Yesterday, I wrote about depression during pregnancy and today I want to talk about depression after pregnancy, which is most commonly known as post partum depression.

About ten to fifteen percent of women who give birth experience postpartum depression. Postpartum depression can happen anytime in the first year after giving birth. After pregnancy, hormonal changes in a women’s body can bring on the post partum depression. Post partum depression needs to be... more

At least one in ten women suffers from depression during their pregnancy. I would think (although I am no expert) that the added stress of dealing with an unplanned pregnancy may put you at a greater risk for depression during pregnancy.

Depression during pregnancy often goes undiagnosed because many women attribute it to the fluctuating pregnancy hormones and since you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy you may attribute it to the extra stress that it brings. Depression during pregnancy can increase your risk of preterm labor.

Risk... more

I’ve been blogging here in the crisis pregnancy blog for one whole year! It really doesn’t seem like a year, but I guess time really does fly when you are having fun! (Ok, so it hasn’t been ALL fun and games!)

I must confess that when I took this “gig” blogging, I’d never really blogged before. I’d kept a short family type blog that was more of a “what we did today” type thing on Noah’s website but I hadn’t really done anything where I wrote daily on a particular topic.

My friend and former co-blogger in the open... more

Are you working during your pregnancy?

More than half of all women in the United States are working or are seeking employment. In the United States, more than one million babies are born to women who have been employed at some point during their pregnancy. Depending on the type of work you do and whether or not you have problems during your pregnancy, working during pregnancy is usually safe.

If you have a lot of complications during your pregnancy (such as pre-eclampsia or premature labor) or if in your work you are exposed to hazardous chemicals,... more

Towards the end of your second trimester or the beginning of your third trimester, you may wish to start looking around for a prenatal class.

Why should I take a prenatal class? Prenatal classes can be a valuable resource for women during delivery as they teach breathing and focusing techniques ahead of time and prepare you mentally and physically for what lies ahead.

What will I learn at a prenatal class? Classes will educate your about pregnancy and what will happen during labor and delivery. You typically will learn about... more

When you think of babies do you think of all the stuff they might need. Cribs, blankets, a car seat; oh my! It’s overwhelming!

If you are considering parenting, you may be overwhelmed at all the baby things you think you might need in order to care for your baby, but don’t let it overwhelm you! A lot of the things on the market today are “luxury” items. Come on, does a baby really need the wipes warmed?

Some birthmothers may have made adoption plans because they worried about financially raising a baby. Finances can improve and there are ways to make do if... more

(continued from previous post)

Q: How are pregnant women considering adoption treated in other countries? How are things done differently outside the U.S.?

There are places in the world that the concept and the word “adoption” (especially as it is practiced in the U.S., with name changes and sealed records) simply don’t exist. Within Western Europe and many other parts of the industrialized world, there is more support of single mothers and less coercion and pressure placed on those considering relinquishment.... more

(continued from last post)

Q: Some people say that adoptive parents don’t need to be concerned with the issue of coercion – that it’s not their problem. What’s your response?

A: We each have to follow our conscience and our moral compass. From a very practical standpoint, if relinquishments and consents to adopt are not obtained from both parents free of coercion, the adoption is at risk of being overturned. A contested adoption – win or lose – is extremely stressful and costly for all. It is thus in everyone’s best interest to ensure... more

(continued from last post)

Q: What do you think is the single biggest danger a woman needs to watch out for when she’s pregnant and talking to adoption professionals?

A: Infants – especially Caucasian – are, sadly, a commodity in great demand. As a result, there are far too many unethical adoption practitioners who are untrained entrepreneurs, not objective counselors, and it is far too difficult to tell the few reputable “good guys” from the bad. Most adoption “agencies” are in the businesses of placing babies. Their paid clients... more

Recently, I reviewed Mirah Riben’s new book, The Stork Market: America’s Multi-Billion Dollar Unregulated Adoption Industry. Because this book contains some important information for those considering surrender, and because this book is currently being talked about on adoption.com, I decided to interview Riben to learn more about her views. In addition to The Stork Market, Riben is also author of shedding light on…the Dark Side of Adoption (1988).... more