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Giving birth

During the second stage you give birth to your baby. There’s no such thing as a typical labour and birth – they’re all different. The important thing is that while they vary, they’re all normal.

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Giving birth to your baby

When your cervix is fully open and your baby's born

Delivering your placenta

When you deliver the placenta and membranes after your baby's born

Stillbirth

When you lose your baby after the 24th week of a pregnancy or during birth

Premature (preterm) labour

When labour starts before you’re 37 weeks pregnant

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Ready Steady Baby
  • Pregnancy
    • Your baby’s development
    • Looking after yourself and your baby
    • Your antenatal care
    • Health problems in pregnancy
    • Preparing for parenthood
    • Relationships and wellbeing in pregnancy
  • Labour and birth
    • Getting ready for the birth
    • Labour
    • Assisted birth
    • Giving birth
    • After the birth
    • Meeting your new baby
  • Early parenthood
    • Going home
    • Caring for your new baby
    • Getting to know your baby
    • Your wellbeing after the birth
    • Your growing family
    • If your baby's ill