Mothers&Babies Archives

Why Journaling Is Emotional First Aid During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Written By: Ayisha Chandni Pregnancy and postpartum are not just physical transitions. They are neurological and emotional recalibration. Hormones shift rapidly. Sleep is disrupted. Identity evolves. And in the middle of all this, a woman is expected to “adjust” often without structured emotional support. This is where something as simple as journaling becomes powerful. Not as a routine. But as emotional first aid. Research in expressive writing (notably by psychologist James W. Pennebaker) shows that writing about thoughts and emotions can reduce stress, improve mood, and support cognitive processing. It helps the brain organize overwhelming experiences into coherent narratives which [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2026-04-17T12:51:14+00:00Tags: Happy Mothers Happy Babies, Mothers&Babies|3 Comments

Be There for Her: The Importance of Social Support during Pregnancy

Written By: Lalithambigai Sekar A mother remembers the one cared during pregnancy and the one did not help in motherhood. Good or bad, she will never forget. Pregnancy is the most vulnerable period in a woman’s life, where it shapes lifelong impact on mind and body due to physical and mental stress happens during pregnancy, followed by childbirth and postpartum. The experiences during the first nine months shape mother’s view of parenting, her parenting skills, her self-esteem and her relationship with her partner followed by the family cycle for lifetime. Therefore, having an understanding and supportive hands during pregnancy offer [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2025-10-12T09:00:33+00:00Tags: Childbirth Education, Husbands, Informed Decisions, Mothers&Babies|13 Comments

October is….

Written By: Zaakirah Idrissu In the United States the month of October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness. Miscarriage is defined in the U.S. as a loss happening before 20 weeks gestation while a stillbirth is a loss occurring after 20 weeks gestation. According to the March of Dimes, between 10-20% of pregnancies result in a miscarriage while 1 in 175 result in a stillbirth. Yet the topic of such loss in various families and communities can be seen as taboo. As a result many families carry the pain of this loss alone. This loss from medical lens is experienced [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2025-10-17T13:00:29+00:00Tags: Mothers&Babies, Stories Of Inspiration. Stories Of Empowerment|7 Comments

Power of Water: How Hydrotherapy Enhances Labor and Birth Experiences

Written By: Alfiya Khadeer Labor and birth are profound, life-changing events, and every expectant mother deserves a birth experience that feels empowering, supportive, and as comfortable as possible. One of the most effective, natural comfort measures is water—whether through a warm shower, soaking in a tub, or even laboring in a birthing pool. Water provides a soothing, versatile option that not only helps manage pain but also supports the body’s natural processes during labor and delivery. How Water Eases Labor Pain The benefits of water during labor stem from its ability to reduce pain, increase relaxation, and promote better progress [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2024-12-10T14:47:55+00:00Tags: Autonomous Birth, Mothers&Babies, Natural Childbirth, Respect Physiology|21 Comments

Nurturing Life: Unlocking the Blessings of Breastfeeding

Written By: Nabira Safiullah "And the mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years, for those who desire to complete the term of suckling..." (Quran 2:233) Breastfeeding is a divine gift, providing countless benefits for mother and child. As we explore the wonders of breastfeeding, let's delve into its advantages and discuss some valuable tips for new mothers. Benefits of Breastfeeding 1. Optimal Nutrition: Breast milk contains essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. 2. Boosts Immune System: Breast milk's antibodies protect against infections. 3. Brain Development: Breastfeeding enhances cognitive development. 4. Emotional Bonding: Skin-to-skin contact fosters love and [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2024-11-08T09:53:47+00:00Tags: Breastfeeding, Healthy Mother Healthy Baby, Mothers&Babies|24 Comments

All That Matters Is A Healthy Baby

Written By: Hira Hassan How many times have we heard this from family members and care providers? "What matters is a healthy baby." It really breaks my heart. The shocking part is that even the mother thinks that this is the normal way to analyze her birth experience. What results from this mindset is unaddressed postpartum depression and traumas. We have been trained to be 'good girls' to such an extent that it's considered disrespectful to voice out our opinions and say, "No." From what I've observed, a care provider's definition of a 'good patient' is unfortunately associated with how [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2024-11-06T08:33:02+00:00Tags: AMANI Birth, Childbirth Education, Maternal Health Care System, Mothers&Babies|22 Comments

Postpartum Synchronicity Part 1/2

Knowledge of what a baby needs in its first few months of life, and proper management of expectations on the part of the mother and her support team, are essential in meeting the needs of the newborn while also alleviating the stress of the mother. Would you prefer to start motherhood by sabotaging yourself, being exhausted, slowing your own healing and not meeting the baby’s needs? Or, would you rather set yourself and your baby up for success and look back on this time with joy? Postpartum has never been an easy period for new mothers. But, in today’s society [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2025-06-24T07:19:32+00:00Tags: Breastfeeding, Happy Mothers Happy Babies, Mothers&Babies, Postpartum, Self Care|0 Comments

Implications of Environmental Stressors on Birth Physiology

Pregnant women across the globe practice in their own way of preparing for their births. with their hearts set on the best outcome for their babies. Such is the pure, dedicated heart of a mother that she easily forgets about her own needs, and often fails to appreciate the fact that taking care of her needs, in reality, helps to create the positive and safe birth that she rightfully desires. Although two separate individuals, a mother and baby are linked as one (also referred to as mother-baby dyad), therefore any stressful event affecting the laboring mother directly influences the baby [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2020-07-14T16:29:10+00:00Tags: AMANI Birth, Autonomous Birth, Doulas, Human Rights During Childbirth, Maternal Health Care System, Mothers&Babies|2 Comments

Our Brains vs Science: How Information Gets Processed That Either Leads Or Misleads

Let's face it. The dilemma a modern-day mother finds herself in is not fleeing from a hungry wolf to save her newborn baby, nor travelling at lengths to escape frosty winter months with her nomad tribe to find a new home that offers warmth and sustenance. It is one of the countless blessings that Allah swt has bestowed many of us with that we have safety and security of our livelihood and health. With that being said, as much as clean water and plentiful food supply accounts for the thriving of this generation, advancements in technology by leaps and bounds [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2023-01-29T10:26:27+00:00Tags: AMANI Birth, Childbirth Education, Informed Decisions, Mothers&Babies|4 Comments

The Messengers Of Labor

Hormones-the chemical messengers in our bodies-are one of the many facets that comprise a birth. Unseen to the naked eye, yet their effect is so profound and powerful that the course of a mother's labor can be dictated by these tiny particles. Although there are a number of hormones that play their part in maintaining and sustaining a pregnancy, there are a few renowned ones that cannot be ignored when labor contractions hit. Oxytocin: Often dubbed as the "love hormone", oxytocin's role before, during, and after labor is noteworthy. While examining human uteri (s. uterus), researchers have identified the concentration [...]

Sumreen Wasiq2023-01-29T10:17:11+00:00Tags: AMANI Birth, Childbirth Education, Hormones, Labor, Mothers&Babies, Natural Childbirth|3 Comments

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