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 ...

Coping with Pain The kind of pain you'll experience during contractions can vary. It may feel like a thick band being squeezed around your abdomen as the uterus hardens and tightens for several seconds before relaxing. Some women compare it to severe menstrual cramps, others experience backache, but there may be a combination of sensations as the contraction peaks and then subsides. Individual response You may prefer not to use certain drugs during your labour as they can dim your awareness of what is happening; however, it is very difficult to know the level of pain you can manage without relief, particularly if ...