All examinations and tests available to women during pregnancy are voluntary. Of course it is reassuring to find out that the pregnancy is progressing normally. But there is also a risk of having to make difficult decisions if the examination detects chromosome abnormalities or deformities.

As a partner or father, there are various ways that you can take part in the pregnancy and get to know the baby before you get to hold the little bundle in your arms.

A C-section may either be planned, or may be performed as emergency surgery if complications arise during labour.

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

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.

After the first stage when the cervix starts dilating, which is typically quite long drawn-out, the contractions become more powerful and frequent and you feel an urge to push, which results in the baby being expelled. In the third and final stage, the placenta is expelled.

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.

"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

My waters have broken! In films, labour starts when the waters break. In reality, the waters do not always break before you go into labour. In fact, it is usually the opposite.

It's important to take care of yourself at this time. But even if you eat a healthy, varied diet, it can be hard to get enough folic acid, iron, vitamin D and calcium.

Erik, Åke, Lovisa, Hedda… choosing a name for a baby is exciting, challenging and sometimes almost impossible.

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.