Labor

  • Dad Doesn't Want to Be In The Delivery Room

    QUESTION

    Dear Mr. Dad,
    My wife is going to have a baby next week and I really don't want to be there for the birth -- I just don't think I can handle all the blood. I know I should tell my wife but I'm afraid I'm going hurt her feelings. Is there a nice way to break it to her?

  • Wonderful Dream Experience!

    QUESTION

    Dear Ms Ultrasound,
    After 20 years of friendship my friend Leona honored me with a request to be in the delivery room for the birth of her second child. While she and her husband decided to find out the sex of their first-born, (a son), they decided against finding out the sex of their second.

    When Leona was about 24 weeks along, I received the good news that I, too, was expecting my second.

    Time passed and soon it was close to Leona's due date and I was anxiously awaiting the call to come for the birth.

  • Jump Starting Labor and Pregnancy Rumors

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    I have two questions for you. First, I am wondering if there is anything you can take safely to help start labor. I have had four children so far and have had to be induced every time, at least a week late and up to past two weeks late. One of my babies was over 9 pounds so now we usually start a little earlier. I would love to go into labor on my own, but since I have had no luck doing this, I am willing to be induced, especially if it means having a smaller baby. Any ideas on how to start labor on my own?

  • 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?

    I want to know what it feels like when your water breaks and you start getting contractions. At 37 weeks my doctor told me that I am 1 cm dilated and she asked if I felt any contractions. I feel lots of different things and I dont know what contractions are like since this my 1st pregnancy. I really appreciate all your time and help.

    Thank you.
    T. Patel

  • Question About Dialation Process

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    Hello. I went in to the hospital last week because I was having false labor. When I was there they said I was dilated to 1 1/2 and I was thinning. Then on Tuesday of this week I went back to the hospital again because of false labor. I was 2 then and still thinning. I went yesterday for my weekly check up w/ my doctor and she said the same thing. Now this morning I went in because I was leaking a fluid and it wasn't discharge. The nurse told me I was at a zero. Is it possible to reverse dilation?

  • 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.

    I am 35 week pregnant and was told at my last appointment that I am 1 cm dilated and my cervix is soft. What does this mean and does this mean I could go into labor anytime? They told me to rest and at 36 week I can stop bed rest.

    Also I am carrying very low and seem to be contracting all the time but they do not hurt. My stomach just gets super hard all the time.

  • Please Help

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    Hi there, I'm am writing to you as I need your help. I am 21 years of age and have a little girl who is 3 and a half. I am currently pregnant with my second baby and am around ten weeks.

  • 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?

  • "Being Dad" DVD

    • "Being Dad" DVD
    Rating: 
    5
    Product Link: 
    "Being Dad" DVD

    The "Being Dad" DVD is the perfect gift (even to yourself!) for all expectant parents. Dads-to-be will appreciate hearing the truth from those with been there, done that experience! Moms-to-be will find it a terrific way to engage their partners in their pregnancy with humor, candor, and a refreshing frankness sure to capture their attention.

    An additional benefit? Expectant mothers can get a glimpse into what their partner may be thinking. He isn't an insensitive clout after all!

  • Positive Self-Image: Preparing for Birth

    A woman who feels good about herself will celebrate the changes that her body experiences during pregnancy, look forward to the challenge of giving birth, and willingly accept the physical and emotional changes of the postpartum period.

  • Crowning

    During pushing and delivery, your baby's head will begin to make an appearance through your vaginal opening with each contraction. When your baby's head remains visible and does not slip back in, it is known as crowning.

  • Hypnobirth Tip #5: Laboring at Home

    Consider staying home for most of your labor, allowing yourself the comfort of your familiar surroundings. You will be able to employ your hypnosis techniques much better in your own, quiet surroundings, and as long as there are no danger signs...

  • Birthing Positions

    Want to know what positions you can birth in? Read and find out!

  • 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?

  • 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.

    I am 35 week pregnant and was told at my last appointment that I am 1 cm dilated and my cervix is soft. What does this mean and does this mean I could go into labor anytime? They told me to rest and at 36 week I can stop bed rest.

    Also I am carrying very low and seem to be contracting all the time but they do not hurt. My stomach just gets super hard all the time.

  • 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 this process and what you can generally expect.

  • Is a Doula for Me?

    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

  • The Art and Science of Parenting from Conception through Infancy

    "From the journey down the birth canal to afternoons at the park, a child will register every experience in the circuitry of his or her brain. Whenever a mother strokes her baby, whenever a father plays with his daughter or son...

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