Looking after yourself and getting to know your new baby are important after any birth. After a caesarean birth, caring for your wound and avoiding strenuous activity are part of a healthy recovery.

For many birthing mothers, vaginal birth after caesarean, or VBAC, is a safe way to have a baby. A VBAC is like any other vaginal birth, except that your labour will be monitored more closely.

A caesarean section is an operation to give birth to your baby. Caesarean section surgery usually takes 30-60 minutes, although the entire process can take a few hours. There’ll be many people in the operating theatre with you. You can usually have a support person.

A caesarean section is an operation to give birth to your baby. Caesarean birth might be the safest option if you or your baby has health problems.

Support people can encourage you during labour and birth. Before the birth, talk with your support people about how you want them to help. Ask your birth setting about who you can have with you during labour and birth.

Natural options for pain relief in labour include massage, showers and heat packs. Medical options for pain relief in labour include nitrous oxide, morphine or an epidural. Most kinds of pain relief are available at public and private hospitals. Birth centres and homebirths have fewer options.

If there are no serious problems with your pregnancy or labour, a vaginal birth is usually the safest choice. Vaginal births can lead to quicker recoveries for birthing mothers. Babies are less likely to need special care.

Talk with your doctor or midwife about your labour and birth preferences and options. Early labour signs might include a show, your waters breaking and period-like pain. Call your midwife, doctor or hospital. In the first stage of labour, your contractions get more intense. In the second, you birth your baby. In the third, the placenta is delivered.

Planning for birth and the time afterwards can help you feel ready for your new baby. Antenatal classes help you prepare for labour, birth, breastfeeding and early parenting. It’s a good idea to write a birth plan – but you might need to be flexible too.

Homebirth is an option if you’re healthy with an uncomplicated pregnancy and you can transfer to a hospital if needed. Homebirth usually involves pregnancy, birth and postnatal care with a private midwife. If you have health problems during pregnancy or birth, you might need to see an obstetrician or go to hospital.