If you're gearing up for an induction, you might hear your healthcare provider mention something called a Foley bulb. It might be the first time you've heard of it, and it can sound a little ...

If labor doesn’t start on its own, doctors and midwives can use different techniques to get it started so you can give birth. This is called inducing labor, and there are different reasons for doing ...

The cervix dilates (opens) during the first stage of labor to prepare for the baby's birth. Cervical dilation is measured from 1 to 10 centimeters. You are ready to push and deliver when the cervix ...

One of the oldest mechanical methods of artificially starting labour in overdue pregnancies, the Foley catheter*, is as successful (giving similar vaginal delivery rates) as the current treatment of ...

In preparation for the birth of your baby, your cervix effaces (thins and stretches) and dilates (opens) so your baby can fit through the birth canal. This cervical ripening can begin days or even ...

Sometimes a baby needs a little encouragement to make her big debut. Whether you’re past your due date, your water’s broken but contractions haven’t started, or there’s another medical reason to ...

Some people claim that certain exercises, stretches, relaxation techniques, and laughing may help a pregnant person dilate faster. However, there is typically only anecdotal support for these ...