More in Preparing for Labor
10 Secrets to an Easier Labor
..."Pregnant women who stay in shape tend to have shorter labors," says Tekoa King, a certified nurse... improves endurance, and if you're better able to tolerate labor, you're less likely to end up needing... comfort measures before the big event will help you feel less anxious, which can make for an easier labor...
What No One Tells You About Labor
... can get your hands on about labor and birth. But classes and books tend to give you the big picture...-talked-about) scenarios. Who knew that vomiting during labor is normal? I certainly didn't -- until the birth of my... labor). To keep vomiting to a minimum, eat only light foods during the earliest stages of labor...
6 Things to Expect from Labor & Delivery
...Q: How long does labor last, and will I feel pain the whole time?
A: Much of labor is spent... in "early labor". During this phase, it is best to be at home where you can walk, sleep, or snack. During... active labor, contractions become regular and painful, and the cervix dilates. Normal dilation during...
3 Signs That You May Be in Labor
...The biggest confusion when it comes to labor is that it can be hard to distinguish between false... and real contractions. As you approach your due date, you may feel something labor-like -- namely... of false labor, real contractions are painful. They build in intensity so "you can't walk or talk through...
8 Ways to Manage Labor Pain
...They don't call it labor for nothing. Having a baby is hard work, and part of that work is getting... practice for later) and prepare to enter the wide world of pain management. Without Medication Relaxation...
"The most important thing you can relax during labor is your mind," says Stacey Rees, a certified nurse...
Growing Concerns: Doctors Respond to Women's Fears about Labor
... their upcoming labor. As obstetricians, we make sure we spend extra time with our patients during the last months... open to more than 10 centimeters wide to accommodate the head. During labor, a birthing mirror can help... your baby is delivered can't be determined until you are actually in labor. We hope that all moms who...
Gender Prediction Quiz
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!
Signs of Approaching Labor
... in labor: They're irregular and will subside after a time. They won't increase in strength or frequency... lower back pain you do feel is not persistent. This is often called "false labor." Although the real... work of labor hasn't begun, you can rest assured that your baby is getting ready to make his or her...
Au Natural: Nine Ways to Manage Labor Without Drugs
... the week before the birth, we prepared the house to welcome my labor and this new person. We cleaned like... acupuncture leading up to their birth to help prepare their body for labor, and they also use it during birth... throughout labor and allow labor to progress on its own. A Real Mom's Take: "My prenatal experience...
New Moms Describe What Labor Is Really Like
...When we asked new moms to describe what labor felt like, we received almost 500 responses.... In the course of describing labor pain, your answers hit on many similar themes -- how the experience compared... was in labor or if I was having Braxton Hicks contractions. My symptoms did not fit into either category. I had...
6 Delivery-Day Jitters
Worrying about your labor and delivery is completely normal -- but that doesn't make preparing for the big day any easier! Knowing what to expect, however, can lessen your concerns. Here are answers to many common mom-to-be worries.
Am I in Labor?: Our Stage-by-Stage Guide to Giving Birth
... could be born at any time," says Susan Cooter, RN, director of Prepared Childbirth Educators... -- a fairly broad span -- there's no way to pinpoint when labor will begin. "Not knowing makes some... emotional and physical support to women in labor. If you're a first-time mom, you may not even realize when...
How to Pack Your Hospital Bag
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.
Your Pregnancy To-Do List
Between preparing for baby and staying as healthy as possible, you have a lot to think about for the next nine months. Follow our week-by-week to-do lists to make it easy.
5 Signs That You're in Labor
.... But as you progress toward labor, the cervix begins to dilate and soften in preparation for delivery, causing...Even moms who've been through it before can't always tell when labor is starting. That's because... breaking, or is it just urine leaking because a seven-pound baby is resting on your full bladder? Labor...
Your Changing Body Week-by-Week
From the time of conception until the time you give birth, your body is going to go through some major changes. Find out what to expect with our week-by-week look at your changing body.
