Childbirth

When you are ready to have your baby, you'll go through labor. Contractions let you know labor is starting. When contractions are five minutes apart, your body is ready to push the baby out. During the first stage of labor, your cervix slowly opens, or dilates, to about 4 inches wide. At the same time, it becomes thinner. This is called effacement. You shouldn't push until your uterus is fully effaced and dilated. When it is, the baby delivery stage starts. Crowning is when your baby's scalp comes into view. Shortly afterward, your baby is born. The placenta that nourished the baby follows.

Overview

Feature Articles

Latest Childbirth News and Research

Study examines impact of birthing positions on maternal satisfaction

Study examines impact of birthing positions on maternal satisfaction

Concussion history identified as key risk factor for maternal mental illness

Concussion history identified as key risk factor for maternal mental illness

Study reveals gaps in interconception care for Australian mothers

Study reveals gaps in interconception care for Australian mothers

KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': The campaign's final days

KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': The campaign's final days

Enhancing social support through non-traditional sources may help mothers with opioid use disorder

Enhancing social support through non-traditional sources may help mothers with opioid use disorder

The hidden effects of opioid use on the endocrine system

The hidden effects of opioid use on the endocrine system

Voters fret high medical bills are being ignored by presidential rivals

Voters fret high medical bills are being ignored by presidential rivals

Exploring the role of gut microbes in the aging process

Exploring the role of gut microbes in the aging process

Fear of childbirth may affect duration of breastfeeding

Fear of childbirth may affect duration of breastfeeding

Research highlights impact of body weight on pregnancy outcomes

Research highlights impact of body weight on pregnancy outcomes

Vance-Walz debate highlighted clear health policy differences

Vance-Walz debate highlighted clear health policy differences

Discovery of cyclotide from violets enhances glioblastoma chemotherapy

Discovery of cyclotide from violets enhances glioblastoma chemotherapy

Family physicians in rural hospitals and their impact on cesarean delivery rates

Family physicians in rural hospitals and their impact on cesarean delivery rates

Simple intervention can prevent lifelong disability in premature babies

Simple intervention can prevent lifelong disability in premature babies

Investigating risks of postpartum hemorrhage treatment on future pregnancies

Investigating risks of postpartum hemorrhage treatment on future pregnancies

Casual blood glucose test misses majority of gestational diabetes cases

Casual blood glucose test misses majority of gestational diabetes cases

Newly discovered mechanism could revolutionize infertility care by promoting embryo implantation

Newly discovered mechanism could revolutionize infertility care by promoting embryo implantation

Research reveals only a few brain regions remain untouched by transition to motherhood

Research reveals only a few brain regions remain untouched by transition to motherhood

Study reveals key bacteria for developing personalized probiotics for newborns

Study reveals key bacteria for developing personalized probiotics for newborns

Errors in Deloitte-run Medicaid systems can cost millions and take years to fix

Errors in Deloitte-run Medicaid systems can cost millions and take years to fix

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