Folic acid, also known as folate, is a water soluble B-group vitamin carried through the bloodstream and excreted in urine. Because it is not stored in the human body we must consume folic acid every day in order to make sure our body has an adequate supply. Folic acid performs several vital functions in
What the NSW Mothers and Babies Report 2010 is really telling us... For fourteen years NSW Health has been producing the New South Wales Mothers and Babies Report. The goal of this report is to provide information on recent trends in the health of mothers and babies in NSW, maternity services provided by hospitals,
The pressure in society upon women to have the ‘ideal’ figure is great. Every week leading media outlets release magazines full of pictures of celebrities sporting flat stomachs, toned muscles and winning smiles. While as a group we can lay claim to a firm belief that the female body is beautiful in any form,
The benefits for babies of breastfeeding have been well documented and in recent times, significant health benefits for women have also been uncovered. However, despite their best efforts, many women experience issues with low supply. Because breasts work on the principle of supply and demand, using a breast pump is often recommended. Regular pumping
The placenta is the organ which supplies your baby with nutrients and oxygen via the umbilical cord, as well as removing waste products. The placenta is attached to the wall of uterus by many blood vessels. While it can appear quite low in early pregnancy, as the uterus grows and stretches the placenta is
This is Rosina and Lilian's birth story and I am entirely amazed by how my babies entered this world. The last two months of our pregnancy - our second, and this time with twins - was hectic, to say the least. My husband and I found and bought a house big enough for our
Naphthalene, the active substance in moth balls, is used to deter moths and silverfish from eating fabrics. It is also commonly used in toilet deodorant cakes. While highly effective in preventing insects from destroying stored clothing and eliminating toilet odours, If breathed of consumed naphthalene can be dangerous to both pets and humans, especially
By Christy Leech Went in for my ultrasound at 37wks + 6days. Still had a ton of fluid with E and he was still transverse. The previous 2 nights I had terrible pain in my lower belly and a total of 4hrs sleep for both nights. I was exhausted and that didn’t make for
Ivan had rung to say Penny had called her doulas and was ready for the midwife to attend to the birthing woman. It was a cold May night, so it took me a little longer to get ready. I’ve always enjoyed wrapping my woollen cloak around me as I go off into the night
Folic acid, also known as folate, is a B-group vitamin that is essential for the healthy development of the foetus in early pregnancy. Folic acid is instrumental in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs) – serious birth defects of the spinal cord (such as spina bifida) and the brain (such as anencephaly). The use of
