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

How do I know if I’m having real contractions or false labour?

How do I know if I’m having real contractions or false labour?

So you’re starting to have some contractions. But is it the real deal or just Braxton Hicks? Here’s how to know if you’re in true labour.

Erin Phelan

Preemie care now in the hands of parents

Preemie care now in the hands of parents

A unique approach to preemie care, pioneered by a Toronto doctor, puts the care of the smallest babies in the hands of their parents.

Sarah Liss

What to pack in your hospital bag

What to pack in your hospital bag

Your due date is fast approaching, which means it's time to pack your hospital bag. We have a handy list of everything you need.

Today's Parent

Can you hypnotize yourself to a pain-free birth?

Can you hypnotize yourself to a pain-free birth?

Babe, you’ve got the power. What power? The power of voodoo. Who do? You do. Here’s how my hypnobirth went—and why it doesn't always work for some women.

Lauren Ferranti-Ballem

Want a smoother delivery? Try this labour position

Want a smoother delivery? Try this labour position

For first-time mothers on a low-dose epidural, lying down during labour results in less need for intervention, study shows.

Today's Parent

Involution: How to deal with postpartum afterpains

Involution: How to deal with postpartum afterpains

Recovering from childbirth is no joke. Afterpains—also known as involution—can be particularly brutal. Here's how to help your body heal.

Antonia Whyatt

What I wish I knew about post-dural puncture headaches before I got an epidural

What I wish I knew about post-dural puncture headaches before I got an epidural

A puncture caused by the epidural needle left me with a debilitating headache for two weeks after giving birth. Here's what I wish I knew before.

Julia Seidl

The complete guide to pain management during labour

The complete guide to pain management during labour

Have no fear— our guide to pain management during labour details options from narcotics to acupuncture to help you make informed decisions for delivery day.

Kalli Anderson

10 ways to make your labour and delivery easier (yes, it's possible)

10 ways to make your labour and delivery easier (yes, it's possible)

We won't lie: Giving birth hurts—a lot. But there are some things you can do before the contractions start to make labour go a bit smoother.

Lisa van de Geyn

"I'm so tired!" 8 things not to say to a woman in labour

"I'm so tired!" 8 things not to say to a woman in labour

A woman in labour does not need to hear about your painful sliver or how bored you are waiting for this baby to come out.

Today's Parent

Jessi Cruickshank: I have to share my shameful thoughts in hopes that other moms can relate

Jessi Cruickshank: I have to share my shameful thoughts in hopes that other moms can relate

"In hopes of hearing from other moms who may have had similarly shameful thoughts to mine, I’ve decided to share them right here."

Jessi Cruickshank

What your baby is like at birth

What your baby is like at birth

Dramatic and amazing changes occur inside your newborn's body right after delivery. Learn more about what's going on with your baby at birth.

Teresa Pitman

You want me to what? Six things you should know about having multiples

You want me to what? Six things you should know about having multiples

Are epidurals mandatory, can I have a home birth and other burning questions you'll have when you're pregnant with twins.

Tenille Bonoguore

I was a crazy cat lady—until I had a baby

I was a crazy cat lady—until I had a baby

From my bed to my bowl of ice cream, I used to share everything with my darling cat. But then my son arrived.

Natalie Stechyson

How to turn a breech baby

How to turn a breech baby

You just found out your baby might be breech and you’re freaking out. Before you try every crazy tip you find on the Internet, read this.

Ariel Brewster

What happens when your cervix dilates

What happens when your cervix dilates

Are you wondering how that big baby is going to come out of a very small hole? It all comes down to your cervix—and some serious pushing.

Today's Parent

My hole! Moms describe childbirth in one GIF

My hole! Moms describe childbirth in one GIF

We asked moms to describe their birth story in one single GIF—and the results were hilarious.

Today's Parent

Why many Northern Indigenous women are still relocated to deliver their babies

Why many Northern Indigenous women are still relocated to deliver their babies

Each year, more than 40,000 Canadian women from remote and rural communities must travel south to give birth—and they're often alone.

Bonnie Schiedel

PHOTOS: Midwives at work around the world

PHOTOS: Midwives at work around the world

This stunning photo series shows midwives at work all around the globe, delivering babies and dealing with a range of delivery-room conditions.

Kelsey Miki

A vacuum or forceps delivery could be riskier than a C-section for mom and baby

A vacuum or forceps delivery could be riskier than a C-section for mom and baby

A large study finds forceps and vacuum deliveries can lead to more physical trauma for a mother and baby than a C-section would.

Alex Mlynek