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Labor and Delivery

Labor and delivery are the final stages of pregnancy in which the uterus contracts and the baby is born.

Recently Answered Questions

What are false labor pains?
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by Cleveland Clinic
The muscles in your uterus will contract from about the fourth month of pregnancy. Irregular, infrequent contractions are called Braxton-Hicks contractions (also known as "false labor pains"). Sharp, shooting pains on either side of your abdomen (called round ligament pain) that travel into the groin may result from the stretching ligaments that support your growing uterus. To ease your discomfo...
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What happens if I have to go to the hospital for premature labor?
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by Cleveland Clinic
After talking to your health care provider about your signs of premature labor, he or she may tell you to go to the hospital. Once you arrive: You will be asked to wear a hospital gown. Your pulse, blood pressure and temperature will be checked. A monitor will be placed on your abdomen to check the baby's heart rate and evaluate uterine contractions. Your cervix will be checked to see if it ...
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When does labor begin?
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by Cleveland Clinic
Labor begins when the cervix begins to open (dilate) and thin (called effacement). The muscles of the uterus tighten (contract) at regular intervals. During contractions, the abdomen becomes hard. Between contractions, the uterus relaxes and the abdomen becomes soft.
What are the types of delivery?
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by Cleveland Clinic
Vaginal delivery is the most common and safest type of birth. When necessary in certain circumstances, forceps (instruments resembling large spoons) may be used to cup your baby's head and help guide the baby through the birth canal. Vacuum delivery is another way to assist delivery and is similar to forceps delivery. In vacuum delivery, a plastic cup is applied to the baby's head by suction and t...
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What are the signs of premature labor?
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by Cleveland Clinic
It is important for you to learn the signs of premature labor so that you can get help to stop it and prevent your baby from being born too early. Premature labor is usually not painful, but there are several warning signs, including: Four or more contractions or tightening of the muscles in the uterus in one hour Regular tightening or low, dull pain in your back that either comes or goes or i...
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What are contractions?
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by Cleveland Clinic
Contractions: Labor is characterized by contractions that come at regular intervals and increase in frequency (how often contractions occur), duration (how long contractions last), and intensity (how strong the contractions are) over time. As time progresses, the contractions come at closer intervals. Labor contractions cause discomfort or a dull ache in your back and lower abdomen, along with ...
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What is premature labor?
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by Boston Women's Health Book Collective
About eight out of every one hundred women go into premature labor, defined as labor before 37 weeks. If this progresses to premature birth, the baby may need special care. The closer the baby's birth is to "full term," or 39 weeks, the lower its risk of medical complications. Babies who are born before 28 weeks have a greater risk of dying, and those who survive may have lasting medical problems...
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Who is at greatest risk for premature labor?
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by Dr. Mehmet Oz
Women at risk for premature labor include those who've had previous premature children, cervical surgery, or certain infections (like chlamydia). Abnormal placental location like previa and or premature separation of the placenta may all be reasons a woman may have premature labor. The thought is that when the cervical membranes get infected, the subsequent immune response can trigger the whole co...
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What do doctors do when a woman is in premature labor?
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by Dr. Mehmet Oz
When a woman presents with preterm labor in the hospital, the care team will hydrate the woman and give her magnesium sulfate if she is a candidate or other medications to slow down contractions and slow or stop the labor. In true preterm labor, the cervix will continue to dilate and the baby will deliver, no matter how far along the pregnancy is. Docs try to slow down the labor process to buy eno...
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When can twins be delivered vaginally?
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by Dr. Mehmet Oz
Twins can be delivered vaginally if their gestation period is longer than 32 weeks, if the baby closest to the cervix is larger than the other and his head is down, and if there's no sign of fetal distress, especially in the second twin.
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