Labor & Birth

On the blog

What is Perineal Massage for Labor (and Does It Actually Work)?

Tassia O'Callaghan

Cervix Dilation Chart: How to Track Your Progress During Labor

Tassia O'Callaghan

Inducing Labour With Dilapan-S

Phoebe Corcoran

Analgesia (Pain Relief) in Labor: What Are Your Options?

Dr. Fatema Mustansir Dawoodbhoy

Back Pain After Epidural: Is It Normal?

Katie Mill

What Is a Foley Bulb Induction?

Katie Mill

En Caul Birth Explained: Causes, Risks & What It Means

Katie Mill

Why Do Babies Cry When They’re Born?

Katie Mill

What are the 4 Stages of Labor?

Kesgia Sophia Roelofs

What is Dystocia? Obstructed Labor Signs, Symptoms & What to Do

Catherine Craik

Evening Primrose Oil for Labor: What’s the Story?

Alicia Wallace

Placenta Encapsulation: The Risk of Placenta Pills

Keshia Sophia Roelofs

Cervical Effacement: What 70% and 80% Effaced Really Mean

Tassia O'Callaghan

Baby Born at 33 Weeks: Your 33-Week Preemie

Keshia Sophia Roelofs

Baby Born at 31 Weeks: Your 31-Week Preemie

Tassia Agatowski

Baby Born at 32 Weeks: Your 32-Week Preemie

Tassia Agatowski

From the community

Recent discussions

Has anyone else been through a bad time with a c section?

I had a c section 3 and a half weeks ago and it’s been a nightmare since. I was hoping to find some people to talk to who’s been through a traumatic healing process with a c section?

Side sleeping

How long after C-Section were you able to roll over on your side for sleeping

C Section Side Sleeping

If you had a C Section, how long did it take to comfortably roll over and sleep on your side

Home birth

Has anyone planned a home birth if so please can you share your experience. I’m in the UK and really set on a home birth but it doesn’t happen too often here

What is wrong with me!

I’m 3 days away from my induction and I’m so horny! What the hell is wrong with me is this normal? I’m no longer with my partner. I feel so gross and I hope these hormones go away because WTH?!?

This might sound dumb but hear me out 😅 I'm currently 40+2weeks, had a sweep on Friday but since then just had some very mild cramps every few hours, I imagine probably more irritation from the sweep more than anything. I lost my mucus plug this morning (this happened during early labour with my first) and now i feel like I smell like im gonna give birth. Is that completely ridiculous? I dunno how to explain the smell, i just feel like I have a smell of labour about me 😅

How did early labour last for you?

Currently in early labour, wondering how long this will go on for, I think it’s been two days now

C Section Recovery

I’m now 8 days postpartum, had my wound dressing removed and I feel like my stomach feels worse. I’m very swollen and bruised as expected but my belly has got so tender and hard I’m actually struggling to move whether that sit or stand. My scar itself is fine and healing but the rest is unbearable. Anyone experienced this?

Has anyone ever tried to cancel a scheduled c section?

I want to cancel or delay my scheduled c section because I’m in early labour, and want to give my body a chance, the section is booked for Tuesday morning

Hospital bag

Hi guys, can people tell me there hospital bag for them & baby list please. Want to make sure I have everything I will need. & how many clothes did you pack for yourself and baby?

Scared and disappointed !

I always wanted a vaginal delivery and doctor was very positive about my progress. I’m currently 2 cm dilated and doctor has asked me to get induced due to blood flow issue to baby. I hope induction will succeed. She said if baby gets stressed, we have to get into emergency c section. And I’m so scared about it. Any Positive c section recovery would help me. :(

Accidental pregnancy!

Normally we are very safe however we’ve had so much going on that we’ve had a slip up. 2 months post second c section. Has any got pregnant this soon after a c section before?

I don’t know what to do?!

Where to give birth

I live in Leigh and have recently found out i am 4 weeks pregnant. I have chosen Bolton hospital because thats where I gave birth to my now 8 year old. I really can't decide if I should have opted for Wigan instead 🫠

Umbilical cord smelly?

I’m a FTM

My baby’s 6 days old today, yesterday we went to the newborn screening and they said the cord looks good and dry and said it looks like it will come off in the next day or 2, my husband noticed a bit of a smell to it yesterday but I didn’t, today the smell is a bit worse and I can notice it.. the midwife did say there can be a smell but can anyone share their experience with the cord coming off, what happens does it literally just drop off? How long does it smell and at what point is it concerning? The area around is not sore or red

I will add a pic in comments

It is very dry at the end and more moisture toward the base so I let her have some time with her top off to dry it out more? I’m so worried about knocking it and causing irritation

Also how often are you cleaning around it?

TMI tons of cm

I’m not sure if this is normal but I have tons of creamy cm! i mean when i check all my fingers are full of it. No odor no color. I’m 7dpo is this a good sign or just normal?

Waters breaking and no labour

My waters broke yesterday morning and I am still not in active labour. I have been having bursts of regular contractions (2 hours of them being 7 minutes apart and lasting 1 minute each) but then they slow down and eventually just stop. This has been going on since yesterday morning and the hospital are now pushing for an induction as I’m still not in active labour which I really don’t want to have. Has anyone had a similar experience? Or a positive induction?

Fact-checked by experts

We work with acclaimed women’s health experts and leading voices in fertility, motherhood, and pregnancy to ensure our content is medically reviewed, expert-approved, and written with care.

Learn more