If you rely on coffee to wake you up in the morning, you may be feeling slightly panicked at the idea that you have to go cold turkey for the next nine months. Should you give it up, or is it safe to drink coffee during pregnancy?

Caffeine recommendations
It is recommended that, while you are able to continue to drink caffeine throughout your pregnancy, you should limit your intake to 200mg a day. This equates to about two cups of instant coffee, or one cup of brewed coffee.

The 200mg should include all of your caffeine sources, not just coffee. For example, there’s no point cutting down to one cup of coffee a day by switching to caffeinated tea for your other nine cups. By doing that, you will still be exceeding the recommended daily caffeine intake. Tea, fizzy drinks and chocolate are all other sources of caffeine that you need to factor into your 200mg. A small bar of chocolate can contain as many as 50mg of caffeine, so it’s important that you keep track of all your dietary caffeine because it soon adds up.

If you usually drink coffee from outlets, you should bear in mind that the strength of the particular coffee can vary drastically between chains. It’s also important to note that the recommended allowance of two cups a day is referring to the regular coffee cups you have at home, not the bathtub size coffee mugs you find in some coffee houses.

Caffeine risks
There are a number of risks associated with regularly exceeding the daily recommended amount of caffeine, including:

• low birth weight
• miscarriage

Caffeine travels through the umbilical cord and can affect your baby. You may notice that she becomes unsettled, or you notice an increase in movements, shortly after you drink a cup of coffee.

Alternatives to coffee
Decaffeinated coffee is an obvious replacement during pregnancy. You’ll still be able to enjoy the great flavour, and might even be able to fool yourself into thinking you’re drinking a regular coffee.

During pregnancy, your body needs a higher intake of water. By drinking more water to fight your thirst, you may also help yourself to avoid fluid retention, reduce dizziness and enjoy that famous pregnancy ‘glow’.

Giving up caffeine
If you have decided to give up coffee for the duration of your pregnancy, you may experience caffeine withdrawal for a few days. Symptoms include:

• headaches
• tiredness
• irritability
• difficulty concentrating

After a few days, these symptoms will subside and you should feel much better.

Do you have any tried and tested tips for reducing your coffee intake 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 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.

You may have heard people refer to the ‘glow’ of pregnancy, and be wondering when you’re going to get it. The glow generally describes the blemish-free skin and shiny hair some pregnant women experience, however there’s no guarantee that you will be one of the lucky ones. Not all women report the same changes, in fact some women complain that hormones have had the opposite effect on their skin, hair and teeth during pregnancy.

Skin during pregnancy
Some women find that the hormonal changes, fluid retention and increased blood flow of pregnancy lead to healthy-looking, smoother skin. If this is the case for you, enjoy it while it lasts.

Others find that the rapidly changing hormone levels cause an outbreak of spots and dry skin. You may find that you need to keep up a rigorous beauty regime during pregnancy to keep spots at bay. Remember that any changes to your skin will disappear once your hormones level return to normal following the pregnancy.

Some women find that their skin darkens during pregnancy. Also known as the ‘mask of pregnancy’, chloasma is the name of the condition that causes dark blotches to appear on the skin. The blotches most frequently appear under the nose, across the cheekbones and forehead. Most women find that the blotches disappear a few months after the birth, but some may never completely fade.

Hair during pregnancy
Increased levels of oestrogen lead to longer growth phases for hair follicles. In short, this means your hair grows longer, and falls out less. Many women report their hair thickening during pregnancy, a welcome change for some. It can take up to a year postpartum to lose all of the extra hair, although it will start to fall out a few months after the birth.

For those enjoying excess hair growth, this may also happen with your body hair. You may find yourself growing excess hair on your face, arms, genitals and legs. If the hair bothers you, you could shave, tweeze or wax to remove it, but avoid bleaching because bleach can be absorbed into the skin.

Nails during pregnancy
Some women find that their fingernails are stronger and healthier during pregnancy, but others report quite the opposite. Weak, brittle nails are a common pregnancy complaint. Your nails should return to normal after the birth, but in the meantime try to take care of your nails by using moisturising hand lotion and rubber gloves when washing up.

Teeth during pregnancy
The hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to swelling of your gums and an increased risk of plaque on your teeth. This can lead to inflammation and bleeding of the gums. Your dentist will be able to help you with any gum problems, and can advise you on how to best look after your teeth during pregnancy. If you require any fillings or x-rays, your dentist may wish to postpone these until after the baby is born.

Have you noticed any changes to your skin, hair and teeth 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 2017. All rights reserved.

You’re pregnant. You’re elated. You are so excited about the future that your imagination is running wild. You can almost see what the days in your household are going to be like once you have the baby. And then one day, in the most unexpected of ways when the reality of what your pregnancy means, you wonder….

Will I be a good mother?

Much of how we feel about motherhood comes from our own experiences with our own mother. And there are plenty of women in this world who do not have good relationships with their moms. You get along just fine, accepting things for what they are – only to come face to face with your own mother drama during pregnancy. You wonder if you know enough to be a good mom? You wonder if you will be like your own mother? You may even worry that you don’t have the tools of a living example of your own to help you along the maternal path.

Even women who have great relationships with their mothers likely worry about what kind of mother they will be. The reality is that worrying whether we will be ‘good enough’ for our children, will we be able to fully support them emotionally and spiritually and physically for the rest of their lives, is a common core concern of all mothers.

And, it is the FIRST sign that you WILL be a good mother. This worry, shows just how much you already love your baby, and how you already want so deeply for your baby to have everything in life. Including the perfect mom. (Which, by the way, doesn’t exist!)

Like all women, you will learn about motherhood as you go. Your child will come into this world and have a lot to teach you.  He or she will change your mind about a lot of beliefs that you may have never thought you would give up. He or she will also gently take your hand, and show you the way through the beauty of love.

While you will never be a perfect mother, you will be the best mother possible for your child. In those moments when you worry about whether you will be a good mom, have faith in yourself. Know that the love you feel right now – will only grow, and will help you do what is right for your child. Also realize that you will make mistakes along the way. Every mom on the face of the earth does at least once or twice.

They say that when a woman becomes pregnant, a mother is also born. Even now, while still carrying your baby in your womb, you are learning to be the best mom possible. Be patient with yourself, and remember one thing: Perfect or not, and even through mistakes, your baby will love you more than anyone else on the planet. You got this!

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.

When you become pregnant, lots of changes start happening inside your body. You start rapidly producing hormones to help your body prepare for the pregnancy, but to the outside world, you probably look pretty normal. If you haven’t told them, your friends and colleagues probably won’t have any idea you are pregnant. Unless, that is, they’ve picked up on the extra bathroom breaks, and the fatigue you may be experiencing.

By the time your pregnancy is out in the open, you may be looking forward to some outward signs that you are with child. As the nausea subsides, and you have a little more energy, you may wondering when you will get your baby bump.

The in between stage
Towards the end of your first trimester, you may be starting to gain weight, but it probably won’t resemble much of a bump at this point. You may find that your pre-pregnancy clothes are too tight, and your maternity clothes too big. This in between stage can be frustrating, but it won’t last long. A few floaty tops, and some larger size trousers or skirts should be enough to get you through a few more weeks until your bump starts to emerge.

When will I get my bump?
All pregnancies are different, so there is no uniform time that you will be allocated your bump. Some women may show quite early, whereas others may only develop a bump towards the end of their pregnancy.

By week 18, a lot of women are starting to notice their bump forming, and in just a few weeks they have quite a noticeable baby bump protruding. If this is your first pregnancy, you may find that it takes until later in the pregnancy to develop a bump. Your stomach muscles are in good shape, and may be holding their own against your growing uterus. By around week 28, you should be starting to see a bump form, even if this is your first pregnancy.

If you have been pregnant before, you may find that your bump shows earlier in this pregnancy. This is thought to be because your body has experienced pregnancy before, and so finds it easier to retrace those steps.

When your bump arrives
Whether you love it or loathe it, your bump will only be around for a few months at most – so enjoy it while you can. Make the most of your new shape by dressing in your bump in cute maternity outfits that help you feel confident in your new, temporary body.

When did you first notice your bump developing?

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.

Sometime around week 19 of the pregnancy, it becomes possible for an ultrasound to pick up the sex of your baby. If you are offered an ultrasound from this point onwards, you may be given the opportunity to learn the sex of your baby.

On the day
Unfortunately, it may not always be possible to determine the sex of the baby using ultrasound. There are various factors that could prevent this, including the position of your baby during the scan, the equipment used and the expertise of the sonographer. If your baby has his or her legs covering his genitals during your appointment, you may have to wait until the birth to find out the sex after all.

Accuracy
Ultrasound is not a foolproof way to determine the sex of your baby, and unfortunately inaccuracies are sometimes reported. The sonographer will usually state that they can’t be completely sure of your baby’s sex. There are stories of shocked mums, surrounded by pink onesies and tutus, being told, “It’s a boy!” in the delivery suite.

Choosing not to know
If you decide not to find out the sex of your baby, you should inform the sonographer of this in advance. During scans in late pregnancy, it is sometimes possible for you to see the genitals of the baby, so your sonographer will tell you when to look away.

Should I find out?
Finding out the sex of your baby is a very personal decision, and one that you and your partner will have to make together. You should discuss it in advance, go through the points raised below, and work out how you both feel about it. Once you’ve made a decision, stick with it.

Here are some reasons that people choose to find out the sex:

• Finding out the sex of your baby means you are able to finalise his or her name before the birth. It also means you’ll have half the work to do, because you won’t be wasting your time coming up with names for the wrong sex.
• Knowing the sex of your baby means you can plunge head first into the important task of teeny tiny outfit buying. You’ll know whether you should be browsing in the frilly tutu or the baby blue aisle.
• Some people choose to find out so that they can decorate the nursery accordingly before the birth.

However, there are also some convincing arguments for not finding out the sex:

• Not knowing the sex of the baby will help you to avoid the gender stereotyping of ‘pink for girls’ and ‘blue for boys’. There are lots of cute outfits designed to be unisex, so your baby won’t be underdressed if you choose not to find out.
• Some women claim that not knowing the sex helped them to work harder during the pushing stage of labour.
• Some parents choose to avoid finding out by ultrasound because of the inaccuracy of this method. To avoid the small chance of a mix up, some parents decide it’s better not to know at all.
• There are so few good surprises in life – why not choose this to be one of them?

Will you find out the sex of your baby? How did you reach a decision?

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.

We know what you are thinking? Yuck, right. Here you are pregnant and beautiful and glowing, and ‘smelly’? You knew that pregnancy was going to change things, but you may not have prepared yourself for the unpleasant side effect of vaginal odor. And now, every time you go to your prenatal visit, not only do you have to get used to being disrobed and poked and prodded, but you are concerned you are going to knock your provider out with your ‘vaginal odor.’

Vaginal odor during pregnancy is actually quite normal. Of course, if you begin to notice a pungent odor that is present with a chunky discharge, itching, irritation or pain – your best course of action is to contact your health provider. With increased hormone production (yep, its always the hormones) and increased moisture in the vaginal area – you may run a higher risk of vaginal yeast infections, or bacterial infections.  And if a yeast infection is the source of the odor, your doctor is the best person to give you advice on how to handle it. They will also perform tests to make sure that the infection is not something more than a yeast infection.

Even so, around 65% of all women report that they have an odor, from strong to light – that seems to coincide with pregnancy. And many women are embarrassed about it. First of all, realize this: Your OBGYN or prenatal provider has literally seen, heard and smelled it all. They are in the business of vaginas, and taking care of women. So while you may feel embarrassed, there is no reason to be. Chances are you aren’t the first women to walk into the exam room horrified that your vaginal smell is going to make the doctor gag. It won’t (Pinky swear promise!).

Secondly, if all your tests come back negative – for yeast infections, bacterial infections and STD’s – it may just be the hormonal changes that are causing the smell. If this just showed up during pregnancy – chances are it will also go away once your baby is born. In the meantime, staying as dry as possible, changing your underwear frequently, wearing cotton underwear, using light pads and even carrying feminine wipes may help you to feel less self conscious. Thirdly, realize that while you may think everyone can ‘smell’ you – they can’t. Seriously, how often have you ever smelled another woman’s vaginal odor while she was fully clothed walking around the grocery store? Never, right. So try to shake it off as much as possible. As long as you have taken steps and have been checked out by your doctor – you will likely just have to wait it out.

In some cases, it may be the foods that you eat or the spices you use that are causing the smell. With increased secretions of the vaginal area and the sebaceous sweat glands during pregnancy, the foods and spices synthesized by your skin can often be the culprit.  So if you eat a lot of spicy foods – try altering your diet.

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 are pregnant, chances are you will have at least one ultrasound before your baby is born. Around 70 percent of pregnant women in the US will have an ultrasound. In the UK, this number is higher because ultrasounds are carried out as routine procedures for all pregnant women.

Ultrasounds are used to determine the size of your baby, the estimated due date, and whether the baby’s organs are developing well. If your healthcare provider considers your pregnancy to be high-risk, you may be offered more frequent ultrasounds to monitor the health of your developing baby.

How do ultrasounds work?

Ultrasound is a medical technique for creating images using high frequency sound waves and echoes. An ultrasound during pregnancy is used to give the sonographer a look at how the baby is developing inside your womb, and this may help to detect any problems.

If your scan takes place early in the pregnancy, you may be asked to attend the appointment with a full bladder. Having a large drink and then refraining from visiting the toilet can be easier said than done during pregnancy, but it’s important to get a good image of the baby. Early in the pregnancy, your uterus sits close to your bladder. A full bladder will push your uterus out of your pelvis, and allow the sonographer to get a better view.

When you arrive at your appointment, you will be asked to lie down on the examination bed. The sonographer will apply a cold gel to your bump, and then use a hand-held transducer across your stomach. If you are very early in the pregnancy, overweight or have a deep pelvis, your ultrasound may be carried out vaginally. In this instance, a vaginal probe will be inserted into your vagina to get a clear image of your baby. This will not harm your baby, but may be slightly uncomfortable for you.

The transducer, whether internal or external, will transmit millions of high-frequency sound pulses into your bump each second. The sound waves travel into your body and hit a boundary between tissues (for example, between bone and soft tissue) until they are eventually echoed back to the transducer.

The time difference between sound pulse and echo, is collected by the machine and this information is used to calculate the distance between the various boundaries inside your body. The ultrasound machine then displays this information as a two-dimensional diagram on the screen. This diagram shows the distances and strengths of the echoes received by the transducer, or in layman’s terms, it shows an image of your baby.

Are you having an ultrasound scan to check the development of your baby?

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.

While you’re rushing around trying to decorate a nursery, research strollers, tie up any loose ends at work before maternity leave, and grow a person, you might long for a few minutes to relax. Having a beauty treatment is the perfect way to take some time out from the hustle and bustle, put your feet up and feel calm. A beauty treatment will help you to feel great in your changing body too. You may be desperate for a trip to the local salon, but wondering which beauty treatments are safe during pregnancy?

Safe treatments
The following treatments are considered safe during pregnancy:

• everyday cosmetics – hair and nail products such as shampoo and nail varnish, are considered safe for use during pregnancy.
• hair dye – each time you dye your hair, a small amount of chemicals is absorbed into your skin, but there is no evidence that this reaches or affects the baby. Some women choose to avoid dying their hair during pregnancy, just in case. Some healthcare providers worry about the use of bleach during pregnancy, but most are unconcerned about its use.
• tanning lotions – fake tans are safe to use when pregnant.
• facials – facial products are considered safe for use during pregnancy. If you are having a professional facial, be sure to inform your beautician that you are pregnant. They may be able to tailor the facial to best suit your skin’s needs during pregnancy.
• massage – not only are massage oils safe to use during pregnancy, they should be compulsary. A massage is the perfect way to rid you of those pregnancy aches and pains, and help you to relax and forgets the stresses of impending motherhood. If you are having a professional massage, be sure to tell your masseuse that you are pregnant as this will affect the massage techniques used.

Treatments to avoid
The following beauty treatments are NOT considered safe during pregnancy:

• tanning – you should avoid using sunbeds during pregnancy. Sunbeds may cause your body to overheat. The harmful UV rays are also found to break down folic acid. Folic acid is important for healthy foetal development.
• body wraps – the application of heated towels or wraps during pregnancy should be avoided. The heated wraps may cause your body to overheat, and there is no effective way to monitor how much heat is reaching the foetus.
• hot tubs – you should avoid hot tubs and saunas during pregnancy, because these can raise your core temperature to a level considered dangerous for your baby.
• botox – it is generally thought that botox stays in the area it is injected, and so would be unlikely to reach the baby. However, there isn’t enough data on this, and so most healthcare providers will advise postponing botox until after the birth.
• piercings – pregnancy compromises your immune system and puts you at an increased risk of infection, so you should avoid getting piercings when pregnant.

Have you had any beauty treatments during pregnancy as a way of relaxing?

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.

One of the first, and most telling, signs of pregnancy is a definitive change in your breasts and nipples. Chances are, from the moment you first found out you were pregnant, your nipples were already changing and you experienced some degree of breast tenderness. These changes are just the beginning, and many women are quite frankly surprised how immensely pregnancy changes one of their most intimate body parts. Pregnancy nipples. What exactly is happening here?  Read on….

Not only will your nipples darken as you progress through pregnancy, but they will also get larger. In some cases, much larger and much darker. This can be alarming to go from dime sized nipples to suddenly looking down at what seems like saucers for nipples.  But it’s completely natural and normal. Just remember, your body is intuitively preparing you for breastfeeding regardless of whether you are planning to or not.

Another change is that you may develop some bumps around the areola. Called Montgomery or areolar glands, they secrete an oily substance that keeps the areola from becoming chapped and may serve as a locator signal for your baby’s fine-tuned sense of smell.

Occasionally, women have ‘extra nipples’ they never noticed before or they simply thought were moles. Nearer to the end of pregnancy, these nipples may expel some liquid, and after childbirth, they often lactate. Sounds strange, but in some cases, women develop several lactating nipples in the arm-pit or even on the belly area.  This occurs in fewer than 5% of all pregnancies, but can surely be disconcerting if it happens for you. If you have any concerns, your best bet is to simply check with your doctor or a qualified lactation professional.

So now that you have quarter sized, darker nipples that may or may not have developed extra lactating spots – you are wondering if your boobs will ever return to normal, right?  For most women, the answer is no. Pregnancy and the hormones related to pregnancy definitely change the shape, size and look of your breasts – whether you breastfeed or not. While the darker color may fade and your nipples may reduce in size, they will probably never go back to the way they looked before.

The good news is that you will come out on the other end of pregnancy with a deeper respect and admiration for your body – nipples included. The changes in your body during pregnancy – both the permanent and temporary ones – are definitely a tribute to just how amazing and awesome your female body is.

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.

Iron deficiency anaemia occurs when the body does not have enough iron, and this leads to a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the body. There are other forms of anaemia, but iron deficiency anaemia is the most common.

Anaemia during pregnancy
Iron is vital for delivering oxygen and nutrients to your developing baby. Pregnant women need to consume 14.8mg of iron a day, to make sure the baby is getting enough nutrients. Anaemia is a common condition during pregnancy.

You are more likely to develop anaemia during pregnancy if you:

• suffered from severe morning sickness
• are pregnant with multiples
• have recently had a baby
• have previously suffered from anaemia during pregnancy

Symptoms of anaemia
The most common symptoms of anaemia include:

• tiredness
• lethargy
• shortness of breath
• dizziness
• headaches
• a pale complexion
• heart palpitations

Treatment for anaemia
Anaemia is most common during the second half of the pregnancy, when the iron stores in the body are running low. Your iron levels will be checked during one of your routine blood tests. If the tests reveal that you are suffering from anaemia or low iron levels, you will be offered an iron supplement to take.

During pregnancy, you have an increased risk of suffering from constipation, so you won’t be pleased to hear that this is a common side effect of iron supplements. Try drinking prune juice, eating a high-fibre breakfast cereal, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day, to reduce your chance of suffering from constipation.

Most women find the anaemia disappears after taking the iron supplements, however a small percentage of women may still suffer from low iron levels. These women are offered iron injections to treat the anaemia.

How to avoid anaemia during pregnancy
The key to avoiding anaemia, is to make sure you eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in iron. You should make sure you eat a variety of the following iron-rich foods:

• green leafy vegetables – spinach, watercress and kale are all high in dietary iron
• nuts and seeds – a handful of mixed nuts and seeds each day will increase your iron intake
• dried fruit – snacking on dried fruit throughout the day can increase your iron intake
• pulses – baked beans, and other beans, are high in iron
• lean meats – choosing lean meat can increase your iron levels
• fortified foods – soya milk and breakfast cereals are often fortified with iron and other minerals
• molasses – use this during baking to add iron to your diet

Try drinking a glass of orange juice alongside iron-rich foods. Orange juice makes it easier for your body to absorb iron from food. You should try to avoid consuming dairy products and caffeine with meals, as these foods can actually inhibit iron absorption.

How are you making sure you eat enough iron-rich foods 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 2017. All rights reserved.

When you’re pregnant, it feels like the entire world is trying to sell you things. They want you to buy their baby clothes, take their pregnancy supplements and save with their bank accounts. All of a sudden, a whole world of products you didn’t even know existed, is inviting you (and your soon-to-be maxed out credit card) inside for a look around. It’s easy to lose your way in the beautiful department stores, with their pristine display nurseries, and end up buying one of everything, even if you don’t know what half the products do.

As a mum-to-be with a teeny bladder, a love for baby clothes and a lot of hormones forcing you to cry at the smallest upset, you might feel like you need some help in the shopping department. If you’re on a budget, or like to keep things to a minimum, you might be wondering which items you need, and which will end up gathering dust. Here’s a list of five useless baby products being marketed to new parents.

Top and tail tub
Ok, some of you may find this useful, but realistically you could easily use two small tubs from around the house. You shouldn’t wash your baby’s face with the water you just used to wash their bum, but do you really need a whole new product to remember that?

Wipe warmer
Yep, you read that right, a warmer to heat your baby wipes. While it sounds like a wonderful idea, it is quite unnecessary and a lot of new parents mention this when discussing pointless purchases. Your baby won’t be horrified by room temperature wipes, so don’t waste money on this item. If you really want one, ask your parent friends if anyone has one stored away that you could borrow.

Nursing chair
These overpriced seats will set you back a pretty penny, but you’ll be unlikely to get your money worth. If you’re feeding the baby, you’re most likely to be seated in front of the TV so you have some entertainment, not sitting alone in a nursery with nothing but glass-eyed bears for company. During the early months, your baby is likely to be sleeping in your room anyway, so why not wait until your little one moves into their room before deciding whether this is a necessary purchase.

Matching cot set
When you’re waddling round the baby department, gazing at the kitted out pseudo-nurseries while rubbing your hand over your growing bump, you will probably feel an overwhelming urge to buy a matching cot set. After all, it comes with everything you could possibly need, and it all matches! But don’t waste your money, most of the set will go unused because bumpers, comforters and pillows increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). While the sheet may still look beautiful, it’s probably not worth buying a whole set for.

Baby helmet
The baby you made is precious, and of course you don’t want him to bump his head. But, sadly, head bumps are a part of life. Parental supervision in the early days should ensure your child doesn’t suffer a serious head injury from a fall, so there’s no need to whack a helmet on him.

If you’re expecting your first child, speak to your mum friends to find out what they consider to be useless items. You don’t have to take their advice, if you want to buy a wipe warmer anyway then go right ahead. You could even see if anyone has one you can borrow to see whether it’s worth buying one.

Do you disagree with the list above? What would be on your list of five useless baby products?

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.