MD
Dr. Stuart J. Fischbein is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, a lecturer, and a published author (Fearless Pregnancy, Wisdom & Reassurance from a Doctor, A Midwife, and A Mom; Homebirth With an Obstetrician, A Series of 135 Out of Hospital Births; Breech Birth at Home: Outcomes of 60 Breech and 109 Cephalic Planned Home and Birth Center Births). He is an outspoken advocate of informed decision-making, the midwifery model of care, and human rights in childbirth. He received the ‘Most Audacious’ award from HRIC and the Association for Holistic & Newborn Health (2016). Dr. Fischbein has 21 years of experience and now works directly with home birthing midwives and offers hope for women who cannot find supportive practitioners for VBAC, twin, and breech deliveries.
MomJunction believes in providing the most accurate content to its readers. Hence we get our articles reviewed by highly skilled experts in the relevant fields. The articles are reviewed to ensure their authenticity, factual correctness, and relevance. The board members also add inputs drawn from their years of experience. Learn more about our medical review board.
When does the baby drop? Women are often curious to know the answer. The baby usually drops into the pelvis in the final weeks of pregnancy, but some may drop just a few hours before birth. Baby drop is an indication that the body is ready for labor and the baby is taking its final position in the uterus before passing through the birthing canal which leads to the relaxation and effacement of the cervix. Predicting the actual time of the baby’s birth may be difficult, but the baby's descent is a good sign for mothers to prepare for their delivery. You may read the post to understand the signs of baby drop, how the baby changes its position to move towards labor, and what you can do to ensure the baby gets into the right birthing position. [mj-toc] When Does The Baby Drop? Baby dropping, also called lightening, happens between the 34th and 36th week of pregnancy (1). But...
Because labor is uncertain, you begin to have doubts and lookout for signs of labor as your due date approaches. You may think with every cramp that if you're having [simple_tooltip text="contractions" tooltip="Tightening of uterine muscles, causing pain in the lower belly and back" ], or have questions like 'what should I do if the water breaks?' or 'is my back pain a sign of labor?' You may also have asked similar questions of other mothers and received different responses for each question. However, there are some evident indicators of labor. Continue reading to learn about some obvious signs and symptoms that signal labor. [mj-toc] When Does Labor Start? [caption id="attachment_875782" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] In most cases, labor starts between the 37th and 42nd week of pregnancy. Labor that occurs before the 37th week is called preterm or early term; labor between 39th and 40th weeks is a full term; labor after the 42nd week is late term. About...
It is not unusual for women to experience back pain all through their pregnancy or during the delivery. In addition, some women may also experience lingering back pain after pregnancy due to various reasons. Back pain after childbirth can cause problems with day-to-day activities and child care. Continue reading this post as we tell you more about the causes and tips on getting relief from postpartum back pain. [mj-toc] What Are The Reasons For Postpartum Back Pain? Postpartum back pain may be a result of various physical changes that your body undergoes during pregnancy, and the tremendous physical stress you experience during delivery. Here are the reasons that may cause backache post-delivery. The body releases progesterone and relaxin hormones during pregnancy to loosen the ligaments and joints of the pelvic bone, to help the baby come out with ease (1). The weak ligaments and muscles might lead to back pain. The levels of these hormones are likely to stay up...
Water breakage during pregnancy is crucial in the third trimester since it signals labor. The amniotic fluid surrounds the baby in the amniotic sac. This sac breaks at the beginning of labor. If you notice the flow of fluid, contact a healthcare professional. Some pregnant women may misinterpret urination (due to the womb's pressure on the urinary bladder) as water breaks. However, before rushing into the maternity center, ensure it’s not urine. Water breaking significantly earlier than the due date can be concerning. Read on to know the causes of water breaking in pregnancy, how to distinguish it from urination, and when to go to the hospital. [mj-toc]What Is Water Break During Pregnancy? The fetus is surrounded by a membranous fluid-filled sac inside the womb known as an amniotic sac. The sac protects and cushions the baby throughout your pregnancy. When this amniotic sac ruptures, the fluid passes through the cervix and vagina. The rupturing of the membrane is accompanied...