Labour and birth
Top resources
Your birth plan
Get tips on setting out your wishes for labour and birth, such as what to include and how your caregiver can help.Write a birth plan!
More Labour and birth
Planning your baby's birth
What to pack in your hospital bag: your complete checklist
Get yourself ready and pack your hospital bag with all the essentials you'll need during labour and for after your baby is born. Our useful checklist will ensure you don't forget anything.
Can I store my baby's umbilical cord blood for medical purposes?
See all in Planning your baby's birthLabour videos
Mums' stories about birth (video)
I gave birth at the Christmas party (video)
One family's homebirth story (video)
See all in Labour videosWhere to give birth
Giving birth in hospital
Most women choose to have their baby in hospital. Find out what to expect from the staff, equipment, facilities and care available to you.
Creating a great environment for giving birth
I want a homebirth. But is it safe?
See all in Where to give birthLabour
The stages of childbirth
Labour is divided into first, second and third stages. We explain what happens in detail.
How can I avoid an episiotomy?
When should my baby's head engage?
See all in LabourPain relief in labour
Natural pain relief in labour
A guide to natural methods of coping with pain during labour.
Ambulatory or walking epidural
See all in Pain relief in labourWater birth
How to use a birth pool
Find out how to use a birth pool, whether you just want to use it to help you with you labour, or whether you want to actually have your baby in the water.
What the research says about water birth
Pain relief and monitoring in a birth pool
See all in Water birthCaesarean section
Caesarean sections: an overview
Why might I need a caesarean section? What happens during a caesarean? We answer your questions.
Recovery after a caesarean birth
I'm scared of labour pain. Can I choose 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 sectionBirth partners
Parents' tips: what I wish I'd known about being a birth partner
How can you be a great birth partner? Find out by reading tips from experienced birth partners
How can I find a doula to attend my birth?
Parents' tips: what to do if your mum wants to be at your baby's birth
See all in Birth partnersNatural ways to start labour
Can sex bring on labour?
Sex may be effective in bringing on labour. Find out why.
Natural ways to induce labour: an overview
Can raspberry leaf bring on labour?
See all in Natural ways to start labourLabour complications
Induced labour
Induction means starting labour artificially. You'll normally be offered an induction because you’ve gone a week or two past your due date, or you've had some complications. Find out more.
Are there any safe methods to turn a breech baby?
Why might I need an episiotomy during childbirth?
See all in Labour complicationsYour birth stories
Lachlan's birth: Lachlan came sliding out into his father's hands.
Hope tells her story of a natural birth.
"They said I'd need an episiotomy": Jed's birth
Max's birth: 'My hippy birth at home had definitely turned full circle'
Rosa's birth: 'I was shouting, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally'
Teiya's birth: 'My waters gushed out, exploding all over my husband'
See all in Your birth storiesCord blood banking
Cord blood banking: an overview
Donating your baby's cord blood to the public bank
How to choose a private cord blood bank
Will collecting my baby’s cord blood interfere with his birth?
See all in Cord blood bankingTrack your baby’s development
