Pregnancy and birth

An umbilical artery ultrasound is a specialized imaging exam that measures blood flow in the umbilical cord, which connects the fetus to the placenta. Clinicians focus on the um...

A baby at 36 weeks is considered early term and nearing full term. Most organ systems are mature, but subtle differences remain compared to babies born at 39–40 weeks. This ov...

Your water breaking means the amniotic sac holding the baby and fluid has ruptured, which can happen before or during labor. For many people, it signals that labor is approachin...

In a first pregnancy, noticeable showing typically occurs around 12 to 16 weeks for many people, with the uterus rising out of the pelvis and the belly gradually becoming eviden...

When the amniotic sac ruptures, commonly called the water breaking, the baby is no longer in the fluid-filled protective environment designed to cushion and support development....

Early dilation refers to the gradual opening and thinning of the cervix in the first stage of labor, typically measured in centimeters from 0 to about 6 cm. A midwife or clinici...

The mucus plug is a collection of mucus that seals the cervical opening during pregnancy. It helps protect the uterus from infection and acts as a physical barrier while the cer...