The third stage of labor refers to the birth or expulsion of the placenta. Following the excitement of birth, the mother may feel surprised when her caregiver instructs her to “push for the placenta.” She may feel shaky or very emotional, and she may be either acutely aware that contractions have not completely subsided, or so engrossed with the new baby that she doesn't even notice them.

The second stage of labor comes with a renewed sense of energy. As a laboring woman has worked with her body to get to this part, the joy and excitement of getting to meet their little one so soon, becomes even more real, as you begin to push. Specifically, the second stage of labor begins once the body has completely dilated, and begins the process of pushing the baby through the birth canal. Discover your pushing preferences and learn a few tips for your baby’s arrival!

In the movies, we often see the onset of labor to begin with a dramatic moment of the expecting mothers water breaking, and needing to rush to the hospital. Though that does make for good entertainment, it is very rarely what actually occurs in labor. Typically, less than 10-%15% will experience their water breaking before the onset of labor. Most commonly, your water will break at some point during labor, or you may be one of the lucky ones for the rare birth of your baby en caul!

Placenta encapsulation is the process of taking the organ that sustained and nourished your baby through pregnancy and putting it into a capsule to support a mother in her postpartum period.

Hormones in labor and birth play an important role. There are two primary hormones that have a huge impact on preparing for birth, producing and managing contractions, and bonding after birth with baby. These hormones are Oxytocin and Endorphins! Though there are more hormones that can occur in labor and birth, we are focusing on the two that are helpful and that should be focused on producing.