Find out about labour and birth. Plus explore things to consider when planning or recovering. With your questions answered, you can make decisions that feel right for you.

Labour & birth articles

Showing 70 articles
New baby
10 things that happen after your baby's born
ventouse or forceps delivery
Assisted birth: ventouse or forceps delivery
Pregnant woman lying down on her side
Baby positions in the womb before birth
Pain relief
Birth centre: what pain relief can I have in labour?
woman in labour with midwife
Birth centres: who will care for you?
Baby caesarean scar
Birth choices after a caesarean section
Baby caesarean scar
Birth choices after a caesarean section
after birth
Birth options after a caesarean: VBAC or ERCS?
after birth
Birth options after a caesarean: VBAC or ERCS?
pregnant couple thinking
Birth options – planning where to give birth
women with maternity pad
Bleeding after birth: 10 things you need to know
Breech babies
Breech babies: what you need to know
Caesarean recovery
Caesarean birth: recovery and practicalities
pregnant woman sitting down
Can I make myself go into labour: myths or truths?
Parent kissing baby on their head after birth
Care and recovery after tearing or episiotomy
midwife
Choosing an independent midwife
pregnant woman searching online
Choosing the right maternity hospital for you
same sex couple in labour
Choosing your birth partners
Woman holding baby clothes up to the window
Experiencing stillbirth
woman supported in labour
First stage of labour: signs, coping and when to go to hospital
csection birth
Having a caesarean: what to expect
woman in labour
Home birth complications: eight things to reassure you
pregnant woman at work
Home birth FAQs
Home birth
Home birth: what kit do I need?
Baby
Home births: are they safe?
pregnant woman thinking
Hormones in labour: oxytocin and the others – how they work
Hospital bag checklist
Hospital bag checklist: what do I need to take?
How birth partners can support labour
How birth partners can support labour
pregnant woman making notes
How do I arrange and organise a home birth?
perineal massage
How to do perineal massage: a step-by-step guide
young mum on phone
How to get access to your maternity notes after the birth
woman in water birth
How to labour in water or have a water birth
Sepsis pregnancy
How to spot maternal sepsis
Pregnant lady relaxing
Hypnobirthing: where to start
Overdue baby: induced labour pros and cons
Induced labour: reasons, pros and cons
Labour pain relief: epidurals and combined spinal epidurals
Labour pain relief: epidurals and combined spinal epidurals
Labour pain relief: Entonox (gas and air)
Labour pain relief: Gas and air (Entonox)
Labour pain relief: opioids – pethidine and diamorphine
Labour pain relief: intramuscular opioids – pethidine and diamorphine
Labour pain relief: birthing ball
Labour pain relief: remifentanil
Labour pain relief: sterile water injections
Labour pain relief: sterile water injections
Labour pain relief: TENS machine
Labour pain relief: TENS machine
pregnant woman talking
Overdue baby – what happens if my baby is late?
woman in labour
Pain relief in labour
woman in labour in hospital
Pain relief options during hospital births: a guide
Pregnancy bump
Perineal massage in pregnancy
Repeat caesarean
Planning a repeat caesarean birth
Mum with baby swimming
Postnatal exercise: how soon can I start again after a baby?
Premature baby
Premature babies: what parents need to know
pregnant woman looking at bump with comforting hand
Preparation for multiple births
pregnant woman looking at bump with comforting hand
Preparation for multiple births
Parents getting ready to have a baby
Preparing for a vaginal birth
woman in water birth
Second stage of labour: how and when to push
Septicaemia
Septicaemia – what to look out for
baby's blanket
Stillbirth: what it means and what causes it
Birth partner
Ten tips for birth partners
pregnant woman on phone
The early signs of labour
newborn baby
Third stage of labour: delivering placenta and cord clamping
c-section scar
Top tips for recovery after a caesarean birth
VBAC
Vaginal birth after a caesarean
Parents with new born baby
Vitamin K and newborns: what you need to know
Deepa and Leela birth
Water births and labouring in water: questions answered
newborn baby
What happens after your baby is born?
young mum and baby
What happens at your 6-week check-up
mum on birth ball
What happens when you give birth at a birth centre?
Woman having just given birth to her baby
What happens when you give birth in hospital?
caesarean birth
What is a caesarean birth?
Mother and baby after birth
What is a vaginal birth?
breasts after birth
What will happen to your breasts after birth?
Couple hugging discussing birth plan
Writing a birth plan and deciding about pain relief
Mum with baby after birth
Your vagina and pelvic floor after giving birth

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