A Healthy Pregnancy..................................................................................................................................... 2
Your Body in Pregnancy.............................................................................................................................. 3
Preparing for Labor....................................................................................................................................... 4
When Will Labor Begin?.............................................................................................................................. 5
Labor and Birth: An Overview.................................................................................................................. 6
First Stage Labor............................................................................................................................................. 7
First Stage: Early Labor............................................................................................................................... 8
First Stage: Active Labor............................................................................................................................ 9
First Stage: Transition.................................................................................................................................. 10
Second Stage: Pushing.......................................................................................................................... 11–12
Third Stage: Placenta................................................................................................................................... 13
Cardinal Movements.................................................................................................................................... 14
Your Labor Guide.................................................................................................................................... 15–16
Medical Interventions........................................................................................................................... 17–20
Labor Induction............................................................................................................................................. 21
Induction Methods................................................................................................................................ 22–23
Preparing for the Unexpected................................................................................................................ 24
Labor Variations.................................................................................................................................... 25–27
Fetal Position................................................................................................................................................. 28
Cesarean Section.................................................................................................................................. 29–30
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)................................................................................................... 31
Minimizing Risk............................................................................................................................................. 32
Support for Labor........................................................................................................................................ 34
Doula Support............................................................................................................................................... 35
Understanding Your Body........................................................................................................................ 36
Relaxation....................................................................................................................................................... 37
The Labor Environment............................................................................................................................. 38
Fear and Safety Cycles.............................................................................................................................. 39
Dispelling Fears..................................................................................................................................... 40–41