What to eat during pregnancy

Nutrition is crucial during pregnancy to maintain optimal health for both the mother and the child. Dieting is not recommended during pregnancy as a decrease in weight could potentially cause problems to the health of both mother and baby.

Looking after your pelvic floor

Pregnancy and birth put tremendous demands on the pelvic floor. Women who have had children are more likely to suffer from urinary incontinence as they age, and the risk of pelvic floor disorders increases with the number of babies a woman gives birth to. Pelvic floor disorders that emerge in middle or later life often have their origin in the childbearing years.

The importance of folic acid

Taking folic acid before pregnancy and for the first three months of pregnancy can reduce your chances of having a baby with spina bifida or problems with the development of the brain (called neural tube defects). Spina bifida is where the spinal cord, and the bones, muscle and skin that cover it, do not form normally. The abnormal development occurs when the spinal cord and brain are forming during the sixth week of pregnancy (4 weeks after conception). This is often before a woman knows that she is pregnant.

Testing for pre-eclampsia

Women should always report worrying signs or symptoms to their doctor during pregnancy. Often there may turn out to be no cause for alarm, but it is a simple matter to have a blood pressure measurement, a urine check, a blood test or other investigations/examinations to be sure that pre-eclampsia is not the cause of the symptoms or signs of concern. Unfortunately, pre-eclampsia does not provide a woman with early warning symptoms or signs, so never miss an ante-natal appointment.

Dressing to support your body

Having a baby is an exciting time, but accommodating your bump and changing figure can be daunting. Luckily the days of kangaroo pouches are gone, so you can dress comfortably and stylishly when pregnant. Many women wait until near the end of their pregnancy before buying maternity-specific clothing, thinking they will be able to ‘get by’ with what they already have.

Childbirth: an inspiring adventure

Just for a moment, think of all the things that you have learned in your life so far. You could identify many thousands of physical, psychological, emotional, intellectual and social skills, facts and behaviours that have helped you through life – but dealing with childbirth wasn’t one of them. So here you are – the accomplished, intelligent, mature and capable individual that you have become, and yet with all those years and opportunities of learning, nothing and no-one has taught you about one of the greatest challenges (and adventures) you will ever face in your life: your own childbirth experience.

Early labour signs

If you are late in your last trimester of pregnancy, you are probably eagerly awaiting a sign that labour has begun or is imminent. So what might you notice in early labour?

Childbirth education

There is no doubt that we limit our thoughts about birth and parenting until we find ourselves pregnant. We are a society that thrives on self-confidence and empowerment and we need to know what we are doing, what is happening to us, and where to get help if we need it. Childbirth education today has changed and our options have evolved to meet the needs of a new generation.

Government assistance for parents

Image by www.appleseedphotography.com.au

There are a number of payments that may be available through the Family Assistance Office to help families with the cost of raising children. Some are one-off payments while others provide ongoing support.

TENS pain relief

Today we are fortunate to have many tools, both medical and natural, available to assist with pain-relief during labour. However, most women recognise the advantages of trying to avoid or delay the use of drugs during their labour. It is important to investigate your options long before your due date so that when the big day arrives, you are making an informed choice about which medical and non-drug pain-relief options might be right for you.