12 week scan – what to expect
12 week scan – what to expect Often referred to as the 12 week scan, the dating scan is an ultrasound examination which is carried out between 10 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. For most women, this will be the first scan of their pregnancy. Why do I need a 12 week scan? One of […]
20 week scan – what to expect
The 20 week scan – what to expect Pregnant women are offered a routine ultrasound examination at 20 weeks of pregnancy, which is known as the anomaly scan. For most expectant mums, this will be the second ultrasound scan they have following on from the 12-week dating scan. However, if your pregnancy is high risk, […]
Self care tips for mums to be
Self care tips for mums to be Self care should be part of everyone’s daily routine but when you’re expecting a baby, it’s particularly important that you look after yourself. Pregnancy is an ideal time to ditch the vices and swap them for good habits which will help support both you and your baby’s health. […]
Labour Positions
Labour positions When you are in labour, it’s really important to listen to your body and find positions which work for you. It can be challenging to feel comfortable during labour and you may have to try different positions at different stages to help you cope with the pain. If possible, it is best to […]
Baby Sign Language
Baby Sign Language UK Signing with your baby is a great way of communicating with them from an early age. As your baby grows, they will start to become frustrated if you’re not sure what they want. Learning baby sign language can be a fun activity for you both to do together and it can […]
Expressing Breastmilk
Expressing breastmilk Expressing involves pumping milk from your breasts so you can give it to your baby at another time or using a different feeding method like a bottle of cup. Why might I need to express? There are a number of reasons mums decide to express breastmilk. It might be because their baby is […]
How to stop breastfeeding
How to stop breastfeeding If you’ve made the decision to stop breastfeeding, you might be wondering what the best approach is. Don’t be tempted to go cold turkey and stop breastfeeding suddenly as this will be uncomfortable and distressing for both you and your baby. Reducing how much you feed slowly and gradually will help […]
Reflux in Babies
Reflux in babies It is not uncommon for babies to bring up some of their milk during or after feeds. However, in some cases this can be a little more extreme and distressing for parents. Known as reflux, this can develop when your baby is just a few weeks old but they will usually […]
Midwife Appointments
Midwife appointments Much of the care and support you receive during your pregnancy will be from a midwife. Most parents-to-be will be assigned to a community midwife and will see the same person for appointments throughout their pregnancy. You may from time to time see a different midwife depending on shifts and holidays. If your […]
How to prevent tearing during birth
How to prevent tearing during birth Experiencing some kind of tear or graze is a common result of a vaginal delivery. For most women, any perineal tear will be fairly minor and heal quickly but in some cases, it can be more serious. The good news is that there are things you can do to […]