Signs of Labor

... trickle of musty fluid is a major sign that your membranes have ruptured and that labor has begun. What...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...

... 2010 Meredith Corporation. For additional labor resources, be sure to read: ...

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

Are you in labor or are you merely experiencing practice contractions or Braxton Hicks contractions? Find out how to tell the difference -- and what to expect.

... bloody discharge, called "show." Remember that not all women experience all of these signs of labor, so... -- 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...

..., this can be a sign that you're experiencing "back labor," which happens to nearly one third of women...Even moms who've been through it before can't always tell when labor is starting. That's because... many of the early signs are vague and easily misinterpreted: Are those cramps real contractions...

...They don't call it labor for nothing. Having a baby is hard work, and part of that work is getting... Relaxation "The most important thing you can relax during labor is your mind," says Stacey Rees, a certified..., you tense up, which makes the pain worse, which makes you tense up more. Cardoso had back labor for 21...

... 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...

... 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... in blood pressure. "An early sign of this is nausea and vomiting," says David J. Birnbach, M.D., spokesman...

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.

... into active labor. Beyond that, the surest sign that you're really, truly, no kidding, actually in labor...You may have already noticed prelabor signs. These have probably included an increase in Braxton... over time. During this first stage of labor, the cervix thins, or effaces, and then dilates about 1...

..."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...

Can an ancient Chinese calendar really predict the gender of your baby? Take our simple quiz and find out. The results could spill the beans about whether you're having a boy or girl.

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!

How will I know when I'm in labor?

Have you ever wondered what your infant will feel while you're in labor? Here's a close look at what babies experience during the birthing process.

Find out what birth crowning means and what to expect during this stage of labor.

You don't want to be a nag, but you shouldn't ignore a problem either. These are the times when you need to call your doctor.

...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...

How much weight should you gain while you're pregnant? Keep tabs on your pregnancy pounds with our pregnancy weight gain calculator.

A full nine months is important for baby and mom. Here's why.

... starting to open up. That's a great sign. However, when you'll actually go into the active labor phase... and 50 percent effaced! Does that mean I'll go into labor today? A. In simplest terms, labor...'re halfway there. Your labor contractions will gradually open your cervix to that magical dilation...

You know you're pregnant, but when exactly will your baby make his big entrance? Use our pregnancy due date calculator to find out.

Today a record number of babies -- nearly one in three -- are born via cesarean, and some experts are alarmed by the trend.