What’s your labour IQ?

The end of your pregnancy is nigh, and you’re counting the days, but are you really ready for the big moment? Test what you’ve learnt about labour so far…

1 YOU KNOW YOU’RE DEFINITELY IN LABOUR WHEN…

a Your plug is out, your water has broken, or you have a few contractions.

b Your contractions are stronger, longer and closer and closer together.

c You wake up in the morning, and it’s your baby’s expected due date.

2 WHEN SHOULD YOU GRAB THE HOSPITAL BAG AND WASTE NO TIME GETTING THERE?

a As soon as you feel those first contractions – you never know how bad the traffic will be.

b As soon as the contractions are about five minutes apart and last about a minute – it’s better to relax at home during the first stage of labour.

c A day before your baby’s expected birth date – you don’t want to be caught unawares at home.

3 A DOULA IS…

a The word your partner and the doctor call out when they watch soccer while you’re trying to catch a breath after your last push.

b Someone who supports you emotionally and physically during the labour.

c The Arabic way of giving birth.

4 THE BEST POSITION IN WHICH TO LABOUR AS PAINLESSLY AND SWIFTLY AS POSSIBLE…

a if you squat

b to move around and adapt your position according to your needs (from walking, leaning forward and squatting to lying down)

c lying flat on your back (while yelling as loudly as possible, like in the movies)

5 HOW FAR SHOULD YOU BE DILATED BEFORE YOUR BABY CAN BE BORN VAGINALLY?

a 5cm (think a small naartjie)

b 10cm (think a largish orange)

c 30cm (think a watermelon)

6 A BABY IS USUALLY BORN…

a Head first, face forward

b Head first, face turned towards your bum

c Bum first… Or maybe it’s feet first?

7 AN EPISIOTOMY IS…

a A piece of equipment that prevents you from weeing too much while you’re in labour.

b A small incision made in the perineum to make more space for baby’s head.

c A breather during your labour, so that you can go to the loo.

8 THE AVERAGE DURATION OF LABOUR FOR FIRST-TIME MOMS IS…

a Between two and three hours (please let this be the correct answer!)

b Between 12 and 15 hours (that’s longer than a day at the office)

c Between 20 and 24 hours (hopefully you can nap in between somewhere)

9 THE LONGEST PHASE OF LABOUR IS USUALLY…

a The second phase, when you have to push Baby out.

b The first phase, when the cervix dilates.

c The third phase, when the placenta is delivered.

10 DURING THE LABOUR PROCESS, MOST WOMEN LOSE ABOUT…

a 16kg of their pregnancy weight (not bad at all).

b 5kg of their pregnancy weight (your pre-pregnancy jeans won’t fit yet).

c All their pregnancy weight (yay!).