While pregnancy is a beautiful phase filled with anticipation, it can also be stressful. Throughout the nine months, a pregnant woman prepares both mentally and physically for the delivery day.

Figure out your childbirth preferences, but also be prepared for plan B … or C. Credit...Kati Szilagyi Supported by By Katherine Hobson This guide was originally published on May 3, 2019 in NYT ...

What to Expect mom Amber E. is in her second trimester and starting to think about her plan for labor and delivery. "As a first-time mom, I don't know what I like or want,” she writes to the WTE First ...

Many people create a birth plan to state their preferences for labor and delivery. A birth plan will: help you think through your preferences ahead of time, explore different options you might not ...

For expectant parents, navigating pregnancy, delivery and postpartum can raise a range of emotions. There are so many things to think about and prepare for, and knowing where to start can feel ...

Take the time to think about the details of labour and how you’d like it to go... Your plan can be as detailed or as brief as you like, but do remember that not all of your preferences may turn out to ...

The birth plan. It’s simple enough in theory: A birth plan is essentially a means by which you can outline your wants and desires for your labor and birth experience. But do a quick Google search and ...

At the core, birth plans are a way to look “at your expectations, your fears, your needs, and your coping strategies,” Rubin says. And while “birth” is in the name, expecting parents should use them ...

In between deciding on nursery colors, which brand of stroller to buy and whether you want to breastfeed, it can be helpful to give some thought to your labor and delivery experience. Sharing a birth ...

This story is part of SELF's ongoing series exploring black maternal mortality. You can find the rest of the series here. I welcomed the opportunity to plan for my ideal birth, but I knew early on ...