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.

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.

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.

When I discovered I was pregnant with my first child, I had weed on one of those pregnancy tests. It was the cheap, stick sort, and after the first hours of euphoria shared with my husband, followed by a candle-lit celebration dinner that night, I went out and bought a scrapbook and lovingly stuck that test on the first page. From then on, every milestone would be recorded – the first foetal flutterings, the drama of the birth, the first steps.

This pregnancy guide summarises the 9-month miracle unfolding for you and your baby.

The entire article titled Your weekly pregnancy guide: first trimester is published in the current edition of the ABG book. To purchase your copy please order here.

This pregnancy guide summarises the 9-month miracle unfolding for you and your baby.

The entire article titled Your weekly pregnancy guide: second trimester is published in the current edition of the ABG book. To purchase your copy please order here.

This pregnancy guide summarises the 9-month miracle unfolding for you and your baby.

The entire article titled Your weekly pregnancy guide: third trimester is published in the current edition of the ABG book. To purchase your copy please order here.

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.

Pregnant women undergo a variety of tests at different stages before their baby is born. Many tests are considered routine, but a few are optional choices.

The entire article titled Prenatal tests & what to expect is published in the current edition of the ABG book. To purchase your copy please order here.

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.