Prelabor signs may include a change in vaginal discharge, diarrhea, and losing the mucus plug. As this eMedTV article explains, prelabor signs may appear from a month or more prior to true labor to just a few hours before labor begins.
Early signs of labor are different for each woman and with each pregnancy. This page of the eMedTV site explains the difference between false labor and true signs of labor -- the most obvious being contractions that increase in strength and duration.
False labor is generally identified by contractions that do not increase in strength or that go away after a change in position. This eMedTV resource explains in detail the difference between false labor and true labor.
Braxton Hicks are a sign that your body is preparing for childbirth, not a sign of actual labor. This eMedTV article explains Braxton Hicks contractions and offers suggestions for alleviating them.
Bloody show -- a normal sign of prelabor -- refers to mucus that is tinged pink or streaked with blood. This page from the eMedTV archives further explains bloody show, including its relevance to labor.
Women tend to lose the mucous plug (which protects the baby during pregnancy) shortly before labor begins. This section of the eMedTV Web site explains what the mucous plug is and discusses its role during pregnancy.
The types of contractions felt during pregnancy are Braxton Hicks contractions and true labor contractions. This eMedTV article offers an in-depth look at these two types of contractions and explains the differences between them.
Labor and delivery is generally an exhausting experience, but it helps to be prepared. This eMedTV resource describes in detail the labor and delivery process, including what to expect and how your doctors may assist you in the process.
The female anatomy is uniquely designed to provide nourishment for the fetus in the womb. This page on the eMedTV website provides an overview of the various parts of the female reproductive anatomy and how they relate to childbirth.
Assisted delivery methods often need to be used when a normal vaginal delivery is too risky or impossible. This section of the eMedTV site describes assisted delivery options and their risks, such as c-section, forceps delivery, and vacuum delivery.
When a normal vaginal delivery is deemed too risky or impossible, a forceps delivery may be used instead. As this eMedTV article explains, with this procedure, the doctor uses forceps to gently pull the baby down the birth canal.
An abnormal presentation is anything other than the head-down position of a baby during delivery. This section of the eMedTV site explains the abnormal presentation types, such as breech, transverse lie, and face or shoulder presentation.
Failure to progress through labor (or failure to progress in labor) can be caused by the baby's position, among other things. This eMedTV article explains failure to progress through labor, including causes and delivery options.
As this eMedTV page explains, fetal distress is a term that has no clear definition but refers to any trouble the baby is having prior to delivery. Fetal distress can be brought on by anything that cuts off the supply of blood or oxygen to the baby.
Some postpartum bleeding is normal, and most of it occurs right after birth. This eMedTV resource talks about normal bleeding and postpartum hemorrhage (which can occur when the uterus fails to contract during and after delivery of the placenta).
A cesarean section is a procedure to surgically remove a baby from the uterus. This eMedTV page explains the structures in the body that are involved with pregnancy, what happens during the surgery, and possible complications of this procedure.
As this eMedTV page explains, the cause of Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular spasms of the uterus that occur in the last months of pregnancy. These Braxton Hicks causes are the body's way of practicing for the actual delivery of the baby.
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