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Giving birth is a powerful and life-changing experience. At Baby Chick, we’re here to help you feel prepared, confident, and supported through every step of your labor and birth. Find expert-backed guidance on vaginal births (both medicated and unmedicated), C-sections, home births, birth center births, and adoption. Explore inspiring birth stories, practical birth plans, helpful checklists, and tips to guide your journey into parenthood.

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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

A nurse midwife shares things about the labor experience that women wish they knew, like what pushing is like and different labor positions.

Pregnant woman writing a birth plan in a notebook while sitting cross-legged on the floor

Create Your Perfect Birth Plan (Free Template & Checklist)

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.

Cervical Check: What Effacement, Dilation, and Station Mean

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

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

Pregnant woman writing a birth plan in a notebook while sitting cross-legged on the floor

Create Your Perfect Birth Plan (Free Template & Checklist)

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.

Cervical Check: What Effacement, Dilation, and Station Mean

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

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

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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

Pregnant woman packing hospital bag for labor and delivery

Hospital Bag Checklist for Labor, Delivery & Postpartum

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

Related Podcast Episodes

View more

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

More from Birth

A black and white image of a person in a hospital bed, appearing to be lying down in a hospital gown with an IV line visible. Another person, possibly someone who is in the room during delivery, stands next to the bed with only their torso and hands visible in the frame.

How to Decide Who is in the Room During Delivery

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.

13 Ways To Naturally Induce Labor

A black-and-white photo captures the essence of birth photography, showing a man holding a baby while a woman stands close, gently kissing the baby's head. The couple stands in front of a window with curtains, and the scene conveys a tender moment of family affection.

Birth Photography: Capturing The Moment You First Became a Mother

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.

How to Write a Birth Plan – Podcast Ep 11

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.

How to Prepare Your Mind and Body for Childbirth – Podcast Ep 9

A pregnant person lies on a hospital bed with a fetal monitoring device strapped to their exposed belly, receiving essential birth tips. The person wears a hospital gown and rests one hand on the blanket covering their lower body.

9 Tips for an Easier and Faster Labor and Birth

A person wearing a white hospital gown with a blue pattern holds a newborn baby, kissing the baby on the forehead while it rests peacefully against their chest. This beautiful moment highlights the importance of choosing where to give birth for both comfort and joy.

Where To Give Birth: What Are All of Your Birth Options?

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

A person wearing a hospital gown leans forward onto a large blue exercise ball placed on a hospital bed, seeking natural pain relief. Sunlight streams through a window on the left, partially illuminating the scene. The room includes curtains and a chair in the background.

20 Natural Pain Relief Options to Help Ease Labor Pain

A person wearing a white tank top and gray pants sits cross-legged on the floor, forming a heart shape with their hands over their pregnant belly. This serene moment captures the calm before early labor, with focus on the torso and hands against a blurred background.

What To Do in Early Labor

A black and white photo shows a person lying in a hospital bed, possibly in active labor, holding hands with another individual standing beside the bed. The person in the bed is wearing a hospital gown and wristbands, seemingly resting or asleep.

6 Tips on What To Do in Active Labor

A black-and-white photo showing a man supporting a woman who is leaning forward in a bathtub. The woman, appearing to be in the transition labor phase, has her head down and seems to be in labor. The scene takes place in a room with a window that has blinds.

6 Tips on What To Do in Transition Labor

A black-and-white photo shows a newborn baby lying against a person's chest after pushing during childbirth. The baby's eyes are open and they have a hospital band on their wrist. An adult's hand is gently cradling the baby’s head and back.

Positions and Tips on Pushing During Childbirth

A person holding a newborn baby wrapped in a purple towel is partially submerged in water, suggesting a home birth. The baby is crying, and the person is looking at the baby with a gentle expression.

13 Reasons to Consider a Home Birth

A newborn baby is sleeping peacefully in a hospital bassinet, wrapped snugly in a white blanket. The baby, with a full head of dark hair, epitomizes the promise of a healthier birth. The photograph is captured with a soft lighting effect, highlighting the gentle serenity of this moment.

12 Tips for a Happier and Healthier Birth

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 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.

12 Tips for a Happier and Healthier Birth – Podcast Ep 5

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

Close-up of a pregnant person sitting with legs crossed, resting their left hand on their belly. They are wearing light-colored clothing and seated on a soft, purple surface. The focus is on the prominently rounded belly as they are waiting on labor to start.

15 Things to Do While Waiting for Labor to Start

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.

When to Go to the Hospital in Labor as a First Time Mom – Podcast Ep 1

A pregnant woman, practicing mindfulness, is wearing a blue and white patterned dress with a gray and white cardigan. She stands in a bedroom, holding a smartphone in one hand while resting her other hand on her belly. The bed in the background has white and blue pillows.

3 Mindfulness Techniques to Prepare for Labor

A medical professional wearing gloves administers an epidural injection in a patient's back, which is covered with a blue sterile drape with an opening for the procedure. Other individuals in scrubs are visible in the background, suggesting a clinical setting.

What You Need To Know About an Epidural

A person wearing a hospital gown lies in a hospital bed, partially covered by a white blanket. The individual is positioned on their side, and medical equipment is visible in the background, suggesting they might be wondering when to go to the hospital for labor.

When to Go to the Hospital When You’re in Labor

A newborn baby wearing a small hat lies on the chest of an adult person, enjoying a precious moment of skin-to-skin contact. The adult's face is close to the baby's face, smiling, with a hand gently resting on the baby. They are in a softly lit indoor setting.

7 Benefits of Skin-to-Skin Contact With Newborns

Newborns (0 - 2 months)

A baby lies on an adult's chest, holding their hands. The adult has a visible surgical scar down the center of their chest, likely from a c-section. They both appear to be lying on a blue surface, and the baby is wearing only a diaper. The image captures a tender bonding moment.

10 Things No One Tells You About Having a C-Section

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

A pregnant woman is in a birthing tub, leaning back against a person for support. She appears to be in unmedicated labor, with her eyes closed and a focused expression on her face. The person behind her is wearing a gray shirt.

5 Tips for Having a Successful Unmedicated Labor and Birth

A person in a white robe holds a clear glass bowl of honey-colored wax. Another hand, holding a wooden spatula with wax dripping from it, is seen above the bowl. The person's leg rests on a flat surface, implying they are waxing before giving birth.

To Wax or Not to Wax Before Giving Birth

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