What to Expect

Your baby's due date is near. Here's what you can expect from the start of labor until the first days and weeks with your baby.

Am I in Labor?

Some pregnant people have distinct signs of labor, while others don’t. No one knows what causes labor to start or when.

Stages of Labor

Labor is the body’s natural process of childbirth. It occurs in three stages and lasts 12 to 24 hours for a first birth.

Pain Relief Options

How do you want to handle labor pain? You can count on some pain. But how much could be hard to predict.

Inducing Labor

If your doctor or midwife has concerns about your health or your baby's health, they might suggest inducing labor.

Methods of Delivery

The type of birth experience you want is a personal decision. You can plan ahead based on what you want and your cultural norms.

Cesarean Section

A woman may want a planned cesarean section to give birth for many reasons. For some, it's the best choice.

Vaginal Birth After C-Section

If you’re pregnant again and your last baby arrived via c-section, you may wonder if a vaginal birth could be an option now.

Prolonged Labor

How quickly your bundle of joy arrives depends on many things, including how fast something called labor is happening.