Throughout a woman’s pregnancy week by week dads-to-be can sometimes feel left out or surplus to requirements.
You may wrongly feel like once you have successfully impregnated your partner there isn’t much for you to do for the next nine months.
But there are lots of things you can do to ... Views: 852
That was it. That was the moment you became pregnant, although you probably weren’t even aware of the monumental process going on in your body.
But as roughly 1.5 – 3.5 million sperm headed for your fallopian tubes one amazing little seed hit its target and your egg was fertilised.
This ... Views: 1524
It’s a dilemma. You feel fine and you want to carry on working as long as you can – but could you be harming your unborn baby? Or you feel tired and sick and struggle to keep up at work, but you don’t want to be stuck at home twiddling your thumbs.
So when should mums-to-be give up ... Views: 1456
Congratulations you are pregnant! Getting confirmation from that all-important early pregnancy test is so exciting but it is just the start of things to come. There will be big changes to get used to during the pregnancy from your growing bump, coping with morning sickness to finding a whole new ... Views: 1230
Making a baby isn’t always easy. Even if neither of you have fertility problems, you have only a 25% chance of falling pregnant each cycle.
Many doctors will not consider a couple has a fertility problem until they have been trying for a baby for at least one year. But one in every seven ... Views: 999
With so many conflicting reports on exercise and how much is good for us (and whether it could sometimes be doing more harm than good) it is confusing for a pregnant women to know what is for the best.
Basically any woman who has been very fit and active before getting pregnant will find they ... Views: 943
Some women really do find they bloom during pregnancy and that their skin, nails and hair have never been better.
However some women get spotty or dry skin, brittle, lacklustre or even thinning hair, and brittle nails, with changes in skin being the most commonly reported pregnancy ... Views: 1090
Taking regular exercise will help you have an easier pregnancy and give you more stamina to cope with giving birth.
If you’re fit, you are likely to get back into shape more easily after the birth and you will have more energy to cope with the demands of a new baby.
If you already follow ... Views: 746
You think you might be pregnant. You’ve had some of the first signs of pregnancy. So what’s next?
Well first of all you need to confirm your suspicions. You can do this easily at home with a home pregnancy test kit available from the chemists.
If you are already showing some signs of ... Views: 708
Some women are so in tune with their bodies that they can tell within days that they are pregnant.
But what are the very early indications we can get from our bodies that this miraculous change is underway?
Missed period
Light bleeding, which seems to be a period, can still happen ... Views: 832
What is amniocentesis?
When being given pregnancy advice by their GP or midwife, some women will be recommended amniocentesis.
This is a diagnostic test which can detect a serious, or potentially serious, condition in an unborn baby.
Amniotic fluid surrounds the fetus in the womb. It ... Views: 1139
Iron deficiency in the body leads to the condition anaemia. Anaemia in pregnancy is quite common but it is actually very easy to prevent.
We need iron throughout our lives, as it’s used to make haemoglobin (red blood cells) which carries oxygen around the body. But in pregnancy it is vital ... Views: 1197
Feeling your baby move for the first time is a magical moment. What begins as a barely perceptible flutter quickly turns into a full-on kick as your little one starts to make her presence felt and by the end it can feel as if she is dancing a jig inside you. You will probably even see a foot or ... Views: 1492
There are certain things to be thought about when it comes to baby and pregnancy essentials.
Pregnancy essentials
No matter whether the person is going to have her first baby or already have several children, the person has to make sure that she has everything needed during pregnancy. The ... Views: 1125
Bathing your baby is an important part of baby care, but while it is beneficial for baby development you don’t have to bath a newborn every day. You can top and tail, ensuring that her face and bottom are kept clean.
Babies usually love bath time and it may become a special bonding time for ... Views: 1132
If you want, or have, to return to work when your maternity leave is over you’ll need to carefully consider the childcare options available to you.
You’ll need to plan ahead to make sure that your baby care is the best available on your budget.
But before you make plans here are some tips ... Views: 1137
Nobody can really predict how their pet dog will react when a new baby is brought into the house, however loveable and soft the dog may be. A dog is a pack animal and will usually dedicate its life to serving you, its leader. So when a new member of the pack (a baby) is brought into its life the ... Views: 1665
All babies cry. It is their only way to communicate their needs. Some parents quickly learn to recognise why their baby is crying, whether she’s hungry, wet, dirty, wants a cuddle or is in pain. Others may struggle to understand what baby is trying to say.
Here are some of the reasons why ... Views: 1219
“Breastfed babies need to drink water too”
False
Breastfed babies do not need to be given water, or any other fluid. The consistency of breast milk acts as a perfect feed and thirst quencher. Giving a baby water can affect her sodium levels and dampen her appetite.
A breastfed baby should ... Views: 853
Around 20% of the British population is affected by hay fever. Basically it is an allergy to pollen which is released from plants into the air from March until early September.
Hay fever in babies and children under five is rare, but not unheard of.
Baby health is a priority so it’s hard ... Views: 1017
Congratulations, you have reached the halfway stage!
If you’ve been following your baby development week by week you’ll know that at week 19 she is around 6.5 inches in length (17cm) and 9 ounces in weight (250gm).
Her whole body will be covered in the greasy white substance known as ... Views: 971
Teething is most common in a 5 or 6 month old baby, but it can start as early as 3 months or as late as a first birthday.
You can first expect to see the lower front teeth (central incisors) followed by the upper front teeth. Next are the upper and lower teeth at either side of the central ... Views: 1324
Finding out you are pregnant is an exciting time. There will be a lot of changes over the next few weeks and months. Here are some top tips for the first trimester...
GP visit
You have taken a home pregnancy test and it is positive. Now is the time to visit your doctor to get official ... Views: 1159
No matter how many people tell you not to worry, or how many articles and books you read on the subject, you are bound to feel concerned if you find you are bleeding during pregnancy.
But bleeding, or spotting (as small amounts of blood are called) can be due to many reasons and does not ... Views: 888
Your body can change a great deal when you’re pregnant so it is a good idea to know what to expect and be prepared for what’s coming. Besides your growing bump, here are some pregnancy symptoms you might experience...
Changes in your breasts:
For some women, having tender breasts is one of ... Views: 872
The first question a woman often gets asks when she announces she’s pregnant is when her due date is. While it’s good to have a rough idea, it is also important to remember that this date is only an estimate and, as all babies are different, they come when they are ready and not on the day you ... Views: 856
Raspberry leaf tea is probably the most controversial of all the herbal teas.
The actual effect any herbal tea has on a pregnancy has not yet been researched. So there is no right or wrong answer to the question of whether ANY herbal teas should be drunk during pregnancy. Certainly if you ... Views: 1326
The simple answer is yes, there is a possibility of getting pregnant when you are having your period. However, the chances are pretty slim and it all depends on the regularity of your periods and when you ovulate...
Ovulating:
Your menstrual cycle starts on the first day of your period and ... Views: 966
For some women, the thought of having twins is terrifying - double the work, double the cost and double the trouble. However, for many, a multiple birth is a long-held dream. So is there a way of increasing your chances of conceiving twins? Whether it is information gathered from studies or just ... Views: 1254
Examinations and checkups quickly become a way of life when you are pregnant. While it can sometimes feel like you are constantly being prodded and poked, these tests are an important way of monitoring your health, as well as your baby’s.
Antenatal appointments are also an ideal opportunity ... Views: 828
Many mums want to return to work after their maternity leave. Some may want to stay home with their baby, but simply can’t afford the cut in the family income.
Before you even start maternity leave it’s a good idea to do some research into the kind of child care you want , and can afford, for ... Views: 942
Babies drink milk. Fact. But unfortunately a few react badly to milk and it actually makes them ill and affects baby development.
Some babies are allergic to all dairy products, but more commonly a baby can be lactose intolerant. So what is the difference? And how can you tell if your baby is ... Views: 1186
Dental hygiene is important for everybody at all ages and stages of their lives, but during the first and second trimester of pregnancy it is even more important to look after your gums and teeth.
This is because pregnancy hormones can affect your gums and make them more susceptible to ... Views: 962
As baby’s due date arrives, then passes, most mums become desperate to see those first signs of labour. These may occur as much as a week before baby actually arrives, but are still a clear indication that baby is on her way!
So what early signs of labour could you experience?
A show: ... Views: 1508
When you are trying to get pregnant – or possibly desperate to get pregnant – every passing month and every failed pregnancy test is a huge disappointment.
You are so on the look-out for some of the early pregnancy symptoms that the slightest thing raises your hopes that you’ve spotted one ... Views: 1613
An ectopic pregnancy – also known as a tubal pregnancy - is when a fertilised egg implants itself somewhere other than the womb, usually in the fallopian tube, but also sometimes in the cervix, in an ovary or in the abdomen.
It is a fairly common condition, affecting two in every 100 ... Views: 1017
Normally, after an egg is fertilised at conception, it embeds itself in the inner lining of the womb. But sometimes – in about 1 in 80 pregnancies – it finds its way elsewhere. It is usually in the fallopian tube, or occasionally in the abdomen, cervix or ovaries. This is an ectopic pregnancy - ... Views: 903
All babies develop at different rates, reaching milestones on their own timeline and at their own speed.
If your baby seems to be slow reaching one of the key milestones don’t worry, she’ll most likely get there soon. And she could be ahead in other skills.
For sure your baby’s development ... Views: 772
We’re all told that exercise is vital in our everyday lives. But, exercise during pregnancy is just as vital. Regular exercise can lead to a healthier pregnancy week by week. Some of the benefits of exercise during pregnancy include:
• Regaining your figure more quickly after ... Views: 640
Pram, car seat, changing table, baby grows, toys, sterilising equipment, thousands of muslin squares - it is amazing how many things one small child needs, so when a baby comes along, it can be an expensive business.
That’s why getting hold of free baby stuff can really help out and there ... Views: 850
Many women say they knew they were pregnant even before taking a pregnancy test. If you are in tune with your body then that’s very likely.
But others say they had no early signs of pregnancy and went into their second trimester before noticing something was happening.
So what are the ... Views: 866
Pregnant women who are keen to eat healthily and not put on any excess weight may avoid eating too much fatty or oily food in pregnancy.
As a general rule of thumb that’s a good thing. But remember that some fats and oils are very good for you, especially when you are pregnant.
Omega-3 ... Views: 588
Your baby – joining a baby club before she’s even born? Why yes, it makes sense.
There are lots of people out there who are keen to enrol your baby in their club. It’s smart for them to get her on board. And it’s smart for parents to take every advantage.
What’s it all about? On-line baby ... Views: 851
Everyone loves a freebie, especially when it really is something you may have spent your hard-earned cash on anyway.
Being given free baby stuff is a definite perk of pregnancy and motherhood.
There are so many things a baby needs (who would have imaged a tiny little person would need so ... Views: 1206
When a lady becomes pregnant, there are many apprehensions and queries that surround her mind. All these queries must be answered to make her aware of what actually happens in the different stages of one’s pregnancy. If you are also expecting a baby soon and have become 10 weeks pregnant then it ... Views: 542
Getting pregnant
Getting pregnant is the most natural thing in the world and for many it can happen with no trouble at all, while for others it can take months and even years of trying. However there are some good tips to follow to help the process along.
The most important, and obvious, ... Views: 782
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (often abbreviated to POS or PCOS) is a condition that affects how a woman’s ovaries work and affects millions of women in the UK.
True PCOS is caused by the excessive production of male hormone by the adrenal glands, leading to an imbalance of LH (luteinising ... Views: 728
When a couple is longing for a baby, every month that passes without that magical conception taking place can be painful and upsetting. But what if you’re not in a couple and still long for a baby?
Whether you're childless because of biological reasons or it simply hasn’t happened yet ... Views: 1032
Ideally women should talk to their doctor about any existing health problems before pregnancy and their effects. If you are on medication your GP might want to change the way this is managed. Some medicines could be harmful to your unborn baby but don’t stop taking your usual medication without ... Views: 962
One in every 80 pregnancies in the UK each year is an ectopic one, when the fertilised egg implants itself outside the womb. Tests for an ectopic pregnancy traditionally involve a blood test to measure the levels of the pregnancy hormone HCG. These levels are lower than normal if the pregnancy ... Views: 1153