Are you in labour or pre-labour? Lightening, twinges and tiredness could all be symptoms your body is getting ready for birthFrom day one of pregnancy, your body is beginning to prepare for the birth of your baby. In the last month, most women

after birth can vary significantly depending on how premature the baby is, the baby's birth weight and the causes of the premature delivery, if known. In general, the earlier a baby is born, the more likely he is to face problems relating to prematurity

that birth is induced.What happens if I go over my due date?When you go beyond your due date by a few days nothing will happen at all, as we've said, it's very common for babies to be born a little late and it's no cause for concern. If you go more than 10

is usually given two drugs: The first works on the mother to delay, or even stop, the labour and the second, a steroid, works to speed up the development of the baby's lungs so that they are ready to breathe oxygen after the birth if labour continues

.Immediately after birthWhat your newborn looks likeWhat your newborn can doSleeping and adjustingImmediately after birthAs your baby is born the change in temperature will prompt him to draw his first breath. Often babies start to cry as they start to breathe

to be conscious for the delivery of your babyCan be used to give you a break during labour and allow you to regain strength for deliveryAt their most effective, mobile epidurals can allow you to feel and work with your contractions through birth and to feel

in labour at home or at hospital.What is a waterbirth?Originally devised as a means of a providing a more gentle birth for babies, the option to labour and even give birth in water has become increasingly popular with expectant mums in the last 25 years