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.
Labour & Birth
Pain relief in labour Whether breathing and meditation carry you through or you end up having an epidural, pain relief not only makes the labour and birth a more happy experience, it can also help reduce the risk of trauma. Don’t feel you have to be a hero, but do understand what the different kinds of pain relief can offer so that you can get a better picture of what might be best for you.
Professional care
Choosing a doula
For couples who want to find continuity of care wi...
Work
Finding a local nursery
If you are going back to work and are looking for ...
Parties & Celebrations
Planning a baby shower
Just like weddings, baby showers can be a major pr...
Parties & Celebrations
5 things that make a great baby shower
Remember Rachel's baby shower in Friends? Nat
Professional care
Choosing a private obstetrician
In the course of a regular pregnancy via the NHS, a woman will usually be seen by one or a team of midwives during her check-ups. At some point during her pregnancy she might see the consultant obstetrician who is in charge of her case, but more often, if she has appointments to see the obstetrician during her pregnancy for any reason, she will attend a session where junior doctors are seeing the patients under the supervision of the main consultant.
Labour & Birth
Making a birth plan
A birth plan is a written plan of what you would ideally like to happen at the birth of your baby, including preferences for pain relief, who you would like to be present and what kind of birth you would like to attempt. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but it can be helpful for your midwife or the obstetrician to understand more about how you are approaching the birth.
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