Articles
Pregnancy
Jo, Jon & Baby Frankie
I was 10 days overdue and really starting to get stressed that my baby would never arrive. I’d had so many phone calls from friends and family asking how I was doing, and although I can look back now and see how lovely those phone calls were, at the time they were just reminders that I hadn’t had my baby yet and still was waddling around waiting for something to happen! I couldn’t complain too much, although I had a few aches and pains, and bad heart burn near the end, I had had a fantastic pregnancy, not even any morning sickness! I had... Read full article
Top 10 - Pregnancy Problems
1. ANAEMIA. This is a condition in whch you don’t have enough red cells in your bloodstream and it is very common during pregnancy because your body needs extra iron so that your baby has a sufficent blood suply and can recive all the nessary oxygen and nutrients. If you become anaemic you may feel tired and look pale. Your doctor/midwife can do a blood test to check your haemoglobin level and may prescribe you an iron supplement. 2. CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME (CTS). Is a common complaint of pregnancy caused by fluid retention. The condition... Read full article
Focus on Maternity Units
In today’s modern society, many hospitals have chosen to offer a midwife led facility giving mums the chance to labour and birth in a more relaxed ‘at home’ atmosphere. These midwife led, ‘home from home’ style units encourage a relaxed natural labour and delivery, in many cases reducing the need for intervention. Okehampton Maternity Unit A: Cavell Way, Link Road, Okehampton, EX20 1PN T: 01837... Read full article
Top 10 - I’m Pregnant so I can’t…
1. ...change the cat litter tray because of the risk of toxoplasmosis 2. ...wear high heels. Good opportunity to shop for new pumps. 3. ...feel embarrassed about constantly cleaning. You can blame it on the nesting. 4. ...get in trouble for forgetting things. Its the pregnancy brain. 5. ...feel bad for eating lots of yummy foods. As I can’t help the cravings. 6. ...fight the nausea! You will have to... Read full article
“Does my bump look big in this?” by Nicole Topham
"I’ll remind you of this one day", said my mum mockingly, ‘when your back is aching and you’re shuffling along like an old woman with her shopping.” I looked down again at my midriff, where the hem of my T-shirt smoothed over the top of my jeans. It was still relatively flat. I was only about 12 weeks gone but I wanted to prove it to the rest of the planet. A proper bump would give me that certain pregnancy... Read full article
Top 10 - Morning Sickness “Cures”
1. Cracker/Dry Biscuits. Eating a few crackers or dry biscuits before you get out of bed in the morning can help to ease the feeling of sickness. Crackers in particular can help to absorb some of the stamach acid and are easey to digest 2. Ginger. Ginger is a natural anti-sickness remedy and is perfectly safe to take in pregnancy. Try pouring boing water over a slice of the root or a ginger teabag and... Read full article
Bluecoat Children’s Centre Multiple Birth Group
Here at Bluecoat Children’s Centre, we recognise the importance and uniqueness of families with multiple births. Every Monday between 10.00am – 12.00am, families with twins, triplets or more meet to share experiences, offer support to each other and seek out specific support should they need it. The group is an informal group within a friendly, welcoming environment. The room is set up for children, aged... Read full article
Trimester Two - Follow the Journey
Week 13-14 Your Baby His body his catching up with his head and he is about 10cm long now. Although he is getting oxygen through the placenta he is starting to practise breathing, his eyelids are still fused shut but are sensitive to light. Your Body You should have more energy now that you are in your middle months. Your tummy will look rounder and you may notice a dark line called the Linea Nigra... Read full article
A guide to pain relief
What pain relief should I have ? When should I have it ? What pain reliefs can I use with each other ? These are all common questions that new mums-to-be worry about. Check out our guide to prepare you for the delivery room. GAS AND AIR How it works It is also known as Entonox (50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen). You breathe it in through a mouthpiece or mask at the start of a contraction ... Read full article
Trimester One - Follow the Journey
From conception to 12 weeks is an amazing time for you and your baby’s growth. Week 1-2 Your Baby The growing embryo is made up from over 200 cells after 6 days of floating from the fallopian tube to the womb, it implants itself in the womb wall and starts its 40 ish weeks of growth in the gestation sac. Your Body Your body will be producing oestrogen and progesterone in varying amounts to prepare... Read full article
Top 10 Pregnancy Symptoms
1. SICKNESS Can occur very early on in pregnancy, even before you know you are pregnant. More commonly known as “Morning Sickness” it can in fact occur at any time of the day and can last for long periods of time or just short bouts. Sickness is caused by elevated levels of hormones. Small frequent meals and taking things slowly can help. Usually sickness can start to subside by 14 - 16 weeks. 2. MISSED... Read full article
Nearly There! The 3rd Trimester
So you are on the home stretch...! Stretch being the operative word! How on earth will this belly ever snap back into its original shape? Hmmm, maybe it won’t. The realisation finally dawns on you that NOTHING will ever be the same again. Your body is no longer yours and is soon to become a stumbling ( the effects of birth leave you more than a little bow legged), mumbling (no energy to actually speak... Read full article
Top 10 - Post Natal Issues
1. Post Natal Bleeding. Whether you gave birth vaginally or by c-section, every new mum will bleed after having a baby. This bleeding is called Lochia. It is made up of mucus, uterine lining and blood and it is how your body gets rid of the lining of your womb. The blood may gush or flow like a heavy period. The bright red blood loss should subside after a week becoming a pink colour and then brownish and... Read full article
First trimester - what to expect
One of the earliest signs of pregnancy can be an odd , metallic tast in your mouth and sometimes a sudden aversion to tea and coffee. You may start to experience morning sickness. This tends to start in the second month but most women feel a lot better after 12 weeks. Although this is called morning sickness, it can happen at any time of day. You may find that trying sea sickness bands, herbal teas, ginger... Read full article
The Truth about the Second Trimester
Congratulations, you made it! The 12 week landmark. Scan time, Yippee! Excited? Of course but if like me you approached this landmark with some trepidation, you are certainly not alone. This is the turning point at which you see the being within! Oh yes, and apparently your morning sickness subsides (urban myth number 3075!) Cravings become more normal (ok so blood…..oranges was a fairly safe... Read full article
The Truth about the First Trimester
It has to be the longest 12 weeks of your entire life! Firstly you wait with bated breath to do a test, (in my case I was waiting to do an Ovulation test 11 days after my first day of my period! Then I realised it was actually too late!!) Of course at this point you are constantly checking your pants for your period. Convinced you are just under the weather, you end up doing about 5 tests before finally... Read full article
