You've made it through nine(ish) months of pregnancy, and now the big day has arrived: Your baby's birthday! You might be eager to take on the stages of labor, or you may be nervous about what's to ...

The cervix dilates (opens) during the first stage of labor to prepare for the baby's birth. Cervical dilation is measured from 1 to 10 centimeters. You are ready to push and deliver when the cervix ...

In preparation for the birth of your baby, your cervix effaces (thins and stretches) and dilates (opens) so your baby can fit through the birth canal. This cervical ripening can begin days or even ...

There may be twists and turns as your labor unfolds. But knowing what you might encounter can help you navigate this exciting but potentially challenging experience. Credit...Shawna X Supported by By ...

After months of anticipation, your baby's due date is near. Here's what you can expect from the start of labor until the first days and weeks with your new baby. No one can predict with certainty when ...

Labor or childbirth can be described as a fetus and placenta delivered from the uterus via the vagina. Having a successful labor can be dependent on three factors, including maternal effort and ...

Under normal conditions, a mother is pregnant for about 38 weeks before entering labor, the process of delivering her baby. As labor begins, the mother's body produces large quantities of the hormone ...

Delivering a baby is hard work. Aptly named labor, the process before childbirth can be physically and emotionally taxing — and even painful. While no two patients experience labor and delivery ...

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