Checklist - maternity ward suitcase

By taking responsibility for your body, you can maximise your level of wellbeing and enjoy good health.

Good nutrition is of the utmost importance during your pregnancy

Today an increasing number of women are facing the challenges of pregnancy, birth and parenthood alone. This may be through personal choice or circumstantial.

In most instances, the baby’s head is the presenting part that moves into your pelvis before labour begins.

Labour support is a concept that has been around for thousands of years. Throughout human history and across many cultures, women in labour have been assisted by the companionship and aid of another person. The type and amount of support will vary from woman to woman, but every woman can benefit from focused, individualised attention and sensitive nurturing during labour.

You may need to consider some personal issues before you become pregnant.

What signs and symptoms during pregnancy to be aware about.

Protein (and the amino acids within) is the most important building blocks for all human cells. Given the rapid cell development of your baby-to-be it should be an essential part of your diet. Your requirements for protein are highest during the second and third trimesters due to this extremely rapid development and growth.

All parents worry about the possibility of complications such as prematurity, abnormality, stillbirth and neonatal death.

In a normal, uncomplicated labour and delivery, the use of medication is not always necessary. Your own resources are often enough.

Physical changes

Your uterus is pushing up above the pubic bone and you may have trouble fastening your ordinary clothes.
Now is the time to look for maternity clothing. The second trimester is a perfect time to travel and you may be tempted to plan a holiday.

There are many factors to consider before dedicating yourself to raising and budgeting a child for the next 18 years or more. 

We’ve laid out a few things to consider and guide you with regards to budgeting for a baby before you embark on the greatest journey of your life: parenthood. 

Having a baby is one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences in life, but it’s also one of the more costly experiences. 

Your biggest costs will be your medical bills.

A detailed medical history, of you and your partner, will be recorded at your first prenatal visit.

Physical changes

During the third trimester, your uterus starts to fill up most of your abdomen and probably reaches about 11 cm above your navel. This is when you may start to experience pain from the round ligaments that lie on either side of the uterus.

Clothing

As labour starts, a mother’s mood changes and she becomes less aware of what is happening outside her body, and more aware of what is happening inside her body.

Regular prenatal care is most important if you are carrying more than one baby, as the risk to you and your babies is higher.