# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Mother's Day is a time to celebrate the miracle of life and reflect on not just how mothers have impacted our lives, but how motherhood has impacted them. During the course of nine months of pregnancy, moms-to-be undergo common physical and emotional changes that lead to childbirth, from weight gain to mood swings. However, Healthline.com's infographic " Body Changes During Pregnancy " illustrates the other surprising body changes women experience.

Body image becomes a huge concern for women during pregnancy. A full-term pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, says the Office On Women's Health, counting from the first day of your last normal period. These weeks are grouped into trimesters where a woman's body undergoes severe changes and discomfort.

A pregnant woman's body is ever-changing from the time of conception up until the time she gives birth. The effects of pregnancy are so influential, they affect the number of breaths per minute a woman takes. The respiratory system changes as the respiratory rate rises as a means to compensate for increased maternal oxygen consumption. This is needed for the demands of the uterus, placenta, and the fetus. The increase in breathing rate means an increase in cardiac output, blood volume, and resting heart rate. However, the expanding uterus on the large veins causes the blood to slow in its return to the heart.

The expansion of the uterus influences the functionality of the other systems in the body. The uterus will add approximately 2 pounds to a woman's body weight as it enlarges. It has the ability to rise up and out of the pelvic cavity, displacing the stomach, the intestines, and other nearby organs.

The abdomen itself begins to expand during the second trimester with the top of the uterus moving over the rib cage by the end of this stage. The more the uterus grows, too, the more pressure it puts on the bladder, urethra, and the pelvic floor muscles, which leads to frequent urination. It also forces the kidneys to work extra hard to excrete the mother and the fetus's waste products.

The more well-known physical changes associated with pregnancy include body weight, hair and nail texture, leg cramps, swelling of the feet and ankles, and body temperature.

View the infographic below to learn more about how the stages of pregnancy heavily influence a woman's body during these nine months.

Moms, this Mother's Day celebrate the body you're in.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How A Woman's Body Changes During 9 Months Of Pregnancy [INFOGRAPHIC]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mother's Day is a time to celebrate the miracle of life and reflect on not just how mothers have impacted our lives, but how motherhood has impacted them. During the course of nine months of pregnancy, moms-to-be undergo common physical and emotional changes that lead to childbirth, from weight gain to mood swings.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Always Ask - please share [full version]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Being your own champion during pregnancy is important. We know that over 60% of women worry about wasting their midwives' time. That's why Tommy's has launched a new campaign called #AlwaysAsk to encourage you to trust your instincts and not be afraid to ask about your concerns.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Find your local maternity units by searching for your postcode on the NHS maternity service .

How does the tool work

The interactive Where to give birth tool is designed to encourage women to think about where would be most suitable for them to give birth - be that at home, in a birth centre or in a hospital labour ward.

The recommendations of the tool are based on guidelines on place of birth from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the results of the Birthplace Study from the British Medical Journal (2011) as well as considerations for women's personal preferences.

Results are only an indication of a birth setting that is suitable based on the details you submit to the tool. It does not constitute medical advice nor guarantee availability of your option. It's your responsibility to discuss your choice with healthcare professionals to find the right place for you to give birth.

Coronavirus and birthing options

The RCOG says, 'Maternity units everywhere are working around the clock right now to manage additional pressures and facilitate women's choices.'

Although, like all areas of the NHS, maternity services are being affected by the pandemic, it says maternity units are working to ensure services are provided in a way that is safe, with the necessary staffing levels and the ability to provide emergency care where necessary.

In some areas of the UK, Trusts and Boards had to pause their home birth service or close their midwife-led unit but most of these cases have now been reinstated. You will be told if this is not the case.

Pregnant women with suspected or confirmed coronavirus are being advised to give birth in a hospital obstetric unit for the safety of both mum and baby, even if they had been planning delivery at home or in a midwife-led centre.

This is so that the baby can be monitored using continuous electronic foetal monitoring, and your oxygen levels, temperature and respiratory rate can be monitored, too.

This kind of monitoring can only take place in an obstetric unit where doctors and midwives are both present.

The RCOG says that women's birth plans should be followed as closely as possible and advises checking with your local maternity team as to what birthing options are available.

If you have chosen private antenatal care and to give birth in a private facility, contact them directly to see how coronavirus will impact you.

Page last updated 07/09/20. Please check out Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for any more recent updates.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find your local maternity units by searching for your postcode on the NHS maternity service . The interactive Where to give birth tool is designed to encourage women to think about where would be most suitable for them to give birth - be that at home, in a birth centre or in a hospital labour ward.

# data[].attributes.body
Ideally start focussing on your positions from 34 weeks to help baby get into optimum fetal positioning for labour

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
While there's definitely no right or wrong position for your baby to hang out in in your womb, labour's definitely easier if they're facing a certain way. That's head down, with their tummy facing your back.

Some babies though will lie with their back against your back, known as being in the 'occiput posterior' (OP) position.

"If they're in that position, giving birth tends to take longer - words no-one wants to hear. It's because your baby can't tuck their chin in so easily and that makes getting through the pelvis more awkward."

Giving birth to a back-to-back baby can also give you backache while you're in labour (Simpkin, 2010; RCM, 2012).

Here are some tips to help during pregnancy.

1. Lean forward

Forward-leaning positions, like getting on all fours, have often been recommended. There's no evidence that this can help turn your baby but it can reduce any backache that you're suffering because of the baby's position (Hunter et al, 2007). So it's definitely worth a go.

It can also be helpful in the first stages of labour to ease backache (Guittier et al, 2016).

2. Don't panic

In the end, your baby is very likely to end up in the occiput anterior position - one of the best positions. Only five to eight of every 100 babies end up back-to-back with you anyway (Tommy's, 2016). So try not to worry too much.

3. Get into positions where your pelvis and belly tilt forwards

Some ways to do that are:

Sit upright on a chair making sure your knees are lower than your pelvis and your torso is slightly tilted forwards.

Sit on a swiss ball.

Watch your favourite Netflix show while kneeling on the floor, over a beanbag or cushion or sit on a dining chair.

Use yoga positions, like sitting with your back upright and the soles of the feet together, knees out to the sides.

Sit on a wedge cushion in the car, so your pelvis is tilted forwards.

Sleep on your side, not on your back.

Swim with your belly downwards.

Any exercises that you do on all fours can be helpful too.

(Sutton and Scott, 1996; Andrew, 2010)

4. Avoid certain positions:

Sometimes you won't be able to but if you can, ditch:

deep squats

crossing your legs

sitting with feet raised

leaning back into a sofa or armchair.

Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about pregnancy, labour and life with a new baby.

Andrew CG. (2010) Considering non-optimal fetal positioning and pelvic girdle dysfunction in pregnancy: increasing the available space. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics. 11(2):783-788. Available from: http://jccponline.com/jccp_v11_n2.pdf [Accessed 13th August 2018]

Guittier MJ, Othenin-Girard V, de Gasquet B, Irion O, Boulvain M. (2016) Maternal positioning to correct occiput posterior position during the first stage of labour: a randomised controlled trial. BJOG. 123;2199-2207. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5132127/ [Accessed 13th August 2018]

Hunter S, Hofmeyr GJ, Kulier R. (2007) Hands and knees posture in late pregnancy or labour for fetal malposition (lateral or posterior). Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(4):CD001063. Available from: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001063.pub3/full [Accessed 13th August 2018]

RCM. (2012) Evidence based guidelines for midwifery-led care in labour: persistent lateral and posterior fetal positions at the onset of labour. Available from: https://www.rcm.org.uk/sites/default/files/Persistent Lateral and Posterior Fetal Positions at the Onset of Labour.pdf [Accessed 13th August 2018]

Simkin P. (2010) The fetal occiput position: state of the science and a new perspective. Birth. 37(1):61-71. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20402724 [Accessed 13th August 2018]

Sutton J, Scott P. (1996) Understanding and teaching optimal foetal positioning. Tauranga: New Zealand.

Tommy's (2016) Getting your baby into the best birth position. Available from: https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy/labour-birth/baby-best-position-birth [Accessed 13th August 2018]
Further reading
Andrews CM, Andrews EC. (1983) Nursing, maternal postures and fetal positions. Nursing Research. 32:336-341. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6567853 [Accessed 13th August 2018]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Tips: how to get your back-to-back baby into position for birth

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
While there's definitely no right or wrong position for your baby to hang out in in your womb, labour's definitely easier if they're facing a certain way. That's head down, with their tummy facing your back. Some babies though will lie with their back against your back, known as being in the 'occiput posterior' (OP) position.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Foods to avoid in pregnancy - Pregnancy and baby guide - NHS Choices

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Find out which foods to take care with in pregnancy, such as some cheeses, meats, fish, liver, eggs and nuts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Every mum-to-be knows that pregnancy can take its toll. Your growing bump can make it difficult to get comfy or sleep well. And your moods may be all over the place.

Help is at hand with our round-up of some of the best things about pregnancy.

1. In the early weeks, you get to share your special secret with those closest to you, and relish knowing something most people don't!

2. You can spend time planning, dreaming and fantasising about what life will be like once you're a mum.

3. You get to pick a whole new wardrobe as your baby bump expands.

4. Pregnancy is the perfect excuse to pamper yourself. Why not relax in a scented bath or massage a luxurious lotion into your growing bump?

5. Peanut? Bean? Pickle? You and your partner have the pleasure of picking the perfect bump nickname for your little one.

6. You can sign up for an antenatal class and develop new friendships that could last a lifetime.

7. For once in your life, watching your belly expand can be a positive experience. Make the most of it, and enjoy your womanly curves!

8. You can join your Birth Club in the BabyCentre community, and get 24-hour support and advice from other mums-to-be due at the same time.

9. At last you've got the cleavage you've always wanted, which means you also have a great excuse to buy lots of pretty new bras.

10. You'll learn so much about your body and your developing baby!

11. From now until your baby is one year old, you can get free dental treatment and prescriptions on the NHS. Pick up a maternity exemption form from your midwife or GP.

12. When you're pregnant, you're the boss! Put your feet up and let someone else do the chores for a change.

13. Suddenly you'll find you're getting lots of extra care and attention from friends, relatives, and even kind strangers.

14. If you have a sister, cousin or friend who is already a parent, take the opportunity to bond. After all, you've just won free admission to the parents' club!

15. When you're ready, you get the chance to tell anyone and everyone your exciting news, and watch their faces light up.

16. You'll suddenly discover talents you didn't even know you have! Whether it's knitting booties or assembling a flat-pack cot, you'll find yourself trying out all sorts of new skills.

17. You'll feel a new appreciation for your own parents.

18. You get to spend hours browsing online and wandering around shops, picking out the perfect theme for your baby's nursery.

19. Feeling those first fluttering kicks and thinking, "Is that what I think it is?"

20. There's no need for you to feel guilty for sending your partner to buy chicken tikka masala and ice cream in the middle of the night.

21. You get to watch your parents dig out your baby photos and reminisce about the days when you were a newborn.

22. When you do a little gentle exercise, you know that it's benefiting your baby as well as you. Not to mention the fact that staying fit can help you have an easier labour!

23. You're likely to have particularly vivid dreams, which you can laugh about with your friends.

24. When you feel that little pair of heels under your diaphragm, you know you'll soon be meeting the little person they belong to!

25. Whether you're shopping on the high street or online, you're bound to have tons of fun choosing cute outfits for your baby.

26. If you write a pregnancy diary, you'll know that you'll always have a record of this special time. Having your tips and tricks for coping with pregnancy written down may even make your next pregnancy easier to handle.

27. Even if you're normally camera-shy, it's lovely to have a record of your growing bump - one day you'll look back with amazement that you were ever this big.

28. You have a whole team of people ready to care for you and your baby: midwives, doctors, nurses, health visitors, breastfeeding counsellors and more!

29. When you're lying in bed or taking a shower, your baby's there with you, keeping you company.

30. Once you've written your birth plan, you can feel confident that your healthcare team will do everything they can to give you the labour you want.

31. You'll be amazed by what your body can do as your baby grows inside you.

32. Even if becoming a parent feels a bit scary at times, there's a whole new adventure waiting for you at the end of your nine months.

33. You have the incredible opportunity to bond with your baby before she's born by giving yourself a bump massage or chatting away to her.

34. Now you've said farewell to spirits and liquors for nine months, you can get creative by becoming an expert in non-alcoholic cocktail making.

35. You get to imagine what your baby will look like, and which traits she'll inherit from you and your partner.

36. When your BabyCentre newsletter arrives in your inbox, you get to put everything on hold so you can see how your baby's developing this week.

37. Whenever you look at your bump in a mirror, you can just pause for a moment to think, "Wow, there's a person in there!"

38. When scan day rolls around, you'll finally get to see your baby and take a picture home. You won't be able to resist gazing at it each day.

39. You get to watch your partner's expression as he sees the positive pregnancy test or feels the baby kicking for the first time.

40. Now you're done with the stress of trying to conceive, you and your partner can have fun experimenting with different sex positions for pregnancy.

41. After all these years of buying presents for other people's children, you finally get to choose something for your own baby.

42. Even though you know your child will follow her own path, there's still no harm in dreaming about, "My daughter the prime minister/pop star/brain surgeon."

43. You can spend whole evenings debating whether to call your baby Hermione or Cleopatra, Fritz or Stanley. Don't forget to try our BabyCentre baby name finder if you get stuck!

44. When you try all those exercises you learned at antenatal class, you may be surprised to discover that they actually work!

45. Listening to music becomes more entertaining as you get to see and feel your baby dancing around inside your bump.

46. When labour starts, you'll know that it won't be long before you finally get to meet your baby and hold her in your arms.

47. Pregnancy means it's party time! Enjoy the opportunity to be spoiled by throwing yourself a baby shower.

48. Maternity rights in the UK are getting better all the time. You and your partner can plan up to 52 weeks off work shared between you.

49. The day will come when, yes, you've done it! All those months of hard work lead to this, and now it's time to enjoy your new family!

50. The moment you look into your newborn's eyes, it will all have been worth it. Whether the bond between you is instant, or develops over time, you'll never know a relationship quite like the one you'll have with your child.

Discover what other mums-to-be love about being pregnant on the BabyCentre blog.

Last reviewed: December 2015

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
50 reasons to be glad that you're pregnant

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Every mum-to-be knows that pregnancy can take its toll. Your growing bump can make it difficult to get comfy or sleep well. And your moods may be all over the place. Help is at hand with our round-up of some of the best things about pregnancy. 1.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
1. Nipple stimulation is the only scientifically proven method of legitimately bringing on labour.

2. The longest known pregnancy lasted for a year and 10 days.

3. Babies can taste the food their mothers eat in the womb.

5. And some people think it may have something to do with yams.

6. It's possible to fall pregnant through oral sex. In fact, one woman conceived after oral sex and a knife fight.

12. Rabbits, dogs, pigs, whales, and humans all start as eggs roughly the same size (around 0.2mm).

13. The old wives' tale is true: Pregnant women who suffer with heartburn ARE more likely to give birth to babies with full heads of hair.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
22 Utterly Bizarre Scientific Facts About Pregnancy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
1. Nipple stimulation is the only scientifically proven method of legitimately bringing on labour. 2. The longest known pregnancy lasted for a year and 10 days. 3. Babies can taste the food their mothers eat in the womb. 5. And some people think it may have something to do with yams. 6.

# data[].attributes.headline
Building a brain. baby development in pregnancy and beyond

# data[].attributes.subject
Building a brain. baby development in pregnancy and beyond

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Early experiences affect the development of brain architecture, which provides the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health.

# data[].attributes.body
NCT guide to pregnancy stages

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
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.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A guide to the size of your baby as it grows from week to week check out the infographic.

# data[].attributes.body
Oxytocin, Adrenalin and Endorphins

# data[].attributes.body
Hospital Statistics

# data[].attributes.body
Choosing where to have your baby

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's a good idea to think about your birth choices well in advance, including where you want to give birth. Maternity services should give you choices and support you in where you want to birth (NICE, 2017). But your options for where and how you give birth will also depend on your needs, any risk factors you have and what's available where you live (NHS, 2018).

Giving birth in the UK is usually very safe for you and your baby, wherever you decide to have your baby (NICE, 2017).

Where can I give birth?

While your options for where you can give birth will depend on your needs, if you are likely to have a straightforward birth, you could have:

Birth at home

If you have a low risk pregnancy and both you and the baby are well, you might choose to give birth at home (NHS, 2018). If you're low risk and it's not your first time giving birth, you have a lower risk of having interventions at home and it's as safe as giving birth in a hospital (NICE, 2017). Home birth can have many benefits, including freedom to move and not having to travel to hospital.

You should bear in mind that your chances with a planned home birth of being transferred to an obstetric unit during labour or afterwards are higher for first births (45%) than subsequent births (12%) (NPEU, 2017).

Birth at a midwifery unit or birth centre

You can choose to give birth at a midwifery unit or birth centre. Midwifery units can either be alongside a hospital maternity unit or can be freestanding from the hospital. Both types of midwifery unit are led by midwives and tend to be more comfortable and homely.

In separate birth centres, you won't have immediate obstetric, neonatal or anaesthetic care (NHS, 2018). If you're low risk and whether you've given birth before or not, having your baby in a midwifery-led unit can be a good option. That's because you have a lower rate of intervention at a midwifery unit and it's as safe as giving birth in a hospital (NICE, 2017).

Another consideration might be your chances of being transferred to an obstetric unit during labour or after birth. Transfers for first-time mothers were 36% for planned freestanding unit births and 40% for planned alongside unit births. Mothers who had given birth before had a 9% chance of transfer from a freestanding unit and 13% from an alongside unit (NPEU, 2017).

Birth at hospital

If you have certain medical conditions, it might be safer have your baby in hospital. This is because hospitals have specialists who can help you if you need any treatment when you're in labour (NHS, 2018).

How do I choose where to give birth?

It's important that you and your partner research possible choices for birth near to where you live and discuss your birth options so you can make an informed choice. You can weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of giving birth at each location. If you're willing to travel, you can choose any maternity services (NHS, 2018).

You could ask your midwife for information and they can discuss the options available to you in your area. It's also good to get information from as many sources as possible.

Where you decide to give birth will depend on your wishes and any needs for clinical support you may have. Wherever you choose - hospital, midwife-led unit or home - the place should feel right for you.

The tool below from Which? will help you find out what your choices are by combining your preferences with research evidence. You can discuss the results with your midwife to decide where to have your baby.

How do I find a place to give birth that feels right for me?

If you are considering a birth centre or hospital birth, you can usually arrange a visit ahead of your expected due date (Which?, 2018a). That way you can familiarise yourself with the location and facilities, and get a feel for it. The place where you choose to give birth should feel like a good fit for you (NHS, 2018).

Other things to consider include the type of facilities available. For example, you might be considering a water birth in a birthing pool for pain relief (Which?, 2018b). You can plan to have a birthing pool at home and they might be available at some birth suites and hospitals. But if you did want a pool, you might have to ask in advance about the type and number of birthing pools they have.

Where can I find more birth choices information?

Children's centres

Your GP surgery

NHS postcode search which lists maternity services in your area (England only)

Local maternity units

Maternity services liaison committees - you need to ask your local hospital's maternity unit

The Birthplace Study

Your family or friends

What factors should I consider?

It's important to make an informed choice about where you would like to give birth based on any risk factors for you and the facilities available. Most women end up giving birth at the place of their choices (60%) and only a minority did not get their choice (one in 10) (NFWI and NCT, 2017).

When discussing where to give birth, you might like to consider the following:

What pain relief options will be available to me during labour? Check out your options in our articles about pain relief for home births, midwife-led units and hospitals.

Will there be an option for having a water birth or using water for pain relief?

Who will look after me during pregnancy and labour? Find out more in our articles about who looks after you at home, in a midwife-led unit and in hospitals?

How far would I have to travel when I'm in labour?

What are my chances of having medical interventions?

Is it possible for me to access specialist medical care or facilities if I need them? You can ask your midwife and take a look at our articles about what happens if you have complications at home, in a midwife-led unit or at hospital.

Will I have access to breastfeeding support at the facility?

Will I receive adequate services for postnatal care?

(Which? Birth Choice, 2018)

Having done your research and talked about your birth options with your partner, you will feel more confident in your birth choices.

If you or your birth partner need to or want to change your mind about where you give birth, you can do this at any point in your pregnancy. You may find later on in your pregnancy, or even as your labour progresses, that your birth options or your choices change (NHS, 2018).
This page was last reviewed in April 2018.
Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about pregnancy, labour and life with a new baby.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Birth options - choosing where to give birth

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's a good idea to think about your birth choices well in advance, including where you want to give birth. Maternity services should give you choices and support you in where you want to birth (NICE, 2017).

# data[].attributes.body
Information and exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles