Journey of labour

Preparing for labour and birth

In addition to the natural physical preparation your body makes for birth, you may also find yourself preparing emotionally.

You may:

• feel a strong need to be ready
• find yourself worrying more than usual
• be concerned about making it through labour, or whether your waters will break in public
• be concerned about whether your partner will be able to help you, or whether you will have a bowel movement during the birth and how your partner might react to that
• be worried about the safety of you and your baby during birth
• be worried about having a caesarean birth.

These concerns are common. Discuss your concerns with your midwife or doctor, so you can feel prepared and informed before labour starts.

Your birth preferences

Preparation for labour starts during pregnancy.

Your birth preferences (sometimes known as a birth plan) is a written list of what you would like to happen when you are in labour and give birth.

Birth preferences may include:

• who you would like with you in labour
• what position you would like to give birth in
• what comfort measures you might use as your pain relief options.

It is important to stay flexible

Remember that things may not go according to plan.

There may be complications, or you may change your mind about something. Think about what is important to you for your birth.

Other questions to consider when deciding on your birth preferences may be:

• what if I need a caesarean birth?
• what is the usual practice for an induction of labour?
• what equipment may be used in my labour and for the birth of my baby, and why?
• do I have any cultural or religious needs around giving birth?
• can I expect to hold my baby skin-to-skin after he/she is born?

More information: Pregnancy, Birth and Baby - Making a birth plan

In this guide:

1. COVID-19 and labour
2. Preparing for labour and birth
3. Who will support you in labour
4. How your body prepares for labour
5. Getting baby in the right position for birth
6. When to seek advice during pregnancy
7. Final preparations for labour

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