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Labor and BirthThe event of labor comes in stages. Here, you will get an overview of what to expect, how to know you are in labor, what you should do when labor starts, and which warning signs may be cause for concern. During Stage 1, you will experience what's known as "early labor," followed by "active labor," and a transition in which your cervix fully dilates. Stage 2 is the birth of your baby, followed by Stage 3, the afterbirth, when you push out the placenta. In this section, you will get explanations of what your body will go through during each of these stages. Most recent page update: 2/29/2008
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Childbirth Connection is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1918 as Maternity Center Association. Our mission is to improve the quality of maternity care through research, education, advocacy and policy. Childbirth Connection promotes safe, effective and satisfying evidence-based maternity care and is a voice for the needs and interests of childbearing families. |
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New VBAC Guidlines
ACOG has just issued new Guidlines for VBAC. What changed? What continues? We've Moved!
On July 1, 2010, the Childbirth Connection office moved to 260 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016. All other contact information is unchanged. New Pregnancy Video Library Available
Our new Video Library features links to a wealth of resources for health professionals as well as for women who are planning pregnancy, are pregnant or are new mothers. Visit the Video Library ![]() "2020 Vision" and "Blueprint for Action" Reports Available Learn about Transforming Maternity Care project ![]() Read the "2020 Vision" ![]() Read the "Blueprint for Action" ![]() Read the Consumer Workgroup report ![]() Help implement Blueprint recommendations ![]() Listen to report release event audio, 1/2010 ![]() eNews Sign Up
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US Cochrane Center (USCC)/Consumers United for Evidence-based Healthcare (CUE) Evidence-Based Maternity Care Report Released New Mothers Speak Out National Report Released New Content!
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"I had a very easy pregnancy, labor & delivery. All were normal. I really enjoyed being pregnant and I love being a mother, but it is very hard and stressful."
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