A growing body of research reveals profound connections between a woman's birth experience and her ability to get breastfeeding off to a good start. But if you think of putting your baby to your breast as the fourth stage of labor it can help you visualize this connection.

Epidural. In the Childbirth Universe, no four syllables have more power as an argument-starter. The word provokes defensiveness in some and smugness in others. There's hand-wringing. Rationalizing. Pontificating.

QUESTION

Dear Midwife,
I am 5 months pregnant and its my first baby at age 42. However, I have hemorrhoids even before I got pregnant. My hemorrhoids are really big, both internal and external. One doctor described it as thrombosed and measures more than 2 cm each. I think they are more than one. Even if they are big, they dont hurt as long as I have a soft bowel movement.

QUESTION

Dear Midwife,I am expecting my seventh baby. My sixth was an emergency c section due to fetal distress (meconium). I want to have a VBAC. I found a midwife that is willing to help me and I asked her if I would be able to labor in the water. She said, "No. After having a C-sec, your scar could open up like a zipper when in the water so that would not be possible.

QUESTION

Dear Midwife,
I am about 2 1/2 months pregnant. I was wondering if it is still okay to have sex while you are at this stage of pregnancy? I have another question, too. During labor and delivery, can you have an epidural and still deliver in a tub of water?

Epidural anesthesia is the most popular means for pain relief during labor. In fact, more women ask for an epidural by name than any other method of pain relief. The possible benefits and potential risks of an epidural are explained in this article so you can decide if this option is right for you.

What most expectant parent don't realize is that they truly are in charge of their baby's birthing. They get to choose the way the labor and birth go, as well as their baby's care after birth. It is no different than any other service that you pay for, except that it is much more important.

The word doula is a Greek word that means "Women's Servant." Women have been serving other women in childbirth for centuries and have proven that this support from another woman has positive effects on the labor process. When a doula was present, women were less likely to have pain relief medications administered, less likely to have a cesarean birth, and reported having a more positive childbirth experience.