Birth
Preparing to meet your baby
Most babies are born between 37 and 42 weeks.
Here you will find lots of information about what to expect from the signs of labour to the first hour after your baby is born. There is also information specifically for premature babies, born before 37 weeks.
If you think you are in labour call your local maternity unit on their 24hour number, or 999 if it is urgent.
Your Choices
As your baby grows you start to feel lots of changes to your body. You may only see your midwife once and will be offered lots of screening tests in early pregnancy.
You probably have lots of questions about how your body changes and what recommendations you should follow in pregnancy – our information will help answer any of these questions and link you with further support and advice.
During Labour & Birth
Established labour is when you are having regular contractions that open your cervix. You may be planning to birth at home, in a midwife-led unit or in a hospital. This is the time to call your midwife or maternity unit (unless you are worried about something, in which case call earlier).
You will be invited to attend the maternity unit or your midwife will come to your home if you are planning a homebirth for an assessment to confirm that your labour is established. Part of this assessment may include and offer of a vaginal examination to see how open your cervix is; 4 centimetres is considered established labour in the UK.
If you have accepted an Induction of Labour or a Caesarean Section, your midwife and obstetrician should have given you all the information about your personal circumstances and what to expect at your local hospital.
Straight After Birth
Once your baby has been born, you will birth your placenta. If all is well, you should be offered immediate skin to skin with your baby and the option to delay cutting the cord (delayed cord clamping). Both of these have excellent health benefits for you and your baby.
Some mothers and babies need extra support around the time of birth if they have had complications during labour. No matter what happens during your birth, you will need to think about feeding your baby. You may also have some important cultural or spiritual practices for welcoming your baby.
As your baby grows you start to feel lots of changes to your body. You may only see your midwife once and will be offered lots of screening tests in early pregnancy.
You probably have lots of questions about how your body changes and what recommendations you should follow in pregnancy – our information will help answer any of these questions and link you with further support and advice.
