Third stage of labour

Once your baby's been born, your uterus rests for about 15 minutes, but it soon starts to contract again to deliver the placenta. This is the third stage and you'll be so absorbed in your baby, you'll probably hardly notice it.

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  The third stage

  During the third stage of labour the placenta becomes detached from the wall of your uterus and is delivered down the birth canal.
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  Baby's first hours

  Once your baby is delivered, all the attention will be given to her and rightly so. She may cry when delivered and will cry lustily a few seconds after birth. She'll probably be a bluish-white colour and may be covered with vernix - a white, cheesy substance that protects her skin in the womb....
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