Labor and Delivery

Giving birth is a natural process, but what's called natural childbirth is the experience of labor and delivery without the use of any medication or anesthesia. Instead, you rely on natural methods of pain relief, like breathing and visualization...

You're past your due date and your really uncomfortable. What can you do? Dr. Chloe Zera of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston talks about the steps your doctor may take if you're overdue. ...

Pregnancy: When to Go to the Hospital Fake Contractions (Braxton Hicks) Most women will experience "fake" contractions sometime in their pregnancy – not all women, but most. Fake contractions, more commonly known as Braxton Hicks contractions, a...

If you're pregnant with multiples, preterm labor is a real risk. Dr. Chloe Zera of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston discusses the risks, when to go to the hospital, and how your doctor will handle your labor. ...

If you're expecting soon, you've probably done all you can to prepare for the birth. Take classes. Check! Pack hospital bag. Check! Prepare freezer meals. Check! But have you made a birthing playlist to play while you're in labor? A recent study...

Some women sail through labor contractions not even knowing if they are even in labor, and others have the complete opposite experience. Most women do feel contractions, and they try to explain it to friends, family and husbands the best they can...

For your baby to be born the cervix (comprised of firm muscle that forms a strong base at the bottom of the uterus) needs to stretch and soften so that it can open, or dilate, and your baby can pass out of the uterus and into the vagina. Toward t...

As your due date approaches, it's time to get all your ducks in a row! Use this checklist to organize the must-do tasks in the exciting final weeks of your third trimester of pregnancy. (This hospital packing list is also helpful.) ...

Overdue moms will try just about anything to get things moving along. While there is no sure-fire way to induce labor the natural way, these tips and tricks are thought to help the body start the labor process. It doesn't hurt to try, right? ...

Decisions, decisions! Once the exciting news of your pregnancy sets in, it's time to sit down and consider some important questions about everything from your birth plan to your baby's name. Take a step-by-step look at some of the decisions facin...

As labor approaches, your body starts to prepare itself for the task ahead and you may notice various physical symptoms and signs that labor is about to start. Not every woman experiences labor in the same way, and certain signs can occur either ...

The second stage begins when your cervix is fully dilated, your baby has moved deep into the pelvis, and you are ready to push. During the tiring second stage of labor, aid the effectiveness of your pushing with body positions such as kneeling, u...

Being active during the first stage of labor is thought to help labor progress. If you're well prepared and practice different postures and positions for labor during pregnancy, you will instinctively be able to use these during childbirth. Also ...

In the first 12 hours a pediatrician will give your baby a checkup. In addition to a head-to-toe examination, there will be checks made on skin color, temperature, and muscle tone, and on reflexes, such as sucking and grasping. ...

If your cervix is not dilating, or your baby is not descending, as quickly as expected during the first stage, your doctor will try to assess why this is and if something can be done. Usually, your doctor will assess the three P's: The passenger...

Premature labor The normal length of pregnancy is 37 to 42 weeks. A baby born before 37 weeks is called premature or preterm (see Premature Birth). Fetal distress During labor, the baby is monitored for signs of distress, which can indicate t...

There are many reasons why your baby may need special care, the most common one being prematurity (being born before 37 weeks). Babies may need to spend days, weeks, or sometimes months in a NICU until they are big enough and well enough to go ho...

Of course your experiences will depend on your labor and birth and local procedures, but here is what usually occurs in your first 12 hours after birth.1-2 hoursAs long as he is well, your baby can be placed in your arms, and you can cuddle him a...