Birth

Tips

Giving birth is a profound and transformative moment in a person’s life. We want you to feel ready and knowledgeable for your labor and baby’s debut! Here you can explore expert advice on topics like vaginal unmedicated and medicated births, C-section births, home births, birth center births, and adoption. Read inspiring birth stories, helpful tips, and checklists that can support you through this life-changing journey.

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A person's bare foot protrudes from under a white sheet while resting in a cushioned footrest attached to a medical examination table in a clinical setting, poised for a cervical check.

What the Numbers Mean When You Get a Cervical Check

Find out what effacement, dilation, and station are and the importance of each when you're getting a cervical check.

Birth Tips
A pregnant woman sits comfortably on a gray couch, holding a smartphone in her right hand and resting her left hand on her belly, perhaps timing labor contractions. She is wearing a pink shirt and a denim jacket with a floral blanket draped over the couch.

Review of 5 User-Friendly Labor Contraction Apps
Birth Tips
A person sits cross-legged on green grass, wearing a white tank top and gray pants. They place both hands on their pregnant belly, possibly focusing on how to induce labor naturally. Rocks and plants are visible in the background.

12 Ways To Naturally Induce Labor
Birth Tips
A close-up view of a person's hand resting on a blanket in a hospital bed. The hand has an IV inserted, secure with tape, highlighting the subtle difference between hep lock vs saline lock. The person is wearing a blue hospital gown, and the scene takes place within a hospital room.

The Difference Between a Hep Lock vs. Saline Lock vs. IV
Medicated
A pregnant person sits cross-legged on the floor, wearing a light blue tank top and gray leggings. They hold a book and a pen in their hands, one resting on their belly as they start to create a birth plan. The background features a sofa and a carpeted floor.

How To Create YOUR Perfect Birth Plan (Includes Templates!)
Birth Tips

What to buy

A stethoscope rests on a yellow knitted fabric beside a brown paper-wrapped gift box tied with a yellow ribbon. The objects are arranged closely, suggesting a theme that might be related to gifts for labor delivery nurses or celebrating the dedication of medical professionals.

10 Thank You Gifts to Give Your Nurses in Labor and Delivery

 Guides
A stack of pregnancy books and parenting guides on a dark wooden table. Titles include "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth," "Birthing from Within," "Pushed," "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth," "Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn," and "Mindful Birthing.

The Best Pregnancy and Birth Books

 Pregnancy Guides
A person in a blue and white striped dress holds their pregnant belly with one hand and a brown checkered handbag, packed with essential hospital bag items, with the other. The background features a walkway and green lawn with columns in view.

8 Must-Have Labor Induction Hospital Bag Items

 Guides
Close-up of a pregnant woman's belly. She is wearing a light blue delivery gown and cradling her belly with both hands. She stands near a sheer curtain, with soft natural light coming through. The setting appears calm and serene.

What To Wear at a Hospital Birth

 Guides
A pregnant woman in a magenta shirt is looking at a catalog labeled "ESSENTIAL SINGLES" on a table. Next to her, there is an aroma diffuser, a box of essential oils for labor, and other booklets. She rests one hand on her belly and holds the catalog with the other.

Top 10 Essential Oils for Labor and Delivery

 Guides
A pregnant person wearing a red top and black pants is sitting on a bed, packing baby clothes into their hospital bag. They are sorting through a stack of small garments and holding a piece of baby clothing in one hand, meticulously following the hospital bag checklist.

The ULTIMATE Hospital Bag Checklist

 Birth Tips
A table displays a stack of books, a hypnobirthing guide, an EPI-NO device, Earth Mama tea, various supplements and bottles, and a package of Dole dates alongside a small, colorful flower arrangement in the background—all essentials to help prepare your body for labor and birth.

Products To Help Prepare Your Body for Labor and Birth

 Guides
A collection of beauty and skincare products are displayed in front of a decorative bag with a lavender field design, reminiscent of the tranquility one might seek during a home birth. The setup includes various bottles, containers, and boxes. The background shows pillows with the words "MONSIEUR" and "MADAME.

Everything You Need for Your Home Birth

 Guides
A pregnant woman sits, cradled by another person behind her. The person's hands hold a pair of baby shoes near the woman's belly. With her white shirt and light-colored pants, she radiates anticipation as she mentally prepares the birth center bag for the special day ahead.

Checklist: What to Pack in Your Birth Center Bag

 Guides
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Related Podcast Episodes

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A black-and-white image of a newborn baby resting on their mother's chest after a safe birth. The mother lies in bed, looking up with a calm expression while holding the baby close under a blanket. The baby appears to be crying or making a facial expression. Ep 137
Birth Tips

Preparing for a Safe Birth & Healthy Baby With Gina Mundy
A pregnant woman in a black tank top and leggings stands between two beige sofas inside a bright living room. Holding her belly and looking downward with a neutral expression, she seems to be contemplating signs that labor is starting. The room is decorated with various cushions, a blanket, and visible furniture. Ep 134
Birth Tips

What Are the Signs That Labor is Starting?
A woman with a floral tattoo on her shoulder is holding a sleeping newborn baby against her chest. She is smiling slightly with her eyes closed, exuding the serene contentment often associated with an orgasmic birth. The scene conveys a sense of warmth and bonding. Ep 121
Unmedicated

What is Orgasmic Birth? The Best-Kept Birth Secret
A smiling woman with long blonde hair is seated at a wooden desk in an office. She is wearing a gray blazer over a blue top. Behind her, certificates and framed documents are hung on the wall, showcasing her expertise in pelvic floor health. A computer and anatomical model are on the desk. Ep 112
Postpartum Health

Pelvic Floor Health With Dr. Marcy: Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond
A pregnant woman is seated cross-legged on a yoga mat indoors, performing a seated twist to make childbirth easier. She is wearing a sports bra and leggings, and looking out of the window. Two beige armchairs and a wooden table with candles and plants are visible in the background. Ep 100
Pregnancy Fitness

The Pregnancy Workout That Can Make Childbirth Easier
A woman lying in a hospital bed smiles while holding a newborn baby wrapped in a blanket with a foot print pattern. The baby, wearing a tiny hat, rests against the woman's chest as she experiences the joy Henci Goer often describes in her writings on childbirth. Ep 99
Birth Tips

Taking Charge of Your Birth with Henci Goer
A close-up image of a placenta in a white tray, with a portion of the umbilical cord still attached. Blood and bodily fluids are visible in the tray. Surgical clamps are attached to the umbilical cord, posing questions on what to do with your placenta. The background is slightly blurred. Ep 68
Birth Tips

What To Do With Your Placenta After Giving Birth
A pregnant person in a hospital gown is sitting on a hospital bed in a patient room. They have an IV catheter in their hand and various medical equipment is visible, including an IV drip. The person appears to be in labor, focusing on their breathing, as they await the next stage of their hospital stay. Ep 57
Birth Tips

What to Expect When You Check Into the Hospital in Labor
A woman is lying in bed, smiling down at a newborn baby who is sleeping on her chest. The baby, wrapped in a blanket, appears to be resting comfortably. The background is out of focus, placing emphasis on the woman and the baby. Listening to a VBAC podcast nearby adds to their serene moment. Ep 56
Birth Tips

VBAC: Everything You Need to Know
A pregnant woman, mindful of birth during COVID, wears a face mask and blue gloves as she holds her belly. She stands against a plain white background, clad in a white tank top and dark pants. Ep 31
Birth Tips

Preparing for Birth During COVID-19
A woman with long brown hair lies in a hospital bed, wearing a hospital gown and resting with her eyes closed. She has a nasal cannula for oxygen and an IV line attached to her arm, as she undergoes labor induction. The room has medical equipment visible in the background. Ep 20
Birth Tips

What You Need to Know about Labor Induction
A person is sitting on a sofa with a notebook and pen in hand, jotting down notes, possibly listening to a birth plan podcast. They appear to be pregnant, with one hand resting on their belly. Next to them are a pair of baby shoes and an ultrasound image. The setting is cozy and relaxed. Ep 11
Birth Tips

How to Write a Birth Plan
A pregnant woman sits cross-legged outdoors in a sunlit field, meditating with eyes closed. She is wearing a white blouse, black pants, and a flower crown, with sunlight streaming through the trees behind her, peacefully listening to a birth podcast to prepare for labor. Ep 9
Birth Tips

How to Prepare Your Mind and Body for Childbirth
A mother lies in a hospital bed, smiling as she holds her newborn baby on her chest. The baby is wrapped in a towel and appears to be sleeping. The mother, wearing a patterned hospital gown, reflects the joy often discussed on the Healthier Birth Podcast. Medical equipment and supplies are seen in the background. Ep 5
Birth Tips

12 Tips for a Happier and Healthier Birth
A pregnant woman lying in a hospital bed, hooked up to monitoring equipment, appears to be thoughtfully looking to her left. She wears a hospital gown with sensors attached to her belly, likely for fetal monitoring. Perhaps she's reflecting on a recent episode of the Go to the Hospital in Labor podcast. Ep 1
Birth Tips

When to Go to the Hospital in Labor as a First Time Mom
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More from Birth

A pregnant woman lies on a hospital bed, covering her face with her hand. A medical professional in a purple uniform examines her abdomen with a device, while another person in white assists. The setting appears to be a labor and delivery room where the labor has stalled out.

Why Is This Taking So Long? When Labor Stalls Out
Birth Tips
A black-and-white image of a newborn baby resting on their mother's chest after a safe birth. The mother lies in bed, looking up with a calm expression while holding the baby close under a blanket. The baby appears to be crying or making a facial expression.

Preparing for a Safe Birth & Healthy Baby With Gina Mundy – Podcast Ep 137
Birth Tips
A pregnant person sits cross-legged on the floor, wearing a light blue tank top and gray leggings. They hold a book and a pen in their hands, one resting on their belly as they start to create a birth plan. The background features a sofa and a carpeted floor.

How To Create YOUR Perfect Birth Plan (Includes Templates!)
Birth Tips
A pregnant woman in a black tank top and leggings stands between two beige sofas inside a bright living room. Holding her belly and looking downward with a neutral expression, she seems to be contemplating signs that labor is starting. The room is decorated with various cushions, a blanket, and visible furniture.

What Are the Signs That Labor is Starting? – Podcast Ep 134
Birth Tips
Two medical professionals wearing gloves are shown performing delayed cord clamping while cutting a newborn's umbilical cord with a clamp and scissors. The newborn, lying on a yellow sheet, is partially covered in blood. The background is blurred but suggests a clinical setting.

Delayed Cord Clamping: What It Is, Benefits, and Risks
Birth Tips
Mother holding a newborn baby close to her chest, both wrapped in the serenity of birth affirmations. The baby is swaddled in a blanket and wearing a small hat, as they rest peacefully in a hospital setting.

25 Birth Affirmations To Help You Through Your Labor
Birth Tips
A black and white image of a sleeping newborn baby lying on its side. The baby, born preterm, has curly hair and a breathing tube attached to its nose. The background is soft and out of focus.

Preterm Birth: What Is It and What Are the Risks?
NICU
A woman with a floral tattoo on her shoulder is holding a sleeping newborn baby against her chest. She is smiling slightly with her eyes closed, exuding the serene contentment often associated with an orgasmic birth. The scene conveys a sense of warmth and bonding.

What is Orgasmic Birth? The Best-Kept Birth Secret – Podcast Ep 121
Unmedicated
A woman with curly hair holds a newborn wrapped in a white blanket adorned with colorful hand and foot prints. They are in a room with a brown door and medical posters detailing birthing positions visible in the background.

14 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Labor Experience
Birth Tips
A woman in labor lies in a hospital bed wearing a blue gown, with monitoring equipment attached to her abdomen. Her face shows signs of effort as she lets out a deep groan. A person in a purple shirt is partially visible in the background, seated next to the bed.

Vocal Toning in Labor: Why Do Women Moan in Childbirth?
Birth Tips
A pregnant woman in a blue hospital gown sits on an exercise ball in a medical room. She is looking down and placing her hands on her stomach. Hospital items, including medical equipment and a hospital bed, are visible in the background.

Hospital Items You Can Use in Labor That You Didn’t Know About
Birth Tips
A woman with curly hair is leaning over a hospital bed, looking down. She is dressed in a hospital gown and appears to be in a hospital room with medical equipment visible in the background. She’s holding onto a pillow positioned on the bed, possibly practicing labor breathing techniques.

Breathing Techniques for Labor and How They Help
Birth Tips
A woman is lying in a hospital bed, smiling and wearing a hospital gown. A person is placing their hand on her belly, checking on her. Medical equipment is visible in the background. The woman is also wearing an identification wristband—just in case no one told you, labor can be quite the journey!

30 Relatable and Hysterical Truths about Labor & Delivery
Birth Tips
A person with pink hair in a pink shirt and gray leggings is on all fours on a blue yoga mat. Another person in gray athletic wear and sneakers is assisting by placing hands on their back, applying pressure points for labor. They are outdoors, near a stone wall and blue cushioned bench.

How Counter Pressure During Labor Can Help
Birth Tips
A woman leans forward with her eyes closed on a blue birthing ball while another person holds a yellow rebozo wrap around her upper torso. She is in a home setting with a couch visible in the background.

Rebozo: What Is It and How To Use It in Labor
Birth Tips
A smiling woman with long blonde hair is seated at a wooden desk in an office. She is wearing a gray blazer over a blue top. Behind her, certificates and framed documents are hung on the wall, showcasing her expertise in pelvic floor health. A computer and anatomical model are on the desk.

Pelvic Floor Health With Dr. Marcy: Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond – Podcast Ep 112
Postpartum Health
A person is receiving a foot massage while lying down, with the masseuse's hands focusing on massaging the soles. In the background, the individual lies comfortably on a cushioned surface, possibly a massage table. This technique can be particularly beneficial when using acupressure during labor.

How To Use Acupressure During Labor
Birth Tips
A woman lying in a hospital bed appears to be in pain, with her eyes closed and her face contorted. She is wearing a hospital gown, and her hand is resting on her abdomen, indicating the aftermath of a 3rd degree perineal tear. The background is out of focus, highlighting the woman as the main subject.

Degrees of Perineal Tearing in Childbirth
Birth Tips
Three healthcare workers in scrubs, masks, and hair covers are attending to a patient lying in a hospital bed. One worker appears to be comforting the patient, perhaps managing an instance of shoulder dystocia, while the other two look on. The room contains medical equipment and a window with blinds.

Shoulder Dystocia: What It Is and What You Can Do
Birth Tips
A close-up image of a pregnant woman laying on her back with her midsection exposed. Two hands, likely belonging to another person, are placed gently on her belly, one above the belly button and one below, perhaps feeling for a breech baby. The woman is covered with a white towel from the waist down.

Guide to Breech Baby Delivery Options
Birth Tips
A person in hospital attire sits on a bed, eating a sandwich. In the foreground, there is a tray with sliced bread, a bowl of salad, and a bottle of milk with a red-striped straw. The setting appears to be a hospital room, prompting the question: can you eat during labor?

Why Can’t You Eat During Labor?
Birth Tips
A pregnant woman lies in a hospital bed, wearing a hospital gown. A fetal monitoring belt is wrapped around her abdomen, and an IV is inserted into her arm. Her left hand rests on her belly as she awaits treatment for chorioamnionitis. The background shows part of the hospital bed and bedding.

Chorioamnionitis: What Pregnant People Need to Know
Birth Tips
A pregnant person in a black tank top and leggings is sitting on a teal birthing ball in a living room. They are holding their belly with both hands. The room has a light-colored couch, pillows, a table lamp, and a tote bag in the background.

How to Use a Birthing Ball
Birth Tips
A close-up of a pregnant person's belly with medical monitoring belts attached, tracking early fetal heart rate decelerations. A hand with a hospital wristband is resting on the belly. The person is lying on a hospital bed, wearing a light blue hospital gown.

What Is Early Fetal Heart Rate Deceleration? (And Why It’s a Good Thing!)
Medicated
A woman, eyes closed, is lying in a birthing tub holding a newborn baby against her chest, embracing the beauty of a water birth. The baby appears to be freshly born, with damp hair and vernix on its skin. A person, partially visible, is leaning over the tub.

Water Birth: Benefits, Risks, and What You Need To Know
Unmedicated
A pregnant woman in a yellow long-sleeve shirt is standing in a kitchen holding a glass of orange juice. On the table in front of her, alongside various fruits and kitchen towels, there's a bottle of castor oil for inducing labor. The background reveals a shelf with plants and kitchen items.

Castor Oil for Labor Induction: Does it Work?
Birth Tips
A pregnant woman in a striped shirt is being assisted by a nurse wearing blue scrubs. The woman is leaning slightly, supported by the nurse, who resembles what a birth doula does. They are in a room with beige walls, a closed door, a lamp, and a bed with a beige blanket.

What Does a Birth Doula Do?
Birth Tips
A close-up shows a pregnant person lying down with their hand resting on their belly. Medical monitoring equipment, including a fetal heart rate monitor, is strapped around their abdomen. The individual is wearing a hospital gown as they prepare for labor induction, and a bed is partially visible.

9 Reasons Why You Might Need a Labor Induction
Birth Tips
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