In preparation for the birth of your baby, your cervix effaces (thins and stretches) and dilates (opens) so your baby can fit through the birth canal. This cervical ripening can begin days or even ...

What Are the Stages of Labor? Labor is the body’s natural process of childbirth. It lasts on average 12 to 24 hours for a first birth. Usually, labor is shorter for births after that. Labor happens in ...

You've made it through nine(ish) months of pregnancy, and now the big day has arrived: Your baby's birthday! You might be eager to take on the stages of labor, or you may be nervous about what's to ...

There may be twists and turns as your labor unfolds. But knowing what you might encounter can help you navigate this exciting but potentially challenging experience. Credit...Shawna X Supported by By ...

Your baby has been born, but there’s one final step — delivering the placenta. Here’s what to expect from this last stage of ...

There are 3 stages of labor. Active labor begins at about 5-6 cm of dilation. You need to be 10 cm dilated to deliver vaginally. After the birth, you’ll deliver the placenta. The cervix, which is the ...

Every time Ashley publishes a story, you’ll get an alert straight to your inbox! Enter your email By clicking “Sign up”, you agree to receive emails from ...

Becoming a parent is a life-changing event. You’ve bought the crib, decorated the room, and gotten enough onesies for a lifetime in preparation for your new arrival. But before you start counting ...

Like your pregnancy, your labor is broke into three stages: the first, the second, and the third stage. However, each stage of labor is different, leaving first time moms nervous about the unknown. So ...