I've never posted on the internet in this way, but since it does seem a good way of spreading information, I would like to spread some information that I know from experience really really helps women when it comes to having their babies. I have been a doula (birth companion) for many years now and what seems to be key to the short and easy births that mostly take place, is that the 'mums' really and properly understand what real labour is. Despite what the books and NCT tell you, strong and regular contractions do not labour make...again and again I hear about experiences where women are quite happy to ignore what's happening and do life as normal all the while the contractions are 5 mins apart, but the moment it accelerates to one every three minutes and they drop to their knees, they rush off to hospital only to find they are not dilating, not in labour, and now of course, feeling very defeated and demoralised. In fact, a first-time woman in labour would need to be having that level of contractions for quite a few hours (labour wards do tell people this but mostly it's ignored), to be utterly focussed while resting as well as working, (as in if hub tried to talk to you, you would look confused and properly tell him to bugger off) and as well as that, have a sense of pressure in your backside, like wanting to go to the loo. Finally, you would most likely be making quite a lot of noise (though not always). If you wait at home, where you are comfortable and safe and relaxed until all these things are happening, 1) you are very much more likely to be coping well and 2) pretty likely to be in labour. And it's when women arrive in good, established labour that they just fly on through and have a baby in their arms in a few hours. So remember, anything other than the above is incredibly unlikely to be labour and shouldn't even be described as that - taking this it is/ or it isn't approach, really helps women to maintain stamina, the right positive mindset, to conserve energy and focus....etc etc. Any questions, come right back to me, and if anyone is able to benefit from this, would love to hear from you...