Giving Birth

If you're like me, you did a lot of research on what to pack for the hospital and asked other moms that you knew. I ended up overpacking and would like to name the essentials so other moms do not fall into the same situation.

Your labor, postpartum, nursery, and lactation nurses will be the most important people in your circle for the first few days of your newborn's life. There are a million things we want you to know, but I will give you the first dozen and a half to get you on your way to a great birth experience.

Rainbow babies—those born just after the death of an infant—are special. Here's a complete definition and advice for grieving parents and those who love them.

This article teaches tips and tricks to get through the pains of natural drug free labor and delivery.

My personal story of recovering from a third-degree tear during childbirth.

Giving birth truly can be beautiful. If you do the research, seek out the positive stories, find a childbirth method, and know the facts ahead of time, you too can have the pleasant memories from your children's births like I do. Here, I offer you some information to help you along your journey.

The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth focuses on giving birth your way, in the relaxing environment of your choosing, and with your partner at hand. This childbirth method encourages women in natural childbirth without medications or interventions.

When you're getting ready for your baby to arrive it's likely that your mind will become pretty cloudy. It can be easy to forget things you'll need when packing your hospital bag. I'm going to share the essential items you're not going to want to forget.

Creating your birth plan is a great way to help you prepare for and feel in control of your birthing experience. With a little planning, research, and flexibility you are sure to have a better labor and delivery experience.

After only three hours of very fast labor, my baby girl was born in our bed at home--surprise!

Does an epidural stop all of the pain? Does it hurt to get an epidural? Read on to find out my experience of what it really feels like to get an epidural—labor to recovery.

Interested in giving birth at home, but do you want the safety net of medical equipment and experienced providers? Learn more about the guiding principles of birth centers.

Be efficient and pack light for your hospital birth with this checklist perfect for the minimalist mama to be.

Evening primrose oil is commonly recommended by midwives to assist with labor induction but it may also have a positive impact on several health conditions. Weigh in on the discussion and see if this supplement could work for you!

Dilation, effacement, engagement, Braxton-Hicks contractions: Are these signs you're about to give birth?

Learn how to write a birth plan with these sample birth plan templates. Discover what birthing options are available, and create a plan that meets your personal needs.

If you're in the third trimester of pregnancy, you'll want to begin packing and preparing your hospital bag for when you go into labor. Learn what to pack for you, your baby, and your spouse or partner.

When will I go into labor? How can I make it start or progress faster? Learn about going into labor and how someone can help you with the progression of labor.

Pregnancy contractions occur all throughout pregnancy. The big question is: How do you know if it's a real contraction or just Braxton Hicks? There are definite differences between real labor contractions and Braxton Hicks practice contractions during pregnancy. Learn how each kind of contraction feels and when to know when you may be in real labor.

Is Castor Oil safe to use to induce labor? Is Castor oil worth the risk to my baby's health? Why do so many women say that Castor Oil is OK to take to bring on my labor and what can I do to induce labor naturally?

What is the best birthing position to be in labour? How can you bring on you labour or even speed it up? Years ago women were told to deliver on the bed in the hospital, this is no longer the case as more and more women are becoming more active with their labour and delivery and many are delivering in the comfort of their on homes or on a midwife led unit. Here are a few good tips on how to be really active leading up to your labour and whilst you are in labour.

Highlighting the importance of allowing your baby to get their full blood supply when they are born, cutting down on a huge number of post birth complications.

Are you pregnant and thinking about a cesarean delivery? Learn about c-sections and how you can prepare for a c-section birth.

During pregnancy the fetus can lie in all possible positions. As birth draws closer, most babies turn their head down before they are born. Some, on the other hand, stay with their bottom down. This is breech position.

Hospitals have NICUs that range in level of expertise; it's important to understand what these mean when deciding where to give birth.

Some natural and effective methods to decrease the length of your labor so you can meet your little one faster!

Why and when does your water break when you are pregnant? Will you be embarrassed by a big spill at the grocery store? What do PROM and PPROM mean?

This article provides a checklist of necessities that you're going to need for the arrival of your newborn baby.

This Hub gives moms and dads some ideas about what to avoid during Labor and Delivery, as well as alternative suggestions to consider.

Most woman assume immediately after having a baby they will feel like their old selves. The truth is it can take weeks, even months to recover from labor and delivery.

Getting close to your due date? Getting nervous about childbirth? How's a mom-to-be know when she's going into labor or not? Check out this article to find out some of the symptoms that will let you know that you're close to labor.

These are the symptoms you'll likely experience in the 38th week of pregnancy, and they are early signs that labor is fast approaching. Signs include not being able to sleep, hot flashes/night sweats, exhaustion, and a constant urge to poop.Learn what to do during labor and when to go to the doctor.

Having everything you need when leaving for the hospital will avoid unnecessary stress when you’re going through or recovering from labour. Take a look at these essential items for your hospital bag.

Find some great ideas for birth music during labor and delivery, including modern and traditional classical music, new age, trip-hop, ambient, Celtic, and guitar.

Thinking about giving birth at home? Homebirth has many benefits for mother and baby. Learn why I chose to give birth at home and why it was such a fabulous experience.

Wondering if you should try inducing labor with castor oil? Find out the facts —rather than the rumors—on whether it works, how it works, and what to watch out for.

A comprehensive list of the ways to induce labor naturally, prepared by a certified doula, including when and how to use each method.

Cesarean childbirth is definitely more painful than normal delivery. But for some, it is inevitable. So in this article, the author would like to share what the post-cesarean delivery experience is like and hopefully give helpful suggestions as to how to deal with the pain.

You may find yourself trying some unconventional methods to help labor along out of a state of desperation. Eating rye bread? Not too scary. Chased by a rottweiler? Maybe you should pass on that one.

You are pregnant and you're past your due date. You don't want to have your doctor medically induce labor because you're not quite convinced that's good for the baby. Enough time might not even have passed since your expected delivery date for a...