What you may see and hear as the baby is being born

The following is a brief description of some of the more common things the woman may notice, or the partners, or support people may see and/or hear at the birth. It is designed to help prepare you for a little of the 'unknown'.

What you may see in the woman:

	Sheer physical exertion while she is pushing and panting (written all over her face).
	A very red flushed face (many people say a woman in labour looks very beautiful and flushed, as if she has just experienced an orgasm, although she probably doesn't feel that way).
	Bowel movements (and odours).
	The vagina and perineum bulging, just before the baby's head crowns.

What you may see as your baby is being born:

	A small patch of scalp, and possibly hair.
	Slow, or fast, emergence of the baby's head.
	Blue-purple colouration of the baby's scalp and body.
	Creamy substance (vernix) covering some areas, or all of the baby's body.

What you may hear:

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What you may see and hear as the baby is being born

Labour & Birth

Inducing labour

Caesarean

Reference

What you may see and hear as the baby is being born

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