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.
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 happening! Grab your bags and head to the hospital. Here is what will happen when you get there.
Chances are the only thing you know about childbirth is that it hurts. And that's enough to scare anybody. One way of dealing with your worry is by getting informed.
Are you feeling anxious? Or just plain frightened when you think about giving birth? You're not the only one. But you should share your concerns with your midwife.
If your baby is in a breech position, your doctor will try to turn them around. But there are also things you can try at home.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
