labor

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...

First time pregnancy

What birth is really like: The naked truth

You’ve made it through nine months of morning sickness, strange cravings, headaches, backaches, incessant potty breaks and other...

First time pregnancy

Top 10 essentials for your hospital bag

Your hospital bag is going to be your lifeline to normality for the two to three days that you will be staying there. Chances are...

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

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

Honoring your unique birth experience

Most parents understand the many benefits of birthing naturally, but childbirth is something that is not always under your control....

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...