It can be hard to know what type of pain relief to choose before labour starts, since you don't know what kind of pain you'll be dealing with. The only thing to do is read up about different pain relief solutions beforehand, so at least you're familiar with the options when the time comes.
It's not hard to become the best birth coach ever. Start by reading this article and you're almost there.
The space is narrow and it can take time. So how does the baby experience delivery? Very little is known about this, but what we do know is it's a tough journey.
There are three stages you have to go through before you can welcome your baby to the world: dilation of the cervix, pushing and birth, and delivery of the placenta.
How do you know if it's started? There's a sure sign; regular contractions. When the contractions get as frequent as three in ten minutes, it could be time to go.
Time passes slowly when you're waiting to start labour, and even more slowly if you're overdue. But a scheduled induction can feel like both a blessing and a disappointment.
It's never too early to prepare for the birth.
It's over. The birth is over. Your baby is lying in your arms and you're probably counting his or her fingers and toes, examining your precious bundle from head to toe. Congratulations, you're now a mother.
It's happening! Grab your bags and head to the hospital. Here is what will happen when you get there.
Whether it's a planned or an emergency caesarean, the procedure and the outcome are the same. You'll have a 15-cm-long scar along your bikini line and your baby in your arms.
Everybody wants to know how long labour will last. The answer is maybe around 20 hours. But it can be shorter. Or longer.
It's not very common for babies to be born prematurely. But if they are, a premature baby gets the very best care and has very good prospects for the future.
