The last stages of pregnancy are the most difficult as you are finding it hard to do the normal things like putting on your own shoes you probably haven’t seen your own feet in quite some time. The last 8 weeks of pregnancy seen to drag on as you flick through the baby books to see what stage your baby is at, and what a 32 week foetus looks like. You getting restless and just want the whole thing to be over while at the some time feeling a little scared and apprehensive at the anticipation of the birth and the arrival of a new life that will change things forever.


You will be having difficult sleeping in a comfortable position, and you are probably experiencing (Braxton Hicks) these are urine contractions experienced in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. Your feet and ankles will be quite swollen and you should be having weekly visits to your doctor. With regular blood pressure and pelvic examinations with a check on baby movement you are nearing the end. All births will differ from one mom to another and it is important to keep an open mind. Your now 40 weeks and your D –day has arrived it almost seems like the whole world is standing still and is oblivious to you while your in labour.


If you have your heart set on a particular birth plan don’t be too disappointed if things don’t go to plan. The birth process is basically broken down into 3 stages of labour. The early stages are when the cervix starts to soften and thin it is about this time you might notice mucus or (plug) the cervix will open to approximately (3cm). Some women may feel a bit queasy or uncomfortable. The second stage of labour is a more active stage as this is when the cervix dilates up to ((7cm). the contractions will last loner will be closer together and be quite painful.


The contractions will be monitored and when the contractions reach 4 or 5 minuets apart you will need to employ your breathing techniques or whatever coping process you have throughout. You will be aware of the time of each contraction and will mentally set your mind to cope with the contractions as they arise with concentration or breathing techniques. Some women will experience involuntary bowel movement or fell sick or actually vomit.


It is important to go with the contractions instead of trying to fight them. As the contractions grow stronger you will feel a change in body temperature or feverish shivering. It is important to have a sip of water of have some ice cubes on hand. The contractions will be closer together and more severe, it is at this point you might want a partner to massage your lower back
while you stand or kneel on all four’s on a bed. Some women will want to talk between contractions other’s wont and will be too busy concentration on the onset of contractions. It is worth noting for your (dads) you might hear some swear words directed at you that you didn’t know existed and the prospect of your partner telling you “you did this to me”, is entirely probable and usual.


In the second stage of labour the cervix must be 10cm dilated and pain relief should be give in the earlier stage of labour for fear of risk to the babies health. An oxygen and nitroxide mask is one option for mothers experiencing painful contractions the analgesic affects take around 40 seconds to take full affect so it is important to breathe in as you feel the onset of contraction. Pethedine is administered into the hip during the first stage of labour and take the edge of the pain, it doesn’t illuminate pain altogether. Some of the pain relief can cause nauseousness.


The TENS machine is an electronic pulse with pads placed on the skin surface to help release natural endorphins to the areas of the nervous system for dual pain relief with little or no known side affects. TENS is the perfect pain relief for mothers who want to have a natural birth without mind or body altering drugs that affect mom and baby alike. Pain relief in the form of analgesics won’t be given in the middle sages of labour as they can affect the baby’s ability to move through the birth canal.


The Epidural is a local anaesthetic administered through a catheter into the back this process requires the mom to be very still which can be difficult during contractions. A drip is attached for interval administration. The down side of the epidural is that of a slower delivery risk to the spine, infection and back pain in later years. Alternative pain relief consist of aromatherapy birthing pools, hypnotic childbirth, homeopathy and acupuncture. The choice of pain relief is a personal one to each woman. With the onset of the stages of labour the waters may break at any time in some cases the midwife will have to break the waters.


This is a warm feeling of a flow of water and is painless. During the second stages of labour the baby’s heart beat is regularly monitored in some cases a heart monitor is strapped to the mom to check the regularity of the babies’ heart beat. The second stage is the most difficult and the most awaited as you are getting ready to push the baby’s head which can take a little as 10 minuets to 1 hour. The baby is pushed out with panting rather than pushing at this point the mid wife may ask the mother not to push as a small incision to enlarge the vaginal area might be needed to facilitate the crown of the head and shoulders.