Do you want to give birth using natural pain relief such as massage, acupuncture and sterile water injections as much as possible? Or do you know already that you are prepared to have maximum pain relief if necessary, e.g. an epidural? Don't feel you have to be a hero and go without pain relief. Ask for the help you feel you need.

Pregnant vegetarians should be especially careful to eat enough iron and vitamin D, as well as the right types of fat.

Luckily, it's fine to travel when pregnant and you can travel by plane until around week 36 if the pregnancy is normal. Try to always wear support stockings on long trips, arrange for insurance and vaccination and bring a first aid kit.

Two-in-one pram and pushchair, convertible pram, twin pram/pushchair, 3-wheeler, 4-wheeler, fixed wheels or swivel wheels... a pram or pushchair should meet your specific needs and be safe and practical. Buying a pram is a bit like buying a car: your choice should be based on your individual needs and requirements as well as hard facts.

The bond between parent and child is an important psychological connection that is deeply rooted in the human psyche. This bond is crucial to a baby's survival.

Nobody knows exactly what it feels like for a baby to be born, but we know it's a tough journey. We have all been through it, but because of our limited memory, we can only imagine what it is like to squeeze through the narrow birth canal and come out into the vast and comparatively cold world.

Do the days leading up to your due date seem to be passing very slowly? Bear in mind that it's completely normal for the baby to arrive from two weeks before to two weeks after your expected due date. In fact, only about 4 percent of births happen on the actual estimated due date. So hang in there.

A C-section may either be planned, or may be performed as emergency surgery if complications arise during labour. Whatever the reason for the C-section, the procedure and the results are often the same. You'll have a scar on your lower abdomen, but you'll be holding your newborn in your arms.

There is no end to the things you can buy for a newborn baby. But bear in mind that all your baby cares about is eating enough and being safe and dry.

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.

Women with a less common Rh-negative blood group are monitored extra carefully during pregnancy. If the foetus has Rh-positive blood , the mother risks developing antibodies against the baby's blood. This known as Rhesus isoimmunisation.

Most parents have no idea they are expecting twins until their first ultrasound scan. The news usually comes as a complete surprise. You might experience a variety of feelings such as joy, anxiety, excitement and surprise before the news fully sinks in. It's natural to feel a little shell-shocked to be expecting more than one baby.