Childbirth Overview

As you enter the last three months of pregnancy, you may spend a lot of time thinking about the upcoming birth. Your large size and your baby's movements are constant reminders you will become a mother soon. You might be apprehensive about the birth and unsure of what to expect. Fortunately for you, countless mothers have gone through the very same process, and, while every birth is different, there are some basic elements they all have in common. In this article, we will cover the various aspects of childbirth, including:

Physical Changes Before Labor

In the final stages of pregnancy, the physical changes you experience will increase. Your body's behavior may be so different that it is difficult to distinguish when the actual labor process is beginning. We'll start by showing you which symptoms are and are not part of labor.


What Is Labor?

Every labor is a unique experience, and even women who have given birth before might not fully understand what is happening to their bodies. The right time to go to the hospital usually will depend on factors unique to your pregnancy, such as high blood pressure or other complications. We tell you some common symptoms and what they mean.


The First Stage of Labor

The first stage lasts the longest, from several hours to over a day. During this time, the cervix dilates completely so that the baby can come out. In fact, your entire body and mind will focus on the task of pushing the baby down the birth canal. On this page, you learn what you can and cannot control during this time.


The Second Stage of Labor

This is the moment you've been waiting for -- your baby is here! This part can be painful, but the power of becoming a mother pulls women through it. After all, this is what everything that has happened in the last nine months has led to. We tell you step-by-step what will happen in this stage.


The Third and Fourth Stages of Labor

Your baby is here, but your labor isn't quite complete. During the last stages you will expel the placenta and your doctor will take important steps for your well-being. While these stages may sound daunting, most new mothers find them to be much less unpleasant than they were expecting. On this page, you find out what happens immediately after birth.