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 newborn baby wrapped in a white towel lies on a bed with light blue sheets. The baby's eyes are closed, its tiny hands near its face. With dark hair and a calm expression, this serene moment reminds us of the things not to do during labor—such as forgetting to prepare for post-birth tranquility.

7 Things NOT to Do During Labor

7 tips on what expecting moms should NOT do during labor so you can really avoid some unnecessary labor interventions and outcomes.

Birth Tips

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

What the Numbers Mean When You Get a Cervical Check
Birth Tips

30 Relatable and Hysterical Truths about Labor & Delivery
Birth Tips

Review of 5 User-Friendly Labor Contraction Apps
Birth Tips

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What to buy

A pregnant woman sits on a black exercise ball, arms stretched overhead, as she prepares her body for labor and birth. She wears a white top and gray sweatpants. The room features a gray sofa, a plant, and soft lighting.

10 Products To Help Prepare Your Body for Labor and Birth

 Birth Tips
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: What To Pack for Labor & Delivery

 Birth Tips
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 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.

8 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.

10 Must-Have Labor Induction Hospital Bag Items

 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 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 newborn baby is being pulled up and held immediately after birth. The baby has a wet head and is crying, with eyes closed. Gloved hands support the baby, with a medical bracelet visible on the adults wrist. The setting is likely a hospital or birthing center. Ep 162
Birth Tips

The Power of Pushing During Labor: How To Do It & What to Expect

A new mother in a hospital gown gently holds and kisses her newborn baby wrapped in a striped blanket. They are in a bright room with soft lighting. Ep 158
Birth Tips

How To Prepare For A Great Hospital Birth

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 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
A pregnant woman in a pink sports bra and black pants stands by a window, looking outside. She has one hand on her hip and the other resting on the windowsill, lost in thoughts about how to turn posterior baby. The room has light pink walls, and a white bed frame is partially visible.

How To Naturally Turn a Posterior Baby
Third Trimester
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 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.

The Pregnancy Workout That Can Make Childbirth Easier – Podcast Ep 100
Pregnancy Fitness
A woman is lying in a hospital bed wearing a hospital gown. She appears to be in labor, her legs bent and partially covered by a white sheet. Medical equipment and monitors are visible beside the bed, dispelling any myths about labor and birth through the vigilance of modern healthcare.

10 Myths About Labor and Birth
Birth Tips
A newborn baby, with closed eyes and an open mouth, is crying while being held close to a person's chest. The baby, possibly having just received erythromycin eye ointment, is wearing a white cap and partially wrapped in a patterned blanket. A hand gently supports the baby's head.

All About Erythromycin Eye Ointment Given to Babies at Birth
Birth Tips
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.

Taking Charge of Your Birth with Henci Goer – Podcast Ep 99
Birth Tips
A newborn baby is lying on a hospital bed, crying as a medical professional wearing gloves prepares to administer a vitamin K shot at birth. The baby, donning a diaper and hospital identification wristband, is in a typical medical facility setting.

All About Giving Newborns the Vitamin K Shot at Birth
Birth Tips
A pregnant woman wearing a hospital gown stands by a window, looking down and gently holding her belly. The window shows the blurred lights of a cityscape at night, as she contemplates not just the future but also the cost of having a baby.

The Most Expensive States to Have a Baby
Newsworthy
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.

8 Thank-You Gifts To Give Your Nurses in Labor and Delivery
Guides
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 woman lying in bed holds a newborn baby wrapped in a blanket on her chest. She appears to be in a hospital room, wearing a medical gown with her eyes closed, perhaps reflecting on the many things women say after childbirth. The baby is partially covered and wearing a cap.

20 Things Women Say After Childbirth
Postpartum Tips
A seated pregnant woman in a white shirt and light gray leggings holds her hands on her chest, perhaps practicing gentle nipple stimulation to induce labor. She wears a beige cardigan and sits on a white bed in a bright room with light-colored curtains allowing natural light to enter.

Nipple Stimulation to Induce Labor
Birth Tips
A newborn baby sleeps on a bed with light pink and white sheets. An adult hand, wearing two hospital wristbands, gently holds the baby's hand. The baby, dressed in a white top and wrapped in a peach-colored blanket, is their cherished daughter born to the melody of a birth playlist.

Best Labor and Birth Playlist When Having a Daughter
Birth Tips
A woman with dark hair tied up is in a hospital bed, holding a newborn baby wrapped in a pink blanket against her chest. Despite the need to mourn your birth plan, she looks down lovingly at the baby. Medical equipment is visible in the background.

It’s Okay to Mourn Your Birth Plan
Birth Stories
A woman is lying on a hospital bed in a medical setting, appearing to be in labor. She is accompanied by a medical professional who is partially visible, wearing a blue gown. Medical equipment and a pillow are also visible as she faces the common labor and delivery fears many mothers experience.

Common Labor and Delivery Fears and How to Stay Positive
Birth Tips
A pregnant woman is standing in a kitchen with her hands forming a heart shape over her belly. The kitchen counter in the background, laden with various vegetables and fruits like a bell pepper, an apple, and an orange, subtly suggests healthy snacks to pack for labor and delivery. The woman is wearing a beige cardigan and a grey top.

Snacks to Pack for Labor and Delivery
Birth Tips
A newborn baby is held in dimly-lit water, with golden reflections on the surface. The baby has wet hair and looks up with eyes partially open, evoking a serene moment synonymous with the gentle experience of an orgasmic birth. The infant appears to be in the hands of an adult, partially submerged.

Orgasmic Birth: Is It Real?
Unmedicated
A pregnant woman stands in a modern kitchen, holding a slice of watermelon, possibly to eat in early labor. She wears a white tank top and striped pants, her hair tied up. The kitchen counter displays more watermelon slices, with various kitchen utensils hanging on the wall.

Foods To Eat (And Not Eat) in Early Labor
Birth Tips
A labor and delivery nurse in green scrubs is pushing a pregnant woman in a wheelchair down a hospital corridor. The pregnant woman, dressed in a pink top, is smiling and holding her belly. In the background, other medical professionals are engaged in conversation.

What Does a Labor and Delivery Nurse Really Do?
Birth Tips
A pregnant woman is sitting on a couch and writing in a notebook, creating a birth plan. She is holding a pen in her right hand and resting the notebook on her lap. She is wearing a gray shirt, beige shorts, a bracelet, and a watch. The setting appears to be a home living room.

10 Reasons to Create a Birth Plan
Birth Tips
A premature baby lies in an incubator in a neonatal intensive care unit. The baby is connected to medical tubes and monitors, and is wrapped in white blankets. The image, possibly reflecting concerns about the U.S. Premature Birth Rate, is seen through a circular opening, likely part of the equipment.

The U.S. Premature Birth Rate Report Card 2021
Newsworthy
A pregnant woman in a hospital gown sits on the edge of a bed in a labor and delivery room. She holds her belly with one hand and rests her other hand on the bed railing. Medical equipment and monitors are visible in the background.

8 Hacks to Know Before Going Into Labor and Delivery
Birth Tips
A woman in labor lies in a hospital bed, covered with a white blanket. Medical monitoring equipment with screens and wires is positioned around her, resembling the modern trappings of a birth cave. She appears to be in discomfort or pain, with her eyes closed and a monitoring device on her belly.

How to Transform Your Hospital Room Into a Birth Cave
Birth Tips
A pregnant woman wearing a black outfit is sitting on a large green exercise ball in a hallway with wooden flooring and a rug. She is holding her lower back with one hand, touching her belly with the other, smiling through what seems to be back labor. There is a plant and a shelf in the background.

The Best Comfort Techniques for Back Labor
Birth Tips
An expectant mother lies on a hospital bed, wearing a gown with blue polka dots, enduring labor pain. Two healthcare professionals in blue uniforms assist nearby, while another person holds her hand for support. The scene captures a raw moment in the delivery room.

11 Things That Make Labor Pain Worse
Birth Tips
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.

What To Do With Your Placenta After Giving Birth – Podcast Ep 68
Birth Tips
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