When you are pregnant and already have children at home, you will likely be warned by health care professionals to be careful when handling your older children. The problem is that it is difficult to explain to your 2-year-old why mommy cannot pick her up.  Or to tell your 3-year-old that you can no longer carry him to bed. The reality is that many women, pick up, carry and hold their older children (to an extent at least) during pregnancy just like they did before. So then the question arises, is it dangerous?

According to experts, you shouldn’t try to lift or carry anything more than 20 pounds during pregnancy.  And yes, this includes children.  Even so – chances are good that you will still hold your toddler – and that there will be times when they might need to be carried. The trick then is knowing how to do these things as safely as possible, so that you don’t cause any harm to yourself or your unborn baby.

The first thing to do is to make sure that you lift from the legs rather than utilize your lower back and abdominal muscles. Bend at the knees and hips, and avoid bending at the waist. Also, sometimes rather than picking up your child, you can more easily crouch down to their level to give hugs and snuggles, or even swoop them up onto your lap. If you carry your toddler, it will be most comfortable to do so below your baby bump. Remember, your in utero baby is protected in a wonderfully saturated padding of amniotic fluid – so holding your toddler should in no way hurt your baby.

There are of course, a few exceptions. If you have a short cervix, have had a cerclage, have had pre-term labor, or have been told by a doctor that you should not be lifting your toddler or anything heavier than a watermelon – don’t do it.

Obviously, the last thing a mother wants to do is ‘push away’ or make her older child feel less important when she is pregnant with another. This is why it is important that you find ways to maintain physical closeness with your child, without lifting or carrying. And, trust that your toddler is old enough to understand that you have to be careful because you have a baby in your belly. You might be surprised how quickly toddlers can begin sibling bonding, rather than rivalry.

Later in pregnancy, it is definitely best to avoid lifting anything heavy at all. This in no way means that you cannot hold, rock or allow your toddler to sit on your lap. In fact, cherish these moments with your toddler while you can, because pretty soon they will go from being a one and only, to a brother or sister and will have to share your attention at all times!

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.

Craving chocolate? You are advised to limit your daily consumption to 200mg of caffeine during pregnancy. This should include all of the caffeine in your diet, not just the cups of coffee. On average, the caffeine contents of popular dietary sources are as follows:

• 1 instant coffee – 100mg
• 1 filter coffee – 140 mg
• 1 tea – 75mg
• 1 green tea – 50 mg
• 1 can of cola – 40 mg
• 50g milk chocolate – 25mg

Risks of caffeine during pregnancy

Caffeine travels across the placenta and can affect your baby. If you exceed the recommended 200mg of caffeine each day, you will have an increased risk of miscarriage and low birth weight.

Giving up caffeine during pregnancy

Some women choose to cut caffeine out entirely for the duration of the pregnancy. If you’d like to cut out the caffeine, try the following tips to help you give up the hard stuff:

1. Switch to water – instead of supping a soda during your lunch break, opt for a glass of water instead. Pregnant women are advised to drink eight glasses of water a day, you can achieve this by switching from caffeine drinks to good old fashioned water. Try adding a slice of lemon for flavour.
2. Cut out chocolate – chocolate cookies, chocolate ice-cream and chocolate bars all contain caffeine. Give up chocolate, and replace it with a healthy snack such as fresh fruit or mixed nuts.
3. Go herbal – give up your life-long tea and coffee addiction, and instead embrace life as an appreciator of herbal teas. Choose a herbal tea that is recommended during pregnancy (not all are), and have this as your new morning call.
4. Get enough rest – if you get enough sleep at night, you won’t need to rely on caffeine to prise open your sleepy eyes in the morning. Sleep whenever you feel tired, and trust your body to tell you when it needs more rest.
5. Expect withdrawal symptoms – for the first week of your new caffeine-free life, you may encounter a few symptoms. From headaches to mood swings, giving up caffeine can take its toll on your body. Caffeine is addictive, so expect the first week to be rough. Once that’s over, however, you should feel great.
6. Stay motivated – when faced with the withdrawal headaches, it can be hard to stay motivated. You may feel like running to the nearest coffee shop and ordering a double espresso, but don’t. Stay strong, stay motivated, and you’ll be over the worst of the symptoms in no time. Keep a scan photo, or a list of reasons why you’re quitting, with you to remind you why you’ve embarked on this challenge.

Do you have any tips for battling caffeine withdrawal 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.

Since the baby grows in our bodies, we women are usually the first to know about the pregnancy. Whether you’ve been trying for a while, or are at the beginning of a happy accident, you are no doubt excited to tell him he’s going to be a daddy. You may feel overwhelmed by it yourself, especially if you haven’t yet had chance to talk to your other half about it.

You might be waiting for the perfect moment to tell him. But then the phone rings, or the dog throws up, or it’s time for Downton Abbey. Or perhaps, nothing happens and it really is the perfect moment, but you can’t seem to get the words out. Your hands are sweating and something catches in your throat, because you know you’re about to change his life forever.

Here are some fun and creative ways to tell him he’s going to be a daddy:

1. Say it with a onesie – the shops are full of teeny tiny onesies plastered with “I love Daddy” designs. Choose a cute, neutral design, and give it to your partner as a gift. Cook a romantic meal, and present him with a gift bag before dessert. Or before the starters, if you can’t hold it in any longer!
2. Stay calm and drink tea – let his morning drink do the talking. There are lots of different mugs on offer, from “I love Daddy” to “World’s Best Dad”, or if you’re feeling cheeky, a “Who’s the Daddy?” slogan. Sneak downstairs first thing in the morning to make him breakfast in bed. Make sure he notices his new cup. This isn’t a great idea for a busy Monday morning where he’ll be trying to fly out of the door for a client meeting. Save it for a lazy weekend, so he can spend the rest of the day letting the news sink in.
3. Take some alone time – take him on a romantic mini-break to share the news. Taking him away from friends, family and other commitments will give him the chance to focus on this great development. If you go somewhere far from home, you’ll be able to talk freely about the news without worrying about people overhearing. It will also give you an opportunity to spend some quality alone time together, before the baby arrives.
4. Set the scene – all couples have a special place that holds sentimental value. It might be the very top of the Eiffel Tower where he asked you to marry him, or it might be the bench in your home town where you shared your first kiss. Wherever your special place is, take him there to break the news. If nothing else, the setting will warn him that you have something important to say.
5. Say it with a scrapbook – make a cute photo album of your time together, but leave the last few pages blank. You could start with photos of you both from around the time you met. Include any photos taken at the start of your relationship, some photos of your first holiday together and some wedding photos. Include descriptions of each photo, with funny memories from that place in time. Decorate a page with baby-themed images  such as bonnets, prams and rattles. Include the date you found out, and how you felt, and when you think the baby will be due. The added bonus of this announcement is that he can keep it forever, and you can even use it as your baby’s first photo album.

Choose a way that feels special to you, and something that will mean a lot to your partner. If he hates being the centre of attention, don’t hire a national theatre production company to put on a televised performance of the announcement. If you are a private couple, tell him in a private setting.

Remember, this is big news. Even if you’ve been trying for a while, the fact that you are actually pregnant may take a little time to sink in. Don’t be upset if he stares blankly at you, and then changes the subject. He’s just trying to process that he’s soon to become a Daddy!

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.

Fetal development during the first month
The 40 week countdown begins on the first day of your last menstrual period, even though you’re not yet pregnant. Conception won’t occur until around week two, though you won’t feel pregnant right away. By week three, your pregnancy will consist of a fertilized egg inside your uterus. Your baby’s genetics have already been determined. Around seven to 10 days after conception, implantation will occur. The embryo is now embedded in the lining of your womb. The brain, spinal cord and heart are already starting to develop.

By week four, your baby’s spine and organs are starting to develop. The placenta is developing too, and this will allow nutrients to reach your baby during the pregnancy. The placenta will also start producing the pregnancy hormone, hCG, so you may start to notice early symptoms of pregnancy around this time. Morning sickness, fatigue and a heightened sense of smell are all common during this time.

Fetal development during the second month
Your baby’s heart will start beating sometime around day 21. By week five, your baby’s facial features are starting to develop. By week six, your baby looks like one of those tadpole-like fetuses you may remember from science lessons. Your baby may only be around the size of a grain of rice, but the arm and leg buds are starting to form.

In week seven, your baby’s tooth buds, pancreas and appendix are starting to grow. Your baby’s hair and nipple buds are even starting to develop. Your baby’s sex was determined at fertilisation, but in week eight your baby will begin to grow testes or ovaries. Your baby’s fingers, toes and tongue are starting to develop too. In this week, your baby’s bones will start to develop, as well.

Fetal development in the third month
In week nine, your baby reaches the end of the embryonic stage and officially becomes a fetus. Your baby’s organs are beginning to function now. Your baby is beginning to lose the tail, and is looking less and less like a tadpole with each passing day. In just a week the tail will have completely disappeared. Your baby’s facial features are also starting to look a little more human in week 10.

Week 11 is the start of a growth spurt, and your baby will double in size over the next three weeks. Your baby’s fingernails are developing this week. During week 11, the placenta will start functioning, circulating blood between the uterus and your baby. By week 12, your baby can kick, stretch and pull faces. Your baby’s organs are starting to work this week, and your baby has started to urinate the amniotic fluid consumed in the uterus.

Your baby develops rapidly during those first 12 weeks, and this is why some pregnant women feel exhausted during the first trimester. It’s hard work growing a person! Be sure to get plenty of rest, eat a healthy, balanced diet and stay hydrated.

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.

As early as week two of the pregnancy, your body starts to produce a hormone called relaxin to prepare your pelvis for childbirth. Relaxin, produced until around the fifth month of pregnancy, loosens the supportive tissues in your body, and allows your pelvis to open up slightly and accommodate your growing uterus.

Risks of heavy lifting during pregnancy

A popular old wives’ tale states that heavy lifting can induce miscarriage. In fact, there is no evidence to support this claim. The risk for pregnant women who lift heavy objects, is that they will hurt themselves, not the developing baby. The main risks are muscle strains, pulled muscles and muscle aches, but you could also suffer a fall.

As with all things, heavy lifting during pregnancy is a personal choice based on individual circumstances. If you were a professional body builder pre-pregnancy, your body will be used to lifting heavy loads. While you may want to reduce the amount you lift, and be more selective about lifts, your healthcare provider probably won’t see any reason to stop you weightlifting. If, on the other hand, you haven’t lifted a heavy object for years, now is not the time to try shifting a grand piano across the house.

Balance

During pregnancy, your centre of gravity is changing almost constantly.  As your uterus expands, altering your posture and giving you a bump, and as your joints loosen, balance may no longer come naturally. Many pregnant women report feelings of imbalance and clumsiness during pregnancy, this reduced sense of balance could cause you to fall when lifting a heavy object.

Lower back strain

Your growing bump puts strain on your lower back and can cause muscle aches. If you are experiencing these pains, you may want to avoid heavy lifting which could exacerbate the pain. If you continue to lift heavy objects during pregnancy, you should be sure to lift correctly – always lift from your knees, not your back. Improper lifting could cause muscle problems and lower back strain.

It is important to listen to your body, and take things easy during pregnancy. While some lifting may be unavoidable (for example, if you have a toddler in need of a cuddle), you should try to reduce the amount of strain on your body.

If your pregnancy is considered high-risk, or if you have a history of pregnancy aches and pains, you should speak to your healthcare provider about heavy lifting during pregnancy. While for some, heavy lifting will cause no problems, for others, it could mean days of agony to follow.

Do you have a job that requires heavy lifting, and how are you coping now that you’re pregnant?

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.

For most women, there’s nothing more joyous than carrying a baby inside the womb. Women experience many changes in their body during pregnancy. You may not feel you’re really pregnant till the baby begins to move inside during the 4^th month. You will experience lots of emotions, happiness, pain, excitement, and nervousness all at the same time. But the most important thing to remember is to keep up a healthy balanced diet to help your baby grow and develop appropriately.

Good nutrition for pregnant women is very important. Although morning sickness, vomiting and nausea are very common occurrences during pregnancy, it is important to consume a well-balanced diet and to take some prenatal vitamins as well. It is necessary to eat a varied healthy diet during pregnancy to get all the minerals and vitamins that your body needs. Though it is best to acquire minerals and vitamins from the food you eat, it is often better to make use of supplements as well during pregnancy to ensure your body gets all that it requires.

Recommended Supplements

Here are some recommended supplements to take throughout your pregnancy:

• 10 micrograms of Vitamin D
• 400 micrograms folic acid, starting from the day you find out about your pregnancy and till the time you are 12 weeks pregnant.

Folic Acid

Folic acid helps prevent neural tube problems, which is a basic form of birth defects like spina bifida. Approximately 400 micrograms of folic acid daily is recommended for pregnant women. You should start taking folic acid during the period you are trying to get pregnant and continue till you are 12 weeks into your pregnancy. In case a woman does not begin taking folic acid before getting pregnant, it is important that she does as soon as she discovers she is pregnant.

Consumption of food containing folate (the natural form of folic acid) is necessary.  Women with a higher risk of neural tube defects are advised to take an additional 5 micrograms of folic acid till they are 12 weeks pregnant.

Iron

Women with a deficiency of iron may suffer from anaemia and tend to get very tired. Foods that contain higher doses of iron include nuts, lean meat, dried fruits and leafy green vegetables. These should be a part of a healthy balanced diet of pregnant women on a daily basis. There are many breakfast cereals that contain iron as well. In case of iron deficiency in your blood, your doctor or midwife may prescribe some iron supplements for you.

Calcium

Calcium is important for the proper development of the baby’s teeth and bones and for maintenance of mom’s body as well. Calcium is present in some prenatal vitamins. Food sources which are rich in calcium include fish with edible bones and dairy products. Some other sources of calcium include leafy green vegetables, bread, almonds and tofu, which is a special kind of vegetable protein made out of soya beans. Watercress, curly kale and broccoli are equally good sources.

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 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.

In early pregnancy, rapidly increasing hormones cause a whole host of changes in your body as it prepares to carry a pregnancy. You may not notice some of the changes taking place, but others will be more noticeable. For many women, a missed period is the first sign of pregnancy, but for others that may not be a reliable indicator. Below is a list of the common early pregnancy signs, you may experience some, all or none of these symptoms. All women, and all pregnancies for that matter, are different.

Missed period
If you usually menstruate like clockwork, a missed period may be your first symptom of pregnancy. Absent periods can also be caused by illness, severe weight loss, stress and anxiety, so an absent period isn’t a definite indicator of pregnancy.

Sore breasts
Your breasts may feel tender and swollen early in the pregnancy. This symptom is very similar to the tender breasts experienced pre menstruation. This can be one of the first symptoms of pregnancy.

Nausea
Morning sickness and nausea tend to kick in around week six, however it can start as early as week four. Morning sickness can occur at any time of day. You may vomit or feel nauseous. Not all women will experience morning sickness. For those who do, the nausea usually subsides around the end of the first trimester.

Frequent urination
Needing to wee excessively is probably one of the most famous pregnancy side effects, but people often mistakenly assume it doesn’t start until later in the pregnancy. While the third trimester can be filled with toilet breaks, this is usually because with an expanding uterus and baby, there isn’t much room left for your bladder. Frequent urination can start as early as six weeks into the pregnancy, as your pregnancy hormones combine with your growing uterus, causing you to wee more.

Tiredness
Fatigue is a common early pregnancy symptom. As your body uses lots of energy for the pregnancy, and your deluge of hormones leave you feeling sleepy, it’s no wonder you’re crashing out on the sofa at 7pm. If you are experiencing fatigue, try to get as much rest as you can.

Food cravings/aversions
It’s not uncommon for women to experience strong aversions to certain foods or smells early in the pregnancy. Aversions and cravings can even occur before a missed period. Some women find that they go off tea or coffee, and become hypersensitive to cooking aromas.

Shortness of breath
If you suddenly find yourself out of puff after climbing a flight of steps, you may be experiencing the early pregnancy symptom shortness of breath. As your hormones surge during the early weeks of pregnancy, progesterone increases the amount of air taken in with each breath.

If you think you may be pregnant, the best way to find out for sure is to take a home pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests are most reliable after a missed period, so ideally you should wait until then to take one. If the home pregnancy test confirms you are pregnant, you should contact 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 2017. All rights reserved.