3rd Trimester (weeks 28-40)

You have choices when it comes to birthing your baby—consider the options and decide what’s best for you! As soon as you become pregnant (or…

You may have heard that an episiotomy is a possibility with a vaginal birth—but what exactly is it? And is it necessary? An episiotomy is…

Childbirth classes are essential when preparing for baby—explore your options with your partner to decide which type of class is right for you. The months…

Are you having a pregnancy emergency? Is birth imminent? There are many reasons your healthcare provider may send you to the hospital birth unit for…

A trial of labor after a previous cesarean can, in the right circumstances, bring the benefits of waiting for labor and vaginal birth for both…

You’re not imagining it—your ankles are swelling. And maybe your hands are too. More than 70 percent of pregnant women experience this (edema) in pregnancy. So,…

Do you count kicks to know your baby? Taking time each day to check in with your baby, assess his or her movements, and simply…

Do you know how marijuana can affect your pregnancy and your baby? Marijuana (cannabis) is the most commonly used substance in pregnancy, according to the…

Experts agree that the best way to have the pregnancy and birth that you envision is to begin with a qualified healthcare provider who shares…

Can pregnancy be a window into your future health? ‘Yes,’ say experts at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), who are asking for healthcare providers…

Your pregnant friend tells you she’s doing daily fetal kick counts, and now you’re wondering if you should too. The answer is: Why not? How…

To meet actress, neuroscientist, wife and mother of two sons, Mayim Bialik, is to run head-long into a whole lot of opinions on natural birth,…

Ask someone their opinion about pain management in childbirth and you might get some heated responses. Particularly if you’re an advocate for natural childbirth and…

As a doula—a labor support person—Penny Simkin, PT, has helped more than 11,000 couples prepare for childbirth in more than 43 years of practice. As…

As your pregnancy progresses, your prenatal care provider may advise on checking your cervical length, particularly if you’ve ever had a later miscarriage (post-first trimester)…

I tell many pregnant moms that completing a term pregnancy (40 weeks) is like being a marathon runner. Giving birth requires endurance, perseverance, and dogged…