How would I like to give birth?

Listen to your body and adapt to the position you feel most comfortable in. Your midwife will help you, where possible, to achieve this.  Generally, upright positions widen the pelvis allowing the baby to be born.

One of the advantages of labouring in water is that it supports your body and allows you to move freely and comfortably into different positions.

The birthing mats are of a width and height to make it easy for you to change position and for your supporter to be beside you.

The important thing is that you do what feels right for you at the time - there is no right or wrong way to give birth. 

After your baby is born, you still need to deliver the placenta. As long as everything is straightforward you can choose to let this happen naturally or to have an injection. In either case, skin to skin contact and cosy and comfortable surroundings help your placenta along in this 'third stage' of labour.