How to Tell When Labor Begins

FAQ004, May 2011

What happens when labor begins? As labor begins, the cervix opens (dilates). The uterus, which contains muscle, contracts at regular intervals. When it contracts, the abdomen becomes hard. Between the contractions, the uterus relaxes and becomes soft. Up to the start of labor and during early labor, the baby will continue to move.

Preterm (Premature) Labor and Birth

FAQ087, November 2016

What is preterm labor? Preterm labor is defined as regular contractions of the uterus resulting in changes in the cervix that start before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Changes in the cervix include effacement (the cervix thins out) and dilation (the cervix opens so that the fetus can enter the birth canal).

Cesarean Birth

FAQ006, May 2018

What is cesarean birth? Cesarean birth is the delivery of a baby through incisions made in the mother's abdomen and uterus.

Extremely Preterm Birth

FAQ173, June 2016

When is a baby considered “preterm” or “extremely preterm?” A normal pregnancy with one baby lasts about 40 weeks. Babies born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy are called “preterm” or “premature.” Babies born before 28 completed weeks of pregnancy are considered extremely preterm. The earlier a baby is born, the less likely he or she is to survive. Those who do survive often have serious, sometimes long-term health problems and disabilities.

Assisted Vaginal Delivery

FAQ192, February 2016

What is assisted vaginal delivery? Assisted vaginal delivery is vaginal delivery of a baby performed with the help of forceps or a vacuum device. It sometimes is called operative vaginal delivery.

Cesarean Birth (c-section)

FAQ006, May 2018

What is cesarean birth? Cesarean birth is the delivery of a baby through incisions made in the mother's abdomen and uterus.

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Delivery - Deciding on a Trial of Labor After Cesarean Delivery

FAQ070, December 2017

What is a vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC)? If you have had a previous cesarean delivery, you have two choices about how to give birth again: 1. You can have a scheduled cesarean delivery. 2. You can give birth vaginally. This is called a VBAC. What is a vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC)? If you have had a previous cesarean delivery, you have two choices about how to give birth again: You can have a scheduled cesarean delivery; You can give birth vaginally. This is called a vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC).

If Your Baby Is Breech

FAQ079, September 2017

What does it mean when a fetus is breech? In the last weeks of pregnancy, fetuses usually move so that their heads are positioned to come out of the vagina first during birth. This is called a vertex presentation. A breech presentation occurs when the fetus’s buttocks, feet, or both are in place to come out first during birth. This happens in 3–4% of full-term births.

When Pregnancy Goes Past Your Due Date

FAQ069, June 2017

Pregnancy What is the due date? How is the due date determined? What is postterm pregnancy? What causes a postterm pregnancy? What are the risks associated with postterm pregnancy? When should I have testing in a postterm pregnancy? What is electronic fetal monitoring? What is a nonstress test? What is a biophysical profile? What is a contraction stress test? What is labor induction? How is labor induced?  What are the risks of labor induction? Glossary What is the due date? The date your baby is due—your estimated due date...

Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring During Labor

FAQ015, February 2018

What is fetal heart rate monitoring? Fetal heart rate monitoring is the process of checking the condition of your baby during labor and delivery by monitoring his or her heart rate with special equipment.