Becoming a mother is a life-altering experience whatever your age, but the huge changes which inevitably come the moment you have that positive pregnancy test can seem all too overwhelming for many teenage mums.
A young mum-to-be is often faced with all kinds of challenges, from feelings of ... Views: 768
The best time to start trying for a baby is when you are ovulating, but how do you know when that is? Using an ovulation calendar can help you pinpoint exactly when your body is at its most fertile.
Working out your dates:
Ovulation takes place around 14 days before a woman gets her ... Views: 710
Teenage mums-to-be are usually considered at higher risk of having a premature labour and/or an underweight baby.
Good nutrition and antenatal care is vitally important throughout the pregnancy weeks as the teenager herself will still be growing and will need nurturing.
But often ... Views: 1116
Tests and scans of unborn babies can give peace of mind to the parents and, in that respect, are very important.
Ultrasound scans are a routine part of pregnancy these days, but certain other tests are usually only undertaken if there is a medical reason to do so.
Ultrasound scan
A ... Views: 742
So you have finally seen that all-important positive result from the pregnancy test, or perhaps your body is showing all the tell-tale signs that a baby is on the way, but just how pregnant are you? It is always handy to know when your little one is expected to make an appearance into the world ... Views: 1431
Once you have decided you are ready to have a baby, waiting for that all-important positive pregnancy test can seem both long and torturous. The disappointment of failure every month can be upsetting, especially if you feel you are doing everything right. But making a baby is not an easy ... Views: 965
In order to get pregnant a male sperm must fertilise a female’s egg. The conventional way for this to happen is through sexual intercourse when the male
penis enters the woman’s vagina and ejaculation of sperm occurs.
The process of an egg being fertilised can also be carried out outside ... Views: 2581
Getting a full night’s sleep when you are pregnant can sometimes seem like an impossible dream. Whether it is feelings of nausea, a full bladder or your little one practising karate kicks keeping you awake, there are ways to improve sleeping in pregnancy.
Sleeping position:
It can be ... Views: 1106
Any working mum-to-be needs to plan or strategize her working life to ensure she gets the maternity benefits she is entitled to and is given the right amount of time off work at the right pay level.
If you are pregnant and work full or part-time in the UK, you are entitled to time off before ... Views: 813
Don’t worry if you only have a small room to convert into a nursery, with a little imagination and planning the tiniest of box rooms can be a delightful space for your little one. Here are some nursery decorating ideas for small spaces.
Design and layout
Pale, neutral and light decor will ... Views: 1545
There’s an old saying that when you give birth to baby you give birth to your baby common-sense soon after…
But just in case you need some extra advice, here are some basic newborn baby care tips on keeping her clean.
In those early days you may feel there is an abundance of newborn baby ... Views: 666
The mental fuzziness and memory lapses, which can set in shortly after having a baby, are symptoms of the condition mumnesia.
Many new mums suffer from mumnesia in the days, weeks or even months following their baby’s birth. The condition even stretches to forgetting many details about the ... Views: 1070
Those last few weeks and days of pregnancy can really drag. Of course you are excited about what lies ahead, but you are also probably very tired of carrying your pregnancy bump around 24/7.
Pregnancy advice and tips about labour are probably coming at you fast and furious and you may have ... Views: 3619
When you are watching a movie and a female character gets out of bed in the morning and runs to the toilet to be sick, then you can pretty much jump to the conclusion that this is a sign of pregnancy.
Nausea certainly can be one of the early pregnancy symptom . But the term “morning sickness” ... Views: 711
Unless you have been trying for a baby, and are therefore on the look-out for the early signs of pregnancy, much of the first trimester of your pregnancy week by week can slip by un-noticed. This is especially true if you don’t have any unpleasant side-effects (nausea, tiredness, sore breasts, ... Views: 750
You’re expecting twins? Triplets? How exciting, and probably a little daunting too.
But although it may be more challenging than carrying just one baby, mothers of twins find that as long as they look after themselves and get some support from their partner and family members, a multiple ... Views: 608
Bringing your newborn baby home is a huge moment in anyone’s life. From newborn to one month old baby, development of this little person is fascinating.
In the early days you are getting used to being a mum, working out a routine and learning to recognise your baby’s needs.
But after only ... Views: 1465
Decorating your baby’s nursery is such an exciting project. But it’s not easy to imagine all you’ll need if this is your first baby.
You’ll want a pretty room that’s extra special, but do make sure it’s convenient too. Ergonomics isn’t just for the office... you’ll want all you need for ... Views: 724
Becoming a mum for the first time can be overwhelming and daunting at first. Even the smallest tasks might seem colossal and you can feel that life as you know it will never be the same again. Here are some tips on how to survive those first few weeks, and remember, having a newborn baby is the ... Views: 1240
Some mums-to-be dismiss the idea of a home birth thinking that they are “more dangerous” than hospital births.
In fact, the secret to successfully giving birth at home is in the planning. Carefully prepared home births are statistically just as safe as planned hospital births in low-risk ... Views: 1918
If you are planning to start a family, there are certain things you should do, and certain things you should stop doing, to ensure you have a happy and safe pregnancy. Pay attention to your lifestyle, and make the necessary changes, and the healthier you and your baby will be.
There are also ... Views: 1247
If you are planning to have children, there are many steps you can take to ensure your body is ready for the journey ahead. Being proactive and preparing for pregnancy can really work in your favour. It is also important to know the pregnancy signs to look out for to confirm that all your ... Views: 1100
Having a baby is a major step in anyone’s life. In an ideal world, before you even think about getting pregnant, you should both consider these points before having a baby.
Are you in a lasting, stable relationship?
Of course most single parents manage perfectly well to bring up baby. Many ... Views: 958
You are a couple and together you have decided that two should become three. It’s time to try for a baby.
But while it is the female who will be carrying the child for nine months and her good health is vital, the importance of the man’s pre-pregnancy health should never be underestimated ... Views: 580
You are unique, your baby will be unique, and your pregnancy stages will also be totally individual. So never worry if your experience varies from the lists, guidelines and pregnancy advice you will find offered to you.
That said, if this is your first pregnancy it can be very helpful to be ... Views: 687
There is some evidence that if a woman is anxious or depressed during pregnancy this can negatively affect a baby’s birth weight and fetal brain development. So there’s one more thing to be anxious about!
Nobody wants to feel stressed or anxious at what should be one of the happiest times of ... Views: 866
At week 15 pregnant your baby is now around 4 inches in length (10cm) and will weigh about 2.5 ounces (75g).
Although absolutely tiny, she will have working joints in her little limbs. Her legs will be longer than her arms – giving her a more finished shape.
Her flexible limbs will be ... Views: 823
It’s happened. You are pregnant. And you are thrilled, a little apprehensive, but most of all very eager to do everything right for the wellbeing of your precious baby during your pregnancy.
For most of your first trimester of pregnancy your little one will be a tiny bean-shaped being. But ... Views: 1095
Most women find that the moment they know they are pregnant they instantly start being more careful about their food; what’s nutritious, what’s fattening, what’s safe to eat?
Of course we should all be eating healthily whether we are pregnant or not, but the presence of a tiny, dependent baby ... Views: 551
They didn’t exist when our mums were having us, but pregnancy forums are now so popular many women are making life-long pals through them, and getting answers to their week by week pregnancy questions.
For mums-to-be chatting on an online pregnancy forum via a pregnancy or baby club website ... Views: 862
Your main concern when you are pregnant is to keep both you and your baby safe and healthy, which is why it can be scary if you do fall ill.
Fortunately, common ailments such as a cold won’t harm the baby. However, there are some pregnancy infections that can be more serious and that you need ... Views: 1241
Your main concern when you are pregnant is to keep both you and your baby safe and healthy, which is why it can be scary if you do fall ill.
Fortunately, common ailments such as a cold won’t harm the baby. However, there are some pregnancy infections that can be more serious and that you need ... Views: 796
Whether it’s because of nausea, needing to pee every couple of hours, restless legs, difficulty finding a comfy position or even disturbed dreams, many expectant women suffer from some form of pregnancy insomnia: an inability to fall asleep or remain asleep for an adequate length of ... Views: 1064
As a side effect of pregnancy, stretch marks top many women’s most hated list! Mainly because they can last so long and are so visible. Most other effects (weight gain, discharge, aches and pains, uncomfortable stitches) are not as long lasting or can at least be hidden away or disguised.
... Views: 831
Some women find it hard to believe that other women can sail obliviously through the first few weeks (and even months) of pregnancy without noticing any obvious signs.
But while feeling nauseous, tired, or having a late period are all symptoms of pregnancy, they could be due to other ... Views: 5844
Up to 75% of all pregnant women suffer from backache. But here are some pregnancy tips to prevent it happening, or worsening, and stop it turning into a life-long problem.
Exercise:
Women who do some exercise and are relatively flexible before getting pregnant usually suffer less from ... Views: 830
It is very important to watch what you eat and drink when you are pregnant, particularly in those critical first three months. Here are some top pregnancy tips on what food and drink to avoid and the extra measures you should take when it comes to hygiene...
Food in pregnancy:
If you know ... Views: 835
There are certain government grants, maternity rights and benefits which every pregnant woman and new parent is entitled to.
The HM Revenue & Customs and direct.gov sites are full of easy-to-understand information about grants and allowances available during pregnancy and as new parents. Many ... Views: 752
A premature birth is the birth of a baby of less than 37 weeks gestational age for whatever reason.
The exact cause of why some babies arrive early is often never established.
A premature birth may come as a complete surprise to the mum and her medical team. But if a pregnant woman is ... Views: 1277
Giving birth to a child is undoubtedly the best pleasure in this world! Ask any women about the most memorable moment in her life, and it has to be the moment when she became a mother! If you are expecting a child soon, then you must have witnessed your body undergoing several changes in the ... Views: 1042
Getting pregnant is not an exact science. Even couples who are fertile, fit and able have only a 20% chance of conceiving each cycle.
If you’ve been trying for some time to start a family you could have some fertility problems and it may be best to have an examination. Check with your GP who ... Views: 1322
Pregnant teenagers and their unborn babies can face problems which are directly related to the mum’s young age and lack of worldly experience as well as her physical condition.
Here are just some of the highlighted risks for teen pregnancy :-
Insufficient pre-natal care
Many teenage ... Views: 918
Week by week your pregnant body will be changing and working extra hard to cope, so it makes sense to take extra care of yourself and avoid unnecessary risks especially in the first trimester.
But don’t be alarmed by the multitude of scare stories you mat hear. In reality, there is no reason ... Views: 609
Many women (and men) worry about having sex during pregnancy, but the good news is that it is perfectly safe – so go for it.
Is it safe?
Remember that your baby is cushioned by a sac of fluid well beyond the neck of the womb and your partner’s penis can’t penetrate beyond your vagina so, ... Views: 566
In the first trimester your body will be getting used to the influx of pregnancy hormones and you may feel exhausted much of the day, but are unable to sleep well at night. There are several possible causes for this:
Hormones and anxiety
As well as the effect of the hormones you could be ... Views: 986
Some abdominal discomfort is common in pregnancy, but any kind of stomach pain during pregnancy should be checked out by your GP to make sure it is nothing serious.
It could be a pulled or stretched ligament, kidney stones, food poisoning, appendicitis, kidney stones, stomach virus, bowel ... Views: 993
There will be times during your pregnancy that you are ill and want to take something to make you feel better, but it can be confusing knowing what medicine is safe and what should be avoided.
Any medicines you take will not only enter your system, but will pass through your baby too, so you ... Views: 1015
You are pregnant. Congratulations! Now you’ll want to do everything in your power to have a healthy and problem-free pregnancy culminating in a perfect baby. Here are 10 tips for a healthy pregnancy gathered from the best pregnancy advice around…
Get early care
Hopefully you took some ... Views: 877
Am I pregnant?
For women who have been trying to conceive, taking an early pregnancy test is a big moment. The whole “am I or aren’t I?” question is about to be answered and the emotions tied up with the big reveal cannot be overestimated.
It’s so easy these days –you open a box with a ... Views: 623
The first trimester pregnancy is when it all happens. It is at this stage that your baby’s organs start to form and develop, it is also the time when you experience the full effects of being pregnant with feelings of sickness, exhaustion and mood swings as your hormones rocket through the roof. ... Views: 1674