Labor & Birth
By Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE, About.com Guide
- Your Guide to Labor & Birth
- Childbirth Classes
- Dads, Doulas and Others
- Pain Relief for Labor & Delivery
- Natural Childbirth
- Induction of Labor
- Cesarean Section (C-Section)
- Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
- Common Hospital Procedures
- Complications in Birth
- Caring for Your New Baby
- Postpartum Life & Body
- Breastfeeding Your Baby
Your Guide to Labor & Birth
Doulas, cesareans, and epidurals - oh my! There is a lot to learn about giving birth. Do you know what an epidural is or when fetal monitoring is used? Be prepared for childbirth by educating yourself with birth stories and photos about birth.
- Labor & Birth Guide
- False Labor Quiz
- A Picture Guide to Labor
- How to Time Contractions
- Top Signs of Labor
- Things to Do in Early Labor
- Stages of Labor
- Getting to the Hospital - The Drive
- When should I go to the hospital?
- Packing Your Labor Bag
- Positioning for Labor
- Pushing in Labor
- Do I want medications for labor?
- Common Interventions in Labor
- Labor & Birth With Twins
Childbirth Classes
Do you know what kind of childbirth class you're taking? There are plenty of options available in most areas. Here is a bit about various methods of childbirth education and why one might be better for you over another.
- Childbirth Class Options
- Which childbirth class is right for you?
- Online Childbirth Class Overview
- Childbirth Class & the Epidural
- Lamaze Childbirth Classes
- Readers Experiences with Lamaze Classes
- ICEA Childbirth Classes
- Readers Experiences with ICEA Classes
- Bradley Childbirth Classes (AAHCC)
- Readers Experiences with Bradley
- What's a good childbirth class?
- 5 Signs of a Good Breastfeeding Class
- Online Breastfeeding Class
- Childbirth Class for a Second Baby
Dads, Doulas and Others
The people that you choose to have with you when you give birth make up your support team. These people can include dad, partners, doulas and other friends and family. Though it is important to make wise choices about who will care for you during your labor and birth experience.
- Who do you invite to the birth?
- Should dads be in the delivery room? Quiz
- Dad's Guide to Childbirth
- 10 Ways to Support a Laboring Woman
- What to Say to a Laboring Woman
- Using a Doula for Birth
- How to Support a Woman with an Epidural
- Do I need a doula for a c-section?
- 5 Ways to Tell Your Mother-in-Law She's Not Invited
- Readers Share: Did you invite your Mother-in-Law
- Hospital Bags for Dads
Pain Relief for Labor & Delivery
There are many options for pain relief in labor from IV pain medications like narcotics to epidural anesthesia to natural childbirth. Which medication or technique you choose will depend on your medical history, your preference, your practitioner's preference and what is available at your place of birth.
- Do I want pain medication for labor and delivery?
- Choosing an Epidural
- Epidural Anesthesia Step by Step
- 7 Reasons You Can't Have an Epidural
- Can someone stay with me with an epidural?
- Is it ever too late for an epidural?
- How to Support a Woman with an Epidural
- Readers Share: Getting an Epidural
- Getting an Epidural - Video
- Pushing with an Epidural
- Turning Off Epidural to Push
- Epidurals and Tattoos
- Positions for Labor and Delivery
Natural Childbirth
Planning to have an unmedicated birth simply requires some time. Time to research options and to learn some basic skills to help ease the pain of labor by using relaxation, labor positions, breathing and other support.
- Natural Childbirth Guide
- Why Choose Natural Childbirth?
- 10 Reasons to Choose a Natural Birth
- Myths About Natural Childbirth
- Natural Childbirth eCourse
- 5 Reasons to Have a Water Birth
- Birth Ball Positions for Labor & Birth
- Books on Natural Childbirth
- Readers Share: Tips for Natural Childbirth
- Is your doctor natural childbirth friendly?
- Breathing and Relaxation for Birth
- Tense-Release Relaxation
- Natural Childbirth Videos
Induction of Labor
Sometimes nature needs a nudge in the form of a labor induction. This can be true if you have completed 42 weeks of pregnancy or if there is a medical complication for mom or baby.
- Induction of Labor
- How Labor is Induced
- Natural Induction of Labor
- 5 Reasons to Avoid an Induction
- How is Pitocin used to induce labor?
- Castor Oil Induction of Labor
- Nipple Stimulation for Induction
- Foley Catheter Induction
- How to Avoid an Induction
- Induction for a Big Baby?
- Readers Share: Induction Tips & Stories
- Speeding Labor Up (Augmentation)
Cesarean Section (C-Section)
As the c-section rates creep up over to nearly a third of all women you need to learn about cesarean birth in case it becomes a necessity for you and your baby.
- Giving Birth by C-Section
- Cesarean Quiz
- Family Centered Cesareans
- Can someone stay with me during a c-section?
- Guide to Cesarean Scar Care
- 5 Ways to Avoid a Cesarean
- Cesarean Scar Gallery
- Having a Cesarean Video
- What will I feel during a c-section?
- C-Section Risks
- Tips for a Safer Cesarean Section
- When can you schedule a c-section?
- What happens before a scheduled c-section?
- Cesarean Recovery
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
The vast majority of women who have had a previous c-section can have a vaginal birth in their next pregnancy. It is the safest way for most mothers and babies to experience birth. Here are some ways to help figure out if VBAC is the best option for you and to have a positive VBAC experience.
- VBAC Birth Stories
- What to do if You're Denied VBAC
- 10 Reasons to Choose VBAC
- 5 Ways to Find VBAC Support
- 6 Questions to Ask About VBAC
- Readers Share: VBAC Tips
- VBAC Birth Videos
- VBAC eCourse
- Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Forum
- Planning a VBAC When Your Partner Isn't Sure
Common Hospital Procedures
IVs, fetal monitors and catheters - oh my! Some of the more common procedures that can happen as standard procedure might surprise you.
Complications in Birth
Sometimes problems arise in birth. This can be something that is a known issue or something unexpected. Using fetal monitoring and other techniques, your practitioner will watch you and your baby closely to intervene when necessary.
- Fetal Monitoring
- Preterm Labor
- Cord Around the Baby's Neck
- Forceps for Labor and Delivery
- Vacuum Extraction
- Meconium - Baby's First Stool
- Postpartum Hemorrhage
- Shoulder Dystocia
- Fetal Distress
- Complications of Labor
Caring for Your New Baby
Congratulations on your new baby! Now that your baby is here you are probably wondering about some of the basics like diapering, bathing and feeding your newborn.
- Baby Sleep Books
- Umbilical Cord Care
- Before You Buy a Diaper Bag
- New Baby Diaper Chart
- Newborn Care Class Online
- When to Call Baby's Doctor
- How to Diaper a Baby
- How to Hold Your Baby
- Newborn Photo Gallery
- How to Bathe a Baby
- Reasons to Cloth Diaper
- Breastfeeding Your Baby
- Handling Unwanted Baby Advice
- Feeding Your Baby
Postpartum Life & Body
Let's face it, after you've had a baby your body is quite different. Here is your chance to help figure out how to get back in shape and enjoy your new life.
- Postpartum Pain Relief
- 10 Tips for Losing the Postpartum Weight
- Have Great Postpartum Sex
- Postpartum Depression (PPD) Quiz
Breastfeeding Your Baby
Once your baby is here you'll need to figure out a feeding method. Here you'll find information to help you make your decisions, including information on breastfeeding, breast pumps, baby bottles, weaning and more.