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
Selecting a maternity nurse Some women find the support of a maternity nurse, through the earliest weeks of parenthood, makes an important contribution to the care of their baby. But is also helps ease the mother’s own recovery and helps them feel more confident as a new parent at a time usually filled with questions.
Parties & Celebrations
Special first outfits for baby
In the excitement of the moment, your newborn baby...
Labour & Birth
Labour: what to expect
Labour on average lasts around 12 to 15 hours, but...
Parties & Celebrations
Who hosts a baby shower?
The person who hosts your baby shower is usually e...
Pregnancy Health
Having sex during pregnancy
Unless there is an overriding medical concern when...
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.
Work
Returning to Work
If you take your full leave entitlement and the date you confirmed with your employer for returning has not changed, you do not need to give any further notice. However it is good practice to get in touch towards the last two months of your leave just to reconfirm your intention. If you decide you do not wish to return to work, your period of notice will be as stated in your regular contract (usually one or three months).
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