1. Hormones: the hormones released during labor play critical roles in the birth process itself. Because this is a quick guide I won’t get into specifics about each of these (i.e. oxytocin, endorphins, adrenaline and noradrenaline, and prolactin), but the basic idea is that when we trust nature and allow it to take its course, our bodies release these hormones in the perfect amounts and at the perfect times, both during and after birth. These incredible hormones, which cannot be recreated by drugs or other interventions, contribute to the following:- controlling pain management,
   - signaling uterine contractions that tell baby to move down the birth canal,
   - creating a feeling of euphoria both during and after birth,
   - providing clear-headedness after birth for both mom AND baby, which plays a pivotal role in breastfeeding and bonding,
   - minimizing blood loss when placenta separates,
   - and maximizing the potential for a successful breastfeeding relationship.
2. Limiting or completely negating the “Cascade of Interventions”: briefly, the Cascade of Interventions refers to the reality that even a seemingly minor intervention (say, stripping of membranes) can disrupt the natural course of labor and birth and can ultimately lead to further intervention(s) and problems (the documentary The Business of Being Born does a great job explaining this further). Opting for a natural birth may eliminate the danger of ending up with unwanted and unnecessary interventions.
3. Due Date Variations: technically, this category falls under the “Cascade of Interventions” heading, but we now have updated data of which all parents-to-be should be aware. Recent studies illustrate that the length of pregnancy can vary naturally by as much as FIVE weeks.  Currently the “42 weeks” deadline looms large and can create a feeling of impending doom in that most care providers typically want to “move things along” at this point, which means intervening; and remember, more often than not, one intervention leads to the next. If due dates are more flexible than we once thought, parents can avoid intervening to induce labor and can simply let nature take its course. The following link provides more information: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2013/9/science-pregnancy/
4. Optimal Positioning aids the Birth Process: a mother who births naturally has more options in regards to movement and birth positioning which significantly impacts the birth process. If a mother’s legs are numb from an epidural, for example, she most likely will be lying down or sitting up on a hospital bed, not walking or swaying, lunging or squatting, finding the most comfortable position to labor and birth. Being able to choose how she labors can align the baby to move speedily through the birth canal which can also reduce discomfort.
5. Birth as an Empowering Experience: women’s bodies were designed to push out babies, but we have been intimidated by a medicalized model of birth—one that says women need help getting a baby out because our bodies are “broken” (small pelvis, first-time mom hasn’t “proven” herself, baby “too big,” etc.) and that the doctor always knows best. BUT—when we educate ourselves we learn we have choices, and we can make important decisions for our babies and our bodies. Birth can be intensely empowering when we trust women’s bodies to do what they have been doing since time began. I am not implying that birthing with intervention is lesser. Simply put, birthing without intervention— where mom and baby work together, ebbing and flowing to an ages-old rhythm of birth—can provide a woman with an entirely new perspective on her strength and abilities. Oftentimes this heightened self-confidence transfers to other aspects of life (say, motherhood and “mommy instincts”) and it can change the way we view ourselves as women. Natural childbirth certainly has been the most transformative experience of my life to date.

For more information, the following are some of my favorite birth resources—

So what do you think? Are you going the natural route? Are you definitely getting the drugs? Have experiences you want to share? Leave them in the Comments section below, because we’d love to know your thoughts!

When you find out that you’re pregnant, you’ll soon encounter a laundry list of things you can’t do for the next 9 months. For many new mommies to be, one of the hardest activities to give up is enjoying alcohol. Traditionally, drinking in any amount has been deemed a no-no. But some are starting to question this hard and fast rule.

One thing is for certain: heavy drinking during pregnancy is absolutely off-limits (defined as 5 or more drinks at one time). It can cause all kinds of serious issues, from birth defects to growth issues (under the umbrella of a “fetal alcohol spectrum disorder”). It can even cause a miscarriage or stillbirth.

But, what about a glass of wine here and there?

You’re probably going to get conflicting advice. This can be frustrating. For every study that suggests that any alcohol consumption could potentially harm a fetus, you will probably find another that finds that light drinking is a-okay.

So, what’s a prego to do?

Always discuss these decisions with your doctor, first and foremost. Your doctor should be someone that you trust, so their guidance will have a huge impact on your decision.

Also, decide where you fall on the pregnancy anxiety scale. If you can’t bring yourself to eat lunch meat (even heated up) or touch your cats for fear of toxoplasmosis, that sip of wine will probably cause you more stress than enjoyment, no matter how much you miss it.

The bottom line? Do your research, talk to your doctor, and make an informed decision that you’re comfortable with!

Jennifer and her husband, Robert, live in Tidewater, Virginia, and welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Seraphina on November 8, 2013. Besides expounding on the amazing/scary/life-changing topic of pregnancy, Jennifer is the full-time blogger behind Not Your Momma’s Cookie, where she tries to make cool treats and frequently shares embarrassing stories. 

Newly pregnant gals might not know much about labor, but they know one thing – it’s gonna hurt. Like, a lot. We’ve all seen those sweaty, screaming ladies in labor on TV, throwing obscenities at their husbands. Are we all destined to become crazy, mom-beasts once it’s time for our little ones to enter the world?

Not necessarily.

Modern medicine has opened the door for relatively pain-free births (well, as pain free as possible, anyway!). Plus, we’ll talk about natural methods of pain relief too.

1. Natural pain relief methods (water birth, showers, breathing techniques, Hypnobabies, etc.). Some super awesome women decide to go au naturale with their birth plan and choose not to use medically invasive pain relief options. They are, in a word, rockstars.

If you decide that this is the right path for you, make sure you start preparing early! Many of the techniques for managing pain naturally take some preparation and practice on your part and you don’t want to panic in the middle of labor and be disappointed afterwards.

2. IV Medications (Stadol, Demerol, etc.) A less popular option for pain relief, your doctor or midwife may speak with you about certain pain relievers that can be administered through your IV. They don’t numb you (like an epidural – see below), but they are designed to provide you with some relief and make your pain more bearable. However, some of them cross the placenta and can have some icky side effects for baby, so be sure to talk to your doctor about what is best!

3. Epidural or Spinal Block. Considered the holy grail of pain relief options, these two options basically numb you from the waist down. A doctor will use a needle to insert a catheter into your back that will provide you with continuous pain relief that can be adjusted. So, if you want less numbness for the pushing stage, generally the medication can be adjusted to allow you to have some feeling.

Squeamish about needles? Unless you specifically ask, you probably won’t even see the needles being used, since the doctor will be behind you.

Sound too good to be true? There are some side effects and, for some women, the epidural fails, for whatever reason or it only works on one side of their body. Plus, you have to get a catheter to pee, since, you know, you can’t saunter over to the restroom yourself. And, you’re kind of immobile for the most part, but some hospitals offer a “walking epidural,” which allows a woman to experience an epidural with some muscle use, so she is not confined to a bed for her labor.

Consider your pain relief options carefully. Whether you’ll go natural all the way, or choose to get the epidural ASAP, the prize is the same – a beautiful, little baby!

Jennifer and her husband, Robert, live in Tidewater, Virginia, and expect their bundle of joy to arrive in November 2013. (Check out her baby guessing game - you could win $100!) Besides expounding on the amazing/scary/life-changing topic of pregnancy, Jennifer is the full-time blogger behind Not Your Momma’s Cookie, where she tries to make cool treats and frequently shares embarrassing stories. 

1. PeePee TeePee

I’m having a girl, so bear with me. Apparently, this is a little cone shaped…TeePee…to cover your baby boy’s…PeePee…during diaper changes. To avoid the whole golden shower experience. First of all, you have to actually remember to use it. At 3am on 26 minutes of uninterrupted sleep, I just don’t see it happening. Also – have you ever seen a baby lie perfectly still during diaper changes? Because I haven’t. Those little buggers squirm like the dickens. How in the world would it stay on? Judging from the reviews, the answer is that it doesn’t.

Plus, if you’re anything like me and actually bought these things, the ONE time I didn’t use it or it fell off would result in a urine spray of epic proportions that would cover me, the wall, the table, etc. Why not just lay a burp cloth or diaper over your baby’s privates for those couple seconds? Problem solved.

2. High Heels….for Babies!?

So, I get that babies in “adult” clothing can be stinkin’ cute. Like is there anything cuter than a little boy in a tuxedo? Don’t think so.

Something about these though makes me feel icky. They are for 0-6 months – not little girls playing dress-up. Why was such a product created!? For laughs? I’m not sure if I find a baby dressed as a streetwalker amusing. Just get your baby girl some cute booties – say no to baby heels!

3. Wipes Warmer

Some of you may disagree with me on this one. I mean, I see the appeal. I imagine a warm wipe on your baby’s bum would feel quite nice. There’s only one problem – these things are a serious fire hazard. Would you like a warm wipe…or to keep your house intact? Hopefully, that one is a no brainer.

4. Baby Mop

Now that your little one has started to crawl, put that freeloader to work with The Baby Mop! This product started out as a joke, but is now available for sale. No lie. No, just…no.

5. Upright Baby Bath Tub

Umm. It is just a bucket. If you’re really dead-set on bathing your kid in a bucket, get thee to Home Depot and save $40!

Jennifer and her husband, Robert, live in Tidewater, Virginia, and expect their bundle of joy to arrive in November 2013. (Check out her baby guessing game - you could win $100!) Besides expounding on the amazing/scary/life-changing topic of pregnancy, Jennifer is the full-time blogger behind Not Your Momma’s Cookie, where she tries to make cool treats and frequently shares embarrassing stories. 

You’ve taken approximately 87 pregnancy tests. You’ve started taking prenatal vitamins religiously (if you hadn’t been already). And, you may even be experiencing some of those joyous early pregnancy symptoms, like fatigue and morning sickness.

Now you want some proof that there is actually a baby hanging out in your uterus. Enter your first ultrasound! Along with incredible excitement, you may also be feeling anxious or apprehensive. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Depending on your doctor, the timing of your first ultrasound will vary. Many doctors, including mine, do a “dating” ultrasound around 8-10 weeks to accurately date the pregnancy. You might have your first one later, at 12 weeks for a NT scan (which is the first trimester screening for chromosomal abnormalities) or even at 20 weeks for your anatomy scan. For the rest of this post, I’ll be focusing on the first dating ultrasound.

2. You should bring your significant other with you. This is a no brainer, right? Of course your significant other wants to see his progeny! But, unfortunately, some women do not receive positive news and having a supportive partner there is important.

3. Your ultrasound may be transvaginal and you may need to drop trou. Yup, the ultrasound tech may need stick a wand-like instrument into your lady business. During those early weeks, your little one may be too small to see well with an abdominal ultrasound. You might find this a little uncomfortable, but it isn’t much different than inserting a tampon. And, you will be given a sheet so you won’t be exposed during the exam.

4. Your baby will look like a jelly bean/gummy bear/some other amorphous object. Expecting to see a teeny, tiny baby? Your bundle of joy may look more like a little blob. But, it will be the cutest little blob you’ve ever seen!

5. Your tech may be chatty…or not. Like everyone else, ultrasound techs have different personalities. I’ve had a bajillion ultrasounds, and my very first tech was nice, but no nonsense. I had others who would let me just watch the baby doing something cute. It just depends! Either way, if your tech is quiet and you’re getting nervous, just ask her what she’s doing! She has lots of things to check on and measure, so don’t worry if she’s not very chatty and do NOT be afraid to ask questions.

6. You’re going to learn lots of fun things about your baby…and body. At my first ultrasound, I learned the estimated due date (spot on based on my own estimations), which ovary released the egg that became our sweet girl (the right, in case you were wondering), and, of course, our baby’s heartrate. She also pointed out the umbilical cord and where the placenta was going to be, and measured and checked lots of other things too. It really was a fun, and informative, experience!

7. You will probably get pictures. In most cases, you will receive pictures at every ultrasound you have.

8. You may want to bring baby wipes. Not for the baby, silly, for you! Whether you have a transvaginal ultrasound or an abdominal ultrasound, techs will be using some kind of slippery, jelly-like stuff on their equipment. They should supply wipes or towels for you, or allow you immediate access to the bathroom to freshen up, but, if not, it would be a bad idea to have some on hand for quick clean-up!

Your first ultrasound is a wonderfully special event, your first glimpse at that little life-changing bean. Enjoy it!

Jennifer and her husband, Robert, live in Tidewater, Virginia, and expect their bundle of joy to arrive in November 2013. (Check out her baby guessing game – you could win $100!) Besides expounding on the amazing/scary/life-changing topic of pregnancy, Jennifer is the full-time blogger behind Not Your Momma’s Cookie, where she tries to make cool treats and frequently shares embarrassing stories. 

1. So, Jennifer, you decided to write for the Belly Blog. We’re really excited to have you on board! Tell us about yourself and what people can hope to see on the blog in the coming weeks?

I’m beyond excited to join the team! I’m a full-time blogger over at Not Your Momma’s Cookie, where I cook up fun desserts and decorated sugar cookies. I’m happy to find an outlet to discuss the weird and wonderful world of pregnancy and beyond. I think my readers may revolt if I start discussing placenta encapsulation and mucus plugs over there, so here I am!

You can expect lots of informative, fun-to-read posts from yours truly. I may even throw in a funny story or two. Because, really, you need a solid sense of humor to get through pregnancy!

2. You are expecting your first child. What are your expectations?

No sleep and an obscene amount of poop.

In truth, I think parenthood is going to be the most amazing, frustrating, rewarding, insane thing I’ve ever done.

3. Did you do anything special or creative to announce your pregnancy?

Hubby and I waited until I was 13 weeks and had received our NT scan results before announcing our offspring’s arrival to the public at large (through phone calls and then via Facebook ’cause, you know, nothing is official until it’s on Facebook nowadays). But, I did tell my parents when I was around 8 weeks. I happened to be visiting them at that time and my mom’s birthday was coming up and in addition to a “normal” gift, I included a baby outfit in the bottom of the bag. She just started crying immediately!

4. You’ve probably already had a baby shower or two, so what is your best baby shower tip? What is your favorite event or game that anyone could add to their shower?

Serve booze. It makes everyone happier (even if the mom-to-be can’t partake!). I had a brunch shower and the mimosas were a hit! I didn’t mind indulging in some sparkling pink lemonade as an alternative.

Games are so hit or miss. Other than the obvious choice of having everyone fill out their WhatsInMyBelly.com baby pool cards, tailor games to your crowd. Having some fun-loving friends who love a good gag? Maybe the candy bar diaper game is for you. Want something a little more tame for a more demure crowd? Try a gift bingo.

A low-stress activity is always good too. My shower guests loved our baby headband making station!

5. What is the #1 pregnancy-related product you could not live without?

I simultaneously love it and hate it, but I believe I couldn’t live without my Snoogle. It is much too long for my miniature frame (I’m 5’3″), which requires some finesse on my part to wrangle its “arms” into the right position. Plus, it means that every single time I want to go to the bathroom and/or change positions (which is about 108 times a night now), I have to wake up and push/kick/readjust to get out of it. But, I was a devout stomach sleeper before pregnancy, and it keeps me in a side sleeping position so I don’t crush our wee babe.

6. We have to get the baby-daddy involved here: What is the #1 tip you would give to guys out there who are going to become a father for the first time?

I would say be prepared. Even when the mother is pregnant there’s a lot for the daddy-to-be to do.

The nursery is a lot of work, but I wouldn’t put that really in the negative column, I spaced it out over a few months of weekends and I found it really made it real to me that my daughter was coming, and brought some of that excitement back when I was working on it.

The second, trickier situation is that pregnancy is not only physically, but emotionally exhausting. The mother’s sleep is fitful, her body and hormones are changing, and she’s bombarded with tests and exams that while good for the baby’s health, aren’t things her grandmother’s generation even thought about. The point of this is that the daddy has to step up a little more around the house. Have cats? That’s your job now. That perfect house you might see slip. It’s important to have an honest conversation, with what she can do and is expected from her, and what should now be expected of you (Hint, it’s more). Don’t think that she can do more, and she’s just not trying, without really talking about what she’s going through, and don’t let her work herself to the bone without you stepping up to the plate, and being the husband and father you want to be.

7. Favorite book, tv show, and/or movie to enjoy while you’re expecting? (If you even have time for these things!)

Other than something embarrassingly long marathons of TLC’s A Baby Story (I swear it is the equivalent of a birthing class to me), my reading/watching habits haven’t changed much. However, I highly recommend the Baby Bargains book, which will help you wisely prepare for your little one’s arrival. Really, do you NEED  wipe warmer? The book helps you know how to save and splurge effectively!

8. You run a blog about food. What is your favorite food and drink during pregnancy?

Funny you should ask, because my eating habits are about to change drastically! At 29 weeks, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, which basically means that my pancreas and the baby’s placenta aren’t playing well together and it is making my blood sugar too high. As a result, I am just starting a snazzy new diet and pricking my fingers four times a day. Oh the joys of pregnancy!

Before my diagnosis, despite being a dessert blogger, I usually craved savory items. Like Thousand Island dressing and french fries. Weird, I know!

9. What is your favorite thing about blogging?

I love the independence of it and the chance to write on a regular basis (I dabbled in creative writing and enjoyed it immensely!). Also, forming friendships with and being inspired by other bloggers – there are so many wonderful, talented people out there!

I recently sent them a few questions to see if they had any advice for expectant parents. Here is what they had to say:

1. So tell us about the Lannings.

We are high-school sweethearts, who have been through a lot in both our lives and relationship. We’ve just recently began opening up to the world through YouTube and sharing our experiences to help others.

2. You are at 37 weeks, so by now you’ve learned a few things about pregnancy. What is the #1 tip you could give to parents who are expecting their first child?

Cherish every single moment. Make every single moment a big deal. Make it a grand spectacle. It’ll give you something cool to look back on and will reinforce those memories.

3. Did you do anything special or creative to announce your pregnancy or the gender of your baby?

We actually announced the gender with a super cool video!

4. You’ve been through a few baby showers by now, so what is your best baby shower tip? What is your favorite event or game that anyone could add into their shower?

Keep it intimate and special. Don’t decorate with cheesy blue or pink. Decorate with your baby’s items, like their clothes, stuffed animals. It makes it so much more special. We did a video on our shower to:

5. What is the #1 pregnancy-related product you couldn’t live without?

Coconut oil! I rub it over everything at night. It’s amazing! (NO STRETCH MARKS!) and you can even cook with it!

6. Most of these questions seem to be geared more towards Missy, so we have to get Dad involved. Bryan, becoming a father is an exciting (and stressful) time. What is the #1 tip you would give to guys out there who are going to become a father for the first time?

Don’t worry so much about being a great dad. That will come with time. Worry about being a better husband, because you don’t see many good husbands become crappy dads.

7. What is your favorite food and drink during pregnancy? (Bryan, you can chime in here too.)

CHICKEN GNOCCI SOUP from Olive Garden is amazing. We both crave it. Bryan has sympathy cravings for it. lol. We actually have this phrase with our fans “Peace, love, and chicken gnocchi soup!”

8. Favorite book, tv show, and/or movie to enjoy while you’re expecting?

FRIENDS. It’s a classic. We watch it all the time.

9. Keeping up with a daily blog or vlog isn’t easy. How do you manage to keep up with the daily posts – particularly on days you just don’t feel up to it?

Honestly, daily vlogging is such a huge part of our lives, we don’t even notice it anymore. It’s instinct to pull the camera out and start filming. Bryan can now edit and upload the blog within an hour every night too. There are days we don’t feel like doing it sure, but once we pull out the camera, we start having fun and those feelings instantly go away.

10. This is a difficult question, but one that could be the most helpful to others who share your experience: You guys had 2 miscarriages before this pregnancy. What advice do you have for anyone who goes though such a difficult experience?

Have hope. Like I said before I’m writing to you from our hospital room where we just had our baby boy after 2 losses. Hope is so strong. I remember 7 weeks pregnant, my wife was bawling her eyes out cause she was so scared of what could happen, and now look where we are. If you’re grounded in hope, anything is possible. Understand that what you think could be impossible, is seriously within reach. We were a couple where every bad thing just kept coming, and we finally we were rewarded. Here is a link to the birth vlog.

So, this story does have a happy ending. Turns out that Bryan and Missy were writing the answers to their questions from the hospital. I guess its true what they say – third time’s the charm!

Congratulations to the Lannings and Baby Ollie! And thank you for sharing your story on the Belly Blog.

Lucie

Natural childbirth has always been fascinating to me — there is something so beautiful about bringing forth life the same way millions of women around the world have throughout the ages. So when we became pregnant, I had already begun the mental and physical preparation that I imagined would eventually lead to a perfect, natural birth at a birth center. I had read all of Ina May’s books, watched The Business of Being Born, and had picked the brains of the other “natural mamas” that I knew. I was prepared!

Childbirth always goes exactly as we plan, right? For 39 weeks of my pregnancy, I was under the care of the midwives at a local birthing center. Our pregnancy was uncomplicated, and we were breezing past all of the milestones we needed to hit in order to deliver there. We had completed a natural childbirth course, were preparing with a doula, had meticulously written out our birth preferences in case of a hospital transfer, and had our bags packed and waiting by the door. But, as my mom regularly reminded me throughout those nine months, the first lesson of motherhood is that you can’t control everything related to your children, and our little one certainly had plans of her own.

At about 36 weeks, we realized that this baby was frank breech and wasn’t turning. Initially, I was disappointed, as a breech baby meant no birth center. So we tried everything — the chiropractor, an acupuncturist, and hours each day inverting myself while simultaneously attempting to bribe baby with music, flashlights, and frozen peas (really — Google it). I stayed hopeful until about 39 weeks, when I decided I needed to let go. As my midwife beautifully put it — it wasn’t my baby who needed to turn, it was me who needed to turn. Thankfully, we had a very wise doula who has complete belief in a woman’s body and in her natural ability to give birth. She suggested I research vaginal breech births — we needed to be informed consumers.

“…it wasn’t my baby who needed to turn, it was me who needed to turn.”

I remember coming home from work that afternoon almost in a daze — my “birth plan” was already changing, and I wasn’t even laboring yet! I spent my entire evening doing research, and we came to the conclusion that in the hands of a capable, trained professional, a vaginal breech birth is entirely safe and was definitely the route for us. Any medical causes for our breech baby were ruled out — our baby’s breech presentation was simply a variation of normal. Our research suggested that vaginal breech births are discouraged in mainstream obstetrics today — not because they are inherently riskier than cephalic presentation (head-down) births — but because birthing a breech baby is, sadly, a dying art that is not being passed down to the new generation of obstetricians.

Our research suggested that vaginal breech births are discouraged in mainstream obstetrics today — not because they are inherently riskier than cephalic presentation (head-down) births — but because birthing a breech baby is, sadly, a dying art that is not being passed down to the new generation of obstetricians.

My doula guided me to an incredible doctor who is known throughout our community for allowing (and supporting!) women to attempt natural vaginal breech births. I met with him on Monday, Nov. 26, when I was 39 weeks along, and I felt so safe, secure, and supported knowing he would be by my side that I had my baby under his care on Thursday, Nov. 29, one week early. The night I would begin active labor, I attended my prenatal yoga class and decided to resume my deep squats since I was now fully accepting of a breech birth and not worried about engaging something (an arm, a foot) too early. So squat away I did!

At about 3:30 the next morning I woke up with a “different-feeling” contraction — longer and stronger than the contractions I was having earlier in the week. I subsequently had four more of those contractions, each exactly 10 minutes apart. Remembering the 5-1-1 rule (contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for 1 hour), I called my doula and my doctor, then made myself some eggs, took a shower, and relaxed downstairs on the sofa.

The doctor called me back two hours later, and at that point the contractions were much longer, stronger, and less spaced out. He wanted us to come to his office so he could check me. I didn’t like this idea at first because I wanted to labor at home for as long as possible, but he had listened to me have some contractions over the phone, and I really think the man just knew. So we loaded up the car, and my hubby nervously drove to the office. And trust me, contractions in the car aren’t fun.

When the doctor checked me, I was at 5.5 cm and fully effaced, so it was time to go to the hospital. We were stunned — it became very real that our little one was going to be there that day. We arrived at the hospital at 8:05 a.m. (after hitting rush hour traffic — again, more fun-in-the-car-while-in-labor), and I labored pretty hard for two hours. Unfortunately, I only made a little progress — I was 7 cm when he next checked. Our agreement had been that I needed to make lots of progress pretty quickly; otherwise, we would need to have a C-section. Since I had only made 1.5 cm of progress in two hours, the doctor quietly and gently leaned over me and told me to prepare myself in case we had to change plans.

At that point, my husband, doula, and the incredible nurse I was blessed to have got me out of bed and kicked my butt into gear. (My two cents: stay out of bed as long as you can — get on a birth ball, get in the shower, squat, dance with your partner, just keep moving!). As soon as I stood up, I had four contractions back-to-back, each 75 seconds long. I then did four full-standing squats holding onto the bed until my water broke, which was totally encouraging and gave me new hope. Then, my support group got me up on the bed for more squatting, and literally between 10:05 and 10:35, I dilated the rest of the way — from 7 cm to a full 10 cm!

“…stay out of bed as long as you can — get on a birth ball, get in the shower, squat, dance with your partner, just keep moving!”

My doctor came back in the room, leaned over me once more, and grinned, “you proved me wrong — it’s time to have this baby the old-fashioned way.” With just a few pushes, her bum was out, followed by her little legs, one arm, then the next. A few more big pushes and lots of maneuvering by the doctor, and, after not even 30 minutes of pushing, little Lucie Renn was placed on my chest at 11:06 a.m. Actually, she was placed on my stomach — her umbilical cord was so short that she couldn’t reach my chest. That was the reason she was breech and wasn’t able to turn, reinforcing our “breech is a variation of normal” belief.

The feeling of her warm little slippery body on my stomach was the best feeling I’ve ever had, and ever will have, in my entire life. She came out with her eyes wide open, craning her neck to look up at me — and our hearts melted. Even though my birth experience was very different from the one I had been planning, I would not change a single thing about it. This was the way that Lucie needed to come into this world, and once I embraced that, I was able to have the most beautiful, special birth — even better than what I had imagined.

Am I encouraging every woman with a breech baby to attempt a vaginal birth? Of course not. I am, however encouraging every woman and partner to become informed consumers — know the risks, know the benefits, and make an educated decision for your family.

Everyone loves a baby bump, and chances are, you’re super proud of your own. If you’re anything like me, you want at least a billion and one pictures of your new belly, but you might not be sure how to do it justice. Nobody wants to look “just a little chubby” or like she just has a beer gut in her maternity photos, so here are a few of the tips I follow to ensure that I get the best picture possible:

How to Dress

1) Wear shirts that are “strategically loose” or just tight all together.
The clingier the fabric, the better. If you wear a shirt that is loose all around, you might end up looking just a little chubby instead of like you have a little passenger on board. If it’s “strategically loose,” it will shape your girls and come out looser right on top of your bump. An empire-waist top is a good example of this.

Note: If you’re like me, and you’re not a huge fan of the new “outie” belly button you’ve obtained, try wearing a tank top or camisole under tight shirts. The extra layer of fabric will conceal it most of the time!

2) Wear light-colored tops.
We all know that dark colors like navy and black work well to conceal that extra five pounds we put on over spring break, but you have to remember that they do the same with your baby belly. The lighter the color, the less is hidden in the dark folds of the fabric.

However, if you have a darker top that you’re just dying to wear, you can help it out by placing your hands at the very bottom of your belly. That will bring out the contrast of the belly against your hips.

3) Wear form-fitting bottoms.
When your pelvis and legs are looking skinny, your belly looks rounder and more prominent.

How to Position Yourself

1) Make sure you are angled toward — if not completely facing — the side, and smile.
The side view is definitely the most flattering and revealing of your bump. If you face the camera straight on, your bump tends to get absorbed into the rest of your torso. And while the overall focus is your belly, but it’s nice to have a pretty smile in there, too.

2) Have your hands holding your belly or on your hips.
If they hang at your sides, it will most likely look awkward and unnatural — not to mention, it will take the focus away from your belly.

How to Take the Picture

1) Make sure that your whole torso is in the frame.
You’re going to want your whole belly showing off as proof of the little squishy that’s growing inside of you.

2) If someone else is available to take the picture, ask for help.
My husband is by no means a photographer, but he gets the job done in fewer shots than when I take the picture myself. As long as your helper can get you in the frame, you can always go back and crop the picture the way you want in a simple software program like Paint.

3) If no one else is available, use a timer.
I use my iPhone for all of my maternity pictures because it’s readily available, and it’s a lot less work to upload and edit than if I use my Nikon. I downloaded a timer application that lets me set the time and number of pictures to take before stopping. (I use a delay of 10 seconds before it takes four pictures, each a second apart.) This gives me a chance to have several pictures in the same position with potentially different/better expressions. For example, I might be in a position I really like, but sometimes my smile looks more relaxed by the last picture.

Note: Find a good, sturdy place to set your camera. You’ll want it to be where you can see how you’ll look from that angle and easily take many pictures without moving it much. Any place goes! I set mine anywhere from a chair arm to a jar full of seashells in my bathroom.

4) Take the picture in front of a pretty or clean, plain background.
You don’t want your laundry basket full of dirty clothes or that pile of dirty dishes forever etched in the memory of how you looked at 27 weeks pregnant. A lot of the time, I take pictures in my bathroom because I have a mirror, things to position my camera on, and a clean white door. I’ve also taken pictures in front of my shower curtain or with fabric hanging from a door as a background.

5) Make sure there is good lighting.
Natural daylight always trumps the yellowish hues of indoor lighting. However, if you have to take a picture inside, or it’s dark outside, turn on as many lights as you can to even out the lighting or go to a well-lit place such as a bathroom.

That’s pretty much it! I know it might sound a little complicated, but once you get started, it’s a piece of cake!

As I sit here with my giant belly, just six weeks away from my due date, I feel like I’m in a unique place. I’m starting to learn the parenting lingo, and I guess I’m technically a mother already, but I can also still relate to my childless friends. I know that motherhood is going to change me in many mostly wonderful ways, but I don’t want to completely lose sight of my old self either. If I were to run into the Old Mollee at the grocery store one day with the baby in tow, I’d want her to be proud of me.

So here are some promises I would like to make to her:

1. I promise to put on real clothes and at least a little makeup when I’m leaving the house.
2. I’ll keep up with current events and pop culture so I can carry on adult conversations.
3. I won’t give my child’s age in numbers of weeks or months that require people to do higher-level math.
4. I know I’ll think my daughter is brilliant and hilarious, but other people will just think she drools a lot. I’ll be okay with that.
5.  I promise that not every single one of my social media updates will be about the baby.
6. If she won’t stop screaming in a public place, I promise I’ll take her to the car.
7. I realize that our stroller is almost as large as some smart cars. I’ll try to keep it out of the way.
8. I know my child won’t be the first to ever get sick or injured or upset, and I’ll try not to act like she is.
9. I’ll accept the advice and help of others graciously, but I’ll try not to give unwanted parenting advice myself.
10. I won’t forget my friends, my pets, my personal interests and most importantly, my husband.
11. I’ll laugh at myself along with all the other mothers when I break every single one of these promises at least once. And I promise to try harder next time.

Mollee and her husband, Matt, live in Midlothian, Virginia, and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first baby (a girl!) in May 2013. (Check out her baby guessing game here.) Although she helps pay the bills by doing graphic design, Mollee’s true passion is for making things with her hands. Find more of her recipes, paintings and crafts at molleemade.com.