Birth

Medicated

Giving birth is a profound and transformative moment in a person’s life. We want you to feel ready and knowledgeable for your labor and baby’s debut! Here you can explore expert advice on topics like vaginal unmedicated and medicated births, C-section births, home births, birth center births, and adoption. Read inspiring birth stories, helpful tips, and essential product recommendations that can support you through this life-changing journey.

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Mother with her newborn baby girl in the hospital.

25 Birth Affirmations To Help You Through Your Labor

Here are some benefits of birth affirmations, how to use them effectively, and 25 birth affirmations to try.

Premature newborn baby girl in the hospital incubator after c-section in 33 week

Preterm Birth: What Is It and What Are the Risks?

Learn about preterm birth and what can cause it, the unexpected experience of premature labor, and premature babies.

What is Vernix and Why is it All Over My Newborn?

What Is Vernix and Why Is It All Over My Newborn?

Learn about what vernix caseosa is, what benefits it has for your newborn, and what you need to know about this bodily fluid during birth.

Toy blocks that spell Doula

What Is a Doula? What They Do and the Benefits of Having One

Hiring a doula during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum has many benefits. A doula answers the most common questions about doula care.

Profile view of a multiracial woman wearing a hospital gown standing in her hospital room while affectionately holding and lovingly admiring her newborn baby as he sleeps.

14 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Labor Experience

A nurse midwife shares things about the labor experience that women wish they knew, like what pushing is like and different labor positions.

Premature newborn baby girl in the hospital incubator after c-section in 33 week

Preterm Birth: What Is It and What Are the Risks?

Learn about preterm birth and what can cause it, the unexpected experience of premature labor, and premature babies.

Woman’s foot in stirrups as she sits on an exam table waiting to be seen by her doctor in the doctor’s office for a cervical check.
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What the Numbers Mean When You Get a Cervical Check

It's important to understand what effacement, dilation and station mean during a cervical check. Learn more here.

Mother with her newborn baby girl in the hospital.

25 Birth Affirmations To Help You Through Your Labor

Here are some benefits of birth affirmations, how to use them effectively, and 25 birth affirmations to try.

Baby being born via Cesarean Section coming out
Trending

Emergency C-Sections: When Things Don’t Go as Planned

After her long labor, one woman managed to avoid an emergency C-section. Learn how and what to do - from her personal experience.

What to Wear at a Hospital Birth

What To Wear at a Hospital Birth

There are a lot of options for what to wear at a hospital birth. We're sharing the top birthing gowns, labor and delivery gowns, and more.

A Week-By-Week Guide to C-Section Recovery
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A Week-By-Week Guide to C-Section Recovery

A week-by-week guide to C-section recovery to help you better take care of yourself and support your tissues in their healing.

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More from Birth

Mother with her newborn baby girl in the hospital.

25 Birth Affirmations To Help You Through Your Labor

Here are some benefits of birth affirmations, how to use them effectively, and 25 birth affirmations to try.

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What Is a Doula? What They Do and the Benefits of Having One

Hiring a doula during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum has many benefits. A doula answers the most common questions about doula care.

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Umbilical Cord Prolapse: Diagnosis, Causes & Treatment

Learn what an umbilical cord prolapse is, what can cause a prolapsed cord, and your medical staff will manage the emergency.

A pregnant woman lies in her bed in the delivery room, griping the handrail while trying to breathe through labor and contraction pains

Foley Bulb Induction for Labor: What to Expect

Understand why your doctor might recommend a Foley bulb induction and what it can do to help your labor start.

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Forceps Delivery: What To Know

Find out all you need to know about forceps delivery - from why it may be necessary during labor to different types of forceps.

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Cytotec for Labor Induction: What You Need to Know

Understand the risks and benefits of using Cytotec for labor induction, as well as the options available and how to advocate for yourself.

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What Is An En Caul Birth?

Discover what an en caul birth is, how often it occurs, and the benefits and risks associated with an en caul birth.

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Vacuum Birth: What You Need to Know

Understand what a vacuum birth is, why it might be used, some benefits and risks of the procedure, and recovery.

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Here's what pregnant women need to know about perineal tears during vaginal births.

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Guide to Breech Baby Delivery Options

Worried about having a breech baby? You still have options for delivery, and your baby may flip in the end.

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Need to know the risks of leaking fluid during pregnancy? Learn what chorioamnionitis is and how to identify its symptoms.

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Ease the delivery pain with the epidural intervention. Discover epidural facts and myths so you can make an informed decision.

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The Difference Between a Hep Lock vs. Saline Lock vs. IV

Learn the difference between a hep lock vs. a saline lock vs an IV, how your doctor uses each and whether you may need any during labor.

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10 Myths About Labor and Birth

This article examines 10 common labor and birth myths, including if and when they're true.

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Taking Charge of Your Birth with Henci Goer – Podcast Ep 99

Henci Goer is chatting with us about optimal birth care and offering her best advice to women for them to take charge of their births.

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Sometimes, it takes a little push by your provider to get your body ready for labor! Here are the different labor induction methods.

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We're breaking down the pros and cons of each type of delivery.

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Medical Interventions You Might Need During Pushing

While we hope we won't need medical interventions during childbirth, it's good to know what they are. Here are the ones for pushing.

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Learn all about five childbirth pain relief options: an epidural, a spinal block, a combined spinal-epidural, opioids, and nitrous oxide.

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What to Expect When You Check Into the Hospital in Labor – Podcast Ep 57

Reduce your fear of childbirth by educating yourself. We're chatting about what to expect when you check into the hospital in labor.

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How to Decide Whether to Have a VBAC or Repeat Cesarean

Deciding to try a VBAC or schedule a Cesarean is an intimately personal choice. Many factors should be considered. Here's what to know.

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VBAC: Everything You Need to Know – Podcast Ep 56

We're talking about VBAC: how to know if you’re a good candidate, the benefits & risks, what you can do to increase your chances, & more!

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Best Positions To Do In Active Labor

Once you reach active labor, there are positions that can help you speed things up and keep you more comfortable.

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How to Choose a Doula and Why You Should

Whether or not to hire a doula is a very personal choice. Here are some tips for how to choose a doula and why you might want to.

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What Is Prodromal Labor and How Do You Manage It?

Prodromal labor is a common experience for a lot of pregnant mamas. What exactly is it and how do you manage it? Here are the details.

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The Benefits and Risks of Pitocin: What You Should Know

Pitocin is a drug very often used to induce labor. But what is it? And is it safe? Here are the benefits and risks you should know.