Last updated: December 3, 2024

The idea of giving birth can be overwhelming, especially if it's your first time. In this section you'll find information that can help you plan and start practicing for labour and birth.

Each woman experiences the pain of labour differently. You may choose medicinal pain relief in the form of anesthesia or medicines. Learn more:

• Childbirth: Epidurals
• Childbirth: Opioid pain medicines
• Childbirth: Pudendal and paracervical blocks
• Epidural and spinal snesthesia
• Epidural anesthesia
• Local anesthesia for childbirth
• Pain relief options labour and birth
• Spinal block for childbirth

Other forms of pain management include massage, comfort positions and relaxation and breathing techniques. Learn more:

• Breathing techniques for childbirth
• Comfort positions labour and birth
• Practicing breathing techniques for labour

Labour may not go as smoothly as you planned. You may experience problems which require medical attention. These include strep infections, postpartum bleeding and tears. Learn more:

• Cervical insufficiency
• Cervical effacement and dilatation
• Childbirth: Strep infections during delivery
• Episiotomy and perineal tears
• Postpartum bleeding
• Postural management for breech position
• Stillbirth
• VBAC: Participation during birth
• VBAC: Uterine scar rupture

Encountering problems during labour and delivery can be worrisome. Find out more about medical interventions during birth:

• Epistiotomy vacuum and forceps during labour and birth
• Fetal monitoring during labour
• Labour induction and augmentation
• VBAC: Labour induction

A caesarean birth (or C-section) may be recommended by your health care provider. This could be done before labour (elective) or during labour (emergency).

• Caesarean section

A vaginal birth after c-section might be an option for you. You can discuss this option with your health care provider to explore this topic and prepare yourself and your family for a possible vaginal birth.