![<i></i>](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/g/d/1/1/image.related.landscape.380x253.gngd4h.png/1457656654635.jpg)
Top Resources
![<i></i>](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/o/k/8/g/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.12uxol.gmxgr0.png/1457004124570.jpg)
Natural pain relief in the early stages of labour
While managing labour pains on your own can be daunting, there are a number of natural pain relief options to help you cope until you are admitted to hospital.
![baby gender](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/g/d/s/e/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.10kqj7.gmxgr0.png/1457004124570.jpg)
Delivery room surprises: when gender predictions are wrong
Out of all the questions asked of mums-to-be, “Do you know what you're having?” would be right up there in popularity. Sometimes,
![Walking or being vertical can help with moving labour along.](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/2/q/e/r/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.13thw.gmxgr0.png/1457004124570.jpg)
![Labour position thumb](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/1/x/w/r/y/image.related.landscape.120x80.1hy9y.gmxgr0.png/1457004124570.jpg)
![Birth Boom](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/5/9/k/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.6fwh.gmxgr0.png/1457004124570.jpg)
![pre-labour](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/1/8/4/p/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.1f05q.gmxgr0.png/1457004124570.jpg)
Latest
![<i></i>](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/4/1/v/4/image.related.landscape.300x200.gk385w.png/1444187465293.jpg)
How the media can shape our decisions when it comes to labour
We all like to think that we make our choices in fair, reasoned and well-thought out ways. Not many of us would admit that we allowed the media to influence us in our life choices.
![Mark Harris, who has written a book about his career as a midwife.](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/3/f/l/l/image.related.landscape.300x200.gjv0xw.png/1443157612927.jpg)
Don't panic: A granddad midwife's guide for dads-to-be
Mark Harris has helped deliver 500 babies. And he's now telling fathers what to expect.
![Yuki Nishizawa had fun entertaining the nurses in labour.](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/1/d/6/z/image.related.landscape.300x200.gj3xyc.png/1440054354877.jpg)
Mum dances her way through labour
There are a fair few ways to distract yourself and beat pains while in labour, but it's probably a rare woman who chooses her dance her way through it.
![Dad's need to follow their partner's lead in the delivery room.](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/1/6/z/f/image.related.landscape.300x200.gj1b4t.png/1439846262410.jpg)
The truth about dad's role in the delivery room
It turns out silent strength was my role. Just shut up and stand there? Turns out, I can do that.
![<i></i>](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/0/i/x/s/image.related.landscape.300x200.gisdj9.png/1438760110157.jpg)
5 things to remind yourself as you approach labour
During my first pregnancy, I'd only heard graphic and horrific stories of birth and what to expect. For an impending mother, these were the last things I needed to hear.
![Sharny Kieser when 40 weeks pregnant with her fifth child, Hugo.](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/y/u/z/d/image.related.landscape.300x200.gi6aps.png/1436249724127.jpg)
Mum puts 15-minute labour down to 'fit, not fat' pregnancy
A 15-minute labour sounds like the thing dreams are made of. But for this Aussie mum of five, it was a reality.
![<i></i>](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/y/2/2/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.ghs8j1.png/1435055352333.jpg)
The truth about birthing a big baby
When told that they are having a 'big baby', many women have a lot of fears. But those fears are often unfounded.
![Doubts have been raised about the benefits of placenta consumption.](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/x/9/9/6/image.related.landscape.300x200.ghheqm.png/1433476602023.jpg)
Is placenta consumption really beneficial?
The debate about the benefits of placenta consumption is far from over, with new research suggesting the practice might be dangerous.
![Stephanie Bonadio and baby Sienna in Delaware, USA.](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/t/7/v/j/image.related.landscape.300x200.1mbmam.png/1427763429493.jpg)
#birthjusthappened: the photos changing the way we see labour
There's no doubt that post-birth photos can have a powerful effect on women. But are they enough to change the way pregnant women feel about their own impending labours?
![Times have changed since women were expected to labour only on their backs.](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/q/c/u/t/image.related.landscape.300x200.13gy7l.png/1424138292900.jpg)
What's the best position for giving birth?
If doing it on your back is out, what's the best position for labour and birth?
![thriller](/web/20160317111254im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/q/d/o/q/image.related.landscape.300x200.13gv0s.png/1424152492367.jpg)
Mum tries doing 'Thriller' dance to bring on labour
Dancing to Michael Jackson isn't usually on the list of ways to make your baby arrive as soon as possible - but this mum thought it was worth a shot.
Search pagination