Whether you join a pregnancy fitness group or continue going to the gym, exercise won't only make you feel better right now, but will also help you during labour. Almost all exercise is good, but there are some things to bear in mind or avoid.
Round half of pregnant women experience nausea during pregnancy, primarily in the morning. The nausea usually starts after about a month. It usually stops after about three months, although a small percentage of women experience nausea and vomiting throughout the whole pregnancy.
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.
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.
Miscarriage is usually a very traumatic experience for everyone concerned, at whatever stage of the pregnancy it occurs. It takes its toll both physically and psychologically. How people deal with the loss is highly individual, and it can be difficult for those around them to understand their pain. The grieving process takes time.
Fish is packed with nutrients essential to you and your baby. Fish contains fatty acids that are crucial to the development of your baby's brain. But some fish may contain environmental toxins, so choose carefully.
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.
There are some foods you should avoid during pregnancy. Certain cheeses, meat and fish can contain listeria bacteria, the toxoplasmosis parasite or high concentrations of environmental toxins.
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.
Pregnant vegetarians should be especially careful to eat enough iron and vitamin D, as well as the right types of fat.
The most common symptoms of pre-eclampsia are high blood pressure and protein in the urine. These symptoms are likely to go unnoticed until your check-up at the maternity clinic.
Really dangerous infections are very rare during pregnancy, and most bacteria and viruses cannot harm your child. If you become ill, there is usually no risk to the baby. However, there are exceptions.