Its important to master your chosen pain relief method, and familiarize your birth assistant with the technique, before you go into labour. If special equipment is required, make sure it is available at home or in hospital. One method alone may not be enough - you may need a combination for complete relief. Positions Walking around, leaning against your partner or the wall, and rocking your pelvis will probably feel much more comfortable than lying on your back in bed. There are also certain positions that you will find more comfortable than others, because these will relieve the pressure on your back. Massage This ...

The more comfortable and relaxed a mother feels during labour, the better her ability to cope with pain. She can find this security with loving support from a birth assistant. The partner is the natural choice, as he will probably be closely involved throughout the pregnancy, and eager to share the experience of his child's birth. Most hospitals now welcome fathers, friends or relatives to support the labouring mother. UNDERSTANDING YOUR ROLE Like many partners, you may be nervous or worry about feeling squeamish, or being inadequate at offering sufficient support. You can help combat this by prepar­ing yourself in advance. It ...

To ensure a healthy pregnancy, you must attend your antenatal check-ups regularly. Although most pregnancies proceed normally, these visits and investigations are vital to monitor your progress and spot problems before any harm is done. Women at high risk, and those women with an existing condition such as diabetes or having a Rhesus negative blood group, are carefully monitored so that the baby's welfare is never in jeopardy. You will attend an antenatal clinic at either the hospital where you will have your baby or at your doctor's surgery. Most of the women attend once a month or so up until 7 ...