From yoga and prenatal classes to parenting and childbirth classes, moms and dads learn all you need to know right here.

First Stage of Active Labor

When the first stage of labor begins, the cervix responds to hormonal changes and contractions start to take on a more patterned interval. Cervical dilation and bloody show will be present as well. ... read more »

Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression

Suffering from a brief bout of mild depression is common for women who have just given birth. Some women will fight through the depression and come out within a few weeks feeling better than ever before. Other women will suffer from baby blues symptoms that lead to a deeper more clinical-style depression. ... read more »

All About Childbirth Classes

Everything you need to know from conception to postpartum! ... read more »

Kegel Exercises

Nearly every pregnant woman has been told to do Kegel exercises to make labor easier. ... read more »

Body Aches and Pains

There will be plenty of aches and pains associated with pregnancy, but the legs and back are often the body parts hit the hardest. Increased fluid retention during pregnancy can lead to swelling. ... read more »

Natural Childbirth

While some women may believe natural childbirth is safer for her baby, there can be some common side effects she did not plan on when making her decision to skip pain medication. ... read more »

Why You Should Create a Birth Plan … But Be Flexible About It

A birth plan can help guide the birthing process with basic instructions, wishes, and expectations outlined for labor coaches, nurses, doctors, and your partner. Here's how to create your own! ... read more »

Preparing for a New Baby in the Home

Preparing for a baby’s arrival in the home is one of the most exciting parts of pregnancy. Most families choose to wait until late in the second trimester to prepare the baby’s room just to ensure the pregnancy is safe ... read more »

Me Time Replaced by Daddy Time

It can be hard for Dad to replace me time with daddy time, but working together with mom and using the give and take method may work to the advantage of both parents. ... read more »

Helping When the Time is Right

The help mom needs is not going to manifest until the latter stages of the pregnancy. Dad can, however, tell mom on a daily basis how beautiful she is and how she is going to be a great mother. These emotional boosts are the best way to give support as physical changes are happening to her body. ... read more »

Giving Mom a Hand After Birth

After birth emotional issues, paired with sleep deprivation, often strike a usually happy couple. Mom needs some alone time, support time, and help after the baby is born, and Dad needs to learn how to read the signs. ... read more »

Co-Bedding Safety Issues

Parents tend to choose co-bedding as a solution to late night crying and sleep deprivation. While co-bedding may help solve these problems, some experts report that the baby is at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome and accidental death when sleeping beside a parent. ... read more »

Alternative Feeding Methods

Moms typically choose between prepared infant formulas and breast milk for feeding the baby. In rare cases, moms may not feel comfortable with either of these choices. Alternative feeding choices for the baby are limited, but there are some choices mom may want to research. ... read more »

Labor Induction: Methods and Potential Benefits

If the time has come to give birth and the natural labor process has not begun, doctors can choose to induce labor in a variety of ways. ... read more »

Breastfeeding: Tips and Tricks

There is nothing easy about breastfeeding. Every mom needs a few helpful tips to make breastfeeding the beautiful experience it should be. ... read more »

Heartburn and Indigestion

Acid escaping from the stomach into the esophagus is often to blame for heartburn and indigestion during pregnancy. ... read more »

Painful Body Changes In Pregnancy And How to Cope

It is normal for a pregnant woman to undergo many body changes, aches and pains during pregnancy. Most are associated with hormones, and the pain will stop when hormone levels return to normal. ... read more »

Other Painful Body Changes

Physical changes during pregnancy are commonly associated with hormonal changes. The body typically returns to normal a few months after baby is born. ... read more »

Swelling During Pregnancy

Swelling of the face, hands, legs and feet are all common symptoms of pregnancy, but can cause also serious discomfort and even pain. ... read more »

Childbirth: Aromatherapy for Pain Management

One of the alternative techniques you can use for the management of pain during labor is aromatherapy. Aromatherapy can be a great way to reduce the amount of stress you're experiencing. ... read more »

Midwives and Doulas

Doulas and midwives are two choices a pregnant woman may choose to include as part of her birthing plan. ... read more »

Tips for Preventing SIDS

SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome, describes an infant death with an unknown cause. While doctors and researchers may not be able to pinpoint the reason for death in SIDS cases, they have compiled a list of tips to prevent SIDS from occurring with your baby. ... read more »

Unproductive Labor

Unproductive labor occurs when mom successfully makes it through the first stage of labor only to have the cervix become unresponsive to contractions and hormonal changes. If the cervix does not dilate and efface, the baby cannot pass through the cervix and into the birthing canal. ... read more »

Vacuum Assisted Birth and Forceps

When energy levels are low or the baby’s head is a bit too large to push through the vaginal opening, vacuum-assisted birth or forceps may be used to help in the birthing process. ... read more »

Pushing Tips

You can take classes, watch movies and ask questions about pushing, but until you are in active labor, you won't know exactly how strong the pressure and the need to push really is. Learning some tips for effective pushing can help lt lessen the time spent in labor. ... read more »

How Long Do I Have Until The Baby is Born?

New moms are often told that they can tell how long they have until the baby is born by the way the belly button appears or the drop of the tummy. These signs are not proven to determine when active labor will begin, though they can be an indication that the baby is getting closer to the birth canal. ... read more »

What to Pack for Labor & Delivery

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

Breathing Exercises

Most people associate breathing exercises with helping to ease pain from contractions, but it also provides increased oxygen levels to the baby who is in state of stress as well. ... read more »

Third Stage of Labor

Giving birth to a new baby is about more than just active labor, contractions and pushing. The placenta needs to pass out of the uterus and vagina after delivery. ... read more »

Second Stage of Active Labor

The second stage of active labor is when you finally get to react to those strong contractions. As the second stage of active labor begins you will feel the need to push. ... read more »

Prelabor Preparation

Weeks before real labor begins, the pregnant woman's body starts preparing for birth.  Most of these changes will go unno ... read more »

Childbirth Techniques for Pain Relief During Labor

Because labor is a very intense process, it is important that you get through it with as little stress and anxiety as possible. Various techniques, from hypnotherapy to aromatherapy, can help you relax during the childbirth process. ... read more »

Swelling, Swelling Everywhere

\While most swelling is associated with increased fluid retention and dietary choices, some changes in swelling can be a marker for health issues associated with pregnancy. ... read more »

Adjusting To Being Pregnant Changes in the Body

Discovering a new pregnancy can bring about feelings of happiness and joy, but there is also a bit of fear associated with growing a baby in your womb. Mothers-to-be who need to learn about the changes in their body during pregnancy so that they are more prepared for the next 40 weeks. ... read more »

Caring for the Baby When Mom Breastfeeds

Moms who breastfeed do have an advantage over dad when it comes to bonding with the baby, but that does not have to be the steadfast rule.    ... read more »

Bottle Feeding: Is It Healthy?

Bottle feeding offers a safe, healthy alternative to breastfeeding. All formulas must offer a basic list of nutritional advantages to the baby. Among infant formulas there are four types: milk-based, soy-based, lacto-based and speciality. ... read more »

Assisted Breathing

Whether the woman has chosen a natural childbirth or a labor with pain medication, breathing is essential to the health of the baby during this stressful time. ... read more »

Common Myths About Inducing Labor

The latter days of pregnancy can be the most irritating. When resting in bed, mom may search for the fastest way to self-induce labor from home and may come across some interesting prospects. ... read more »

General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is rarely used during labor and delivery. General anesthesia is reserved for C-section deliveries that have complications. ... read more »

Vaginal Tearing

Natural tears are common during childbirth and tend to heal just as quickly as surgical cuts or episiotomies. There are four degrees of vaginal tearing during pregnancy: ... read more »

Basic Diapering Skills 101

When pee and poo are on the line, it is important to know the basics of proper diapering well ahead of time so practice before the baby is born. ... read more »

Bottlefeeding: Sanitary Choices and Formula Selection

When choosing bottle feeding for a baby, it is important to maintain a sanitary environment with the bottles, nipples and formula. ... read more »

Proper Pregnancy Nutrition

Pregnant women used to be told to eat for two during pregnancy. But eating for the baby is much more involved than simply eating more food. ... read more »

Most Common Pains During Pregnancy

When conception occurs, pregnancy hormones kick into overdrive and cause some serious changes in the female body. These changes are not limited to promoting the healthy growth of the baby. ... read more »

Warm Water and Fetal Safety

Taking warm baths can help relieve tension and pain throughout pregnancy, but too warm could lead to birth defects and lack of oxygen to the baby. ... read more »

Constipation and Diarrhea During Pregnancy

Those same pregnancy hormones that make the muscles and ligaments more lax during the birthing process, will also play games with the intestinal organs. ... read more »

Why Can't I Use the Bathroom?

While dehydration is not typically a problem thanks to IV fluids, fear of urinating may cause a woman who has just given birh to refrain from heading off to the bathroom too quickly. ... read more »

Childbirth: Breathing Exercises for Pain Relief in Labor

Practicing breathing exercises is one of the best ways to be prepared for childbirth. It can help reduce fear and stress, and can allow the labor and delivery to go more smoothly. ... read more »

Childbirth: Massage for Labor and Delivery

Getting a body massage can feel wonderful. Whether you have a full body rubdown or the masseuse focuses on just a few areas of tension, you can leave feeling great. Massage is relaxing and can remove pain and tension from areas like your shoulders and back. ... read more »

Childbirth: Visualization Methods for Pain Relief

Using visualization methods as a tool for pain management during labor and delivery can be highly beneficial. Because labor is a very intense process, it's important that you get through it with as little stress and anxiety as possible. ... read more »

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