date approaches, you should also:Eat well and get plenty of restPractise your breathing exercises - your antenatal teacher or midwife should be able to advise you about thisGentle squats will help strengthen your legs for labour. Use a chair or exercise

?Advantages He can be there for the most amazing experience of your lives together. He can also give emotional and practical support.Disadvantages He might be shocked at seeing you in pain. Not knowing how to help might make him feel awkward.It helps to know Get

A tear during labour means that you have suffered damage to the skin, tissues and occasionally muscles of your vagina and perineum - the area between your vagina and anus.The tear could be anything from a nick in the skin to a deeper laceration

labour along.The pain may be too much for you.Your baby's heart rate could drop, meaning he'd need to be born quickly.Your baby might need help being born. If you're tired or your baby is distressed, forceps, ventouse or an episiotomy (a cut between

Every labour is different - from the way it starts to how quickly it progresses.Getting to know the distinct phases will help you feel prepared for when labour comes on, recognise the signs that your baby is on its way, what happens at each stage

Ideally your birth partner will be:CALM:Birth is a demanding experience, so you need someone who can handle the highs and lows, and not take it personally if you snap at them.Would your husband or mum get upset seeing you in pain during labour

Are water births easier?They can be. 'Water helps you stay relaxed,' says midwife Louise Adams. 'It triggers your natural painkillers and helps you get into the best position for your baby to descend into the birth canal.A Swiss study in 2000 found

Line, says, ‘Get to know your midwife so you can discuss any worries with her. Go to antenatal classes as you'll be taken through the labour process there, and go on a tour of your labour ward - most hospitals offer this once a week and it will give you

!’Realise that your partner may not be comfortable with everything going on during labour and may have the odd queasy moment. Also, get them to tell you the sex of the baby – if you don’t already know – the moment he or she is born. Hearing Andy say, “It’s a girl

'll be well prepared.Getting startedYou may be induced if your baby is in distress, you have a medical problem such as pre-eclampsia, which can cause dangerously high blood pressure, or you're overdue, as the placenta may not work as efficiently. Also