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.

We had our baby on September 8th. Events are as follows, pay attention because it went kinda fast. I wake up feeling pressure waves. Go to the bathroom and lay in bed for 20-30 minutes more to make sure they are not just feelings of having a big belly.

Much to my surprise, my waters broke at 6:00 am, approximately 12 days before my son's "official" expected date of arrival. There was water, but not much else in the way of birthing waves for most of that day.

An Episiotomy is a surgical incision in the perineum (the area of skin between the vagina and the anus). It is the equivalent to a 2nd degree tear. Episiotomies are said to speed up the birth by up to 20 minutes.

Following the vaginal birth of your baby, you are probably in awe of that precious little one. After months of feeling as if you were sporting a monster truck tire on your belly -- that deflated stomach doesn't seem that bad. Tired, maybe even exhausted after the birthing experience, you still feel euphoric.