![Like any stage of labour, the delivery of the placenta may not pan out as expected.](/web/20170128210447im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/8/q/9/u/image.related.landscape.380x253.gq8hxb.png/1469058536792.jpg)
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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.
![<i></i>](/web/20170128210447im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/g/d/s/e/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.10kqj7.gmxgr0.png/1476941139531.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.
![Walking or being vertical can help with moving labour along.](/web/20170128210447im_/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/20170128210447im_/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/20170128210447im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/5/9/k/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.6fwh.gmxgr0.png/1457004124570.jpg)
![pre-labour](/web/20170128210447im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/1/8/4/p/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.1f05q.gmxgr0.png/1457004124570.jpg)
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Doctor helps create the ultimate labour playlist
Spotify have teamed up with an obstetrician-gynecologist to create the perfect set for the birthing suite.
![<i></i>](/web/20170128210447im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/5/c/q/7/image.related.landscape.300x200.gklkir.png/1468847711865.jpg)
Should you eat during labour?
Given that that you're going to be labouring for a while, often through times you'd be eating a meal – or at least a snack – is it necessary to eat?
![The Quinlan family in their Collingwood home.](/web/20170128210447im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/5/5/5/v/image.related.landscape.300x200.gki79w.png/1445813753743.jpg)
Bond between mother and midwife key to a happy birth
Women who are cared for by the same midwife throughout their pregnancy are less likely to need intervention such a caesarian sections during labour and are less likely to report a traumatic birth, research has found.
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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/20170128210447im_/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/20170128210447im_/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/20170128210447im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/4/1/6/z/f/image.related.landscape.300x200.gj1b4t.png/1467183847477.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.
![Sharny Kieser when 40 weeks pregnant with her fifth child, Hugo.](/web/20170128210447im_/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/20170128210447im_/http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/content/dam/images/3/y/2/2/e/image.related.landscape.300x200.ghs8j1.png/1464264315720.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/20170128210447im_/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/20170128210447im_/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?
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