Second Trimester
Swelling During Pregnancy: What's Normal and What's a Red Flag
Swollen feet and ankles are a common part of late pregnancy. What's expected, what helps, and the swelling pattern that means you should call.
May 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Blog
All Articles
Anesthesia
How to Talk to Your Anesthesia Team Before and During Labor
A short guide to talking with your anesthesia team: what to share, what to ask, and why naming fears out loud gets you better care.
May 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Labor
Using a TENS Unit for Labor Pain: Does It Help?
A TENS unit is a small, drug-free device some moms swear by in early labor. Here's how it works, what the evidence says, and how to use one well.
May 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Epidural
The Epidural 'Test Dose': The Small Safety Step You Might Not Notice
The test dose is a small safety step right after epidural placement — medication, a minute of watching, a few checks. Here's what it catches and why.
May 28, 2026 · 4 min read
Recovery
The Golden Hour: What the First Hour After Birth Is For
The 'golden hour' is the first hour after birth, often spent skin-to-skin. Here's what it's for, what can usually wait, and how to protect it.
May 28, 2026 · 4 min read
Labor
The Urge to Push: What It Feels Like and Why Timing Matters
The urge to push is one of labor's most powerful, involuntary sensations. Here's what it feels like and how an epidural changes it.
May 28, 2026 · 4 min read
Labor
Transition: The Hardest, Shortest Part of Labor
Transition is the intense final stretch of dilation — the moment many moms think they can't go on. Here's what it is and how to get through it.
May 28, 2026 · 4 min read
Anesthesia
Anesthesia for a Twin Delivery: What's Different and Why
Twins change the anesthesia conversation: more monitoring, often an OR delivery, and a strong case for an early epidural. Here's the picture.
May 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Postpartum
Understanding Apgar Scores: What the Numbers Really Mean
Your baby gets an Apgar score in the first minutes of life — but it's not the grade many parents think. Here's what the numbers mean, and what they don't.
May 28, 2026 · 4 min read
Labor
Vacuum or Forceps Delivery: What It Means and What to Expect
An operative vaginal delivery (vacuum or forceps) is a common option when pushing isn't quite enough. Here's why a team might offer it and what it involves.
May 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Anesthesia
Anesthesia for a VBAC: What's the Same and What's Slightly Different
Planning a VBAC? An epidural is compatible with it — and often encouraged. Here's how anesthesia planning changes and what to ask your team.
May 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Emotional Prep
Why Pregnancy Dreams Get So Vivid (and Sometimes So Weird)
Wild, vivid, sometimes unsettling dreams are common in pregnancy. The likely reason behind them, and why they're usually nothing to read too much into.
May 28, 2026 · 4 min read