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

Sweep stories?

I’ve just had a sweep at 38 + 5 days and she said I was 1-2cm dilated and could feel babies head but my cervix is still quite thick? Can I hear any outcomes of sweeps please! I’m due to be induced Friday but just desperate to go into labour naturally before then!

FGR 37w induction or c-section?

So I’m 33w and at 32w baby was on 2nd percentile (FGR/ estimated 3.3lbs) due to low Papp-a so was told I’d need to be induced at 37w. Anyone have any similar experience with this and if they opted for scheduled c-section or induced vaginal delivery? And if so what was the experience/recovery like and if baby needed to stay in NICU? I’m torn between the two and ultimately want to choose what’s best for baby. Thanks

Clearblue test yesterday said 3 weeks plus bit I hadn't drank too much

Now just done another one it says 2-3 is it becuse pee is more diluted ? Or is sign Somerhing is wrong and levels are dropping

Christmas Due Date

Baby is due between Christmas and new year. I’m due to have a c-section at 39 weeks (the week of Christmas).

I’m feeling a little guilty that my baby is always going to have an extremely close to Christmas birthday and also wondering what I’m actually going to be able to do for Christmas this year. We were hoping to visit family, but they are 1.5 hours away, and I just don’t know if that will be too much for us. Has anyone got any similar feelings or experiences to this

bournemouth hospital/ midwife opinions

hi! i am a first time mum and was wondering about people’s opinions on royal bournemouth hospital and the midwife care they have received, i am not sure if i would like to give birth in bournemouth hospital as i’ve had horrible care from midwife’s and also from maternity triage!

Question

What else do I need for the baby I have the clothes and the car seat and diapers and his family getting him some like how do I make a baby bag and my bag for the hospital what come in there

Homebirthers!

How far is the distance to your hospital?

Driving post c-section?

How long did you wait to get back into the car driving before you felt ready?

Induction stories

We are due to get induced this week due to baby being small what’s your induction story’s, kinda hoping people would have positive ones as I’m really anxious about it.
2nd pregnancy

Period after c section

When did you get your period after your c section?
After my first i got it exactly on my daughter's first birthday, i was breastfeeding.
This time around i had an emergency c section at 30+5, im exclusively pumping, not sure if it was a period but i had period like bleeding for 4 days at 8 weeks. The spotting 2 weeks after and now im 12 weeks pp and spotting again, is it my cycle coming back or should i get checked?
(I'm cycle day 23 today counting from the first period )

How long after your c section did you have a bath?

7 weeks PP and I’m really missing having a bath. Not got my PP check with the GP until 8 weeks and 2 days post c section.

No issues with healing so far!

When did you have a bath? Did you use any soap? Bubble bath?

Should I avoid taking a long? Or hot bath?

41+2 getting induced

Im super pregnant! Baby doesnt wanna come out.
Been having a lot of false labor, leaking discharge, no bloody show or mucus plug lost. Got cervical checked today at 1cm and 70% effaced. Lost mucus plug. Dr reccomendation to get induced with cervical ripening agents and balloon. Im not super excited becuase i really wanted to have spontaneous labor, but i am happy inwill hopefully be meetinf my baby within the next couple days depending how long it takes!

Induction

I have an induction booked for 40+3 if I don’t go into natural labour before then. They are asking whether I would prefer a medical or mechanical induction? Has anyone experienced either? If so, how was it? Would you have preferred a different option?

FTM c-section booked

Hey, I’m due to have my baby via c-section next week and I’m terrified! I’ll be 37+4 (have to have a section due to being high risk). I’ve never had an operation in my life. If anyone has any positive stories to share about the day, the recovery, etc, I’m all ears 🙏 I feel like I’m desperately trying to avoid hearing the bad experiences

Sex after c section

Ever since my c section in May we haven’t Bern able to have sex. Not because we don’t want to … we literally can’t. He can’t get it in like something is in the way. Went to GP and they said nothing is wrong just keep trying. It’s sore and literally can’t get it. Anyone else? What do I do?

Membrane sweep

Hi Mamas,
I have been advice to have a membrane sweep at 38weeks so I have get my baby born at 39weeks due to medical reasons
Has anyone has this before and how did it go ?
Also how soon did you go into labour after ?
Just kind of nervous
Your answers will be very helpful 🙈🙈

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