Pregnancy Information
Pregnancy is a special experience whether this is your first baby or you’ve been pregnant before. The feelings you experience can, however, be a little overwhelming. You may experience anything from joy to ambivalence, or even fear. Suddenly, you’re faced with the reality that your body is about to undergo profound changes. A baby is going to take shape inside you, and you’re going to be their parent. You can take positive steps to help prepare yourself for what lies ahead by reading our pregnancy information section.
You’ll want to know all about the changes happening to your body and the growing life inside you. Our pregnancy information section aims to help you understand and enjoy your pregnancy. Here you’ll find lots of information, support and advice.
- How can I get answers to common questions about pregnancy?
- What should I bring to the hospital with me?
- What can I do if I am overdue?
These are just a few questions to which you may want to know answers. We’ve answered these and many more. If you can’t find an answer to your question here, you can ask our expert midwife in our community forum.
Pregnancy Information Articles
Flying During Pregnancy
"A common question asked of midwives and doctors by pregnant women is whether flying during pregnancy is safe." This article provides an answer to this question as well as an in depth look into the risks involved with flying while pregnant.
"A common question asked of midwives and doctors by pregnant women is whether flying during pregnancy is safe." This article provides an answer to this question as well as an in depth look into the risks involved with flying while pregnant.
Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are an almost inevitable part of pregnancy, though some women do avoid them. Stretch marks are caused by the skin stretching to accommodate the enlarging uterus and increased weight. Some women probably have some genetic predisposition for stretch marks, and they’re also more common in younger women.
Stretch marks are an almost inevitable part of pregnancy, though some women do avoid them. Stretch marks are caused by the skin stretching to accommodate the enlarging uterus and increased weight. Some women probably have some genetic predisposition for stretch marks, and they’re also more common in younger women.
Your options for care during pregnancy and for the birth of your child
So you’ve found out that you’re pregnant. Congratulations! Now it’s time to choose someone to care for you during pregnancy – and someone to support you when having your baby. You’ll also need to think about where, and how, you want to have your baby.
So you’ve found out that you’re pregnant. Congratulations! Now it’s time to choose someone to care for you during pregnancy – and someone to support you when having your baby. You’ll also need to think about where, and how, you want to have your baby.
Older Mothers: the good, the bad and the ugly!
As an older mother myself, having just given birth to a baby girl eight weeks before I turned forty, I find myself sensitive to all the expert opinion on the subject. During my pregnancy some of the comments I received made me wonder if I should just book into a retirement home at the same time I booked in for my antenatal care.
As an older mother myself, having just given birth to a baby girl eight weeks before I turned forty, I find myself sensitive to all the expert opinion on the subject. During my pregnancy some of the comments I received made me wonder if I should just book into a retirement home at the same time I booked in for my antenatal care.
Hair Dye in Pregnancy
Among the myriad of questions pregnant woman ask, many ask about the safety of beauty treatments. And perhaps the beauty treatment that raises the most questions and controversy is the use of hair dye in pregnancy.
Among the myriad of questions pregnant woman ask, many ask about the safety of beauty treatments. And perhaps the beauty treatment that raises the most questions and controversy is the use of hair dye in pregnancy.
Driving During Pregnancy
A recent study conducted in Japan on the effect of driving during pregnancy on the baby’s heart rate and mother’s uterus found no adverse influences on either the baby or mother.
A recent study conducted in Japan on the effect of driving during pregnancy on the baby’s heart rate and mother’s uterus found no adverse influences on either the baby or mother.
My Pregnancy: A Woman's Story
My Pregnancy A woman's story - I've always adored Anne Geddes photographs of newborn babies - the photographs are innovative, compelling and unusual. Anne has now turned her wonderful talent to photographing pregnant women and the results are amazing.
My Pregnancy A woman's story - I've always adored Anne Geddes photographs of newborn babies - the photographs are innovative, compelling and unusual. Anne has now turned her wonderful talent to photographing pregnant women and the results are amazing.
Healthy teeth, healthy mothers, healthy babies
During pregnancy women need to take extra care of their teeth and gums. The changes in their hormones can make women’s gums more susceptible to disease. These hormones can cause gums to become inflamed and bleed. A good routine of dental care, that involves brushing and flossing every day, can help to keep your gums healthy.
During pregnancy women need to take extra care of their teeth and gums. The changes in their hormones can make women’s gums more susceptible to disease. These hormones can cause gums to become inflamed and bleed. A good routine of dental care, that involves brushing and flossing every day, can help to keep your gums healthy.
Common Questions Pregnant Women Ask
Women ask many different questions throughout their pregnancies, but there are some questions that seem more common. Here are the three questions Dr Hannah Dahlen is asked most often.
Women ask many different questions throughout their pregnancies, but there are some questions that seem more common. Here are the three questions Dr Hannah Dahlen is asked most often.
A Nine-Month Miracle
From the chaotic stampede of sperm towards the gently rolling ovum, to the amazing growth, development and birth of a tiny, yet perfect human, we indeed witness an awesome miracle. Life begins as union of chance and emerges as a masterpiece.
From the chaotic stampede of sperm towards the gently rolling ovum, to the amazing growth, development and birth of a tiny, yet perfect human, we indeed witness an awesome miracle. Life begins as union of chance and emerges as a masterpiece.
Babies second time around
“When are you going to have ‘number two’? You’re not going to let her be an only child are you? Don’t you think he needs a brother or sister?” Not only are we eventually asked these questions publicly by well meaning friends and relatives, but also at some point we begin to ask these same questions of ourselves privately as parents.
“When are you going to have ‘number two’? You’re not going to let her be an only child are you? Don’t you think he needs a brother or sister?” Not only are we eventually asked these questions publicly by well meaning friends and relatives, but also at some point we begin to ask these same questions of ourselves privately as parents.
Magic - A Belly Grows
A wonderful slide show of pregnancy - funny, quirky and fabulous. A great idea you can use to document pregnancy.
A wonderful slide show of pregnancy - funny, quirky and fabulous. A great idea you can use to document pregnancy.
Overdue
Five per cent of babies arrive on the day they are expected. Ideally you should allow two weeks either side of your due date. Giving birth anywhere between 37 to 42 weeks is considered normal.
Five per cent of babies arrive on the day they are expected. Ideally you should allow two weeks either side of your due date. Giving birth anywhere between 37 to 42 weeks is considered normal.
Smoking in Pregnancy
We are learning more and more these days about the effects of cigarette smoking on pregnancy. For instance did you know that cigarette smoke contains 2000 components? Among these, some of the most harmful for pregnant women and their babies are thought to be nicotine, carbon monoxide and cyanide
We are learning more and more these days about the effects of cigarette smoking on pregnancy. For instance did you know that cigarette smoke contains 2000 components? Among these, some of the most harmful for pregnant women and their babies are thought to be nicotine, carbon monoxide and cyanide
Teenage Pregnancy
Welcome to our teenage pregnancy section. We've created this resource to increase the information available to young women who are pregnant.
Welcome to our teenage pregnancy section. We've created this resource to increase the information available to young women who are pregnant.
What do I take to Hospital?
Often I receive emails from people asking what they should pack to take to the hospital, so I thought it would be helpful to provide a suggested list. Your hospital should provide you with further information. Ideally start gathering items together from about 34 weeks of pregnancy. When you are in labour, having prepared your bag and supplies ahead of time will make your trip to hospital much more relaxing.
Often I receive emails from people asking what they should pack to take to the hospital, so I thought it would be helpful to provide a suggested list. Your hospital should provide you with further information. Ideally start gathering items together from about 34 weeks of pregnancy. When you are in labour, having prepared your bag and supplies ahead of time will make your trip to hospital much more relaxing.
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