Am I in labour - all you need to know

A normal pregnancy is considered to last anywhere from 37 to 42 weeks. This is calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period. More commonly though, labour usually starts around 39 to 41 weeks.

Some of natures secrets are hard to reveal and why labour actually starts is still a bit of a mystery. The old saying 'The baby will come when it's ready' is probably not far from the truth'.

Read more below about labour:

• Differences between prelabour contractions and first stage labour
• Is my cervix ready for labour
• Labour or braxton hicks?
• How to time contractions
• Internal examination and cervical dilation
• Is it my waters?