Giving Birth

Here's the truth about labor -- what's normal, what's not, and what to expect.

No one wants to arrive at the hospital too early -- or risk giving birth in the car. So how can you tell the difference between real and false labor? Pay attention to the following classic labor-day signs.

Stay sane on delivery day by preparing a hospital bag ahead of time. Here is our list of stuff you won't want to forget -- including items from moms who've been there.

From drugs to breathing techniques, here's what to know to make your labor as painless as possible.

Every baby enters the world in a unique way. That's why birth stories are so much fun to hear. So what will your labor be like? Doctors and mothers answer common questions from moms-to-be.

..., consult the Chinese birth chart. Discovered 700 years ago, the Chinese gender prediction calendar uses...

From exercise to water therapy, check out our guide to what helps -- and what doesn't -- on your big day.

Are you very close to delivering your baby? Take our quiz and find out if you're showing the signs of approaching labor!

Just over 10 percent of babies are born pre-term (before 37 weeks). The good news: Early labor can sometimes be stopped with a combo of meds and bed rest. Be on the lookout for these warning signs so you can call your doc ASAP if you think there's a problem.

... through the birth canal." The head of every baby born vaginally becomes misshapen to some degree during... the birth process, but even the most pronounced "conehead" returns to normal within a few days. Labor... birth," notes Dr. Auerbach. Your baby's lungs will also begin pumping more blood through them after...

Are you pregnant and wondering if you are having a girl or a boy? Take this gender prediction quiz that predicts the gender of your baby!

Labor generally takes a few hours (and often longer than that) -- enough time for the vast majority of women to get to a hospital or a birthing center. But in case you don't make it, you should know the drill.

...Birth crowning, which is when your baby's head starts to emerge bit by bit during each contraction... to help your baby pass from the uterus into the birth canal.) As you push, your baby's head may appear... to think of it is that birth crowning occurs when you can see the part of the head where a princess would...

On your delivery day, you want to max out your comfort levels. We've got a list of essentials for you, your labor partner, and your new baby, to make your day as stress - free as possible.

From having a baby in water to using acupuncture, here are nine methods, philosophies, and professions to help you give birth on your own terms.