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Expressing

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Increasing Supply

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Most mothers are able to provide their babies with all the milk they need. However, if a baby is not thriving as she should, this video shows a mother steps to improve her milk supply and the baby’s feeding.

Join the Conversation

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Increasing Your Milk Supply - Video - Global Health Media Project

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Most mothers are able to provide their babies with all the milk they need. However, if a baby is not thriving as she should, this video shows a mother steps

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Breastfeeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio

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Breast Massage

Therapeutic Breast Massage In Lactation

Breastfeeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio is nationally known for their use of Therapeutic Breast Massage in Lactation (TBML). Breast massage can be beneficial for mothers experiencing breast engorgement, plugged ducts, mastitis and even chronic breast pain.

At Home:

We encourage mothers to use the general principles at home, alternating hand expression and gentle breast massage toward the armpit to help decrease swelling and improve breast drainage.The basics of these techniques are demonstrated in our video and described in our paper.

In-Office:

If you are not getting symptom relief at home, then consider in-office TBML treatment with our team. We have found mothers find a significant decrease in pain, engorgement and plugged duct symptoms following in-office TBML. A member of our team, Maya Bolman, RN, IBCLC particularly focuses on TBML treatment. Maya teaches the techniques at workshops and conferences nationally and internationally. Maya has completed Lymphatic Drainage Therapy Level 1 and 2 from Chikly Health Institute.

Please call 216-291-9210 Option 5 to schedule an appointment.

“I had a plugged duct and called an IBCLC for a visit. She explained to me how to perform TBML – it felt as some kind of SPA massage, very gentle and very different from what I was doing. The plugged duct became unplugged and I felt huge relief. I suggest this strategy to all my friends, as it so safe, so powerful and so easy to perform at home.”
-Breastfeeding mother

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We are nationally known for our use of Therapeutic Breast Massage in Lactation. See the principles we encourage mothers to use.

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https://www.nichd.nih.gov/ncmhep/initiatives/pregnancy-for-every-body/moms-to-be

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Healthy Pregnancies Are for Every Body

Looking for a size-friendly provider?

Ask your primary care provider or other trusted health professional for recommendations. Resources such as Plus Size Birth  also offer information and support for plus-size moms and moms-to-be, including suggestions for finding a trusted provider .

Whatever your body size or shape, you can work with your healthcare provider to plan for a healthy pregnancy.

Plus-size women are at higher risk for certain health problems during pregnancy. But most plus-size pregnant women have healthy pregnancies, especially if they manage their weight gain, get regular prenatal care, and have a birthing plan in place for their labor and delivery.

Healthy pregnancy for plus-size women does not happen alone: women and providers need to work together to ensure the best outcomes. The first step is understanding your current health, body mass index (BMI), health history, and lifestyle (such as eating and physical activity habits) and how these factors can affect your pregnancy. Then you and your provider can work together to create a healthy pregnancy plan that meets your specific health needs. The plan may include meal planning, nutritional goals, physical activity changes, and ideas for reducing stress.

Your healthy pregnancy plan can also help set the stage for your long-term health. Continuing healthy behaviors after giving birth can provide life-long health benefits.

Pregnancy for Every Body aims to help pregnant women and their providers work toward these ultimate goals: healthy pregnancies, safe deliveries, and healthy babies.

What Is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

BMI is a ratio of height to weight (weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) that healthcare providers use to categorize someone’s weight status. Research shows that different weight statuses are associated with different health risks and benefits, including some related to pregnancy. Learn about BMI categories and about calculating your BMI.

How Do Providers Use BMI?

Healthcare providers use BMI as one piece in the overall puzzle of providing care. Your BMI is one factor in your healthy pregnancy plan, but it is not the only factor and not even the main factor. Your current health, health history, lifestyle and habits, and other information help your provider understand your pregnancy and your specific health risks. Your provider takes all of this information into account when working with you to create a healthy pregnancy plan that meets your specific needs.

How Does Weight Affect Pregnancy?

Research shows that a BMI of 30 or higher before pregnancy is linked to higher risk of pregnancy complications.

Women with a pre-pregnancy BMI of 30 or higher1 are at higher risk for the following:

Gestational diabetes*: When a woman who did not have diabetes before pregnancy has problems with high blood sugar during pregnancy

C-section*: Surgical delivery of the baby

Preeclampsia*: Sudden increase in blood pressure after the 20th week of pregnancy

Preterm birth*: Birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy

Miscarriage*: Unexpected pregnancy loss before the 20th week of pregnancy

Stillbirth*: Death of a fetus at or after the 20th week of pregnancy
*Links go to nichd.nih.gov.

Getting early and regular prenatal care allows your provider to watch for signs of these conditions and possibly treat some of them before symptoms become serious. Your provider may also adjust the timing of or order different tests, such as earlier testing for gestational diabetes, based on your health and health risks.

In most cases, healthcare providers recommend against losing weight or trying to lose weight once you are pregnant.1 Doing so may affect the growth and development of the fetus. They may, however, recommend that you adjust your eating and physical activity habits, so you do not gain more weight than is recommended.

Can My Weight During Pregnancy Affect My Baby’s Health?

Yes. Babies whose mothers had a BMI of 30 or higher during pregnancy:

Are at higher risk for metabolic syndrome, obesity, and asthma during childhood.1

May experience growth problems in the womb.

Are at higher risk for certain birth defects, such as heart problems and neural tube defects.

Are at higher risk for developmental problems, such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

What Can I Do if I’m Plus Size and Pregnant?

First: Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Second: Remember that most plus-size women have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.

Next: Be more informed!
Find a provider who treats you with respect and who you can trust. Talk with your healthcare provider about your current health, health history, lifestyle, and other factors that may affect your pregnancy. Work with your provider to create a healthy pregnancy plan. Find more resources on our Resources page.

What Can I Do if I’m Plus Size and Planning a Pregnancy?

Healthcare providers recommend that plus-size women considering pregnancy try to lose weight before they begin trying to get pregnant.1 Losing weight before pregnancy is one of the best ways to reduce weight-associated pregnancy risks. Losing even a few pounds can improve health outcomes.

Once you are pregnant, you and your provider will track your weight at each visit to check the growth of your fetus. If you are gaining less weight than current guidelines suggest, but the fetus is growing well, there may be no need to gain more weight. If the fetus is not growing well, you and your provider may need to change your diet and physical activity habits.

BMI Categories

Underweight: less than 18.5

Normal weight: between 18.5 and 24.9

Overweight: between 25 and 29

Obesity: 30 or higher

Calculate Your BMI

Use the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s BMI Calculator to get your BMI.

Citations

1. ACOG. (2015). ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 156: Obesity in pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 126(6), e112–e126. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001211

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Pregnancy for Every Body: Information for Moms-to-Be - NCMHEP

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Plus-size women have higher risks during pregnancy, but most women with obesity have healthy pregnancies. Learn how you and your healthcare provider can make a plan together.

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Vitamin D

To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin.

However, between October and early March we should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight. Some people should take a vitamin D supplement all year round, so find out if this applies to you.

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To keep bones and muscles healthy, we need vitamin D. From late March/early April to the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. However, between October and early March we should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement because we cannot make enough from sunlight.

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Medicines for minor ailments when pregnant

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Medicines for minor ailments when pregnant

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Skip to Content Skip to navigation

Please watch our suite of videos to help you self manage the pain of pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy:

Your feedback is important

We hope that you have enjoyed watching these videos and have found the advice helpful. We want to ensure that these are as helpful as possible so we need your help to let us know what you liked and what we can do to improve them. Your feedback will be anonymous and will be reviewed and acted upon by our website/patient resources development team. You can take the short survey here.

Thank you. Your feedback is appreciated.

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Pregnancy physiotherapy videos | NHS Fife

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Skip to Content Skip to navigation Please watch our suite of videos to help you self manage the pain of pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy: We hope that you have enjoyed watching these videos and have found the advice helpful.

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Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

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The following videos are designed to be used in addition to the live antenatal classes to give you an overview of labour, birth and early parenting. Under each video is a PDF document with supporting information-these are designed to be viewed alongside each video.

Birth preparation

Part 1: Getting Ready for Birth

Part 2: Coping with Labour and Birth

Part 3: After the Birth

Birth Choices

If you are unsure about your choices around birth (particularly between vaginal birth and caesarean birth), please watch this video.

Home birth

If you are considering a home birth, please watch this video.

Early days videos

Part 1: Early days

Part 2: Early days

Other antenatal videos

Breathing and Relaxation for Labour

Monitoring your blood pressure at home

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The following videos are designed to be used in addition to the live antenatal classes to give you an overview of labour, birth and early parenting. Under each video is a PDF document with supporting information-these are designed to be viewed alongside each video.

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 Lactation Consultants of Great Britain (LCGB)

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 Lactation Consultants of Great Britain (LCGB)

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Lactation Consultants of Great Britain - Charity

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LCGB is a registered charity working to improve the health and wellbeing of families through advocacy and expert IBCLC breastfeeding care

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breastfeeding.support

breastfeedingnetwork.org

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Breastfeeding Support - Breastfeeding tips, tricks & support

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Breastfeeding Support is an evidence-based website sharing helpful breastfeeding resources and promoting good breastfeeding practice.

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Choosing the right Baby Sleeping Bag

Baby Sleeping Bags are becoming an ever more popular choice for parents. To help understand this item, we must first understand 'tog' (not your swimming ones!)

What is tog?

The tog rating of a baby sleeping bag determines its thickness and therefore how warm it keeps your baby or child. The higher the tog rating, the warmer the baby sleeping bag. As you will see in the table, the decision on which tog value to choose depends mainly on the temperature of the room.

Please note that these are guidelines only and you should always check your baby to make sure they don't overheat. Remember it is better to be cool than hot and it is quite normal for baby's hands and arms to be cool. A good tip is to feel the back of your baby's neck...if it is damp then your baby might be too warm.

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Choosing the right Baby Sleeping Bag - Baby Academy UK

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Baby Sleeping Bags are becoming an ever more popular choice for parents. To help understand this item, we must first understand 'tog' (not your swimming ones!) The tog rating of a baby sleeping bag determines its thickness and therefore how warm it keeps your baby or child.

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The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families

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Basis (the Baby Sleep Information Source)

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Basis (the Baby Sleep Information Source)

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Research-based information on baby sleep for parents and practitioners, covering normal infant sleep, sleep safety, where and how babies sleep, SIDS and SUDI, parental sleep and free resources.

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Video : After birth – return to exercise

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Video : After birth – return to exercise

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Essential advice and exercises following childbirth

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Essential advice and exercises following childbirth

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Essential advice and exercises following childbirth

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Back

Postpartum - YouTube

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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Baby Elimination Communication (also known as infant potty training, natural infant hygiene, and diaper free) is the practice of learning your baby's potty cues and timing to help teach him that a potty is where he should pee and poo.

EC might sound weird, but consider the global perspective. In most non-industrialized countries, EC doesn't even have a name because it's the norm. In these societies, babies can be consistently dry and wear underwear full time as early as 6 months, while the average in America is 3 years.

EC is a lifestyle that encourages natural toilet learning. Baby elimination communication is not about getting your child to use a potty as soon as possible (although earlier potty learning often occurs). EC doesn't mean your child has to never use diapers. It simply means freedom from dependence on diapers.

What are the benefits of baby Elimination Communication (EC)?

It encourages a deep connection between you and your baby. Newborn elimination communication is a great way to build communication and trust between child and parent.

It's cleaner. Baby doesn't sit in his waste, which means less chance for diaper rash too!

It's more comfortable. Diapers are bulky, so it goes without saying that being diaper free would be more comfortable for most infants.

You can use fewer diapers. When you EC, even part time, you'll inevitably use fewer diapers, which is great for the environment as well as your wallet.

Baby gains self esteem. When she cries for help to potty and is responded to respectfully, she begins to understand that what she communicates has value and, therefore, she has value.

Explains unexplainable behavior. Many babies become fussy, pop off the breast, wake, or have trouble falling asleep when they need to eliminate (or just have eliminated, and don't like being wet).

How to get started with EC Elimination Communication

There are many ways to practice baby elimination communication. I would highly, highly encourage you to get support as you will definitely be going against the grain. Here is a fabulous resource you can check out!

Many parents begin EC'ing from birth and are glad they did, but many of those who start later have success as well. Some families EC full time (including through the night), while others choose to do baby elimination communication part time. Whichever path works best for your family, getting started is simple.

Begin with observation. Give baby diaper-free time on a waterproof mat so that you can begin to learn her cues. Keep in mind that many babies need to eliminate shortly after a feed and upon waking. Pay attention to your baby's natural potty times. This is a great way to help baby recognize his own cues as well.

Introduce cues. When you observe baby eliminating, consider introducing a cue sound like a "pss" sound for pee and a "hmm" sound for poo. Baby will start to associate those sound with "letting go." You can also use the baby sign language sign for bathroom. For some babies, just the act of sitting on the potty can be a cue.

(Interested in baby sign language? Scroll to the bottom of this page for a cheat sheet of the top 20 baby signs)

Keep a potty nearby. Many parents choose to have an elimination communication potty such as this one in each room so there is always one close. When baby shows signs of needing to eliminate, bring her to the potty (or whatever receptacle you choose).

Carry baby in a sling or other carrier. Babywearing can be a great tool for learning baby's potty rhythms. Many babies won't eliminate when held close, therefore will be quiet and alert when they don't need to eliminate and will become fussy and show signs that they want to be taken out of the sling when they need to go.

What do I need in order to practice the baby Elimination Communication method?

The only thing you really need is a place for baby to eliminate. Here are a few nice potty options that are specially sized for babies who start early. Some parents choose to use the toilet, sink, a Tupperware container, or other small container.

Other things that may help are:

Infant nightgowns

Legwarmers

Crotchless pants

Tiny Undies! You'll find that, when your baby is potty trained early, there are no underwear that fit them. No undies, that is, except Tiny Undies.

Clothing that is easy to pull off quickly

Notebook to record observations about timing and cues

A tote bag to carry the potty when traveling

Will I have to buy any diapers at all?

That all depends. Are you planning on full time baby elimination communication including at night? If yes, then you may not need diapers. On the other hand many parents choose to use diapers as backup or to EC part time (while baby is at home for example) and use diapers when traveling or at daycare.

If you choose to use diapers, using cloth can help baby stay aware of when he has eliminated because cloth doesn't wick wetness away like disposables.

What are the disadvantages?

More time and dedication necessary (at least initially)

More messes when you're still learning

It can be isolating when you don't know anyone in real life that EC's

Andrea leverages over five years of research and hands-on experience to explain everything you could ever want to know about the process of elimination communication. Here's my full review of the Go Diaper Free book.

Here's what other natural mamas have to say about baby Elimination Communication

I asked the moms on my Facebook page if they'd tried EC and how their experience went. Here is a sample of their responses.

We are doing baby elimination communication for the first time with my newborn and I LOVE it. We've only been doing it a week and we've already had so much success. We still have misses, but for the most part we are starting to learn his cues. He used to be colicky around the same time every night, but once we started EC and realized that was when he had to go number 2 and was getting frustrated and began catching it, then his colicky period totally disappeared. His face when we help him go is so relaxed and happy, it's really another bonding method for parents and babies. I recommend it 10000000000%! - Meagan Cotterell

We are practicing baby elimination communication in our own way. We started at 8 weeks old. My son wears only cloth diapers. Whenever we change him we take him to the potty (we use the sink because he isn't big enough for a potty yet) and give him the opportunity to go. He goes per about 80 percent of the time. Poops we are still working on. I think it is all about giving them an opportunity to go somewhere other than in a diaper. After when we are done we do a little pee-pee dance in the mirror to make it fun! Really it only adds an extra minutes to the diaper change. I love it! - Alex Stracey

We loved EC. Started at 3 months. I rarely washed a poop diaper from then on. My daughter was toilet independent by 19 months, with the occasional missed pee. - Tracy Mills

Had never tried it until baby #6. Great success! A lot of work on the front end, but well worth it. She never remembers not going on the potty or even wearing diapers (started at 3 mos. which I highly recommend that age). - Moringa Momma

We do part time baby elimination communication. I think of it as just another part of our day. We offer the potty at every diaper change. When we traveled recently-we were in the car for three days!-our 8 month old would pee in her diapers, but she would wait to poop until we could get to a toilet! It sure made the trip easier for us! - Michelle Grimm-Gossett

I tried it a bit with both kids. basically, whenever i felt like doing it or remembered to do it, they sat on the potty. During obvious times, like when they woke up in the morning or after nap. Those were easy wins. My son didn't train early by any means, even though he did start around and on the potty at like 9 months old. With my daughter, at 14 months she showed a lot of interest and told me several times when she had to poop, but then that faded when she got into other interests or something haha. We just play it by ear. She's in cloth, unlike my son. - Ericka J Iverson

I started baby elimination communication with my daughter when she was a month old. She is now 7 months old.. no Poopy diaper changes for us! My nephews are 2 and 3 years of age.. both with no intention of potty training. My family is not a fan of us The fact that most nights my daughter wakes up dry:) I love that I can cuddle my baby, nurse her, and put her down for naps all without a diaper on!!:) - Kathleen Partridge

I started baby elimination communication with my son when he was shy of 3 months. I was very aware of his potty times as he would go after every meal. bf'ing lol. When he was 5 months I changed his last poopy diaper. I started sitting him directly in the toilet and waiting till he went, then praised with lots of happiness and kisses. By the time he was 12 months, he would literally get on the potty himself and go. - Cindy Penagos

More resources for baby elimination communication

How about you? Did you practice EC? Know anyone who did? Share with us below!

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Baby Elimination Communication: Why & How to Do It

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Baby Elimination Communication (also known as infant potty training, natural infant hygiene, and diaper free) is the practice of learning your baby's potty cues and timing to help teach him that a potty is where he should pee and poo. EC might sound weird, but consider the global perspective.

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Video: Constipation during and after pregnancy

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Video: Constipation during and after pregnancy

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Fit and Safe- Exercise in the Childbearing Year

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Fit and Safe- Exercise in the Childbearing Year

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Fit and Safe- Exercise in the Childbearing Year

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Diastasis  Recti - After Birth: Your Stomach Muscles - NHS Services London England UK - find local help now!

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NHS Services London England UK - find local help now!

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These gentle abdominal exercises may be useful to start between 2-6 weeks after birth (or when you are ready) and/or if you have a diastasis recti (separation) of abdominal muscles postnatally.

As you recover after birth you will need to build up these exercises in line with the advice in the videos e.g. hold for longer or do more repetitions.

If you have completed these exercises for 6 - 8 weeks and are still concerned that you have or may have diastasis recti, you should seek a referral to pelvic-health physiotherapy from your healthcare provider so that they can assess you individually and guide your exercises as appropriate.

In a sitting, on all fours or lying position with your knees bent and feet on the floor, gently draw in your lower abdominal muscles or belly button towards your lower back.

Hold this contraction for five seconds and then let go. You should not hold your breath but continue to breathe in and out whilst drawing in your lower abdominal muscles.

You can repeat this exercise as you feel able but aim for up to ten times to start with.

In a sitting, on all fours or lying position with your knees bent and feet on the floor, gently tilt your pelvis back and forth, holding for a few seconds in each position.

You should draw in your lower abdominals or belly button and then hollow your lower back when tilting forwards and round your lower back when tilting backwards.

You can continue this exercise for a few minutes or as long as you feel comfortable.

Lying on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor,gently draw in your lower abdominal muscles/bellybutton.

Then gently rock your knees from side to side, whilst keeping them together. You can do this for a few minutes or as long as you feel comfortable.

Lying on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor,gently draw in your lower abdominal muscles/belly button.

Slowly stretch one heel along the floor to straighten your leg,keeping your pelvis still, and avoiding twisting. Then slowly bring your heel back.

Do this on alternating sides. You can do this as many times as you feel comfortable, but it is good to aim for 10 on each side.

Lying on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor, gently draw in your lower abdominal muscles/belly button.

Slowly lower one knee sideways towards the floor, only do this as far as you can keep your pelvis still and avoid twisting.

Slowly bring the knee back up. Do this on alternating sides.

You can do this as many times as you feel comfortable, but it is good to aim for 10 on each side.

Lying on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor, gently draw in your lower abdominal muscles/belly button.

Lift your pelvis and lower back off the floor, starting by rolling from your tailbone upwards to your lower ribcage.

·Hold for a few seconds, then gradually roll back down from the lower ribcage first, and your tailbone last.

You can do this as many times as you feel comfortable, but it is good to aim for 10 times.

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Video Companion Guide - After Birth: Your Stomach Muscles - NHS Services London England UK - find local help now!

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These gentle abdominal exercises may be useful to start between 2-6 weeks after birth (or when you are ready) and/or if you have a diastasis recti (separation) of abdominal muscles postnatally. As you recover after birth you will need to build up these exercises in line with the advice in the videos e.g.

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Free crash course on evidence based care

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Free crash course on evidence based care

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Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to our podcast: iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify In this episode, I'm joined by Liesel Teen, a seasoned L&D nurse and childbirth educator and the creator of Mommy Labor Nurse, where she reveals the common myths surrounding...

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Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to our podcast: iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify In this episode, I'm joined by Liesel Teen, a seasoned L&D nurse and childbirth educator and the creator of Mommy Labor Nurse, where she reveals the common myths surrounding...

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Video: After birth week 1 – bladder care

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Video: After birth week 1 – bladder care

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Video : After birth W 1 – pain management and wound care

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Video : After birth W 1 – pain management and wound care

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After birth week 1 – pain management and wound care

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We're here to support you and your unique experience of pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.

Our vision is that everyone who becomes a parent feels confident, connected, and safe.

We share evidence-based information you can trust

We create opportunities to connect with other parents

We listen to your experiences, amplify all parents' voices and campaign for change

We are strong advocates for improving experiences of pregnancy, birth, infant feeding, and early parenthood, equitably, for all parents.

Access networks of support and build friendships through our courses and community events.

Use our resources to make informed decisions that feel right for you.

Information for parents

If you're pregnant or a new parent, we know that you will have a number of questions and concerns about coronavirus. In our sections below, we've created a range of articles about how coronavirus might affect your pregnancy, birth and early days as a parent.

Pregnancy

When it comes to your pregnancy, we've got it covered. You'll find everything you need to help you feel confident and reassured over the next nine months right here.
Find out more

Labour & birth

Thinking about how, what happens and where to give birth? We're here to help you feel more confident. We've got information and tips on everything you need to know.
Find out more

Baby & toddler

Your baby's arrived and you've probably got 101 things on your mind. Don't worry, you're not on your own. We're here with information and support as your baby develops.
Find out more

Life as a parent

You've just had a baby and everyone is focused on your little one. But how about you? We're with you on your journey with support and tips from other mums and dads.
Find out more

Courses and workshops

Interactive, engaging and social, our antenatal course is a fun and exciting way to grow your knowledge of birth and early parenthood, and make life-long friends.
View all courses & workshops

Local activities and meet-ups

Our local activities and meet-ups can help you build up a supportive social network around you.

Support NCT Charity by becoming a member

Join NCT and there's great member benefits for you - exclusive live talks, money-saving offers & competitions, digital magazine & quick-read newsletters, plus early entry to every NCT Nearly New Sale - whilst you help fund free support for others.

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The UK's leading charity for parents | NCT

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We are the charity that supports people as they become parents. We're here for you through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.

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Video: Back and pelvic pain during pregnancy

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Video: Back and pelvic pain during pregnancy

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Pelvic Girdle Pain and other common conditions in pregnancy

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Pelvic Girdle Pain and other common conditions in pregnancy

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Pelvic Girdle Pain and other common conditions in pregnancy

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"prenatal yoga" "pregnancy exercises" "diastasis recti" "weight loss" "weight loss after baby" "how to lose weight after pregnancy" "what to eat for weight l...

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Pregnancy and postpartum fitness and yoga, birth education, core healing after pregnancy, healthy weight loss without dieting in a sustainable way. We've also added fun kids workouts! Prenatal Topics: 1. Prenatal yoga and fitness classes 2. Tips and tricks for an easier and faster labor 3.

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When to start and how to do perineal massage

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Video: Bladder and vaginal problems during and after pregnancy

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Video: Bladder and vaginal problems during and after pregnancy

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Bladder and vaginal problems during and after pregnancy

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Exercises and advice to stay fit and healthy during pregnancy

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Exercises and advice to stay fit and healthy during pregnancy

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Essential advice and exercises following childbirth

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Pelvic Organ Prolapse: – a guide for women

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Pelvic Organ Prolapse: – a guide for women

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Pelvic Organ Prolapse- – a guide for women

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 The Pelvic Floor Muscles – a Guide for Women

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 The Pelvic Floor Muscles – a Guide for Women

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The Pelvic Floor Muscles – a Guide for Women

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Video : Pelvic floor exercises during and after pregnancy

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Video : Pelvic floor exercises during and after pregnancy

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Pelvic floor exercises during and after pregnancy

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Video: Posture and positioning during pregnancy and following the birth

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Video: Posture and positioning during pregnancy and following the birth

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Posture and positioning during pregnancy and following the birth

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Whether you’re currently pregnant or have recently given birth, look after your body with this prenatal and postnatal exercise home workout video from the NHS Fitness Studio.

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Mama Academy -  Safer Pregnancy Charity 

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Mama Academy -  Safer Pregnancy Charity 

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Congratulations on your pregnancy! Once you see that magical blue line appear, your life will change forever. Your instinct will assist you in caring for your unborn child and we will provide you with even more to give your baby the best chance of arriving safely into the world.

Arm yourself with knowledge by learning about when you should call your midwife, how you can keep healthy and what foods to avoid. We have also provided you with all you need to know about certain screening in our Know Your Notes section so you can be assured you are receiving the best care from your maternity team.

We hope you leave the Academy feeling truly educated and empowered!

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Congratulations on your pregnancy! Once you see that magical blue line appear, your life will change forever. Your instinct will assist you in caring for your unborn child and we will provide you with even more to give your baby the best chance of arriving safely into the world. Arm yourself with kn…

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https://www.canada.ca

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If you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, this guide is for you!

Having a baby can be a wonderful experience, but it can also be a time of uncertainty. Many parents have questions and concerns as they face all the changes that pregnancy brings. With advice coming from everyone, it is tough to know who to listen to. That is why having accurate information is so important! It will help you to make good decisions about how to take care of yourself before, during and after your pregnancy.

In this guide, you will find important facts and questions related to a healthy pregnancy. They include:

Prenatal nutrition

Your nutritional health, before and during pregnancy, influences the health of your developing baby.

Important facts

Eat a variety of healthy foods each day
Vegetables and fruits, whole grain foods and protein foods are all part of healthy eating during pregnancy and contribute to the nutritional health of you and your baby. Try making half your plate vegetables and fruits at meals and snack times. Choose foods that have little to no added sodium, sugars or saturated fat. If you are not able to eat a variety of foods due to nausea or vomiting, speak to your health care provider.

Choose foods with healthy fats instead of saturated fat
Foods like nuts, seeds, fatty fish and vegetable oils contain healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids. You need more omega-3 fatty acids when you are pregnant to support the growth of your baby's brain and tissues.

Choose fish low in mercury
Vary the types of fish you eat and follow advice from Health Canada to limit your exposure to mercury in fish. Check with your local, provincial or territorial government for any advisory on local fish.

Eat a little more food each day than you normally would
During your second and third trimesters, you need more calories to support the growth of your baby. You need just a little more food each day, such as an extra snack or small meal.

Make water your drink of choice
It is important to drink plenty of water while you are pregnant. Water carries nutrients to your body and to your growing baby, takes away waste products from your baby and from you, keeps you cool, helps prevent constipation and helps control swelling. Make water the easy choice by carrying a reusable water bottle. White milk and unsweetened fortified plant-based beverages are also healthy drink options.

Be mindful of your caffeine intake
Many women have caffeine during pregnancy. Caffeine is safe in small amounts. Try to keep your caffeine intake below 300 mg a day, which is about two 8-oz (237 mL) cups of coffee. As caffeine can also be found in other drinks and chocolate, your daily total should include all sources of caffeine. This includes coffee, tea (including black, oolong, white and green tea), caffeinated soft drinks (for example, cola beverages) and energy drinks, chocolate and herbs such as guarana and yerba mate.

Some herbal teas, such as chamomile, are not safe to drink when you are pregnant. Avoid teas with aloe, coltsfoot, juniper berry, pennyroyal, buckthorn bark, comfrey, labrador tea, sassafras, duck root, lobelia, stinging nettle and senna leaves. Also avoid kombucha tea. Other herbal teas, such as citrus peel, ginger, orange peel and rose hip, are considered safe in moderation (two to three cups per day).

Healthy eating is more than the foods you eat
Being mindful of your eating habits is also important during pregnancy and can help you make healthier food choices. Take time to eat and limit distractions during mealtime. Plan your meals and snacks. Include culture, food traditions and taste preferences as part of healthy eating.

Key message

Eating well can give you the nutrients you need to feel good, have energy and support a healthy pregnancy. Follow Canada's food guide and take a daily multivitamin that contains folic acid.

Common questions
What are some healthy snack ideas?
Healthy snacks help keep you energized. Prepare snacks in advance to save you time. Chop extra vegetables when cooking. Make muffins or granola bars and store them in the freezer. Keep fruit on the counter and put roasted chickpeas and nuts in your bag for when you get hungry on the go.
How do I eat healthily while following my budget?
Healthy eating does not have to cost more. Fresh, frozen, canned and dried foods can all be healthy options. If you are not already doing so, try setting a budget for groceries each week or each month and plan your meals around foods that are on sale at your grocery store. When shopping, stick to your list, compare prices and choose lower-cost brands to help save money. Plant-based protein foods such as beans, lentils and other legumes are generally inexpensive. Use them in your meals several times a week.
How much weight should I gain?
How much you need to gain depends on your weight before pregnancy. The following recommendations are based on your body mass index (BMI) before you became pregnant. BMI is calculated by comparing your weight to your height (BMI = weight (kg)/height (m) ²).
How can I get enough iron?
Iron is important for healthy blood. You need to get enough iron so your baby can develop properly and build up a good store of iron for after the birth. To increase your iron intake, eat foods rich in iron such as beans, peas and lentils, tofu, whole grain foods, lean meats, poultry, fish and eggs.

When your meal does not include meat, poultry or fish, include a source of vitamin C to help your body absorb iron from foods. Sources of vitamin C include broccoli, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, kiwis, mangos, potatoes, strawberries, sweet peppers and tomatoes. Taking calcium supplements or calcium-containing antacids with meals, or drinking coffee or tea at mealtime, can reduce the amount of iron absorbed by the body. If you are taking calcium supplements or drinking coffee or tea, it is best to do so one to two hours after you eat.

To help meet your iron needs when you are pregnant, take a daily multivitamin that contains 16 to 20 mg of iron. A health care provider can help you find the multivitamin that is right for you.
Is there anything that is not safe to eat while I am pregnant?
Yes. You can lower your chance of getting food poisoning by avoiding the following foods:

raw or unpasteurized dairy products

raw or undercooked meat, poultry and seafood

raw fish, such as sushi, raw oysters, clams and mussels

unpasteurized juices, such as unpasteurized apple cider

raw sprouts, such as alfalfa, clover, radish and mung beans

hot dogs straight from the package without further heating

non-dried deli-meats such as bologna, roast beef, ham and turkey breast

refrigerated pâté, refrigerated meat spreads and refrigerated smoked seafood

raw or lightly cooked eggs or egg products that contain raw eggs (for example, homemade Caesar vinaigrette, cookie dough, cake batter, sauces)

the following pasteurized and unpasteurized cheeses: soft cheeses (such as Brie and Camembert), semi-soft cheeses (such as Havarti) and blue-veined cheeses (such as Roquefort and Stilton)

For more information on prenatal nutrition, see Helpful Resources.
Folic acid

Your baby's brain, skull and spine form during the first few weeks of pregnancy, before you may even know you are pregnant. In order for them to form properly, you need to have enough folic acid in your body.

Important facts

If you could become pregnant, are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant, you need to take a multivitamin with 0.4 mg of folic acid every day. A health care provider can help you find the multivitamin that is right for you.

You need more folate while breastfeeding to support the healthy growth and development of your baby. Take a multivitamin with 0.4 mg of folic acid every day.

Folic acid is a B vitamin important for the healthy growth of your unborn baby's spine, brain and skull, especially during the first four weeks of your pregnancy.

The neural tube is the part of the developing baby that becomes the brain and spinal cord. Neural tube defects (NTDs) occur when the neural tube does not fully close. This results in spine, brain and skull defects, which can lead to stillbirth or lifelong disability.

Folic acid helps reduce the risk of your baby being born with a NTD.

Taking a multivitamin does not reduce or replace the need for a healthy, well-balanced diet that includes folic acid (called folate when naturally found in food). Dietary sources on their own are not enough to reach the required folic acid level to protect against NTDs. You still need to take a multivitamin with folic acid.

Key message

If you could become pregnant, are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant, you need to take a multivitamin with 0.4 mg of folic acid every day.

Common questions
Will more folic acid further reduce my NTD risk?
No. There is strong evidence that 0.4 mg folic acid per day is enough to reduce the risk of NTDs. Talk to your health care provider before increasing your dose to more than 1 mg per day, which is the typical dose in prenatal vitamins. Do not take more than one daily dose of your supplement as described on the product label.
Should I take "natural folate"?
Popular media and some scientific literature talk about taking "natural folate" (5-methyltetrahydrofolate) with certain medical conditions. These recommendations need to be taken with caution because only folic acid has been proven to reduce the risk of NTDs in clinical trials. Also, women who are deficient in vitamin B12 may be less responsive to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, but do respond to folic acid.
Do some women need more folic acid?
Yes, some women may need a higher dose of folic acid. This can include women with:

Women with certain medical conditions or on certain medications may also require a higher dose of folic acid. Talk to your health care provider if you think this applies to you.
For more information on folic acid and pregnancy, see Helpful Resources.
Alcohol

Prenatal alcohol exposure is the most commonly known cause of preventable developmental disability in Canada. It can result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a term used to describe the impacts on the brain and body of individuals exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. FASD is a lifelong disability.

Important facts

Alcohol is a teratogen, which means it can harm your developing baby.

Alcohol consumption can be harmful at any point throughout your pregnancy because your baby's brain and central nervous system are under development during this time.

If you drank before you knew you were pregnant, talk to your health care provider to learn more. It is never too late to stop drinking.

If you are finding it hard not to drink alcohol in pregnancy, reach out to someone (health clinic, social services, family) who can help you get the support you need. It is healthier to reduce drinking as much as possible.

Key message

The safest choice for a woman who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant is not to drink alcohol.

Common questions
How much drinking causes FASD?
Despite extensive research, there is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink in pregnancy.
Do children grow out of FASD?
FASD is a lifelong disability. Strategies, supports and interventions, such as educational assistance, speech-language therapy and structured environments, help to increase positive outcomes, behaviours and well-being.
If my baby is exposed to alcohol, will they have FASD?
Alcohol affects everyone differently and the impact on a developing baby depends not only on the quantity and frequency of alcohol use, but on other factors such as genetics, nutritional status, age and trauma. Some babies will be more affected than other babies will.
Will my partner's drinking cause FASD?
No. FASD is caused by alcohol passing through the umbilical cord to the baby during pregnancy. However, a partner's drinking can have a strong impact on your own drinking. Partners can be supportive by asking what they can do to help you avoid drinking alcohol.
For information on drinking alcohol while breastfeeding, see Breastfeeding. For more information on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, see Helpful Resources.
Tobacco and vaping

When you or the people around you smoke or vape, your baby smokes too. A smoke- and vape-free environment is best for both you and your developing baby.

Important facts

Key message

Quitting smoking or vaping during pregnancy can have considerable positive health impacts for both you and your baby.

Common questions
I only smoke a few cigarettes a day. Should I still quit?
Yes. All tobacco smoke is bad for both you and your baby. The sooner you quit completely, the better.
What about vaping while pregnant?
While e-cigarettes contain fewer harmful chemicals than tobacco cigarettes, they may still contain nicotine. Your baby can be exposed to nicotine in the womb when you vape. Talk to your health care provider about your options for quitting nicotine during pregnancy.
Is it okay for me to smoke after the baby is born?
The best choice for you and your baby is to stay smoke-free. If you start smoking again, you are putting your baby at risk from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and your own health at risk from the effects of smoking.
I want to quit. Where can I find help?
Talk to your health care provider for support and advice towards a smoke-free life. You can find additional help to quit smoking by visiting the " You can quit smoking. We can help." website or call 1‑866‑366‑3667 toll-free and talk to a quit coach.
For more information on tobacco and vaping during pregnancy, see Helpful Resources.
Cannabis

Cannabis legalization in Canada has raised many questions about cannabis use during pregnancy. More women are turning to cannabis to treat pregnancy-related symptoms, but there is no evidence that cannabis is safe during pregnancy.

Important facts

There is no known safe amount of cannabis use during pregnancy.
Cannabis use during pregnancy can expose your baby to the active ingredient, THC. Like oxygen and nutrients, THC can cross the placenta to reach your baby. THC can also remain in your body for several weeks after last use because it is stored in fat cells.

Cannabis can affect the healthy growth and development of your baby.
Research shows that using cannabis during pregnancy can cause lower birth weights. Some studies have also shown that cannabis may affect your baby's brain development, learning and physical development, and may also lead to behavioural issues later in life. However, more research is needed to fully understand the health effects of cannabis during pregnancy. The safest option is not to use cannabis during pregnancy.

Talk to your health care provider if you are using cannabis while pregnant.
Pregnancy can be difficult. It is understandable that you might want to find ways to help relieve your symptoms. Have an honest discussion with your health care provider, who can help you find support or alternative therapies.

Key message

There is no known safe amount of cannabis use during pregnancy.

Common questions
Can I use cannabis to treat morning sickness?
Using cannabis to treat morning sickness, or other pregnancy-related symptoms, is not recommended. Talk to your health care provider about alternative solutions.
Can I use medical cannabis during my pregnancy?
Medical cannabis is no different from other sources of cannabis and has the same effects on your baby. If you are using cannabis for medical reasons, talk to your health care provider about your options.
What about CBD products? Can I use them during my pregnancy?
We do not know about the effects of CBD during pregnancy. Until more is known, it is safest not to use CBD while pregnant. CBD products may also contain trace amounts of THC.
For information on cannabis use while breastfeeding, see Breastfeeding. For more information on cannabis and pregnancy, see Helpful Resources.
Oral health

Your hormones change during pregnancy. This can affect your oral health by increasing your risk of gum disease (gingivitis) and infection of the bone that supports your teeth (periodontitis). Periodontitis has also been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, such as having a pre-term delivery or a baby with low birth weight. How periodontitis may lead to these poor outcomes is not yet understood.

Important facts

Consequences of periodontitis for you may include tooth loss, heart or respiratory disease and complications with diabetes.

You are more at risk of tooth decay if you suffer from morning sickness while pregnant.

Key message

Have your teeth cleaned and your oral health checked by an oral health professional, preferably in your first trimester of pregnancy. Be sure to mention that you are pregnant.

Common questions
How do I keep my mouth clean while pregnant? If I vomit from morning sickness, how can I decrease the risk of tooth decay and erosion?
Rinse your mouth with water or a fluoride mouthwash immediately after vomiting. After rinsing, wait at least 30 minutes (to further reduce the acid in your mouth) and then brush your teeth.
How do I avoid tooth decay while pregnant?
Try to avoid soft, sweet and sticky snacks, which are high in carbohydrates and sugar. These will lead to dental plaque, which could lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
What is pregnancy gingivitis?
Your gums are more sensitive because your estrogen and progesterone hormones have increased. Bacteria along the gum line may cause your gums to become swollen, red or irritated. Most of the time, pregnancy-related gum problems will disappear after childbirth. If they continue, contact your oral health professional.
For more information on oral health and pregnancy, see Helpful Resources.
Physical activity

Exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle and has many benefits in pregnancy.

Important facts

Exercise is safe and encouraged for healthy pregnant women who are receiving prenatal care.
Exercise can:

Help you sleep better

Improve your mood and energy level

Help prevent you from gaining excess weight

Help with constipation, backaches and bloating

Help you build strength for labour and birth

Aim for 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week.
If you are just starting out, begin with mild activities like walking. Even 10 minutes a day will help. Gradually increase this time to at least 150 minutes each week and be active a minimum of 3 days a week. Moderate activity is safe for most pregnant women, but there are some situations where exercise is not recommended.

Listen to your body.
In the early stages of pregnancy, some women can continue their pre-pregnancy exercise routines. Other women find it necessary to take it easy during the first weeks of pregnancy but can return to their usual exercise routine after their morning sickness or extreme fatigue subsides. Mild to moderate aerobic exercise, such as walking, helps your mood and keeps your energy up.

It is important to fuel your body, stay hydrated and avoid overheating.
Eat a small snack 15 to 30 minutes before you exercise. Do not exercise on an empty stomach. Drink plenty of water before, during and after physical activity to avoid overheating and dehydration. Also, avoid being active outdoors on overly hot days.

Key message

Build physical activity into your routine during pregnancy to help you stay healthy and feeling your best.

Common questions
What are the best choices for exercise in pregnancy?
There are several types of aerobic and resistance training activities that pregnant women can do to help stay healthy. Many pregnant women find exercising in the water, such as swimming or water aerobics, most comfortable. Choose activities that minimize your risk of falling or coming into contact with others. Exercises that you are already accustomed to doing (walking, swimming, low-impact aerobics, stationary cycling or moderate strength training) are good options. Adding yoga or gentle stretching can also be beneficial.
What about pelvic floor exercises?
Pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegel exercises, help to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which support the uterus, bladder and bowels. These muscles control the passage of urine and stools, and support your baby during pregnancy. Childbirth can stretch and weaken these muscles, which may cause urine control problems after birth when coughing, laughing or doing a physical activity. Doing pelvic floor exercises during pregnancy and after birth can help improve your bladder control. Talk to your health care provider about pelvic floor exercises.
I have never really been active. Should I start now that I am pregnant?
Physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and can help you feel your best during pregnancy. Unless you have a complication that prevents you from exercising, all pregnant women should be physically active. Start slowly and listen to your body. Do not start a new or more strenuous exercise program without first checking with your health care provider.
Are there exercises I should not do?
To prevent injury to your baby, avoid sports that can involve potential contact, such as ice hockey, soccer and basketball. Activities such as horseback or motorcycle riding, water-skiing, diving, parachute jumping or scuba diving can also be dangerous for your baby. Do not exercise to the point that you feel tired and overdo it.
For more information on physical activity, see Helpful Resources.
Emotional health

Everyone has a different pregnancy experience. It is normal to experience a range of feelings, from happiness to worry and stress. Your emotional health is linked to your physical health so it is important to be aware of how you are feeling and get the support you need.

Important facts

Take care of your physical health to improve your emotional health.
Your body is going through many physical and emotional changes. It is important to take care of yourself and figure out what you need to protect your emotional health. Eating well and staying active during your pregnancy can help regulate your mood. If you are feeling tired, try to take the time to relax and rest.

Share your thoughts and feelings with others.
Try to be honest about your feelings. If something is bothering you, confide in your partner, friend, family member, health care provider or anyone you trust. Joining a peer support group for pregnancy can also be helpful as other expecting mothers can relate to your situation.

One in 10 women suffer from depression during pregnancy.
Pregnancy can be an emotional time. Your moods change with your hormones, so it is okay to have negative feelings once in a while. Take the time to reflect on how you are feeling and learn the signs and symptoms of depression. You could be depressed if you have 5 or more of these symptoms for more than 2 weeks:

Feeling sad, worthless, anxious or guilty

Crying more than usual

Having difficulty concentrating

Being very irritable

Experiencing frequent mood swings

Feeling very tired or restless

Sleeping more or less than usual

Eating more or less than usual

Lacking interest in the things you used to care about

Having thoughts of death or suicide

Talk to your health care provider if you think you may be depressed.

Key message

Remember to take care of your emotional health.

Common questions
Why am I fine one minute and in tears the next?
Your mood swings are a normal part of pregnancy. Changing hormone levels in your body affect your moods. While some women may feel mood swings throughout their pregnancy, mood swings are most common around the sixth to tenth week and then again in the third trimester.
What are antepartum depression and postpartum depression?
Antepartum depression is the medical term for depression during pregnancy. It is a common medical condition for pregnant women because of changing hormone levels. Family history, life experiences, your environment and a history of depression may increase your risk of antepartum depression. Untreated, antepartum depression can last up to a year after the birth of your child.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is the medical term for depression after the birth of your child. It can affect any new parent, including partners and adoptive parents. It is easy for new parents to neglect their own needs, so factors like sleep deprivation, not eating well and a lack of social support can also contribute to PPD. If left untreated, PPD can lead to chronic episodes of depression, so it is important to get the help you need if you think you are depressed.
Can I still use the medication I was prescribed before my pregnancy?
Some medications may affect your pregnancy. Speak to your health care provider about your medications.
Can I return to normal after being diagnosed with depression?
Yes. Depression, antepartum depression and PPD are treatable medical conditions. While everyone's experience is different, most people can return to feeling like themselves again with the proper care. The first important step is to start by talking to your health care provider.
For more information on emotional health and pregnancy, see Helpful Resources.
Partner support during pregnancy

Pregnancy is usually a time of excitement but sometimes you may feel anxiety along with the joy. You and your partner likely have a long list of to-dos, all while coping with the changes and unknowns that come with pregnancy.

A partner's support is especially important for both you and your baby during this busy time. A woman who feels supported by her partner during and after pregnancy may feel happier and less stressed.
What can a partner do during pregnancy?
Whether you are new to parenthood or have been through this before:

Learn about pregnancy and childbirth to encourage and support her.

Go with her to appointments and help make decisions.

Offer emotional support. Ask her what she needs, show affection, support lifestyle changes such as cutting back on alcohol, eating well, encouraging rest and taking walks together.

Offer physical support - cleaning, cooking, and offering back and foot massages to ease stress and aches.

After your baby arrives, talk about what support she needs and help in ways that you can, such as holding, changing and bathing your baby. If you have other children, you may want to handle more of their care. Give her breaks to rest, exercise or do other activities.

How can a partner get support during pregnancy?
Partners also need care and attention during pregnancy. You may feel like you are expected to do all the helping and giving. With all the attention on your growing baby, you may feel ignored by family and friends. You may worry about the safety of your partner and baby during childbirth. It is also common to feel nervous about your role during labour.

Try to support yourself too. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns about your own health. Your partnership and family will be stronger if you both get the help and support you need.

Sexual health

Your baby is well protected by amniotic fluid and your uterus. Sexual activity will not harm your baby as long as you do not have complications such as preterm labour or placenta problems.

Important facts

Key message

If your pregnancy is healthy and progressing without problems, sex is safe for you and your baby.

Common questions
Can having sex cause a miscarriage?
Having sex during pregnancy will not cause a miscarriage. Most miscarriages happen because the fetus is not developing normally.
Should I still use protection while pregnant?
Pregnancy does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which can cause serious problems for you and your baby. If you are pregnant and are sexually active with a new partner or a partner who may be infected with an STI, use a condom to reduce your risk.

Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns or questions, or if you experience any pain or unusual symptoms during sex.
For more information on sexual health and pregnancy, see Helpful Resources.
Immunization

Vaccination is important for you and your baby before, during and after pregnancy. Vaccines protect you and your baby from serious diseases, some of which can cause life-threatening complications.

Important facts

It is best to talk to a health care provider about vaccination when planning a pregnancy to review and update your vaccinations before becoming pregnant. You should be aware that there are routine vaccines recommended before and during your pregnancy.

During every pregnancy, you should receive a Tdap vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. The vaccine protects your baby against whooping cough (pertussis) after birth and before they can receive vaccines.

Newborns can catch infections easily and have a higher risk of serious complications. When all family members' vaccines are up to date, you help protect them by preventing the spread of disease.

Vaccination against influenza (flu) during pregnancy is highly recommended, especially during flu season (November to April). This is because the flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women.

Key message

Make sure your vaccinations are up to date to give you and your baby the best protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Common questions
Are vaccines safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Most vaccines are safe when given during pregnancy. Inactivated vaccines (those containing whole or parts of killed germs that cannot infect you) are safe and many are recommended during pregnancy. Live vaccines (those containing weakened germs) are generally not given during pregnancy unless the risk of infection is high, such as during outbreaks.
Can I get vaccinations while breastfeeding?
Yes. All routine vaccines provided in Canada are safe for breastfeeding women and their babies.
Why are vaccines given to children on a specific schedule?
Vaccination schedules are carefully studied and designed to give the best protection to your child when they need it most. During early childhood, children are most vulnerable to diseases so it is important to follow the vaccination schedule. If you have questions about your child's recommended vaccination schedule, talk to your health care provider.
For more information on immunization and pregnancy, see Helpful Resources.
Breastfeeding

Pregnancy is a great time to get ready for breastfeeding. Breast milk is the best food you can give your baby.

Important facts

There are many important reasons to breastfeed:

It helps your baby fight off sickness and disease.

It reduces the risk that your baby will have diarrhea, ear or lung infections, die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or be overweight/obese when they are older.

It also protects you from breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Breastfeeding is natural but may take time for both you and your baby to learn.

Support from other breastfeeding mothers is a great source of help and can build your confidence.

Key message

Breast milk is so complete it is the only food or drink your baby needs for the first 6 months.

Common questions
What about a Vitamin D supplement?
Babies who are breastfed should receive a daily vitamin D supplement of 10µg (400 IU), beginning from birth. Non-breastfed babies do not need a vitamin D supplement because it is added to commercial infant formula.
How can my partner/friend/family support me with breastfeeding?
Everyone plays an important role in supporting breastfeeding. Ask your family, friends and partner to help with meals and chores so you can focus on breastfeeding your baby. At feeding time, they can:
How do I know if my baby is getting enough breastmilk?
Your baby will want to breastfeed often in the first few weeks - 8 or more times in 24 hours. Feeding often will help you make more milk. It will also help your baby gain back any weight they lose in their first few days. A sign your baby is feeding well is that they are having 6 or more wet diapers in 24 hours by day 6 and pooing often. As your baby grows, your milk will increase to keep up with your baby's needs.
Will skin-to-skin contact after birth help with breastfeeding?
Babies are often more alert and interested in feeding in the first hour after birth. Holding your baby skin-to-skin will help your body to start making milk and will wake up your baby's feeding reflexes. This means that your baby will start looking for the breast sooner and your milk production will increase. Skin-to-skin also helps your baby stay warm, reduces crying and stress, regulates your baby's blood sugar, promotes bonding, and helps you and your baby recover from the birth.
Can I drink alcohol while breastfeeding?
When a breastfeeding mother drinks alcohol, it passes into her breastmilk and to her child. The safest choice is not to drink alcohol if you are breastfeeding, especially when your baby is very young. But you do not have to stop breastfeeding if you have a drink once in a while. An occasional small drink can be okay as long as you plan for it carefully. This resource can help you plan:
Should I stop breastfeeding if I am using cannabis?
Breastfeeding provides many benefits to you and your baby. If you can, try to stop using cannabis while breastfeeding because THC can transfer through the breast milk, which can affect your baby's growth and development. Your baby might also become drowsy and have difficulty latching while breastfeeding.
Can I "pump and dump" if I want to use cannabis while breastfeeding?
No. THC can accumulate and store in your fat cells, as well as your breast milk, slowly releasing over time. Trace amounts of THC have been found in the body several weeks after last use and, for women who use cannabis regularly or heavily, can be found in the breast milk up to 6 days after last use. It is safest to avoid using cannabis altogether while breastfeeding.
For more information on breastfeeding, see Helpful Resources.
Common complaints in pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of many changes for your body. Talk to your health care provider about any concerns you have. Many pregnant women experience the following:

Breast changes (pain, tingling, tenderness)
As your body changes, your breasts change too (bigger, sore, nipples may change colour), in preparation for making breast milk.

During the day, wear a supportive maternity bra that fits well. At night, try a sleep bra to give you some support.

If your skin itches where it has stretched, avoid hot showers and baths and apply moisturizer.

Heartburn
Heartburn is common during pregnancy because hormonal changes cause the digestive system to slow down. The pressure of the growing baby on your stomach can sometimes force stomach acid to move up to your throat.

Leg cramps
Leg cramps are more common in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and happen most often at night while sleeping.

Try to prevent cramping by: If you get a leg cramp:

Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness)

Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness) is very common during pregnancy, and can affect women differently, ranging from mild to severe. Although some women find that nausea is worse in the morning, symptoms can occur at any time. Most women usually start to feel better after their first trimester, but for others, it can continue throughout the pregnancy.

Nausea and vomiting can be stressful, exhausting and isolating. Talk to your partner, family and friends about how you are feeling.

Eat smaller meals throughout the day. Eat foods that appeal to you.

Limit fried or fatty foods.

Drink cold beverages with ice, taking small sips.

Drink beverages between meals and snacks.

Get out of bed slowly and eat soon afterward.

Get plenty of rest and minimize stress. Reduce exposure to strong smells.

Skin changes
Stretch marks, itchiness, skin pigment changes and other normal skin changes are common during pregnancy. Other normal skin changes that occur during pregnancy include blotchy skin and acne. Acne may either increase or clear up during pregnancy.

Creams and oils can help with skin dryness and may reduce itching.

Avoid hot shower and baths. Keep moisturizer in the fridge and apply it after bathing.

Your developing baby

Weeks of Pregnancy

Fetal Development

Weeks 1-8

Placenta begins to form.

The brain and spinal cord begin to form.

The tissues that will form the heart begin to beat. The heartbeat can be detected with ultrasound at around 6 weeks of pregnancy.

Buds for limbs, with paddle-like hands and feet, appear.

The eyes, ears and nose begin to develop. Eyelids form but remain closed.

The genitals begin to develop.

By the end of the eighth week, all major organs and body systems have begun to develop.

Weeks 9-12

Buds for future teeth appear.

Fingers and toes start to form. Soft nails begin to form.

Bones and muscles begin to grow.

The intestines begin to form.

The backbone is soft and can flex.

The skin is thin and transparent.

The hands are more developed than the feet.

The arms are longer than the legs.

Weeks 13-16

Arms and legs can flex.

External sex organs are formed.

The outer ear begins to develop.

The fetus can swallow and hear.

The neck is formed.

Kidneys are functioning and begin to produce urine.

Weeks 17-20

The sucking reflex develops. If the hand floats to the mouth, the baby may suck their thumb.

The skin is wrinkled, and the body is covered with a waxy coating (vernix) and fine hair (lanugo).

The baby is more active. You may be able to feel your baby move.

The baby sleeps and wakes regularly.

Nails grow to the tips of the fingers.

The gallbladder begins producing bile, which is needed to digest nutrients.

In females, the eggs have formed in the ovaries. In males, the testes have begun to descend.

It may be possible to tell the sex of the fetus on an ultrasound exam.

Adapted from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - How Your Fetus Grows During Pregnancy.

Preparing for birth

As your due date approaches, your focus will begin to shift to labour and birth. While it is normal to feel a bit anxious about childbirth, preparing yourself mentally and physically for this powerful life event can help you feel calm and ready.

Common questions
What can I do to prepare for birth?

Make sure you have support - your partner, a relative, a friend. You will need some people to help you through labour, birth and new motherhood.

Document your birth preferences and share them with your health care provider. Think about what you want to happen and what you would prefer if things do not go as planned.
For example, think about topics such as:

Who you would like to be present at the birth

Preference of skin-to-skin contact

Your plan for pain relief during labour

When and by whom the umbilical cord will be cut

Other issues you feel are really important

Fears or concerns you may have

Choice about infant feeding

If you have other children, make a plan for childcare.

Think about what you will need if you are having a hospital birth and pack your bag.

What are the early signs of labour?

In the last few weeks prior to birth, your baby will 'drop'. Your baby's head will move down into your pelvis. Sometimes this does not happen until just before labour.

In the last few days of your pregnancy, your vaginal discharge may change as the mucus plug that has sealed your cervix releases. This will look like a brownish or bloody discharge.

You may have diarrhea.

Your water may break (although for most this happens during labour).

You may have irregular, periodic contractions. Sometimes they start as back pain.

What is preterm labour? Could it happen to me?
Preterm labour (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) can happen to anyone (there are factors that increase the risks) and may lead to a preterm birth or your baby being born too soon. There are important signs to watch for, especially if they are new or different from before:

Lower abdomen cramping/tightening (contractions)

Trickle or gush of fluid, or bleeding, from your vagina

Lower back pain/pressure or a change in lower backache

A feeling that the baby is pushing down or of pressure in your pelvis

An increase in the amount of vaginal discharge

A feeling that "something is not right"

If you have any of the signs of preterm labour, go to the hospital right away.
Why is skin-to-skin contact important?

Skin-to-skin contact is the practice of placing your newborn baby directly on your bare chest right after birth (vaginal and caesarean), covering them with a blanket and ensuring this time is uninterrupted until after the first feeding. Skin-to-skin contact has many health benefits. It helps your baby stay warm, reduces crying and stress, promotes breastfeeding, regulates the baby's blood sugar, promotes bonding, and helps you and your baby recover from the birth.

Routine hospital procedures can sometimes get in the way of skin-to-skin contact, especially in the operating room for women who have a caesarean birth. Share your preferences for skin-to-skin contact with your health care provider and care team during birth.

Postpartum

Your pregnancy and birth may quickly become a memory once you are caring for a newborn. While having a baby can be one of the most exciting times in your life, it can also be very challenging.

Important facts

Key message

Having a new baby is a physically and emotionally difficult time of life. Do not be afraid to ask for support.

Common question
How do I take care of my vaginal area after delivery?
It is normal for your vaginal area to be swollen, bruised and tender after you give birth. If you have stitches, you may feel even more discomfort. After birth, most women are given instructions on the use of acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and how to care for their vaginal area. You will want to ask about using peri bottles, ice packs (first 24 hours), sitz baths and sitting on a pillow/padded ring.
I had a caesarean birth. What do I need to know about recovery?
Recovering from a caesarean birth takes time. You will need to take it easy and avoid strenuous activities for the first few weeks. Treat your pain with the medication recommended by your health care provider. It is common to experience pain, bleeding or discharge for the first few weeks. Do not carry anything heavier than your baby and get help with driving and chores around the house.
How long will postpartum bleeding last?
In the first few days following delivery, you will have heavy, dark red bleeding and will likely pass some clots. The bleeding will slow down in the first week and turn pinkish-brown; after 10 days it will become whitish-yellow. By 6 weeks, any bleeding should have stopped.
When will I start ovulating again?
It is difficult to predict when you will start ovulating again. If you are breastfeeding, you may not ovulate for months, while some breastfeeding women will ovulate as early as the fourth week after birth. Women who are not breastfeeding will ovulate even sooner. You can ovulate before your menstrual period returns. With such unpredictability, it is very important to think about birth control options.
What are my options for birth control?
It is important to decide which birth control method is right for you and your partner before you begin having sex again. Talk to your health care provider about your choices.
For more postpartum information, see Helpful Resources.
Helpful resources

For more information on pregnancy topics discussed in this guide, please see the following resources:

Prenatal nutrition

Visit Canada.ca and search:

Folic acid

Alcohol

Tobacco and vaping

Cannabis

Oral health

Physical activity

Emotional health

Sexual health

Immunization

Breastfeeding

Postpartum

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada - Postpartum

COVID-19

Visit Canada.ca and search:
If I need more support, where can I find it?
Most areas of Canada are serviced by a public health unit, which can be a great source of information and support. Public health units often provide many programs and services to help women and their families have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. Contact your local public health unit to learn about all of the resources in your community that are available for expecting mothers.
Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP)
The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP) is a community-based program to help improve the health of pregnant women, new mothers and their babies who face challenges that put their health at risk, such as poverty, teen pregnancy, social or geographical isolation, substance use and family violence.

CPNP programming may include nutrition counselling, prenatal vitamins, food and food coupons, food preparation training, counselling in prenatal health and lifestyle, breastfeeding education and support, education and support on infant care and child development and referrals to other agencies and services.

For more information or to find if there is a CPNP project near you, see Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program.

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If you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, this guide is for you! Having a baby can be a wonderful experience, but it can also be a time of uncertainty. Many parents have questions and concerns as they face all the changes that pregnancy brings.

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Here you will find links to organizations, information, books, documentaries, videos, and DVDs that can be helpful to you during pregnancy, as you are planning the type of birth you want, and as you are navigating being a newly-postpartum and nursing parent.

Pregnancy

Infant Risk Center undergoes research, and provides education and public service through a hotline and publications pertaining to over-the-counter and prescription medication safety for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

Pregnancy for Every Body and Plus-Size Birth provide information, support and encouragement about healthy experiences for pregnant people of all sizes.

Spinning Babies is an approach to optimize the physical relationship between the bodies of the mother and the baby to ease the discomforts of pregnancy and enhance the birth experience. The Doula Experience offers Spinning Babies parent classes.

Webster Chiropractic Technique - find information about, and a chiropractor certified in, the Webster Technique at ICPA, which proactively assists in optimal fetal positioning and can help to resolve a breech. The Doula Experience can also give personal referrals.

Childbirth Organizations

Childbirth Connection is a trustworthy resource for up-to-date evidence-based information on planning for pregnancy, labor and birth, and the postpartum period. Read the Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing report.

Evidence Based Birth has a mission to improve birth outcomes worldwide by promoting evidence based birth practices among consumers and clinicians. Highest-quality research is written as short practice bulletins, which can be used by consumers, childbirth educators and doulas. The Doula Experience offers workshops for parents and professionals.

Lamaze for Parents provides a wealth of information and resources for parents during pregnancy, as they are preparing for birth, and for after baby arrives. Sign up for their Giving Birth with Confidence blog, access their video library and take advantage of multiple other resources.

Cesarean and VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)

ICAN of Greater Cleveland is a local chapter of the International Cesarean Awareness Network that provides monthly meetings, information and support to families healing from cesarean surgery, planning a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) or preparing for their first or subsequent birth experience.

VBAC.com provides childbearing people and maternity care professionals access to evidence-based resources, educational materials, and support for VBAC and cesarean prevention.

VBACfacts.com provides education on VBAC.

Midwifery

American College of Nurse Midwives is a professional organization for certified nurse midwives and certified midwives. Their companion website, Our Moment of Truth provides information and resources about midwifery care to consumers.

Midwives Alliance of North America has the goal to unify and strengthen the profession of midwifery, thereby improving the quality of health care for women, babies, and communities. Find information and resources about midwifery and homebirth here.

Ohio Midwives Alliance is a professional organization of Ohio midwives and their advocates who recognize and support the practice of midwifery in all settings. Referrals to homebirth midwives can be found here.

Breastfeeding/Human Milk Feeding

Postpartum

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Resources for Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum | The Doula Experience

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Here you will find links to organizations, information, books, documentaries, videos, and DVDs that can be helpful to you during pregnancy, as you are planning the type of birth you want, and as you are navigating being a newly-postpartum and nursing parent.

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BREATHING Techniques for an EASIER LABOR | How To Breathe During Labor | Birth Doula | Lamaze

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Phases of Labor - YouTube

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Acupressure Points for Natural Pain Relief During Labor 

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Acupressure Points for Natural Pain Relief During Labor 

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8HgNqN7TaQ

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Kate Machi: Massage is a great way to ease labor pains and the best time to start is early, before you get to the hospital. So today, Stephanie is with me. Stephanie, how are you doing?

Stephanie: I'm doing good.

Kate Machi: Good. How far along are you?

Stephanie: Twenty-seven weeks.

Kate Machi: Twenty-seven weeks. Okay, so this massage is going to help you even before you get into labor too.
Deep breathing
We're going to start with some nice deep breathing. We always do before we do any massage. This is great for the partner as well, to ground and relax yourself at the same time.
Nerve strokes
So partners and moms, take couple of nice deep breaths. Stephanie. Fully exhale. That's great. If you could just continue that, I'm just going to do some nice longer strokes down Stephanie's spine here. It always feels very nice, nice way to relax. Now of course, when she's laboring, I would be doing this between contractions. Often when mom's in labor and having the contractions, she may or may not want to be touched at that time, and you'll always be checking in with her to see what she wants.
Double hip squeeze
And then with the contractions, and in between the contractions also, I'm going to place my palms on either side of her hips with my fingertips pointing in. And Stephanie, go ahead and take a nice deep breath in, and as you release, I'm going to press in. I'm leaning in with my body weight, so it makes it much easier on my own back as well. So if you go ahead and keep breathing, nice and rhythmically, Stephanie, and I'll follow your lead. I'm going to just watch the rise and fall of her back here, so I know when she's breathing out. This is going to help the pelvis to relax so that the baby can drop farther down. So this helps Stephanie move into the final stage of labor.
Sacrum press (only during labor)
When mom's in labor, you can press directly on the sacrum, and even with your fingers directly down the sides of the sacrum. That's not something that we recommend during pregnancy, but when she is in labor, her partner will be pressing directly onto the sacrum and harder than we've ever pressed before, and holding it for 8 to 9 seconds and releasing.
Slow dance
Stephanie, believe it or not, we're going to dance, just like in junior high. Remember?

Stephanie: Barely.

Kate Machi: Bear with me. Okay, put your arms around my waist.

Stephanie: Okay.

Kate Machi: And lean into me. Lean against me like you would against your partner. So we're just going to sway together back and forth a little bit. Some nice easy breathing. And then partner, you can see my hands are in the perfect position, so some nice compressions right around the spine here, all the way down. And mom's leaning into me, she's breathing, she's using me as her pillar. And I am thinking about her and I am massaging along her spine. I might be holding her right here at the sacrum and grounding her and helping her to ground. When a contraction comes, it might be time to stop and just hold mom while she really leans against you and breathes, and you can breathe with her. And we're going to move again, back and forth. This nice slow, easy rhythm. And that, my dear, is the dance. Thank you.

Stephanie: Thank you.

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Pregnancy massage for labor pain | Video | BabyCenter

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Kate Machi: Massage is a great way to ease labor pains and the best time to start is early, before you get to the hospital. So today, Stephanie is with me. Stephanie, how are you doing? Stephanie: I'm doing good. Kate Machi: Good. How far along are you? Stephanie: Twenty-seven weeks.

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Your pain relief options

Labour can be painful - it can help to learn about all the ways you can relieve the pain.

It's also helpful for whoever is going to be with you during your labour to know about the different options, as well as how they can support you.

Ask your midwife or doctor to explain what's available so you can decide what's best for you.

Write down your wishes in your birth plan, but remember you need to keep an open mind. You may find you want more pain relief than you'd planned, or your doctor or midwife may suggest more effective pain relief to help the delivery.

Self-help in labour

You're likely to feel more relaxed in labour and better placed to cope with the pain if you:

learn about labour - this can make you feel more in control and less frightened about what's going to happen; talk to your midwife or doctor, ask them questions, and go to antenatal classes

learn how to relax, stay calm and breathe deeply

keep moving - your position can make a difference, so try kneeling, walking around, or rocking backwards and forwards

bring a partner, friend or relative to support you during labour, but do not worry if you do not have a partner - your midwife will give you all the support you need

ask your partner to massage you - although you may find you do not want to be touched

have a bath

take paracetamol, which can help relieve some of the pain in the early stages of labour

Gas and air (Entonox) for labour

This is a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas. Gas and air will not remove all the pain, but it can help reduce it and make it more bearable. It's easy to use and you control it yourself.

You breathe in the gas and air through a mask or mouthpiece, which you hold yourself. The gas takes about 15 to 20 seconds to work, so you breathe it in just as a contraction begins. It works best if you take slow, deep breaths.

Side effects

there are no harmful side effects for you or the baby

it can make you feel lightheaded, sick, sleepy or unable to concentrate, but if this happens you can stop using it

If gas and air does not give you enough pain relief, you can ask for a painkilling injection as well.

Pethidine injections in labour

This is an injection of a medicine called pethidine into your thigh or buttock to relieve pain. It can also help you to relax. Sometimes, less commonly, a medicine called diamorphine is used.

It takes about 20 minutes to work after the injection. The effects last between 2 and 4 hours, so would not be recommended if you're getting close to the pushing (second) stage of labour.

Side effects

There are some side effects of pethidine and diamorphine to be aware of:

it can make you feel woozy, sick and forgetful

if pethidine or diamorphine are given too close to the time of delivery, they may affect the baby's breathing - if this happens, another medicine to reverse the effect will be given

these medicines can interfere with the baby's first feed

Epidural

An epidural is a type of local anaesthetic. It numbs the nerves that carry the pain impulses from the birth canal to the brain. It should not make you sick or drowsy.

In most cases, an epidural gives complete pain relief. It can be helpful if you are having a long or particularly painful labour.

An anaesthetist is the only person who can give an epidural, so it will not be available at home. If you think you might want one, check whether anaesthetists are always available at your hospital.

How much you can move your legs after an epidural depends on the local anaesthetic used. Some hospitals offer "mobile" epidurals, which means you can walk around.

However, this also requires the baby's heart rate to be monitored remotely (by telemetry) and many hospitals do not have the equipment to do this. Ask your midwife if mobile epidural is available in your local hospital.

An epidural can provide very good pain relief, but it's not always completely effective in labour.

How does an epidural work?

To have an epidural:

a drip will run fluid through a needle into a vein in your arm

while you lie on your side or sit up in a curled position, an anaesthetist will clean your back with antiseptic, numb a small area with some local anaesthetic, and then introduce a needle into your back

a very thin tube will be passed through the needle into your back near the nerves that carry pain impulses from the womb (uterus). Medicines (usually a mixture of local anaesthetic and opioid) are administered through this tube. It takes about 10 minutes to set up the epidural, and another 10 to15 minutes for it to work. It does not always work perfectly at first and may need adjusting

the epidural can be topped up by your midwife, or you may be able to top it up yourself through a machine

your contractions and the baby's heart rate will need to be continuously monitored. This means having a belt around your abdomen and possibly a clip attached to the baby's head

Side effects of epidurals in labour

There are some side effects of epidurals to be aware of.

An epidural may make your legs feel heavy, depending on the local anaesthetic used.

Your blood pressure can drop (hypotension), but this is rare because the fluid given through the drip in your arm helps to maintain good blood pressure.

Epidurals can prolong the second stage of labour. If you can no longer feel your contractions, the midwife will have to tell you when to push. This means that forceps or a ventouse may be needed to help deliver the baby (instrumental delivery).

When you have an epidural, your midwife or doctor will wait longer for the baby's head to come down (before you start pushing), as long as the baby is showing no signs of distress. This reduces the chance you'll need an instrumental delivery. Sometimes less anaesthetic is given towards the end, so the effect wears off and you can feel to push the baby out naturally.

You may find it difficult to pee as a result of the epidural. If so, a small tube called a catheter may be put into your bladder to help you.

You may get a headache after an epidural. This happens in about 1 in 100 cases and can be treated.

Your back might be a bit sore for a day or two, but epidurals do not cause long-term backache.

You may feel tingles or pins and needles down one leg after having a baby. This happens in about 1 in 2,000 cases. This is more likely to be the result of childbirth itself rather than the epidural. You'll be advised by the doctor or midwife when you can get out of bed.

Remifentanil

Remifentanil goes into a vein in your arm. You control it yourself by pushing a button.

It works quickly and wears off after a few minutes. You can use it up until your baby is born.

You'll need a small clip on your finger to measure your oxygen levels, as remifentanil can make you feel breathless or need oxygen.

Side effects

Remifentanil can make you feel sleepy, sick, dizzy or itchy. These stop once you stop taking the medicine.

Like pethidine, remifentanil can affect the baby's breathing but this usually wears off quickly.

Using water in labour (water birth)

Being in water can help you relax and make the contractions seem less painful. Ask if you can have a bath or use a birth pool. The water will be kept at a comfortable temperature, but not above 37.5C, and your temperature will be monitored.
Find out more about using water during labour and birth on the National Childbirth Trust website

TENS machines

TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Some hospitals have TENS machines. If not, you can hire your own machine.

TENS has not been shown to be effective during the active phase of labour, when contractions get longer, stronger and more frequent. It's probably most effective during the early stages, when you may have lower back pain.

TENS may also be useful while you're at home in the early stages of labour or if you plan to give birth at home. If you're interested in TENS, learn how to use it in the later months of your pregnancy. Ask your midwife to show you how it works.

How TENS machines work

Electrodes are taped on to your back and connected by wires to a small battery-powered stimulator. Holding this, you give yourself small, safe amounts of current through the electrodes. You can move around while you use TENS.

TENS is believed to work by stimulating the body to produce more of its own natural painkillers, called endorphins. It also reduces the number of pain signals sent to the brain by the spinal cord.

Side effects of TENS machines

There are no known side effects of TENS for either you or the baby.
Read more about TENS

Alternative methods of labour pain relief

You may choose alternative treatments such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, homeopathy, hypnosis, massage and reflexology. Most of these techniques are not proven to provide effective pain relief.

If you'd like to use any of these methods, it's important to discuss them with your midwife or doctor and let the hospital know beforehand. Most hospitals do not offer them for pain relief during labour.

If you want to try any of these techniques, make sure the practitioner is properly trained and experienced.
Learn more about complementary and alternative medicines and how they're regulated Find maternity services near you

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Find out about the different methods of pain relief in labour, including self-help, gas and air, birth pools, pethidine and epidurals.

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This is a summary. There is fuller information in the Pain Relief in Labour section. Please discuss anything that is not clear with your anaesthetist.

Setting up your epidural

You will need to have an intravenous cannula and maybe a drip.

While the epidural injection is being put in, it is important that you keep still and let the anaesthetist know if you are having a contraction.

Usually takes 20 minutes to set up and 20 minutes to work.

Some epidurals do not work fully and need to be adjusted or replaced.

Advantages of an epidural

Usually provides excellent pain relief.

Sometimes a spinal is given first for a quicker effect.

The dose or type of local anaesthetic can sometimes be altered to allow you to move around the bed. This is a low-dose (or mobile) epidural.

In general epidurals do not affect your baby.

Can be topped up for caesarean section if required.

Possible problems with your epidural

Repeated top-ups with stronger local anaesthetic may cause temporary leg weakness and increase the risk of forceps or ventouse delivery.

The epidural may slow down the second stage of labour slightly.

You may develop low blood pressure, itching or a fever during the epidural.

The epidural site may be tender but usually only for a few days. Backache is NOT caused by epidurals but is common after any pregnancy.

Type of risk

How often does this happen?

How common is it?

Severe headache

One in every 100 women (epidural)
One in every 100-200 women (spinal)*

Uncommon

*Subject to individual unit variation

The information available from the published documents does not give accurate figures for all of these risks. The figures shown above are estimates and may be different in different hospitals.

March 2021 Edition

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This is a summary. There is fuller information in the Pain Relief in Labour section. Please discuss anything that is not clear with your anaesthetist. Setting up your epidural You will need to have an intravenous cannula and maybe a drip.

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Perinatal Positivity uses the real voices and experiences of women and men who have had mental wellbeing difficulties around the time of pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. We hope it will help you emotionally prepare and find support, if needed, at this time. There are translations and subtitled versions of the film on our films page.

Perinatal mental health issues can happen in pregnancy and in the first years of being a parent (antenatal and postnatal). Problems can affect new mums as well as dads, people with no history of mental health problems as well as those who have. The word perinatal simply means the time around (peri) childbirth (natal).

Issues might include depression, anxiety, OCD, psychosis and post-traumatic stress amongst other things. Tommy's (pregnancy health information for parents) has an excellent guide: https://www.tommys.org

If you, or someone you are close to, is experiencing mental wellbeing problems connected to pregnancy and being a new parent , talk to your GP, health visitor or midwife a nd visit our support page to find local and national support organisations. Parents talk about the signs & symptoms they experienced in the video below.

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Perinatal Positivity Film - Perinatal Positivity

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Perinatal Positivity is a short, animated film to help new families safeguard their mental health. It uses the voices & experiences of real parents.

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Postpartum Recovery - YouTube

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Use our helpful factsheets to find expert advice on key areas of looking after your new baby from when they are born to when they go to school. Written by experts in the field, they cover topics such as feeding, health, behaviour and development, and are based on up-to-date research and the experience and knowledge of real-life health visitors working across the UK.

Click on the topic links below to read the factsheets online or download a printable PDF.

Please also see our Parenting through Coronavirus section with resources to support families during the COVID-19 outbreak and beyond.

*The iHV does not authorise the direct placement of any Parent Tips or any other iHV products on any secondary websites hosted by organisations, or other bodies, outside the iHV. If you would like to disseminate iHV Parent Tips please can you do so by sharing the direct link to the product webpage on our website.

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Use our helpful factsheets to find expert advice on key areas of looking after your new baby from when they are born to when they go to school.

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Baby 101 - YouTube

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This guide includes all you need to know about caring for your baby.

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Ultimate Antenatal Class

This convenient 1-day class is designed to give 1st-time Mums and partners the tools for the journey into parenthood. Our Midwives will guide you through what you need to know, covering topics such as labour, birth itself, postnatal depression, breastfeeding and Baby First Aid.

Price: £149 per couple

Find out More and Book

Ultimate Baby First Aid Class

This 3-hour class gives parents, grandparents and carers, the confidence to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency. Our Instructors will guide you through the precautions and protocols needed in emergencies that can aid in saving your baby’s life, covering topics such as CPR, choking, burns, lacerations, trauma and other common baby issues.

Price: £59 per couple

Find out More and Book

Ultimate Breastfeeding Class

Although breastfeeding is natural, it doesn’t always come naturally and is a learned skill. This half-day class will set you up for breastfeeding success and ensure you know how to troubleshoot challenges which may arise. The expert content is delivered by our International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

Price: £59 per couple

Find out More and Book

Ultimate Weaning Class

As your baby grows and develops so do their needs. Our 3-hour Weaning Class is designed to help you and your partner understand the whys, whens, whats, and hows of weaning. The rapid growth and development your baby experiences in their first year of life is not repeated at only other stages in their life so nutrition in this growth period is key!

Price: £49 per couple

Find out More and Book

Claim 40% discount with your private health insurance

We are delighted to announce that, for those with private health insurance, The Baby Academy is offering a special 40% discount off all classes. Simply submit your information below to claim your special discount. Please note that our system does not allow adding this discount to bookings already made.

Free Baby-Care Workshop

We are running a FREE online Baby-Care Workshop, to give you all the knowledge for those first few days and weeks at home with baby. This 2-hour live workshop will cover everything from cord care to safe sleep.

Book Your Free Place

Free Baby Safety Workshop

We are running a FREE online Baby Safety Workshop. This 90 minute workshop equips you with the tools to know what actions to take if faced with a medical emergency.

Book Your Free Place

Free ‘Prepare to Breastfeed’ Workshop

We are running a FREE online ‘Prepare to Breastfeed’ Workshop. This 90 minute workshop will show you what you can do now, during pregnancy, to get set for breastfeeding your little one with confidence.

Book Your Free Place

Meet the Family

All of our online classes are delivered by qualified and practicing midwives who are passionate about education and helping you prepare for the arrival of your baby

Sue

Co-founder, Midwife and Head of Antenatal Education

Ghislaine

Midwife and Antenatal Instructor

Ellie

Midwife and Antenatal Instructor

Sophie

Midwife and Antenatal Instructor

Anne

Midwife and Antenatal Instructor

Laura

Midwife and Antenatal Instructor

Justine

Midwife and Antenatal Instructor

Suyai

Midwife and Antenatal Instructor

Louise

Midwife and Antenatal Instructor

Lauren

Midwife and Antenatal Instructor

Rebecca

Midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

Kay

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

Ros

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

Lizzie

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

Anna

Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (Health Visitor)

Happy Parents

The online class was great, really enjoyed it. Sophie and Ghislaine were both very kind and approachable. Definitely feel more prepared of what to expect during birth and labour now. The resource pack and video recordings they send after the class are also really useful. I absolutely love the Baby Academy Instagram page as well, full of handy tips and resources. These classes are a heaven-sent during these Covid times, especially for first-time parents with lots of questions.

What an amazing and informative day course! A huge thank you to our course facilitator and midwife Sophie - she was so knowledgeable, engaging and clear to follow. We definitely feel more prepared for our baby. Thank you so much

Brilliant classes, very useful and informative - some free and some paid, but all great!

I Joined this class as i will be starting to teach baby massage classes soon and just wanted information on baby CPR mainly.However i feel like i should have done this when i was pregnant with my twins 5 years ago or with my little one 18months ago, i have learnt so much from these last few hours and fully believe every parent to be should sign up for one of these courses.

Updated review: Administrative mishap has been rectified. The matter was escalated and a very professional response was received.We completed 4 courses in total and some of the trainers spend too much time answering a tonne of questions that come through on the online chat, many of which were already covered in the content (people not listening?) or irrelevant questions. Good Instagram content.

I completed the Ultimate Antenatal Course and it was worth every penny. Really lovely lady (Ellie) did a great job answering everyone’s questions and explaining each topic in great detail. Has definitely helped my partner and I feel more prepared and confident for our birth!I also completed their free baby care course which was also fantastic and I highly recommend completing this if you’re unsure about paying anything at first, the free course will definitely convince you it’s worth it though!

This was a really great course! I initially took the two hour free Baby Basics Class and found it really helpful so booked in for the full Antenatal Class. I took this at 36 weeks and am soo glad I did! My assigned midwife has not been very helpful in providing guidance or information on general procedure and process of the labour and birth and I feel so much more prepared and at ease following this course!The instructor was great at communicating, talking through all the topics and answering questions in an unbias and inclusive way as well as being super personable. The amount of resources provided is also incredible. Couldn't recommend this more, especially for those who feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of literature that's out there.

Kay was absolutely brilliant. I am a health professional myself and I couldn't fault the course content or her delivery. The pace was perfect, I expected to hear a lot of information that was just common sense but this was not the case at all - she delivered so much of her knowledge and I learned a huge amount in a relatively short amount of time. It has boosted my confidence hugely. Definitely worth every penny. Many thanks.

This was absolutely excellent, thank you so much. You covered so much and gave practical and reassuring advice. Very good to talk about making a home safe for small children, the range of accidents and situations which can happen and the steps to take if they do happen.We will certainly recommend this course to friends and family with young children/babies and we will also look at other workshops which you offer.Thanks again, this was so helpful!!

Great courses, informative and thorough. Highly recommended

We did the one day antenatal class with Baby Academy - it was brilliant: really informative, honest, reassuring and incredibly helpful. We came away with so much more knowledge than we had before and some great tips and suggestions. Highly recommend!

We did the free 2 hour course and then followed up by the full one day antenatal class. The instructors, Rebecca and Ghislaine, were great - there was lots of information to take in, but they explained it in such a clear an accessible way. We really appreciate having this online resource, especially during the pandemic.

I loved the class, it was so informative and really helped calm me down with worrying about what to expect. I would definitely recommend it to any first-time mums, or anyone who wants to know more about what to expect. Thank you so much for all the information and reassurance!

I have attended the free workshop and baby first aid course. Both of the classes were great. Very informative but delievered in a way to help retain the information plus you get access to information so you can refresh if you need to. I would highly recommend the baby academy for the courses they deliever

Very informative and helpful course! Would highly recommend!

Completed the 2hr free course with my husband today. Highly recommend, super informative and we learnt so much! Thank you to Sophie our instructor, she made things very clear and easy to understand.We will definitely be signing up to the 1day course.

Thank you so much for literally saving babies' life and making parents more confident!Also, many thanks for having allowed us to move our class' date!

Completed our online baby first aid course on Saturday 27th November 2021. We really enjoyed the session and feel it was very informative. Perfect length for the course and in good bite size chunks to understand. Thank you to Anna for your passion and enthusiasm, really made the session very positive!

Thank you for the session - very informative and contained all the main topics and questions that I would have wanted to learn. Gave me lots of confidence. Ellie was a very good presenter.Thanks again!

Very interesting and useful session. Lots to learn and lots to recap! Thank you very much and best regards! Keep up the great work!

This was a very informative presentation. I would highly recommend this for first time parents to be. The information shared is helpful.Our host for the day was Justine, she has great passionate for this. You can see she who truly loves what she does.

Had my first workshop with Rebecca. I really enjoyed it and learn so much more. Really appreciate this kind of workshop which are not too long but with practical examples which will help us with our newborn.A big thanks for the entire team and carry on the excellent work.

We did the first aid for babies course and I cannot recommend it enough, especially for first time parents. It was excellent and very informative. We now feel a lot more confident, especially the advice on choking as we have just started weaning our baby!Fiona explained everything very clearly and the slides were easy to follow.

Did a really informative free 2 hour antenatal class. Rebecca was amazing, explained everything clearly, was funny and friendly and you can tell how much she loves what she does and really cares about it.

We really enjoyed the full day antenatal course. Ellie did an amazing job! Thank you so much. So glad we signed up for this course, as it is much more detailed than the standard NHS antenatal classes we tried at first. We highly recommend it to expectant parents!

Really helpful course and would recommend for anyone who is having a baby, looking after a baby or looking to have a baby to take this course.

What an amazing tool for someone like me. Everything is covered using medical research, personal experience and just generic advice. I loved it. You can take on board what fits you. Nothing is pushed upon you. I highly recommend to all first time mums. I learned a lot and also gained more understanding and confidence. It actually encourages you to enjoy this beautiful journey!

The courses are very clear and have good explanations and recommendations. Midwives are very thorough (and efficient) in answering all the questions within the remit of the course topic. Would reccomend!

Couldn’t recommend this enough! Helpful, thorough thoughtful and detailed, especially for first timers. I’ve done multiple classes with The Baby Academy, both free and paid for, and every single one has been a wealth of knowledge and support.

Attended the ultimate first aid class today, we felt that it was very informative and took a lot from the session. We found the DR ABC part of the session particularly helpful.

Thank you very much for great presentation ... so helpful!

Thank you so much Justine for all your knowledge, advice and enthusiasm. What a fantastic course and we have learnt so much and been reasurred by so much of what you've said.Would definitely recommend this to others.Thank you!

Amazing experience! Very informative for a first time mom like myself! Thank you!

really good full day virtual class, definitely reassured us a new parents to be. Rebecca explained and covered all the topics really well and answered all the questions effectively. Highly recommended.

Very informative class, and I'd recommend it to everyone I know.Sophie was really passionate and informative, and we learned so much.If you're a parent-to-be and was afraid that you don't know enough - just like we did - then this is the class for you!

Thank you for the session Rebecca.I will remember what you’ve said about the contractions that will take me closer to my baby. Also I will remover that embracing the pain is good. Really good tips about the oxytocin as well.

We absolutely loved this course. The free 2 hour baby care workshop was really informative, so we had high expectations for the full day antenatal course, and it didn't disappoint. The midwife leading the session was so professional, reassuring and knowledgable. Compared to other online antenatal classes we looked at or attended, we found this one the most comprehensive and mirrored NHS advice. We asked a few questions in the chat and they were all answered in so much detail. Also super handy to have the presentation, videos and tonnes of other resources for the next 6 months that we can refer back to. This isn't a course to connect with other parents, but that wasn't what we were looking for. Can't wait for the breastfeeding course now!!Thanks again!

Thoroughly enjoyed this course, so informative and Ellie is brilliant too. She was able to answer everyone’s questions and was really lovely. I have now left this course feeling much more prepared and armed with knowledge. Thank you so much - keep up the great work.

Fantastic service from the Baby Academy, I’ve done two courses now with Rachel and both have been incredibly helpful, she’s got so much knowledge and answers all the questions you have, definitely well worth the money and if I could give more than 5* I would!

Fantastic online all day course with Midwife Ellie. Super informative and lots of practical tips for us as first time parents. We weren’t made to feel pressured to do anything, and it was stressed throughout it’s your birth, YOUR choice!Would 100% definitely recommend to friends and family.

Lots of useful information. The host Ellie very lovely, kind, and patient. Thank you very much for the opportunity to get my concerns off my head. I'm looking forward to applying what I've learned today and I am very excited and I am feeling more confident now about handling situations that may occur. There were a lot of myths that I heard around me, some of them from people without experience or from people that they think they know everything etc. Or people who think that what was good for them, is good for yourself as well. But now I can easily make the difference and I can distinguish what is myth and what is something for real. It's better when you can hear the truth or confirmation from an expert. Especially when is about your little baby. You will want the best for your little one. Thank you again and I will warmly recommend you in the future! Lots of love ♥️

As first time parents during lockdown we found this course invaluable. The midwife who lead the course, Ellie, had recently had a baby herself, was very knowledgeable and answered everyone’s questions in a friendly professional manner. It truly was an eye opening course which has made us feel more prepared. We did the free ‘baby care’ course and the paid ‘antenatal all- day course which was worth the money and have since recommended it to several friends. Thank you very much BabyAcademy!

Completed the full online workshop and Anne was an amazing teacher. Felt extremely informed and empowered after the sessions. She was so friendly and engaging. Took time to answer all questions and from this I now feel more confident going into the last stage of my pregnancy and more prepared for labor. Thank you Baby Academy, look forward to completing the next online class with you!

Thank you Ellie for the great free antenatal class this morning, was so informative and helpful. would happily recommend to anyone!

We found the session so helpful and really informative, Sophie did an excellent job.Thank you so much!!

The online class was great, really enjoyed it. Sophie and Ghislaine were both very kind and approachable. Definitely feel more prepared of what to expect during birth and labour now. The resource pack and video recordings they send after the class are also really useful. I absolutely love the Baby Academy Instagram page as well, full of handy tips and resources. These classes are a heaven-sent during these Covid times, especially for first-time parents with lots of questions.

What an amazing and informative day course! A huge thank you to our course facilitator and midwife Sophie - she was so knowledgeable, engaging and clear to follow. We definitely feel more prepared for our baby. Thank you so much

Brilliant classes, very useful and informative - some free and some paid, but all great!

I Joined this class as i will be starting to teach baby massage classes soon and just wanted information on baby CPR mainly.However i feel like i should have done this when i was pregnant with my twins 5 years ago or with my little one 18months ago, i have learnt so much from these last few hours and fully believe every parent to be should sign up for one of these courses.

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The Baby Academy | Antenatal and Postnatal Classes from the Country's Experts

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We run free online workshops and 1-day online antenatal classes to help 1st time parents. Our Midwife-led and parent-centric focus will empower you with knowledge to work through the often overwhelming amount of content around pregnancy and early parenthood.

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Childcare guides by Family and Childcare Trust

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Our free guides can help you find, choose and afford childcare near you.

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When to change a nappy

Babies need frequent nappy changes.

Babies have very delicate skin so their nappy needs to be changed as soon as they wet or poo themselves, otherwise their skin becomes sore and red.

Changing your baby's nappy as soon as possible after they've done a wee or poo will help prevent  nappy rash.

Young babies may need changing as many as 10 or 12 times a day, while older babies need to be changed around 6 to 8 times.

What you need for nappy changing

Before you change your baby's nappy, wash your hands and get everything you need in 1 place, including:

a changing mat or towel

cotton wool and a bowl of warm water, or fragrance and alcohol-free baby wipes

a plastic bag or bucket for the dirty nappy and dirty cotton wool or wipes

barrier cream to protect your baby's skin

a clean nappy (and liner and cover if you're using cloth nappies)

clean clothes

Where to change a nappy

The best place to change a nappy is on a changing mat or towel on the floor, particularly if you have more than one baby.

That way, if you need to see to another child for a moment, your baby can't fall. It's best done sitting down so you don't hurt your back.

If you're using a changing table, keep an eye on your baby at all times. You shouldn't rely on the straps to keep your baby secure. Never walk away or turn your back.

Older babies may try to wriggle away when you're changing them. You could give them a toy or use a mobile to distract them.

How to change a nappy

It's just as important to clean your baby fully whether they have wet themselves or done a poo.

If your baby's nappy is dirty, use the nappy to clean off most of the poo from their bottom.

Then use the cotton wool and plain warm water (or baby wipes) to remove the rest and get your baby really clean.

Clean the whole nappy area gently but thoroughly and make sure you clean inside the folds of skin.

Girls should be cleaned from front to back to avoid getting germs into their vagina.

Boys should be cleaned around the testicles (balls) and penis, but there's no need to pull back their foreskin.

If it's warm enough, let your baby lie on the changing mat without a nappy on for a while. Wearing a nappy all the time makes nappy rash more likely.

If you're using disposable nappies, take care not to get water or cream on the sticky tabs as they won't stick if you do.

If you're using cloth nappies, put in a nappy liner and then fasten the nappy. Adjust it to fit snugly round the waist and legs.

Chat to your baby while you're changing them. Pulling faces, smiling and laughing with your baby will help you bond and help their development.

Try not to show any disgust at what's in their nappy. You don't want your baby to learn that doing a poo is something unpleasant or negative.

Nappy hygiene

Disposable nappies can be rolled up and resealed using the tabs. Put them in a plastic bag kept only for nappies, then tie it up and put it in an outside bin.

Washable cloth nappies don't have to be soaked before they're washed, but you may choose to soak them to help get the stains off. Check the washing instructions first.

Cloth nappies can be machine washed at 60C, or you could use a local nappy laundry service.

There's no evidence that using washing powders with enzymes (bio powders) or fabric conditioners will irritate your baby's skin.

Wash nappies that are dirty with poo separately from your other washing.

To avoid infection, wash your hands after changing a nappy before you do anything else.

If your baby's old enough, they can wash their hands with you as it's a good habit to get into.
Learn how to wash your hands properly

What baby poo looks like

Your baby's first poo is called meconium. This is sticky and greenish-black.

Some babies may do this kind of poo during or after birth, or some time in the first 48 hours.

After a few days the poo will change to a yellow or mustard colour. Breastfed babies' poo is runny and doesn't smell. Formula-fed babies' poo is firmer, darker brown and more smelly.

Some infant formulas can also make your baby's poo dark green. If you change from breast to formula feeding, you'll find your baby's poos become darker and more paste-like.

If you have a girl, you may see a white discharge on her nappy for a few days after birth.

It's caused by hormones that have crossed the placenta to your baby, but these will soon disappear from her system.

These hormones can occasionally cause slight bleeding like a mini period, but in both cases it's nothing to worry about.

Read the NCT guide to newborn baby poo.

How often should my baby do a poo?

Babies do an average of 4 poos a day in the first week of life. This goes down to an average of 2 a day by the time they're 1 year old.

Newborn babies who are breastfed may poo at each feed in the early weeks, then, after about 6 weeks, not have a poo for several days.

Formula-fed babies may poo up to 5 times a day when newborn, but after a few months this can go down to once a day.

It's also normal for babies to strain or even cry when doing a poo.

Your baby isn't constipated as long as their poos are soft, even if they haven't done one for a few days.

Is it normal for my baby's poos to change?

From day to day or week to week, your baby's poos will probably vary.

If you notice a definite change of any kind, such as the poos becoming very smelly, very watery or harder (particularly if there's blood in them), you should talk to your doctor or health visitor.

If your baby's poos look pale, this can be a sign of liver disease.

Speak to your health visitor or GP if you notice this.

Disposable and washable cloth (reusable) nappies

Disposable and cloth nappies come in a range of shapes and sizes. The choice might be confusing at first, but with trial and error you'll be able to work out which nappies suit your baby best as they grow.

Disposable and cloth nappies have different pros and cons, so you'll need to consider things like cost, convenience and the impact on the environment when you choose what to buy.

For example, disposable nappies are very handy, but washable cloth nappies work out cheaper if you add up the costs over the years your baby's in nappies.

Some cloth nappy brands and local councils offer free samples for you to try out.

If you use cloth nappies, you may want to sign up to a nappy laundry service that'll take away the dirty nappies and deliver a fresh batch each week.

The 'Which?' consumer information website has more information and advice to help you decide which type of nappy is best for your baby, budget and lifestyle.

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Your guide to changing a nappy, what to do with dirty nappies, baby poo and different types of nappy

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Make a change today! Discover healthy recipes, food swaps, nutritional advice, and top tips and activities to help the whole family stay healthy.

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The Infantrisk Center provides counseling and data on the use of drugs and other substances in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

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RoSPA's home safety department produces a wide-range of advice and information resources on all aspects of accident prevention in and around the home.
We campaign for change and provide a large range of resources such as posters, publications and DVDs all intended to inform, educate and help to prevent accidents in the home and garden.

From the under-5s to the over-65s, and everyone in between, RoSPA has the hints and tips you need to protect your loved ones in their own homes.

Browse our information

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RoSPA's home safety department produces a wide-range of advice and information resources on all aspects of accident prevention in and around the home. We campaign for change and provide a large range of resources such as posters, publications and DVDs all intended to inform, educate and help to prevent accidents in the home and garden.

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Safety for babies, including preventing falls, burns and scalds, choking and suffocation, strangulation, drowning and poisoning.

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P1: Familiar Songs
P2: Makeup Songs

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MT - Louise Brown - Using Music to Support Your Baby's Development (Maternity Care) May 2020

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Ages zero to three are the most important for lifelong mental health and well-being.

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Find out what to do when your baby’s ill, whether she’s developing normally, how to get her to sleep through the night, and much more.

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We develop simple, educational and interactive tools to support parents-to-be and new parents so every child in the UK has the best start in life.

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Fussy Baby Network® - Infant Specialists Supporting Struggling Families

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Fussy Baby Network® - Infant Specialists Supporting Struggling Families

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Erikson Institute's Fussy Baby Network helps families struggling with their infants' crying, sleeping, or feeding.

Fussy Baby Network serves any family caring for their fussy babies through our free warm line. These free phone consultations are available in English and Spanish.

Our infant specialists are here to help - not to judge.

We take calls from around the world. And the call is free. An infant specialist will answer your call Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. After hours, we will respond to your message the next business day.

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Fussy Baby Network | Parent Support for Fussy Infants | Erikson Institute

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Erikson Institute's Fussy Baby Network helps families struggling with their infants' crying, sleeping, or feeding. Fussy Baby Network serves any family caring for their fussy babies through our free warm line. These free phone consultations are available in English and Spanish. We take calls from around the world.

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Antenatal Classes - resources

General Resources

Feeding and Nurturing your Baby

Postnatal Stay and Discharge Info

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During your pregnancy, you'll be offered a range of tests, including blood tests and ultrasound baby scans.

These are designed to:

help make your pregnancy safer

check and assess the development and wellbeing of you and your baby

screen for particular conditions

You do not have to have any of the tests - it's your choice. However, it's important to understand the purpose of all tests so you can make an informed decision about whether to have them. You can discuss this with your maternity team.

Weight and height checks in pregnancy

You'll be weighed at your booking appointment, but you will not be weighed regularly during your pregnancy. Your height and weight are used to calculate your body mass index (BMI).

If you are overweight you have an increased risk of problems during pregnancy.
Find out more about being overweight when you get pregnant
You're likely to put on 10 to 12.5kg (22 to 28lb) in pregnancy after being 20 weeks pregnant. Much of the extra weight is because the baby is growing, but your body also stores fat for making breast milk after birth.

Talk to a GP or midwife if you are concerned about your weight.

It's important to have a healthy diet in pregnancy and do regular exercise during your pregnancy.

Antenatal urine tests

You'll be asked to give a urine sample at your antenatal appointments. Your urine is checked for several things, including protein.

If this is found in your urine, it may mean you have a urine infection. It may also be a sign of pre-eclampsia.

Blood pressure tests in pregnancy

Your blood pressure will be checked at every antenatal visit. A rise in blood pressure later in pregnancy could be a sign of pre-eclampsia.

It's very common for your blood pressure to be lower in the middle of your pregnancy than at other times. This is not a problem, but it may make you feel lightheaded if you get up quickly. Talk to your midwife if you're concerned about it.
Find out more about high blood pressure and pregnancy

Blood tests and scans in pregnancy

As part of your antenatal care, you'll be offered several blood tests and scans. Some are offered to everyone, while others are only offered if you might be at risk of a particular infection or condition.

All the tests are done to make your pregnancy safer or check that the baby is healthy, but you do not have to have them if you do not want to.
For more information visit our page about screening tests in pregnancy

Blood group and rhesus status

You will be offered a blood test to tell you whether you are blood group rhesus negative or rhesus positive. If you are rhesus negative you may need extra care to reduce the risk of rhesus disease.

Rhesus disease can happen if you are rhesus negative and pregnant and involves your body developing antibodies that attack the baby's blood cells. This can lead to anaemia and jaundice in the baby.

If you are rhesus negative, you may be offered injections during pregnancy to prevent you from producing these antibodies. This is safe for both mother and baby.

Iron deficiency anaemia

Iron deficiency anaemia makes you tired and less able to cope with loss of blood when you give birth.

You should be offered screening for iron deficiency anaemia at your booking appointment and at 28 weeks.

If tests show you have iron deficiency anaemia, you'll probably be offered iron and folic acid.

Gestational diabetes

You may be at higher risk of developing diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes) if you:

are overweight

have had diabetes in pregnancy before

have had a baby weighing 4.5kg (9.9lb) or more before

have a close relative with diabetes

have a south Asian, black or African Caribbean, or Middle Eastern family background

If you're considered to be at high risk for gestational diabetes, you may be offered a test called the OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test). This involves drinking a sugary drink and having blood tests.

The OGTT is done when you're between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant. If you've had gestational diabetes before, you'll be offered:

early self monitoring of blood glucose levels, or

an OGTT earlier in pregnancy, soon after your booking visit, and another at 24 to 28 weeks if the first test is normal

Find out more about gestational diabetes

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Find out about checks and tests you'll be offered in pregnancy, including blood and urine tests, and blood tests for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.

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Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological booklets 

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Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological booklets 

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The Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological booklets listed below and available to view and download FREE OF CHARGE. This change was made in July 2019 to benefit patients and professionals. Booklets are still available to order in a professional hardcopy if desired.
Booklet price list and order form
POGP's Copyright Policy

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The Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological booklets listed below and available to view and download FREE OF CHARGE. This change was made in July 2019 to benefit patients and professionals. Booklets are still available to order in a professional hardcopy if desired. Booklet price list and order form POGP's Copyright Policy

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Homepage | La Leche League International

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During the early days with my third baby, I felt a special connection in my heart and soul with my LLL colleagues and with all the mothers whose breastfeeding wisdom has been passed along.

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Feeding | Information and support for babies & toddlers | NCT

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Whether you're breastfeeding, formula-feeding or both, you'll find lots of useful articles about feeding here. Plus, tips on introducing solids when you're ready.

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RoSPA's home safety department produces a wide-range of advice and information resources on all aspects of accident prevention in and around the home.
We campaign for change and provide a large range of resources such as posters, publications and DVDs all intended to inform, educate and help to prevent accidents in the home and garden.

From the under-5s to the over-65s, and everyone in between, RoSPA has the hints and tips you need to protect your loved ones in their own homes.

Browse our information

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RoSPA's home safety department produces a wide-range of advice and information resources on all aspects of accident prevention in and around the home. We campaign for change and provide a large range of resources such as posters, publications and DVDs all intended to inform, educate and help to prevent accidents in the home and garden.

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Medicines are not always needed for minor illnesses like coughs and colds in children.
If your child does need a medicine, it's important they have one that's right for their age and you know how to give it to them safely.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen for babies and children

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are safe for treating pain and a high temperature in babies and children. Both are available as liquid medicines for young children.

It's best to choose a sugar-free version. Medicines that contain sugar can harm your child's teeth.

Make sure you get the right strength for your child's age and check the label for the correct dose. Or you can ask a pharmacist for advice.

It's a good idea to keep one or both medicines stored in a safe place at home.

At what age can I give my baby paracetamol or ibuprofen?

You can give paracetamol to children aged 2 months or older for pain or fever.

You can give ibuprofen to children who are aged 3 months or older and who weigh more than 5kg (11lb).

If your child has asthma, get advice from a GP or pharmacist before giving them ibuprofen.

Do not give aspirin to children under 16 unless it's prescribed by a doctor. It's been linked with a rare but dangerous illness called Reye's syndrome.

If you're breastfeeding, ask your health visitor, midwife or GP for advice before taking aspirin.
Read more about breastfeeding and medicines

Antibiotics for children

Children do not often need antibiotics. Most childhood infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics only treat illnesses caused by bacteria, not viruses.

If your child is prescribed antibiotics for a bacterial infection, they may seem better after 2 or 3 days. But it's important to always finish the whole course to make sure all the bacteria are killed off.

If you do not finish the whole course, the infection is more likely to come back. It also increases the risk of the bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics.

Antibiotics work best if they are given at regular intervals. Giving them to your child at the same times each day may help you to remember.

Giving medicine to your child

Make sure you know how much and how often to give a medicine. Recording it in your child's Personal Child Health Record (PCHR, or red book) may help you remember.

Always read the label on the bottle, and stick to the recommended dose. If in doubt, check with a pharmacist, health visitor or GP.

Most medicines for young children come with a special measure called an oral syringe.

This helps you measure small doses of medicine more accurately. It also makes it easier to give the medicine to your child.

If you're not sure, your health visitor or pharmacist can explain how to use the syringe.

You can also watch a video from Great Ormond Street Hospital showing how to use an oral syringe.

Never use a kitchen teaspoon to give your baby or child medicine, because they come in different sizes.

Children and side effects from medicine

The leaflet that comes with a medicine will list any possible side effects.

If you think your child is reacting to a medicine - for example, with a rash or diarrhoea - speak to a GP, health visitor or pharmacist. In the evenings or at weekends you can call NHS 111.

Keep a note of the medicine's name in your child's red book for future reference.

Can you get over-the-counter children's medicines for free?

Some pharmacies run what's known as a minor ailment scheme for specific ailments, such as coughs and colds and diarrhoea and vomiting.

When pharmacies provide medicines as part of a minor ailment scheme, you get the medicines on the NHS. You will not pay a prescription charge for children under 16.

Not all pharmacies offer a minor ailment scheme, and the ailments covered by the scheme vary from area to area.

Children's medicine safety tips

Always check the expiry date - if you have any medicines at home that are out of date or your child no longer needs them, take them to a pharmacist to dispose of safely.

Never give your child medicines that have been bought or prescribed for someone else.

Always keep medicines out of your child's reach and out of sight.

Ask a pharmacist about storing the medicine - some need to be kept in the fridge or out of direct sunlight.

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Medicines are not always needed for minor illnesses like coughs and colds in children. If your child does need a medicine, it's important they have one that's right for their age and you know how to give it to them safely. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are safe for treating pain and a high temperature in babies and children.

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We provide information across all areas of accident prevention. To save time we provide information hubs

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Safety Labels & Regulations Checking Toys Playing Safely

Safety Labels & Regulations

In the UK there are rules and regulations to try and make sure that the toys we buy for children are safe.

When buying toys look for safety labels. There are some approved labels that show the toy meets the quality and safety standards recommended to keep children safe.

CE Mark

The CE mark means that the toy meets all the rules for toy safety set across Europe.

The Lion Mark

The Lion Mark shows the toy has been made by a quality approved British toy maker.

Age Warning

This age warning acts as a guide to whether a toy is safe or not for an age group. Parents and carers should think about the needs of their own child, as children develop at different rates.

Kitemark

The Kitemark shows a British product has met quality and safety levels. This is not just used for toys but is found on things like safety equipment e.g. a cycle helmet.

Even though there are rules and laws to make sure that the toys sold in the UK are safe, some unsafe toys are still found for sale illegally in this country.

Checking if toys seem safe for your child is a good habit to get into. You can reduce the risk of buying unsafe toys by;

Buying from well known toy stores and online shops.

Taking extra care to check items when you buy second hand or from markets and car boot sales.

When checking toys remember;

Some items that look like toys are not designed to be played with. Be careful with things like Halloween or Christmas decorations which may not be safe.

Old toys may not have the same safety standards or could be worn out. They can break and hurt a child.

If the toy has batteries they should be safely secured needing a screwdriver to open the compartment. Button batteries are especially dangerous.

If a toy connects to Wi-Fi or blue tooth, the NSPCC have advice on the possible risks and how to keep children safe. to find out more.

Think about your child's age and development. Be careful if you have children of different ages and abilities, and make sure that unsuitable toys are kept out of reach. Young children should be supervised whilst they play and all children should follow any instructions that come with a toy to make sure they can play safely.

Could they put it into their mouth and choke on it?

Might small parts/ loose fur break off?

Has it any strings or straps that could be a strangulation risk?

Remember - check all toys from time to time. If they are broken they should be thrown away not sold or sent to charity shops.

Playing Safely

Keep play areas clear - tidy up regularly to avoid trips and falls.

Children may play with toys at other people's houses or groups that are not safe for their age or stage of development. Keep an eye on what they are playing with.

If you are at play areas and playgrounds check it seems well maintained and has safe surfaces. Make sure your child has the physical skills to play there safely.

Use safety equipment - for example helmets and protective clothes when skate boarding, scooting or riding a bike. This reduces risk of serious injury whilst still letting your child be active and have fun.

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More than 35,000 children under the age of 15 have to go to A&E each year because of injuries caused by toys. This is why it is important to know that the toys your children use are suitable for their age and safe to play with.

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In The Home

Make sure your pet always has a place to go to get away from everyone when they need it.

Teach your child from a young age that they must leave their pet alone when it goes there and when it is asleep.

Always feed pets like dogs away from children - animals will defend their food.

Teach your child never to go up to animals they do not know.

It can help to play sounds of babies crying to your dog before a new baby is born. This can get you dog used to the sound and feel less stressed during periods of baby crying.

Pet Hygiene

Hygiene is especially important when you have pets.

Wash your hands and your child's hands well every time you touch a pet and always before eating.

Clean up any animal poo straight away and wash your hands carefully. It can harm people; especially children and pregnant women.

Wash animal bedding regularly.

Make sure your pet is treated for fleas and worms as required - discuss this with your vet. *Click Here* to find a local vet.

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In The Home Make sure your pet always has a place to go to get away from everyone when they need it. Teach your child from a young age that they must leave their pet alone when it goes there and when it is asleep.

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Read about head injuries and concussion, what symptoms to look out for, when to seek medical advice or treatment and how to care for a minor head injury.

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a wound has soil, pus or body fluids in it, or it's still dirty after cleaning it

you were bitten by a person or a wild or stray animal

a cut is swollen, red and getting more painful or pus is coming out of it

a cut is larger than around 5cm (2 inches)

you've cut yourself and also feel generally unwell or have a high temperature

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

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a wound has soil, pus or body fluids in it, or it's still dirty after cleaning it you were bitten by a person or a wild or stray animal a cut is swollen, red and getting more painful or pus is coming out of it a cut is larger than around 5cm (2 inches) you've cut yourself and also feel generally unwell or have a high temperature You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

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Childhood Illnesses

Children are very likely to feel poorly at some points during their lives, as their bodies build immunity to infections. While it’s hard to stop your child from ever getting sick, the information below will help you find out more about the illnesses and how help your child at home.

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Latest from Twitter

RT @NHSNWCCG: You don’t need to go to A&amp;E for things like: ➡️ Minor cuts ➡️ Sprains ➡️ Rashes Visit a minor injuries unit instead and get…

NorfolkCYP, 27 May 2022

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At Just One Norfolk, we believe its important to recognise the signs and causes of childhood illnesses. Find out more on caring for sick children here.

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Breastfeeding - YouTube

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