birth

New Moms

Contractions: Braxton Hicks or are they for real?

Braxton Hicks, while great practice for the uterus, can be a real nuisance to an expecting mother in the final days. Here are some...

Pregnancy, Labor & Birth

Should cameras be allowed in delivery rooms?

A growing number of hospitals are restricting cameras and video recorders in the delivery room, citing legal issues and patient...

First time pregnancy

How to create a birth plan

A birth plan can be as simple or as complex as you choose to make it. It should always be understood to be a written version of the...

First time pregnancy

Early signs of labor

The movies make it look so obvious-- a big gush of water and off to the hospital they go. Unfortunately, the membranes will rupture...

Pregnancy, Labor & Birth

Should you consider a doula?

Whether you are planning a pregnancy, just found out you're pregnant or are about to deliver, you've probably paid some thought to...

Pregnancy, Labor & Birth

Vacuum extraction during delivery

In the labor and delivery room, things don't always go as you plan. From lengthy labors to low levels of pain tolerance, each and...

Pregnancy, Labor & Birth

IVs during labor

As routine as hearing "push!" in the delivery room, IVs are being administered to laboring women as a precautionary measure. If...

Pregnancy, Labor & Birth

How to handle an unexpected home birth

You're looking forward to delivering in the comforts of the hospital delivery room, only to find that your bun in the oven is making...

Pregnancy, Labor & Birth

Stages of labor

Like your pregnancy, your labor is broke into three stages: the first, the second, and the third stage. However, each stage of labor...

Pregnancy, Labor & Birth

How to speed up labor

Now that it's go time, it seems that your bun in the oven is taking her sweet time making her grand entrance. But after nine long...

Pregnancy, Labor & Birth

What to expect when labor is induced

You’ve created a birth plan -- only to find that your doctor has other plans in the home stretch. Whether you’re past your due date...

Pregnancy, Labor & Birth

How to manage labor pain naturally

Does the thought of your upcoming labor give you heart palpitations? Have you watched one to many birth horror story reality shows...

Pregnancy, Labor & Birth

5 Things every new mom needs

Let's be honest -- shopping for a new baby can be really fun. So much fun, in fact, that it's easy to get carried away buying bibs,...

Pregnancy, Labor & Birth

Are you curious about how to eat your placenta?

Interested in eating your placenta, but not sure you can stomach it raw? There are lots of ways to get the benefits of this...

Pregnancy, Labor & Birth

Placenta eating: Bizarre or beneficial?

No, we’re not talking about a scene from True Blood or some other vampire flick. We’re talking about a new trend in childbirth. And...

Pregnancy, Labor & Birth

Realistic birth planning

Writing a birth plan is a wonderful way to begin to educate yourself about labor and the process of giving birth. But it is...

Having a Baby

Three reasons to birth at home

Are you considering a homebirth? Women seeking natural births in a comfortable setting aren't just looking for midwives to attend...

Single moms

Single mom childbirth tips: Finding support

If you are a pregnant single mom preparing for childbirth, it is important you have a support system when it is time to deliver...

Having a Baby

Cesarean deliveries may increase allergy chance

New research has shown that there is a biological link between babies born via cesarean and an increased risk of allergies. What...