Ok, no one said labor was glamorous—and if they did, I’d sure love to meet that person because I adore my kids, but NO, my labors were not glamorous. Speaking of ‘unglamorous’...when you hear the term “mucus plug” associated with labor, chances are you cringe at that medical term. What the heck is a mucus plug and when it “comes out” of you, vaginally, when pregnant, does that mean you’re in labor? I contacted an OB-GYN to learn everything about the mucus plug and more.

Being knowledgeable about your pregnancy is essential because it can help you understand what to expect. In addition, that knowledge may calm some of the anxiety you may be facing, particularly regarding labor and delivery.

The stages of labor and birth are part of an amazing and seemingly miraculous process. Therefore, it is helpful to understand the typical process of how the body progresses through the stages of labor to ready itself for birth.

Pregnancy is always a concern when you are sexually active. Until you are ready to take on this life-changing responsibility, prevention is key. An IUD is one of the top birth control methods on the market thanks to its exceptionally low failure rate and the fact that you can remain safe for years at a time with minimal effort. However, on rare occasions, pregnancy can occur.

Cervix dilation is one of the earliest signs that the birth of your baby is imminent. As you approach your due date, your doctor will check your weekly visits to see if you are dilated. Dilation begins once you have lost your mucus plug and cervical effacement has occurred. You may also experience a bloody show, a mix of blood and mucus when you lose your mucus plug.

There are three stages of labor: latent labor, active labor, and the delivery of the placenta, which is often glossed over when discussing labor.

Although multiple pregnancies and births are more likely to have complications, they are now safer than ever as advances in prenatal and postpartum care have dramatically improved the outlook for premature babies-the main concern with multiples.

The first trimester is the most critical time in your pregnancy. Although the fetus at the end of the first trimester is only about 4 inches long and weighs less than 1 ounce, your baby’s development is in full swing. Their major organs and nervous system, heartbeat, arms, fingers, legs, toes, hair, and buds for future teeth have begun to form, making it vital for mom to start right off the bat with a healthy pregnancy.

Sexuality and Breastfeeding

Having a baby transforms a couple into a family and surely represents one of the most significant transitions in adult life. Despite the temporary upheaval and increased stress and responsibility, most couples ultimately discover that parenthood brings a whole new dimension to their relationship that enhances their intimacy and strengthens their bond. At first, however, personal and couple time is crowded out by the pressing needs of the infant newcomer, who easily becomes the focus of the family.

After giving birth, many new moms want to get back to working out as quickly as possible to lose the baby weight. But you don’t want to rush into exercise after pregnancy because you could end up doing more harm than good. You not only have a little one to take care of now, but you also want to give your body time to heal. Any postpartum workout for a new mother should be doctor approved since every woman is going to be different post-pregnancy.

You're having a baby! Congrats! Now that you're pregnant, you'll be seeing your OB-GYN a lot, and he'll be performing a whole bunch of tests. 

It's important to understand what all these test are for, and what they tell you about your baby. 

We consulted The Absolute Beginners Guide to Pregnancy to get some answers.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), more than half of twin births in the U.S occur preterm. It's important to know the signs of preterm labor in a multiple pregnancy so that you can get help in time.

There are some clues, but they might not be obvious until it's too late to stop a delivery: That's why it is so vitally important to know the signals, and to contact your medical provider as soon as you suspect something.

Fake vs. real contractions

As your pregnancy reaches its end and your due date is looming, you probably have a lot of questions about when you should head to the hospital once labor begins. Of course, each woman's citation is unique, and your Ob-Gyn may have some specific instructions, but there are a few cut and dry citations doctors say require a call to your physician and perhaps a visit to the delivery ward.

More: What are the Stages of Labor?

You're Postpartum but Not Picture-Perfect

Birth is a celebrated event, much anticipated and prepared for by most mothers. Months of prenatal care lead up to that first labor pang – the one that tells the mother that the time to have her baby has finally arrived.

Houston, We Have a Baby!

Shortly after the baby's birth, whether it's a vaginal birth or a c-section, the baby will be evaluated for its ability to adapt and transition normally to life outside the uterus. To aid in this process, the baby is transported to a warming unit with a radiant heat source. The baby (now officially called a neonate) is dried of all moisture, which helps to minimize the loss of its core temperature.

Page 1

Postpartum: Starting to Exercise Again

Follow up after discharge

Early Breastfeeding Problems

The Importance of Early Infant Follow-Up After Discharge

It’s been said that parenthood is the ultimate exercise in letting go of control. This begins with a couple’s initial attempts to conceive, and it can be jarring to feel like you’re no longer in the driver’s seat during such a momentous transition. So, it’s no surprise that a book titled, How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby, would make a huge splash.

More : 9 Natural Labor Pain Relief Techniques

Imagine finding out you’re pregnant again while you still have a newborn. The term “Irish Twins” refers to siblings born within a year of each other, and it definitely does happen. While birthing two babies in the span of a year has its challenges, there are also many uniquely special benefits to raising siblings close in age. 

More: Do Twins Run in Families? A Genetic Explanation

Fitness and Physical Activity After Childbirth

After childbirth, your body needs about six weeks to return to its normal anatomy and physiology. Most precautions at this time are to protect the uterus; it is still enlarged and healing, and the cervix is still open. To prevent bacteria from entering the uterus, you should not use tampons for bleeding in the first month after childbirth.

There’s a long to-do list of things to accomplish before your baby arrives! From creating the perfect nursery to packing a birth bag to taking childbirth education courses, you can get caught up in all the “must-haves” and forget about indulging in yourself! 

More: The Ultimate List of Baby Must Haves to Add to Your Registry