Welcome to the Brilliant Births Blog
When to Hire a Doula in the Bay Area
In the Bay Area, availability can be competitive. Here at Brilliant Births, we recommend beginning your search three to five months before your due date, with an earlier search particularly important for babies expected in July, September, November, December or around major holidays.
Finding Strength and Support: Top 3 Places for Prenatal Yoga and fitness in the East San Francisco Bay Area
Strength throughout pregnancy is so important, not only as preparation to give birth but to make it easier to do the things in your day to day life that you love. Here are our top 3 places in the East Bay for prenatal and postpartum yoga and fitness.
Buying your first car seat? Hereβs what to look for.
In many places, you cannot bring your baby home from the hospital without a federally certified, properly installed carseat! But beyond legality, theyβre designed to protect your babyβs fragile head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash.
Craniosacral Therapy: What is it?
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, non-invasive therapeutic modality that involves very light touch to stimulate relaxation of fascia. By relaxing the fascia, the sheet of tissue that surrounds each muscle, infants and adults may have an increased range of movement, better disgestion, and an easier time settling into sleep.
Cute Baby Halloween Costumes
Halloween is our favorite time of year for one reason: babies in costumes. Find inspiration for your next Halloween⦠or just look at cute little babies dressed up!
What size is my baby this week?
What size is my baby this week? Is this normal in pregnancy? What symptoms should I have in the first, second, third trimester? We compiled the answers in a comprehensive list! Hereβs a week-by-week guide on baby size and common pregnancy symptoms from conception to birth.
5 Reasons why youβre cold during your pregnancy
Pregnancy isnβt always a warm and cozy journey. Sure, there are those moments of radiant warmth and comfort, but thereβs also the flip side β the inexplicable chill that seems to settle in, even on the warmest of days. But why does this happen?
Weight Loss Drugs and Fertility
Diabetes and weight loss drug, have been in the news recently for its ability to increase fertility in women. But why does it work?
My Doctor Says I Don't Need a Doula. What Now?
It's not uncommon for well-meaning friends or family members to question the need for a doula. Having a doula is a decision that gives you extra support in a vulnerable time, and medical professionals (and loved ones!) should respect that. Doulas are an incredible resource to add to your team, and hereβs why.
Infant Craniosacral Therapy: What is it?
What is infant craniosacral therapy, and is it safe?
Urate Crystals: What are they?
Donβt mistake this for blood! If you find a reddish stain inside your babyβs diaper, hereβs what to know.
Harnessing the Power of Red Raspberry Leaf
Red raspberry leaf has the potential to support uterine health during pregnancy and postpartum. While research on its effects is ongoing, many women have reported positive impacts from tea and supplements. Why?
The Intelligence of Your Pregnant Body
Pregnancy is a journey that transforms a personβs body in extraordinary ways. From the physical adaptations to the incredible changes happening within, pregnancy is a testament to the intelligence and resilience of our bodies. Here are some awesome facts about your pregnant body and itβs innate intelligence!
UV or Not UV: A Quick Guide to Skin Protection for Summer!
Teaching our children about sun safety early on sets them up for a lifetime of healthy habits and glowing skin. As someone who grew up in the βfashionably tannedβ era, I really wish Iβd learned this sooner! With UV detection stickers, fashionable UV-protective clothing, and mineral sunscreen, you can bask in the warm glow of the sun without turning into a crispy critter.
The Scoop on Newborn Poop: A Hilarious Guide to Diaper Duty!
From sticky situations to diaper blow-outs, join us on this wild ride of diaper-changing adventures! Weβll prep you for all the different colors and consistencies your little one might be producing and how to survive diaper duty.
Top 5 Yoga Ball Tricks for Labor
Want to know how to limber up for birth? Weβve got you covered with these helpful tips on using your yoga ball for comfort, positioning and coping during labor!
Making Sense of Prenatal Nutrition
Thereβs a lot of info out there about what you can and canβt eat during pregnancy. Letβs figure it out together with a little research and some expert wisdom from perinatal nutritionist, Bonnie Burgess!
Parenting is hard. Period.
Being a new parent can feel really overwhelming! It can be hard to feel like youβre failing and all the other new parents out there are doing it βbetterβ or βrightββ¦.but are they really? Maybe theyβre more like you than you thinkβ¦
What is Fundal Massage?
Most people havenβt heard about fundal massage until itβs performed on them. A massage sounds great! But itβs probably not what you think.