Labor and delivery

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Every woman's labor and delivery experience is unique. Still, understanding what's typical can help you know what to expect as your due date approaches.

Labor and delivery generally follows a pattern — the cervix softening and opening; the amniotic sac rupturing; the contractions getting stronger and closer together. Sometimes, however, labor and delivery takes surprising twists and turns. You might reconsider your wishes about pain medication, or you might need an unexpected C-section.

However your labor and delivery unfolds, remember that your health and your baby's health are what's most important. Discuss your labor and delivery preferences with your health care provider, including options for pain medication and thoughts about episiotomy and other procedures. Then look forward to welcoming your baby into the world.

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Oct. 12, 2021

See also

  1. Breastfeeding and medications
  2. Breastfeeding nutrition: Tips for moms
  3. Can vaginal tears during childbirth be prevented?
  4. C-section recovery
  5. Eating the placenta
  6. Episiotomy
  7. Exercise after pregnancy
  8. Fetal presentation before birth
  9. High-risk pregnancy
  10. Home birth
  11. Inducing labor
  12. Kegel exercises
  13. Labor pain medications
  14. Labor positions
  15. Placenta
  16. Postpartum care: After a vaginal delivery
  17. Postpartum complications
  18. Pregnancy and breastfeeding when you have psoriasis
  19. Repeat C-sections
  20. Sex after pregnancy: Set your own timeline
  21. Signs of labor
  22. Stages of labor and birth
  23. Tailbone pain
  24. Vaginal tears in childbirth
  25. Considering VBAC
  26. The epidural block
  27. Water breaking