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  1. Home
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  3. Maternity
  4. Labour and birth
  5. Understanding pre-labour

Understanding pre-labour

Understanding pre-labour

If there is one thing you can be certain of, it is that your baby will come when it is ready and not when it is expected!

Watch these videos and learn more about induction of labour and creating a comfortable birthing environment.

Induction of labour

You may be offered an induction if:

  • your baby is overdue (usually 10 days past your due date)
  • there is a medical condition affecting you or our baby
  • your doctor is concerned about the size of your baby.

To help get your body ready for labour, induction methods used at Fiona Stanley Hospital include:

  • stretch and sweep
  • medical induction of labour
  • artificial rupture of membranes
  • oxytocin infusion.

Watch this video to learn more about inducing labour.

The five senses during labour

During labour, your brain continues to process your surroundings using your senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. These can influence your emotions and impact on your sense of wellbeing.

See some tips about creating a safe and comfortable environment to birth in.

Learn more about other stages of labour

Watch a series of videos about:

  • the mechanics of labour
  • labour coping techniques
  • active birth and positioning
  • complications of labour
  • the third stage of labour and the 'golden hour'.

More information

Find out more about labour and birth or return to the Maternity page.

 

Last Updated: 31/01/2025
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