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.

Talk about a baby boom: This NICU has 36 nurses having a baby this year

"We always have a baby boom going on like this," says Allison Ronco, a critical care education coordinator and nurse for the hospital."

Updated Jan. 23, 2023

Lake Bell shares how her home births didn’t go as planned

Bell says that she grappled with some guilt over her decision to have a home birth in the aftermath of this experience.

Updated Jan. 23, 2023

Claire Holt’s birth story answers so many questions about induced labor

Holt is refreshingly open about every measure doctors took for induction.

Updated Jan. 30, 2023
woman recovering from a c section

Recovering from my C-section was harder than I imagined

Why was I in so much pain? Am I weaker than all of these other women? How did they make it through this? Why is this so difficult for me?

Updated Oct. 04, 2022

Jessa Duggar shares the story of her accidental home birth

Having a baby doesn't always go according to plan.

Updated Feb. 18, 2025

Unnecessary cuts: Why are American hospitals doing so many episiotomies?

We urgently need to reevaluate how we are taking care of women.

Updated May. 22, 2019

This viral birth photo captures the moment a mama learned she’d had a son

She was expecting her third daughter and got a big surprise.

Updated Oct. 28, 2022

8 reasons a home birth might be the perfect fit for you

2. You get to hand-select who will attend your birth.

Updated Apr. 17, 2019
partner behind woman holding a baby just after a home birth

These viral photos capture the beauty of home birth and the strength of women

"I mustered my strength and listened to everyone cheer me on as I roared that baby out," shares Vanessa DeCosta.

Updated Jan. 25, 2023
Prince Harry and Pregnant Mehghan Markle

Birth boundaries: Why Meghan Markle’s private birth is a powerful message to fellow mamas

By eschewing the (rather recent) tradition of public postpartum photo-ops in favor of doing what works for her, the Duchess is sending a message to pregnant women all over the world: You're in charge here, mama. You don't owe anyone an invitation to your birth, and you don't owe anyone a performance of postpartum perfection.

Updated Feb. 04, 2022
unexpected c-section picture

I had an unexpected C-section and these pictures tell my story

One mama tells us how she coped when her birth didn’t go as planned.

Updated Oct. 07, 2022
vintage hospital birth instructions

These vintage hospital birth instructions show just how much has changed for mothers

Micala Gabrielle Henson's grandmother was given these instructions back when her mom was born in 1968 and they are...something else.

Updated Aug. 09, 2022

Jessica Simpson gets real about recovering from a C-section

"We forget that we are going in for major surgery," shares Simpson.

Updated Jan. 23, 2023
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