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 »

What Happens in the Delivery Room After Labor is Over?

All women, no matter who they are, go through the same general process after labor, as long as the birth was uneventful from a medical perspective. The cord is clamped and cut and baby is placed on your chest. ... read more »

Labor, Delivery, and Birth Guide

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

Children in the Delivery Room

Having other children in the delivery room is an option some parents choose, however, parents need to be prepared for every possible scenario. ... read more »

Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases

An STD occurs when an infection is transmitted during sex, although it may not be exclusively during sex since some infections are transmitted through touching or kissing. ... read more »

Risk Factors for Premature Labor and Birth

Premature birth is a delivery before 37 completed weeks of the pregnancy. It is the #1 reason for neonatal morbidity and mortality. ... 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 »

When Your Baby Is Born With Birthmarks

They usually have no effects on the baby’s health. ... read more »

Why Do Babies Have Swollen Genitals At Birth?

Babies of either gender may have swollen genitals at birth. ... read more »

What Is Lanugo?

Wondering why your baby was born with very fine body hair? ... 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 »

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 »

Should You Choose a Birth Center for Your Pregnancy Care?

From the first minutes after finding out you're pregnant, you areconstantly making decisions. Decision making will be a major part ofyour life for the next 18 years or so ' but before you jump intoparenthood, you may want to decide where you'll give birth. ... read more »

Doulas and their Role in Pregnancy

A doula is a nonmedical person to help mom through the birthing process with her emotional and physical needs. Comforting, caring and understanding, the doula essentially mothers the mom-to-be. ... read more »

When Is It Too Late For Pain Medication?

For a pregnant woman who has decided on using pain medication for labor and delivery hearing the words, “It is too late to relieve pain” can be frightening. Why, and more importantly when, is it too late for pain medication during labor and delivery? ... 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 »

Birth Rates at Their Lowest in 32 Years

The CDC statistics show that birth rates declined for nearly all age groups of women under 35, but rose for women in their late 30s and early 40s. ... 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 »

Separating Mother From Baby After Birth Causes Stress

Humans are the only species practicing infant/mother separation immediately after birth. According to researchers, separating infants from their mothers causes stress in the newborn. ... 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 »

How to Keep Up Romance With a Newborn Baby

To keep the romance in your relationship after a newborn baby arrives, one must change the notion of romance. ... read more »

Why Would You Need a Cesarean Section?

A cesarean section is an operative delivery done by cutting through the mother's abdomen and uterus and delivering the baby through the incision. ... 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 »

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 »

Water Birth

Water birth is the process of giving birth in water. Some women choose to labor in the water and get out for delivery. ... read more »

Epidural and Spinal Anesthesia During Labor

An epidural is the most popular choice among women during labor and delivery. It is delivered through a needle and catheter which usually stays in place until the baby is born. ... read more »

What Is an 'En Caul' Birth?

Learn what it means to be "born with the caul" and all about "en caul" births. ... 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 »

Interactive Apgar Score Calculator

The Apgar score is done on every baby at 1 and 5 minutes of life to assess whether the baby needs resuscitation. This interactive Apgar Score Calculator will help you determine your baby's Apgar score. ... read more »

A Mother’s Depression May Affect Baby

Researchers have found a connection between depression in pregnant women and physical effects on infants. The effects noted include reduced muscle tone, increased stress hormones and neurological / behavioral problems. ... read more »

Are Cell Phones Causing Behavioral Problems in Kids?

A study of about 30,000 children is suggesting cell phone use could be the cause of behavioral problems in certain children. ... read more »

Different Types of Pregnancies

While pregnancy may seem like a simple term, there are different types of pregnancies. Most are a result of physical differences but some are related to multiple egg release, among other reasons. ... 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 »

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 »

When Should I Head To The Hospital?

The first stage, when mom starts feeling real labor pains, can last between 10 and 14 hours. Once through this first stage, it is time for mom to head off to the hospital. ... read more »

Spinal Anesthesia

Spinals are pain medications delivered via the spinal column in one dose. The medication is fast acting and can achieve a complete block of pain in as little as 15 minutes. ... read more »

Fatty Molecule Linked to Brain Damage Via Lack of Oxygen

When babies are deprived of oxygen in utero, brain damage can result. Researchers have found a connection between brain damage and a fatty acid molecule, which could spark new treatment protocols to reduce the risk of brain damage. ... 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 »

Baby: The First Hours After Birth

You've made it through labor and met your baby for the first time - now what happens? Baby will be taken to the weighing station where mucus and fluid is sucked from the mouth and the initial Apgar score is noted. ... read more »

Should Your Mom Be in the Delivery Room?

Before labor begins, you may have to deal with the idea that someone other than you and your partner want to attend the birth. Should your mom be in the delivery room or should this event be kept between you and your partner? Here are a few things to consider. ... 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 »

What Happens When Dad Doesn't Want to Attend the Delivery?

Not all men are created equal and not all men should be there when the baby is born. There are some very real reasons why a man would want to skip his baby's delivery but there are also some fake fears, if you will, born in the imagination thanks to Hollywood. ... read more »

Your Dad in the Delivery Room - What to Consider

However, some dads are excited by the idea of experiencing the birthing experience with their daughters. Before saying yes or no, think about all aspects of the birthing process and how you truly feel about dad being there. ... read more »

Births Statistics: Where Does Your Country Rank?

Find out where your country ranks in birth rate. This chart outlines the birth rates of countries in order. ... read more »

How Do You Know You Are In Labor - Early Labor Symptoms and Signs

As the pregnancy comes to an end, there are early labor symptoms and signs that mom will need to look for in order to recognize the beginning of labor. ... read more »

Your Fitness During and After Pregnancy

You will have a lot on your plate with the newborn, your recovery, and trying to get back to that pre-pregnancy body, so what sort of post-partum fitness routine should you look to? ... 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 »

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