Bits & Boobs

Reading about nutrition during pregnancy, what you should and should not take, and what is important and what is not can sometimes feel overwhelming. This can be particularly true when advice seems conflicting or it changes. However, there is one area where there is pretty much universal agreement: the importance of taking folic acid supplement during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is such an exciting time, yet advice can sometimes feel overwhelming. This article aims to cut through all that information and provide the ultimate guide to pregnancy vitamins, minerals, supplements and nutrition.

Pregnancy provides an excellent opportunity to have a healthy pregnancy, optimise your general health and well-being and, of course, give your growing baby the right start in life. Vitamin D is one of the essential micronutrient vitamins for preconception, pregnancy and post-birth.

Your body goes through many changes whilst your baby grows. You have to adapt pretty quickly to these changes which can affect you both physically and emotionally.

If you have been contacted by your Midwife and informed that you have Low PAPP-A then you may be feeling worried, anxious and confused; what is it, how was it found, is it harmful to be or my baby, and what do I need to do about it. Let us put your mind at rest and fill in the answers to some of your questions.

If you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding and have a health condition that is eligible for the annual flu vaccination then this is your reminder to speak to your Midwife or GP about the vaccination programme and how to access it.

Discover the ultimate Baby Shower gift guide with ideas for every budget, from essential products developed by My Expert Midwife to thoughtful personal touches that new parents will love.

What should you look for in an Antenatal Class, and what will you learn from them?

Your body goes through many changes whilst your baby grows. You have to adapt pretty quickly to these changes which can affect you both physically and emotionally.

Abdominal pain can be common in pregnancy and, more often than not, is nothing to be concerned about. The reasons will differ throughout the trimesters. Read more about what the causes can be and what it may feel like.

A normal term pregnancy is defined as lasting between 37 and 42 weeks before the onset of labour. Some women will have their babies before 37 weeks and this is considered premature. Some women can have their baby after 42 weeks, and this is considered post mature / overdue.

Regardless of whether you go into labour naturally or are undergoing an induction of your labour you will still have some level of anxiety and with that anxiety comes the fear-pain cycle; the more anxious you become the more pain you appear to feel.

An assisted birth is a vaginal birth where you need a little extra help for your baby to be born

Towards the end of your pregnancy your body will be making many subtle changes to prepare you to birth your baby, and every woman is different, and every labour and birth can be different too.

For some women labour can be quick, but for most women early labour involves a ‘latent phase’, which can last from quite a few hours to several days before active labour and the birth of your baby.

Prepare for your postnatal recovery with tips from our in-house midwives. Your body and mind need care after birth to support healing and wellbeing, whatever birth you’ve had.

Take it easy, your body needs time to mend, so it needs rest and to have plenty of nourishment to do this. Eat healthily and arrange for help with normal day to day things, by asking your partner, family, older children, friends or hired help for extra assistance with daily chores and life.

A post c-section massage is one of the most important things for a women’s health after having a c-section. This step-by-step guide will provide you with the best knowledge you can use to massage your scar and help it heal.

Spritz for Bits was developed by Lesley Gilchrist, co-founder and registered midwife to soothe and relieve bits immediately after birth, however Spritz for Bits also provides relief through pregnancy and beyond whether that be pregnancy piles, or swollen and itchy bits.

Allowing yourself time to heal and recover after childbirth is not often talked about in detail. We can sometimes expect to be up and about and resuming normal life just a few days after giving birth, but this can be both physically and mentally detrimental when trying to adjust to life with a newborn family member.

Prepare in advance for when you bring your new baby home, some simple tips on how to keep well nourished and hydrated.

Find out how partners and family can support you with your post natal recovery and care.

The time following the birth of your baby can be one of stark contrasts. On one hand you can feel elated, empowered and in love with your newborn and, on the other, you may feel overwhelmed.

Postpartum blood loss can be different to a normal period. Everyone’s experiences will differ but being prepared for what to expect will help you to know the difference between a normal loss and when to seek help from your midwife or doctor.

Most children affected by atopic eczema will see improvement as they get older, with 60% being clear of it by their teens. Many, however, may continue to have dry skin and will therefore benefit from lifelong avoidance of irritants such as soaps, detergents, and bubble baths. The best way to keep eczema under control is to establish a daily skincare regime and stick with it.

Milia is one of the most common skin conditions that impact newborn babies. Learn more about the condition and treatments.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about colic in babies, including the signs to look out for, its causes and treatment.