Cesarean section or C-section is the surgical delivery of a baby through a cut (incision) made in the mother's abdomen and uterus.

Cord blood banking is a choice for parents who want to preserve the blood of the umbilical cord and placenta of their baby as "insurance" to help with possible future medical needs of their child.

To get ready for delivery, you may be moved into a birthing room or delivery room. Or you may stay in the same room for both labor and delivery.

An episiotomy is an incision through the area between your vaginal opening and your anus. This area is called the perineum. This procedure is done to make your vaginal opening larger for childbirth.

Fetal heart rate monitoring measures the heart rate and rhythm of your baby (fetus). This lets your healthcare provider see how your baby is doing.

Labor usually starts 2 weeks before or after the estimated date of delivery. No one knows exactly what sets off the onset of labor.

Detailed information on breastfeeding and mastitis

Postpartum hemorrhage is more bleeding than normal after the birth of a baby. About 1 in 100 to 5 in 100 women have postpartum hemorrhage. It is more likely with a cesarean birth. It most often happens after the placenta is delivered, but it can also happen later.

Postpartum thyroiditis happens when a person's thyroid becomes inflamed after delivering a baby, or having a miscarriage or abortion. It may first cause your thyroid to be overactive. But over time it leads to an underactive thyroid. This affects a small percentage of pregnant people.

Nap when your baby naps. Take warm, shallow baths several times a day if you had stitches after delivery. Wear a supportive bra and use warm compresses to help with milk letdown.

You have a lot of choices when it comes to birth control. Some methods don't need a healthcare provider's visit. But others, like oral contraceptives, are available only by prescription.

You will need plenty of rest, good nutrition, and help during the first few weeks after your baby is born.

Tubal ligation is a permanent form of birth control in which a woman's fallopian tubes are tied or blocked. This keeps the egg and sperm from connecting and so prevents pregnancy.