The miracle of life is a noisy, messy, scary affair that most men would prefer to witness from the hospital waiting room smoking a cigar. However, if a woman does start to give birth right in front of you and there are no doctors around, here’s what to do.

If her water breaks she can still be hours away from giving birth. But if contractions are less than two minutes apart, get ready. Irregular contractions could mean she’s in false labour and she has time to wait for help. Meanwhile, wash your hands. Get her seated, she needs to be elevated. An edge of a table with her hips hanging off and knees apart isn’t bad. If it’s too painful to climb on a table, place a stack of newspapers or towels under her hips to raise them.

Talk to her, tell her to breathe. If she threatens to push, encourage her to pant instead. Get her to push only when contractions are strong and rest in between. Cup the baby’s head in your hands once it starts to come out and lower it gently downwards as the woman pushes. If the umbilical cord is wrapped around the head or neck, gently work it free. Help the shoulders ease out one at a time.

Once both shoulders are clear, the baby should slip right out. Dead easy (for you). Clean up – Wipe the baby’s face with a towel and check that the nose and mouth are clear of fluid. No need to slap the baby – no one does that anymore. And don’t try to pull the placenta out. If it comes out on its own, wrap it in the sports section and keep it above the baby’s head until help arrives. Do not cut the cord. Keep the mother and baby comfortable. Wait for help or get to a hospital. In nine months time: repeat.

Having a baby is a very emotional experience, and the ‘baby blues’ or ‘three-day blues’ are common and not to be confused with post-natal depression. Often kicking in on the third day and gone by the tenth day, baby blues can make you feel sentimental and weepy, irritable, anxious and over-whelmed.

While Fertility Treatment South Yarra and researchers aren’t 100% sure what causes it, the sudden post-pregnancy drop in hormones, tiredness and anxiety can all play a role. If you are still feeling down and have been unable to lead a normal life for longer than two weeks after the birth of your baby, chances are you have PND and should seek help to a Fertility Treatment South Yarra as soon as possible.