the membranes covering the baby's head and stimulates the production of hormones called prostaglandins that trigger labour. Studies have shown that membrane sweeping doubles the rate of spontaneous labour in women at term compared to situations where no action
labour progresses much more quickly if you're relaxed and in a familiar environment.Babies very rarely 'fall out', particularly if this is your first labour and your waters haven't broken, so there's usually plenty of time to rest at home. Community
Aaaargh! Was that a contraction? When labour starts you'll need a strong shoulder to lean on, maybe literally. Get the right support during those crucial hours and you'll be just fine whatever nature throws at you. You'll also have an ally to make
as long as there were no complications and labour started within 10 days of my due date, a home birth was fine.I had my antenatal appointments at the clinic, part of my GP's practice, and scans at the hospital. At 28 weeks it was explained to me
lifting anything heavy or cumbersome. Talk to other pregnant women at your antenatal classes and on the babyexpert chatboards you could make lots of new mates and allay your fears about labour.If you haven’t done so already, get your hospital bags ready
Our guide will take you through every step of your birth journey, from the first signs of labour to choosing the best pain relief and what will happen after you have your baby in your arms. The countdown begins As you cross the days off the calendar
Most women's waters break at the end of the first stage of labour, when the cervix (neck of the womb) is almost fully dilated. But for around 15% of pregnancies, breaking waters is the first sign of labour.It can be a gush of up to a litre or just a
uncomfortable Braxton Hicks contractions. This is quite normal.If you are far advanced in your pregnancy, it is useful to know how to spot the difference between Braxton Hicks and true labour.Braxton Hicks tend to be irregular and can vary in length whereas real
Birth and labour are the biggest worries for many pregnant women. Where to have the baby? How to make the right choice for you and your bump?We know that these concerns feature large for BabyExpert members, so we've teamed up with one of the UK
about you going into labour naturally.You'll be given an epidural, the top of your pubic hair shaved, a drip put into your arm to give you saline fluid and a catheter inserted to empty your bladder. A screen will be placed in front of you so you won
