Giving Birth - Everything You Need to Know - Motherly
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Birth

It’s go time, mama! Whether you’re counting down the days or trying to plan ahead, learn more about giving birth with advice and essays from real mamas.

playdough c-section viral video

Mom creates realistic playdough C-section for her son

Videos of the 'surgeries' performed by the mother-son team are going viral.

Updated Oct. 06, 2022
mom with baby on chest has unplanned c-section

My birth story: What my unplanned C-section taught me about motherhood

When I look back now I can see the story more clearly, not just the fear and disappointment—but the joy.

Updated Oct. 05, 2022
mom holding newborn baby against her chest

As a new mom I have so much love for my baby—but I’m struggling to love myself

No one told me I would give birth to an entirely new version of myself the day I gave birth to my son.

Updated Aug. 27, 2022
Ciara squatting with a baby bump

Ciara was ‘literally in labor’ finishing this song & music video

"I probably could only do each take for like two minutes and then I needed to take a break."

Updated Feb. 15, 2022
c-section surprises mama

13 things that surprised me about having a C-section

6. How fast they got my son out.

Updated Oct. 07, 2022
woman in labor

These emotional birth photos show why midwives are so important

As a younger mother—and especially as a Black mother—21-year-old Anya was very much at risk for having her voice silenced during her birth experience. Moms under 30 are more likely to report being mistreated or have their concerns ignored by medical providers while in labor, which can lead to deadly consequences. Black mothers are three to four times more likely to die during or after pregnancy or birth compared to white mothers. That's why Anya choose to have a midwife supported birth in a birth center.

Updated Oct. 28, 2022
mom with new baby

My birth story: Surrogacy made me a mother

No matter how it happened, my baby deserves a warm and fuzzy birth story.

Updated Apr. 27, 2022
mom doing skin-to-skin with baby

My birth story: Life and loss in one pregnancy

Our maternal-fetal medicine doctor came in suddenly—and I knew that something was wrong.

Updated Feb. 09, 2022
pre-packed hospital bag

This pre-packed hospital bag has everything I wish I packed for my birth 🙌

The Fully Prepared bag from Belly and Bag includes basically everything but the baby.

Updated Jan. 12, 2022
quadruplets laying side by side in a hospital

This Texas mom gave birth to rare quadruplets during a pandemic

The last few months have been shocking for Jenny, who delivered four boys by C-section and has no history of multiples in her family.

Updated Jan. 06, 2022
woman doing chest to chest after labor

The one lesson from birth class I actually used

I'm a labor and delivery nurse and *this* was new information to me!

Updated Jan. 31, 2023
mom showing toddler his new sibling

Should I switch to a home birth during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Here are some key points to know when switching to an out-of-hospital birthing setting.

Updated Jan. 19, 2022
mom holding baby wearing a hat

All the feels

How to survive + thrive with a 4-month-old baby.

Updated Jan. 12, 2022
Melissa Rauch in a yellow dress

Melissa Rauch had to give birth while Facetiming her husband

The Big Bang Theory star shares her pandemic birth story.

Updated Jan. 19, 2022
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