The eight things every pregnant woman should know before giving birth to avoid a traumatic delivery, by veteran health editor EVE SIMMONS

As a health editor, I’ve interviewed scores of mothers about their traumatic birth stories over the years. I’ve also interrogated top maternal experts about how to have as safe a birth as possible. As a health editor, I’ve interviewed scores of mothers about their traumatic birth stories over the years. I’ve also interrogated top maternal experts about how to have as safe a birth as possible.