Labor & Delivery
Get evidence-based guidance for every stage of labor — from early contractions to the moment you meet your baby. Know your options, build your plan, and feel prepared.
Browse articles by topic
7 minute read
What to Know About Vaginal Tearing in Childbirth
Emily Oster, PhD
2 minute read
How Common Is Preterm Labor?
Emily Oster, PhD
3 minute read
Can Eating Dates Help with Childbirth?
Emily Oster, PhD
8 minute read
How Do You Know if You’re Going Into Labor?
Emily Oster, PhD
2 minute read
How Common is it to Go Past Your Due Date?
Emily Oster, PhD
3 minute read
What Should I Do to Prepare for Vaginal Delivery?
Emily Oster, PhD
2 minute read
What Causes Labor to Start?
Emily Oster, PhD
9 minute read
Pain Relief During Labor
Emily Oster, PhD
7 minute read
What Week You’re Most Likely to Give Birth
Emily Oster, PhD
Ask us anything
Have questions about labor & delivery? Petey, our AI librarian is here to help
Tools and guides
Interactive resources to help you navigate parenting decisions
Explore more topics
Join BabyData
The first year, decoded
From sleep schedules to feeding decisions to vaccine timelines — get research-backed guidance for your baby's first year, delivered weekly to your inbox.
Sign up for freeJoin PregnantData
Your pregnancy, by the numbers
Sign up for week-by-week insights for every step of your pregnancy, delivered to your inbox weekly.
Sign up for freeFollow on Instagram
Get bite-sized parenting insights, research updates, and practical tips from Prof. Emily Oster
PERSONALIZE YOUR JOURNEY
Where are you currently on your parenting journey?
Tell us a few more details so we can personalize your journey.
Please check all that apply
PREGNANCY
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
When
are you due?
Sharing your due date will allow us to send you the most relevant time-based information during your pregnancy.
Will you check that date again? It looks incorrect.OTHER
Each parenting journey is unique, tell us more so we can send you the best content for yours.
NEWSLETTERS
These are the newsletters that we recommend
Your free trial has ended!
Upgrade to keep premium featuresWhat you get
- Unlimited articles
- Weekly newsletters
- Live events with Emily
- VIP backstage passes
- Ask Emily directly
What you miss
- Only a few articles
- No email updates
- No event invites
- No backstage access
- No access to Q&A
Don’t miss your free trial
Stay a little longer. Your 14-day free trial is one click away.
PERSONALIZE YOUR JOURNEY
Where are you currently on your parenting journey?
Tell us a few more details so we can personalize your journey.
Please check all that apply
PREGNANCY
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
When are you
due?
Sharing your due date will allow us to send you the most relevant time-based information during your pregnancy.
Will you check that date again? It looks incorrect.OTHER
Each parenting journey is unique, tell us more so we can send you the best content for yours.
THANK YOU!
Thank you for sharing your parenting journey with us!
We think you’ll find these newsletters the most helpful.
To continue, an upgrade is required. Would you like to upgrade your plan now?