birth

What Is A Traumatic Birth And What Do I Do If I Had One?

What Is A Traumatic Birth And What Do I Do If I Had One?

When your baby’s arrival doesn’t go as planned, it can be hard to cope. Here’s what you need to know.

Stefanie Peachey

I Didn’t Know My C-Section Incision Was Infected– Here’s Why

Postpartum care

I Didn’t Know My C-Section Incision Was Infected– Here’s Why

An expert weighs in on everything you need to know about C-section infection.

Lisa Zeltzer

What is Quickening in Pregnancy?

What is Quickening in Pregnancy?

Your baby’s flutters are an exciting time. But for some quickening in pregnancy could trigger anxious feelings.

Candace Powell

I wanted a natural birth, but nothing about it felt natural to me

I wanted a natural birth, but nothing about it felt natural to me

Even though my natural birth plan turning C-section was not what I hoped for, everything ended up okay.

Lisa Zeltzer

VBACs aren’t as risky as you might think

VBACs aren’t as risky as you might think

Though VBACs have been on the decline, there's evidence that they can lead to better outcomes for mom and baby. Here's what you need to know.

Vanessa Milne

6 prenatal and postnatal procedures that are actually optional

6 prenatal and postnatal procedures that are actually optional

First-time parents may be surprised to find out that they can opt out of some common prenatal and postnatal interventions. Here's what experts recommend.

Wendy Haaf

This woman found out she was pregnant—while giving birth on a flight to Hawaii

This woman found out she was pregnant—while giving birth on a flight to Hawaii

Arisa Valyear

These Are What the Stages of Labour Are REALLY Like, According to Two Doulas Who've Seen it All

These Are What the Stages of Labour Are REALLY Like, According to Two Doulas Who've Seen it All

From the very first contractions to the five (yes, five!) different stages of pushing, this is what you can expect as your labour progresses.

Natalia Hailes

Birth alerts are discriminatory and need to stop

Birth alerts are discriminatory and need to stop

British Columbia has put an end to birth alerts, which can lead to traumatic child apprehensions soon after delivery, many from Indigenous families.

Mary Malebranche, University of Calgary

Giving birth on your babymoon is the worst-case scenario—and it happened to me

Giving birth on your babymoon is the worst-case scenario—and it happened to me

Planning to travel during your pregnancy? I gave birth while on my babymoon in another country—and it was a medical and logistical nightmare.

Kelly Shaw

This new celeb mom had a 33-hour labour—and her candid birth video is everything

This new celeb mom had a 33-hour labour—and her candid birth video is everything

Shay Mitchell had her baby! And the video of her 33-hour labour showed fans how intense giving birth really is.

Katherine Singh, FLARE

These photos of a pregnant trans man giving birth are so powerful

These photos of a pregnant trans man giving birth are so powerful

We're so glad this pregnant dad—the birth father—shared these beautiful images taken during the labour and delivery of his daughter.

Kevin John Siazon

I didn’t want my husband in the delivery room

I didn’t want my husband in the delivery room

Two generations ago, birth was left to the mother-to-be. Now, partners are pressured to be essential guides in the process, but that may not be the best thing for all couples.

Kelly Burch

My birth wasn’t considered traumatic, and yet I’m still struggling

My birth wasn’t considered traumatic, and yet I’m still struggling

I had a healthy baby girl. What more could I ask for? But months later, I still felt distressed by the experience of giving birth.

Risa Kerslake

This mom gave birth in the car and her 10-year-old son's video went viral

This mom gave birth in the car and her 10-year-old son's video went viral

The supermom managed to keep her cool as she delivered her own baby in the car, with two other kids crying in the back and a third playing videographer!

Natalie Harmsen

Are you a good candidate for having a home birth?

Are you a good candidate for having a home birth?

If you’re having a healthy, low-risk pregnancy, you could choose a home birth instead of delivering your baby at a hospital.

Jen Cutts

What you need to know before your membrane sweep

What you need to know before your membrane sweep

The stretch and sweep, or membrane sweep, done late in pregnancy can help you go into labour sooner. Here’s what you’ll want to know before you get it done.

Colleen Fisher Tully

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 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