New research on bed rest during pregnancy reveals that taking the doctor’s orders may not be as helpful as previously recommended. According to the latest study, some specialists feel that the age-old treatment doesn’t, in fact, seem to prevent the risk for premature birth — it might actually worsen the risk.

In a study of 646 women, Dr. Catherine Spong and a team of researchers took a closer look at a study of treatments for women at risk of premature birth due to a complication called “short cervix.” During the study of the treatments, doctors were free to decide if the participants also should restrict their activities, which would essentially offer them a real-world test of the effects. The ‘prescriptions’ were: no sexual activity, partial or complete work restrictions and restrictions on non-work activity: all of which are considered bed rest. They found that nearly 40 percent of the women enrolled in the study were prescribed one of these prescriptions — though most were instructed to restrict all types of activity — during their second or third trimester.

Researchers noted that 37 percent of the women who took the precautions had a premature baby, compared to the 17 percent of the women who didn’t scale back their activities. Spong said, “The data suggests that bed rest does not prevent preterm birth in this high-risk population, but it doesn’t definitively answer that question.” What the study does do, however, is continue to raise questions about the harm bed rest can do to women (and to baby). Though there isn’t a direct correlation between the women who went on bed rest and the women who gave birth to a premature baby, it is totally possible that the 37 percent of women may very well have been at a higher risk for a preemie due to age and more serious cervical complications. Spong said, “Patients want you to do something, and physicians want to do something.”

To showcase just how important the most recent link is, researchers also pointed out other studies that link bed rest to increased stress and anxiety, both of which are associated with smaller birth weight babies and premature deliveries. Not to mention, bed rest is known to increase a mother’s risk of a dangerous blood clot, as well as side effects including bone and muscle loss.

When researchers took into account outside factors, they found that those women who rested were more likely to have private insurance — which also shed light on whether risks linked bed rest were more of a social rather than medical issue. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says bed rest shouldn’t be “routinely recommended” for prevention of preterm birth.

Spong and her colleagues now express the need for further research to examine the link that exists between preemies and bed rest. Though it’s not likely to happen in every expectant woman, Spong and doctors recommend speaking with your own doctor about the risks associated with bed rest in your second or third trimester.

Were you placed on bed rest? Did you deliver early?

Plus, more from The Bump:

How to Avoid Preterm Labor

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There are some days where I hate the Internet and then there are days that I kiss the earth and thank tech teams the world over for this marvelous invention — and today is one of those days. For Mother’s Day, two men set out to confirm what all women know is true: men don’t understand what a contraction feels like. So, thanks to the help of a very friendly doctor and some high-tech contraction-simulating devices, these guys were able to feel what women in labor experience — from start to finish. Before stepping foot in the doctor’s office, the men say that, “According to women, childbirth is the worst kind of pain there is” and they follow it up by also saying that, “According to women, us men can’t handle anything.”

So… is it true? Is childbirth the worst kind of pain there is — and can men handle it?

The proof, my Internet friends, is, as they say, in the contraction-pudding. Check out the video right here:

How hilarious is this video? While I feel for these guys (and cringe at the thought of one day giving birth!), I couldn’t help myself from rewinding the video time and time again to laugh at their reactions as labor got progressively more intense. The moment the one man says, “STOP SMILING!” I actually spit out my coffee because I just wasn’t expecting their reactions to be so on point! Also give their wives kudos for grabbing ice, water and holding hands for some added support!

Do you think your husband could handle labor?

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What Do Contractions Feel Like?

Signs of Labor?

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There is nothing like the first moment you see your child: whether you’re dreaming of that day, planning for it or thinking back on it, those first moments together are indescribable, beautiful, emotional and incredibly powerful. New mama Holly Madison is letting the world in on her first meeting with her daughter, baby Rainbow, in a new video.

In between pushes, Holly looks to her nurses for support, saying she’s scared — and it’s really beautiful. I think all moms, whether they’re first-timers or seasoned veterans, can relate to Holly at that moment. There’s so much emotion, so much fear, so much excitement that it’s hard to prepare for what comes next, or how you’ll react when you first meet your daughter (or son!). I also love that Holly says she going to cry when she hears baby crying — it’s just so sweet! I’ll admit, I cried too… it was just that adorable!

Take a look for yourself:

How would you describe your first moments with baby?

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Even if you are not a first time mom, the medical process of the typical hospital birth can be overwhelming, creating uncertainty about what is necessary, what you have a choice about, and what is right for you. The birth experience is fast-moving and filled with intense emotions. Mothers normally place their trust and faith in their providers, which can be comforting, but it’s important that every woman go into the birth process knowing the facts around common medical interventions so that she can be her own informed advocate. She should know the risks, the benefits, and the chain of events that can be set into motion as one intervention can lead to another.

Some tips for making sure you receive the care that’s right for you and your baby:

1. Do Your Research

Educate yourself on the risks and benefits of the most common medical interventions during childbirth: labor induction, episiotomy, epidurals and C-section births. You can find a wealth of info in pregnancy guidebooks, on pregnancy-oriented websites and on medically-oriented websites like the Mayo Clinic and Harvard Health Publications. Look for the average rates of each of the procedures, when each if the procures is indicated and why, the risks associated with each of the procures and alternatives to the procedures.

2. Ask Questions

Be sure to ask your doctor his or her average rate for the aforementioned procedures and when he or she believes each of the procedures is indicated. Discuss any questions or concerns you may have about each of the procedures after you have done your research.

A new survey conducted by Childbirth Connection, a nonprofit organization dedicated to evidence-based maternity care, took a close look at the medical procedures implemented in 2400 hospital births in 2011 and 2012. The survey showed that women are often unaware of the risks associated with the most common medical interventions and do not question their healthcare providers when they are told that interventions are indicated. In fact, many of the participants in the survey indicated desiring a different sort of medical care than they received and refraining from questioning their providers for fear of being perceived as difficult. Remember: when it comes your care (and baby’s!) you are never being too difficult.

3. Make a Birth Plan

After you have educated yourself and discussed all options with your doctor, decide what kind of birth experience you want to have. Discuss each point of your birth plan with your healthcare provider to be sure your wishes will be supported. Ask under which circumstances each of the points would not be possible and find out the alternatives to your choices. If you have strong beliefs for wanting to avoid particular procedures or for wanting to be allowed to have skin to skin contact and to breastfeed immediately after birth, it should go in your birth plan.

The lesson here: Be your own advocate. Educate yourself on the risks and benefits of labor induction, episiotomy, epidurals and C-section births. Ask your doctor how often he performs these procedures and under what circumstances. Formulate a birth plan and discuss it with your doctor. Knowledge is power; knowing the facts can help you make informed decisions and reduce your risks during childbirth and help to ensure you have the most fulling and safe birth experience possible.

Was there anything you did before birth that helped you? Share it with us!

Plus, more from The Bump:

10 Things You Have to Do Before You Go Into Labor

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10+ Things No One Tells You About C-Section Deliveries

Sheesh! These royal insiders need a lesson in secret keeping. Over the weekend, The Mail on Sunday reported that they had insider information on Kate’s very royal (very top-secret!) due date. The Mail’s top-secret source, who is described as a “friend of the pair” (some friend, huh?) told the paper, “Some of Kate and William’s closest pals were at a barbecue hosted by a family friend of the Royals recently” and that’s reported where the parents-to-be revealed when the royal babe is due.

So just when is the little prince (or princess!) scheduled to make his jubilant debut? The “friend” apparently told The Mail at the barbecue that, “They were all discussing the fact that Kate’s baby is due to be born on July 13. Everyone was very excited.” First, I’d like to say bravo (and farewell!) the royal insider, who most likely find himself on the very unroyal outside of things for letting the public in on Kate and Will’s big secret!

If the rumor is true and the Duchess of Cambridge does give birth on July 13, she’ll be proud mama to a baby Cancer! In the past, we sat down with Dabney Oliver, founder of AstroCutie.com, and got the scoop on what baby’s astrological sign means for his personality. Judging from what Oliver said about each one of the astrological signs, here’s what kind of traits we can all expect for the royal babe:

Cancer’s are very sensitive (a trait both mom and dad have, as well, so it’s sure to be passed on to baby!) and they’re homebodies, which we’re sure baby won’t mind, since mom and dad are renovating a glorious apartment space. Staying indoors might be best for the royal one, too, during his first few months of life, since the press will be hot to trot to snag a photo of the royal heir (or heiress!). Oliver said of cancer babies in general that they’re “going to have a very strong bond with mom and they need to spend a lot of quality time with her.” Can’t you just see Kate and the babe together? I can! And I’m jealous just thinking about it.

Kate’s reported due during the middle of the Coronation Festival, which is a four-day celebration that marks 60 years since the Queen was crowned — only 16 months after being proclaimed Monarch following her father’s death. The festival, which lasts 4 days begins on July 11 and lasts through July 14, means if baby is born when he’s expected to, Kate and Will will be absent from the festivities!

Perhaps Kate has been trolling our July 2013 moms board? Getting advice and updates from other moms-to-be on what to expect once baby arrives? Kate, if you’re out there and you’re listening, we love you! (and tell Harry to call me) but more importantly, we love you! And we can’t wait to meet your little guy!

Can you trust what the press is saying about Kate’s reported due date?

Plus, more from The Bump:

6 Royal Nursery Ideas Fit for Life in the Palace

What Will William and Kate’s Baby Look Like?

Kate Middleton’s Friends Keep Giving Her Baby Name Suggestions

A new study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology found that very premature babies have fewer breathing problems when they’re born via vaginal delivery compared to those born via C-section.

The research, which studied more than 20,000 newborns, found that regardless of why a C-section birth was preformed (whether because of pregnancy-related complications or maternal medical problems), vaginally delivery tended to be saver for premature babies. Werner’s team of researchers collected data from birth certificate and hospital discharge records for 20,231 babies born early (between 24 and 34 weeks) in New York between 1995 and 2003. They found that just over two-thirds of the babies were born vaginally.

After the data had been collected, researchers factored in mother’s age, race and underlying medical conditions. From there, they concluded that babies delivered via C-section were more likely to be born in respiratory distress: over 39% of C-section preemies had breathing problems, while just 26% of vaginally delivered preemies exhibited breathing problems. Researchers calculated that between seven and eight preemie deliveries would have to be switched from C-sections to vaginal births to avoid one case of newborn respiratory distress.

Dr. Erika Werner, who led the study at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, said, “My suspicion is that the labor process, the contractions, that natural squeezing probably does something to clear out the lungs so that when babies are born they have a better breathing status,” adding, “If a vaginal delivery is safe, it’s something that should be attempted.”

According to data collected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, C-section births accounted for almost 1 in 3 births in 2011, which is up from 1 in 5 births in 1996.  Now, researchers worry that because the rate of C-sections continues on an upward trend for all pregnancies, there are more possible complications for mothers and babies.

Though Werner is the first to recognize that there are certain circumstances where a C-section delivery is required (such as maternal bleeding or the baby’s heart rate drops), she did acknowledge that there hasn’t been much data collected on whether C-section or vaginal delivery is the safer method for other premature babies.

Because Werner and her team looked back on old records, they were not able to control for all the differences between women who had C-sections and vaginal deliveries, which she calls a “huge limitation” of the study. She said, “I was struck by the fact that there does not seem to be an increased risk of some things with C-section. “

Yet, one thing Werner feels the study did shed light on is the need for further research. Citing the limitations of her own work, she said, “I don’t know if you can make a definitive statement that it is higher risk to have a C-section based on this study.”

Are you surprised by this study?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Crotch Care 101

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The documentary, Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin & The Farm Midwives, tells the story of Ina May Gaskin and her hippie friends during the 1970′s, when they began delivering each others babies in caravans full of hippies, headed toward a patch of Tennessee land.

The women, under the leadership of Ina May Gaskin, taught themselves midwifery and with the support of their families, founded an entirely communal and agricultural society they coined The Farm. The women grew their own food, built their own houses, published their own literature and created a model of care for women and their infants that changed an entire generation’s approach to childbirth.

Forty years ago, Ina, alongside The Farm Midwives, led women away from isolated hospital birthing rooms where their husbands were not allowed and delivery via forceps was the norm. Even today, as more than one-third of babies born in the U.S. are delivered via C-section, Ina May and The Farm Midwives surge forward, working tirelessly to redefine birth.

Our own editors at The Bump have previewed the film and were absolutely touched and amazed by Ina May, The Farm Midwives and their journey to open doors for women, labor, delivery and newborn care. It’s interesting for women deciding which type of birth they would like to have and just as interesting for women who aren’t sure what type of of birthing experience they’d prefer or even what options exist.

Watch the trailer for the documentary here:

What do you think about giving birth without medication?

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In Ireland, medical history has happened! Maria Jones-Elliott and her husband, Chris Elliott, welcomed their twin daughters, Amy and Katie, 87 days apart.

The Belfast Telegraph reported that Maria went into labor four months early on June 1st, 2012. She gave birth to her daughter, Amy, who weighed in at just 1 pound, 3 ounces. Shortly after Amy’s birth, however, her contractions stopped.

After Amy’s birth, Maria remained at the Waterford Regional Hosptail until Amy’s twin sister, Katie, was born — 87 days later on August 27, 2012.

Dr. Eddie O’Donnell, a consultant obstetrician who worked with the team of doctors delivering the babies, said that the birth of the twins was most likely the “first of its kind”, noting that, “most people haven’t heard about this.”

After delivering Amy, doctors tried (unsuccessfully) to induce labor again, but Maria and her husband opted to wait it out in an effort to let their second daughter arrive naturally.

O’Donnell said that previous medical literature documents that an 84-day interval between twins has been documented, so the Amy and Katie’s 87-day interval could quite possibly be a world record.

Now, as the twin baby girls gear up for their separate first birthdays, mom and dad are proud to note that their baby girls are happy and most importantly, healthy.

*Babies pictured above are not Katie and Amy Elliott.

Can you believe that these two twin sisters were born 87-days apart?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Twins: Fact or Fiction?

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The AAP has officially released a new policy statement, “Planned Home Birth” published in the May 2013 Pediatrics, which makes new recommendations for the care of infants born at home or in a home setting.

Here’s what the new guidelines state:

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding baby’s birth (including location), every newborn infant deserves health care that adheres to the AAP standards. The AAP also agrees with the most recent statements from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) that the safest setting for a child’s birth is a hopsital or birthing center, but recognizes that women and their families may deserve a home birth for a number or reasons. That said, pediatricians should advise parents interested in planning a home birth that the AAP and the ACOG recommend using only midwives that are certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.

In addition to being certified, the AAP recommends that there should be at least one person present at the delivery of baby whose primary responsibility is the care of the newborn, with the appropriate training, skills and equipment. The AAP advises that all medical equipment and the telephones in the home should be tested before baby’s delivery and the weather should be monitored closely. Additionally, an arrangement with a nearby medical facility should be made to ensure a safe and timely transport in the event of an emergency for the mother or baby.

AAP guidelines include warming, a detailed physical exam, monitoring of temperature, heart and respiratory rates, eye prophylaxis, vitamin K administration, hepatitis B immunization, feeding assessment, hyperbilirubinemia screening and other newborn screening tests. If allowed, infants may also require monitoring for group B streptococcal disease and glucose screening.

Following baby’s birth,  comprehensive documentation and a follow-up with the child’s primary health care provider is essential.

How do you feel about these new guidelines?

Plus, more from The Bump:

Should I Give Birth at Home?

Midwife or a Doula? What’s the Difference?

Alternative Birth Methods