The traditional definition of true labor is the onset of regular contractions, which prepare the uterus to deliver the fetus. For most pregnancies, this occurs between 38 and 42 weeks of gestation. What truly sets preterm labor apart from...
While most pregnancies last 40 to 42 weeks, as you approach your 38th week of pregnancy, most obstetricians won't stop you if you go into labor. But for some women it can be hard to identify if they are actually in labor. Despite what you see on...
You have spent the last nine months preparing for the time that you would go into labor. Now that you are in the last stage of your pregnancy, it is important to know what to expect as well as when it's time to call your doctor and head to the...
So you have made it to your last trimester and you may begin to feel anxious about delivering and meeting your new little one, especially since you only have seven more weeks to go. You may also wonder what he looks like, how much he weighs, how...
Most women become anxious for labor to start as they near the end of their pregnancy. Normal pregnancy discomforts, apprehension about labor and delivery, and the joy of holding your little one in your arms all are a part of this anxiety....
During pregnancy, women's breasts change dramatically, increasing in size and darkening slightly. They may look voluptuous and sexy, but they often feel anything but. Unfortunately, heavy breasts are not a sign that labor is imminent, although...
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...
Women who have never given birth may believe that they will automatically know when the time to deliver the newborn has come. According to Penn Health, true labor is sometimes not easily identifiable. The due date is a reference date, and actual...
The fourth month of pregnancy marks the beginning of the second trimester, the so-called "golden" period of pregnancy. The baby and mother continue to change physically, but pregnancy hormones stabilize and many pregnant women begin to feel more...
As your baby -- and baby belly -- grow, you've probably found it increasingly difficult to do everyday tasks. During your last month of pregnancy, your baby is growing rapidly and preparing for delivery. Some pelvic pressure is normal, as your...
Near the end of pregnancy, women may have periodic mild contractions that cause discomfort, particularly in the back, abdomen and legs. Emotional support, warm baths, rest, extra fluids and moderate exercise may help. This pre-labor, or false...
As a pregnant woman's due date approaches, she may begin to wonder if she will be able to recognize the signs of labor. While the only sure indications of labor are killer contractions and the amniotic sac rupturing, there are signs that occur as...
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...
A baby born before 37 weeks of gestation is considered preterm. Premature infants may face developmental and health problems both immediately and in the future. Your risks of preterm labor increase if you are carrying more than one baby, have past...
Dramatic weight gain--between 25 and 40 lbs. in a healthy pregnancy--and fluctuating hormones are the cause of a variety of pregnant womenâ??s complaints, including pelvic pressure. A pregnancy lasts between 37 and 42 weeks, so at 33 weeks,...
The weight gain associated with pregnancy, combined with an increased likelihood of swelling, puts additional pressure on a woman's joints. This causes pain and inflammation, which might lessen in severity with regular chiropractic adjustments....
The earliest signs of pregnancy may be easy to recognize for some but for others they may be mistakenly attributed to some other ailment. AmericanPregnancy.org suggests that during the first week or few weeks of pregnancy some women may not...
The traditional definition of true labor is the onset of regular contractions that prepare the uterus to deliver the fetus. But there are many signs and symptoms that can precede regular contractions.
