Birth isn't text book!

Birth isn't text book! Many people assume that the membranes rupture (waters break) before labour starts or that if they haven't had a 'show' that labour is a long way off.

Dilation isn't textbook either. Some will have labours that stop and start over several days as the uterus works out how to contract in harmony with your baby and their position. This can mean that the cervix takes a fair bit of time to dilate. Sometimes it can mean that dilation is stuck at a certain point for many hours.

Others will have speedy labours, dilating and contracting very quickly.

Everyone is different, so is every baby. How you birth will be unique to you.

Did your labour & birth look similar to any of the slides? The list is not exhaustive!