Birth - frequently asked questions

When does labour start?

A normal pregnancy lasts 38–42 weeks.

Every labour and birth is different. It is still not known exactly what happens to start labour.

The average length of pregnancy is 280 days or 40 weeks, from the first day of your last menstrual period. The medical term for the due date is estimated date of delivery (EDD).

Did you know that only about four percent of women give birth on their baby’s due date!

In this guide:

1. When does labour start?
2. When will my waters break?
3. How long does labour last?
4. What is pre-labour?
5. What do contractions feel like?
6. How do I time contractions?
7. When do I come to hospital?
8. What do I bring to hospital?
9. What happens when I get to hospital?
10. What if my labour is progressing slowly?
11. What is the best position for giving birth?
12. What is an episiotomy?
13. How will my baby be monitored during labour?
14. What is a CTG?
15. Why do I need internal (vaginal) examinations?
16. Can I take my placenta home?
17. How do I register my baby’s birth?

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