Pregnancy

Giving birth

What are the signs of labour? What’s a c-section like? And what if your home birth doesn’t go to plan? Learn what you need to know about giving birth

After the birth of my daughter, I wanted a delivery-room do-over

After the birth of my daughter, I wanted a delivery-room do-over

My first birth was a sh*tshow that left me shell-shocked. When I got pregnant with my second baby, I was looking for redemption.

Heather Cleland

Do all nurses act this way when you refuse an epidural?

Do all nurses act this way when you refuse an epidural?

I have no regrets about my decision to forgo pain medication. I only wish I had been better prepared for how that decision would affect my care.

Lorraine Allen

Dear Doug Ford, this is why midwives matter

Dear Doug Ford, this is why midwives matter

What do funding cuts to the College of Midwives of Ontario mean for women who may want to deliver their babies with a midwife?

Glynis Ratcliffe

I kind of wish I’d gotten the epidural—both times I gave birth

I kind of wish I’d gotten the epidural—both times I gave birth

I know I should feel lucky, but so-called “natural,” drug-free birth wasn’t the blissful experience I expected. Would an epidural have made a difference?

Kate Daley

I tore my clitoris giving birth

I tore my clitoris giving birth

“I remember looking at her and thinking, what?! I didn’t know you could tear that.”

Today's Parent

I felt judged for having drug-free births

I felt judged for having drug-free births

My “alternative” birth stories aren’t unique. So why do I feel pressured to defend my unmedicated deliveries from other moms?

Sophie Nicholls Jones

I wanted to hold my babies—but I couldn't. So I made milk

I wanted to hold my babies—but I couldn't. So I made milk

"After an hour of pushing, a couple dozen contractions, and it was all over. I was the mother of two tiny pink girls, each weighing the equivalent of a couple cans of soup."

Lisa Gregoire

Why did no one tell me that epidurals don't always work?

Why did no one tell me that epidurals don't always work?

My birth plan included an epidural. But after two tries, it didn’t work and I went through 18 hours of excruciating labour and an episiotomy without one.

Jaimie Seaton

Confession: I’m terrified of giving birth

Confession: I’m terrified of giving birth

The blood, the pain, the unknown. I am really not sure I can do this whole giving birth to a baby thing.

Alyssa Ashton

Unfortunately this is the time of day you're most likely to give birth

Unfortunately this is the time of day you're most likely to give birth

A study found that most babies are born at this totally inconvenient time of day, so chances are you're not gonna like this.

Kevin John Siazon

Want a C-section? Your doctor should offer information, not judgment

Want a C-section? Your doctor should offer information, not judgment

If you're interested in choosing a planned C-section, your doctor should talk to you about the risks and benefits, and respect your right to decide.

Jill Buchner

Look! Even celebrity home births are total chaos

Look! Even celebrity home births are total chaos

Being a celebrity means your life is never messy, right?

Kevin John Siazon

A new study says injuries from forceps deliveries are on the rise

A new study says injuries from forceps deliveries are on the rise

As healthcare providers try to limit C-sections, operative vaginal births are becoming more common. But with forceps comes the risk of injury for moms.

Jill Buchner

Why vaginal seeding won't help babies born by C-section

Why vaginal seeding won't help babies born by C-section

The practice of smearing vaginal fluids on a baby just after birth might not solve the real problem behind Caesarean-born babies' imbalanced microbiomes.

Jill Buchner

This baby was born twice—yep, you read that correctly

This baby was born twice—yep, you read that correctly

And yes, his mom says they'll be celebrating both birthdays.

Kevin John Siazon

What to expect if you test GBS positive

What to expect if you test GBS positive

During pregnancy, your OB or midwife will discuss Group B streptococcus (GBS) screening with you. Here’s what you need to know if you're GBS positive.

Antonia Whyatt

7 ways to turn a breech baby

7 ways to turn a breech baby

You just found out your baby’s in the breech position and you’re panicking. Before you search the internet for “how to turn a breech baby,” read this.

Ariel Brewster

Giving birth: The four stages of labour

Giving birth: The four stages of labour

With your new baby on his way, you're probably wondering what to expect when you go into labour. From start to finish, here are the four stages of labour.

Jessica Leeder

How Indigenous midwives are bringing birthing back home

How Indigenous midwives are bringing birthing back home

Many Indigenous women have to travel thousands of kilometres away from home to give birth. These midwives are changing that.

Diana Duong

What you need to know before getting an epidural

What you need to know before getting an epidural

Learn about the benefits and complications involved in having an epidural. Here's everything you need to know about this popular labour pain relief option.

Karen Robock