A Labor and Delivery Nurse's Birth Plan

Birth plans are common these days. Here is a birthplan written by a labor and delivery nurse. ... read more »

Labor, Delivery, and Birth Guide

All about the stages of labor, delivery options, anesthesia and more. ... read more »

Dr. Amos' Fertility and Pregnancy e-Book

Read Dr. Amos' eBook about pregnancy, fertility, trying to get pregnant, and the postpartum period. Everything you need to know! ... read more »

The Effects of Premature Labor on Your Baby

Although most babies born a few weeks early do well with no health consequences, the earlier they are born, the more health problems they will have. Learn how premature labor may affect your baby. ... read more »

Pregnancy Complications with Multiple Births

Pregnancy complications in twins are many-fold higher than with a singleton baby and include a higher rate of premature deliveries and fetal anomalies. ... read more »

Safe Sex Before, During, and After Pregnancy

There are five distinct three-month periods trimesters associated with pregnancy and each one affects your sex life in distinctly different ways ... read more »

Operative Procedures: Forceps, Vacuum, Episiotomy

The use of operative procedures, such as forceps, vacuum, and episiotomy during a vaginal delivery provides a little boost to mom's birthing process. ... read more »

Risks of Preterm or Premature Labor and Delivery

Learn about contractions and cervical changes before 37 weeks. ... read more »

Anesthesia During Labor and Delivery

There are 4 types of anesthesia currently used in the laboring process. These include drugs, local anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, and epidural anesthesia. ... read more »

Hepatitis A and Pregnancy

Hepatitis A (HAV) is a viral infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Other viral liver infections are caused by hepatits B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses. There is an increased risk of premature delivery if you become infected with HBV during pregnancy. ... read more »

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Section (VBAC)

There is something intangibly important about giving birth to a baby vaginally and after having a c-section, the woman may choose to try a vaginal birth for her next child. ... read more »

Is Water Birth a Good Idea?

According to Wikipedia, a water birth refers to childbirth, usually human, that occurs in water. ... read more »

How to Find a Good Hospital and Maternity Unit

Finding a good hospital unit for maternity is among the top priorities for pregnant women to ensure the optimal care when you are having a baby. ... read more »

What to Pack for Labor & Delivery

Here's what to pack for the hospital in your labor bag! ... read more »

Hair Loss Postpartum

A drop in hormones as your body returns to normal after delivery will likely cause you to lose some of your hair. Find out what causes the hair loss, what you can do about it, and how long you can expect it to last. ... read more »

Top Reasons to Choose a Hospital Birth

So many reasons to deliver the baby in the hospital. ... read more »

Cesarean Section Maternal Risks

Complications of a cesarean section include bleeding, infections, injury to organs, and future placenta accreta and placenta previa. ... read more »

Magnesium Sulfate May Reduce Cerebral Palsy

Magnesium sulfate is an intravenous medication often given to women in order to prevent premature births. A recent study shows that it also may possibly reduce the chances of babies later being diagnosed with moderate to severe cerebral palsy. ... read more »

What Is an Episiotomy?

For decades, episiotomies have been routinely performed to help speed delivery during the pushing phase of labor and to prevent tears to the vagina. ... read more »

Herpes Before Pregnancy

Mothers with recurrent genital herpes, herpes that they had before pregnancy, are less likely to transmit herpes to their babies during delivery. ... read more »

Placenta Testing Reveals Possible Preeclampsia Marker

Researchers testing placentas after infant births may have found a gene marker. The gene is associated with the immune system and may be the cause of some cases of preeclampsia. ... read more »

Weight Gain Guidelines Adjusted for Obese Patients

Women who enter pregnancy with a BMI in the obese range may have less weight to gain to stay within normal limits, according to a study presented at The Pregnancy Meeting in San Francisco. ... read more »

Cerebral Palsy Risk in Early or Late Delivery

Preterm birth is a known risk factor for cerebral palsy, but researchers have now added weeks 37 and 42+ to that list. According to a study published by the Journal of American Medical Association, the lowest risk occurs when children are born at 40 weeks. ... read more »

Factors Influencing Vaginal Births After Cesarean Sections

Based on reviews posted in the August copy of Journal of Advanced Nursing, there are several factors, clinical and non-clinical, that influence vaginal births after cesarean sections (VBAC).   ... read more »

Childbirth Simulator Takes Risk out of High-Risk Delivery

Researchers using an MRI scan and a computer program have developed a way to predict if childbirth will be difficult or simple. According to researchers, the assessment could prove especially useful in cases where mothers are at high-risk for complications during childbirth. ... read more »

Do Hospitals Allow Alternative Birthing Choices?

Yes, some hospitals offer alternative birthing choices like water, chair, and squatting births. Other hospitals require women to lay down in a bed and push in a more traditional method. ... read more »

Hospital Discharge Following Pregnancy Should Be Individualized

Many women are discharged from the hospital after birth based on insurance or hospital protocol. As long as mom and baby are healthy and ready physically to return home, the discharge is ordered. ... read more »

Should Labor Be Induced If Your Water Breaks Early?

According to a study published in PLOS Medicine, when a pregnant woman's water breaks early it is best to wait and watch instead of forcing the labor along, especially in cases where the event occurs prematurely. ... read more »

Timing Pregnancy To A Certain Month

Timing your pregnancy in order to have a baby in a specific month is possible but it takes a lot of preparation. ... read more »

Progesterone No Help in Preventing Preterm Twin Births

This Lancet study shows that progesterone does not prevent preterm births in twins. ... read more »

USA Lags Behind in Preterm Births

Born too soon: the global action report on preterm birth by the World Health Organization (WHO) provides the first-ever national, regional and global estimates of preterm birth.  ... read more »

How to Deal with Postpartum Breast Engorgement

It is normal for your breasts to become larger and feel heavy, warmer and uncomfortable when your milk increases in quantity ('comes in') 2-6 days after birth. This rarely lasts more than 24 hours. ... read more »

When To Expect Your Menstrual Period After Giving Birth

A regular Menstrual Period or Bleeding after Birth and Delivery Of The Baby usually come when you start ovulating again. This can last between 3-9 months on average. Breastfeeding may or may not prolong that time. ... read more »

How to Prepare For a Vaginal Delivery

About 2 in 3 women will deliver the baby vaginally. Our 12 step program will help you prepare for the vaginal delivery. ... read more »

Vaginal Delivery and Birth

A vaginal birth remains the number one method for baby delivery, though in many countries cesarean section rates are approaching or even exceeding 50% of deliveries. ... read more »

Obesity in Early Pregnancy and Premature Deliveries

Obesity is associated with many pregnancy complications and obese women are at increased risk of premature deliveries. ... read more »

Dental Problems May be Linked to Premature Birth

The treatment of gum disease may be a contributing factor in keeping premature birth at bay. A study published by BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology reports a significant link between periodontitis and preterm birth. ... read more »

Labor Contractions: How Do I Know It's Labor?

It's a fact. Most women got through labor in preparation for delivering the baby. But why is it happening and how do you know you are in labor? ... read more »