posts related to: babyworld online antenatal class

blood-test

Understanding pregnancy tests

The most common tests offered are ultrasound, nuchal, chorionic villus sampling, and amniocentesis. Here we explain and help you to understand the pregnancy tests: Test Method Screening or diagnostic When it can be done Ultrasound Scan Screening and diagnostic From about 4 weeks Combined test Nuchal translucency test and blood test Scan and blood test Screening Around 11-13 weeks…

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First antenatal appointment

The first antenatal or ‘booking’ appointment

The booking appointment usually takes place before 12 weeks of pregnancy and you will be seen by a midwife. Depending on the practice in your area and the care you have chosen, it could be at your home, at your GP’s surgery, or at your local hospital. Unless you have any ongoing problems, this first visit will probably be…

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Woman exercising

Exercise during pregnancy

Keeping fit during pregnancy helps your body to stay toned, increases your stamina during labour and means you’re more likely to keep the pounds off after the birth. Below, we look at what’s safe during pregnancy and what’s best for you… Ever wondered how so many celebrities manage to stay so trim during their pregnancy and then seem…

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Midwife holding newborn baby

Choosing where to have your baby

The general assumption is that all pregnant women, especially those that are pregnant for the first time, will have their baby in hospital. Most women have a range of choices though depending on what’s available in their area. The choice for most women is between giving birth at home, in a midwife-led birth centre, or in hospital. For…

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Pad of Paper & Pen

Ideas for your birth plan

Your birth plan is ideal if there are certain things that you really do or do not want to happen during your labour. Like some women, you may have individual preferences totally unique to you, but the following is a list of more general considerations. You may know exactly how  you want your birth experience to be but…

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Pregnant woman

Healthy eating in pregnancy

Healthy eating in pregnancy is possible.  You can continue to eat most of the foods that you enjoy now, so long as you vary what you eat and keep a balance between food types over the course of one or two days. Healthy eating in pregnancy – what is a balanced diet? We all need…

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Newborn baby

The third stage of labour

The third stage of labour is the delivery of the placenta – the baby’s life-support system that has supplied your baby with oxygen and nutrients, and taken waste products away. The third stage of labour After the baby is born, contractions resume after a few minutes, but at a much lesser intensity (although they can…

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Woman receiving acupuncture

Complementary therapies for labour

Many women choose to use complementary therapies such as acupuncture, hypnosis and aromatherapy to help them in labour. For some women these therapies are very useful, and they need no other form of pain relief. For other women these therapies work best alongside mainstream medical forms of pain relief. Your own midwife, or another midwife…

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Pregnant woman

What you may need after the birth

Hospital stays tend to be very short these days – many women stay in less than 24 hours after a normal delivery. But whether you are home or in hospital for the first few days, you are likely to need a few things to make you feel comfortable. Nightdress or loose comfortable clothes like a tracksuit or leggings…

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Syringe

Common forms of pain relief during labour

There are several choices to make regarding medical forms of pain relief, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Talk through your options with your midwife. The right choice will depend in part on how far into labour you are, and how quickly labour is progressing. Your midwife will do an internal examination to see how dilated your cervix…

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