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Childbirth can be intimidating for a lot of women, especially after hearing stories about intense labor pain and complications. In fact, there’s a lot of negative talk surrounding childbirth, so it’s very easy for fear and anxiety to set in, especially for first-time moms. In fact, 21% of women have serious anxiety during pregnancy. But research shows that utilizing mindfulness during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond may actually reduce stress and lessen anxiety....

If your toddler isn’t sleeping well at night, chances are, you aren’t either. Parents can deal with being sleep-deprived, but for a child, a lack of sleep can impact growth and development. “Your toddler produces growth hormones [while] sleeping. If they don’t get adequate sleep, they may have growth problems, including stunted or slow growth,” says Rebecca Michi, a pediatric sleep consultant in Seattle, Wash. While a few weeks of interrupted sleep during an illness or fearful phase may be no big deal, chronic sleep deprivation can not only affect growth but is also linked to concentration issues and health problems like diabetes....

Imagine yourself walking up your front steps with your brand new baby in your arms. You’re probably thinking about how excited you are to show them their new home and about all the memories you will make there as a family. You probably aren’t thinking about the hundreds of diaper changes ahead of you or the complicated process of sanitizing bottles. You might not yet realize how many possible scenarios there will be that requires a complete change of your baby’s outfit....

Separation and divorce can be tough for kids and parents. If your child announces that they want to live with your ex, it can bring up a mix of emotions—even if the announcement doesn’t come as a total surprise. You’ll need to take the emotional and practical aspects of a new living arrangement into account as you plan a discussion with your child (and your ex). Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind when discussing a change of residency with your child....

When people find out that someone is in an abusive relationship, they often wonder why the person doesn’t just leave their partner. However, the reality often isn’t that simple for someone who is in that situation. Leaving an abusive relationship is a process that can be scary, complicated, and overwhelming. The person may in fact attempt to leave their partner several times before they are finally able to end the relationship and get away....

Approximately 1 in 200 people in the United States is affected by schizophrenia, a chronic brain condition. Schizophrenia is classified as a type of illness known as psychosis, which means it affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, and actions, and that a person may have trouble distinguishing between what’s real and what isn’t. When a person’s schizophrenia is active, they may experience symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and disordered speech and behavior....

Lifting weights is one of the best exercise training methods for building and maintaining muscle, which is key for getting stronger, boosting metabolism, reducing fat accumulation, and improving health. Lifting weights can also help prevent diabetes, improve cardiovascular health, and improve bone development which is especially important as you get older. It can also reduce lower back pain and alleviate discomfort associated with fibromyalgia and arthritis. Our Top Picks Best Overall for Men: “Bigger Leaner Stronger”...

At 17 weeks pregnant, your baby is putting on some fat and gaining muscle. Meanwhile, you may notice some new symptoms like aches and pains or a stuffy nose. Your Baby’s Development at 17 Weeks At 17 weeks, baby measures just over 5 1/4 inches (13.5 centimeters) when measured from the top of their head to the bottom of their buttocks (crown-rump length). 17 Weeks Pregnant Is How Many Months? 4 months and 1 week...

A new study found that over the course of two years, a third of children were consistently not getting enough sleep each night. Because rest is such an important part of a person’s day, a lack of sleep can contribute to a number of concerns in a child’s health and wellbeing. Key Takeaways A new study showed 34.9% of kids aren’t getting enough sleep at night.Race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and health all contributed to higher rates of sleeplessness....

Near-death experiences are a topic of growing interest and popularity, especially on the heels of popular movies and books that recount out-of-body experiences and other sensations that people experience during life-threatening situations. Of particular interest are two books written by doctors about near-death experiences. For instance, in “Proof of Heaven,” Dr. Eben Alexander recounts what he experienced while in a week-long coma brought on by meningitis. Meanwhile, in “To Heaven and Back,” Mary C....

Self-improvement can be wonderful for our well-being by helping us live our best lives. It’s natural to want to keep up with our peers, to feel productive in our daily lives, and to live in a meaningful way with others. However, the fear of not being or doing these things can create an overwhelming urge to continually seek improvement. We look around and notice what other people are doing and make assumptions that it is what we should be doing as well....

The topic of infidelity and cheating spouses is everywhere. We hear about it frequently in the media and have seen the marriages of friends or relatives that have been devastated by affairs. It’s no surprise that many couples internally ask the question, “How would I cope?” with such a situation if it were to happen to you. It’s particularly common to also wonder if your own marriage could survive such a serious betrayal....

Have you ever wondered if a trial separation might be just what you and your partner need to improve your relationship? If so, you’re not alone. Some couples who are struggling (perhaps even thinking about divorce) agree to a trial separation. They hope that spending some time apart might help them come back together in a healthier way. Or if they’re considering divorce, they feel a trial separation could give them a little insight into what it would be like to live apart before making the decision....

During pregnancy, parents wonder all the time about their baby’s health and well-being. While a window into the womb is a great idea, it just doesn’t work that way. However, there is a simple fetal monitoring technique that you can use at home to help alleviate some of your fears. Fetal kick counts are simple, free, and easy to do with no special equipment. This method is about monitoring the movement of your baby....

When you leave the hospital with your newborn baby, you’re usually armed with tips for helping the stump of your baby’s umbilical cord heal. However, what most new parents haven’t heard of is the possibility of an umbilical granuloma forming in their baby’s belly button. As the umbilical stump begins to dry up and harden, it turns into a dark and shriveled knot before falling off completely. Once your baby’s stump finally falls off, it reveals a super cute little belly button—and, often, a small raw spot where the last bit of cord was attached (kind of like when a scab falls off)....

If you want to make more breast milk, you can try eating foods to increase milk supply. Throughout the world, women in different cultures eat certain foods to give their milk production a boost. Breast milk production is directly related to how often your baby nurses (and to some extent, how often you pump). You will need to eat more calories than usual during this time, because your body needs that extra energy to make milk....

What are the consequences of having both borderline personality disorder (BPD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? What should this mean with regard to treatment? PTSD and BPD Co-Occurrence Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) commonly co-occur. Between 25% and 60% of people with BPD also have PTSD—a rate that is much higher than what is seen in the general population. Both BPD and PTSD are believed to stem from the experience of traumatic events....

Did your therapist recently suggest group therapy as part of your treatment plan for a phobia? That wouldn’t be unusual. A psychoeducational group is a common component in treatment plans for phobia, which includes agoraphobia, social phobia (social anxiety disorder), and a specific phobia, an exaggerated or irrational fear of a specific object or situation. Common Characteristics of Psychoeducational Group Therapy Your psychoeducational group is likely to consist of members who all share the same diagnosis....

Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Every Monday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews experts, authors, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life. Meet Daniel Howell Daniel Howell is a comedian and entertainer whose videos have attracted over 1 billion views on YouTube. He’s also an award-winning host of a BBC radio show....

The problem of a child fighting sleep or not going to bed isn’t limited to the baby and toddler years. Refusing to go to bed or having trouble falling asleep can be an all-too-common problem for school-age children as well. It’s important to address these issues as soon as possible. ​ Getting enough sleep and being well-rested is particularly crucial for school-age kids. Without enough sleep, they can experience trouble concentrating, paying attention, and learning....