Everybody wants to know how long labour will last. The answer is maybe around 20 hours. But it can be shorter. Or longer.

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 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.

Caesarean sections, or c-sections, can either be planned or carried out as an emergency procedure when a delivery doesn't go as planned.

You can ease birth pain and help the birthing process by moving a bit and switching between different positions.

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.

It's never too early to prepare for the birth.

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.

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 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 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.