Get Cancer Support
The LIVESTRONG foundation provides free services
To help anyone affected by cancer.
Millions of people use LIVESTRONG to live a healthy lifestyle. Watch the video to learn how this site helps the LIVESTRONG Foundation's global fight against cancer.
Delivering a big baby with large shoulders increases the risk that shoulder dystocia will occur. Dr. Henry Lerner, on the Shoulder Dystocia website, explains that this delivery complication occurs when a baby's shoulders are stuck behind the pubic...
The pain of childbirth causes fear in many expectant mothers. Knowing your options for relieving the pain and making the delivery easier prepares you to make decisions when you go into labor. A birth plan offers a way to document your preferences...
Labor is divided into three stages delineated by the dilation of the cervix and changes in the uterus, according to BabyCenter website. Your physician will determine how your labor is progressing via a physical examination to determine your baby's...
Labor and delivery of a baby may last from only a few hours to several days. During this time, women experience numerous physical and emotional sensations as their bodies prepare to give birth. While each woman's labor and delivery is unique, the...
It's easy to forget necessary items when you're packing a bag in preparation for delivering your baby. However, you want to avoid items you'll never use because you may not have much space in your hospital room. Learning what to pack long before...
Many expectant mothers experience uncertainty as they approach their due date, even if they have delivered a baby before. Knowing what to expect when you go into labor will help you be more prepared and calmer in the days and weeks before you...
If you or a loved one is expecting, it can be helpful, even reassuring, to learn about and prepare for the possible ways to deliver a baby. Every pregnant woman's situation is unique. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor and other...
Packing your bags for the hospital can be an intimidating task. Because you can go into labor before your actual due date, it is important to be prepared ahead of time. Be sure to include the necessities for you, your partner and new baby--as well...
Methods of delivering a baby fall into four basic categories: natural, medicated, assisted and Cesarean section. Everyone hopes for a smooth labor and delivery without complications, but sometimes, circumstances can change rapidly and medical...
After delivery, you may feel the urge to exercise, be it for weight loss or muscle tightening. And the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists say that you may begin exercising as soon as you feel you're ready, says the Baby Center Web...
Birthing classes, meetings with your doctor and chatting with friends may leave you feeling confident that you know what to expect during pregnancy and labor. But what about after your baby is born? As a result of the process of delivery and...
After practicing and reviewing for several months, the big day finally arrives. You have her bag packed, you make her comfortable, read fetal monitors and talk to doctors, but the real work begins when it actually comes time to push. The act of...
Being pregnant is exciting and intense, and when it's time for labor and delivery, that intensity skyrockets. You must prepare for the birth of your baby before you can face the challenges of parenthood. You and your spouse want to be ready for...
Babies born at less than 37 weeks' gestation are preterm, or premature. According to the author of "When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads," Dr. Barbara Luke, roughly 10 percent of single baby and 50 percent of twin pregnancies are...
As you near your due date, packing for the hospital becomes essential. Though you'll enter the hospital with only your partner, you will take a brand new person home with you! You will need to bring a few things to the hospital with you to make...
There is no way to predict in advance whether your labor will last several hours or several days. Packing a bag with essentials can help you prepare for virtually any scenario you might encounter while at the hospital or birth center. To avoid...
About a month before your due date, pack a couple of bags of things you might need for your stay in the hospital. Although hospitals often provide many items you need to care for your new baby, such as diapers, formula and bottles, bringing some...
Supplies needed during childbirth can vary, depending on whether the birth takes place in a hospital or at home, and the type of delivery. However, some standard supplies are commonly used for all types of births.
Driving uses many of the muscles a woman uses during labor and delivery of a child. Therefore, a recovering mother must heal before she gets behind the wheel. Listen to your body when it comes to getting back to day-to-day activities after...
When preparing for a baby, a mother-to-be's focus is often on what the baby will need. The last few weeks before baby is due are often a flurry of shopping for clothing, cribs, bottles and burp cloths. But it is just as important that mom...
After delivering a baby, you may feel anxious about losing your pregnancy weight and returning to your exercise schedule. A 2009 cohort study published in the journal "Midwifery" and led by Maddah Mohsen found that the more weight a woman gained...
Experiencing uncontrollable shaking or shivering after delivering a baby occurs frequently. This symptom can happen after either a vaginal delivery---with or without an epidural----or a Cesarean section, according to Dr. Megan Carreno, an...
Giving birth is a wonderful time in many women's lives. The common image of a birth is a woman in a hospital bed, hooked up to multiple machines and giving birth vaginally. However, women have more than one option when giving birth. If she does...
If you're a first-time parent, knowing when you're ready to deliver a baby can be difficult. Every little stab of pain can make an expectant mother think she's ready to go into labor, as some of the classic pregnancy discomforts can be easily...
Due to the availability of doulas, midwives, at-home nurses and other birthing experts, numerous options exist for mothers wishing to give birth in natural settings. Although having such experts on hand can help to make nearly any environment...
Waiting for your new baby to arrive is a period of joy and excitement--however, the time it takes to deliver your baby can't be estimated right down to the hour. If this is your first pregnancy, labor generally lasts between 12 to 18 hours on...
A doctor who delivers babies is usually licensed as an obstetrician/gynecologist, or Ob/Gyn, a specialty that involves training in pregnancy, birth and the reproductive systems of women. Different obstetricians have different philosophies, with...
Every mom has a different experience in the labor and delivery room. Some women opt for anesthesia, usually in the form of an epidural; while others turn away from pain-reducing medications, preferring to feel the entire experience. Some women...
If you are pregnant, excess amniotic fluid can increase your chances of developing gestational diabetes, characterized by high blood glucose levels. Having too much amniotic fluid may also be a signal that you have gestational diabetes. This...
Delivering a baby has several steps. Learn about obstetrics from a doctor in this video on understanding pregnancy.
Chin tucks are a great exercise for pregnant women to stay fit during their pregnancy. Learn how to do chin tucks with expert pregnancy fitness tips in this video.
Postpartum hair loss is a common occurrence that is usually not a sign of permanent hair loss. Learn some treatment options in this video.
A cesarean section is a surgical birthing procedure wherein the pregnant woman's uterus is cut open to deliver the baby, chosen when natural child birth is deemed dangerous. Get professional tips and advice on childbirth in this video.
Home births account for approximately 90 percent of the world’s births and are gaining popularity in Western culture. Learn how to plan a home birth in this pregnancy video.
21 Foods that Sound Healthy, But are Not!
4 Simple Moves for a Bikini Ready Body
Supplements Exposed! Which Ones to Avoid
