Near the end of the third trimester, the cervix will soften in order to begin the process of effacing (thinning and stretching) and dilating (opening up) in preparation for your baby's birth. An open ...

Preparing for what to expect during childbirth can help ease anxiety, and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital offers resources to support expectant parents every step of the way. Getting Familiar with the ...

Every birth, every mother and every baby are unique. However, all births have a few commonalities: there are moments of excitement, anticipation, anxiety and hope. When selecting a hospital where you ...

As you're preparing for the arrival of your future sidekick, you're probably anticipating labor and delivery with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. It's a good time to become familiar with vaginal ...

Self-care is the ultimate act of self-love. When you take time out of your busy schedule to take care of yourself, you’re sending a message to your brain and to the people around you that you matter.

If you're having a baby, you may opt to have an epidural to help manage pain, but you might also plan on a "natural birth" — one without pain medication. The general definition of "natural childbirth" ...