Labor and Birth

The big pregnancy moment you’ve been waiting for has arrived: labor and delivery. Here’s what you need to know about preparing for birth, labor and childbirth.

Ultimate Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom and Baby
Here's what you'll need to pack in your hospital bag—and what you don't.
By Jen LaBracio, CPST
Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
Updated On Jul 15, 2026
Updated Jul 15, 2026
How to Know When You're in Labor
Are you really in labor? Here are seven signs that baby is coming.
By Babylist Staff
Updated On Jul 20, 2026
Updated Jul 20, 2026
What Are the Stages of Labor?
Understanding the stages of labor will help you prep for the lead-up to baby’s birth (and right after too).
By Babylist Staff
Updated On Jul 20, 2026
Updated Jul 20, 2026
Hospital Birth Basics: A Guide to Labor, Delivery and What Comes After
A no-surprises guide to hospital birth—learn what really happens, from your first contraction to the first diaper change.
By Briana Engelbrecht
Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
Updated On Jul 20, 2026
Updated Jul 20, 2026
What to Pack in Your Home Birth Kit (From Someone Who’s Been There)
Planning to give birth at home? Here’s what to include in your kit, plus what midwives & parents say you’ll be glad to have.
By Briana Engelbrecht
Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
Updated On Mar 25, 2026
Updated Mar 25, 2026
How to Write a Birth Plan (Template Included!)
A birth plan helps you get the labor and delivery experience you want, and a template can help you write your plan quickly.
By Amylia Ryan
Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
Updated On Mar 25, 2026
Updated Mar 25, 2026
Everything You Need to Know Before Getting an Epidural
Considering an epidural? Here's what to know about this popular choice for pain management.
By Amylia Ryan
Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
Updated On Mar 25, 2026
Updated Mar 25, 2026
The 14 Best Postpartum Recovery Products for the 4th Trimester
Tried-and-true items that soothe, heal and help get you back on your feet.
By Latifah Miles
Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
Updated On Mar 25, 2026
Updated Mar 25, 2026
Everything You Need to Know About Postpartum Bleeding
Here's what to expect about postpartum bleeding in the days and weeks after you've had your baby.
By Briana Engelbrecht
Updated On Apr 29, 2026
Updated Apr 29, 2026
What Do Contractions Feel Like?
Contractions are a major part of labor. Here's what they feel like and how to know if they're the real deal.
By Briana Engelbrecht
Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
Updated On Apr 29, 2026
Updated Apr 29, 2026
What Happens to Your Body After Birth
Erica Chidi of LOOM demystifies the changes your body goes through during those first weeks postpartum.
By Erica Chidi
Fact Checked by Karen Reardanz
Updated On Apr 29, 2026
Updated Apr 29, 2026
How to Push During Labor
Erica Chidi, doula and CEO of LOOM, shares her top tips for pushing during childbirth—and how to practice.
By Erica Chidi
Fact Checked by Karen Reardanz
Updated On Apr 29, 2026
Updated Apr 29, 2026
Doula 101: What They Are & Why You Might Want One
Here's everything they do to support the childbirth experience, plus one Babylist registry hack to help you pay for a doula.
By Amylia Ryan and Erica Chidi
Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
Updated On Apr 29, 2026
Updated Apr 29, 2026
The Cost of Giving Birth in the US—and What You Can Expect to Pay
Childbirth is notoriously expensive, both with and without insurance. Here’s how the costs break down, including some surprises.
By Amylia Ryan
Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
Updated On Apr 10, 2026
Updated Apr 10, 2026
Here’s All the Free Stuff You Get From the Hospital After Giving Birth
If your baby is born in a hospital, you can take home everything from diapers to nipple shields.
By Amylia Ryan and Briana Engelbrecht
Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
Updated On Mar 25, 2026
Updated Mar 25, 2026
Best Postpartum Underwear
Postpartum bleeding typically lasts about six weeks. Stay comfy and dry with these underwear recommendations.
By Amylia Ryan
Updated On Apr 29, 2026
Updated Apr 29, 2026
What to Know about C-Sections
Here’s everything you need to know about giving birth via C-section.
By Briana Engelbrecht
Updated On Apr 29, 2026
Updated Apr 29, 2026
The Best Online Prenatal and Childbirth Classes
Looking for a way to learn childbirth techniques from home? Take these classes from the comfort of your couch.
By Amylia Ryan
Updated On Apr 29, 2026
Updated Apr 29, 2026
Everything You Need to Know About Pitocin Induction
Learn how this synthetic form of Oxytocin can help get your labor started.
By Babylist Staff
Updated On Apr 29, 2026
Updated Apr 29, 2026
C-Section Recovery Time and Tips
Here's what to expect and how to care for yourself when you get home.
By Babylist Staff
Updated On Mar 25, 2026
Updated Mar 25, 2026
Prenatal Physical Therapy
Feeling pain & discomfort while pregnant? Here’s how pregnancy-specialized physical therapy can help treat it.
By Amylia Ryan
Updated On Apr 29, 2026
Updated Apr 29, 2026
What is a Postpartum Doula?
A postpartum doula takes care of you so you can take care of your new baby.
By Babylist Staff
Updated On Dec 19, 2024
Updated Dec 19, 2024
Everything You Need to Know About Ripping and Tearing in Childbirth
The idea of childbirth might feel scary, but this information can help you feel prepared and confident.
By Julia Pelly
Updated On Apr 29, 2026
Updated Apr 29, 2026
‘Natural Birth’ is Outdated: All Birth is Natural
Erica Chidi, CEO of LOOM, explains why we need to get rid of the term “natural birth.”
By Babylist Staff
Updated On Apr 29, 2026
Updated Apr 29, 2026
What to Ask a Doula: 14 Interview Questions
By Babylist Staff
Updated On Mar 25, 2026
Updated Mar 25, 2026
Hospital Bag Must-Haves: The Best Products for Labor, Delivery and Recovery
If you’re struggling with what to pack for your hospital stay, these products are a good place to start.
By Jen LaBracio, CPST and Latifah Miles
Updated On Mar 25, 2026
Updated Mar 25, 2026
Navigating Your Birth Plan in the Time of Covid-19
We talked with a doula about what you can do when the birth you planned for can’t happen the way you’d hoped.
By Babylist Staff
Updated On Mar 26, 2025
Updated Mar 26, 2025

Labor and Birth

Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson

Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson

Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson

Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson

Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson

Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson

Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson

Fact Checked by Karen Reardanz

Fact Checked by Karen Reardanz

By Amylia Ryan and Erica Chidi

Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson

Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson

By Amylia Ryan and Briana Engelbrecht

Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson

By Jen LaBracio, CPST and Latifah Miles