Signs of Labour
Labour is a natural, beautiful thing – and perhaps a little terrifying too. Understandably, because it’s the great unknown. Even if you’ve been through it before, there’s no guarantee this time will be the same as your previous experience.
Having your baby on their due date is rare: only about 1 in 20 people manage this. Usually, labour starts somewhere between 1 week before your due date and 2 weeks after it. If this is your first baby, the start of labour is normally gradual. It can last hours and stop and start over multiple days.
Understanding Preterm Labour: Causes, Risks, and What to Expect
Preterm labour occurs when contractions cause the cervix to open before 37 weeks of pregnancy, leading to the birth of a baby earlier than expected. While every pregnancy is unique, preterm birth can increase the risk of complications for both mother and baby. Early signs of preterm labour may include regular contractions, lower back pain, and changes in vaginal discharge. It's essential to recognize these signs and seek medical advice if you suspect early labour. Understanding preterm labour, its causes, and how to manage it can help you take proactive steps to ensure the best possible outcome for both you and your baby.
How Does Labour Process Begin?
Understanding how labour begins is key to preparing for childbirth. The process typically starts with early signs like contractions, changes in vaginal discharge, and the loss of the mucus plug. These signals indicate that your body is preparing for delivery. In this guide, we'll explore how labour starts, what to expect during the early stages, and when to reach out to your healthcare provider. Knowing these signs can help you feel more confident and ready for the big day.
How Hormones Work Their Magic During Pregnancy and Labour
Discover the incredible role hormones play in pregnancy and labor! From nurturing your baby's growth to preparing your body for birth, these natural chemical messengers are the ultimate support team. Learn how hormones like oxytocin, relaxin, and endorphins help you through the journey of labour, easing discomfort and guiding your body’s amazing abilities. Find out more…..
1, 2, 3...... Ready for Birth?
There comes a time in every pregnancy after the books have been read, the nursery decorated, the car seat installed and antenatal classes attended and now all that's left to do is wait and oh my goodness, the wait, unfortunately, can feel like such a long time. But even though most women go into labour between 37 and 42 weeks, there's no way to pinpoint exactly when labour will begin, and it's often this not knowing that makes some people very anxious.
Pooping during labour?
A question I get asked frequently is ' will I poop during labour?' As your baby moves through the birth canal, your colon is squeezed like a tube of toothpaste. If your colon hasn’t emptied before labour began, the pressure of your baby moving down may also push out any poop left in the lower part of your colon. Read more….
Get UPRIGHT !!!
Birth moved from home into hospital during the 1900s. The medical model of maternity care became entrenched in society, along with the expectation that women would labour on a bed. Flat on their back, and sometimes with their legs in stirrups. There is a complete lack of evidence to support this physiologically dysfunctional birthing position, which simply came down to doctor preference, and subsequently, how they were then trained (bugger!)
What do labour contractions feel like?
A contraction is a tightening of your uterus. The uterine muscle can contract at any time from mid-pregnancy on, and those contractions might feel like nothing at all, or they might be completely overwhelming.
Your uterus is a large muscle, and just like any other muscle in your body, it will flex when it’s stimulated, Hormonal changes can start contractions—but how you experience contractions depends on your pain threshold and what type of contraction you're actually having (yep, there’s more than one kind). In the first stage of labour, your contractions gradually open your cervix. In the second stage of labour, they ease your baby down through your vagina and out. In the third stage of labour, they dislodge your placenta and seal off blood vessels, as your uterus contracts down.
How painful is BIRTH?
Is this really that bad? How painful will it be, and can I handle it? While birth is different for everyone, birth is painful. But the great news, it’s manageable. In fact, nearly half of first-time mums (46 percent) said the pain they experienced with their first was better than they expected,
Double the Love - expecting twins.
Every year in New Zealand around 1000 couples find themselves expecting twins, triplets or occasionally even more babies. Multiple births are more common than they were years ago, due to the advancing average age of mothers and the associated rise in assisted reproductive techniques, in particular the use of fertility drugs.
Caesarean Sections - everything you need to know.
Most people hope for a short labour and delivery with no complications — manageable contractions, some pushing, then a beautiful baby. But it doesn't always work out that way. Some babies need to be delivered via caesarean section (C-section). Whether you are having an elective or an emergency C-section, the surgical operation is generally the same.
Stages of Labour.
There comes a time in every pregnancy after the books have been read, the nursery decorated, the car seat installed and antenatal classes attended and now all that's left to do is wait and oh my goodness, the wait, unfortunately, can feel like such a long time. But even though most women go into labour between 37 and 42 weeks, there's no way to pinpoint exactly when labour will begin, and it's often this not knowing that makes some people very anxious.
Let’s have a look at how labour works.
Natural Pain Relief.
The topic of pain in labour and birth is a hotly debated subject around the coffee table and while pain in labour can't be entirely avoided (for most people), the fear of pain can be addressed and reduced. Taking good birth education classes, working with a trusted and supportive midwife, and having good continuous support from a partner, friend, or family member all can help greatly reduce your fear of pain in birth. It also helps to know a few things about labour pain.
The Bloody Show
You might’ve heard the term ‘bloody show’ but not actually know what it means. It’s the term used for bleeding at the end of pregnancy.
You might’ve heard the terms ‘bloody show’ and ‘mucus plug’ as though they’re the same thing – but they’re not.
Let’s have a look at what the bloody show is.
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