ParentLink Singapore

04/11/2025

When a pregnant woman sings, it offers multiple benefits for her baby’s brain health and emotional development, even in the womb.

Babies develop the ability to hear in the womb around 16-18 weeks of gestation. Singing provides regular auditory stimulation, helping the fetus differentiate sounds and recognize voices.

Studies suggest that prenatal exposure to music, including a mother’s singing, is linked to better neural encoding of speech sounds in infants. This may aid in early language acquisition and processing.

Furthermore, musical stimuli, particularly those with low-frequency rhythmic components, may contribute to training and organizing neural plasticity in the developing auditory system.

Some studies even suggest a connection between prenatal music exposure and improved orientation and habituation in newborns.

Singing also stimulates the release of oxytocin and serotonin in the mother, which cross the placenta and may help the baby feel calm and safe, potentially improving emotional regulation.

Fetuses exposed to music and singing show more stable heart rates and reduced signs of stress.

Additionally, babies who heard singing in the womb are more easily soothed by those same melodies after birth, strengthening early bonding.

Singing is a natural way to connect with the baby before and after birth, strengthening the bond between mother and child. Some studies have shown that mothers singing lullabies during pregnancy had infants with fewer crying episodes and colic in the first month after birth, and these mothers experienced lower stress levels.

PMID: 37081418, 32776296

17/10/2025

Berlin Museum Director, 66, Gives Birth to Her 10th Child — Says She Conceived Naturally

Berlin, Germany — March 19. In a story that has captured international attention, Alexandra Hildebrandt, a 66-year-old museum director, has given birth to her tenth child — a healthy baby boy named Philipp — at Charité Hospital in Berlin.

Hildebrandt told local media that she conceived naturally, without the use of fertility treatments. Baby Philipp was delivered by caesarean section, weighing 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and is reported to be in good health.

Her remarkable family now spans more than four decades in age. Her children are: Svitlana (46), Artiom (36), Elisabeth (12), Maximilian (12), Alexandra (10), Leopold (8), Anna (7), Maria (4), Katharina (2), and newborn Philipp.

For Hildebrandt, motherhood has always been a defining part of her life. “Having a big family is wonderful — and important for raising children properly,” she said. “My children are my pride and my purpose.”

According to her obstetrician, Dr. Wolfgang Henrich, the pregnancy was “largely uncomplicated.” Hildebrandt credits her continued good health to a disciplined lifestyle — avoiding alcohol and smoking, maintaining a balanced diet, and following a daily exercise routine that includes an hour of swimming and two hours of walking.

Medical experts, however, note that natural conception at such an advanced maternal age is extremely rare. Fertility specialists point out that the likelihood of conceiving naturally after the age of 60 is nearly zero, as most women have long since reached menopause. Pregnancies at advanced age also carry increased risks, including high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, premature birth, and chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome.

Some experts suggest that in exceptional cases, unusually late menopause or rare hormonal conditions could make natural conception possible — but emphasize that such instances are extraordinary exceptions.

Hildebrandt’s announcement comes amid renewed global discussion about late-age pregnancies, particularly as more women choose motherhood later in life, often with the help of IVF or donor eggs.

For Hildebrandt, though, the focus remains personal rather than political. She says the response from her loved ones has been overwhelmingly supportive, and that baby Philipp’s arrival has brought renewed joy to her family.

“Age,” she said, “should never define a mother’s capacity for love — or her desire to welcome new life.”

15/10/2025

A groundbreaking 2025 study published in Science Advances has revealed that while women experience a decline in the number of eggs as they age, the quality of those eggs at the DNA level remains surprisingly stable. In contrast, men’s s***m accumulates genetic mutations over time, making older fathers more likely to pass on DNA errors that can contribute to developmental and neurological conditions in their children.

Researchers found that these s***m mutations increase steadily with age, particularly after 40, while eggs showed minimal DNA damage accumulation. This challenges decades of assumptions about female fertility and aging — and flips the traditional “biological clock” narrative on its head.

The implications are significant: men’s age can influence conception success, pregnancy outcomes, and long-term child health just as much as women’s.

In essence, time affects both sexes — just in very different ways.

15/10/2025

In Japan, some schools are giving students a powerful lesson in parenting—through real-life simulations.

Boys wear weighted vests of about 7 kg (15 pounds) to mimic pregnancy, experiencing the physical strain of carrying a baby. Under guidance, they also care for real infants, learning just how demanding childcare can be.

The purpose isn’t just education—it’s empathy. These programs encourage gender equality, shared family roles, and a deeper respect for the responsibilities of parenthood, especially in a society grappling with declining birth rates.

By walking a few steps in a parent’s shoes, students gain life skills, compassion, and a stronger understanding of what it truly means to raise a child.

01/10/2025

Repost:
scientists found the most physically demanding thing a human body can endure isn’t running an ultramarathon.
it’s pregnancy.

your heart grows larger and pumps 40–50% more blood.

your lungs lose up to 20% of their capacity as your organs shift.

your brain rewires itself, with structural changes that last for years, so you can bond and protect your baby.

by the third trimester, sleep studies show pregnant women experience the same disruptions as people with chronic insomnia.

your body even creates an entirely new organ - the placenta - which uses more energy than your own brain.

and yet, moms are told to “stop complaining” and “enjoy every second.”

pregnancy is not just beautiful.
it’s the hardest work a human body will ever do and the world should never take that for granted.

01/10/2025

Childbirth is one of the most intense and profound experiences in a person’s life, often regarded as the second most painful event a human can endure. The physical and emotional challenges it presents demand immense strength and resilience. Acknowledging this pain is also a way to honor the courage of mothers everywhere.

Pain in childbirth stems from intense contractions and the body’s process of bringing new life into the world. Though medical advances provide pain relief options, the experience remains deeply personal and challenging. Respecting this pain encourages empathy and support for birthing individuals.

Understanding childbirth’s intensity also highlights the importance of prenatal care, emotional support, and education to prepare parents for this journey. Celebrating the strength of women in this process fosters a more compassionate and informed approach to maternal health. 👶💙

22/09/2025

An incredible new study found that pregnant women who consume just 6 dates a day in the 4 weeks leading up to their due date were 74% more dilated upon their arrival to the hospital, had a 77% shorter first stage of labor and a 42% lower rate of caesarean sections.

Eating dates in the late stages of pregnancy lead to higher cervical dilation upon hospital admission because the fruit contains nutrients that influence oxytocin receptors, preparing the cervix and uterus for labor by increasing muscle response to oxytocin and other labor-supporting hormones. Dates are a rich source of energy from natural sugars and fats and also contain prostaglandins, which contribute to cervical ripening. Additionally, they provide serotonin, calcium, and tannins, which contribute to powerful uterine contractions.

Eating dates in the late stages of pregnancy shortens the first stage of labor due to their ability to stimulate the production of prostaglandins, which promote cervical ripening (softening and thinning of the cervix) and increase uterine contractions. Dates also contain tannins, which have a similar effect, and provide a natural sugar source for energy during labor. Some studies even suggest that dates can increase uterine sensitivity to oxytocin, leading to more effective contractions and a quicker and smoother labor process.

These actions are also the exact reason why women who eat dates in the late stages of pregnancy and far less likely to need a c-section!

The most common recommendation is for women to begin eating 6 dates a day starting in their 37th week of pregnancy.
PMID: 40322306, 21280989

SEE ALSO: https://www.pelvicphysio.co.nz/the-sweet-secret-to-a-smoother-labour-dates

21/09/2025

Look at this stunning placenta! This one is vacuum-sealed.⁣
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Here’s some things you might not have known about the “Tree of Life”:⁣
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1. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘺. The placenta isn’t fully formed until 8-10 weeks. In those early months, your body is releasing HCG, progesterone, and estrogen to feed and grow the placenta. It is these hormones that begin a healthy pregnancy.⁣
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2. Before the placenta attaches to the uterine wall, something amazing happens. The arteries in your uterus are called “spiral arteries,” and they are curled like little pigtails. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢’𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 “𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦” (𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘹 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯) 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢 so it can fuse to the uterine wall. ⁣
⁣
3. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘩𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮. The blood that flows from you to your baby has to get past the “bouncer” before it’s allowed through. So the nutrients get to your baby, and waste is filtered out.⁣
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4. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘹𝘺𝘨𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺 𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳. So in those moments of intense contractions where baby is hugged tightly, the placenta is there to provide extra oxygen if needed.⁣
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It’s an incredible organ, and the only one that we grow and dispose of in our lifetime. ⁣
⁣
None of us would be here without it.⁣
No wonder it’s called the Tree of Life!

19/09/2025

19/09/2025

Culture often defines postpartum as a quick “recovery period.” But science tells us something different. Postpartum isn’t about “bouncing back.”

Research led by Dr. Magdalena Martínez-García shows that the maternal brain continues to change for up to six years after birth. Gray matter and cortical thickness decrease beginning in pregnancy and through the postpartum period. These changes are not loss, they’re adaptation. They expand a mother’s capacity for emotional connection and responsiveness.

A 2024 study published in Nature Neuroscience confirmed this transformation, using precision imaging to track the brain from preconception through two years postpartum. The results reveal what women have always known: motherhood rewires us in ways that make us stronger, more resilient, and deeply attuned.

Postpartum is not only about recovery. It is strength. It is resilience. It is evolution.

12/09/2025

As I keep working through the writings of Michel Odent, there are little gems scattered everywhere. This one reminds me of what I spoke about on ep. 127 of podcast.

In that episode I speak about how I rarely stitch first or second degree perineal tears and give a clinical assessment tool to help work out which tears will heal well without stitches and which might need repair:

1. All 3rd and 4th degree tears should be repaired
2. No 1st degree tears NEED stitching and most 2nd degree don’t need stitching
3. If the wound is not bleeding and sits together well with good symmetry, it’s ok to leave to heal
4. Approximation of the wound is important so limiting activity and keeping your legs together will aide effective healing

Get the full story podcast ep.127 - do I need stitches if I tear at birth

21/08/2025

Cool & Impressive Facts About the Uterus

-Strongest muscle in the body (pound for pound). There is still an ongoing debate about this in the science world. But the fact is, the uterus can generate up to 100 lbs of force per contraction during labor. That’s more than many athletes can deadlift with just one muscle.

-Expands 500x its size.
From about the size of a pear, it can stretch to hold a full-term baby, placenta, and up to a liter of amniotic fluid. Then it shrinks back down after birth.

-It has memory.
The uterus can actually “remember” previous pregnancies. After someone has given birth, future labors are often faster (all things being equal) because of changes in uterine muscle fibers.

-Blood flow powerhouse.
In late pregnancy, the uterus receives 20% of the entire body’s blood supply to nourish the baby and placenta.

-Self-repairing organ.
After birth, the uterus clamps down on blood vessels and regenerates tissue where the placenta detached. Few organs in the body can heal so rapidly.

-Source of life since forever.
In many cultures, the uterus was seen as the “original cauldron” of creation, where life begins, where transformation happens, and where raw power resides.

-Contracts outside of labor too.
The uterus contracts during menstruation, or**sm, and even breastfeeding (thanks to oxytocin)."

_Rebeccawanosik