer.
A 61-year-old Japanese woman gave birth to her own grandchild, using an egg donated by her daughter, a clinic said Thursday
We all see them and swear we're not one of those so-called "helicopter parents" who hover over their kids, micromanaging every aspect of their lives.
The first federal survey of both men and women on adoption, challenges some stereotypes and offers some surprising findings
Flying with a baby or toddler can have its fair share of turbulence. From finding a place to change diapers to keeping your child quiet to dealing with eye-rolling passengers, parents have their work cut out for them on a plane.
Five years is too long between vacations. Just ask Amy and Matt Wilcher.
If you're a mom who not only has beautiful children but also a job you love, plenty of people have probably said you "have it all."
Babies are adorable! There's nothing like the love surge of a full-body hug or the amazed pride you feel when your toddler takes his first steps!
Ask a mom if she's happier now that she has a child, and she'll usually say yes. But psychologists who study happiness often report a different picture. Being the mom of a young child (especially one under 3) is rewarding, but also a real strain on your mood.
The crib in Ellen Darcy's Boston home has sat empty for more than a year. And in suburban Washington, Laura Teresinski has prepared a nursery for a baby that may never arrive.
The law requires adoption in the U.S. to be color-blind, but a new study suggests that approach may be less than ideal
Unfortunately, motherhood is so difficult that virtually no one does it perfectly. Maybe your mother was flawless, but it's more likely she made mistakes. Whatever her errors, you inherited a legacy of sorrow.
A new study shows that adopted kids are more likely to require mental health help as teens than non-adopted ones
I had big plans for my first maternity leave, the nine blessedly unencumbered months I'd spend away from my teaching job. First, of course, I intended to love, care for, and play with my baby. But no way was I going to become one of those goo-goo-ga-ga new mothers who can't think of anything but their child. While my son napped -- I was counting on long naps -- I'd rent films and watch the news. Most of all, I would read books: glorious novels, gorgeous poetry collections, spellbinding biographies.
When her son Justin was a newborn, Shannon Kinninger looked up from the kitchen where she was washing dishes, and saw a large, heavy toy fall on his head. Justin didn't cry.
As far as hard jobs go, it's up there with air-traffic controller and crane operator. Stepmothers preside over a minefield of hidden hurts, half-concealed traditions and occasional tugs-of-war. Want the job?
A new government report says the cost of raising a child has soared to $204,000. But even scarier is what that figure leaves out
At some point during last month's well-baby checkup for her son Isaac, Kamila McGinnis stopped listening to her pediatrician.
The European Court of Human Rights has overturned French court rulings that prevented a single lesbian woman from adopting a child
When parenting styles clash, awkward situations arise. What to do in these five situations when you find yourself at odds with other parents, in-laws, or even your spouse.
Citing her emotional problems, a Dutch diplomat couple gave their adopted Korean daughter back to Hong Kong's social welfare bureau, sparking outrage in Asia and Europe
The United States on Wednesday joined an international treaty on adoptions -- a move that will protect both children and parents, and make the State Department a central registry tracking all adoptions coming in and out of the country, officials said.
Millions of parents are nervous about buying their kids toys for Christmas as recalls become more frequent and increasingly bizarre.
When Erika Clowes was pregnant, she figured breast-feeding would be a breeze. After all, she'd read all the books and taken all the classes. After an easy birth, she brought home her baby, Charlie, and waited for paradise to begin.
For many years, Guatemala has been a place of relatively uncomplicated adoptions for American parents. The small country's government estimates as many as 17 babies leave each day for adoptive parents in the United States.
Breast milk is best for babies' health and well-being, but a new study finds it doesn't help prevent asthma or allergies
Under pressure from both the U.S. and its own citizens, Guatemala is trying to crack down on its corrupt adoption business
Mother's day means something special to everyone.
My first sitter, Maggie, spoiled me forever. We met, I adored her, she adored the baby, I hired her, and a love affair began. I left for work on her first day without a second thought -- really! I had no urge to run back and ask her 12 more questions about her experience, her references, her opinion on daytime TV or high-fructose corn syrup.
For parents, sending kids off to summer camp is an emotional balancing act: There's the prospect of fresh air and friendships, competition and camaraderie, but there's also the worry of insect bites, injuries and allergies.
For 5-year-old Jackson Manford-Roach, Mother's Day means it's time to see his grandmothers.
Every milestone -- from when your baby first holds up her sweet little head to when she speaks her first word -- is thrilling. These moments aren't just exciting and fun; they're also markers that can clue you in to your baby's development. Most parents already know to look for the much-lauded ones, like rolling over and walking. But of the multitude of milestones cited by the American Academy of Pediatrics, some are considered more significant. Here, 10 milestones that are worth paying a little extra attention to during your child's first two years:
The battle lines were drawn: It was me against him. And he, my 2-year-old, was a formidable opponent. I lay in wait by the stairs, a pair of size-2T sweatpants clutched to my chest. Catching Kevin and wrestling him into his clothes reminded me of the day I tried (and failed) to catch a greased piglet at a county fair. At least with Kevin I didn't have to worry I'd end up face-down in the mud. Suddenly, my slippery little boy popped up from behind the relative safety of the sofa. Our eyes met. He squealed and bolted for the kitchen. Game on!
My older daughter, Sophie, and I have a pretty good routine going at the mall. She understands that most stores are like museums: She can "ooh" and "ahh" at stuff, but she usually can't take it home.
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