Labor & Birth

The birth of a baby is a natural event and there is usually enough time for the mother to be to make it to the hospital in plenty of time for the delivery. However, there are instances when the...

So, you are ready for baby, and you aren't sure what to bring to the hospital. This article will show you how to pack a maternity bag with things you will need.

Planning for a natural childbirth is a personal choice and is something that takes time and careful planning on your part to ensure that your caregivers understand your wishes. As you plan for...

Giving birth for the first time can be awe-inspiring events of your life. The fears, anxieties, hopes and dreams can all conspire to keep you in a turmoil of emotions. Gaining knowledge of what to...

The last month of a pregnancy can be hard on a woman and one of the slowest times of her life. She may be big and miserable, and all she wants to do is hold her new little bundle of joy in her...

When a woman becomes pregnant, her body creates a mucus plug near the opening of the cervix. This mucus plug's purpose is to keep germs and bacteria from entering the cervix and harming the unborn...

If you have carried your pregnancy to full term, or you are over 37 weeks pregnant, you can begin to find natural ways to induce labor. Many women wish to go into labor on their own, without...

If you are considering having a home birth, choosing to have a home water birth may be the right choice for you. Home births have become very popular as mothers realize the amazing benefits to a...

Maternity acupressure is a natural technique for inducing labor and relieving labor pains when your baby is overdue. Originally used more in Asian countries, this method is now becoming popular in...

Preparing to have a baby can be an exciting, yet scary time for a new mother. Being pregnant is such a joy for many mothers-to-be as they can't wait to meet the little one they've come to love...

During pregnancy swollen feet can become annoying at times. They can hurt and feel as if your skin just cannot stretch anymore. Here are some great ways to relieve that pain of swollen feet during...

Many people feel more comfortable having a home birth, rather than a birth in a hospital. One of the benefits of a hospital birth is that it makes obtaining a birth certificate easy. The hospital...

Before going to labor, every mother hopes for a swift and relatively painless labor and delivery. Child birthing classes will prepare those who attend for a complication-free, vaginal delivery...

The Due date is an estimation, and not an exact science, but there are many reasons to want to get the pregnancy over with, as long as the baby is ready as well. One of the main reasons for me...

Every mother looks forward to that special day when her baby is due to arrive, and anticipation can lead some mothers to feel anxious as the due date approaches with no labor pains in sight. It's...

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing but for some mothers, it can last a bit too long. Once you have hit your due date and get permission to begin inducing your labor naturally, you can begin using...

Naturally, if your due date has come and gone and your little bundle of joy is not sure they want to show their precious little face then you've probably talked to your OBGYN about your options to...

So you've watched your due date arrive, and pass, and you're still carrying your little bundle of joy. If you've gone days or weeks past your due date, it may be time for some interference on your...

After 9 months of carrying around another human being, you're probably completely exhausted! It's no wonder many soon-to-be mothers look for ways to get labor started when they're on or past their...

Childbirth can be a frightening experience for most women. Many women have negative experiences for many reasons. You want to do everything you can to try to avoid that.

When your pregnancy gets to the point where you think you are in labor, it is important to know the correct way to time contractions. When you call your Midwife or Obstetrician they will need to...

Selecting the right ob/gyn, nurse practitioner, midwife, or team of doctors to deliver your baby is one of most important decisions that a mother-to-be and father-to-be can make, yet it is often...

Toward the end of your pregnancy you start to want to get labor moving along. You wonder what the early labor symptoms are and what signs show you that you are going into labor. Look to these...

Labourade is a sports-drink style beverage for women in labour. It is all-natural, easy to make and very tasty. Use it in labour to: Avoid dehydration and it's attendant complications, including...

If you are expecting twins, you are sure to have many questions about what to expect during a twin childbirth and delivery.

The time has finally come to head to the hospital after nine long months. You've probably spent so much time readying your house for the new baby that you haven't thought about your needs. The...

One of the first questions asked of a pregnant woman is, "When are you due?" No matter how you got pregnant, it's not quite as simple as adding nine months to the day of conception, even though...

The last month of pregnancy is hard enough, but when you are overdue, you can become down right miserable. Be smart; do not risk your baby’s health by trying any of these methods without...

This may be a good time during the pregnancy for your spouse to give a thought to the manner of delivery she wishes to opt for. The options-natural, induced, or cesarean-all have their pros and cons.

Having a baby is one of the most exciting, scariest and still one of the most beautiful things that will ever happen to you. And some women after delivery might need to get stitches. Caring for...

In these financially challenging times many of us are without health insurance. But that doesn't stop women from getting pregnant and it doesn't lower the high cost of a hospital birth.

The Pain Gate Control Theory is about flooding your brain with positive stimulus while using your five senses. When you do this, your brain accepts the more positive stimulus and minimizes the...

It's an understatement to say that being in labor is one of the most exciting times in a parent's life. Despite the pain that also happens when you're in labor, nothing quite compares to the...

Creating a birth plan is an empowering activity, especially for a single mom. The birth of your child happens only once so why not have a plan that is tailored just for you. Whether you decide to...

Childbirth is a physically and psychologically demanding process. You will feel exhausted and extremely sore after childbirth. It is going to take up to weeks for you to completely recover. Below...

Have you been invited to participate in a friend or relative's birth? Here's how you can help!

Home birth is a safe and wonderful experience, but how do you know if this is the best choice for you and your baby?

Every woman deserves to be an informed participant in the most important event of her life: becoming a mother. A childbirth class can educate and prepare you for this life-changing experience!

At the end of your pregnancy, it may seem like a lifetime until you finally go into labor and welcome your new bundle of joy. If you're full term and have yet to start contracting, you may want to...

How can you tell if labor is imminent? Watch for these signs...

Fetal monitoring is watching and listening to the baby's heart rate for indicators of stress, particularly during labor and birth. There are essentially four different types of monitoring...

This article will help you choose a birth doula.

Damage to vaginal tissues during birth is a common concern. It usually takes longer to heal with a tear or a cut and can make your postpartum experience unpleasant. Following these simple steps...

Back pain in labor is very common. Although there are many positions you can try to alleviate the pain, the seated knee press is one that has yielded great results. According to Penny Simkin, it...

Emotional dystocia in labor that is unresolved can lead to a cesarean. Emotional dystocia is the clinical term for emotional stress. When a woman experiences emotional stress in labor, the...

Many expectant parents choose to take a Lamaze class in the second or third trimester of their pregnancy. The classes help a couple prepare mentally and physically for the upcoming birth of their...

Making an informed decision means that you are fully aware about the risks and benefits of something (such as a procedure or medication) before you consent to it. When you are in labor it is...

Having to make difficult choices while you're in labor may be one of the hardest and most frustrating things you'll have to do. Before consenting to certain procedures during labor, you'll want to...

Movement in labor is a good tool to use to help the baby descend more quickly into the pelvis and also to descend in the proper position. Walking, squatting and even changing positions in the bed...

Many moms in labor experience low back pain or pressure. As the baby settles lower into the pelvis, the head puts more pressure on the sacrum. To counter this pressure, moms generally like the hip...