All posts filed under: Pregnancy Essentials

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10 simple ways to boost your pregnancy wellbeing

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Here are some quick and easy ways to enhance your pregnancy wellbeing. These things can be very much overlooked but focusing on your basic needs can go a long way to boost both your physical and emotional health. Simple steps for your pregnancy wellbeing… 1. Fresh Air 2. Water 3. Eat 4. Use your breathing 5. Rest 6. Talk 7. Wallow 8. Ask questions 9. Use your ball 10. Music There isn’t a prescriptive list of what you should do to boost your pregnancy wellbeing but even just focusing on the basics and on what you need that day can have a beneficial impact. For more information about pregnancy, birth and life with a baby, you can: ■ follow me on Instagram – click on the bell for notifications so you don’t miss a post/story■ sign up for my newsletter■ join my community group for expectant and new parents Janine Smith | A specialist in pregnancy, birth and early parenting Janine Smith PracticeConsultations | Courses | Community Mother Cuppa Magazine Say hello…Instagram | Facebook Group | Linkedin

pregnancy maternity notes

Making sense of your pregnancy maternity notes

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Your pregnancy maternity notes could be given to you at your booking appointment with your midwife. These are your handheld notes, to accompany your pregnancy – you will take them to every appointment and when you have your baby. Some NHS Trusts now provide digital notes, which can be accessed online. Your midwife will update it at every appointment, making a note of discussions and checks. Your pregnancy maternity notes will include: Your name, address and NHS number Your medical history and any relevant family medical history Details about any previous pregnancies and births Your antenatal appointments Results of blood tests Details of ultrasound scans Phone number for the maternity unit Information from midwife appointments: blood pressure, urine tests, baby’s movements and heart-rate. along with position in the womb and any engagement Measurement of baby’s growth Any issues during pregnancy Preferences for birth Your pregnancy maternity notes can include several abbreviations: Length of pregnancyEDD: estimated date of delivery or the date your baby is dueGA: gestational age, for example, 28+3 (28 weeks and three days pregnant)LMP: last menstrual period …

Pregnancy Checklist

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This pregnancy checklist is for everyone who is pregnant. Whether you are feeling great or if your pregnancy is more complicated you can adapt these to suit your needs. Pregnancy is a time to look after you, to focus on what you need and to gather knowledge. It is a time to ask questions, to put yourself at the centre of your care and to tune in to your instincts. After working with thousands of expectant parents – and having three pregnancies myself – I know how different each pregnancy can be. This pregnancy checklist is simple and effective because pregnancy wellbeing is about the basics: being as comfortable as possible – moving, walking, stretching, using a ball, using pillows, changing positions can all help. eat as well as possible – you might not always fancy a big meal, so little and often will be better. Keeping food and snacks as healthy as possible will boost your energy as well as your general wellbeing. drink plenty of water – as well as preventing dehydration, drinking …

Tips for using a birth ball and boosting positions in pregnancy and birth

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Using a birth ball/pregnancy ball/gym ball in pregnancy is a really simple way of easing back and hip ache, especially in your third trimester. A common question that comes up is what size to get and I often see photos of pregnant women using a ball that is too small, which might not help with that back ache. A rough guide for birth ball sizes: if you are over 5ft 7in, you will most probably need a 75in ball, otherwise a 65in ball will be more suitable for you. Make sure it is fully blown so it is firm to sit on. How to know your birth ball is the right size for you… when you sit on the ball, it supports you rather than sinking into it your feet are comfortably flat on the floor your knees are lower than your hips and your knees feel comfortable your back is straight it feels stable to sit on it it feels comfortable Sitting securely on a ball means you can rock and sway, moving your …

pregnancy after loss

Pregnancy After Loss

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Pregnancy after loss – whether that has been miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of your baby – can be a time of anxiety and worry, which can range from mild to extreme. This can ease as your pregnancy progresses or you may remain anxious until your baby is safely in your arms. Your pregnancy can also be a time of hope and happiness so you may be juggling some very conflicting emotions. There is no right way to feel or to experience pregnancy after loss so focusing on what you need can be important. I have worked with a number of expectant parents who have all felt very differently. You might feel cautious about telling people about your pregnancy. It can be normal to put off preparing for birth – I am often contacted by parents who are well into their third trimester. Meeting your baby/bringing your baby home can also cause some anxiety so it can help to prepare for what to expect and what support you might find helpful in pregnancy as well …