Narrator: In the weeks before birth, your body slows down production of the hormone progesterone while increasing production of other hormones – including prostaglandins, which soften the cervix, and oxytocin, which triggers the uterine muscles to contract. True labor contractions are rhythmic and painful, and grow consistently stronger. As the long vertical muscle bands of the uterus tighten, they pull the cervix open. The strong muscles at the top of the uterus push down and release, guiding your baby toward the cervix. The mucus plug, a collection of thickened cervical mucus that's sealed your cervix shut for nine months, may be expelled days before or in the midst of labor. When the amniotic sac ruptures, your water has broken. It can feel like a trickle or a gush of fluid. Your cervix will begin opening and thinning, known as dilation and effacement. Once you reach about 4 centimeters, your body will move into active labor. In active labor, contractions become stronger and...
Choosing the Right Breast Pump for Yourself A breast pump is a type of mechanical device that extracts the breast milk from women who is lactating. It can be operated manually, using electricity or batteries. Many times women who are breastfeeding will use this to continue to breastfeed after they return to work. The breast milk collected can be kept at room temperature for as long as six hours or refrigerated for as long as eight days. It can also be frozen for twelve months in a deep freezer. In today's market there are many different types of breast pumps so it is important that you give some thought as to your needs before purchasing one. One important factor that you should consider is how often you will be using it. To figure this out you will need to know how much you will be away from your baby. If you are going to be out of the house for several days during the week the double electric breast pump would work the best. If you have a full time job...