Uterine contractions are a key part of childbirth, but they can temporarily reduce oxygen supply to the fetus. During high-risk childbirth, monitoring of contractions is crucial to ensure the safety ...

Researchers have developed a new imaging tool, called electromyometrial imaging (EMMI), to create real-time, three-dimensional images and maps of contractions during labor. The non-invasive imaging ...

One of the most nerve-wracking parts of pregnancy is learning about — and preparing for — labor. That's partially because there are so few accurate depictions of labor in media and pop culture. The ...

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed new imaging technology that can produce 3D maps showing the magnitude and distribution of uterine contractions in ...

Labor contractions can feel like intense cramps or pressure. Braxton-Hicks contractions do not follow a pattern and may stop with activity. Early labor contractions become more regular and stronger ...

Could that weird cramp in your belly be the start of labor—or is it just another bout of indigestion? Maybe it's the real deal, or maybe it's just Braxton Hicks. Can you even have contractions before ...

Here's what happens during each stage of labor – from how long each stage lasts to what you might feel. Labor happens in three stages — early labor and dilation, pushing and delivery, and finally, ...

People don’t believe it when I mention how much I loved labor and delivery. They think I’m talking about my career as a nurse-midwife helping others, not my own experiences. They’re partially right—I ...

There's a big learning curve when it comes to pregnancy. For many expecting parents, just thinking about contractions can be nerve-wracking because they are associated with pain and the start of labor ...