Labor & Birth

Cervical dilation during pregnancy occurs during labor, allowing the baby to pass through the birth canal. Uterine contractions and pressure of the baby's head against the cervix encourage...

Birthing balls can speed the first stage of labor, which begins as the cervix starts to change. Steady contractions rhythmically squeeze the baby whose head applies pressure to the cervix...

After nine months of pregnancy, many women are ready to have their babies and move forward with the task of being a new mom. If you are close to your due date, and especially if you have passed it...

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...

A pregnant woman may become anxious when her doctor schedules her for a labor induction. The methods of inducing labor in the hospital include the administration of Pitocin, which results in more...

Stripping of the membranes is a procedure performed by a doctor which may help stimulate labor in a pregnant woman. This technique is usually used at the end of pregnancy during a vaginal exam.

Forty weeks can seem like an eternity for a pregnant woman. Fortunately, there are some foods that can be eaten that may induce labor---if your cervix has already begun to dilate.

Women cannot predict exactly when they will go into labor. A month before a woman gives birth, her body begins to prepare. There are signs that a woman can look for during the last month of...

After nine months of pregnancy, many women are anxious to deliver. The female body is an effective incubator, and most women will go into labor once the baby has reached full term and is ready to...

Many pregnant women are anxious to begin labor. It is often the highly anticipated arrival of your baby, and perhaps because you are tired of being pregnant, that may encourage you to try to...

Being pregnant is a beautiful, natural occurrence that can be uncomfortable and painful at times. Women look for natural methods to ease their discomfort and hopefully bring on labor....

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...

If you are pregnant and have gone past your due date you are probably very uncomfortable. Most likely your doctor has mentioned inducing your labor. Induction can be a scary thought for many...

Oxytocin starts getting released when the baby hits its head on the cervix. Learn about the hormonal loop how to know if you're going into labor in this free video on pregnancy and childbirth.

When the cervix thins or ripens, it's called effacement. Learn about effacement and how to know if you're going into labor in this free video on pregnancy and childbirth.

A woman needs to be ten centimeters dilated to have a baby. Learn about dilation and how to know if you're going into labor in this free video on pregnancy and childbirth.

Losing the mucus plug is also know as a bloody show or bloody discharge. Learn about the mucus plug on the cervix and how to know if you're going into labor in this free video on pregnancy and...

The bishop score is a score that some doctors and midwives use to determine how favorable your body is for a successful labor induction. This score tallies a number in five different areas...

As the last few months of pregnancy dwindle into days, moms-to-be grow more and more eager to welcome their newborn into the world. But eagerness often shifts to anxiousness when the baby is...

Your way over due, exhausted, and ready! But he just won't come...read on!

Labor induction means starting your labor artificially. The reasons for labor induction includes no contractions although your water bag is already broken, overdue baby and health issues that...

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

For nine months, you've been waiting for your due date to arrive. But that date has come and gone, and now you're overdue. If so, there are some things you can do to induce labor.

It can be difficult for an expectant mother to tell the difference between genuine and false labor, which is also known as "Braxton Hicks" contractions. This is especially true for first-time...

Acupressure involves applying pressure using your fingers and thumbs on specific points. Using acupressure is a natural way to induce labor by helping the cervix to ripen and dilate. This is a...