While many women do not look forward to the discomfort associated with labor, they are excited about meeting their much anticipated bundle of joy. By knowing what to expect from labor, you can reduce your fear of the unknown and make the process more enjoyable and stress-free. Labor commonly breaks down into three distinct phases. Each of these phases plays an important part in the birth of your baby.
When you start going into labor, you know that the end is near, but sometimes those last few hours can feel like days. You'll know that pregnancy labor is speeding up when you enter the "transition" phase--that short period between active labor and pushing. Though it may seem unbearable at the time, realize that it's almost time for you to meet the newest member of your family.
Many women both eagerly anticipate and dread the onset of labor. While this decidedly painful stage of pregnancy does mean that baby is but moments from entering the world, it can be a scary experience as mom struggles potentially through a great deal of pain and worry about a plethora of possible complications. While nothing can make labor easy, the mom-to-be can do some things to make labor a more positive experience.
Preterm labor is labor that occurs before the 37th week in a normal 40-week pregnancy. The March of Dimes reports that 12 percent of babies born in the United States each year are born premature. These babies usually require longer hospital stays and experience more extensive long-term health problems. Sadly, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), premature babies account for most newborn deaths. Learn the signs of preterm labor in pregnancy so you can be prepared.
You are at the point of your pregnancy when you should be going into labor, but nothing is happening. It's getting harder to walk, you haven't seen your own feet in a month, the baby's room is ready, and you are stuck in waiting agony. Before you despair, you can try one or all of the various tips that women have used to start pregnancy labor. Note, however, that you should not even consider trying to induce labor until you are around 40 weeks along, because your due date could be wrong. While it's not good to be overdue, you don't want to give birth before the baby is ready, either.
The labor and delivery options available to pregnant women have increased during the last several decades, according to the American Pregnancy Association. One of the most recent birthing methods developed is the water birth. During a water birth, the mother undergoes much of her labor in a large tub of warm water and, if she wishes, can deliver the baby while in the water. The option is gaining popularity in many hospitals and birthing centers; proponents say that this sort of delivery has many benefits for both the mother and the baby.
Can you imagine not feeling any pain while giving birth? Most of the moms in our office laughed when talking about the idea and said "yeah, right?!" But according to HypnoBirthing experts and the HypnoBirthing philosophy, it really is possible to visualize your way through a pain-free birth. Modernmom talked to HypnoBirthing coach and teacher Stella Greenhalgh, who teaches HypnoBirthing in California and answered all of our questions -- Gosh, she really turned us into believers! (Well, some of us at least). Here's what she had to say:
What would you say if I told you that giving birth could feel orgasmic? I know â€" crazy, right? If it were orgasmic, then why do so many moms feel anxious when labor and delivery looms before them? Well, it seems as though some moms out there in the world have tapped into something good during the birthing process. Something really good. A vaginal orgasmic birth. Yes, you heard me â€" the ability to experience an orgasm as you’re pushing a big ‘ol bouncing baby out of your no-no place. But really â€" can this be true? Can birth really feel orgasmic? (And if so, why the heck didn’t I know about it during my two pregnancies?) I had to find out more about this so I could spread the word of gospel for all my pregnant soul sisters out there. So, mamas, read on!
What do Meryl Streep, Demi Moore, Ricki Lake, Cindy Crawford, and most recently, supermodel Giselle, all have in common? In addition to the obvious â€" being beautiful and talented â€" they have all experienced a home birth. Now although no new mom will ever receive an academy award for forgoing pain medication and delivering her baby at home, a homebirth can be a very rewarding choice for some mothers-to-be to make. But is a home birth the right choice for you? Read on…
No matter what you use for pain control during your labor and delivery, a calm, peaceful atmosphere will help to control your pain and bring you comfort during the grueling and beautiful process.
Meditation can be a big part of controlling pain and can also be a wonderful supplement to other pain control methods---including medicinal or medical means of controlling pain. Meditation is a deep form of relaxation and can be used in many ways to provide comfort.
