Share
Home ›

contractions

  • Looking Ahead: Signs and Symptoms of Labor

    Even though you've been anticipating the birth of your baby for several months, it may be difficult to tell when labor actually begins. People say, "you'll just know," but that's hardly reassuring. In fact you might feel like rolling your eyes! You will need to interpret your body's changes as labor approaches. Although every woman's pregnancy is unique there are a number of signals your body is gearing up for labor.

  • Questions to Ask Your Doctor About: Braxton Hicks Contractions

    What kinds of questions should you ask your doctor about Braxton Hicks Contractions? We have some for you!

  • The Onset of Labor

    The birth of your child is nothing less than an extraordinary feat of nature that involves an intricate sequence of events. Every pregnancy is different, and every childbirth is different. Yet most follow the same prescribed path of what physically unfolds in the body.

  • Birthing Begins In The Brain

    There are three important hormone groups for birthing: endorphins (the pleasure hormones), oxytocin (the love hormone), and prolactin (the mothering hormone). The trick to having a more comfortable birth is, first, understanding what triggers their release and, second, being able to control when they are released and in what quantities.

  • Consistent Contractions at 37 Weeks

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    I am 37 weeks and have been having consistent contractions for the past 4 days. They typically are 15-20 minutes apart, but some have been as close as 5-7. They do not go away or slow down no matter what I am doing.

    I'm wondering if I should call my doctor and how long I can expect this part to go on. I am even waking up every 45-60 minutes at night with them. Can I do anything to get things going quicker? My nerves are shot! HELP!!

  • How Long Can Labor Be With a 2nd Pregnancy?

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    Hello, I am only 7 weeks pregnant as of now but this is my second child. I was wondering if the labor time will be less than with my first pregnancy.

  • What Is a Mucus Plug?

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    I am 38 weeks pregnant. People have been asking me if my mucus plug broke, but I don't know what that is. Could you please explain?

  • Starting Dilation, How Far Away Is Labor?

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    I have tried to ask my doctor some questions but it always seem as if they are too busy to answer them and I was hoping you could help me.

  • Single Severe Contraction-like Pain

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    This is my second pregnancy. Last night around 5:30 I had this wicked pain. It was such a bad pain that I was over my chair swaying back and forth waiting for husband to walk in the door and bring me to the hospital. It felt like a contraction but it lasted way to long for it to be a contraction. I thought contractions only last 1-7 minutes, but I guess I can be wrong.

  • Is It Okay to Use Blue Cohosh? Follow up

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    Oh, I am at 37 weeks now. I haven't gone against advice and have been on terbutaline for 10 weeks, now not taking it any longer. I have been having contractions 10-15 minutes apart for a week now and no one will do anything to help me out, so I was thinking of trying blue cohosh now that I'm at this point. Would it still be a bad idea?

  • How Long Can Labor Be With a 2nd Pregnancy?

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    Hello, I am only 7 weeks pregnant as of now but this is my second child. I was wondering if the labor time will be less than with my first pregnancy.

  • A Natural, Unmedicated, Midwife-Assisted Birth

    This is the story of the day in my life of which I am most proud -- the day my daughter Fionna Rylee was born. Fionna is my first child. It was two days before my due date and I was not expecting to go into labor.

  • Non-stress Test: Monitoring Your Baby's Well-Being

    Due to special situations like high blood pressure, premature rupture of membranes, twins or triplets, your provider may decide to order a non-stress test (NST). An NST monitors a baby's health by showing his/her baseline heart rate and also any increases in the heart rate due to movement. It's an easy, painless, non-invasive test that allows your providers to monitor baby's well being in the womb.

  • Robinna's Home Birth Story

    We had had a couple of false alarms; the most recent on the Sunday before with 6 hours of contractions 5 minutes apart that ultimately just stopped.

  • Six Signs that Labor is Within a Few Weeks or Days

    Probably every woman who tells you about her labor experience, tells you a different story. Your delivery will be just as unique. However, the following information will prepare you for when "Labor Day" is just around the corner.

  • Braxton Hicks

    Braxton Hicks contractions -- you may have heard this funny phrase before you were pregnant, but now you really want to know what it means. How can you tell them from real labor?

  • Stages of Childbirth

    Going through the birth of your child is a wonderful and unique experience. No two deliveries are alike and there is no way to tell how your delivery is going to be. What we can tell you is the stages you will go through during the birthing process and what you can generally expect.

  • The Marie Chronicles -- Entry 14

    Update: Marie had her twins! As we wait for the birth story, here is the happy news! Heather was born at 4:18 p.m., weighing 3 pounds, 12 ounces, and is 16 1/2 inches long, with apgars of 8 and 9. Hannah was born at 4:19 pm, weighing in at 4 pounds even, and is 16 1/4 inches long with apgars of 8 and 9.

  • Looking ahead: Labor and Delivery

    What happens when you arrive at the hospital? How long will labor last? What can I expect after baby is born? Knowing what to expect when it comes time for labor and delivery can help ease any anxiety you may have about the birth process, especially if this is your first baby. Reviewing these facts will help, as taking advantage of childbirth classes.

  • Tristine's Triumph -- Entry 34

    Since I had those early contractions, I have been taking it easy. My whole belly has been sore to touch but the discomfort has eased up a bit.