After nine months of incredible growth and changes both for you and your unborn baby, labor (contractions of the uterus) may finally start, signaling the pending birth of the your baby. It's natural to have some apprehension about this process, especially if you have never had a baby before.

Some of the most common questions include:

• When will labor begin?

• How long will labor last?

• How much pain is involved in delivering a baby?

• Will the birth hurt the baby in any way?

This newsletter issue will help answer these and many other questions about labor and the birth of your baby.