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A guide to help ease any discomfort and aid healing if you have had an episiotomy (a cut that enlarges the opening of the vagina) when giving birth.

It can take time to recover fully after a cesarean. It's important to take care of yourself --both for your own sake and because your new baby needs you.

Every cigarette you don't smoke is a benefit to you and your baby. Deciding not to smoke can be a tough choice, but you can change. Even if you've tried before, don't give up.

Anesthetics may numb only 1 region of your body, or they may let you sleep during surgery. These medicines are given by trained specialists. Whenever possible, regional anesthesia is used so you can be awake during your baby's birth.

In most cases, a cesarean section birth is not expected. It may be needed because of concerns about the baby, the mother, or the baby's passage through the birth canal.

When your baby is delivered by C-section, it means the surgeon makes a cut in your belly to reach the infant and remove them from the womb. In many cases, a C-section is unexpected. It is done to make sure that you and your baby have the safest birth.

The pelvic floor muscles may weaken due to aging, pregnancy and vaginal childbirth, injury, surgery, chronic cough, or lack of exercise. If the pelvic floor is weak, your bladder and other pelvic organs may sag out of place. The urethra may also open too easily and allow urine to leak out. Kegel exercises can help you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles so they can better support the pelvic organs and control urine flow.

Nonstress and contraction stress tests check if your baby is getting enough oxygen and nutrients from your blood. Here's what to expect.

During ultrasound, high-frequency sound waves pass through your body and your baby. You can't hear the sound waves, but the ultrasound equipment can.