labor & delivery library

Labor & Delivery explains the signs and symptoms of labor and the process of childbirth. Topics include childbirth medications, the stages of the labor process, and c-sections.

Featured Article: How C-sections Work

The C-section rate is rising in the United States and around the world. What kinds of pregnancy and labor complications can lead to C-sections, and why do some women plan to have them? See more »

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How C-sections Work

The C-section rate is rising in the United States and around the world. What kinds of pregnancy and labor complications can lead to C-sections, and why do some women plan to have them?

How Childbirth Works

Childbirth is a miracle, but it's a rather messy one. Before you can hold that precious baby, you've got to bring it into the world -- with blood, sweat and tears.

Should you save your baby's umbilical cord blood?

Planning for a baby's arrival involves more than just picking out a name and a nursery scheme. Nowadays, you have to decide whether to save the baby's umbilical cord blood from the trash.

Signs and Symptoms of Labor

Did you know that labor is divided into three stages? Find out what they are and how to tell when they start happening.

Understanding Childbirth Medications

While the new mother can never fully know what to expect when giving birth, everyone should have at least a vague idea the physical and emotional events of normal spontaneous labor. Learn about childbirth medications.

Cervical Dilation

Labor begins when a woman�s cervix starts to dilate, or open. Watch how the labor process works.

Placenta Delivery

The placenta provides the baby with nutrients and oxygen from the mother and carries away fetal waste. After delivery the uterus naturally pushes the placenta out.

Rupturing Membranes

The common symptoms of contractions, bloody show, and water breaking indicate the first phase of labor has started.

The Role of Amniotic Fluid

The amniotic sac contains the amniotic fluid, which help keep the baby warm and keeps the baby�s growing body parts from fusing together.

Vaginal delivery

When the cervix dilates to 10 cm, the pushing and delivery phase of child birth begins. During this phase, the baby moves down the birth canal. The head comes out first, and the doctor supports it as the rest of the body comes through the birth canal fairly quickly.