contractions

Oxytocin is another important hormone and though it is what causes those painful contractions during labour, you wouldn’t be able to hold your gorgeous baby without it. Oxytocin has an important role in conception, labour and breastfeeding. In conception, oxytocin is the hormone that is responsible for your sexual arousal and of course if you […]

Everyone wants to know “how can I tell if I’m in labour?”, so we’re going to do our best to help you out. You are in labour if: 1. You are experiencing strong, regular contractions that are continuously getting closer together, longer and stronger, unlike Braxton Hicks which are sporadic. 2. You experience the “show”. […]

Knowing whether you’re experiencing Braxton Hicks or in real labour can be very difficult, especially late in your pregnancy when your due date is approaching and the Braxton Hicks are getting stronger. Firstly, Braxton Hicks are infrequent and irregular while real contractions have more rhythm. If you’re in real labour, your contractions will gradually get […]

Braxton Hicks can be a right pain in the you know where! So we thought we would give you a few helpful tips to help you alleviate the discomfort they cause, especially near the end of your pregnancy. Drink water, Braxton Hicks are sometimes the result of dehydration Take some deep, slow breaths or practice […]

Braxton Hicks contractions, also called false labour or practice contractions, are sporadic contractions of your uterus. They can start from as early as week 6 of your pregnancy, though most women don’t feel them until the second or third trimester. In fact, some of you may never experience them, aren’t you lucky? They are named […]

The second stage of labour is the pushing stage of labour and when your baby will be born! It begins once you are 10cm dilated and will continue until your baby is delivered into the world. This stage of labour lasts between one and two hours, but like in the first stage of labour, it […]

Stage 1 of labour is the stage in which dilation occurs and is divided into three distinct phases. This stage of labour is the longest and lasts for several hours. It begins with the first contraction you feel, which you must be careful is not a Braxton Hicks contraction, and ends when you are a […]

Your labour will occur in three distinct phases from the moment you feel your first contraction to the moment you deliver your placenta. No one’s labour is the same and you can be in labour for anywhere between 10 and 20 hours, but there’s still some people who are in labour for less or more […]

The placenta is known as the afterbirth once you enter the third stage of labour. Unfortunately mum, once you’ve delivered your gorgeous baby your job is not quite done as you will then have to deliver the afterbirth. The best way to think about this part of labour is to remind yourself that after delivering […]