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.
"We always have a baby boom going on like this," says Allison Ronco, a critical care education coordinator and nurse for the hospital."
Bell says that she grappled with some guilt over her decision to have a home birth in the aftermath of this experience.
Holt is refreshingly open about every measure doctors took for induction.
A team of amazing doctors made it happen.
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?
Having a baby doesn't always go according to plan.
Whitney Bliesner's twin sister is her BFF and her surrogate.
Dad's age matters.
We urgently need to reevaluate how we are taking care of women.
This is incredible.
She was expecting her third daughter and got a big surprise.
You asked and our midwife answered!
2. You get to hand-select who will attend your birth.
Pure Leaf is planning a fun contest.
"I mustered my strength and listened to everyone cheer me on as I roared that baby out," shares Vanessa DeCosta.
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.
One mama tells us how she coped when her birth didn’t go as planned.
Micala Gabrielle Henson's grandmother was given these instructions back when her mom was born in 1968 and they are...something else.
"We forget that we are going in for major surgery," shares Simpson.
Our stories matter.