Labour and delivery

More Labour and delivery

Preparing for birth

Pregnant mum sitting on the sofa and cradling her bump
Getting your baby into position for birth

How to encourage your baby into the best position for birth: We review the techniques.

Antenatal classes

Is it safe to take raspberry leaf tea to induce labour?

What is the third stage of labour?

What to pack in your hospital bag

See all in Preparing for birth

Natural ways to bring on labour

Full term pregnant woman looking at her bump
Bringing on labour: an overview

Is it safe? Does it work? How do I try it? We review natural methods to bring on labour.

What is a membrane sweep?

Overdue pregnancy: causes and risks

Is it true that a bumpy ride can bring on labour?

Natural ways to bring on labour: photos

See all in Natural ways to bring on labour

Labour

Pregnant woman in labour breathing deeply
Breathing techniques for labour

In labour, you should try to keep your breathing rhythmical. Find out why this is important and how to do it!

Labour and birth (normal delivery)

Labour pain: signs and symptoms

How can I avoid an episiotomy (vaginal cut) during my delivery?

Newborn Apgar tests and scores

See all in Labour

Pain relief in labour

Husband giving a back massage to his pregnant wife
10 natural pain-relief methods for labour

A guide to natural methods of coping with pain during labour.

Entonox gas for pain relief in labour

Epidural

Walking or ambulatory epidural for labour pain relief

Pethidine for labour pain relief

See all in Pain relief in labour

Labour complications

Pregnant woman in labour on a hospital bed with a doctor standing close by
Speeding up labour

How long is a normal labour? Why might labour be slow? What can I do to speed up labour? Find out the answer to these questions and more!

Breech delivery

Episiotomy (vaginal cut) during delivery

Labour induction: methods, risks and benefits

Can my breech baby be turned safely?

See all in Labour complications

Caesarean section

Pregnant woman in an operation theatre getting a caesarean
C-section (caesarean delivery)

Why might I need a caesarean section? What happens during a caesarean? We answer your questions.

Recovery from a c-section delivery

I'm scared of labour pain. Can I opt for a caesarean section?

How many caesareans can I safely have?

Parents' tips: how to cope if you feel disappointed after a caesarean

See all in Caesarean section

Birth partners

Dad giving pregnant mum a back massage
The role of a birth partner

Having someone you know and trust with you during labour can be of great help. Read on to know how they can help you give birth.

Dads: 10 ways to be the perfect birth partner

What is a birth doula and how can I find one for my delivery?

See all in Birth partners

Waterbirth

Mother and newborn baby in birthing pool just after birth
The pros and cons of water birth

Is it safe to labour and give birth in water? What are the possible benefits of labouring in water? Find out!

The history of water birth

What the research says about waterbirth

Planning a water birth

How to use a birth pool

See all in Waterbirth

Your birth stories

Tired looking mum with newborn just after birth
Aditya's birth: "The doctor didn't believe the contractions were real!"

Want to know what to expect during childbirth? Read real labour stories from BabyCenter mums.

A mother's take on adoption

Avani's birth: "The amniotic fluid had reduced, baby was underweight and there was placental insufficiency"

Rayhaan's birth: "I was taken to the ICU for monitoring"

Vandit's birth: "One doctor had to almost sit on me and push out the baby."

See all in Your birth stories

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