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.
Professional care
Choosing an independent midwife In most cases, a midwife will guide a woman through almost all of her pregnancy, birth and early days as a new mother. Once a GP has confirmed a woman is pregnant and it has been agreed where she plans to give birth, she is referred to a team of midwives who usually work at and in partnership with one particular hospital or clinic. From early urine and blood tests to the regular routine check-ups later in pregnancy, the midwife usually oversees the health and wellbeing of the mother-to-be and her baby.
Labour & Birth
Packing your hospital bag
Many women pack their bag weeks in advance, then i...
Pregnancy Life
Top pregnancy books
You may feel overwhelmed by the number of pregnanc...
Work
Health in pregnancy grant
The Health in Pregnancy Grant is a one-off, tax-fr...
Work
Maternity rights
The laws surrounding the rights of pregnant women ...
Professional care
Choosing a doula
For couples who want to find continuity of care within a less formal medical setting, a doula is a great option. Rather than being a practitioner who cares for the mother to be and her baby, a doula guides the woman (or couple) through pregnancy so she can care for herself, continuing that support during the birth and into the early weeks of parenthood.
Work
Finding out about local childminders
A childminders, unlike a nanny, often cares for more than one child at a time, usually in her own home rather than at the home of the children she looks after. With a nanny you can be expected to pay employers tax and national insurance, but with a childminder you are usually hiring services for which she, as a self-employed person, must pay tax and NI herself.
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