Labor Basics
What you need to know about labor and birth, dealing with a new baby and getting through labor with less pain and fear.
The Labor & Birth Quiz
Labor and birth can be a very exciting time in your life. It is definitely one of the most memorable. Learning to work your way through can help you enjoy the experience and relax. Here is our basic level quiz!
Labor and birth can be a very exciting time in your life. It is definitely one of the most memorable. Learning to work your way through can help you enjoy the experience and relax. Here is our basic level quiz!
Fetal Positions for Labor and Birth
Every baby lays in the pelvis a certain way. This will tell you a bit about labor, birth and how to help ease pain and speed labor.
Every baby lays in the pelvis a certain way. This will tell you a bit about labor, birth and how to help ease pain and speed labor.
Positions for Labor and Birth
Labor is all about movement. The more positions you use in labor, the better you are able to help labor be faster and more comfortable. Here are some of the best positions for labor.
Labor is all about movement. The more positions you use in labor, the better you are able to help labor be faster and more comfortable. Here are some of the best positions for labor.
Stages of Labor
Learn about labor, how it is divided up and what the keys are to each stage.
Learn about labor, how it is divided up and what the keys are to each stage.
How to Spend Early Labor
How you spend your time in early labor will really help set the tone of your labor and birth experience. The use of this time is very important. Find out some easy ways to enjoy early labor.
How you spend your time in early labor will really help set the tone of your labor and birth experience. The use of this time is very important. Find out some easy ways to enjoy early labor.
5 Ways to Get Through a Long Labor
Sometimes labor is longer than the average of 12-18 hours. For optimal outcomes, know how to handle long labors for the health and comfort of mom and baby.
Sometimes labor is longer than the average of 12-18 hours. For optimal outcomes, know how to handle long labors for the health and comfort of mom and baby.
Coaching Pushing in Labor Offers No Real Benefits
Instructing a woman to push in labor and telling her when and how apparent has very little benefit despite widespread use.
Instructing a woman to push in labor and telling her when and how apparent has very little benefit despite widespread use.
Emergency Childbirth - How to Deliver a Baby
What to do if you have to give birth without your doctor or midwife!
What to do if you have to give birth without your doctor or midwife!
Breaking Your Water is Not Beneficial
While the trend towards breaking your water at the beginning of labor is common, studies now show us that this may lead to an increase in cesarean sections and fetal distress.
While the trend towards breaking your water at the beginning of labor is common, studies now show us that this may lead to an increase in cesarean sections and fetal distress.
Labor and Birth Interventions
We all hope that childbirth will go smoothly. Most women are dreaming of a nice, quick labor and birth. However, some women will have complications or require interventions due to issues like induction. Some of these interventions include: IV, fetal monitoring, breaking your water with an amnihook, forceps or a vacuum extractor. Here is information on these practices in labor and birth, including what they are and how to try to avoid them.
We all hope that childbirth will go smoothly. Most women are dreaming of a nice, quick labor and birth. However, some women will have complications or require interventions due to issues like induction. Some of these interventions include: IV, fetal monitoring, breaking your water with an amnihook, forceps or a vacuum extractor. Here is information on these practices in labor and birth, including what they are and how to try to avoid them.
Labor Positioning with a Partner
Having someone help you with positioning for labor and birth is of great benefit. Not only is there someone else to remember which position works well with what situation, but there is also the physical comfort of having someone touching you.
Having someone help you with positioning for labor and birth is of great benefit. Not only is there someone else to remember which position works well with what situation, but there is also the physical comfort of having someone touching you.
Did my water break?
A common question among pregnant women is how will you know if your water is broken. Trying to figure out if your bag of water is broken can be tricky, but these simple steps will help you determine if it's your aminotic fluid leaking or something else.
A common question among pregnant women is how will you know if your water is broken. Trying to figure out if your bag of water is broken can be tricky, but these simple steps will help you determine if it's your aminotic fluid leaking or something else.
Is this really labor?
One of the most frequently asked question! Hopefully this will help quell your fears.
One of the most frequently asked question! Hopefully this will help quell your fears.
Emergency Childbirth
What to do when it's just you and your partner or you're all alone.
What to do when it's just you and your partner or you're all alone.
Managing Back Labor
About 25% of women will experience back labor. Learn what causes it, prevention and dealing with it before and during labor.
About 25% of women will experience back labor. Learn what causes it, prevention and dealing with it before and during labor.
How to Time Contractions
The basics of timing contractions for labor and birth.
The basics of timing contractions for labor and birth.
Labor Tools
Some great ideas on tools to help you during labor. From massage to lotion and more.
Some great ideas on tools to help you during labor. From massage to lotion and more.
Squatting for Birth
This can actually speed your labor and decrease complications. What do you know about it?
This can actually speed your labor and decrease complications. What do you know about it?
10 Ways to Comfort a Laboring Woman
During labor many of us feel helpless when it comes to comforting a laboring woman. Knowing a couple of right things to do and say is always helpful, as well as knowing a few tips on what not to do.
During labor many of us feel helpless when it comes to comforting a laboring woman. Knowing a couple of right things to do and say is always helpful, as well as knowing a few tips on what not to do.
Labor Positioning with a Birth Ball
Here are some great labor positions to use with a birth ball.
Here are some great labor positions to use with a birth ball.
Pushing Techniques
Looking for a great guide on the best ways to push your baby out during labor? Brenda Lane has some great advice for you.
Looking for a great guide on the best ways to push your baby out during labor? Brenda Lane has some great advice for you.
Labor & Birth
Charts of what happens to your body and baby as birth occurs.
Charts of what happens to your body and baby as birth occurs.
Am I in Labor?
The basics of figuring out the age old question.
The basics of figuring out the age old question.
Back Labor
Tips on Managing Back Labor.
Tips on Managing Back Labor.
Baby Starts Labor
An article about how baby starts labor.
An article about how baby starts labor.
Mental Fitness for Labor and Delivery
A great look at being mentally ready for labor and it's many paths.
A great look at being mentally ready for labor and it's many paths.
False Labor
What you need to know to determine if it's false labor or the real thing.
What you need to know to determine if it's false labor or the real thing.
Getting what you want for your birth experience
Written by Doris Haire, a famous advocate for women and babies, she gives you advice on choosing a practitioner, informed consent, medical records, and more!
Written by Doris Haire, a famous advocate for women and babies, she gives you advice on choosing a practitioner, informed consent, medical records, and more!
Sources of Pain in Labor
Information about where pain comes from in labor as well as resources for coping with labor.
Information about where pain comes from in labor as well as resources for coping with labor.
Turning a baby from a posterior position
We've all heard the horror stories of back labor. Posterior babies tend to be the culprit, learn what you can do before labor.
We've all heard the horror stories of back labor. Posterior babies tend to be the culprit, learn what you can do before labor.
Positioning of Baby
"Normally, the position of a fetus is upside down and facing rearward (toward the mother's back) with the neck flexed, and presentation is head first."
"Normally, the position of a fetus is upside down and facing rearward (toward the mother's back) with the neck flexed, and presentation is head first."