Swollen feet during pregnancy is very common. Swelling during pregnancy (oedema) is generally harmless, but can indicate a more serious condition. Around 75% of pregnant women will experience oedema to some extent.

What causes swelling during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, your body retains more fluid than usual. The excess fluid accumulates in your body tissues, and this can cause swelling. This fluid tends to build up in the lower parts of the body, leading to swelling in the feet. Swollen ankles is a common pregnancy complaint. Some women may also find their legs, hands and face swell during pregnancy.

Swelling during pregnancy is most common in:

• overweight women
• hot weather
• the third trimester
• the evenings

How can I prevent swelling?

Oedema is a harmless condition, but can be uncomfortable. To avoid swollen feet and ankles, you should:

• wear flat shoes
• wear properly-fitting shoes
• avoid standing for long periods
• avoid crossing your legs
• avoid wearing tight socks
• avoid salt in your diet
• avoid caffeine
• stay hydrated
• rest your feet regularly throughout the day
• elevate your feet whenever possible

Taking regular exercise can help to prevent swelling by increasing blood circulation. Swimming, walking and yoga are all great forms of exercise during pregnancy. You can even exercise your feet at your office desk to prevent swelling. Foot rotations and foot flexes can help to keep blood circulation and decrease swelling. Spend ten minutes each day rotating and flexing your feet.

Drinking water is an important tool in the battle against fluid retention, crazy as it sounds! If your body thinks its not getting enough water, it will retain more fluid. By drinking plenty of water, you can stop the build up of excess fluids in the body tissues. You should aim for around eight glasses of water a day.

Some women find that their shoe size increases during pregnancy. If your shoes are starting to feel tight, you should purchase some new shoes. Tight fitting footwear can restrict blood flow and cause swelling. Your feet will swell over the course of the day. You should shop for new shoes at the end of the day to ensure a good fit even after swelling.

When to seek medical help

In rare cases, oedema can be a symptom of more serious conditions. You should contact your healthcare provider immediately if the swelling is accompanied by:

• redness
• pain
• streaking
• purplish skin

Oedema is a symptom of pre-eclampsia. If your hands, feet or face swell suddenly, you should seek immediate medical help. Other symptoms of pre-eclampsia include:

• visual disturbances
• vomiting
• severe headache
• high blood pressure
• protein in the urine
• pain below the ribs

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.

Heartburn is a common complaint of pregnancy. 22% of women experience heartburn during the first trimester. This number rises to 39% in the second trimester. By the end of the pregnancy, 72% of women have experienced some degree of heartburn and indigestion.

What causes heartburn?
They seem to get the blame for everything, but it’s hormones that cause heartburn and indigestion during pregnancy. Progesterone slows down digestion and relaxes the muscle valve between the oesophagus and stomach. This means stomach acid can leak into the oesophagus and cause heartburn.

Later in the pregnancy, the growing uterus puts pressure on your stomach. This can force stomach acid into the oesophagus and cause heartburn and indigestion.

Symptoms of heartburn and indigestion
You may suffer heartburn and indigestion at any point during the pregnancy, although it is most common during the final trimester. You may find that the symptoms are most noticeable straight after eating. You may experience the following symptoms:

• bloating
• wind / gas
• pain after eating
• nausea
• burping
• bitter or sour taste in your mouth

How can I avoid it?
The symptoms will disappear without treatment after the birth. To ease the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion during pregnancy, you can try the following remedies:

• eat smaller meals more often
• sit up straight when eating – this can help to keep the stomach acid where it should be
• avoid lying down straight after eating – let gravity do its job
• avoid eating too close to bedtime
• drink a glass of milk before bed
• eat fresh apple after every meal
• drink fruit teas
• avoid sugary foods
• avoid fatty foods
• avoid junk foods
• eat slowly – putting down your fork between mouthfuls can help to slow down your eating, and this can help to reduce the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion
• take small sips rather than big gulps of fluids
• drink fluids with meals
• avoid smoking

If you find that the symptoms of heartburn are keeping you awake, you could try sleeping propped up. The symptoms of this condition are worsened by lying down, so use extra pillows to keep yourself upright.

If the symptoms persist and are causing you a great amount of discomfort, you should speak to your healthcare provider. They should be able to advise you on medications that are safe to take during pregnancy which may ease the condition.

Some medications, such as antidepressants and anti-inflammatory drugs, may aggravate heartburn. You should speak to your healthcare provider if you think medications may be contributing to your heartburn or indigestion.

Do you enjoy this App? Good news! You can now also download our new Baby App for iPhone / iPad or Android. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

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.

Pre-eclampsia affects as many as 10 per cent of pregnancies. It is a serious condition that can affect both mother and baby. Pre-eclampsia can reduce blood flow to the placenta. If your baby does not receive enough nutrients and oxygen through the placenta, growth may be restricted. Pre-eclampsia usually occurs during the later half of the pregnancy. Women are most at risk of developing the condition after week 27.

If left untreated, pre-eclampsia can become eclampsia. Eclampsia is a serious condition that can, in rare cases, be fatal. The earlier pre-eclampsia is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat and manage. It is important you stay on the look out for symptoms of this condition.

What causes pre-eclampsia?

The exact cause of pre-eclampsia has not yet been determined, although it is believed to be related to placental malfunction. You have an increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia if:

• This is your first pregnancy.
• Your mother or sister has previously been diagnosed with pre-eclampsia.
• You have had pre-eclampsia before.
• You are over age 40.
• You had a pre-pregnancy BMI of over 30.
• You are carrying multiple pregnancies.

Symptoms of pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia requires immediate treatment, so it’s important you know how to spot the signs. Contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Excessive swelling, or edema, of the hands, feet or face
• High blood pressure
• Protein in your urine
• Severe headaches
• Visual disturbances
• Pain in the upper abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting

Your healthcare provider will run a series of tests to diagnose pre-eclampsia.Your urine and blood pressure will be tested, and you may require blood tests as well.

Treatment for pre-eclampsia

If you are admitted to hospital with pre-eclampsia, it is unlikely you will be discharged before the birth. Although some of the symptoms are treatable, the disease itself is progressive. The only way to treat pre-eclampsia, is to deliver the baby. Your healthcare provider will treat the symptoms of the condition with medication, bed rest and monitoring, until it is safe for your baby to be born.

At each antenatal appointment, your blood pressure will be taken, and a urine test will be performed. These tests aim to detect pre-eclampsia early. Often, there are no other symptoms, so it is vital you attend all of your antenatal appointments. If you are forced to cancel an appointment, make sure that you reschedule it straight away.

After the birth

You will be required to stay in hospital for a few days after the birth, so your blood pressure can be monitored. Most women find their blood pressure normalises within weeks of giving birth.

Do you enjoy this App? Good news! You can now also download our new Baby App for iPhone / iPad or Android. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

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.

Choosing to invite a birth photographer to attend your birth, and capture the event as it unfolds, is a very personal decision. The birth of your child is going to be one of the pivotal moments of your life, whether that is because of the strength and empowerment you feel giving birth, or because of the overwhelming you love you feel once that baby is placed in your arms.

If you have decided to hire a birth photographer to take professional photographs at the birth, you may be wondering how to find the right birth photographer. Here are some important things to consider:

1. Do you like their style?
Each photographer has a unique style, and a feel to the photographs that make them stand out. When you are looking for birth photographers, have a look through their portfolios. Choose a birth photographer whose style most appeals to you. There’s no point forking out for photographs you won’t love. Look on their websites, Facebook business pages, and ask to see photographs at your appointment, so you can get a feel for what’s on offer.

2. Do they put you at ease?
There is no modesty in birth. You will be, at least, semi naked, surrounded by strangers, at your most vulnerable. If you’re going to throw a photographer into the mix, make sure this won’t leave you feeling uneasy. Find a photographer who you click with, one who you think will blend into the background during the birth, and who you will feel comfortable around. Meet up with a few different photographers before making a final decision, so you can compare bedside manners.

3. Do they have the relevant experience?
You want a photographer who will be in their comfort zone during the birth. If you are planning to give birth at hospital, find a photographer who has experience of hospital births, ideally at the same hospital. Hospitals have rules and procedures that photographers must abide by, so choose a photographer who has experience of this.

4. Will they be available?
Sadly, your baby is unlikely to let you know when his birthday will be in advance. You may be calling your birth photographer at 10am on a Wednesday, or at 3am on a Sunday morning. Find out how your photographer’s availability works. Will you be able to get hold of them at the crucial time, and will they be able to guarantee being there for the birth (time permitting, of course). If, for example, there are certain times they may be unavailable, will those hours be covered by another photographer, and if so, will you get to meet them in advance?

5. How much will it cost?
Birth photography isn’t cheap, but prices can vary drastically. Find out about the costs, and whether there are any ways to reduce the price. Less experienced photographers may offer a discount for experience. Find out what is included in the price – will you be given the original photo files, or will you need to order prints through the photographer? If you need to order prints through your photographer, ask for the costs in advance so you can allow for this in your budget.

Now you’ve selected your birth photographer, you need to think about setting some ground rules. Decide what you want to be photographer, and what things are off limits (if any).

Are you hiring a birth photographer to capture your baby’s birth?

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.

An increasing number of women are choosing to spend at least some of their labour immersed in water. For some, this means a few hours in the bath at the start of their labour, and for others it means delivering their babies in a birthing pool. Birthing pools are now a common sight in birthing centres in the UK, and some women even choose to hire birthing pools for use at home. Water births are less common in the US, though many women still choose this option when planning a home birth.

If you are currently writing your birth plan, you may be considering water birth as an option. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages or water births:

The advantages:

• The warm water can provide relief from the discomfort of labour, and may even be used instead of medical pain relief
• It doesn’t prevent the use of other medicines, you would still be able to use certain forms of pain relief in the pool. Speak to your healthcare provider to find out more
• The water can have a calming effect, allowing you to relax during labour which can help labour to progress
• The water can support your weight, meaning you may find yourself free from the aches and pains of late pregnancy
• The water can support your weight, leaving you better able to change position and stay upright
• The pool around you can help you to feel more private and protected. Your healthcare provider will still be able to reach you if needed, though the barrier may help you to feel more in control during labour
• The calming effect of the warm water can help to lower blood pressure
• Giving birth in water is thought to reduce the risk of vaginal tearing

The disadvantages:

• There are some forms of pain relief that are not compatible with the pool, so you may need to abandon the birthing pool if you want to have one of those pain relief options
• If you get into the pool before labour is underway, there are concerns that you could slow down the onset of labour
• Birthing pools are not available in all birthing units, you will need to check with your healthcare provider whether you will be able to have one on the day
• If you are planning a homebirth, you will need to hire a pool yourself which you will need to budget for
• Not all women experience the pain relieving benefits of water, some simply feel disappointed when they get into the pool

Are you considering a water birth?

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.

Many people talk about the all-important mother baby bonding that takes place after childbirth. Some describe this time as an “Ah-Ha” moment, when they experienced such joy and love that they were overwhelmed like nothing before. Other women feel the process of bonding with baby took time and didn’t happen immediately.  The reality is that your individual circumstances and your experiences during labor and delivery can have an impact on how well you feel you bonded with baby.

The best advice about bonding with your baby, is to allow it to happen in its own time. Don’t feel pressured to make something magical happen, and realize that you have spent the entirety of your pregnancy bonding with your baby.

Additionally, the following 5 tips will help you feel even more connected to your baby!

1.  Give yourself time to heal! Those precious moments when you first see your baby are magical, indeed. In the hospital setting, however, when the doctors are poking and prodding you and your baby, you are exhausted, and inundated with visitors – you can feel a little detached.

2. Make sure you have time for just you and your baby! Seriously – kick well wishers out, or ask that they only visit during visiting hours. Just like your baby is adjusting to breathing air, you are adjusting to motherhood. You need time to BE with your baby, by yourself – or with just you and your significant other. If others find it rude, then so be it. Be very clear that you would like some private time.

3. Keep your baby in your room with you rather than sending him or her to the nursery. Having your baby with you, in skin-to-skin contact, not only helps with lactation, but also helps with the mother baby bonding experience. Plus, you will adjust to the noises that he or she makes, and your baby will feel safe and secure knowing that you are there.

4.  Keep a camera handy and take lots of pictures. You cannot recreate these first moments and before you know it you will be home and your baby will be crawling. Having the pictures to look back on helps you to remember those feelings in the first hours and days, and helps you to realize just how much you and your baby DID bond after delivery.
You can also use our Baby+ App for iPhone / iPad or Android to record your baby’s milestones and unforgettable moments, or use the App to create a time-lapse video by taking a picture of your baby every day. The App will then automatically produce a beautiful video.

5. Give yourself time. Adjusting to motherhood, in addition to dealing with a multitude of hormonal fluctuations is not always an easy transition. If you don’t have that “Ah-Ha” moment that people talk about, give yourself a break and try not to worry about it. Sometimes – likely in most cases – this bonding is built around time and togetherness.

What YOU will realize, is that although the individual mother baby bonding experience is different for everyone, YOU WILL BOND WITH YOUR NEW LITTLE ONE!

Do you enjoy this App? Good news! You can now also download our new Baby App for iPhone / iPad or Android. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

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 big day is finally here, you spent a few hours at home, bouncing on your birthing ball and breathing during contractions. Your contractions grew stronger, longer and more frequent, so you jumped in the car and headed to the hospital. You’re now bent over the front desk, huffing and puffing your way through another contraction, as your partner rubs your back while trying not to collapse under the weight of the three colour coordinated hospital bags you brought.

As your healthcare provider ushers you into your room and tells you to make yourself at home, your mind might be focused on other things. By this point, you may have forgotten the list of things you wanted to ask your healthcare provider. Of course, your healthcare provider will have a copy of your pregnancy notes, and this should include a birth plan; but birthing centres are busy places, so it’s always worth reiterating the important information in person. Make sure you tell your healthcare provider the following:

1. The type of birth you want – you don’t need to sit down and give a detailed and lengthy description including backing music and desired lighting, but it is worth giving a general outline. Would you like a water birth or active birth? What sort of positions would you like to try? Try to keep an open mind on the day, though. Remember, things can change.
2. Your desired pain relief – remember, this could all go out of the window because it’s impossible to predict how you will find labour, but you can give an idea of your thoughts on pain relief. If you’re hoping for a natural birth, your healthcare provider will try to support you in this plan. Alternatively, if you are hoping for an epidural, it is helpful to know this is a possibility so arrangements can be made with the necessary medical staff.
3. Your birth partner’s role – whether you want your partner to massage your back, get you drinks or sing your praises during labour, you should let your healthcare provider know in advance. Some birth partners may feel overwhelmed on the day, and forget to carry out certain roles, but your healthcare provider can help to involve them in the process if you state your wishes in advance.
4. Anything out of the ordinary – if you have experienced vaginal bleeding, or noticed a brown tinge to your mucus plug or amniotic fluid, you should inform your healthcare provider immediately. While it may be nothing to worry about, your healthcare provider needs to be fully informed about your situation to provide you with the best care.
5. How you feel about interventions – if you feel very strongly that you would like to avoid interventions, such as episiotomies, you should state this in advance. Of course, your healthcare provider is charged with safely delivering your baby, and sometimes interventions are unavoidable. However, knowing in advance that you want to avoid medical interventions may cause your medical team to question whether an intervention is really necessary before making a decision.

Finally, it never hurts to say thank you at the end. If you feel that you had the best care possible, and will be eternally grateful to your fantastic healthcare provider, let them know. Send them a card thanking them for their hard work. It’s always nice to feel appreciated.

Do you enjoy this App? Good news! You can now also download our new Baby App for iPhone / iPad or Android. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

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 2017. All rights reserved.

The idea of pregnancy nesting has been around since the dawn of mankind. In ancient civilization, women who were about to give birth were typically left to their own resources to create, literally, ‘nests’ of straw and hay for their baby. In fact, the tradition of nesting often involved the entire extended female family members as they celebrated together the up and coming birth of a baby.

Today, the idea of nesting is when a woman, late in pregnancy, suddenly gets the urge to get up and clean and prepare the house for no reason at all. If your friend comes over to find you cleaning the cabinets, and you are in your last month of pregnancy she will probably say, “Uh-oh, you are nesting – baby is coming.”

So is pregnancy nesting real or imagined?

The answer, just like many woman will tell you is that pregnancy nesting is absolutely the real deal. One day, you may wake up with all the urges of a domestic Goddess and energy to boot. This welcome boost of energy is usually attributed to a surge of hormones that takes place in the last phase of pregnancy. It can also be a way for you to burn off some of the anxiousness and anxiety you feel about giving birth. The baby may have also dropped, making you feel a little lighter on your feet and making it easier to breathe and move around. When the urge hits to clean every nook and cranny of your house, to do some laundry or to spruce up things that have been lying dormant for months, there is nothing wrong with following the urge. Heck, all this extra exercise and scrubbing may be just the thing to get your labor started!

Of course, if you are on any type of bed rest or modified activity, you may need to clean and domesticate with care, or enlist the help of family and loved ones. You may be able to satisfy the urge by sorting through bills or coupons, scrapbooking, or addressing the envelopes for the birth announcements.

Nesting for your baby, or otherwise preparing your home, occurs in around 80% of all pregnant women, somewhere after the 36th week of pregnancy. It may last for hours, days or even a few weeks. And this is just your way of making sure that everything is perfect and prepared for when the baby comes. Some experts say that even men tend to get a nesting instinct in the late phases of their partners’ pregnancies.

If the nesting instinct doesn’t hit you, though, no worries. Just sit back and relax and realize that the baby won’t notice whether the sheets are clean, the house is vacuumed or the cabinets are cleaned out.

Do you enjoy this App? Good news! You can now also download our new Baby App for iPhone / iPad or Android. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

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.

If you’re anxiously waiting for the birth of your first child, you’re probably wondering what signs of labour to look out for. As your due date approaches, you may be over analysing every twinge to discover whether labour is imminent. Don’t forget, only five percent of babies are born on their due date, so you may have a little longer left to wait.

The following signs of labour may help you to identify when labour has begun:

The show

Don’t worry, this isn’t one of those ‘give birth on national television’ scenarios, it’s simply the name given to losing your mucus plug. The mucus plug has been sitting at the entrance to your uterus since the pregnancy began, keeping your uterus sterile for the baby. As your cervix begins to soften and dilate, the mucus plug can become dislodged. You may notice a heavy vaginal discharge, this could be tinged brown or red. Alternatively, you may be completely unaware that you have lost your mucus plug.

Waters breaking

Only around 10 percent of women notice their waters breaking before the onset of labour. For most, labour is well underway before their waters break. The water is actually amniotic fluid released when the amniotic sac ruptures. If your waters do break first, this is a good indicator that labour will start within 24 hours.

The amniotic fluid should be clear. If it is tinged yellow, green or brown, it has your baby’s first bowel movement, meconium, in it. This could indicate that your baby is in distress, or could cause respiratory problems for baby after birth. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if there is meconium present in the amniotic fluid.

Bathroom breaks

As the baby prepares for the journey down the birth canal, you may feel pressure on your bowel or bladder which can result in a desperate need to visit the bathroom. This is normal, and is your body’s way of clearing your digestive system and ensuring baby has as much space as possible. Some women experience diarrhea during early labour, this is caused by labour hormones, and is another way of ensuring the baby’s route is free for the birth.

Contractions

The best way to find out whether labour has started, is to keep track of your contractions. If your contractions vary in length, are irregular and felt in the lower abdomen, it is probably false labour. While the name is disheartening, these contractions are actually very important. False labour contractions are thought to stretch the lower uterus in preparation for birth, and begin the process of dilating the cervix. Your cervix will be 4cm dilated before you are considered to be in labour, so there is a lot of preparation work to be done.

The contractions of real labour occur at regular intervals, and will grow stronger, longer and more frequent over time. They are more intense than false labour contractions, and are usually felt in the lower back. Ask your birth partner to keep track of your contraction times so that you can determine when labour has started. When the contractions last at least 45 seconds, and occur every 5 minutes, it’s time to head to hospital – it’s almost time to meet your baby.

Do you enjoy this App? Good news! You can now also download our new Baby App for iPhone / iPad or Android. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

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 2017. All rights reserved.

A cesarean birth (c-section) is the delivery of a baby through an incision in the mother’s abdomen. Over 30 percent of babies born in the US are delivered by cesarean, and the number is nearly as high in the UK. Cesarean birth is the most common procedure done in the operating room. While there is sometimes a medical need for a cesarean birth, keep in mind it is major abdominal surgery.

Elective c-sections are pre-planned for various medical reasons including breech presentation, some uterine abnormalities, chronic medical conditions, and a big baby. Some women may choose cesarean birth due to trauma from a previous birth experience.

Emergency cesareans are not planned in advance, and are usually carried out because the mother and/or baby is thought to be at serious risk. If the doctors are concerned about the survival of mother or baby, the c-section will be carried out rapidly. In other instances, there may be a less severe concern for mother or baby, and then a c-section will occur in a less hurried fashion.

Before the procedure
The doctor will explain why he or she feels this procedure is necessary, and you will be asked to sign a consent form. Your birth partner should be allowed into the operating room with you for the birth, although in a rapid emergency situation, this may not be possible.

General anesthetic is rarely used for c-sections. You are most likely to require an epidural or spinal for pain relief. These allow you to stay awake during the birth, but numb your lower half to prevent you feeling the procedure.

Once your anesthesia has been administered, a catheter will be inserted into your urethra, and an IV will be started. If necessary, the top section of your pubic hair may be shaved to allow for the incision.

Once in the operating room, you’ll be asked to drink an antacid medication. This is given as a precautionary measure in case you later require general anesthetic. Antibiotics will be administered through your IV.

The surgery
It’s now time for the surgery. You may be given some extra anesthetic at this point, and a small blue screen will be erected to prevent you from seeing the surgery. Your birth partner should be with you by this point, sitting next to you to offer reassurance. You shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure, but you may feel pressure or tugging as the operation is performed.

Your tummy will be cleaned using an antiseptic solution, and then a 10 cm (4 inch) horizontal incision will be made across your bikini line. In a small number of c-sections, a vertical cut will be made instead. Your bladder will be pushed down, and the doctor will make an incision into your uterus. If your waters haven’t yet broken, this will be done now. Then the doctor will reach in and deliver your baby. The cord will be cut, and then you should be able to meet your baby.

At this point, you will be given a shot to help deliver the placenta. If your baby is well, you and your partner should be able to enjoy skin to skin contact for the remainder of the surgery. Your uterus will be closed using dissolvable stitches, and then each layer of tummy muscle will be stitched back together. Stitches or staples will be used to close the incision site, and these will need to be removed up to a week later.

You should expect to stay in hospital for a few days. Remember, a cesarean birth is major surgery so it may take you a couple of months to fully recover.

Do you enjoy this App? Good news! You can now also download our new Baby App for iPhone / iPad or Android. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

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.