Articles & Expert Guides on Labor & Birth

Medically-reviewed expert guides, tips, real-life stories, and articles on Labor & Birth

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

Baby Born at 32 Weeks: Your 32-Week Preemie

Tassia Agatowski

Baby Born at 34 Weeks: Your 34-Week Preemie

Tassia Agatowski

Everything You Need to Know About Your C-Section Scar

Keshia Sophia Roelofs

What is a Husband Stitch? And Is It Even Legal?

Keshia Sophia Roelofs

From the community

Elective C section

Considering an elective c section at Jessops. Does anyone have any experience with this, how did the midwife/consultant respond to your request?

Elective c section

Anyone had a elective c section, I’m a bit nervous as I don’t wanna loose too much blood as I’m very short and I’m just hoping my baby will be fine🤰

Pregnant 7 months post c-section

Hey mums, any advice I’m 7 months pp and absolutely terrified because I was told to wait o a year before trying for another baby. Has anyone been through this?

All advice and tips welcome PLEASE!

Heyy so I’m currently waiting on a date for my c-section. How long did it take for you to get your dates and how did you feel being on steroids? This is my first c-section and I’m trying to prepare myself as I’ve been told I’ll have to take steroids 10 days before the c-section date, any tips I need to know for my c section and recovery I’d be very grateful

2 under 2

So my son is 9 months old and I found out today I am 3+ weeks pregnant. My baby is due in July, my son turns 1 in January. Does anyone else have an age gap like this? How did it work? Are you ok mentally, physically? I'm stressed asf

Bloods

Anyone didn’t have a blood test before their c section? Did you have blood taken from your cannula? What happened? As I always reject blood tests but I have cream to put on before cannula so hopefully I don’t feel it

Antibiotics for Group B Streptococcus (GBS)

My GP has put me on antibiotics for GBS. I'm terrified. I just want the best for my baby. I feel like it's all my fault. I'm worried that the antibiotics or the GBS will harm my child 😞

Had an emergency c section 16 days ago and really sore

Ive been doing too much and now im really sore but im not able to do any less as I dont have the support. But im really worried about my wound.

C-Section Mummies

How much are you all getting up to around 2 weeks post birth? I know everyone's recovery is so different it's hard to compare but I'm really scared about overdoing it and causing problems, but on the other hand am feeling well and feel like I could maybe be doing more than I am! I feel like the anxiety of doing too much is stopping me from really doing anything at all 🙈

Positive induction stories

Hi everyone! I’m currently 37+2 and getting induced in 2 days time due to recurrent reduced fetal movement. Hoping to hear some positive induction stories of anyone who’s gone through it before? I was hoping to be able to go naturally before then, but midwife couldn’t do a sweep today as not even 1cm 😭