What to Expect mom Amber E. is in her second trimester and starting to think about her plan for labor and delivery. "As a first-time mom, I don't know what I like or want,” she writes to the WTE First ...

Many people create a birth plan to state their preferences for labor and delivery. A birth plan will: help you think through your preferences ahead of time, explore different options you might not ...

If a baby is in your future, you’ve likely been planning ahead — stocking up on diapers, newborn clothes and blankets, as well as considering how you’ll name your little one. “But before the baby is ...

At the core, birth plans are a way to look “at your expectations, your fears, your needs, and your coping strategies,” Rubin says. And while “birth” is in the name, expecting parents should use them ...

Take the time to think about the details of labour and how you’d like it to go... Your plan can be as detailed or as brief as you like, but do remember that not all of your preferences may turn out to ...

The birth plan. It’s simple enough in theory: A birth plan is essentially a means by which you can outline your wants and desires for your labor and birth experience. But do a quick Google search and ...

There were more than 50,000 home births in the United States last year. That marked the highest total since at least 1990 and a 12% increase from 2020. Though home births are becoming more common, ...

For expectant parents, navigating pregnancy, delivery and postpartum can raise a range of emotions. There are so many things to think about and prepare for, and knowing where to start can feel ...

Professor of Midwifery and Higher Degree Director, Western Sydney University While childbirth is often a joyful event, it rarely unfolds exactly how we think it will. This causes disappointment or ...

This story is part of SELF's ongoing series exploring black maternal mortality. You can find the rest of the series here. I welcomed the opportunity to plan for my ideal birth, but I knew early on ...