Labour and giving birth

Learning the signs of labor before your due date can help you feel ready for your baby's birth and help you know if something is wrong.

Here are some of the signs that let you know labour may be starting and baby is on the way.

Contractions are the tightening of the muscles in your uterus. They tend to become longer, stronger and more frequent as your labour progresses.

Waters breaking is when the amniotic sac holding your baby breaks and amniotic fluid leaks from your vagina. It's a sign your baby will be born soon.

Learning about the three stages of labour can help you understand what is happening during your labour and when help may be needed.

Find out what happens during the first stage of labour; when contractions build up slowly, get stronger and become more frequent.

The second stage of labour lasts from when the cervix is fully dilated (open) until your baby’s birth. Learn more about this stage.

The third stage of labour happens after your baby is born, when your womb contracts and the placenta is delivered through your vagina.

If you are healthy and your pregnancy is not at risk of complications, you may consider a homebirth. Speak to a midwife or doctor about your options.

Pregnancy normally lasts about 40 weeks from the first day of your last period, but some pregnancies go longer and this is known as ‘being overdue’.

There are a number of positions you can try when you are in labour to help ease pain and aid in opening your pelvis for a smoother birth.

Choosing your positions for labour and birth can help you feel in control, reduce pain and open your pelvis to help the baby come out.

Presentation and position refer to where your baby’s head and body is in relation to your birth canal. Learn why it’s important for labour and birth.

A water birth is when you give birth to your baby under water. Read more about water birth safety, and when a water birth is not recommended.

Your waters break when your baby is ready to be born. But sometimes waters break early. This is called preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM).

Understand vaginal (normal) birth, including benefits and risks, how to prepare, recovery after birth, and when a caesarean birth may be needed.