Pregnancy Clinic
Did your pregnancy dreams include visions of a neat rounded belly, and little kicks that made your heart flutter? While it's true that pregnancy has its share of wonderful moments and experiences to cherish, it also has a raft of less than fabulous pregnancy symptoms - including many you'd rather not discuss in public and many you'd probably like to forget (which you will, by the way, since forgetfulness is another symptom).
There are pregnancy symptoms you expected (like morning sickness – which also arrives in the evening) and symptoms you almost definitely didn't (like constipation, nosebleeds and bleeding gums). It's probably reassuring to know that you're not alone suffering these ailments - you're actually joining millions of other expectant women who are also wading their way through a different selection of pregnancy complaints. But it also helps to have some tried and true remedies at your (swollen) fingertips that will allow you to navigate around the majority of pregnancy grumbles.
Pregnancy Life
What antenatal classes are right for you? Depending on where you live and what kind of person you are will make a big difference to what antenatal classes will best prepare you for the birth. Think about what kind of ideal birth you hope for but also be practical about all the birth options you might have to opt for, and this will help you focus on what kinds of class will suit you and your partner.
Work
Maternity rights
The laws surrounding the rights of pregnant women ...
Parties & Celebrations
Planning a baby shower
Just like weddings, baby showers can be a major pr...
Travel
Car, train, boat, plane: safe pregnancy travel
Using the time before your baby arrives to visit&n...
Labour & Birth
Premature babies
Everyone hopes their pregnancy will be uncomplicat...
Labour & Birth
Labour: what to expect
Labour on average lasts around 12 to 15 hours, but this can be much longer or shorter. It tends to be longer with a first baby but no two women are the same, so trying to compare your expectations with the experiences of others won’t necessarily help.
At certain stages pain relief or other procedures may take your birth experience in a different direction, but the outline below helps you understand the key stages of labour.
Pregnancy Life
Top pregnancy books
You may feel overwhelmed by the number of pregnancy books available in bookshops, from the very medical to the highly whimsical. But read on to find out which pregnancy books are most valued by Baby Directory readers.
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