<img alt="Pregnancy Magazine" itemprop="image" src="https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/PM_logo_transparent-255x84-new.png?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1" srcset="https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/PM_logo_transparent-255x84-new.png?size=168x55&lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 168w, https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/PM_logo_transparent-255x84-new.png?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 255w" sizes="(max-width: 255px) 100vw, 255px">

Category: Birth stories

<img src="https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/baby_feet.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1" title="Real birth story: Twins" alt="img" srcset="https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/baby_feet.jpg?size=168x140&lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 168w, https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/baby_feet.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />

Real birth story: Twins

By Pregnancy Contributor

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After months of bed rest, a C-section brings joy and relief We had our first ultrasound the day after my husband’s birthday, when I was about 12 weeks pregnant. As soon as the technician placed the transducer on my abdomen, we saw two black circular sacs and knew it was twins. Shock hit...

<img src="https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/belly.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1" title="Real birth story: A painful and perfect home birth" alt="img" srcset="https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/belly.jpg?size=168x140&lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 168w, https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/belly.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />

Real birth story: A painful and perfect home birth

By Pregnancy Contributor

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When I was pregnant for the first time I did a ton of research. I really wanted a home birth, but I couldn’t convince my husband of its safety. So, I settled on a hospital instead. When my water broke and labor didn’t start, I was induced with Pitocin and...

<img src="https://www.pregnancymagazine.com/files/images/rolling.jpg" title="Real Birth Story: Right On Time" alt="img" width="363px;" height="250px;"/>

Real Birth Story: Right On Time

By Pregnancy Editors

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A new mom learns you just can’t plan these things.

<img src="https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-363x250.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1" title="Real birth story: Unexpectedly pregnant" alt="img" srcset="https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-363x250.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 363w,https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/photo-363x250.jpg?size=168x116&lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 168w" sizes="(max-width: 363px) 100vw, 363px" />

Real birth story: Unexpectedly pregnant

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A couple without hope becomes unexpectedly pregnant After eight years of marriage, and countless failed attempts at pregnancy, my husband and I completely lost hope of having a baby. We were living our lives in despair. Then one day I went in for my regular checkup for diabetes. My endocrinologist examined my...

<img src="https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/dads.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1" title="Real birth story: My wayward birth" alt="img" srcset="https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/dads.jpg?size=168x140&lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 168w, https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/dads.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />

Real birth story: My wayward birth

By Pregnancy Contributor

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Our birth plan consisted of two items: 1. Don’t get stuck in traffic and become a Daily News headline: “Baby Boy Born on Brooklyn Bridge.” 2. Take advantage of the miracles of modern medicine in the form of painkillers and machines with comforting whirrs beeps that let us know the baby is safe. My husband, Wayne, and...

<img src="https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/birth_story_fi.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1" title="Real birth story: When does this surgery start?" alt="img" srcset="https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/birth_story_fi.jpg?size=168x140&lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 168w, https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/birth_story_fi.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />

Real birth story: When does this surgery start?

By Emme Lukasik

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If there’s one thing about childbirth I know for sure, it’s this: Clear, rational thoughts do not exist for laboring women. With a broken water bag and contractions increasing in frequency and intensity, I knew one spring afternoon that my little one was on her way. So, I did the...

<img src="https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Screen-Shot-2015-09-02-at-12.16.40-PM1.png?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1" title="Real birth stories: Dream labor" alt="img" />

Real birth stories: Dream labor

By Pregnancy Contributor

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No morning sickness. No cravings. For me, being pregnant had felt a lot like not being pregnant, so I was eager to discover how my perceptions of labor would compare to the real thing. On the night before my due date, I climbed into bed and felt a kick, then...

<img src="https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/Audrey.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1" title="Birth Story: Thanks, Coach and Doula" alt="img" srcset="https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/Audrey.jpg?size=168x122&lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 168w, https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/Audrey-300x218.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 300w, https://834629.smushcdn.com/1703353/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/Audrey.jpg?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1 320w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" />

Birth Story: Thanks, Coach and Doula

By Pregnancy Editors

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This marathon mom pushed her endurance - with the right help.

Body Changes During Pregnancy: Your Breasts
It's no secret pregnancy takes a toll on a mother's body. Most parts of your body are probably getting bigger, including your breasts. There are many changes your breasts experience as your body prepares to nourish your little one. Do all pregnant women experience the same symptoms? What triggers breast tenderness? And why do our…
Bonding with your Baby Before Birth
We know the bond between mother and baby is strong, but when does that bonding begin? How can we increase that bond throughout our pregnancy, even if our little one wasn't planned? And how can our unborn child learn to love the people who matter most to us even before birth? Learn more about your…
Pregnancy Symptoms: The Last 20 Weeks
You're at least halfway through your pregnancy and your symptoms may be changing. Your growing belly may lead to hints of back and pelvic pain, or you may now be huffing and puffing when climbing a simple set of stairs. Or you may experience extreme heartburn, gas or swelling. What typically causes these common symptoms…
Pregnancy Symptoms: The First 20 Weeks
You're pregnant and you may not even know it yet. For many women, it's the early pregnancy symptoms that give it away. So, what type of symptoms can you expect during the first 20 weeks of your pregnancy? What triggers these symptoms and what can you do to overcome them? Learn more about your ad…