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...
You shouldn't even consider trying to begin your labor until you are around 40 weeks pregnant or overdue, reports Dr. Spock. Your baby may not be ready to live outside the womb if you are not at or past your actual due date. There are several...
The placenta provides the vital physical connection between a pregnant woman and the fetus. It delivers nutrients and oxygen from the mother's circulation and allows removal of waste products from the fetus. Placenta previa is a rare but...
Many women wish to speed the induction of labor in a natural way. Anecdotally, women have used a variety of foods and herbs to jump-start labor for hundreds of years, though little scientific evidence supports food use for labor induction. If you...
Few things in pregnancy cause as much fear as vaginal bleeding. Vaginal bleeding, while often serious, can also occur from causes that are not alarming or pregnancy-threatening. Vaginal bleeding should never be ignored, though. Your medical...
Exercise provides many benefits during pregnancy. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, it can boost your mood, prevent back pain, improve your sleep and reduce your risk of gestational diabetes. However, if you...
According to the Centers for Disease Control, labor inductions have doubled in frequency since 1990. In 2006, 22.5 percent of all deliveries began with the induction of labor. Risk of a c-section can double when a woman's labor is induced instead...
An incomplete miscarriage is a pregnancy loss that results in only part of the fetus or placenta being expelled. This type of miscarriage can occur at any time prior to the 20th week of pregnancy; however, an incomplete miscarriage most commonly...
As your due date grows nigh, you may find yourself looking for signs that your baby is ready to be born. Your doctor may notice physiological changes in your body that indicate that labor could start at any time. However, if you've kept in tune...
The birth process begins with early labor. Early labor is part of the first stage of labor, which ends when the cervix--the tissue separating the vagina from the uterus--is dilated to 10 centimeters. The early stage of labor consists of mild,...
Labor and delivery is a normal process that will happen in its own time for every woman, but health care providers can often estimate how long labor will take by breaking the process down into a number of stages and stations. Stages offer several...
Effacing is an important part of the final stages of labor. It occurs when the cervix softens, shortens and becomes thinner. The American Pregnancy Association explains that it occurs after the baby has engaged in the mother's pelvis. At 100...
By the end of your third trimester, the physical discomfort of pregnancy is taking its toll, and the anticipation of labor and delivery is building. The last thing you might want to do at this point in your pregnancy is walk, but walking has...
Every woman encounters labor differently. Just as no two pregnancies are exactly alike, no two labor experiences will be the same either. Experienced mothers can become familiar with the general signs and symptoms of labor, while new mothers may...
After eight months of waiting to give birth, you know your body is getting ready for labor. Many first-time mothers wonder if they will recognize those early contractions as signs of labor, or if they will mistake them for false labor pains or...
The 29th week of pregnancy marks the start of the third and final trimester. At the start of this trimester, a woman is feeling well but as time passes, her discomfort increases. The baby has little room left in the womb and the body begins to...
Pregnancy and its endpoint, labor, mark the start of parenthood, a new phase of life, for millions of women worldwide each year. During this exciting time, the baby develops from a fertilized egg into an infant ready to be born. After a gestation...
One of the most difficult, unforgettable and beautiful experiences of a mother's life is the birth of her child. It is important to discuss with your health care practitioner before going into labor what the plan is, when you should call your...
Women have three different surgical abortion options that can be performed during the second trimester. These procedures are completed within one day but side effects, such as cramping or bleeding, may last for several days following the surgery....
A miscarriage, also known as a spontaneous abortion, is the unexpected loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. After the end of the 20th week of pregnancy, the term stillbirth is used. Knowing the impending signs of a miscarriage may...
For many women, pregnancy is one of the most exciting times of their lives. Over the course of your pregnancy you may spend time decorating your baby's nursery, shopping for baby clothes, choosing a name for your new baby and contemplating what...
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...
When faced with an unwanted pregnancy or a pregnancy that requires termination due to medical issues, abortion is a safe option available around the world. Despite its controversial nature, women are choosing this option daily. Understanding the...
Random contractions in pregnancy can be worrying when you first experience them. When you are seven months pregnant, these contractions are usually just a slight, brief tightening. You might find them uncomfortable, or you may not feel them at...
Electively terminating a pregnancy, called an abortion, can be done several different ways. The options for a woman depend on how far along she is in the pregnancy. Typically, the earlier the decision to abort the pregnancy is made, the more...
Methods of inducing labor should only be attempted under the advice of a medical professional and once the pregnancy has reached or exceeded 37 weeks to ensure the baby is fully developed. Medical inductions are usually performed after 40 weeks...
Women who want to have a natural labor may want to find ways to help labor along. There are ways that can do just that; however, these methods should only be done under the supervision of your practitioner. Women with underlying health conditions...
Reaching the 39th week of pregnancy means you are almost there. Your body is preparing itself for the big day. You may know things are going on by the Braxton Hicks, or fake contractions, you are experiencing. Another indication is a slimy...
A normal human pregnancy lasts 37 to 42 weeks from the time of conception to delivery and birth. During this time, the fusion of an egg and sperm develops into a complex organism made up of millions of cells. For proper fetal development and a...
The pushing stage of labor occurs once the cervix is dilated and the baby is in the birth canal. Learn how to push during labor with expert childbirth tips in this pregnancy video.
