. As these muscles stretch and relax, the neck of the uterus (cervix) starts to open until it’s fully dilated, and then the baby moves deeper into your pelvis.Although a contraction affects the whole of the uterus, some women only feel it in one area of their abdomen

-to-be will find it painful, and some will find it easier to bear, but the first stage of labour tends to start gradually and build up, with the contractions intensifying as the cervix becomes more dilated. It helps to remember contractions are temporary, and focus

could use to see the arrival of her second mini-Cooper. Lily and Sam could try having sex, which is thought to work because semen contains prostaglandins (also contained in the pessary often used in an induction to soften the cervix ready for labour

Your due date is fast approaching, you're feeling excited and nervous, but how will you know for sure when labour is actually starting? Early labour is when the uterus starts to contract, and the cervix - which is the neck of the womb - softens