"There's a big difference between being the partner who's pregnant and the partner who isn't. Neither is better or worse, they're just different. We can attest to that because we've both given birth." Parents: Sanna and Lisa Children: Adrian, 3 years and Ines, 6 months
You're holding the pregnancy test in your hand and have just found out you're pregnant. Congratulations! This is the start of a long, exciting, fun, challenging and wonderful journey. It's already time to book an appointment with a midwife.
A doula, or labour coach, provides support, help and advice during labour. This type of female figure has existed throughout history. Modern doulas provide support for the whole family during labour, and often before the birth as well.
Do you have pain in your back or pelvis? Many women get pain in their lower back and pelvis during pregnancy. Here are some useful tips.
It is important to exercise and eat a healthy diet during pregnancy to stay strong and replenish lost energy. But you should also practise relaxation and breathing exercises. Consider taking a yoga or birth preparation course.
You are expected to put on weight during pregnancy. It is common to gain ten to fifteen kilos. But a few kilos more or less is also completely normal, provided you are well and the baby is developing normally. If you lose a lot of weight due to nausea, get help – it's not good for either you or the baby.
Although you are now eating for two, you shouldn't eat twice as much. Instead, you should eat larger amounts of certain foods while pregnant.
One of the best contributions you can make as a partner – both for yourself and your woman – is to be present and be prepared. To help you, we have put together a three-step plan for supporting your partner during labour.
Pregnancy can affect your skin in various ways. Your skin may become dryer than usual. Or you might get breakouts, stretch marks, pigment changes or varicose veins.
To work or not to work It is normally fine to continue working throughout the whole pregnancy. However, in some cases you might need to either change your work duties or stay home from work.
You're pregnant – congratulations! This time there are at least three of you expecting a baby. But one of you might not be so convinced it's a good idea. Here are some tips for preparing the older sibling.
One in 20 babies are born prematurely, which means before the 37th week of gestation. Most of these babies develop normally without any problems. But the earlier the baby is born, the more care it will need.