Labour and Delivery


When it is nearly time for your baby to be born, your body will get ready for labour. Your baby will move down, pressing on your pelvis, so the upward pressure on your ribs will ease. Mood swings are common and you may feel a surge of energy.

Labour is different for every woman and every birth. The first signs may happen within a few hours of each other, or they may be more spread out.

The signs of labour can include:
Strong, regular contractions,
A 'show' (when the plug of mucus sealing your cervix comes away)
Your water breaking. This is the leak of fluid from the vagina.

It is possible to have false contractions. These are called "BraxtonHicks" contractions. These contractions typically only last 1 minute, and are less regular.

If you have any concerns about the labour process, talk to your pharmacist or doctor today.