Preparing for Childbirth: A Full-Body, Full-Mind Journey for Every Mother

Nov 30, 2025 | blog, Mental Health, Reproductive Health

Whether you are counting down the final weeks or just entering your third trimester, preparing for childbirth is a full-body and full-mind experience. It can be exciting, emotional, and at times overwhelming. With the right knowledge and intentional choices, you can approach labor feeling strong, grounded, and confident.

1. Preparing Your Body: What Every Mama Should Know

Stay Active

Gentle, pregnancy-safe movement such as walking, pelvic tilts, and prenatal yoga helps relax your muscles, strengthen your core, and improve your posture. Staying active can ease back pain, support circulation, and make common labor positions more comfortable when the time comes.

Practice Breathing and Relaxation

Controlled breathing and relaxation exercises help your body cope more effectively with contractions by lowering stress hormones. Deep belly breathing, guided meditation, stretching, and mindful relaxation all contribute to a calmer and more resilient labor experience.

Know Your Birth Plan

Discuss your preferences with your healthcare provider, including natural birth goals, pain-management options, mobility during labor, the role of your support person, and immediate postpartum care. Being informed and aligned with your care team can significantly reduce fear and build confidence.

2. Preparing Your Mind: Mental Readiness Matters

Learn, but Avoid Overload

Childbirth classes, trusted educational resources, and conversations with midwives or obstetric providers help you understand the stages of labor and potential interventions. Knowledge creates comfort, but try not to overwhelm yourself with too much information. Choose sources that feel supportive and balanced.

Use Positive Visualization

Visualizing your body working with you can shift your mindset in a powerful way. Many women find that affirmations, grounding exercises, or focusing on positive birth stories help them stay centered during contractions.

Prioritize Rest

Sleep and intentional rest are essential. Your body is preparing for one of the most physically demanding experiences it will ever go through, and proper rest supports both mental clarity and physical endurance.

3. Smart Nutrition for Natural Childbirth

Late-pregnancy nutrition can influence your digestion, energy levels, and overall sense of readiness.

Flaxseed

Flaxseed contains fiber and healthy fats, which can support digestion and ease constipation, a common experience in late pregnancy. Introduce it gradually and consume plenty of water.

Raspberry Leaf Tea

Raspberry leaf tea is traditionally used to tone the uterine muscles and support efficient contractions. Some women report shorter or smoother labor. However, research findings are mixed, and it is not suitable for everyone. Always check with your doctor or midwife before adding it to your routine, especially if you are high-risk.

Okra

Okra provides hydration, fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support healthy digestion. Some cultural traditions suggest that okra may help soften the cervix or make labor easier. Scientific evidence is limited, but it remains a nutritious addition to your diet.

4. The Importance of Hydration

Proper hydration supports muscle function, energy levels, and overall comfort. Water, electrolyte drinks, coconut water, infused water, and broths are excellent ways to stay hydrated as labor approaches.

5. When to Be Cautious

Although the foods above are generally considered safe, it is important to avoid herbal supplements unless approved by your healthcare provider. Do not consume large or excessive amounts of any one food or tea. If you notice any unusual symptoms, discontinue use and consult your provider.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for childbirth involves both your body and your mind. Surround yourself with support, listen to the signals your body gives you, nourish yourself with intention, and trust your instincts. You are bringing life into the world, and that alone reflects strength and courage.

To all the girls, baby mamas, and strong women reading this: you have everything it takes.

 Writer: Hermon Israel

Mental Health and Sexual Health: New Findings on Stress, Depression, and Libido

Nov 9, 2025 | blog, Mental Health, Sexual Health

In recent years, our understanding of the connection between mental health and sexual health has deepened, revealing just how intertwined the brain, body, and desire truly are. In both men and women, changes in mood, anxiety levels, and stress hormones can profoundly affect sexual desire, performance, and satisfaction. Far from being two separate aspects of health, mental well-being and sexual functioning now appear to influence each other significantly.

One of the strongest findings emerging from current studies is the role of chronic stress. When the body is in persistent “fight or flight” mode, the brain is easily distracted by surrounding stimuli, making the person unable to be present during sex, making them enjoy it much less especially in women. Cortisol, the stress hormone, although with less intensity, contributes moderately to the suppression of arousal and consequent reduction of libido, and less overall interest in sex. Having a positive mental state and subjective assessment of one’s health is associated with better sexual performance.

Depression, too, is proving to be more than a mental state of low motivation and mood. It has been proven to affect sexual function either in sexual desire, satisfaction or performance. In 2022, an analysis of 12 studies showed that over 60% of men and 80% of women with major depressive disorder report sexual impairment. Scientists point to lower dopamine and serotonin levels, two neurotransmitters essential to both pleasure and emotional regulation, as the most likely cause for this. Other common symptoms that occur with depression have also been shown to affect sexual function, including lack of exercise and substance use, such as smoking. This situation is further worsened by the fact that many of the common medications for the treatment of depression have been shown to negatively affect libido and sexual pleasure. 

The interrelation of depression and sexual dysfunction is evident in that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a common treatment for some mental disorders, also is effective in treating some types of sexual dysfunction. This indicates some common mechanism, if not origin, for the disorders. New findings offer hope, showing that treating mental health, even through small exercises of mindfulness, restores sexual function naturally. In fact, mindfulness not only restores sexual function but also improves the experience.

Evidence also suggests that positive sexual health indicators are associated with lower depression and anxiety, higher quality of life, and greater life satisfaction among men and women. 

This is more than enough evidence to suggest that the mental and sexual health of an individual are interconnected and depend on each other. They are both central pillars of overall health and well-being. The growing self-care movement should not treat them as separate concerns in the care of a person. A mentally well person is more likely to have a more fulfilling sex life. A person with a fulfilling sex life is more likely to have good mental health. And a person with both is more likely to have a better overall well-being. 

 Writer : Dr. Hosaena Gebru

 

If I can’t talk to my teacher about puberty, where do I go?

Mar 13, 2023 | blog, Mental Health

Dear Diary,

It’s been a month since my body began to change, and I’m feeling more and more uncomfortable in my own skin. My breasts are growing, and sometimes they get in the way when I’m running or playing sports. I worry that my classmates will make fun of me, and I don’t want to be embarrassed.

I’ve talked to my friend Hayat about these changes, but we’re both going through them at the same time, and we don’t know what to do. We even tried asking our science teacher for advice, but he didn’t seem interested in helping us.

Feeling lost and unsure, we came up with a wild idea. After school, we decided to visit the clinic near our house and see if they could help us. When we arrived, we found a kind nurse at the reception who listened to our concerns and answered our questions.

I learned today that sometimes we have to be brave and seek out answers to our questions, even if it means going outside of our comfort zone. It’s not easy to navigate these changes on my own, but I’m grateful to have Hayat by my side and to know that there are resources available to us.

As I close this entry, I’m reminded that growth can be uncomfortable, but it’s a natural part of life, and I’ll get through it one step at a time.

Yours truly,

What does it feel to be a woman

Mar 4, 2023 | blog, Mental Health

As I was walking back home from school, my mind was filled with conflicting emotions. We were asked in class what it feels like to be a woman. On one hand, I loved the little things that came with being a woman – the way I could style my hair, the way I could feel beautiful and confident. But on the other hand, the burden of societal expectations weighed heavily on me.

At home, I was expected to take on womanly duties – cleaning, cooking, and taking care of the household. Outside, people were constantly commenting on my appearance, making me feel self-conscious and uncomfortable. And at school, while I felt most like myself, I still struggled with the changes that puberty was bringing.

But despite all this, I knew that I could be strong and intelligent, just like I had always wanted to be. And as I entered my house, I was reminded of the love and support of those around me. My favorite teacher, who always made me feel safe, and my friends who laughed and joked with me – they were the ones who truly mattered.

And as I settled into my evening routine, I felt grateful for the little things that made me who I was. The way my hair fell in soft curls around my face, the way my favorite dress made me feel like a princess, the way my laughter filled the room. These were the things that truly made me happy, and I knew that no matter what the world threw my way, I could always hold onto them. 

Because at the end of the day, being a woman was about so much more than societal expectations – it was about being true to myself, and embracing all the little things that made me who I was.

Love is in the Air: Unwrap Our Valentine’s Day Starter Pack

Feb 14, 2023 | blog, Mental Health

For many people, it’s crucial to capture the feeling of desire or love on Valentine’s Day. To assist with this, we’ve compiled some essentials to help you remember what truly matters.

It’s not about the chocolate!

It’s true, chocolate may be a classic symbol of love and affection, but the sweetness it brings pales in comparison to the joy of spending time with the one you cherish. Don’t let the calendar dictate when you should show your love; every day is an opportunity to celebrate the connection between you and your significant other.

Sure, a box of chocolates may make their heart skip a beat, but the real magic lies in the moments shared. It’s the laughter over inside jokes, the shared experiences that strengthen the bond, and the feeling of being truly seen and understood by another human being.

So go ahead and indulge in some chocolate if you please, but remember that it’s just a sweet treat. The real gift is the love you give and receive every day, in big and small ways. Celebrate your love not just on special occasions, but every chance you get. After all, that’s what makes life truly sweet.

Safer Sex

Why not make safe sex a sexy part of your Valentine’s Day plans? It’s not only responsible but also rewarding – you’ll feel confident and satisfied knowing you’re taking care of yourself and your partner. So, whether you get tested or use your preferred protection method, such as condoms or birth control pills, can be effective tools in preventing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. It is crucial to have open and honest communication with a partner about contraception and to make informed decisions about sexual health. remember: the safer, the better.

Be your own valentine 

On this day of love, let’s not forget to extend that love to ourselves. While it’s easy to get caught up in sending messages of affection to those we care about, why not take this opportunity to start a new tradition of self-love?

Being kind to yourself can take many forms, from treating yourself to a relaxing bubble bath to indulging in your favorite food. It can also mean letting go of self-judgment and negative self-talk and focusing on positive affirmations and gratitude.

After all, the relationship we have with ourselves sets the tone for all our other relationships. By loving ourselves first, we are better equipped to show love and kindness to others.

So this Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate the love within us. Let’s make a promise to be kinder to ourselves and practice self-love every day. Because when we love ourselves, the world becomes a brighter and more beautiful place.

Molar pregnancy & its possible medical complications

Oct 11, 2022 | blog, Mental Health

Molar pregnancy & its possible medical complications

A molar pregnancy which is also known as hydatidiform mole is a rare complication of pregnancy characterised by the abnormal growth of trophoblasts, the cells that normally develop into the placenta.

There are two types of molar pregnancy, complete molar pregnancy and partial molar pregnancy. In a complete molar pregnancy, the placental tissue is abnormal and swollen and appears to form fluid-filled cysts. There’s also no formation of fetal tissue. In a partial molar pregnancy, there may be normal placental tissue along with abnormally forming placental tissue. 

There may also be formation of a fetus, but the fetus is not able to survive, and is usually miscarried early in the pregnancy.

Symptoms

A molar pregnancy may seem like a normal pregnancy at first, but most molar pregnancies cause specific symptoms, including:

  • Dark brown to bright red vaginal bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy
  • Severe nausea and vomiting
  • Sometimes vaginal passage of grape like cysts
  • Pelvic pressure or pain

Risk factors

Approximately 1 in every 1,000 pregnancies is diagnosed as a molar pregnancy. Various factors are associated with molar pregnancy, including:

  • Maternal age. A molar pregnancy is more likely in women older than age 35 or younger than age 20.
  • Previous molar pregnancy. If you’ve had one molar pregnancy, you’re more likely to have another. 

Complications

A molar pregnancy can have serious complications including a rare form of cancer and requires early treatment. 

After a molar pregnancy has been removed, molar tissue may remain and continue to grow. This is called persistent gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). This occurs in about 15% to 20% of complete molar pregnancies, and up to 5% of partial molar pregnancies.

Rarely, a cancerous form of GTN known as choriocarcinoma develops and spreads to other organs. Choriocarcinoma is usually successfully treated with multiple cancer drugs. A complete molar pregnancy is more likely to have this complication than a partial molar pregnancy.

Prevention

During any subsequent pregnancies, your care provider may do early ultrasounds to monitor your condition and offer reassurance of normal development. Your provider may also discuss prenatal genetic testing, which can be used to diagnose a molar pregnancy.

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