Unlike other mammals we do not have a precise gestation period. Normal labour can begin anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks gestation. How labour starts is not really fully understood. It is believed that it is determined by a complex interaction of both mother and baby’s hormones. During this phase the cervix begins to soften, move forward and efface or ‘thin out’. You may or may not have already had a ‘show’

During labour, the muscles of the uterus contract and shorten, thereby opening and pulling up your cervix into the lower part of the uterus. This action pushes the baby further down in to your pelvis. At the same time baby’s head is pushing on your cervix and together these complex actions work to facilitate dilatation (the widening of the cervix) and the birth of your baby.

We are all aware how life saving forceps can be to the delivery of babies that are distressed or stuck and for labours that are not progressing. We are so grateful to have this tool around to save a mum and baby’s life or prevent the baby from becoming severely hypoxic or oxygen deprived.