6kg. Try not to be overly self-conscious about this - it's perfectly normal and should be celebrated as part of the miracle of childbirth!It's easy to feel more fat than pregnant but now is not the time to diet. Instead, just chill out, think about

Theo into the world.There may be a great deal that first-time mothers feel they don’t know about childbirth before it happens, but there are two things that everybody can be sure of: firstly, that due dates are not meant to be taken seriously

and of ovarian cancer, stronger bones in later life and, crucially, a faster return to a pre-pregnancy figure. Useful links Natural Childbirth TrustLa Leche League UKThe main thing to remember is that nearly every woman has the ability to breastfeed. Get

opening at an angle to one side. Why are episiotomies used?Episiotomies have frequently been used to lessen the stress caused to the perineal area during childbirth, prevent perineal tearing and enlarge the vagina to give the baby more room to pass out

designed to prepare you mentally and emotionally for childbirth and give you inner resources to draw upon when the going gets toughPrice: £16 when bought individuallyContact:www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk The concept:Pregnancy relaxation is from the Natal

proven effects of drinking raspberry leaf tea, a uterine stimulant. Whenever your baby decides to arrive, we hope you have a positive experience of childbirth and, once you’ve got some energy back, share your experience on the site with other expectant

the fertilized eggs are placed in the woman's womb.JKKegel exercises - Exercises to strengthen the muscles in and surrounding the vagina. Regular Kegel exercises can improve sexual sensation and help to control urination, particularly post child-birth when

and are part and parcel of the second half of pregnancy. Are you feeling very tired or do you feel your body is not comfortably carrying your growing bump? As hormones work to loosen up your limbs for childbirth, backache can be a problem and it's easy to allow

Good Thing. You'll find that this is increasingly the case as the weight of the baby begins to put pressure on your pelvic floor. But the real challenge comes after childbirth, during which the stretching and straining of the pelvic floor muscles can

long soak in the bath to relax your body and ease aches and pains, water can help ease pain and discomfort in childbirth. Depending on how labour is progressing you may be able to use water for early-stage pain relief or right through to birth. Find out