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 ...

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 ...

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Here’s a play by play of what happens when. What happens: During this stage, your cervix dilates. Early on, contractions may be mild, but become more intense and closer together during active labor.

If you’re pregnant and nearing your due date, you may wonder what your labor will be like. Since every mother is unique and every pregnancy is different, labor can last for hours or even days. Usually ...

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