Between the afternoon naps, the breakfast throw ups and the tender breasts, you may not be feeling your best right now. You may find that your reduced energy levels mean you can just about make it through the day, before collapsing on the sofa unable to move again for a good 12 hours.

While your body is busy nurturing and nourishing your unborn child, you need to make sure you’re taking the same care of your other relationships, including with your partner. Pregnancy can put a huge amount of strain on a relationship. Financial worries, mood swings, insecurities over being good parents, and an ever growing to do list, can leave you both feeling a little frayed around the edges. So how do you make sure you take care of each other, and your relationship, during pregnancy?

1. Make time for each other – yes there is lots to do and a bump-shaped ticking time bomb waiting to go off, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have date night. Make the most of your last months alone – go to the cinema, eat out and enjoy spending time together (without having to fork out on a babysitter).

2. Talk about other things – it’s only natural that the pregnancy is taking up all of your thoughts, but do try to talk about other things too. If you just talk about the baby, it’s easy to forget you are a couple – it’s easy to fall into the parent trap.

3. Take a babymoon – this will be your last chance to go away hassle free. No worrying about travel cots, babysitters or nap schedules. You can disappear, just the two of you, and spend some quality time together.

4. Be intimate – depending on your hormones, you may feel erotically charged or absolutely turned off. If you’re feeling turned off, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy each other. While you may not want your sore breasts touched, or you may not feel in the mood for penetrative sex, there may be other ways you can be intimate. Even if it’s just snuggling on the sofa, intimacy and physical contact are important for a healthy relationship.

5. Tell him he’s important – it can be easy to put all of your focus on the baby, and your partner may end up feeling a little left out. Everyone will be focusing on you and how you’re feeling, you will be focusing on the baby and the pregnancy, and it might feel like no-one is looking after the dad-to-be. Make sure you look after him, and let him know how much he means to you. Tell him how much you’re looking forward to seeing him as a father, and why you know he’ll be great at it.

Do you have any tips for keeping the romance alive during pregnancy?

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.

Childbirth classes are designed to help you and your birth partner prepare for labour, birth and the early days of parenthood. The class sizes tend to be small to allow you and your birth partner to actively participate in the sessions.

There are two main types of childbirth classes:

• hospital run classes – these tend to be led by a health professional, and often take place in a hospital or birth unit
• privately run classes – these classes are run privately by trained course leaders

Childbirth classes are not compulsory, but they are advised for pregnant women. Not only will they help to prepare you for the birth, but they will also help to prepare your birth partner. They are also a great opportunity to meet other mums due to give birth around the same time. Many women stay friends with their childbirth classmates, and watch their children grow up together.

What happens at a childbirth class? Most childbirth classes cover the following topics:

• fetal development
• maternal changes during pregnancy
• giving birth
• meeting your baby
• health and wellbeing
• where to get support

Information given will vary between classes. Many childbirth classes also offer sections on some of the following:

• choosing where to give birth
• pain relief during labour
• birthing positions
• relaxation and breathing techniques
• interventions
• caesarean sections
• bonding with your newborn
• basic parenting skills such as nappy changing, sleep and bathing
• breastfeeding

If there are any topics you would particularly like to explore in your childbirth class, contact your course leader in advance and let them know. Most course leaders will be very accommodating of your requirements, and many tailor the sessions to fit the individuals present.

When should I go to childbirth classes? Childbirth classes are most useful during the third trimester. Most women attend childbirth classes around their 34th week of pregnancy. By this point, you will probably have lots of questions about birth and parenthood swimming around in your head. Attending a course in your final trimester means that the information is likely to be fresh in your mind when it is needed.

Hospital classes are the most affordable option, although they may have bigger class sizes. The prices of private courses vary greatly, and will depend upon the style of class you choose and your location.

Your healthcare provider will be able to advise you of the childbirth courses in your local area. Make sure you take your birth partner along to the childbirth classes. The information is as much for their benefit as it is yours.

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.

If you’re charged with organising a friend’s baby shower, you’re probably feeling the pressure. Fear not, we’re here to help. We’ve come up with a list of fun baby shower games that will please even the most bloated, exhausted and achy mum-to-be!

1. Decorate the bump – All you need for this game is some organic toxin-free face paints, and the bump of your mum-to-be. Nominate the most creative party guest to do the painting, and don’t let the mum-to-be see until it’s finished. From simple designs like flowers, hearts and stars, to mind-blowing masterpieces, the bump makes a great canvas for whatever you can muster. Be sure to take lots of photos.
2. Guess the baby food – this is a classic baby shower game. All you need is a selection of pureed baby foods, some spoons and a blindfold. Party guests have to try the food, and then guess the flavour. Offer prizes to get the competitive juices flowing. Be warned though, baby purees are not that tasty!
3. Baby pictionary – this game is pretty straightforward. You’ll need a whiteboard or flipchart paper and appropriate pens. Replace the usual pictionary cards with baby-related words and activities. Split the party into two teams (or more, if it’s a large shower), and play pictionary. Allow one minute per go, and one go per person. This game will get people out of their seats.
4. Pass the poop – for this game you’ll need nappy changing supplies, music, dolls and a collection of dirty nappies/diapers. Don’t worry – they’re only pretend dirty nappies/diapers. Fill them with foods that look like baby poop, such as marmite, melted chocolate and peanut butter. Play pass the parcel. When the music stops, whoever is left holding the baby, has two minutes to change the nappy. Make sure you time them – and no prize if they’re too slow or do a sloppy job.
5. Guess who – this game needs some advanced planning. You’ll need to print out a baby picture and a recent photograph of each shower guest. Split the party into two groups, and make sure they have the photos of the opposite team. Ask each team to pair up the recent photograph with the correct baby photo. Use a timer and don’t give them long to decide. The winning team gets a prize. This is a fun game, especially if not all of the shower guests know each other.

If the mum-to-be has a favourite game, you could customise it to make it baby-shower friendly. Even a typical drinking game such as “I have never” can be adapted to fit around a baby theme. You just have to take out any alcohol related aspects!

It’s the little details that really make baby showers memorable. You could make the mum-to-be a coupon book of pledges. Ask each party guest to pledge something. For example, a pledge to clean her bathroom, or babysit one evening, or cook her a meal. Just something little each person could do, to help her adapt to life as a new mum.

Throwing a baby shower is a great way to help your friend prepare for impending motherhood. It gives her a chance to see all of her friends, and have fun. It also shows her how many people care about her, so she knows she has a support system in place for when the baby arrives.

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.

Congratulations! You made it to the third trimester! Chances are you are getting pretty excited about the next couple months as you get closer and closer to meeting your baby.

You also might start feeling some contractions during the third trimester that have you slightly concerned. Are they real contractions, or Braxton Hicks contractions?  And what is the difference?

Braxton Hicks contractions are considered ‘practice contractions’ that typically occur throughout the third trimester. They were named after an English doctor in 1872, and affect nearly 88% of all pregnant woman. The key to Braxton Hicks contractions is that they do not cause your body to go into labor. They are quite simply, contractions of the uterus and abdominal wall that go away after a while, typically subside if you change position and are your body’s way of practicing for labor.

Just like an Olympic athlete trains and practices before competing, your body is also preparing for labor and delivery. Typically, around the 28th week and beyond, you will feel your stomach ball up and tighten, then release. Many women call their doctor in fear that they are in early labor. Most often doctors will recommend that you walk around, hydrate, and monitor the contractions to make sure they are not occurring in any sort of pattern, or getting harder and closer together over time.

If the contractions subside, they are simply Braxton Hicks contractions. If you still aren’t sure, your doctor will likely do some fetal monitoring, check your cervix to see if it has effaced and decide from there whether or not you should be worried.

Braxton Hicks contractions can be uncomfortable, but typically do not cause a lot of pain. They do provide you with a great opportunity to practice coping skills, though, and this will prepare you for labor. If you feel pain in your back, or in the vaginal area, or have any bleeding or mucous loss, you should definitely consult your doctor.

Luckily, once you have had a few rounds of Braxton Hicks contractions, you will be a pro at being able to identify them. When real labor pains come, you will definitely know the difference!

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.

An episiotomy is a surgical cut to your perineum (the area between your vagina and anus). To perform an episiotomy, your healthcare provider will use surgical scissors to make a small cut in your perineum shortly before the baby is delivered. The area will be numbed using a local anaesthetic administered by injection.

Will I need an episiotomy?

Historically, episiotomies were considered a routine part of labour. These days, however, this is not the case. Episiotomies should now only be used if medically necessary. If given without reason, an episiotomy can actually do more harm than good.

Many women find that they tear slightly during labour. Studies have found that natural tears heal better and are less painful than episiotomies.

Although episiotomies are now used less frequently, they may still be recommended in some circumstances such as:

• fetal distress
• ventouse (vacuum) or forceps delivery
• shoulder dystocia

How to avoid an episiotomy

Of course, you will find it very difficult to avoid a necessary episiotomy, and may even, in some circumstances, welcome it as a way to ensure the health of your baby and yourself. However, many women want to avoid the use of unnecessary episiotomies. There are a number of ways to avoid episiotomies in the delivery suite:

• Discuss it in advance. If you feel strongly that you would like to avoid medical interventions like episiotomies, speak to your healthcare provider about this. Try to find a healthcare provider who shares your views on labour and intervention. Write a birth plan, and be sure to note down your reluctance towards an episiotomy.
• Labour in upright positions such as standing or squatting.
• Hypnobirthing and relaxation techniques during labour may reduce your risk of medical intervention, as does hiring a doula for childbirth support.
• Apply a warm compress to the perineum during labour.

To avoid natural tearing, you should refrain from pushing when the baby’s head becomes visible during labour. By taking a number of short, panting breaths, you allow your perineum time to stretch. Your midwife will guide you through this process and instruct you when to alter your breathing pattern.

Healing after an episiotomy or tear

The perineum is actually designed to stretch and tear, so the good news is that it heals quickly. Once the placenta has been delivered, your healthcare provider will examine you. If you require stitches for your natural tear or episiotomy, dissolving stitches will be used. This will be done soon after labour.

Dissolving stitches take up to one month to heal. Your healthcare provider will check that the cut has healed at your six week check.

You may find that you feel sore and tender for a number of days following the birth. Most women report no discomfort just a week after the birth, however for some women the pain can last up to a month or longer.

If you are experiencing pain after an episiotomy or natural tear, you may find that the following remedies help to relieve discomfort:

• applying an ice pack to the area
• pelvic floor exercises – these will increase blood flow which aids healing
• pouring warm water from a jug onto the area during urination
• taking warm baths – regular bathing also minimises the risk of infection
• light exercise such as walking can improve blood circulation and aid healing
• air the stitches – lie on your bed with the stitches exposed for 10 minutes a day
• speak to your healthcare provider about over-the-counter pain relief

If you are worried that your stitches may be infected, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Signs of infection include red swollen skin, any pus or discharge and constant pain.

Sex after an episiotomy

Your perineum should be completely healed by your six week check. Your healthcare provider may advise you to wait until your six week check before having sex.

Nine in 10 women who had episiotomies found sex to be painful at first, so you may find sex to be slightly uncomfortable. You may find that you feel tighter, or more tender, than before. The pain will disappear over time. Allow plenty of time for foreplay, use a water based lubricant and experiment with different positions until you find one that feels most comfortable.

Do not have sex until you feel ready, and always stop if you are experiencing pain. Remember, penetration isn’t the only way to have a sexual relationship; there are other ways to be intimate.

Some women report that sex is painful for a number of months after an episiotomy or natural tear. If you are worried about the pain, please speak to your healthcare provider.

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.

Around week 18, you may start to feel your baby for the first time. The first few movements might feel like flutters or bubbles inside your tummy. As your baby grows bigger, you will notice the movements becoming stronger and more deliberate.

Some babies develop a pattern of movements by the third trimester, usually resting around the same time each day. Not all babies do this though, and some pregnant women report no pattern to the movements felt throughout the day. There is no normal pattern, or average number of movements, because all pregnancies are different. This is why it is important to get an idea of what is normal for your pregnancy.

You may notice that the baby responds to your activities throughout the day. After drinking a cold drink or eating a meal, you may notice an increase in your baby’s movements. You may notice that during periods of activity, there is a reduction in fetal movements as the movement helps your baby to fall asleep.

Counting the kicks

If you have noticed a regular pattern of fetal movements by week 28, you may be able to rely on that as a way of monitoring baby’s movements. If your baby does not have predictable periods of activity throughout the day, you may want to try counting the kicks.

To count the kicks, you should have a cold drink or something to eat, and then lie down on your left hand side. This may wake the baby up and give him more room to stretch out. You should time how long it takes you to feel 10 movements. They don’t have to be goal-scoring kicks, just the odd nudge will suffice. Hiccups don’t count, but pretty much everything else (for example, swishes, punches, kicks and rolls) counts as movements. You should be able to count 10 movements within two hours.

Reduced fetal movements

If you have noticed a reduction in fetal movements, you should count the kicks as detailed above. If you are unable to feel 10 movements in one hour, you should contact your healthcare provider for advice. Your healthcare provider may ask you to go in to be checked out. Around 70 percent of women reporting reduced fetal movement go on to have uncomplicated pregnancies.

If you notice a significant or sudden change in fetal movements, you should contact your healthcare provider. It is always best to speak to your healthcare provider if you are feeling worried about your baby’s health.

Are you counting the kicks during your 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.

Neon is hot! Energizing, bright colors are the trend, and neon has made its way into baby clothes and nursery decoration. Trendy parents-to-be have started adding fluorescent pops of colour to their basic palette. When planning your baby’s nursery, how will you go about choosing nursery colors?

Research has been done on how color affects mood, and you can use this information to plan a nursery to best suit your needs. Your baby may not even notice the red walls, but they may be too distracting for you. Blue walls, though, might be calming when you’re in the room for nighttime nursings. Here’s what a rainbow of colors can do for you:

Red is passionate, bold, exciting and it attracts a lot of attention. Use it as an accent color rather than a wall color, as it might pull out your baby’s volatile side.

Orange is warm and cozy. It inspires comfort and closeness. An orange accent wall may be just what your nursery needs.

Yellow is cheerful and energetic. Tired in the morning after the 3am feeding interrupted your sleep. Maybe yellow nursery walls will energize you to get your day started. Too much yellow, though, can cause agitation – tone it down or use it as an accent.

Green is calming. It’s refreshing and serene, and promotes concentration and thinking. You can’t go wrong with this color from nature.

Blue can be soothing and cooling, but can also be depressing. So choose shades with less gray and more yellow or white.

Purple can be the color of royalty (if dark), or can be a shade that is more calming and serene (if pastel). Whichever you choose, it’s a luxurious choice.

White signals innocence – but remember it has to be clean. Maybe not the best choice for baby. Consider white as a base color.

Black is powerful, and signals strength. But it’s also very dark and should be limited to accents in a room with lots of natural light.

So what are you going to do? Decorate your nursery with neon coloured children’s wall stickers? Or brighten up your crib or cot with some soothing light green fabric? Maybe you’ve already started knitting some little yellow socks to inspire energy and cheer?

Let us know what you think!

Written by Team Health & Parenting 

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.

Have you noticed that since you have become pregnant, your mother-in-law (or partner’s mom) has been overly involved in your life. Has she been offering all sorts of advice, and trying to tell you what you should and shouldn’t do along the way?

Pregnancy definitely brings out the best and the worst in people. Chances are that the grandparents to be of the baby are super excited about your up and coming birth and are eager to share and be part of everything. And this can be both a welcome way to bond with extended family, and a frustrating intrusion.

For so many women, dealing with meddling mothers-in-law is very difficult. If she is overly involved in your pregnancy, and seems to be overstepping her boundaries with you, you can pretty much bet that once the baby is here, she will be even more over burdening. While the help can be wonderful, and the extra interest in your pregnancy can make you feel loved – it can also feel a little intrusive.

Setting boundaries with the in-laws is never easy. Enter pregnancy into the picture, and things are complicated ten-fold. But it is something you must do.  Gently, of course. First, try to see her interest in your pregnancy as just an extension of the love she feels for the baby to be. When you see her actions coming from a place of love, it will feel a little less officious. Remember that she is EXCITED. Chances are she is not purposely trying to undermine you in any way, and may not even realize she is doing this.

Secondly, listen to her. This doesn’t mean that you have to do everything that she says, or follow her advice to a tee – but give her the courtesy of hearing her out. After all, she has been here before and she may have some useful information. If she inquires as to why you are not doing something ‘her way,’ just assert yourself and say, “I appreciate your concern, but I think this is a better choice for me.” This will help to slowly and surely set boundaries that show you respect her, but that you are also a capable and responsible adult who can make her own decisions as well.

Another thing to consider BEFORE delivery is whether or not you are going to allow your in-laws in the delivery room. Giving birth is very personal, and only YOU can decide who you want with you. Many people want the birth to be a private experience saved for just mother and father of the baby. And this is okay. Even if your in-laws or extended family don’t understand it, this is a once in a lifetime moment for you and the father-to-be, and you need to take steps to make it about you and your new family. They can meet the baby soon enough in the waiting room, right?

Another tidbit of advice: from the moment your baby is born, set limits with pesky in-laws who meddle. It is not okay for a grandparent to visit unannounced at any time of day. It is not okay for a mother-in-law (or your own mom) to make decisions for your baby regardless of what you think or feel. You and the baby’s father are the ones who get to make the decisions.

Last but not least, if your mother-in-law is meddling and a little intrusive – ask for your partner’s help. Remember this is HIS mom, HIS family – and he should advocate for you so that you aren’t the bad guy in the situation.

Having a baby changes the family dynamic in many ways. Most of the changes are positive and only enhance the amount of love and bonding that takes place. Still, it can be a rocky road in the beginning to set boundaries and limits with others.

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 world seems to be filled with products claiming to be essential items for your newborn. Companies are practically jumping out of catalogues screaming “buy me!”. Nappy (diaper) brands and toy shops seem to be vying for your attention as you sit down to watch TV. You can’t even open a newspaper these days without baby-related coupons falling into your lap. The baby product market is huge, and continues to grow each year.

It won’t surprise you to hear that you don’t really need to buy every single product available for babies, but how do you know which ones to buy? Here’s a new baby checklist for you:

Clothes
This is probably one of the most enjoyable purchases, because the clothes are so tiny and adorable. But – yes, a but – there’s no need to break the bank. Your baby will probably receive lots of clothes from admiring visitors, so you really only need to buy the essentials. You will need:

• seven bodysuits
• seven sleepsuits
• a hat (for warmth or shade, depending on the season)
• knitwear (cardigans are easy to put on and take off – avoid jumpers for the first few months)
• socks or booties
• a few bibs

It’s unlikely that you’ll get through the pregnancy without buying at least one outfit for your unborn child, so do enjoy the odd splurge.

Changing
Now we’re getting to the less glamorous side of parenting – dirty nappies (diapers). During the first year, your baby will require around 3000 nappy changes. Yes, you read that right. For this wonderful pastime, you will need:

• diapers (cloth or disposable)
• wipes (washable or disposable)
• a changing mat
• nappy rash cream (or coconut oil, if you’d like a natural alternative)

Sleeping
Newborn babies sleep a lot, some up to 18 hours a day, so you want to make sure they’re comfortable. You’ll need to buy:

• a bed – this could be a side sleeper to attach to your bed, a crib, a bassinet, or a cot. Your baby will probably spend at least the first six months sleeping in your bedroom, so think about this when choosing a bed for your newborn
• growbags or sleep sacks – these are considered safer than blankets, so it’s worth investing in a couple of these
• blankets – these are great for when your out and about, or having a cuddle on the sofa
• bedding – your baby will need a firm mattress and sheets for his bed. Be sure the mattress fits the bed well. Do not use a pillow or blankets for a sleeping baby

Feeding
Your feeding purchases will depend on whether you decide to breast- or bottle-feed your baby. For breastfeeding, you may need:

• burp cloths
• a nursing pillow
• nipple cream
• breast pads
• nursing bras

For bottle fed babies, you will need to buy:

• 4-ounce bottles and teats
• 8-ounce bottles and teats
• formula (speak to your healthcare provider for information on deciding which brand to use)

Health and safety
It’s easy to overlook the safety aspects of having a newborn in the house, but you shouldn’t. You will need:

• a first aid kit
• a digital ear thermometer
• baby nail clippers
• a baby monitor

Toys
For the first few months of life, your baby won’t pay much attention to toys, but you may like to have a few to hand just in case. You may like to purchase:

• a couple of books
• a rattle
• a teether

Remember, your baby will probably receive a few toys as gifts, so you don’t need to buy lots.

The biggies
You will need to buy the following big items in preparation for your baby’s arrival:

• a car seat – this is a must-have. They won’t let you leave the hospital without it, so make sure you have one before you go into labour
• a sling – slings are a great way to carry your baby and keep your hands free for other things. Babies love hearing your heartbeat and being close to you, a sling is a great way to offer that while still being able to get things done
• a stroller – you may like to buy a stroller for out and about too, although you can choose to use the sling full-time, if you prefer
• a chest of drawers – you will need somewhere to keep all of your baby’s things, so it’s worth investing in some furniture, too.

Have you got all of the above in preparation for your baby’s birth? Do you think this list is missing any essential items?

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 2017. All rights reserved.

As you get later in pregnancy, and begin to develop the all too familiar feel of Braxton Hicks contraction, and the anticipation of labor and delivery loom, it is only natural to start adding more things to your list of worries. For many moms, one of the most common new worries is, “I’m 28 weeks, will my baby survive if born today?”

This worry can be made worse when you go to the doctor for your regular visit and they start using words such as, you are effaced, or your cervix is thinning, or your mucous plug is loosening. People may be telling you that you are ‘dropping’ which occurs near the end of pregnancy as the baby settles into the birth canal or that you appear further along than you really are. So you start worrying!

The biggest concern of course is what would happen if your baby was born early? The good news is that fewer than 1% of all babies born in countries where prenatal care if offered are born before 28 weeks. So the chance of this happening to you is slim to none. Additionally, with newer technology and advances in neonatal care, there have been babies born at 22 weeks who have survived. So if your baby were to be born today, at the 28 week mark, chances are he or she would survive.

But the road for your baby would be tough, and might include many complications. (We won’t delve into those here so we don’t unnecessarily worry you more.)

A pregnancy is considered full term after 37 completed weeks. If you are having any complications with your pregnancy that may foster a premature birth, you need to relax and take things day by day. Your baby is growing by leaps and bounds every day, and the longer you stay pregnant – the better off they will be in the long term.

While some women go into pre-term labor unexpectedly with no history of premature deliveries and without having a high risk pregnancy, this, too, is extremely rare. In most cases of premature birth you and your health care provider are aware of certain conditions that exist with you or with your developing baby that may increase your chance of delivering early. So, if you are visiting your health care provider regularly, following their recommendations and paying attention to your body and how you feel – chances are pretty good that you will make it to the full term marker. (Or frustratingly beyond!)

The best thing for you to do is to try not to worry. When anxieties seem to get the better of you, or you hear a story about a premature delivery that frightens you, take a few deep breaths and try to relax. At the same time, you can take heart knowing that if your baby were born today, while their future would be filled with a lot of medical intervention and possible complications, he or she does have a good chance at survival and living a healthy, normal life.

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.