Pregnant | Giving birth

How will I Know? It may sound like a silly question, but it's one that most new mothers ask themselves in the final weeks. Fear that you might suddenly come into labour and end up giving birth in the middle of the supermarket vegetable isle may be keeping you indoors. But don't worry. The vast majority of first births are fairly slow affairs, with an obvious build up of symptoms that are easy to recognize. These include: 1. Nesting instinct (a strong urge to get everything spick and span for the arrival) 2. A show (vaginal mucus discharge from the cervical plug) 3. Contractions (localized pain and cramping that comes at regular intervals around your abdomen, pelvic area and/or lower back, getting stronger and more frequent over a number of hours).
Read How will I know I'm in labour?

Labour Ready Birth is not an easy thing to go through. But luckily for you and your baby, nature has seen to it that you're both geared up and ready for the big event. You'll probably become aware of certain changes in your body as the labour approaches - the relaxing of muscles in your pelvic area, practice contractions and a desperate need to rest to build up your energy reserves - but did you realise that your baby too has been preparing for his birth, too? Your bodies work in amazing synchrony.
Read Everything's ready...

Self-Help Birth Techniques We've all heard the saying "mind over body", and if you're familiar with meditation or other relaxation techniques you'll know how powerful your mind can be when it comes to controlling your body's physical responses to stress, pain and fear. This is particularly useful when it comes to giving birth. There are many methods that you can use to deal with pain or feelings of panic during labour. But like all skills, practice makes perfect. So the sooner you start the better.
Read Essential skills for labour and life

I'm eight months pregnant and have a tipped uterus. Will this make my labour longer or harder than average?
Read Will a tipped uterus make my labor longer or harder than average?

The Birth Day Cast Who is likely to be involved in your labour and your baby's delivery, and what will be their roles? Obviously this will depend very much on how the event proceeds and where you give birth. In the case of a straightforward home birth, only your midwife and birthing partner should be needed. But if you've opted to have your baby in hospital, there are various health professionals who may or may not be involved.
Read The maternity medical team

While you don't want to give birth on a full stomach, new research shows that fasting during labor isn't a good idea either. So what should you munch on if you get hungry during labor? Read on!
Best snack foods for early labor

Daddy's Checklist As birthing partner, you have your own list of To-Dos for the birth. If you haven't done so already, visit the maternity unit and work out a couple of routes from your house in case your usual one is blocked on the big day. Prepare the camera, and get to grips with the baby's car seat in advance.
Read Daddy's checklist

Writing Your Birthplan One of the most important tasks for the next few weeks is to put down your thoughts, hopes and wishes for the birth. This is the best way to communicate your intentions to those who will be present on the big day. Key points include: who your birthing partner will be and how you see their role; where you would like to give birth; your thoughts on pain relief, delivery positions, cutting the cord, Vitamin K, and how to manage the third stage.
Read How to write your birth plan

Can you explain what an episiotomy is?
Read Can you explain what an episiotomy is?

Last Minute Preparations Even if you're not one for lists, it may be worth having one to check off all the preparations that need to be made at home for your baby's arrival - such as a good supply of ready cooked food for the first week, for instance. It's imperative that evertying is ready before your due day, as you will need all your energy afterwards to recover and care of your newborn.
Read Keepsakes for the future

I'm 20 weeks pregnant and was just told that I might have what's called vasa placenta, and that this condition might make it necessary for me to have a C-section. Could you please give me some more information on this condition and what causes it?
Read Could you tell me about vasa previa?

The skills you learn in antenatal classes aren't just useful during labor. Here are four techniques that will make childbirth easier and help you relax and stay calm after your baby is born.
Four ways to ease labor pain