Personal considerations

Your health, and the growth and development of your baby, must be closely monitored. 

The experience of childbirth and parenthood is an unknown adventure, which results in major changes to your life. 

The following signs of labour may occur in any order.
1. Progressive contractions
A contraction is the periodic, wave-like tightening and relaxing of the uterine muscles. The abdomen will become very hard to the touch as the uterus contracts and reaches its peak and then, as it begins to fade, it softens.
Timespan of a contraction, from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next.

Your pregnancy: weeks 1-4 – the start of your first trimester. The first signs of pregnancy may be very visible… or not at all. In fact, there are as many different kinds of pregnancies as there are women.

Preparing for your prenatal appointments is important. Find out our prenatal checklist, so you can ask the right questions to your healthcare provider.

Sharing the adventure of pregnancy, birth and parenting can make this one of life’s most rewarding experiences.

The first step towards fatherhood is to accept pregnancy and birth as a period of change. You may have conflicting and intense emotions to deal with as you come to terms with this major developmental stage in your life. It is important to keep the channels of communication open between you and your partner.

A birth plan or wish list is not a set of commands and demands, and certainly not a contract. It is merely a list of preferences that you have thought about once you have all the information you need.

During the first stage, also known as the dilation stage, your cervix will dilate and efface from 0–10 cm.

Screening ultrasound scan

The nuchal fold test is carried out at around 11–13 weeks and measures the amount of fluid beneath the skin on the back of the baby’s neck, which in some cases may suggest an increased risk for Down’s Syndrome.

Older siblings learn about sharing, life-long love and friendship.

For many, the thought of having a second child can be overwhelming. There may be fears about being disloyal to your first child and unable to love another child in the same way.

A Caesarean birth is the delivery of your baby through an abdominal uterine incision, instead of vaginally.

This stage lasts from the birth of the baby until the placenta is delivered, usually from 5–20 minutes.

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.

Each woman’s labour is unique and unpredictable. It is important therefore that you are prepared for all the possible eventualities and you keep an open mind. This will help you have a positive birth experience.

This stage begins when the cervix reaches complete dilation and effacement, and it ends with the birth of the baby.
Cervical effacement and complete dilation at second stage of labour.

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.