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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Immediately after the birth, once the umbilical cord has been cut and clamped, it is possible to collect any blood left in the umbilical cord. This cord blood can be stored for future use. Cord blood is rich in stem cells, which can be used to treat a number of diseases, and repair tissues and organs.

Stem cells have so far been used to successfully treat over 70 different diseases. Research is ongoing, and lots of money is being spent on figuring out new treatments using these cells. Stem cells have so far been used to treat leukaemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and rare metabolic disorders in babies.

Collecting the blood

Cord blood collection is a safe and painless procedure for both you and your baby. After the birth, once your baby’s umbilical cord has been cut and clamped, the blood can be collected. The blood is collected from the part of the umbilical cord still attached to the placenta, not from the bit attached to your baby. A needle is inserted into the umbilical cord (not the bit attached to your baby, remember). The procedure takes 10 minutes, and up to five ounces of blood will be collected.

Donating the blood

Cord blood can be donated to a public cord blood bank. The blood will then be stored until it is needed. Cord blood can be stored for up to 20 years. Lots of people rely on donated cord blood for treatment. As many as 70% of those in need do not have a family match, meaning they need to find a match in a public cord blood bank.

Donated cord blood can be sent across the world to help a patient in need. Though the banks are far from empty, more cord blood is always needed.

How to donate

If you don’t consent to cord blood donation, any blood left in the umbilical cord will simply be disposed of along with the placenta after the birth. If you would like to donate cord blood, you will need to consent before the birth. The cord blood will be collected by a specialist, someone who is not involved in delivering your baby, so this will need to be arranged in advance.

Not all hospitals are able to collect cord blood, so you will need to check whether your hospital is able to. Speak to your healthcare provider for more information about banking cord blood.

Are you considering donating cord blood?

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.

At each prenatal visit, your healthcare provider will ask you to produce a urine sample. Your healthcare provider will perform a dipstick test on the sample, to check certain substances in your urine. This is a screening test which means it doesn’t diagnose a condition, but indicates if closer monitoring is warranted.

The dipstick test

Your healthcare provider will take your urine sample, and insert a specially treated chemical strip (a dipstick) into the sample. Patches on the dipstick will change colour to reveal the presence of protein. The dipstick test also reveals glucose levels, these are used to screen for gestational diabetes.

It is generally nothing to worry about if the test detects trace levels of protein in your urine, unless you are showing other symptoms of an associated condition. Your protein output changes throughout the day, and can be affected by diet and fluid intake.

Causes of excess protein in urine

The dipstick test shows how much protein is present in your urine, and this is classified from + (low) to ++++ (high). A high grading especially in later pregnancy can indicate pre-eclampsia, a serious condition that requires close monitoring. An underlying problem such as kidney damage may also cause a high protein output in pregnant women. A low grading is usually indicative of a urinary tract infection.

If a urinary tract infection is suspected, your healthcare provider will send your urine to the lab for more precise testing. One urine sample may suffice, or you may be asked to collect all urine output over a 24 hour period. At the lab, your sample will be tested for bacteria and then antibiotics will be recommended. If you are showing other symptoms of a urinary tract infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics before the lab results are back.

Is it pre-eclampsia?

In a lot of cases, the cause of protein in urine during pregnancy will not be pre-eclampsia. However, because of the severity of this condition, it is important you know how to recognise the signs.

You should contact your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• high blood pressure
• protein in your urine
• vision problems (blurred vision or flashing lights)
• sudden swelling of the hands, face and feet
• pain in the upper abdomen
• headaches
• vomiting
• feeling generally unwell

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.

Suddenly, it hits you! You look at the calendar and realize that your due date is just days away. All this time, you have been dreaming about the day you get to meet your baby. You have been counting down the days, and decorating the nursery and buying cute baby clothes. Now that the time is close you become strangled with a paralyzing fear and realize that you are scared to give birth.

This is perhaps one of the most common fears of first time moms. And second, third and fourth time moms. There is so much mystery revolving around the birthing process that you never quite know what to expect. Plus, there are so many thoughts of the things that can go wrong swirling around in your head that anxiety is completely expected. Making matters worse, is that you may not know what to expect – especially if your only information comes from other moms and pregnancy books.

You may be worried about whether it will hurt, if your water will break while you are in the middle of the store, or worse – stuck in traffic, or if your baby is going to be healthy. You may be afraid of pooping on the doctor, or not having your partner make it to the hospital in time. What if you can’t give birth? The list of fears and worries is potentially endless. But here’s the thing.

Women have been giving birth since the beginning of time. No matter how afraid you are, YOU CAN DO THIS. Whatever pain comes your way, will be forgotten almost immediately once you see your baby. Hospitals and birthing assistants today are literally prepared for everything, and your chances of everything going perfectly right – are much higher than they are that anything will go wrong.

Plus, your female body was perfectly designed to give birth. Take a look at how far you have come, and try to relax as much as possible. It’s perfectly normal to be nervous and anxious about giving birth, but the reality is that at this point you don’t really have a choice. Allow nature to take its course, and do your best to not complicate things by psyching yourself out. If you go into labor and delivery with a calm head, and a lot of faith that all will be well – you will have a much better labor and delivery experience.

There is no shame in being scared to give birth. More than likely, every woman nearing the electronic doors of the birthing center experiences moments where they don’t want to go in, terrified about what lies ahead in the hours before they meet their baby. (I was one of those women who sat in the car in the parking lot of the hospital with my husband for 30 minutes after my water broke refusing to admit myself out of sheer terror) And yet, when you leave the hospital with a bundled up newborn in their arms, you will feel nothing but love – and the stress and anxiety will be completely forgotten.

Also, before you give in to the fears of giving birth, consider that if labor and delivery were so bad, there would be very few women in this world who would choose to do it again and again. And yet millions of woman choose to give birth multiple times in their life. Embrace the experience as much as possible as it is one you will never get to relive.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @MOM-Spirational

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

You are past your due date.  And you are ready.  Oh. So Ready! After carrying a baby for 9 months, not being able to sneeze without peeing on yourself and hardly being able to get out of bed or see your feet without doing some sort of creative pregnancy gymnastics – you are more than ready to have your baby.

Once a woman passes her due date, this generalized state of anxiety sets in. After all, you have waited long enough – and so you start scouring the internet and baby books about ways to bring on labor. Of course, there are hundreds of different pieces of advice you will receive from well meaning friends and family about how to bring on labor. “Take a walk,” they will say. “Sex will bring on labor,” they will mock.

Can sex really bring on labor? And even more curious, is how in the world are you going to have sex with your partner when you are in such a precarious state?

The notion of sex and nipple stimulation to bring on labor has been around for eons. According to a Reuters Survey, around 39.9% of women are still having sex with their partners in the third trimester. The ‘thinking’ behind sex to bring on labor is that it will help to cause the kind of rhythmic uterine contractions that will jumpstart labor. Additionally, sperm and the hormones released during the female orgasm are said to contain prostaglandins that ‘can’ induce labor and help to efface the cervix.

The reality is that sex to bring on labor won’t hurt anything. In fact, it may be a great way to get your mind off the stress of NOT being in labor and passing your due date, which can be therapeutic on many levels. However, some new studies coming out are saying that sex to bring on labor is quite simply an old wives tale – and that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that sex can actually induce your labor and delivery. In fact researchers who studied sex in pregnant women past the 37th week of pregnancy found that having sex or not having sex made little to no difference in how quickly the pregnant mother went into labor. What the study did inadvertently show is that conclusively, in a healthy pregnancy, sex in the third trimester is safe and can be enjoyable.

Labor is triggered by such a complicated series of chemical reactions and hormones, that no one thing – such as taking a walk, or having sex, can be credited for starting labor. Both the mother and baby have important, innate, physiological jobs to do when it comes to starting labor and delivery. While the introduction of sperm can help to soften and efface the cervix, it probably isn’t the cure all to starting labor and delivery.

Still – you are likely desperate. And choosing between taking a walk with swollen feet, getting diarrhea by ingesting something disgusting and having sex is a no brainer. So go ahead and in the infamous words of Nike, “Just do it!”

What tips do you have for women who want to bring on labor?  Have you or anyone you know tried having sex to bring on labor?

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @MOM-SPIRATIONAL

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

You just arrived at the hospital with regular contractions every 5 minutes, the nurse puts you in the triage room and a resident shows up to do a vaginal exam. As she does the exam, the mumbles to the nurse:

”Intact bag…70…2…-1…OA….”. You think you’re back in school! What do all these numbers and comments mean?

When your OB or midwife does an internal exam during labor, they check on several things:

• How effaced your cervix is
• How open the cervix is
• Where the baby’s head is (low or high in the pelvis)
• The position of the head
• Whether your water has broken

When your OB says “bag intact” it means your water hasn’t broken. If the water had broken, (s)he’d say „clear amniotic fluid“ or even „meconium“ which means that your baby has let some bowel movement into the water.

“70” means how many % the cervix has effaced. During pregnancy the cervix should be 0% effaced, at birth the goal is 100%. The first hours of birth the cervix effaces to 70% or 80%, only then the cervix slowly starts to open. Sometimes you are 100% effaced and 1cm dilated. This means your cervix is “thinned out” and usually opens a bit faster.

The number 1-10 looks at the dilation of your cervix. In the above case the cervix is only 2cm dilated which means you are not in active labor yet and most likely can go back home for now- if you want of course. Active labor starts at 5-6cm. Once you reach 10cm you have the urge to push and enter a new phase of labor.

The number -1 looks at the height of your baby’s head in the pelvis. Your little one could be way above the pelvis at -3, then moves down to -2, -1 and 0. 0 means your baby is in the most narrow part of the pelvis. From there we go to +1, +2, +3 and +4 which is the actual birth. The more + we have during labor, the better.

OA means your baby’s head is in a “occiput anterior” position. Your little one’s back should be facing your belly, not your spine. OA therefore is a good position. OP means “occiput posterior” which means your baby still needs to make a turn to fit better through your pelvis.

Of course this is a lot of information so make sure to ask your OB or midwife if everything looks fine. Most of the time this is the case and if baby still needs to come down a bit your doula will move you into good positions to support the progress of labor.

What cryptic terms have you heard during birth?

Stephanie Heintzeler, Midwife and Doula, www.thenewyorkdoula.com

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.

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.

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

There are two main types of childbirth classes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

According to the book, Birthing From Within, the following are the top 11 concerns of labor and delivery for pregnant woman.

1) Not being able to stand the pain

2) Not being able to relax

3) Feeling rushed, or fear of taking too long

4) My pelvis is not big enough

5) My cervix won’t open

6) Lack of privacy

7) Being judged for making noise

8) Being separated from the baby

9) Having to fight for my wishes to be respected

10) Having intervention and not knowing if it is necessary or what else to do

11) Pooping during labor

As you can see, it is apparently natural for women to worry about all sorts of things prior to giving birth. Most of this worry and concern comes from a sense of not knowing what to expect, and of course the worries that everything will work out as planned. We are conditioned to feel like we are in control of our lives, and the unknown (as well as the high stakes of labor and delivery) tamper with our sense of control.

The good news is that a little bit of worry and apprehension is okay. Your concern for what might happen stems from the love you feel for your baby. But rather than let your worries get the best of you, try these simple tips for regaining your sense of control.

First, make sure that you have a birthing plan that you go over with your family members and your doctors. Most birthing centers will have you fill one out when you visit the hospital. This gives you time to make clear decisions about your wishes during labor and delivery, and enables you to have some records on file so that doctors and nurses can make sure your wishes are followed. Plus, making a birthing plan ahead of time ensures that you won’t have to make snap decisions in the delivery room when your thinking wont be as clear.

Talk to other pregnant moms and family members and friends. You are not alone in giving birth. Women have been giving birth since the beginning of time, and while many people will fill you with horror stories – others will reassure you that all will be well.

Another good piece of advice is to trust your body. Thoughts like “What if I can’t give birth,” or “What if my cervix won’t dilate,” are normal concerns. But trust in your body. Your body knows what it is doing, and as long as you listen to what it is telling you, you will fine. Plus, medical intervention has come so far today that there are very little things that could happen that a doctor won’t be able to help you with.

Remind yourself that your labor and delivery is a personal part of your life. YOUR LIFE. Who cares what others think? Who cares if you poop, or make noise, or if you cry? This is about YOU and YOUR family. The people who are there with you love you and if they respect you, then you should have no worries about being embarrassed or ashamed of ANYTHING that happens during labor and delivery.

Recognize that worrying about pain is normal. It does not mean you are selfish. And just because people tell you that you won’t remember the pain afterwards doesn’t mean that you can easily dismiss a fear of pain. Doctors today can make labor and delivery as comfortable as possible, and YOU ARE TOUGHER THAN YOU THINK!

When the worries get the best of you, just sit back and relax and breathe. Think about your future with your baby. Think positive thoughts and try to keep yourself busy. Find people to talk to about your feelings, and don’t hold anything in. Remember, YOU GOT THIS!

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Mom-Spirational

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

As you await your estimated due date, you may have spent time gazing at birth photos online. The beautiful photographs usually depict an emotional moment, and the very beginning of a new family’s life. That moment when you hold your baby for the first time can feel almost like an out of body experience, and a photograph can be a wonderful way to remind you of how you felt gazing into your newborn’s eyes for the first time.

The decision to hire a birth photographer is a personal one, and one that you must make as a couple. While some women may love the idea of freezing that moment for all eternity, others will hate the idea of their exhausted state being captured on film. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether to hire a birth photographer:

1. Too many cooks – a birth photographer will be another person in the room. Delivery rooms can soon feel overcrowded, and you may find yourself wishing things were a little less chaotic on the day. If it’s just going to be you and your birth partner, however, you may feel a little extra company would be welcomed.

2. A natural in front of the camera – do you love having your photograph taken, or hide awkwardly at the back of family photos? If you’re self conscious and hate having your photograph taken, birth photography might leave you feeling nervous on the day. You’ll have enough to focus on during labour without also worrying about which bits of your body are going to end up photographed.

3. A picture is worth a thousand words – you will never forget the moment you meet your baby for the first time, but a photograph will help you to relive it. It is one of the most overwhelming moments of your life, and a photograph will capture the emotions behind that first cuddle, and help remind you of what an amazing thing you did.

4. Hospital policy – if you’re giving birth in a hospital, you might need to check whether they have policies in place. Some may limit the number of people allowed in the delivery room, meaning your birth photographer is pushed out at the vital moment. Most hospitals will allow birth photographers in, but it’s worth checking in advance so you don’t end up disappointed.

5. The finances – birth photographers aren’t cheap. Your photographer will be on call for weeks, waiting to receive the call that they are needed at the hospital, and will expect to be compensated for this commitment. Birth photography can be expensive, so you’ll need to budget for this in advance.

6. You’ll still have your birth partner – if you don’t have a professional on hand, you’ll be relying on your birth partner to take the photograph. Not only does this mean he’ll be out of action as your birth partner, but he may feel he missed that vital moment of the birth because he was distracted by the camera. Your first cuddle with your newborn, is also your partner’s first time to see his new family.

7. You’ll end up with better photos – unless your partner is a professional photographer himself, you will get better photos from a professional. A professional photographer will have more of an idea about lighting, angles and editing, so you are likely to end up with better photographs.

Are you hiring a birth photographer to capture your birth?

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.

Admit it! At least once in your pregnancy, especially as you get closer to the ‘end’ so to speak, you have asked yourself, “Will I poop during labor?”

After all, just because we are pregnant and become accustomed to strangers and doctors touching and positioning us into awkward and uncomfortable positions that completely compromise any shred of modesty we have left, doesn’t mean we are immune to worrying about other people actually seeing, or dealing with our feces. How embarrassing, right?

So what IS the scoop on poop? Will all that pushing and pressure squeeze out a little bit of poop as well as baby? Or is this just a bunch of hype that gives us yet another silly thing to worry about?

The truth is that there is a chance you will pass stool while delivering. Years ago in fact, doctors would give women in labor an enema to try and avoid the poop. But today, very few if any do so. And while you might be embarrassed about it, the reality is you probably won’t even know you did it. Today, doctors, midwifes and doulas are fully equipped to handle a little bit of poop in the delivery room. The feet up in stirrups position enables them to wipe away any fecal matter without making a fuss, and you certainly won’t find a labor and delivery room doctor or nurse who is going to make a big deal of it. Obviously, there are more important things going on during delivery than a little bit of poop.

Furthermore, if you are ‘bearing down and pushing,’ like the doctor instructs and pass some feces (or gas) along the way – it reassures the doctor that you are actually pushing properly. Which is important, especially if you have had an epidural that numbs your senses. Additionally, you need to realize that you are in perhaps one of the most vulnerable positions of your life. Most women in late pregnancy show up in labor and delivery rooms un-groomed in the nether regions for months (because who can actually reach down there and take care of that while pregnant), and 9/10ths of your naked body are hanging out for the world to see. And since thousands of women give birth every day of the year, you can bet that your doctor or birth assistant has SEEN IT ALL. A little bit of doo-doo might seem embarrassing at the time, but it really is just par for the course.

What you might want to do is make sure that the folks in the delivery room with you are prepared for what is to come. You definitely don’t want your uncle from out of town with the funny sense of humor filming your labor and then posting your pooping escapade on Facebook as a joke. And chances are your partner is so freaked out that you are pushing a head from your vagina, that any pooping is mild in comparison. But still, you might want to choose the people attending your birth accordingly and make sure that they are folks you are comfortable with. Better yet, request that every one stand at the head of your bed rather than at the foot of your bed.

So there you have it. You might poop a little during labor and delivery. Big deal! After all you have gone through to have a baby, you deserve to not have to worry about such silly things! After all, it’s all natural and normal. If anyone facilitating your birth mind – then they are CLEARLY in the wrong profession.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @MOM-SPIRATIONAL

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