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

Is 44 to old to have a baby for a man?

Me and my partner are TTC but if we do he will be 44 by the time the baby is here. Or older if it takes a while

Hospital bag ???

I am 31 weeks plus 6 going to be 32 weeks tomorrow … I am thinking about buying the frida mom postpartum kit but I am not sure 🤔 do I buy things separately or buy the kit?

Any suggestions or ideas or tips would be good?

C-Section mom and I want y’all’s opinion 🥹💕

So me baby girl are really healthy but my doctor told me I have to get another C-Section but she told me if I wanted to switch doctors so I can have a normal it cause that is my choice because the hospital they have to follow their policy with C-sections if I had one the first time with my son . but she did tell me that I can switch to another OB/GYN to have my daughter normal, but I want your girls opinion🩷💕 because my doctor told me if I have another C-section and if I get pregnant again in the future I won’t be able to have my another baby normal and I don’t want that experience taken away from me!!! Because I wanna experience Labor&Delivery!! I am 34 weeks and still have time to switch my OBGYN

But with my first born babyboy 🩵💙I had a C-Section due to cholesistis something in the liver that came with itching . But I got 6 months pregnant after so my daughter will be due October 21st my body is scared of surgery so that is why I want to try natural birth but if I do I want to know what helped you dilate 🥹🩷!!! But I also want your honest responses

C section

Hi mommas my son was born by c section on the 6th september 3 failed epidurals so i was put under general A . I still struggle to get outta bed and keep having burning sensations in my stomach . Also ive been told to shower today to tke off my plaster covering scar did this hurt any1 else or did u manage ty and happy delivery for u mommas

Sleepsuits or rompers for hospital bag?

I am starting packing the hospital bag and I am wondering what other people have been packing. Sleepsuits for the baby (the feet inside) or rompers and socks? Thank youuu

What worked better or what are you hoping for (2nd pregnancy)

Not sure what to do for! Had an emergency section (and traumatic experience) with my first!

C-section MKUH

Hello!

Has anyone had a planned section at MKUH recently?

How much notice did you get?
It’s less than a week now and I haven’t had anything confirmed in writing or details of my pre-op and nobody is answering from antenatal clinic!

Leaking at 34 weeks?

For the past few weeks I’ve had quite strong braxton hicks, but I’ve put it down to probably doing too much at the time. Midwife appointment last week said baby’s head is engaged, which would explain why I feel so much pressure in my pelvis a lot and last night I woke up to use the toilet and my knickers were wet, but not soaking. It wasn’t like typical discharge, it’s only a little bit each time, it was more like urine but it’s happened a few times since and I don’t think I’m weeing myself 😬 I’m hesitant to go into PAU just in case it’s the fact I’ve became incontinent so just wondering what other people’s thoughts are and how I could test if it is a leak of the waters or if it is urine? I need to do school run anyways so if I did need to go into PAU then I’ll need to wait until after that anyways… not my first baby btw :)

When did you go out of the house without your LO for the first time?

Whether is baby staying home with your partner or first date night, what was your timeline?

Strugglinggg

I’m struggling to love my body after having my baby . He’s 5m tomorrow! I had an emergency c section , definitely was not prepared for it! My scar isn’t that bad but I’m just struggling with this c section pouch!! I try to work out during the week in the mornings and do my best not to eat so bad.