Skip to main content

NCT3.Primary

    • NCT Antenatal course
      Prepare for birth and early parenthood and connect with local expectant parents at our in-person sessions.
    • Online NCT Antenatal course
      Prepare for birth and early parenthood in a flexible, supportive way from home.
    • NCT Antenatal refresher course
      Expecting again? Revisit the essentials, ask what’s changed, and prepare with confidence.
    • NCT New Baby course
      Build confidence in the early days with your baby, from feeding to sleep.
    • NCT Introducing Solid Foods workshop
      Clear, practical guidance to help you start solids with confidence.
    • NCT Baby & Child First Aid
      Learn practical skills to handle emergencies with confidence.
    • View all courses
    • Pregnancy
      Evidence-based answers to questions, from the early weeks to the final stretch.
    • Labour & birth
      Balanced information to help you understand your options and feel prepared.
    • Baby & toddler
      Trusted guidance on feeding, sleep and early development.
    • Life as a parent
      Real-life support for the challenges and changes of parenthood.
    • View all pregnancy & parent information
    • NCT Walk and Talks
      Get some fresh air, take a stroll and connect with local parents.
    • NCT Nearly New Sales
      Shop or sell preloved baby items and find great value essentials.
    • NCT Baby Cafés
      Free, friendly drop-ins for feeding support from trained counsellors.
    • NCT Baby & Child First Aid
      Learn practical skills to handle emergencies with confidence.
    • NCT Bumps & Babies
      Relaxed meet-ups to connect with parents near you.
    • Peer support groups
      Support your mental health with people who understand.
    • View all events and support services
    • Make a donation
      Help fund vital services that support parents when they need it most.
    • Become a member
      Join a movement working to improve support, care and outcomes for every parent.
    • Volunteer at NCT
      Give your time to support parents locally and make a real difference.
    • Fundraise for NCT
      Raise funds your way to support families across the UK.
    • Partner with us
      Work with us to support parents and create lasting impact.
    • Share your stories
      Share your experience to help shape services and support other parents.
    • View all support us
    • For Every Parent strategy
      How we’re working to support every parent, every step of the way.
    • Our impact
      The difference we make for parents, families, and communities across the UK.
    • NCT Board of Trustees
      The people who guide our direction and ensure we stay true to our mission.
    • NCT Leadership Team
      The team leading NCT’s work and helping shape our future.
    • Our history
      How NCT began, and the journey that’s brought us to where we are today.
    • Community support programmes
      Commissioned, co-produced services that deliver trusted local support for parents and families.
    • Contact us
      Ways to get in touch with our teams for help, questions, or support.
    • View all about us

NCT3.Mobile

    • NCT Antenatal course
      Prepare for birth and early parenthood and connect with local expectant parents at our in-person sessions.
    • Online NCT Antenatal course
      Prepare for birth and early parenthood in a flexible, supportive way from home.
    • NCT Antenatal refresher course
      Expecting again? Revisit the essentials, ask what’s changed, and prepare with confidence.
    • NCT New Baby course
      Build confidence in the early days with your baby, from feeding to sleep.
    • NCT Introducing Solid Foods workshop
      Clear, practical guidance to help you start solids with confidence.
    • NCT Baby & Child First Aid
      Learn practical skills to handle emergencies with confidence.
    • View all courses
    • Pregnancy
      Evidence-based answers to questions, from the early weeks to the final stretch.
    • Labour & birth
      Balanced information to help you understand your options and feel prepared.
    • Baby & toddler
      Trusted guidance on feeding, sleep and early development.
    • Life as a parent
      Real-life support for the challenges and changes of parenthood.
    • View all pregnancy & parent information
    • NCT Walk and Talks
      Get some fresh air, take a stroll and connect with local parents.
    • NCT Nearly New Sales
      Shop or sell preloved baby items and find great value essentials.
    • NCT Baby Cafés
      Free, friendly drop-ins for feeding support from trained counsellors.
    • NCT Baby & Child First Aid
      Learn practical skills to handle emergencies with confidence.
    • NCT Bumps & Babies
      Relaxed meet-ups to connect with parents near you.
    • Peer support groups
      Support your mental health with people who understand.
    • View all events and support services
    • Make a donation
      Help fund vital services that support parents when they need it most.
    • Become a member
      Join a movement working to improve support, care and outcomes for every parent.
    • Volunteer at NCT
      Give your time to support parents locally and make a real difference.
    • Fundraise for NCT
      Raise funds your way to support families across the UK.
    • Partner with us
      Work with us to support parents and create lasting impact.
    • Share your stories
      Share your experience to help shape services and support other parents.
    • View all support us
    • For Every Parent strategy
      How we’re working to support every parent, every step of the way.
    • Our impact
      The difference we make for parents, families, and communities across the UK.
    • NCT Board of Trustees
      The people who guide our direction and ensure we stay true to our mission.
    • NCT Leadership Team
      The team leading NCT’s work and helping shape our future.
    • Our history
      How NCT began, and the journey that’s brought us to where we are today.
    • Community support programmes
      Commissioned, co-produced services that deliver trusted local support for parents and families.
    • Contact us
      Ways to get in touch with our teams for help, questions, or support.
    • View all about us
Book course
Donate now
Book course
Donate now

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Pregnancy & parent information
  3. Labour & birth
  4. What happens in labour & birth

What happens in labour & birth

Whether it’s a vaginal or caesarean birth, here is information about the different stages of birth and possible things that might happen.

What happens in labour & birth articles

  • All
Showing 16 articles
Baby after birth
Assisted birth: ventouse or forceps
Doctor examining pregnant woman or birthing person
Breech and transverse babies: what you need to know
Overdue baby: induced labour pros and cons
Induced labour and membrane sweeps: reasons, benefits and drawbacks
Mother or birthing person talking to midwife
Maternity rights and informed decision making
pregnant woman talking
Overdue baby – what happens if my baby is late?
Parent recovering in bed after birth with baby
Perineal tears and episiotomy during childbirth
Parent holding premature baby
Premature babies and neonatal care
Baby clothes
Stillbirth: causes, risks and what happens afterwards
Twins
Twins and multiple birth
Parents holding newborn baby in hospital
Vitamin K for newborn babies
Early labour
What are the first signs of labour?
After a caesarean birth
What happens after your baby is born?
Caesarean birth
What is a caesarean birth?
Woman or birthing parent with baby
What is a vaginal birth?
Second stage of labour
What is the second stage of labour?
Third stage of labour
What is the third stage of labour (birth of the placenta?)
Here for you
Choose how you’d like to get support today
Book antenatal class
Support with feeding
Pregnancy & Baby Guide
Join the community
Donate now
Supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood

NCT3.Footer

  • Our services
    • Book an antenatal course
    • Find local NCT events
    • Infant feeding support line
    • Pregnancy & Baby Guide
  • Support us
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Membership
    • Partner with us
  • Our work
    • Our impact
    • Latest news
    • Work with us
    • Contact us

NCT, 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX
Reg Charity No (England and Wales): 801395, (Scotland): SC041592. Reg Company No: 2370573.

NCT3.Bottom

  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Safeguarding
  • Media
  • Editor log-in