Labor is the act of the baby moving from the womb to the outside world through contractions and changes in the cervix. Labor is usually defined as contractions of the uterus that are strong enough to make the cervix change, make it shorter (effacement) and softer and open it up (dilatation). The body has precisely planned out the entire 40 weeks of gestation and when the body says the time has come for the baby to leave the womb, the process of active labor begins. Labor can be spontaneous or it can be induced. Early labor signs and symptoms include regular, strong contractions lasting over 1 minute and which do not stop when moving.
We've all seen the depictions of women going into labor on TV and in movies, which usually occur in a very dramatic fashion: think water breaking all over the place and at the most inopportune time. The truth is that the signs and symptoms of labor, and in particular, early labor, can be very slight bodily changes and feelings that may or may not be noticeable. It can be confusing to tell the difference between late pregnancy pains and early labor signs. Signs of a true impending labor include: movement makes the pains stronger or more frequent, pains increase in strength and frequency over time, pains are accompanied by feelings of nausea or intestinal discomfort, pain spreads to the lower back, upper abdominals and upper thighs, the mucus plug passes or you notice bloody spots, your water breaks.
Labor During Certain Weather
A full moon and bad weather do not increase your chances going into labor.
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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.
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What is it Like to be Pregnant with Twins?
For many women, having twins is either a prayer answered or the scariest thing on earth. As is the case with all pregnancies, being pregnant with twins can be easy or hard. It is often the unanswered questions that are hardest for women pregnant with twins.
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Facts About Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time in life when women feel closer to their spouse and body more than ever before. Here are a few facts about pregnancy for expecting moms.
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How Pregnant Am I When…?
There are milestones throughout a pregnancy. Some are physically noticeable and others happen and pregnant women have no idea they occurred. How pregnant am I?
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Does Alcohol-Free Mouth Wash Reduce Risk of Preterm Birth?
Researchers presented a study at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine yearly meet-up, The Pregnancy Meeting, regarding the possible benefits of using alcohol-free mouthwash to reduce preterm labor.
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IV Oxytocin Often Not Needed During Normal Labor
Oxytocin is commonly given via IV during birth is progress is slow, but researchers reveal this extra boost of labor inducing hormone may not be needed in many cases ' when given during normal labor.
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Answering Questions about the Mucus Plug
The mucus plug forms soon after the fertilized egg implants in the uterus. The plug blocks the opening of the cervix until the gestational period is over.
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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.
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Labor Contractions
Labor contractions are the body's way of saying, 'Let's get ready tohave a baby!' and are caused by hormones in the body. Labor contractions come in three forms: false, practice and activelabor.
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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.
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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.
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General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is rarely used during labor and delivery. General anesthesia is reserved for C-section deliveries that have complications.
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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.
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Does Sex During Pregnancy Cause Labor?
Sex is often one of the first tactics pregnant moms will use to bring about the start of birth.
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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 »
What Classes Can Prepare Me for Labor?
Labor classes like Lamaze are available for women who want to ease labor pain and learn techniques for self control and self awareness during the birthing process. Other birthing classes include the Bradley method, Leboyer method and breastfeeding classes.
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Changing the Birth Plan After Labor Starts
A birth plan can help guide the birthing process with basic instructions, wishes and expectations outlined for labor coaches, nurses and doctors.
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Can I Use My Own Linens on the Bed?
There are few hospitals that refuse women the right to change the bed linens to a personal set during labor. However, the bed linens should fit the hospital bed snugly for safety reasons.
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Can Children Spend the Night in the Hospital?
The definition of the term children is important when answering this question. If your children are older and can take care of themselves (teens and older) the hospital may allow children to stay overnight in place of your partner.
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How To Deal With Delivery Room Guests
Guests in the delivery room are a topic couples should discuss well
before labor begins. How many people do you want around during labor? Is
there a difference for you between labor guests and guests who you want
to experience the active pushing phase?
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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.
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Are Partners Allowed to Stay the Night in the Hospital?
Hospital rules regarding partners, coaches or spouses staying the night
of the birth vary by hospital. Some hospitals encourage partner support.
Staff will setup a bed and even bring meals to your partner as a guest.
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Benefits of Having Family in the Delivery Room
Family is all about support and love and there is no better time to
have tons of both than the time you spend in the delivery room. Discuss
your feelings about immediate and extended family being part of the
delivery with your partner early in the pregnancy.
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How Many People are Allowed in the Delivery Room?
The number of people allowed in the delivery room will vary by hospital.
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Labor-Tracking Tool May Reduce Risk of C-Section
According to researchers, the guidelines for the progression of labor before suggesting a C-section delivery are based on outdated clinical studies.
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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.
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Can My Labor be Photographed or Filmed?
Filming or photographing the birth of your child is an extremely personal choice, but not all hospitals, birthing centers or obstetricians allow YOU to make that choice.
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Choosing the Best Labor Coach
All 40 weeks of pregnancy boils down to one moment ' labor. A laborcoach is someone who's there to keep mom on track, get dad's head out of the clouds and even help keep family members informed and appeasedduring the birthing process.
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Mucus Plug And Bloody Show In Pregnancy
The cervical mucus plug is often expelled before labor so that the cervix can open to allow the baby to pass through to prepare for delivery.
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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.
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Progesterone No Help in Preventing Preterm Twin Births
This Lancet study shows that progesterone does not prevent preterm births in twins.
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Impact of Breastfeeding on Mother and Newborn
There was no significant difference in full-term or non-full-term births rates and mean newborn birth weight between for those who continued and discontinued breastfeeding during pregnancy.
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Tocolytic Therapy for Preterm Delivery
This is a great review from the British Medical Journal of tocolytic therapy, treatment to stop preterm labor. It reviews what works and what does not. There are two tocolytics that seem to have the highest success rate: prostaglandin inhibitors (eg indomethacin, ketorolac) performed best closely followed by calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, nitrates).
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Hospital Is Trying To Reduce Cesarean Deliveries
As the number of cesarean sections has risen sharply, with no clear evidence that they improve the health of mothers or babies, experts say that childbirth has become overly medicalized and overly expensive. Now some hospitals are making an effort to reduce those trends.
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HIV Testing In Pregnancy Accepted
A recent study has proven beneficial for children born with HIV. During the study, women were counseled on the importance of HIV testing before the birth of their child in order to establish their HIV status and begin immediate treatment for the child post birth.
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Does Sex Bring On Labor?
It's unlikely that sex is is going to cause you to go into labor. But many doctors tell their pregnant patients to go ahead anyway when they are past their due date. It's worth trying.
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Giving Birth
It's an amazing experience to bring a baby into the world, so it's normal for pregnant women to look forward to giving birth.
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How successful will induction of labor be?
The best way to predict whether the induction is going to be successful, and whether you are going to have a normal delivery is to do a vaginal examination and check the cervix for 5 different parameters, and adding them up for the Bishop score.
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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?
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