All posts filed under: Pregnancy Essentials

pregnant woman sitting on bed and reading book

Pregnancy Wellbeing

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Pregnancy wellbeing can feel like an indulgence because pregnancy is natural, so what’s the fuss? While I don’t like a lot of fuss, pregnancy is just the time to start to focus on your wellbeing and what you need to feel as physically and mentally well as possible. The simple steps of pregnancy wellbeing can help you to feel well: rest when you need to and when you can swim, walk or do pregnancy yoga to ease aches and boost your energy levels breathe to de-stress, to be calm and to relax eat well and often – this isn’t a time to restrict food so healthy options throughout the day can help to ease any tiredness or nausea drink water throughout the day – it’s easy to become dehydrated de-stress – especially if you are busy with work as well as family life share how you feel if you are feeling low or isolated what do you need? focus on putting you first Finding what works and doing it will make a difference, so planning …

person s tummy and hand

Your baby’s movements

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Your baby’s movements are an important way to monitor the health of your baby. As your pregnancy progresses, your baby’s movements will become more noticeable from flutters to rolls, punches and kicks. You will most probably notice movement between 16-24 weeks pregnant. According to Kicks Count: “from 16 – 24 weeks on you should feel your baby move more and more until 32 weeks. After 32 weeks, movements should stay roughly the same until you give birth.” While there isn’t a correct number of kicks to watch out for, getting to know the pattern of your baby’s movements can be important, so you can notice if it slows or stops. What to do if your baby’s movements change If you think your baby’s movements have changed, it is important to be checked out immediately – contact your maternity unit (or the nearest one if you are away from home) which could also have a pregnancy assessment unit. Maternity units are open 24/7 to help and support you – please don’t put it off or wait until tomorrow. …

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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 …