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: 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

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

I’m scared cause idk if my baby is coming right as I write this

I’ve been leaking so to speak since last night however I haven’t felt any contractions yet or to my knowledge I haven’t.

Need advice- followed guidance and was told to cancel section Thursday as baby was head down when all along she’s been unstable lie and found out I have polyhydramis too yesterday to top it off 39+3 but won’t section me till next week!

Since 36 week growth scan I was advised my fluid levels were in the normal range but high and I’ve said all along I’m massive . Luckily bought my 40 week growth scan forward yesterday 39+2 and my baby was engaged last two sweeps and now she’s been flipping again and hospital don’t see this as an emergency and I’m so worried about going into labour as my cervix is forward and soft 1cm last check over week ago. I also followed advice and cancelled my section Thursday and now I can barely walk and in a lot of pain and discomfort don’t know what I can do . Thought of waiting to end of next week for section is making me struggle. Baby also weighing 8lb 6oz 😭

Getting induced

Hi I’m a first time mom I’m getting induced tomorrow at 39 weeks any tips

What age was your baby when you first left them overnight?

(Don’t judge I feel like this is giving bad mum enough🫣😂)

It’s my partner’s mums birthday coming up and my baby is seven weeks old I feel on edge leaving him as it is and all I read is people not being able to leave there baby till they’re over 2 months, is it bad if I do go for the night and leave him with a family member ? And is it bad that I’m even considering going 🥲🥲

Waters breaking vs watery discharge

How could people tell the difference between watery discharge and their waters breaking?

Natural birth after c section

Anyone had the experience of having a natural birth after c section with previous child?
I had my daughter nearly 3 years ago via emerhency c section and now going through my birth plan I really want a natural birth this time round but would love to hear other people's experiences! I know everyone is different but still nice to hear!!

Hospital bag

Finally it's due date month!

How much is everyone packing for the hospital? I've got a cabin sized suitcase and a changing bag full and still got some bits left to pack. Am I over doing it? FTM here so no idea what I will actually use but I also want to take things I might want to use even if I don't end up using them.

Also is anyone packing 0-3 clothing? I'm measuring in the 90 percentile but my midwife has told me that does mean I'll have a big baby. Again unsure and how many and what time outfits to pack. I love gone with just a newborn swaddle hoping that we will manage with that as my 0-3 swaddles are 2.5 tog
Thanks

Induced by having waters broken

I’m about to be induced this week with my third (also third induction but first took pessary and drip, second only took pessary). They plan to just break my waters.

I’d love to know how long your labours were when they induced by breaking waters.

Why do some parwnt wean their babies before 6 months?

Just genuinely curious, no hate. I just don't understand.

Like there's a mum in my babies group posting about wanting to start giving her 3 month old purees?

I had my friend round the other day and she was all "are you going to bother waiting until 6 months?"

I just thought it was standard to wait until baby could sit up straight etc?

I know there are some people that start at 4 months, but I never really understood why? Is there medical reasons? Or any other benefit to weaning earlier? Also how do you feed a 4 month old if they can't sit steadily in a high chair?

Anyone else too scared to have sex?

I’m 7 weeks PP after a c section, healed well and no issues but I’m so beyond frightened to even attempt it! I really want to get the intimacy back but I’m genuinely worried it’ll hurt or I’ll get an infection 😭

I waited until I was 4 months PP after my last section! I don’t want to do that again 😭