Labour and delivery

Your pregnancy: 40 weeks

Pregnancy by week

Your pregnancy: 40 weeks

It's go time! At 40 weeks, you'll be prepping to give birth at any time now.

Today's Parent

Your pregnancy: 41 weeks

Pregnancy by week

Your pregnancy: 41 weeks

At 41 weeks, your baby’s eyebrows, eyelashes and fingernails are all in place, and his organs are developed to sustain him in the “real world."

Today's Parent

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

5 things I learned while on bedrest

Pregnancy health

5 things I learned while on bedrest

I figured I could gorge myself on my favourite things: sleep, books and Netflix. It sounded pretty good. Spoiler: It wasn’t good.

Laura Cappadocia

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

How to prevent tearing during delivery

How to prevent tearing during delivery

It’s pretty common to experience perineal tearing while in labour. Here’s what you can do to reduce your risk or help it heal.

Karen Robock

8 old wives' tales for starting labour

8 old wives' tales for starting labour

You're overdue, uncomfortable and just want that baby out! Here are some natural ways to induce labour that moms swear by.

Today's Parent

What you need to know about placenta encapsulation

What you need to know about placenta encapsulation

More and more moms are paying for placenta encapsulation. Yep—they're eating their dehydrated placentas. Should you?

Trisha Estabrooks

My planned C-section

My planned C-section

Today's Parent deputy editor Leah Rumack shares her experience with a planned C-section — including an unexpected complication.

Leah Rumack

13 things you should never say to a mom who had a C-section

13 things you should never say to a mom who had a C-section

“All that matters is you had a healthy baby.” Uh, no.

Kristen Thompson

Pregnant woman hilariously spoofs April the Giraffe and you need to watch it

Pregnant woman hilariously spoofs April the Giraffe and you need to watch it

Attention April the Giraffe lovers: drop everything and watch this hilarious labour spoof.

Amy Valm

8 thoughtful gifts for labour and delivery nurses

8 thoughtful gifts for labour and delivery nurses

Give an extra thanks with one of these gifts for labour and delivery nurses.

Emily Rivas

#ThisIsMyLife: 8 things NOT to say to a woman in labour

#ThisIsMyLife: 8 things NOT to say to a woman in labour

Stop talking. Please, just stop.

Leah Rumack

New guidelines encourage fewer medical interventions in low-risk pregnancies

New guidelines encourage fewer medical interventions in low-risk pregnancies

New U.S. guidelines advise doctors to avoid early hospital admittance and unnecessary medical interventions for women with low-risk pregnancies.

Jill Buchner

How to relieve Braxton-Hicks contractions

How to relieve Braxton-Hicks contractions

Are you experiencing painful "practice" contractions? Read on for helpful tips on easing Braxton-Hicks contractions at home.

Today's Parent

This mom photographed herself giving birth—and the results are amazing

This mom photographed herself giving birth—and the results are amazing

Lauren Chenault decided to photograph her own son’s birth and we're blown away with the results.

Juliana Bannon

Why the cervix is so important during pregnancy

Why the cervix is so important during pregnancy

At your cervix: this body part is a key player during pregnancy and childbirth.

Bonnie Schiedel

What to expect if you have a late preterm baby

What to expect if you have a late preterm baby

If your baby is born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation, he or she is considered "late preterm." Here's what to expect in the weeks ahead.

Alicia Mcauley

Push Presents: 10 Gifts for New Moms

Push Presents: 10 Gifts for New Moms

We know the biggest gift for any new mom is her baby. But unlike labour, a congratulatory "push" present never hurts. Here are 10 gift ideas for a new mom.

Amy Valm

Don’t cut the cord too soon! Experts say that a brief pause after birth benefits most newborns

Don’t cut the cord too soon! Experts say that a brief pause after birth benefits most newborns

Waiting 30 seconds to a minute after birth to cut the umbilical cord helps gives newborns an extra surge of oxygen-rich blood.

Lauran Neergaard, The Associated Press

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