labor

No woman wants an 'unnatural childbirth.' But what is defined as a 'natural' or 'normal' birth? Women's expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones talks with a certified nurse midwife Celeste Thomas about physiological childbirth, the way the body naturally delivers. Learn about hormones, contractions and how your healthcare providers can help foster a natural childbirth.

Midwives play an important role in the birthing experience, should a pregnant woman choose to have a midwife. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones speaks with certified nurse midwife Celeste Thomas about the training and knowledge needed to become a midwife. Learn how a midwife can help you during pregnancy.

It’s like a scene straight out of a movie. A woman has gone into labor on her way to the hospital. The baby is coming now, and you are the only one who can help. But don’t. Just don’t. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones tells bystanders to “keep their hands to themselves.” She also has advice for anyone who finds themselves in this scenario and what few things you can do to assist the mother while she delivers her baby.

First and foremost - do not panic. Do not get into a car and drive yourself to the hospital. Get to ground level and listen to your body. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones reminds us that women all over the world deliver babies outside of a hospital and goes through the basic steps to deliver your baby at home when getting to the hospital is just not an option.

Bacteria help build babies' immune systems. During a natural birth, the passage through the birth canal allows mom’s bacteria to colonize the baby. But what about babies born by cesarean section? Data suggest C-section babies may have more autoimmune diseases such as asthma and type 1 diabetes. So should C-section babies be gauzed with mom’s vaginal bacteria during the first few minutes of life? Dr. Kirtly Jones talks about this hot topic for moms-to-be and whether or not she thinks vaginal microbial transfer should be on the list of concerns going into labor.

Giving birth is a lot of hard work, but since most women are anesthetized during the process, eating and drinking anything besides ice has generally been discouraged. But many women feel like they need extra nutrients and energy, especially if their labor ends up lasting hours. Certified midwife Debra Penney talks safety and hydration while giving birth.

Lots of research has been done about the benefits of skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her new baby. In this podcast, lactation consultant Elizabeth Smith talks about the many benefits for both mom and baby when they have contact immediately after birth and during feeding. While many babies get some contact when they breast feed, some moms either aren’t able or choose not to breastfeed, so it’s even more important. It gives you just another excuse to pick up your baby and snuggle.

More and more women are choosing to give birth in tubs of warm water. It’s a safe process that can help with pain help a new mom relax. In this podcast, certified nurse midwife Dr. Debra Penney talks about how a woman should decide if a water birth is right for her.

There’s a growing trend of women taking home their placenta and ingesting it after delivering a baby. Are there benefits to this? Certified nurse Midwife Debra Penney talks about why some people think it’s a good idea but why medical professionals don’t recommend it. She discusses the research and risks of placenta encapsulation and ingestion.