BBC - Parenting - Having a baby

Introduction to birth Find out your options about where you can give birth, what happens during labour, your pain-relief choices, who'll help you and what life's like in the early days after your baby's been born.

In this section
Birth options You have several options about where to give birth Home births The pros and cons of having your baby at home Assisted birth What may happen if you or your baby face problems during labour Caesarean section Why you may need a caesarean and what it involves Stages of labour What to expect during the three stages of labour	Care and support during labour The people who may help you during labour Pain relief What you may be offered to relieve labour pains Twin births How labour and birth differ if you're expecting twins - or more Special care The specialist care offered to babies who are born early Coping after the birth How to deal with the challenges of looking after a new baby	Postnatal depression What to do if your 'baby blues' become more serious Early days and what to expect Tests, body changes and emotions in the weeks after the birth Sex after birth When you can resume having sex and what it'll be like What your new baby can do Discover your newborn baby's hidden talents

			Also in Parenting Pregnancy calendar Preconception Support for you	Elsewhere on bbc.co.uk Video Nation: birth Elsewhere on the web Directgov: having a baby
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Introduction to birth