The midwife's two main tasks are to monitor the pregnancy and provide support to the expecting mother.

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.

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.

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.

Alcohol passes through the placenta and can harm the unborn baby. Among other things, alcohol can negatively affect the baby's growth and brain development. It is recommended to avoid alcohol completely during pregnancy.

Being pregnant is a good reason to give up smoking – perhaps the best one you'll ever have. Smoking is harmful to the baby in the womb, during breastfeeding and if it inhales the smoke.

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.

Your baby's first tiny movements may feel light a slight tickle and may be quite an emotional experience for you.

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.

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.

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.