If you’re preoccupied with baby budgeting, you may not be in the mood for a mammoth shopping expedition. Whether you’re saving for that top of the range pram, or trying to minimise your spending, you may be trying to pick up maternity clothes at bargain prices.

There are some items, though, that you should splurge on, if you can afford to. These include:

• Maternity bras – if there is one time in your life when your breasts need good support, it’s now. Your breasts will grow during the pregnancy, and again after the birth if you decide to breastfeed. They may feel sore, itchy and tender, so they deserve a bit of TLC. Head down to your local department store, or invite a maternity bra specialist to your house, for a fitting. You will probably need to be fitted twice during pregnancy, once when you first outgrow your pre-pregnancy bras, and again around week 36 if you are planning to breastfeed. If you value comfort, it’s worth splurging on this necessary purchase. You can save a bit of money by choosing nursing/maternity bras which will be useful after the birth too.
• Occasion wear – whether it’s a wedding, charity ball or birthday party, if you’ve been invited to a special occasion, you deserve a splurge. You’re already going to be the sober one, and will probably spend most of the evening answering the same five questions about your pregnancy. So, if you’re feeling a little self-conscious about your body, invest in an outfit that makes you feel your best. There are lots of flattering dresses, expertly tailored suits, and cute skirts available in the maternity section, so shop around until you find something you love.
• Shoes – some women find that their feet grow during pregnancy. You may find yourself needing a bigger size of shoe. Comfort is paramount during pregnancy, so if your shoes are feeling tight, buy some new ones. Some pregnant women suffer from swollen feet and ankles by the end of the day, and properly-fitting shoes could be all you need to reduce this pregnancy symptom.
• Coat – if you’re pregnant over the winter months, you will want to invest in a warm maternity coat. By the end of the pregnancy, your pre-pregnancy coat probably won’t stretch over your bump, meaning you’ll be left vulnerable to the cold. Invest in a good quality, warm winter coat, and make sure there’s room to grow into it.
• Pyjamas – ok, you could just make do with an oversized t-shirt, but there are some really cute maternity pyjamas out there and you deserve a treat. After all the sickness, and the fatigue, and the stretch marks, and the barely getting any sleep because you always need a wee, you deserve some comfy pyjamas.

Remember, any clothes you buy can be saved for later pregnancies or sold after the birth, so you can (sort of) argue they’re an investment for the future.

What is your favorite maternity clothing splurge?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Standing in a grocery store check out line with a cranky 18 month old who had totally (and suddenly) developed a strong willed mind of her own, it hit me. Here I was, 16 weeks pregnant, 4 months along – with another child, when the one that I already had was entering the threshold to the terrible two’s. She was too young to understand WHY mommy was tired, to grasp why I was a little crankier than usual and was still in the midst of mourning the loss of her own bedtime breastfeeding sessions with massive nighttime tantrums that left her sleeping in my bed.

What was I thinking?

All I could think about was that soon, I would have an infant, AND an independent two year old who still believed that the world revolved around her.  How was I going to cope with both? How would my daughter, who had been a one and only all her life, suddenly be able to share my time? And as the pregnancy progressed, how in the world was I going to keep up with her and the demands of my body?

One of the beauties, that we far too often overlook during a first pregnancy, is that with no other children in the home we can live in our world of dreams. We can nap when we want to, rest when we need to. We don’t have to submit to the constant demands of a child that needs caring for around the clock, and we certainly don’t have to feel guilty about being pregnant.

With the second pregnancy, regardless of how far apart your children are conceived – the emotions and amount of energy it takes can be all consuming. With the dream of a large family, with having more than one child, also comes the consequence of our children having to deal with mom being pregnant. And the reality is that when they are very young, the idea of a baby in mommy’s belly is as easy to conceptualize for them as a Dr. Seuss book.

There are however some words of advice, from someone who ‘has been there done that’ that can help.

1. Let go of guilt! Sure your only child won’t be an only child anymore. They will have to share. But this will also make them a brother or sister and will enrich their lives in many ways. Even if your toddler says they don’t want a baby brother or sister, or seems to be acting up because of the pregnancy, things will level out in the long run. One of the worst traps you can fall into is allowing your parenting to be led by guilt.
2. Rest with your child. Instead of trying to get things done when your child is napping, nap with them. Make sure that you utilize time to rest so that you can keep your emotional and physical batteries charged.
3. Talk often to your child about their baby brother or sister to be. It is important that you make your toddler feel involved. Tell them stories about how amazing it will be to be a big brother or sister. Ask for THEIR input about the baby. In other words, allow them to feel included. Most importantly, up-play their role as the BIG KID in the house. Also, consider allowing your toddler to help decorate the nursery or make something special for your newborn.
4. Don’t allow others to forget your toddler. Let’s face it, people get pretty wrapped up in a new baby and a pregnancy. And this can make your toddler feel worse. When people try to focus on your pregnancy – try to avert attention to your toddler. The last message your toddler wants to hear is that they are no longer important to anyone.
5. Ask for help when needed. You will be surprised how many people will be willing to help you. Too often, moms get caught up in the notion that they should be able to ‘do it all.’ The sooner you let go of this notion, the better off you will be.
6. Make sure your child has people and a place they feel comfortable without YOU. When delivery day comes, your child needs to know what will happen. Make sure that you make plans with family and or friends ahead of time and discuss them with your toddler so that they won’t be apprehensive come delivery day. Consider allowing your child to stay at home and have family members come to your house if they are apprehensive about sleeping away from home.
7.  Stay in your routine. To a toddler, a routine is imperative to their behavior and emotions. Try to keep things as normal as possible for as long as possible – even after the baby is born.
8. Be flexible. The reality will be that things ARE going to change. You may not be able to do everything by ‘the book’ with either the pregnancy or the new baby. Parent intuitively by listening to your needs.
9. Last but not least – remember that your 2 year old will remember things, whereas your newborn will not. Once the baby comes, make sure to schedule some special, alone time with your older child/ren so that they still feel special.

One thing is for sure. Time seems to make everything better. Most of the time our worries about what the future holds are far worse than the realities.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Mom-Spirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Many pregnant women wonder when they will feel their baby kick for the first time. Your baby starts moving around inside you, during the first trimester. At around week eight, your baby will start to bend and startle. You probably won’t be able to feel anything for quite some time though. Remember, at this stage, your baby is very small. You need to wait for him to bulk out a little, before you can start feeling his kicks and nudges.

When will I feel the first movements?

Most women first feel their baby move between weeks 18 and 20. These initial movements may feel like butterflies in your tummy. Some mums don’t feel anything until a bit later into the pregnancy, depending on the position of the placenta. Second time mums often feel movements sooner, partly because they already know what it feels like.

As your baby grows bigger and stronger, so too will the movements. Over time, the movements will become more deliberate and more frequent. Your baby will have times of rest, and periods of activity just like you. Although, as luck would have it, they don’t often choose to match your schedule. You may find that your baby starts their acrobatic session at around the time you’re trying to get some sleep.

By week 24, your baby may start to get hiccups. This can be quite an odd sensation, but doesn’t usually last very long. As your baby gets more cramped in the uterus, rather than somersaults, you will now be feeling a series of punches and kicks, as your baby tries to get comfortable.

Bonding

Some women report that feeling their baby move for the first time, made the pregnancy seem more real. When your baby is moving around, you know they are awake so this is a great chance to bond. You can talk to your bump so that baby gets used to your voice. This is also a great opportunity for dad to bond with the bump. Let him feel your stomach as his baby kicks, and get him to talk to the baby too. Many dads report how special it was when they felt their baby kick for the first time.

Reduced foetal movements

Your baby will establish a normal pattern of movement, such as somersaults at bedtime. All babies are different, but you will soon learn your baby’s routine. There is no need to write down each kick, but it is worth paying attention to the general pattern. If you notice you haven’t felt your baby kick at his usual acrobatics time slot, you might feel concerned.

Doctors and midwives usually recommend that you begin counting movements of your baby around the 7th month of pregnancy (about 28 weeks). Around this time you will get to know the pattern of your baby’s movement in a much better way, so you will be able to report any changes to your care provider.

Record the kicks

To record the kicks, choose a time of day when your baby is usually active. Try to count the kicks around the same time each day. Most women find that the best time to do this is 30-60 minutes after dinner since that is often when your baby is most active. Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down. Start a new session when you begin counting your baby’s movements.

Use our App and continue counting by pressing the kick button each time you feel a kick until your baby has moved 10 times. Count any movements including kicks, rolls, swishes, or flutters. If you can’t feel your baby move, try to wake the baby up by drinking a glass of juice, by eating or drinking something sugary, or by walking around for few minutes. Once your baby wakes up, start counting again.

If you notice a considerable INCREASE or DECREASE in movement compared to your baby’s normal daily activity, call your doctor immediately for further advice and directions. If you are worried, always contact your healthcare provider. Don’t wait for your next appointment, and never think your concern is silly.

Your healthcare provider may ask you to go in for monitoring. They will listen to your baby’s heartbeat, and they may offer you a scan, to check your baby is developing ok. In most cases, baby is fine and well, and just a little sleepy.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Congratulations! You are pregnant with twins.

Chances are your happy news is quickly met with the question about whether or not your twins are identical or fraternal? And what is the difference? Can doctors know before you give birth whether you have identical or fraternal twins?

Basically identical twins develop from ONE fertilized EGG that splits in two. Identical twins are essentially genetic photocopies of one another. This means that they will look very much alike, and will be the same gender. Identical twins also sometimes share the same placenta and are called monochorionic. Sometimes, during early ultrasounds doctors can look at the placenta and tell if they share a placenta or not. Making things even more difficult is the fact that some identical twins do not share a placenta, even though they originated from one egg. Most often, doctors will not know whether your twins are identical or fraternal until genetic testing is done after delivery.

Fraternal twins do not necessarily look alike and are as genetically similar as any other siblings are. Fraternal twins occur when a woman ovulates more than one egg and both are fertilized. In some instances, this fertilization can occur a few days, or even a week or more apart, depending upon when the eggs were released. Fraternal twins do not share a placenta, and can be two girls, two boys, or a boy and a girl.

In some instances – even after birth, many people will mistake your twins for identical or fraternal based on their appearance. While most identical twins are genetic carbon copies and share the same DNA, your twins can be identical yet still have some aesthetic differences. Additionally, identical twins DO NOT have the same fingerprints which seems to strengthen the idea that there are genetic differences.

And strangely enough, even twins who don’t look alike are often mistaken by others as identical simply because they share a birthdate.

At some point, finding out for sure whether your twins are fraternal or identical is an important piece of information to have. If your twins have any health problems later in life doctors can benefit from knowing whether they are identical or fraternal. Anomalies and birth defects can occur more commonly in identical twins than in fraternal twins, although experts aren’t exactly sure why and believe it has something to do with whether or not they shared a placenta or had their own.

All the way around, having twins is a blessing! While it may make your pregnancy more difficult and you are certainly in for a lot of work and lost sleep once they are born, you are also in store for TWICE THE LOVE!

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Adults are advised to drink six 8-ounce glasses of water each day, and during pregnancy this rises to eight 8-ounce glasses. This works out at around 2.5 litres of water every day. It may sound like a lot, but you should try to make sure you drink this much water each day throughout the pregnancy.

Does it have to be water?

No, you can breathe a sigh of relief, you should drink eight glasses of fluid each day, but they don’t all necessarily need to be water. Fruit juices, cordials, soft drinks, milk, soya milk and even tea and coffee all count towards your fluid intake.

Sugary drinks (sodas and juices) contain a lot of empty calories, so you may want to limit your intake of these drinks.

You should also limit your intake of caffeinated drinks, such as tea, coffee and soda. Not only does caffeine actually dehydrate you, but research has found that consuming over 200mg of caffeine each day increases the risk of miscarriage for pregnant women. This equates to two instant coffees, one brewed coffee or five cups of tea. The 200mg of caffeine each day should also include any caffeine from food sources such as chocolate.

If you don’t like drinking water, consider adding fruit (lemon or lime, for example) to make it more palatable.

What about fluid retention?

Some women limit their fluid intake in an attempt to avoid fluid retention. In fact, drinking more water helps to avoid fluid retention. If you are not drinking enough water, your body begins to store water, and during pregnancy this can lead to swelling.

Benefits of staying hydrated

You may have noticed that pregnant women are frequently told to stay hydrated, this is because drinking enough water can help you to avoid a number of pregnancy conditions. The following conditions can be worsened by dehydration:

• swelling

• headaches

• constipation

• hemorrhoids

• bladder infections

• nausea

• skin problems

• braxton hicks contractions

Drinking the right amount

Not many people keep track of how much they drink throughout the day, but it is worth doing during pregnancy to make sure you’re getting enough fluids. You could buy a 2.5 litre jug and fill it with water at the start of the day, and try to drink the contents before the end of the day. If you’re out and about, you may prefer to carry an 8-ounce glass with you so you can keep track of your fluid intake. By drinking out of a cup you know to be 8-ounces, you’ll know when you’ve hit your minimum target.

You don’t need to keep track of your fluid intake for the whole nine months, but it might be worth doing a couple of times so you get an idea of how much you drink. If you’re falling short of the 2.5 litre recommendation, you may have to make a concentrated effort to drink more water.

When to drink more

You should increase your fluid intake by one 8-ounce glass for each hour of exercise you do. Even if it’s just light exercise such as swimming or walking, you should still increase your fluid intake. You may find that you are thirstier on hot days too, as your body tries to cool down, so try to increase your fluid intake on these days too.

Are you staying hydrated during pregnancy?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

For some, a pregnant woman’s body is a sight to behold. Some women find that they are radiant during pregnancy. They may love their growing bump, their fuller breasts and their glowing skin. Not all women feel that way, though. In fact for some women, pregnancy can feel more like an alien invasion than a gift. If you are one of these women, you may be finding it difficult to love your changing body. Here are some tips for learning to love your changing body:

1. Understanding is key to acceptance – if you understand why a change is taking place, it is easier to accept. While the sight of your enlarged, vein-ridden breasts may be troublesome, once you realise this is your body’s way of preparing to nourish your baby, you may feel less worried about the changes.
2. Pregnant doesn’t mean unhealthy – if anything, pregnancy should mean healthy. While your body is busy growing you a baby, you should be taking care of it. Eating healthily, taking regular exercise and making sure you get enough rest are all very important things you can do. If you continue to exercise throughout pregnancy, you may find it easier to regain your shape after the birth.
3. Pregnancy is a temporary change – while it may be quite a drastic change, remember it is just a temporary one. In just nine months, you’ll be helping your baby into the world, and your body will begin its transformation back to its pre-pregnancy state. Ok, you may find your breasts are always a little bigger, or your ribs are a little wider, but generally, things should go back to normal.
4. Celebrate your body – though you may not feel it all the time, pregnant bodies are beautiful. Your bump is something to be proud of, and you should feel comfortable showing it off. Rather than dressing to hide your bump, have at least a couple of outfits that showcase your growing bump for the world.
5. Create some memories – you may feel huge and heavy now, but one day you will look back on this time and think about how amazing pregnancy is (you can hardly believe it, can you?). Make sure you have some great photos of yourself pregnant, so that you can look back and remember just how big you got.
6. Be honest – there’s no need to pretend you love pregnancy. Some women love pregnancy, and others hate it. Be honest about your feelings, and talk about them with people you trust. This may even help you to see yourself in a more positive light.

How are you finding pregnancy? Do you love your new body, or shudder at the sight of yourself in the bathroom mirror?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

When you are pregnant, you will find that many people lose their manners when it comes to speaking to you. They say things that are unnecessary, or hurtful, or frightening, or just plain strange. It’s a weird phenomenon, really, that people seem to lose all their social filters when dealing with a pregnant woman.

The following are 5 things NOT to say to a pregnant woman. Ever.

1. Don’t say ‘You are too big or too small.’ Making reference to the size of a pregnant woman’s belly will just cause her to worry. Everyone carries differently. If she is huge – she is huge. If she is small – she is small. Simply accept the baby bump for what it is, and make references of how cute she is, or how adorable her belly is, but never question or be inquisitive about why she is either too big or too small in your opinion.

2. Never, ever share miscarriage, stillbirth or labor and delivery horror stories with pregnant woman. They don’t want to hear it. Seriously, just keep those things to yourself! All they do is cause unnecessary stress and even more worry for the pregnant woman.

3. Don’t ask, ‘Did you get a boy or girl this time?’ For some reason when people see a pregnant woman with a daughter or son, they automatically assume the family hopes to be pregnant with the ‘other’ gender. “Oh, did you get your son this time?” Not only does this hurt the already born children, but it is kind of rude. Who’s to say a pregnant mom doesn’t want two boys, or three girls? The assumption that the perfect family is a son and a daughter (in that order) is outdated.

4. Avoid telling a woman how much labor hurts, or the details of horrendous labor. In fact, the best thing to remind pregnant woman is that women have been giving birth since the dawn of mankind, and that everything will be just fine.

5. Parenting horror stories aren’t necessary. Forewarning them about how awful, or stressful rearing children is, or how their yet to be born baby will become a wild brat one day, is not necessary. Personalities and parenting choices are something every mom finds out on her own. Why burst her bubble now, when she is glowing with joy and basking in motherhood?

What are some of the things you wish people didn’t say to you while you were pregnant?

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

The second trimester is often the time during a pregnancy when a woman can relax some. The risk of miscarriage is reduced, and often the icky side effects of the first trimester are coming to an end. It also represents progress, and for many women, the second trimester is where they finally look and feel pregnant.

We have gathered the 8 Second Trimester PERKS, that will have you looking forward to the midway part of your pregnancy.

1.  You will finally start showing. Maybe you have noticed your baby bump, but during the second trimester others will as well! Being visibly pregnant definitely makes the pregnancy feel more real.

2.  You will get to have an ultrasound, and your baby will look like a real human. You will be amazed at how your baby – so tiny in the womb – has tiny fingers and hands that even move. The second trimester ultrasound is, for many, one of the highlights of pregnancy.

3.  Your energy levels will return. Certainly hormones are still running amuck. But the surges in progesterone will start to drop off, which will leave you feeling more like yourself and with a lot more energy. Plus, since you aren’t so big that mobility is a problem, you will likely be happy to exercise and stay active.

4.  You can begin sharing the news with everyone and anyone! Many people only tell very close family members (or no one at all) in the very beginning. But now that you are soaring through the second trimester you may be inclined to shout it from the rooftops.

5.  Your baby can hear you! This means they start learning your voice, they can hear music, and you can truly talk to your baby. Experts believe that babies learn to recognize their parents voices during the second trimester.

6. Sometime during the second trimester you will be able to feel your baby move. Feeling the baby move, and even better – seeing the baby move inside your belly – is truly one of the most remarkable and beautiful parts of pregnancy. The flutters you feel in the beginning will soon turn out to be all out kicks and punches. And during the second trimester, others will be able to see and feel the movements as well.

7.  You can get a fairly accurate estimate of your baby’s gender if you want it. With ultrasound technology, those who want to know can know – which means you can start planning for pink or blue, and coming up with baby names.

8. With you (hopefully) feeling better and having some extra energy to boot, the second trimester is the perfect time for a vacation or getaway. As long as your pregnancy is progressing smoothly, you wont have any limitations on travel and can enjoy one last getaway before the baby is born!

Tell us, what were or are your favorite parts of the second trimester?

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

The 16 weeks pregnant mark, or 4th month of pregnancy, is often a wonderful time in the life of a pregnant woman. Not only have all the icky side effects present in the first trimester disappeared – leaving you feeling full of energy – but this is also about the time that you will start to develop the beautiful baby bump! Maternity shopping here you come!

It’s also a wonderful time in the prenatal life of your baby. In fact, it is around this time that your baby is first able to see and hear.  He or she is still only 4-5 inches long and weighs only 3-5 ounces but is developing at a rapid pace! With the bones in his or her ears taking hold, you can now whisper sweet nothings to your baby and he or she will hear you. This is a great time to introduce your baby to your favorite music as well. Additionally, your baby is able to start seeing the difference light and dark, and may even be making cute little facial expressions. (These are all involuntary at this point.)

Many physicians will also schedule a sneak peek ultrasound around week 16 of pregnancy.  And yes, if you choose to find out the gender, the ultrasound at this point will be able to give you a fairly accurate guess of whether you are having a boy or a girl. If you want to find out the sex, you might want to wait until week 18 for the big ultrasound, just in case your due date is off.

As for you, things are probably going well. Weight gain will pick up, which is perfectly normal and okay. You aren’t likely feeling cumbersome and will likely rather enjoy the subtle roundness of your belly. Some of the early pregnancy symptoms which you may be glad to see go, will be replaced by some longer-lasting, but not so annoying pregnancy symptoms. For instance, you might start having some swelling in your feet, may have an increased appetite, nasal stuffiness, constipation, continued breast growth and an increase in vaginal discharge. Bleeding gums and problems with varicose veins may also start developing now. As your ligaments stretch, you may have some light back and abdominal pain, but nothing that will keep you down for long.

Your best bet now is to enjoy this time in your pregnancy. Things are fairly easy as of right now. Your baby is developing well and will soon be hitting rapid growth periods. Take care of yourself by eating well, exercising lightly and getting plenty of fluids and sleep. As you coast through the second trimester, know that the third trimester may not be as carefree and easy, as your pregnancy will probably start feeling more cumbersome.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Pregnancy is certainly a time of concern for every parent-to-be. At first, you are so excited about just being pregnant that you cannot contain yourself. Then, as time goes on, you hear more and more about prenatal screenings, things that can go wrong and horror stories of heartbreak from other women. It is easy and natural to become anxious. The best thing that you can do to arm yourself against worry is to do your research, and to be sure you understand everything that is going on with YOUR body.

The amniocentesis is one of the most common prenatal screening tests offered to pregnant women in the second trimester. It is normally done between week 16 and week 22, and is almost always an optional test. It does carry some risks, and there have been reports of miscarriage associated with an amniocentesis.

The strange thing is that many women don’t even know what it is, or what it is for, even when there schedule to have it done! Essentially, an amniocentesis is used to screen for genetic or chromosomal disorders. It can look for things such as Down Syndrome and even Cystic Fibrosis along with hundreds of other birth defects. Most often the test is only recommended for women if something uncertain is seen on the ultrasound, or if there are risk factors for genetic disorders. Knowing that certain diseases exist with your baby can help you to be prepared during childbirth, and also gives the medical staff a heads-up so they can have the appropriate neonatal experts on hand during your delivery. Some women even choose to terminate the pregnancy if they find out something catastrophic is wrong with their baby.

The problem is the test is not 100% accurate, and it is invasive. A small needle is placed inside your abdomen into the amniotic sac, and amniotic fluid is drawn from your body so that it can be tested for genetic defect. Additionally, many moms don’t want to know the outcome, because they know it’s not going to change their decisions about the pregnancy.

Your best defense, as mentioned above, is to know your options. If the test is encouraged by your doctor, ask WHY? Weigh the pros and cons, and be informed, even getting a second opinion if necessary. It is your body, your baby and your pregnancy.

The last thing you want to do is feel like a guinea pig during pregnancy. Yes, medical technology is an amazing and wonderful thing that can be helpful in many areas. But ultimately, consenting to the tests and screenings is always for you to decide.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.