Labor

Pitocin not as safe for babies as previously thought

Recent research hints that labor augmentation or induction with Pitocin may not be as safe for babies as previously thought.

Labor lunch break?

Eyeing her husband’s delicious, cheesy chicken sandwich, my patient sighs wistfully. “Man, I want to be able to eat some lunch!” she exclaims. The hospital where I work, like many labor and delivery facilities, does not allow women to eat during labor — but is restricting food necessary? Is eating during labor dangerous?

Labor and birth: By invitation only

Some women want a lot of support from friends and family during their labor and birth, while others prefer to keep it intimate, with just their partner. A childbirth professional shares how to know what’s best for you and suggests you include some ground rules to help your birth go smoothly.

Back labor be gone!

Back labor makes the work of birthing your baby a bit harder. Learn some tried-and-true tips and techniques to help alleviate the back pain that may occur during labor and get the baby into a more ideal position for birth.

Myths about inducing labor

Once you reach the end of your pregnancy, you'll likely be ready to get that baby out! Friends and family may tell you to eat spicy food or sip castor oil to induce labor... but will it work?

4 Stylish alternatives to hospital maternity gowns

Not looking forward to wearing an ugly, old hospital gown during childbirth? We’ve rounded up a few cute alternatives so you can give birth in style.

The truth about false labor

If you're ready to run to the hospital after your first contraction, slow down — it could be false labor. Then again, it could be the real thing...

UK mom breaks leg after going to hospital for false labor

Talk about a tough break! A woman in the UK had to deliver her child with a broken leg.

Men: Labor pains are real

As if it really needed to be proven, a couple of Dutch television hosts underwent simulated labor pains as a stunt on their show. And guess what? It hurts.

The perfect partner

Some dads-to-be are duds in the delivery room. Here’s how to prepare your guy for labor day.

Braxton Hicks vs. real labor contractions

Are your contractions for real? Find out for sure.

The dreaded end-of-pregnancy internal exam

When you finish your eighth month of pregnancy, your care provider may want to do internal exams to check for dilation and effacement. Are they really necessary?

Baby named in honor of Olympian Jessica Ennis

A British couple barely missed being there to see their Jessica Ennis win the gold in the heptathlon -- instead, they bestowed her name upon their newborn.

Are you scared of labor?

A recent study published in the British Journal of Gynecology shows moms who were afraid of labor had labors that lasted an average of 47 minutes longer than moms who weren't scared. Here's what you need to know to lessen the fear of labor and prepare for a smoother — and hopefully shorter — delivery.

Is it really labor?

Wondering how on earth you'll know when labor has really started? You're not alone. Childbirth educator and doula, Ami Burns, has answers to the No. 1 question on expectant parents' minds.

Obstetric anaesthesia information for mamas available in 38 languages

If you're looking for information about the benefits and risks of anaesthesia and pain-relief in childbirth, then the The Obstetric...

Rich mothers more likely to have baby by c-section

What is it about c-sections lately? It seems like I've been reading about c-sections constantly in the news. Maybe because...

Labor and birth interventions common but may be harmful

In movies and on television you see a lot of labor and birth procedures going on. From c-sections to IVs...

Hospital Bag Checklist: What Are You Forgetting?

"When should I have my hospital bag packed?" It's a question nearly every expectant mother thinks about or asks aloud at some point nearing the end of her pregnancy. The easy answer offered by most online sites is by the end of the 36th week.

Antibiotics needed before a c-section

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), 10-40% of women who have a c-section will develop an...