There's fashionably late, and then there's downright rude. At least that seems to be the way full-term pregnancies are viewed by nearly everyone, from the soon-to-be parents themselves to friends, ...

Sometimes your baby needs to arrive before your body gets the memo. When that happens, your provider may recommend an induction – using medicine or other techniques to help labor get started.

Labor induction is one of the most common medical procedures in the world, with nearly one-quarter of women who deliver in the U.S. undergoing the procedure each year (totaling roughly 1 million).

If you're gearing up for an induction, you might hear your healthcare provider mention something called a Foley bulb. It might be the first time you've heard of it, and it can sound a little ...