Labor and delivery
Learning Center
Can vaginal tears during childbirth be prevented?
Learn what you can do to help lower the risk of vaginal tears during childbirth.
Doula: Do you need a doula?
Find out how a doula might be helpful during pregnancy, childbirth and recovery.
Episiotomy: When it's needed, when it's not
Planning a vaginal delivery? Find out when an incision between the vagina and anus might be needed during childbirth.
Home birth: Know the pros and cons
Understand the possible risks and how to plan and prepare for a home birth.
Hypnobirthing: How does it work?
Hypnobirthing — A Mayo Clinic specialist discusses this method of easing pain during childbirth.
Inducing labor: When to wait, when to induce
Find out who can benefit from getting the uterus to contract to start labor and why.
Labor and delivery: Pain medications
Understand the pros and cons of various labor and delivery pain medications.
Labor positions
Learn about positions that might help you relax and ease pain during labor.
Pyloric stenosis
In this condition, a valve between an infant's stomach and small intestine fails to open enough for food to pass through. Surgery is the treatment.
Signs of labor: Know what to expect
Know exactly what to expect as your due date approaches and your body prepares for delivery.