Preparing for labour

Labour is the culmination of your pregnancy and while few labours are pain-free, you can choose the method of pain relief that suits you best. The help and support of your partner can be invaluable in making your labour a smoother, more comfortable experience.

Preparing for a home birth

If you're planning to have a home birth, your midwife will tell you all about what preparations you need to make. Do as much as you can about four weeks before your due date so that you don't have to rush around getting everything organized at the last minute, and you are at least partly prepared...
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Going to hospital for the birth

If you get everything ready in advance and pack the things you'll need to take with you to hospital, you won't have to worry about being caught unprepared.
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Comfort aids for labour

When you're gathering together all the things you'll need for the birth, think about any items that will make your labour a more comfortable experience. It's best to get your comfort aids ready in advance. That way you won't forget anything in the excitement when labour starts, and you won't be...
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Pre-labour and labour

Medically, labour is divided into three stages. In the first stage, your cervix opens fully to allow your baby to pass through; in the second stage, your baby descends through the vagina; in the third stage, the placenta is delivered. All these stages are discussed in detail in the following...
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