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The time has arrived...

You'll soon be bringing your precious new baby into the world. All pregnant women worry and feel nervous about how they will cope with labour and birth, but one of the best ways to overcome your fears and anxieties is to find out as much as you can about what’s going to happen before labour starts. Talk about your birthing experiences in Maya voice (your local community) so that it helps the first time mums to be learn what it is really like.

You should get a few things ready at least two weeks before your due date and pack your bag and get ready for birth. Find out what to expect in maternity ward and during delivery. Learn how to recognize the signs of labour and get an overview of pain management techniques through our section on pain relief in labour. Plus, get the latest advice about when and how to push.

There are three stages to labour. In the first stage the cervix gradually opens up (dilates). In the second stage the baby is pushed down the vagina and is born. In the third stage the placenta comes away from the wall of the womb and is also pushed out of the vagina. Find out in detail what happens in the three stages of labour.

Whoever your labour partner is – the baby’s father, a close friend, or a relative – there are some practical things that they can do to help you. Find out what your companions can do while you in labour.