Prenatal Care

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

*Check whether the maternity ward has a list of the items you will need.

Items for hospital stay