Not sure if you'll want an epidural or not? Honestly, you're not alone. The majority of patients …
What to Do If You Can’t Decide if You Want an Epidural or Not?Read More
Labor starts with a contraction, and ends with birth. Your trip into labor and delivery will end with birth (unless you get sent home (which is a fine thing too if you are having irregular contractions and aren’t dilating).
Of course, packing that hospital bag is important too:
The definition of active labor is that your cervix is dilating (usually due to uterine contractions). However, there are a lot of signs of labor that signal that you are going to give birth. Things like losing your mucus plug, or when your amniotic fluid starts to come out
These posts talk about the stages of labor:
Of course, childbirth never really goes according to one plan and many women think they can PLAN their labor. But labor and birth are difficult to plan. You CAN however make wishes or ideas of what you would like in a birth plan. Sadly, your uterus isn’t always on board with that.
Pain relief is a big part of learning about labor. Before you are fully dilated, you may have options like IV pain medication, an epidural, possibly nitrous oxide or natural pain management.
Yes, vaginal delivery is what a lot of people plan on, but sometimes a cesarean section is necessary. Sometimes your pelvis won’t let the baby fit through, or there is something else preventing the baby coming through your vagina.
And, there might be a reason to induce labor, and these posts below talk a LOT about induction. it’s important to know about that too as labor can be unpredictable.
I hope these posts help make you feel more at ease for your labor:
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Not sure if you'll want an epidural or not? Honestly, you're not alone. The majority of patients …
What to Do If You Can’t Decide if You Want an Epidural or Not?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Looking for some real pregnancy advice from someone who KNOWS what they're talking about? Today I'm …
The 5 Worst Pieces of Pregnancy Advice I Have HeardRead More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Hilary, circa 2009. I'm feeling huge, I'm pregnant with my third baby, after a bout of infertility …
Debunking Induction Myths with My Own Induction StoryRead More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
You might have been checked in the office at one of your appointments -- and been told your cervix …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Is your baby breech and you'd like them to NOT BE? You're in the right place. Today I'm going to …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
You're in labor, and you hear your provider is coming to break your water. Is it better to get …
Should You Get the Labor Epidural Before They Break Your Water?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
A lot of people want some clear-cut guidelines about when they should go to the hospital when …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Ok, you're onto baby 2+ -- and you're thinking, "I don't need a prenatal class, I've done this" -- …
Reason You’ll Want a Birth Class on Your Second+ BabyRead More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Cervical ripening is the process from which the cervix turns from hard like rubber into soft and …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Are you wondering if you can get a "walking epidural" -- the answer is that it DEPENDS. Some …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
So, you're wondering if all the new signs you're seeing in your body mean labor is near? Today I'm …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Your labor induction could happen with Cervidil. It’s a vaginal insert that includes hormones …
Your Labor Induction with Cervidil (Dinoprostone): What to expect?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
You're tired of being pregnant and you've heard of a magical cure called a membrane sweep (or …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Birth classes are one of the most important things you can do during your pregnancy, but many …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Dilation is a signs that your cervix is opening and labor may be close! But, since most of us …
Signs You Are Dilating: Symptoms of cervical dilationRead More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
How much labor pain should you expect during labor when you have an epidural? Should you expect to …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Women who plan on vaginal birth may wonder how painful the placement and infusion of epidural …
How Bad Does the Epidural Hurt? What to expect during placement.Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Childbirth seems pretty magical. You create a human and it magically appears on your chest... but …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
It sounds like you're considering an induction of labor around 37 weeks pregnant. How will it be …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
It is a standard practice in most US Hospitals to order an intravenous line (mostly referred to as …
IV During Labor – Do you NEED IV fluids in labor and delivery?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Having diarrhea can be a sign of labor, it can also be a sign that you had something that didn't sit …
Diarrhea at 38 Weeks Pregnant: Is it a sign of labor?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
You may be miserable, or your mom's in town or for a variety of reasons you may want to be induced 3 …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
You may hear that you have an "unfavorable cervix" and you have no idea what that means.... Let's …
What is an “Unfavorable Cervix”? What does it mean for your labor?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Today I want to tell you five things to watch for your birth to be hard. These are things that can …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Having an induction of labor can be confusing. Your friends may have had their medicine through the …
How is Cytotec (Misoprostol) Given for Labor Induction?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
There are a few medication options when you are planning to start lab (called induction of labor). …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Can you sleep through contractions? It's a great question because sleeping is a great way to …
Can You Sleep Through Contractions – Especially Early Labor?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Most people aren't sure if they should wear a bra during labor. While no choice has to be final, as …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
You might be wondering if there is a time of day that you are more likely to start contractions than …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
When is the best time to request epidural anesthesia? Will getting it earlier or later prolong …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
People may ask you if your baby has "dropped" yet, or your provider may say that baby has dropped -- …
Symptoms of Baby Dropping (Lightening): Is 35 Weeks to Early?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
You may be wanting to get an epidural, but not sure at what point you CAN'T get during childbirth …
Why Can’t You Get an Epidural After a Point During Childbirth?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Having a labor induction before or at 37 weeks is something each pregnant woman and her partner …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Induction of labor is definitely a process. How long will your labor induction take? What should …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
With all the changes with your body during pregnancy some colostrum leaking can make you wonder what …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Using a birthing ball can have a lot of benefits for your pregnancy. Today I'm going to share …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Pregnancy can be very painful, and many people find the last month of pregnancy extremely painful …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Today I want to talk a bit about birth trauma and what you can do to try to prevent it happening in …
4 Ways to Prevent Birth Trauma Before, During or After BirthRead More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Preparing for your induction can be intimidating. Suddenly, something that was unknown seems …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Requesting an epidural is an important choice -- and choosing it too early or too late can have …
Can I Get An Epidural at 7 Centimeters? Is it too late?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Knowing if you're going into labor will dominate a good part of your time as you get closer to your …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Cramping during your second trimester of pregnancy can be worrisome. What should you do if …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Is taking a childbirth class (also called prenatal classes, birth classes or pregnancy classes) …
Do Birth Classes Improve Birth Outcomes? What do the studies show?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Cytotec (also known as Misoprostol) and pitocin are different agents that are used for an induction …
Cytotec vs Pitocin: What’s best for your labor induction?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Many people wonder WHEN in their labor they can be given the epidural. Today we'll discuss that, as …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
The baby coming out is normally the most painful part of the birthing process. Will you feel the …
Can You Feel the Baby Coming Out With the Epidural?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Are you headed towards you due date and feeling a TON of fatigue as you go about your day. …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Losing you mucus plug sounds as magical as it is... but what does that surprise when you wipe or …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Are you pregnant and curious about how long you might stay 1cm dilated? As a soon-to-be mom, it's …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
How can you start labor going if you're 2 cm dilated. In this article we will talk about …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
When should you go the hospital to have your baby? Most people don't want to go to the …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Do you notice baby moving more and wonder if it's a sign of labor? In general baby's movements …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
If you're having some light pink spotting you may wonder what's going on. For much of your early …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Did you know that Pitocin is the most common drug used to induce labor? If you're considering using …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Going through a pregnancy can already be filled with enough challenges, so it is only natural to …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Later in pregnancy your doctor may start discussing an induction of labor with you. Many people …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Vaginal bleeding at any point during pregnancy can make you really worried. But, the worries change …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
A labor induction for pregnant women is an important choice to make with your healthcare …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Making the choice to get an epidural during an induction can be confusing. If you know you're going …
Can I Get an Epidural Before My Induction of Labor?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
You may be really worried about being sent home from the hospital when you think you're in labor. …
What Happens if You’re Sent Home From the Hospital in Early Labor?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Can labor start while you're sleeping? Can you sleep through early labor? How can you sleep …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Cervical checks or vaginal exams can be painful and sometimes unnecessary. Today I want to talk …
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// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
This is a real fear for a lot of people (in my study on birth fears 61.2% of respondents were …
How to Avoid Pooping While Giving Birth: The 411 on this dirty secretRead More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Feeling like baby is REALLY moving into your birth canal as you get further into your pregnancy? …
36 Weeks Pregnant and Feeling Pressure “Down Below” — What’s wrong?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Are you feeling contractions? If so, it's important to know where they feel strongest. Contractions …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
At your 36 week check-up your doctor might ask you if you want a vaginal exam to check how dilated …
36 weeks Pregnant – Cervix is 1 cm dilated: When will labor start?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Are you overdue and anxious to give birth? You may be considering inducing labor yourself. While …
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// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Creating a birth plan is a good beginning to starting good communication between the patient and …
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// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
At around the 34th week of pregnancy, you might be wondering when labor will start. It's normal to …
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// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Who has headaches in pregnancy {everyone raises their hand}. Is a headache a sign of LABOR? …
Is a Headache an Early Sign of Labor at 38 Weeks: Is something wrong?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Today, we're going to chat about a few things: What to wear during labor and delivery, what not to …
Your Guide on What to Wear in Labor & Delivery and Your Hospital StayRead More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
A labor induction is meant to start contractions to induce labor. However, a lot of it depends on …
The Complete Guide to Labor Induction: How they induce laborRead More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Tell your nurse thank you is plenty of gift for them, but if you want to give your labor and …
Labor and Delivery Nurse Gift Basket Ideas: Nurse thank you gift ideasRead More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Being in the hospital can be scary, you can feel like you "have" to do a lot of things because …
Do You Have to Give Birth on Your Back in the Hospital?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
There's a lot of information out there about c-sections - some good, some bad. In this blog post, …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
When should you pack that hospital bag? Certainly you don't want it packed at 20 weeks, but when is …
When to Pack Your Hospital Bag: Get prepared with The Pregnancy NurseRead More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
One question that often comes up during pregnancy is whether or not you lose weight before labor. …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Today I want to share five myths about induction. Things everyone thinks is true, but isn't always …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
If you're pregnant and feeling a hard stomach, you may be wondering if something is wrong. In most …
Stomach is Hard In my Third Trimester — is that OK?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
There is a lot to get done as you head to your due date or before an induction. Some of it is …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Google, Tiktok, Pinterest is full of people saying you can "just ask for a new one" if you don't …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Having an induction can bring up a lot of questions. At least I hope it does. Inducing labor …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
The third stage of labor (the pushing stage) can be brutal, because expectations are that it will be …
How Long Does it Take to Push Out A Baby?: The 3rd stage of laborRead More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
When it comes to labor, there are a few different ways that contractions can be felt. For some …
Contractions on The Monitor But You’re Not Feeling Them: What does that mean?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
How long will your labor last? Labor has four phases (or stages) of labor that you body will move …
Stages of Labor Duration: How long does labor last?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Are you experiencing any period-like pains at 37 weeks pregnant? You're definitely not alone! In …
37 Weeks Pregnant & Having Period Pains? What it means from a labor nurseRead More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
There is a lot of discussion about whether or not epidurals cause back problems for pregnant women. …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Midwives offer pregnant women a wealth of benefits that traditional obstetricians cannot match. From …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
I just wrote a post on reasons to NOT get an epidural, so today I thought I'd share the reasons TO …
9 Reasons TO Get an Epidural: Valid reasons to get the “happy-dural”Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Did you know that only about 60 percent of women in the United States actually receive epidurals for …
Why Not to Get an Epidural: 10 Reasons to consider other pain management in laborRead More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
You may wonder if there are things you can refuse during labor. You might have preferences about …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Women who are pregnant often have many questions about labor and delivery. One question that comes …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Your choice of cesarean section anesthsia is not too broad. There are mainly two humane choices for …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
What are the differences between an epidural or spinal anesthesia? Today we're going to give into …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Becoming a mom is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but it can also be overwhelming. …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Are you 37 weeks pregnant and experiencing a lot of movement and pressure? You're not alone! Most …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Are you 36 weeks pregnant and experiencing period-like pains and backache? Congratulations - you're …
Period Pains and Backache On and Off at 36 Weeks of Pregnancy — Is it Labor?Read More
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Midwives Brew is a popular tea blend that is often recommended to pregnant women. But is it safe? …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
What is latent labor, how long does it last and is there anything you can do to speed it up? How …
// by Hilary Erickson, BSN, RN
Epidurals sometimes don't work. That's right, you pay all that money, and sit up for the placement …