Labor & Birth

On the blog

What Is Delayed Cord Clamping, and Should It Be in Your Birth Plan?

Tassia O'Callaghan

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 Explained: 70%, 80%, 90% & How Much Longer

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

From the community

Recent discussions

Emergency C-Section

Hey mums, 20 days post emergency c section after a failed induction at 39 weeks. I experienced placental abruption and then developed sepsis after birth spent 5 days in hospital in total.
I was in so much pain and experienced a lot of trauma from the c-section including being on oxygen etc. Did anyone else experience anything similar and how did you find recovery? It’s been tough🩵

Looking for positive c section stories 🙏

I’m 37 weeks with my second baby. First baby was a vaginal birth (not a good experience in honesty but that’s a story for another day!), but this baby is breech and has been for at least 10 weeks 🫠 So I’m facing the potential of needing an elective section.

I am trying to come to terms with it, but my biggest worry is the spinal. Does anyone have any positive c section stories - especially any reassurance about the spinal is welcomed 🙏

Photo just so I don’t get lost 😊

Any advice plz

Hi, I’m a FTM and I’m getting induced in a few days. I’m SO anxious and scared 😭 I’d love to hear your induction stories!how it went, what happens, what to expect, what you would’ve done differently, or just any advice at all please!

Am I horrible?

So my baby is due October 12th but I’m wanting him to be born September 29th bc that’s my great grandmas birthday. I’ve heard amazing stories about her but she passed away before I was even thought of. And I’d think it’d be so adorable if he was born on her birthday. It’s not due to the fact of me being impatient I just feel that would be very wholesome. I hope I’m not a bad mom for thinking this…

Hospital Bag C-Section Recommendations

Hi all! Is there any items you’d reccomended for the hospital bag for someone having a C-Section? Any tips for a first time mum would be amazing. Thank you! 💖

C-Section with history of PCOS, Endometriosis and Adenomyosis

Has anyone here who already had a history of multiple laparoscopies for PCOS/Endo/Adeno gone on to have a C-Section and been ok afterwards? I have requested one but the nurse advised that with my history (6 surgeries) the recovery could be really difficult, I might end up having much more scar tissue making the C-section itself difficult, and that all my endo/adeno symptoms could get worse.
I've been searching online but there's so few people who've ever shared their experience on this.
I had my heart set on a c-section because I've got a fear of labour/birth and really bad anxiety/trauma. Now I'm wondering if I'll be making my long term physical health worth for the sake of my mental health 😞

Bloody show?

warning: panty pic in comments but I just want confirmation that this is bloody show. I’ve been losing globs of mucus over the past 24 hrs.

Genuinely terrified

This is my second baby and I had a traumatic birth with my first I’m now 4 days overdue and I had a growth scan at 39+6 and baby’s predicted weight was around 8lbs 15oz, I’ve now been told I’m at greater risk of shoulder dystocia, an anal tear and or needing another episiotomy. They can’t book me in for a c section but also not sure if that’s what I want, I’m already 2cm dilated when I had my sweep but don’t know if my body isn’t naturally going into labour as I’m so scared.

Shower after c section

What is the ideal wait time after removal of section dressing before taking a shower? Any precautions I should take while shower?

40 weeks 2 days no signs of Labour

My doctor says I’m not dilated and my cervix is still high also baby was high on ultrasound and I am defeated I’ve had been doing Labour workouts curb walking and me and bf tried sexy time :,) i feel like I’m going to go over a week and I really don’t want to also they won’t induce me unless medically necessary because it increases my risk for a c section

Birth plan with twins

I was low key starting to think about how I wanted my birth to go before I figured out that I'm having twins. I'm a FTM and feel like maybe a lot of it is now out of my hands because of the higher risk of C-section and complications. I know I'll have to deliver in an OR, but beyond that I'm not sure what other options I can have.

OB is on board with me wanting to deliver vaginally if I can and isn't one to just schedule a c section for the convenience of it. I guess now I'm wondering if I will be forced to stay on my back with an epidural in the OR? I was leaning towards nitrous oxide instead of epidural.

What has been other mothers experiences of what I should expect? Of course I'm going to go with whatever is safest for babies and myself but wondering if I can still have some choices...

Recover

I had an unplanned Csection last night and tips for recovering?

Birthing plan.

What was everyone’s experience and what did you do to recover?
My first born was born by c section and it was a really bad recovery I want a natural birth and I’m so worried about the aftercare or what to do to avoid damage down there

C Section Recovery

Currently 5 weeks post partum and my scar has the tiniest opening on the left hand edge but this is going smaller day by day - I’ve had gauze on it to stop anything getting in and have noticed a really small about of brown/yellow liquid on it. Has anyone else had this? It is not hot so don’t think it is an infection but would feel better if this has happened to anyone else, I have been really careful to keep it clean and dry!

C section mums

My referral for a c section is being discussed on Monday next week how long does it take for your date to appear on badger notes?

VBAC or Planned C-Section?

I had an emergency C-section with my first at age 39. 10 hours of labor, stalled at 8cm and his heart rate kept dropping significantly. I’m now age 40 and 30 weeks pregnant. Time to decide if I’m going to try vaginal birth or just schedule the c-section. Part of me wants the traditional experience, but the other part of me is terrified and almost feels like another c-section would be the “easy way out” lol. My doctor was so quick to just suggest scheduling the c-section, but curious to hear VBAC success stories or if the recovery from a second c-section was awful or not too bad - help!

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