How do parents prepare for the birth, and what happens during labour?
How parents prepare for the birth, the choices of where to give birth, the three stages of labour, methods of delivery and pain relief.
A focused CCEA GCSE Child Development answer on preparing for the birth, the choices of where to give birth, the three stages of labour, methods of delivery, and the pain-relief options available.
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What this dot point is asking
CCEA wants you to know how parents prepare for the birth, the choices of where to have the baby, the three stages of labour in order, the main methods of delivery, and the pain-relief options. The topic is taught factually so that expectant parents can make informed choices.
Preparing for the birth
A birth plan sets out the mother's preferences, such as positions for labour, pain relief and who will be present, although plans may change if circumstances require it. Parents also need the right equipment ready at home, especially a car seat, which is needed to take the baby home safely.
Where to give birth
A woman can usually choose where to have her baby:
- a hospital (with doctors and full medical facilities, often preferred for first babies or higher-risk pregnancies),
- a midwife-led unit (a more homely setting led by midwives, for low-risk births), or
- a home birth (for some low-risk pregnancies, in familiar surroundings).
The choice depends on the woman's health, how the pregnancy has gone, and her own wishes.
The three stages of labour
- First stage. The cervix gradually dilates (opens) to about 10 cm. Contractions grow stronger, longer and closer together. This is usually the longest stage.
- Second stage. The mother pushes the baby down the birth canal with each contraction until the baby is born.
- Third stage. The placenta (afterbirth) is delivered as the womb contracts again after the birth.
Methods of delivery
Most babies are born by a normal vaginal delivery. Sometimes help is needed:
- an assisted delivery using forceps or a ventouse (suction cup) to help the baby out, or
- a caesarean section (C-section), an operation to deliver the baby through a cut in the mother's abdomen, used when a vaginal birth would be unsafe for mother or baby.
A baby born before 37 weeks is premature and may need special care in a neonatal unit.
Pain relief in labour
Options include gas and air (Entonox), breathed in during contractions for short-acting relief; a TENS machine, which uses mild electrical pulses; pethidine, an injection; an epidural, an injection in the back that numbs the lower body for strong relief; and breathing, relaxation and a warm bath. Each has benefits and drawbacks, so the choice is personal.
Examples in context
- Example 1. Writing a birth plan
- An expectant mother writes a birth plan stating she would like to try gas and air first, move around during labour, and have her partner present. She also notes she is open to changing it if needed. This shows informed preparation, the skill CCEA rewards.
- Example 2. An assisted delivery
- During the second stage, a baby becomes distressed and the midwife calls for help. A ventouse is used to help deliver the baby quickly and safely. This illustrates why assisted deliveries are sometimes needed, even when a vaginal birth was planned.
- Example 3. Choosing where to give birth
- A woman with a healthy, low-risk pregnancy chooses a midwife-led unit for a calmer setting, while a friend with a higher-risk pregnancy chooses a hospital for full medical facilities. This shows how the choice depends on circumstances, not just preference.
Try this
Q1. What happens to the cervix during the first stage of labour? [1 mark]
- Cue. It dilates (opens) to about 10 cm.
Q2. Name one method of delivery used when a normal vaginal birth would be unsafe. [1 mark]
- Cue. A caesarean section (or an assisted delivery with forceps or ventouse).
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of CCEA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
CCEA Unit 1 style6 marksDescribe the three stages of labour.Show worked answer →
Two marks per stage for naming it and describing what happens, up to six marks.
First stage: the cervix gradually opens (dilates) to about 10 cm. Contractions become stronger, longer and closer together. This is usually the longest stage.
Second stage: the baby is pushed down the birth canal and is born. The mother pushes with each contraction until the baby is delivered.
Third stage: the placenta (afterbirth) is delivered. After the baby is born, the womb contracts again to push out the placenta.
Markers reward each stage in the correct order with a clear description of what happens.
CCEA Unit 1 style4 marksDescribe two methods of pain relief a woman could use during labour.Show worked answer →
Two marks per method for naming it and explaining it, up to four marks.
Gas and air (Entonox): the mother breathes in a mixture of gas through a mask or mouthpiece during contractions. It takes the edge off the pain, is easy to control and wears off quickly.
An epidural: an anaesthetic is injected into the back to numb the lower body, giving strong pain relief. It must be given by an anaesthetist and can make pushing harder to feel.
Other acceptable methods: TENS machine, a warm bath, breathing and relaxation techniques, or pethidine injection. Each must be described, not just named.
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