Learn how to induce labor naturally, stimulate labor contractions and start labor yourself with this great list of tips and tricks.
Are you about ready to hold your baby in your arms instead of in your belly? Through most of your pregnancy you wanted your baby to stay in, you prayed for your baby to keep cooking, and you did everything right so that you didn't go into preterm labor. But suddenly...37 weeks pregnant hits and
By the time you reach your third trimester you have probably read countless articles about kegels and hospital bags. And about water births vs squatting births, and about how imperative it is that you try different positions during labor. And you are maybe even feeling a little overwhelmed by it all.
You may have seen that I recently shared a set of 20 mantras that I either found or wrote to use during my labor with Asher. If you haven’t, let me catch you up to speed: Josh and I have op…
11 Ways to Naturally Induce Labor - these natural induction methods may help start contractions when you're trying to avoid a medical induction!
Baby station Baby station refers to the relationship of the top of the baby's head or the presenting part to the level of the ischial spines. Baby station is measured by vaginal exams by your health care provider. Your doctor can feel two bony...
What does a contraction feel like? We’ll talk about what watch for in labor pains. How to know if they are just Braxton Hicks, and how to time them. Ok, so why do I know about contractions? Hi, I’m Hilary — many people know me as The Pregnancy Nurse® 👩⚕️. I have been a nurseContinue Reading
Your due date is close, induction on the horizon, and you DESPERATELY want to know how to naturally start labor! Check out the 5 FASTEST ways to naturally get those contractions started!
Once you’re in labor, here are some tips for the method I used to have my shortest labor ever with no induction. It helped me work through the contractions and different stages of labor!
You're likely familiar with companies like Uber, Airbnb, and Craigslist, but here are 100+ other apps that help make the gig economy possible.
Looking for the less obvious signs of labor? These weird and non traditional signs of labor might happen to you!
Inside: Want to know how to give birth faster? Try these 7 exercises for an easy labor and delivery! When you’re pregnant, chances are you probably want to know how you can have an easy labor, and give birth faster. I know I wasn’t sitting around thinking, I really hope my labor and delivery takes
As your your due date is coming nearer, you can do some exercises to induce labor naturally. Know about the exercises that might help have a smooth delivery.
Inside: Learn how to prevent tearing during childbirth with these 9 tips! A huge fear many pregnant women have, is tearing when they give birth. That’s a sensitive area and the thought of giving birth by itself is daunting, let alone how things will feel if you tear. All pregnant woman want to prevent tearing
Having your children witness your labor is a unique experience.
Learn about the best labor and birthing positions to get baby in the right position for birth and help you stay as comfortable as possible through delivery.
A Facebook group that I am an Admin for has ‘Lives’ on pregnancy and birth topics every Monday evening (click HERE for details of the group!). Last Monday, Amelia Parkinson from Wonder Birthing and I spoke about the benefits of being active in labour and the best positions for birth. Th
Here's WHY babies get nuchal cords, the associated RISKS, and YOUR OPTIONS when baby has his or her umbilical cord wrapped around their neck.
Antipasto, an Italian-style hors d'oeuvres, typically contains a variety of meats, cheeses, and vegetables. “Antipasto” literally translates from Italian to “before the meal” in English.)
Epidurals are the go to pain relief for women in labor. But there are epidural side effects you really need to know about. Some of these will...
This article has everything you need to know about Braxton Hicks contractions. What are they, what they feel like and how to relief it! Ultimate information about Braxton Hicks contractions!
Are you looking to have your baby sooner rather than later? Are there things you can do to make yourself dilate faster? Let’s talk about what you can do (and what the studies show). It may be more eye-opening than cervical opening (see what I did there)? Dilating is part of the labor process, and …
Having a midwife vs an OBGYN has amazing benefits. Let's take a look at the differences between the two and why you should choose a midwife | Midwives near me
Are you tempted to try to induce labor naturally? Sex is one of the safest things to try; use these best sex positions to induce labor!
If you are close to or past your due date, tthese natural induction methods that work had me in labor before being medically induced.
What are the signs labor is 24-48 hours away? If you're at the end of your pregnancy you might be wondering how to tell when labor is only hours away!
Are you overdue and anxious to give birth? You may be considering inducing labor yourself. While induced labor may not be for everyone, it is possible to do safely with the help of oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone that is naturally produced in your body and helps to induce labor. In this post, we will …
Did you know that there are 4 stages of labor? Each stage gets you closer to childbirth and meeting your babe. Learn what to expect during each stage of labor
When you are pregnant, there is often significant attention to helping you prepare for birth. You might attend a childbirth class and make a birth plan. You may have chosen your healthcare provider based on your birth experience preference. Some people als
I have been reading every book page and every web page I can find on Labour. For those of us who are inexperienced with labour and who have not read up about it the general idea is “your water breaks and then you have to rush to hospital and baby just comes out!” Well that is exactly what the movies show and from what I have been reading it is actually completely different to what could take place. Let me enlighten you folks on some of my interesting readings and teachings….and maybe this will help me prepare for my actual labour experience. In a short paragraph labour can be broken down into three main stages: The first stage (early labour, active labour, transition) begins with the onset of contractions that cause progressive changes in your cervix and ends when your cervix is fully dilated. That’s right ….when your inner Vagina is 10cm. Once you are fully dilated the second stage starts, which is basically when the baby comes through your vagina and out…..it is also known as the pushing phase. The third stage is when you have already delivered your baby and the after birth comes out (placenta). My main focus lately has been on trying to figure out when the first stage of labour beings –how do I know when it is happening, what are the signs, how will I feel. But just like any lady who I have spoken to or read about, they all tell me something totally different about their “sign of labour.” I mean one lady will say her water broke first and then she had contractions but another will say it is the other way around. From what I have read though a normal step by step process of the first stage of labour would be: A possible “Bloody Show” and ladies I am not swearing here….it literally means a show of blood. This is when the mucus plug in your upper cervix gets released. But when this happens it doesn’t mean you are going to go into labour ASAP….you could still have a couple of days to go. Also your body can make another plug if baby isn’t ready to come out yet. So really a bloody show doesn’t really stand for bloody anything does it really (yes I am swearing now). The early labour signs are really characterised by the infamous contractions…which should not be confused with Braxton Hicks contractions (fake ones)….Its like our body plays games on our mind when it throws in a fake contraction here and there. It just ain’t cool coz you will be walking normally and then BAM fake contraction comes your way and your walk turns into a waddle and your whole tummy feels like it is going to drop so you hold it right by the cookie (lower abdomen) and you start to breath deep just to control the pain…..and by this point every “movie minded person” is looking at you as if you are going to deliver any moment. Anyways the only way to distinguish the two types of contractions are that labour contractions are fairly regular and gradually get more intense. When this happens our mind has to really start doing some time calculations to figure out how regular the contractions are and how long they last. When they are every five minutes and lasting for 40 to 60 seconds then you have reached the end of early labour……ie your Cervix is 4cm (still got 6cm to go). So what is really happening during these labour contractions is your cervix is widening and that is why they are so painful. You see in a ‘normal early labour’ your water has still not broken at this stage. If it has then you have to make sure your caregiver is aware of it and that you are heading to hospital. If it hasn’t then well you are free to do whatever you like. Yup go get your nails done, watch TV, go for a walk, basically relax. “Why????” you ask. Well apparently the more relaxed you are the quicker your labour progresses and walking is the best because you maximise on gravity. This phase can also vary in time …it all depends if your ripe your cervix is. The active stage of labour is when the issh hits the fan because those contractions become more frequent, longer, and stronger. Once you have had regular, painful contractions every five minutes for an hour then you really need to start making your way to the hospital or birthing clinic. If this is your first vagina delivery then this phase can take about four to eight hours. The last phase of the first stage of labour is the Transition phase. Your cervix goes from 8cm-10cm and you are not such a pleasant person to be around. As my mom puts it so politely “You move from normal contractions to feeling like you are going to take a huge #R$*#*($&)%.” This is that part of the movie where you start screaming at the husband. But you are not suppose to be pushing as yet. Only when you are 10cm are you officially in the Second stage of labour – the Pushing phase…and the SH@)(*$#-ing feeling is still there. Apparently the contractions in this phase are actually quite bearable and you are able to catch your breath for the actual pushing motion. Your baby could come out quickly or it may take a while but the most important thing is to listen to your caregivers guidance on pushing. If you just go pushing whenever you feel like it you may end up causing some major damage to your cookie…not good for you or your hubby. This phase can take about one hour for a first timer and 20 minutes if you’ve had a previous vaginal delivery. The Third stage is the delivery of the placenta. This takes place minutes after giving birth. It is important that the after birth comes out before any uterus contraction injections are given. One of Avon’s aunties told me of a horrific story of how she was given this injection and the afterbirth had not been delivered yet. She said if it wasn’t for the doctor ripping it out with his own bare hand she probably would have died. AAAAAA! Well that was the kanya version of information I have gathered on labour so far. …my main reference has been www.babycenter.com and Michelle’s very informative antenatal classes which we attended at fourways life clinic. But all of this has helped me realise that labour is not that simple it is actually so complicated and I wonder how if I can remeber it all when I actually go through with it. EEEEEK
The foetal head is 'delivered' but on subsequent contractions the foetus fails to deliver (feels stuck). Stay calm, call the crash obstetric team (if not already done) then perform the McRobert's Manoeuvre. This will fix the problem 90% of the time (and hopefully the one time you need it to!)
A couple of postpartum necessities for mom can go a long way in making you more comfortable and make the entire process easier. Read our blog and know the most important postpartum care essentials to buy that you will regret not buying after giving birth. Read today!
23 Weird, Common, and Unique Very Early Pregnancy Symptoms
As your your due date is coming nearer, you can do some exercises to induce labor naturally. Know about the exercises that might help have a smooth delivery.
Once you’re in labor, here are some tips for the method I used to have my shortest labor ever with no induction. It helped me work through the contractions and different stages of labor!
