When you arrive at the hospital, the midwife will prepare you for the birth. There are certain routine examinations that you will have to undergo. While consulting your notes, the midwife will ask you questions about your labours progress — whether your waters have broken and how often your contractions are coming. You will be asked to undress and put on a hospital gown or your own T-shirt or nightdress. You will then be examined; the midwife will palpate your abdomen to feel the baby's position; she will listen to the fetal heartbeat, take your blood pressure, pulse and temperature and give you ...

If it looks as if the baby will be born at home without medical assistance, you should telephone the hospital or the midwife if you haven't done so already. If you haven't got a telephone, on no account should you leave the mother alone. However anxious and overwhelmed you are, you must stay calm and reassure her - she needs to feel confident and relaxed. Encourage her to take up any positions in which she feels most comfortable and to eat and drink if she feels like it. Speak quietly and keep any onlookers at bay. Between contractions Turn up the heating in ...