Birth: Birth – Delivery – Labor
Staying active and how fitness affects labor

Staying active and how fitness affects labor

What the evidence says about activity and labor Physical activity cannot control cervical dilation, fetal position, placental function, or the need for obstetric intervention. Nevertheless, research indicates that staying active may favorably influence some measurable labor outcomes. A prospective cohort analysis found that higher physical activity during pregnancy was associated with a shorter active stage […]

Exercises pelvic floor and stretching for labor

Exercises pelvic floor and stretching for labor

Understanding the pelvic floor in labor The pelvic floor is a layered group of muscles, connective tissue, and fascia forming the base of the pelvis. It supports the bladder, uterus, and bowel, contributes to continence, and helps stabilize the pelvis and trunk. During pregnancy, these tissues accommodate increasing load and hormonal changes. During vaginal birth, […]

Things to do before going into labor

Things to do before going into labor

Confirm your care plan and place of birth Before labor begins, clarify where you are expected to go and which service should be contacted first. Depending on your circumstances, this may be a hospital labor ward, a midwife-led unit, a planned home-birth team, or an obstetric triage service. Ask about opening hours, entrance locations, parking […]

Birth preparation explained clearly

Birth preparation explained clearly

What birth preparation involves Birth preparation includes the decisions and arrangements made before labor begins. These may involve selecting a maternity unit, hospital, birth center, or, where clinically appropriate and professionally supported, a planned home birth. It also includes identifying the clinicians who will provide care, learning how to contact the maternity service, preparing transport, […]

Full birth preparation plan

Full birth preparation plan

1. Begin with individualized clinical planning Start by reviewing your pregnancy and anticipated needs with the clinician responsible for your maternity care. The discussion should consider gestational age, fetal presentation, placental location, previous births or cesarean procedures, uterine surgery, multiple gestation, hypertensive disease, diabetes, bleeding, allergies, medications, and any condition that could affect the recommended […]

Everything to prepare before childbirth

Everything to prepare before childbirth

Start with individualized medical planning Begin by reviewing your pregnancy history and anticipated delivery needs with your maternity clinician. The appropriate place of birth may depend on gestational age, fetal presentation, placental location, prior uterine surgery, multiple gestation, hypertension, diabetes, bleeding, fetal growth concerns, or other maternal and fetal factors. Ask which facility is recommended, […]

Step-by-step preparation for labor

Step-by-step preparation for labor

Step 1: Review your clinical situation and maternity care pathway Begin by confirming who is responsible for your maternity care, where you expect to give birth, and how to contact the correct service at any hour. Ask whether you should call a maternity triage unit, labor ward, birth center, community midwife, or emergency service when […]

Complete guide to birth preparation

Complete guide to birth preparation

Start with prenatal medical readiness Birth preparation begins with consistent prenatal care. Attend recommended appointments and discuss your estimated due date, fetal growth and presentation, placental location, blood pressure, laboratory results, and any conditions that may affect delivery. Ask whether additional monitoring, induction, specialist consultation, or delivery at a particular facility is being considered. Recommendations […]