Childbirth is undoubtedly one of the most magical things a person can do. Sharing life is a powerful thing, and it stands to reason that the birth of your child should be planned as such. Birth plans enable you to make yourself as comfortable as possible during an incredibly important medical event – and give you the opportunity to tailor your first hours as a parent. But what should you think about when planning a birth?

The Location

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is choosing where you would like to give birth. There are a number of options when it comes to birthing location: in a hospital, a birthing centre, or at home. All have their own advantages and disadvantages, which you need to think about carefully before you make a choice.

Hospital births are the most common kind of birth in the UK, and see you transported to the hospital to give birth in a maternity unit. Hospital births give you much more immediate access to medical interventions in case complications occur, and can give you access to modern interventions like epidurals or assisted births.

A home birth can be a magical thing, though, and a much more comfortable overall experience than giving birth in a hospital. You’re giving birth in a familiar place, with creature comforts all around; you’re also not expected to move between home and hospital in the middle of labour, unless major medical intervention is necessary. The risks are higher, but home births may simply be logistically easier for you (especially if you already have children).

You could also opt to go to a birth centre instead. They are usually much less medical than a labour ward, but have quick access to these if necessary. If you are wanting a water birth, or a more calming birth experience, this is a great choice for you.

Pain Relief

While there are some lucky enough to experience minimal discomfort when giving birth, it is overwhelmingly likely that giving birth will be a painful experience for you. It's therefore a good idea to research the pain relief options available to you before you reach your due date. Epidurals are a common modern intervention, that introduces an anaesthetic directly to the nerve clusters in your spine that send pain information to the brain. There are those that might think epidurals too invasive, and would seek instead for a ‘natural’ birth – in which case, breath control and 'hypo-birthing' are commonly-used techniques to control pain and pain response.

Childbirth Risks

As with any medical event, childbirth comes with its own risks – from birthing complications to hospital negligence. Indeed, medical negligence claims relating to orthopaedic surgery make up two-thirds of the NHS’s overall negligence spending, where improper handling of the new-born can leave lasting physical and even mental damage.

You should make sure you understand the various things that could go wrong during childbirth and after, so you can spot any warning signs and advocate for the best possible care. Knowing the signs can also help you with your own medical negligence claims, should you need to seek compensation.

Your Birth Partner

Lastly, a simple but impactful decision. Who will you bring with you into your delivery, whether at home or at hospital? For many, the answer might be as simple as bringing your partner – but for others, the question can be a bit more complex. Figuring this out now can save you unnecessary heartache later on, and ensure you have the right person cheering you through one of the biggest events in your life. 

This is a collaborative post.

How to Manage Asthma During Pregnancy

Taking great care of yourself during pregnancy is extremely crucial because you’re now breathing for two! And this is especially necessary for pregnant women who have asthma. Oxygen is needed for both you and your baby to drive their growth. But if your untreated asthma comes in the way, your baby’s oxygen supply could be affected. 

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that impacts you and your baby’s health. Getting concerned about your asthma and your baby’s health during pregnancy is normal, but it's a good idea to work with your doctor to manage symptoms and reassure you during this time. If you have great healthcare and online asthma medications for flexibility of medicine delivery, you’re halfway into a safe pregnancy! 

Why is Asthma in Pregnancy a Concern?

Not all women undergo pregnancy complications with asthma. However, if the condition goes untreated or you don’t get it under control, there are some risks associated with it, including:

· Foetal growth restriction
· C-section birth compulsion
· Premature birth
· Pregnancy complications because of high blood pressure, organ damage (often targeting the kidneys)
· Increased breathing problems in the baby

This doesn’t mean every pregnant asthma patient is at risk. Women who have their asthma under control and take proper care of their health during this vulnerable period are good to go. But it's always good to keep a close eye on your health, even if you think you don't have to worry.

What Causes Asthma Symptoms to Flare Up?

Allergens - People with allergic asthma can experience attacks when they come in contact with allergens such as animal fur, pollens, dust mites, and moulds.

Irritants - Certain items in the environment like smoking cigarettes, wood-burning fireplaces, perfumes, paints, other strong smells, or air pollution can trigger your lungs, causing asthma symptoms.

Infections - Several people with asthma also notice infections like pneumonia, flu or cold trigger their asthma symptoms.

Exercises - Working out during pregnancy is healthy, but people with asthma have to take care of what kind of exercises they perform. If you’re pregnant and notice that certain exercises are setting off your asthma, consult a doctor immediately and stop any exercise until you have your symptoms under control.

Disinfectants - If you've previously noticed flare-ups from disinfectants, stay away from when they’re being used or right after they’ve been used. 

How to Control Asthma in Pregnancy?

It’s believed that asthma can change, improve, worsen or stay the same during the entire course of your pregnancy. Hence, to ensure that you survive this period safely, your healthcare professional will work on controlling your asthma symptoms, prevent attacks, and maintain lung function.

Controlling and improving your asthma is important to ensure that your baby receives enough oxygen. Flare-ups or worsening conditions decrease the oxygen supply in the blood. Once this falls, less oxygen reaches your baby – moving to higher chances of poor growth, low birth weight, or premature birth.

Here are a few ways in which you can handle pregnancy with asthma easily:

Regular Prenatal Appointments
Your healthcare provider knows what’s best for you and your baby! So never miss a prenatal appointment. Visit them regularly during your pregnancy, and don’t be ashamed of sharing every concerns related to your pregnancy no matter how small - they are there to help.

Keep Monitoring your Asthma
Monitoring lungs during asthma is an unmissable part of check-ups. Your healthcare professional will check your lungs and whether your medications need to be changed or adjusted. Don’t forget to mention whether your symptoms have worsened, improved, or stayed the same during the course.

Try to Avoid Asthma Triggers
As mentioned above, certain factors like allergens, infections, or irritants can trigger your asthma. If you limit your contact with things that causes a flare up, you can control your asthma symptoms.

Take Medications 
Many medications like Ventolin asthma inhalers are safe for pregnant patients. Discuss with a doctor and explore other options for pregnancy-safe medications before taking anything though. Equally, don’t stop your asthma medicines that you were taking before pregnancy. Suddenly discontinuing your medicine intake during pregnancy is harmful. So, consult a healthcare provider before you take any steps further!

Will Asthma Affect your Labour?

Rarely does delivery sets off an asthma attack, and continuing your regular medications during labour is recommended. However, if your asthma has become severe, some steroids in the delivery room could be required.

Are Asthma Medications Safe During Breastfeeding?

A low amount of asthma medications gets into your breast milk. However, they are severely low in quantity and are safe for the baby. But keep in mind that high doses of certain medicines may affect the baby by making them irritable. Adjusting some hours can make a difference. So, talk to a doctor and allow your baby to enjoy the health benefits of breastmilk.

This is a collaborative post - Author Bio
Krishma Patel Co-founder and the Superintendent Pharmacist at MedsNow, an online pharmacy in the UK that provides health and wellness products and treatments along with free online consultations. She is passionate about showcasing the integral function community pharmacies can play in supporting the healthcare system and the NHS by providing patients with high quality, safe and discreet access to healthcare at their convenience. Along with being the co-founder of MedsNow, Krishma is also the Director and the Superintendent Pharmacist of Enimed Ltd., an independent pharmacy group comprising 32 branches.

5 Ways to Eat Healthy during Pregnancy

When you think about pregnancy and eating, your first thoughts probably go towards crazy cravings and nibbling ginger biscuits to help with morning sickness. But eating a balanced, healthy diet is especially important during pregnancy, as well as following some other changes. In this post I'm going to be sharing 5 ways you can keep healthy during pregnancy.

Eat a Balanced Diet
It is completely normal for pregnant women to experience cravings and have aversions to certain foods - I went completely off of certain meats during my third pregnancy with Lilah. But it is still important to maintain a healthy balanced diet alongside these. Make sure to eat enough fruit and vegetables, as well as healthy fats, proteins, carbs, and enough water each day. If you're struggling with breakfast ideas, then why not try Growli Foods, which are rich in vitamins and nutrients ideal for pregnant women. 

Take Prenatal Supplements
Taking prenatal supplements can boost your health and that of the baby when pregnant. The supplements have crucial vitamins and minerals for the body, including iron, zinc, folic acid, iodine, calcium, and vitamin D. Make sure to consult your midwife before taking any supplements to make sure you're taking the right combination for you.

Avoid Specific Foods
Although a balanced diet is essential, when pregnant there are certain foods that you should avoid. Foods such as soft cheese, unpasteurised milk, raw eggs, sushi, liver, or raw meat should be avoided. You also need to limit the amount of oily fish you consume as these contain a high level of mercury. Remember that rules and advice does change regularly though, so it's always best to check what isn't recommend often.

Don't Smoke or Drink
While you may be a smoker or love to drink alcohol often, the behaviour poses a significant risk to you and the unborn baby. Smoking increases the risk of premature birth, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), miscarriage, and other severe conditions. On the other hand, alcohol increases the chances of a baby having fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) when consumed during pregnancy. To be safe it's best just to avoid both alcohol and smoking during pregnancy.

Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of fluids while pregnant is incredibly important for your health. It is advised to consume  6 to 8 glasses daily to hydrate the body (and this also helps with other pregnancy issues such as constipation and headaches). Make sure to limit your caffeine intake to 1-2 cups a day - or switch to non caffeinated versions of drinks altogether if you prefer.

This is a collaborative post.

5 Things I Wish I had Known Before Pregnancy

With our youngest child Lilah being over 3 years old, pregnancy and all of it's ups and downs seems like a lifetime ago now. All three of my pregnancies were completely different experiences for me, yet there were many similarities throughout all of them, and even with my third pregnancy there were things I was so shocked about! So here are 5 things that I wish I had known before pregnancy.

How Long the First Trimester Can Feel

There is nothing quite as magical as seeing those first lines (or the words 'pregnant') appearing on a pregnancy test. But like many other pregnant couples, Jack and I decided to keep our pregnancies secret until we had our first scan around 12 weeks. But what no one talks about it just how long that first trimester feels! Feeling those rubbishy symptoms, not knowing what's going on, and then having no-one to share it with can make those weeks feel like months. I found it helpful to join pregnancy forums with other expectant mums due around the same time. Or even more helpful could be to share your wonderful news with your closest friends or family.

'Morning' Sickness isn't the only Symptom of Pregnancy 

Growing up and watching films you get sold this idea that morning sickness (which only occurs very early in the morning of course) is one of the only 'big' pregnancy symptoms. So when I did get pregnant and didn't experience sickness I was shocked. I was then especially shocked when I started experience other unenjoyable symptoms. Trapped wind, sciatic pain, aversions to smells... and that was just during the first trimester! 

How Anxious you'll Feel Before Every Scan

I think I actually felt more anxious before my 12 week scan with Lilah than I did with Indiana - and she was the third. But I honestly just don't feel as if those nerves ever go away until your baby is in your arms. It's completely normal to worry, but remember it's important to talk about how you're feeling if you think you're worrying more than normal. We paid for early reassurance scans with Lilah around 7 weeks, which did also help with the worry (but also expensive, so I know these aren't available to everyone).

How Important Pregnancy Vitamins Are

Of course the most important thing during pregnancy is to make sure you're eating a healthy and varied diet, as this will help you to get most of the vitamins and minerals you need. However it's also recommended to take a folic acid and vitamin D supplement during pregnancy.

Feel Pregnancy supplements are Mumsnet rated and have been launched as a 100% natural pregnancy and breastfeeding supplement. Taken twice a day they provide 100% of the daily recommended intake of folic acid, vitamin D3, iron, zinc and everything you need to support healthy pregnancy. During pregnancy they can assist with fertility and foetal development, they can also help to reduce nausea and improve overall health and energy levels. Plus you can continue to take Feel Pregnancy supplements postnatally too, as they will help support breastmilk quality and production.

Order now and you can receive your first month FREE. Click here to order!

You Don't Actually Need to Buy Much

Three babies later I am still completely guilty of buying too much during pregnancy, but the reality is that babies really don't need that much stuff. As long as you have somewhere warm and snug for them to sleep (a basic moses basket will do for the first 6 months), food for them to eat and cosy vests and sleepsuits for them to wear (and then you'll only need up to 12 in each size), all of the fancy baby gear can wait. None of mine ever liked a swing, and all of those fancy outfits and shoes were hardly worn. Wait until your baby is born and you get to know what they like before you spend lots of money!

This is a collaborative post.

Pregnancy in a Pandemic | GP Advice for Pregnancy During COVID-19

If you are currently pregnant or planning to start or expand your family soon, then I can imagine you have even more questions than usual right now. Advice and guidelines changed a lot between my three pregnancies as it is, and that was without a global pandemic to contend with. GP and new mum herself, Dr Stephanie Ooi wants to help with these worries, and has answered some of the most frequent questions regarding motherhood during the Coronavirus pandemic, which I am going to share in this post.

“We are in the midst of an uncertain worrying time and it is very understandable to have lots of questions especially if you are pregnant. I can sympathise as I have recently given birth to my second daughter so have been through it!

Do I need to be self-isolating if I am pregnant at the moment?

There isn't an absolute need to self-isolate. Pregnant women fall into the vulnerable category in the UK. The current guidance is that pregnant women should be adhering to strict social distancing rules - so only leaving the house for certain essential trips and remaining 2 metres from others when out. In general it is about minimising the risk to yourself as much as possible but also balancing this with managing your mental and physical health. Being able to go out for a walk can be very helpful during pregnancy as well. Of course, if you choose to self-isolate then this is absolutely fine too. It’s a tricky situation so I urge you to do what makes you feel comfortable.

I am feeling quite anxious about labour. What can I do to help?

It is very normal and understandable to feel anxious about labour in general, let alone in the current situation. My advice would be to try and focus on the things within your control and empower yourself with knowledge. I would advise to read information from trusted official resources such as the Royal College of Obstetricians and the NHS website. Both have excellent informative websites. Given the current situation, it will also be helpful to be aware of any changes made in the unit you will be giving birth so you are aware of what to expect. For example - are birthing partners allowed and when can they be present? You can find out this information by having a chat with your midwife.

I would also recommend looking into hypnobirthing - a technique that can be used during labour but also will be really helpful in the run up as you practice more and more. It consists of relaxation tools and positive affirmations which can be so helpful.

Is it advisable to wear gloves when you give birth in hospital?

It’s not essential and with gloves, there is actually an increased risk of cross contamination if you wear them the whole time. The best thing is to make sure you wash your hands frequently. In labour you may find it easier to use alcohol hand gel though (this must be at least 60% alcohol to be effective). I also have been quite hot during both labours so gloves may make things worse! A time where you might consider wearing gloves is for specific periods of time e.g. when going from the hospital entrance to the ward. You will have to open doors/press buttons BUT you must still be aware not to touch your face or phone and to remove them on arrival in labour ward and still wash your hands.

I’m unsure how many days I should pack for and what I need in my hospital bag?

If you have a fairly smooth birth, you may be discharged a bit earlier. Hospitals will be looking to discharge people home given the current situation if all is ok and you are happy. Pack for a few days. If you need more items then someone can drop them to the ward for you (but will not be able to come in) or the ward will have most essentials!

Some of my hospital bag essentials are:
• Lip balm – my lips have been super dry each time because of the gas and air
• Portable speaker – I found making my own playlist so helpful both times in terms of helping me to feel more relaxed
• Headphones – to listen to hypnobirthing tracks
• Phone charger
• Multi-Mam breastfeeding compresses and Multi-Gyn maternity compresses – designed to provide soothing relief to any sore nipples if you plan to breastfeed and soothe perineal/vulval discomfort following a vaginal delivery.
• A few treats for afterwards like your favourite face cream – I found it so familiar and restorative!
• Clothing/bras that are easy to breastfeed in if you plan to

Is it ok to have my parents come visit when the baby is born if they have been in quarantine?

Unfortunately in the current restrictions, visitors coming to your home is not allowed. Even if they have been isolating, you have also returned from hospital so there is a potential risk there. It is a very difficult time and I completely empathise. All I want is for my family to come over and hold the little one but sadly it will have to wait. At the moment, you could consider a socially distanced walk with one relative but physical contact would not be allowed.

Obviously there may be some circumstances where someone coming to the house is necessary but this would be my general advice.

With not many baby clinics should we be weighing our own newborns and how?

Visits from health visitors and midwives once you are back home will vary across the country. Some will be conducting home visits but calling the day before to screen for any symptoms and they will most likely arrive in protective gear too (apron, mask, gloves). Some may offer appointments either by phone or using video conference calls. I think we have to be cautious about buying scales for the home as sometimes it can cause more anxiety. If you are concerned about your newborn’s weight, contact your health visitor who can invite you into a clinic.

What can we expect with the postnatal checks during this time?

It is important to remember there are 2 checks at 6-8 weeks - one for you and one for baby. I would check with your GP surgery and see what they are doing at this time. For baby, some surgeries are combining the 8 week vaccinations with a check up. It is important not to forget about your own physical and mental health too. As new parents, we can find that the focus is on the baby but if there is any aspect of your recovery or wellbeing that you are concerned about, please seek advice from your GP.

Hopefully this post has been helpful and answered some of the questions you had. If you are still unsure the best thing to do is to contact your midwife, and find out the advice for your personal circumstances. Good luck!

This is a collaborative post.

Can you Exercise During Pregnancy?

When you’re pregnant and already feeling tired and achy, the last thing you might want to do is exercise. After all, it’s difficult for most of us to get motivated even without the excuse of growing a human inside us! But actually being active during your pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for both you and your baby. It has been shown to reduce prenatal depression, aid sleep and can lead to easier labour and recovery.

There are of course limited to what you should and shouldn't do though - the type and amount of exercise you do is dependent on your level of fitness before you were pregnant, and you should consult your doctor or midwife before commencing any type of exercise programme during pregnancy. Gentle activities such as walking, swimming and yoga for prenatal wellness are all good options, especially for those who have not exercised regularly before pregnancy. 

What are the benefits?

It is normal and healthy to gain weight during your pregnancy, but health professionals recommend not putting on too much to lower your risk of complications, back pain and gestational diabetes. Regular exercise can help maintain steady weight gain, and help you keep your strength throughout your pregnancy. A study in the British Medical Journal found that pregnant women who followed exercise programmes were less at risk of gestational diabetes and also less likely to need intervention in the form of unplanned cesareans. 

Recovery times after birth can also be quicker for those who have regularly exercised in pregnant. Many women feel like they can safely and happily return back to their pre-pregnancy activities sooner. This could be due to feeling stronger and the body / muscles remembering what to do.

Exercise can can help to regulate hormones and moods by releasing endorphins. This can not only help with you day-to-do mood, but also help to combat pre/post natal depression and anxiety. Also as counter-intuitive as it may seem, getting some exercise can actually make you feel less tired. Regular exercise can make it easier to both fall asleep and stay that way! Ideal if you're unfortunate enough to suffer with pregnancy insomnia.

Whether you're exercising to keep fit, relax, or just simply because you enjoy it, it really is a great thing to do during your pregnancy (and beyond). Just make sure to take it easy sometimes... you'll need the energy for when baby arrives!

This is a collaborative post.

Getting Back to Normal Post Pregnancy

A new survey conducted by Multi-Gyn and Multi-Mam has found that over a third of women (39%) felt pressure to lose their post pregnancy baby weight. With nearly a fifth (20%) feeling pressure to get back into a fitness regime too! Yet in reality, with the body adjusting to very little sleep and the demands of a newborn baby, for some women the challenges of this fourth trimester can be difficult enough without any of these added pressures. A lack of education, support and conversation about this time leaves many women unprepared for what to expect.

It can be difficult for new mums to know what to expect - every body and every birth is different after all - but self-care during this trimester is particularly important. In this post I am going to share 5 ways to help heal your body, and hopefully help you to enjoy this new stage of life with a precious newborn.

Sleep
It’s no surprise that getting a good night’s sleep can help to keep your energy levels up but it’s also important for the mind and body. Whilst it’s not a surprise to hear that many parents of newborns struggle to get a good night’s sleep there are things you can do to help you catchup. These include trying to sleep when your baby sleeps, making sure to get an early night, and where, and if, possible share the night feeds with your partner. Of course this can be more difficult if this isn't your first child, but it is important to try and rest when you can.

Eat Nutritious Meals
Consuming a wide variety of nutritious foods really helps with postpartum recovery. Make sure to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as lots of proteins and calcium. If you’re breastfeeding, staying hydrated is particularly important, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water during and after every feed. If time isn't something you have you can make use of fantastic food delivery services such as Gousto, to help you prepare tasty and nutritious meals without the stress.

Fresh Air
Whilst it’s a cliché, it’s true, fresh air and sunshine really do make everyone feel a bit better. So try and head out for a walk at least once a day with baby in the pram / sling. This not only helps with mental health and your mood, but the gentle exercise will help build up your strength to help aid recovery too.

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A post shared by Emily (@emilyandindiana) on Apr 11, 2018 at 12:00pm PDT

Friends and Family
Meeting up with friends and family and staying connected is really important for your mental health after you have just given birth. Learn to say yes to all offers of help and support, something that doesn’t come naturally to many of us. Whether it’s offers such as whizzing a vacuum around or helping with the washing/ironing, to walking the dog and simply holding baby while you can have a relaxing bath in peace.. just say yes!

Exercise
Exercise is important for our mental and physical well-being. When those endorphins kick in, you will notice an improvement in mood. Even though your body has changed after pregnancy and needs time to recover, after 6-8 weeks it is possible with sign off and clearance from your GP to resume light exercise. It’s important not to overdo it (your body needs time to recover and get over the big changes that it has been through), pregnancy hormones can affect your joints and ligaments for up to 6 months after the birth putting you at greater risk of injury so you must take it easy. But walking, swimming and aqua aerobics (once your bleeding has stopped), yoga and pilates are all options that you could explore.

The biggest thing to remember is that throughout this new chapter, although you might feel lost at times, you are not alone. Visit @realbirthsrealbodies on Instagram to see other women share their honest and real account of life with a new baby.

Multi-Gyn and Multi-Mam Compresses have been developed to provide soothing relief for the 2 most common discomforts new mums face - post birth vaginal discomfort and breastfeeding. They can be found in Boots, on Amazon and at other online pharmacies.

This is a collaborative post.

Four Easy Tips for a Smooth Pregnancy

I'm sure you've heard many horror stories of pregnancy - the back pain, the swelling, and all of those hormones causing awful mood swings. But it really isn't like that at all! There are things you can do to make your 9 months of pregnancy easier; giving you that 'glowing' pregnancy journey. In this post I'm going to share just four tips you can follow to have a smooth pregnancy.

Build a Support Group

Everything’s easier when it feels like we’re not the only ones going through something. Going through a pregnancy alone (and believing that there’s no-one looking out for us) would be incredibly difficult. So take the time to find a support system! If you have family living near to you, then this could mean getting them more involved in the process, or inviting close friends to help with baby shopping. And definitely make sure you sign up to antenatal groups such as NCT or pregnancy yoga, as this is a great way to find likeminded mums to be - plus make friendships for when baby arrives too.

Stay Informed

There’s no getting around the fact that a pregnancy can be full of anxieties and worries. This is the most likely the biggest thing that you’ll do in your life, so of course it’s natural that you’d be a little anxious. But by keeping yourself informed about everything you're experiencing can really help. Read books about pregnancy, visit your healthcare professional regularly, and download a pregnancy tracker to see how things are progressing each week.

Remember to Look After Yourself

Your focus will be mostly on the little human that’s growing inside of you, but make sure you’re not putting all of your attention on the baby - you should also focus on yourself. You have some license to be a little selfish when you’re pregnant, so make the most of it! You can treat yourself well by making sure that you’re getting as much rest as you need, and all-around looking after your body. That means eating well, regular low intensity exercise, and taking any prenatal vitamins your midwife recommends.

Enjoy the Process

There are always going to be stressful moments when you become a parent, both during the pregnancy and after. But there’s also plenty of scope for having fun and enjoying the process too. Embrace your growing bump and capture it's size with a bump cast. Enjoy decorating the nursery and buying your baby's little wardrobe. And most importantly make the most of the time with your partner before the baby arrives - a babymoon is the best way to do this!

This is a collaborative post.

How to Prepare for a Summer Pregnancy

If you have just found out you're expecting, congratulations! The likelihood is you’ll be due in the summer, and are already thinking about how you're going to cope being heavily pregnant during the hot months. So with that in mine, here are a few tips on how to cope when the time comes.

Dehydration

You are probably already preparing for the baby and everything they will need, but don’t forget about yourself. While you’re pregnant, you need to make sure you get enough fluids, and this is especially tough in the hot summer months. Staying hydrated is especially important anyway, and you should be drinking at least 2.3 litres of liquids every day - you need to add 8 ounces for every hour you spend in the heat during the summer months though.

Swelling
Your calves, ankles, and feet are susceptible to swelling during the heat and pregnancy. To help reduce this, make an effort to keep your legs up whenever you can - even when you’re at work. There are some natural foot and ankle exercises which can also help, and if you try to lay off the salt, you should retain fewer fluids. If it’s really bad, then try eating watercress, celery, citrus fruits or small bits of parsley, which may act as natural diuretics.

The Heat
You’re likely to feel overheated anyway, but add in the summer heat too and it could make you feel pretty miserable. If you have already or can get an air conditioning installation, then do it. You’ve got time now to get everything ready, and it will be useful for the baby too when he or she arrives. If you have access to a pool, use it. This will not only lower your body temp, but the buoyancy will also ease the stress on your organs. If you don’t have access to a pool, try a paddling pool. But make sure you've got sun cream on while you're outside.

Sticky Sweat
Luckily for you in the summer you can wear lightweight, comfy maternity clothes. Choose loose, light-colored clothes. This will help keep you from overheating and allow sweat (especially beneath and between your breasts) to evaporate, preventing nasty rashes.

Boredom
The simplest way to keep your body temperature in check is to stay indoors in the cool, but that’s usually easier said than done and can be incredibly dull! To keep you entertained make sure you’ve got plenty of fun films at the ready - Baby Boom? Or how about my all time favourite Father of the Bride Part II? Enjoy them from home so that you can to pause to walk around to ease your aches (or when you need to go to the loo every 10 minutes).

This is a collaborative post.

My Three Birth Experiences | Why I Wouldn't Recommend an Epidural

Despite a house full of noise, chaos, and every plastic toy under the sun, I still find it hard to believe I'm a mama to three beautiful children. On the other hand though, I remember each of their births so clearly still...

With Indiana I was your typical first time mum. Blissfully unaware of what was yet to come, I counted down each day to my due date with so much excitement! So when my waters broke on my due date I told as many people as possible - even sharing a status on my Facebook page - and anxiously waited for the pains to come.

Little did I know, that it would actually be almost two days until I would give birth. Eek! I ended up with an epidural, episiotomy and ventouse delivery, which although I know was necessary at the time, still makes me incredibly sad. It ruined my postpartum experience with Indiana, as just sitting was eye-wateringly painful. I also still get back pain from my epidural almost 5 years later.

Although Indiana's labour experience was traumatic, it definitely didn't put us off from having any more children. And so fast forward 20 months, here I was again waiting to give birth! My waters broke at 39+1 weeks with Parker, and although terrified of history repeating itself, my experience the second time was such a positive one.

The thought of being sent home from the hospital put me off from going in at all, so I laboured at home for 90% of the labour. By the time I actually got to hospital, there was just about time to jump in the birth pool before Parker was born.

No medical interventions, just gas and air, and the most amazing positive experience. My recovery was so quick and relatively pain free too, which just proves what a difference an 'easy birth' can make. And although I begged for the epidural, I am soo pleased I didn't get one. Being able to get up straight after birth is such a better feeling, and I dread to think how much worse my back would be now!

Parker's birth changed my mind completely about labour and birth, and was actually one of the factors in deciding to have our third baby. Lilah was another due date baby (I'm apparently incredibly lucky!), and probably my craziest birth. Not because it was a negative experience, but because it all just happened so fast!

I laboured throughout the night, but as my waters hadn't broken, I was adamant it was a false alarm. But at 6.30am everything got incredibly intense, we raced to the hospital, and Lilah was born at 7.59am with just a few puffs of gas and air! We were then home by lunchtime, still rather shocked at what had just happened.

All three of my births couldn't have been more different, but I think it just proves that one negative experience, shouldn't stop you having more children if you want them. I am so lucky that despite Indie's slightly traumatic birth, I’ve had great experiences at my hospital too, with no medical negligence. Did I think I would go on to have another baby (let alone 2!) the days after Indie's birth? Of course not! But I would honestly say I loved giving birth, and I'm actually so sad I'll never get to experience it again.

This is a collaborative post.

5 Amazing Pregnancy Milestones

Pregnancy is the most wonderful journey, but my goodness is it hard. Your body goes through so many changes and you go through lots of new experiences. Towards the end of your pregnancy, you might start to get fed up with all of the back pain and sleepless nights, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get excited about it.

There are plenty of amazing things to look forward to though, and you will honestly never have another experience like it in your life. If you’re expecting for the first time, these are the pregnancy milestones that you can look forward to!

The First Positive Test 

Getting pregnant can be a struggle, and it can take some people a long time before it happens. That’s why the first positive test is such an incredible moment! After so many months of trying to get pregnant, it’s amazing when it finally happens. There’s no other feeling like it in the world when you see that positive test for the first time. And I'm sure if you're anything like me, the second, third and fourth with be just as exciting too.

The First Symptoms 

You wouldn’t think that you would celebrating those first yucky symptoms of pregnancy, but it is a good moment really, promise! It’s different for everybody, you might get morning sickness, constantly need the loo, or feel insationably hungry. Whatever it is though, it will probably be the first time that the pregnancy starts to feel real. And it's usually a positive sign that things are developing with the pregnancy.

The End of the First Trimester 

Most people keep their exciting news a secret for those first few weeks. But once you reach the end of the first trimester, you can start shouting about your pregnancy and buying all of the bits that you’ll need. Most people will tell you that this is the best period of pregnancy, because you aren’t too big and uncomfortable yet and the early pregnancy symptoms start to subside.

The First Scan 

Things will really start to feel exciting when you go for your first scan! Up until now, you haven’t been able to see your baby, but this is your first chance to get a look at your new baby, and maybe even listen to their heartbeat. It’s a momentous occasion that you will definitely remember forever. And the picture is so special some people even pop them in a personalised baby scan photo frame. 

The First Contraction 

After 9 months of strange symptoms, waiting and preparing, it’s finally time to meet your beautiful baby! Feeling that first contraction can be can scary, especially as you don't know what's to come. But you'll be wanting to do it a million times again to meet that baby of yours.

What are you most looking forward to? Congratulations and good luck!

This is a collaborative post.

5 Ways to Protect Your Pelvic Floor

The pelvic floor muscle is incredibly important for both men and women, and yet we know very little about it or how to protect it. There are thought to be between 3 and 6 million people in the UK, suffering from some kind of urinary incontinence. For too long, it has remained a hidden problem, something that is both embarrassing and incurable.

Photo by Yoann Boyer on Unsplash

Thankfully, attitudes are changing and treatments are becoming more effective too. But when it comes to protecting your pelvic floor, there is no denying that prevention is better than cure. So what ways can you protect your pelvic floor and reduce reliance on incontinence pads?

Specific Pelvic Floor Exercises
The pelvic floor muscle stretches across the body, from the front by the pubic bone to the base of the spine. It is a sling-like muscle and one that is unlike any other muscle in the body. But it works in similar ways by contracting and expanding to allow the muscle the bladder to open and close. Keeping it toned and strong can be done through exercise, just like we do with other muscles in the body.

Clench and release exercises are simple and effective. Performing two or three sets each and every day, as well as extending the time you clench your pelvic floor muscle, is effective at keeping it strong and toned. Although a lot of advice relating to the pelvic floor muscle relates to pregnancy, these exercises can be done by men and women, no matter how old or young they are.

Diet
Your choice of foods and drinks can also make incontinence worse? Looking after your pelvic floor is a balance of helping it to remain healthy, whilst minimising foods and drinks that can irritate it;

• Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes and the like can irritate the bladder making it harder for your pelvic floor muscle to remain in control. If you eat a lot of these kinds of foods, you may need to consider cutting back.
• Caffeine and sugary drinks can also affect the bladder, reducing your intake of both of these kinds of drinks, including alcohol, can help with pelvic floor and bladder health.
• Not drinking enough water can also lead to an irritated bladder. Although we may think reducing the amount of water we drink will help incontinence, it can actually make it worse.

Lifestyle
We all know by now that our lifestyle impacts our health, and this is certainly true when it comes to the bladder and the pelvic floor.

• Smoking - causing smoker’s cough, it may be possible that your pelvic floor is weakened by coughing fits leading to urinary incontinence.
• Alcohol - consuming a lot of alcohol leads to the body making more urine and this can lead to problems with incontinence.
• Lack of exercise and excess weight - can also lead to problems with incontinence. Staying active, balancing your diet and maintaining a healthy weight all help your pelvic floor.

Bad Habits
Over the years, we can pick up poor toilet habits too, some of which may impact on your pelvic floor. For example, it is not uncommon for people to wait until the last minute to go to the toilet. This places stress on the bladder as well as the muscles and the pelvic floor muscle that control it.

Holding on to urine can also lead to other problems. Urinary tract infections or UTIs happen for all kinds of reasons but holding on to your urine or not allowing yourself time to empty your bladder properly could be one of them. Make sure you allow yourself time to go to the bathroom and when you do feel the urge, you don’t put it off.

Seek Help
For too long incontinence was seen as something that happened as the body aged. Or that it was a female-only problem and a side effect of pregnancy and giving birth. There is help available for all people suffering from incontinence though;

• Information and help with exercise and lifestyle is something your doctor and practice nurse can help with.
• Some GPs will refer patients to a specialist continence nurse to help with longer-term incontinence issues.
• There are medications that can help.
• For when the pelvic floor is damaged, surgery may be an option. 

Protect your pelvic floor by looking after it with exercise and a healthy lifestyle but if you need to, seek medical help too.

This is a collaborative post.

Keeping Healthy During Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, your body has to go through a lot of changes. Your skeleton will restructure, internal organs will move out of place, and the chemicals that control the way you feel will be all over the place. Of course, this is simply part of the job, and most mums will be happy to go through it for their child. This doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything about it though. In fact, as an expecting mum, there are a number of things that can be done to help you through pregnancy.

Supplements - Those first few months of pregnancy are incredibly tough. Morning sickness, bloating and extreme tiredness, make it hard to make sure that you’re eating the right food all the time. A lot of mums (myself included) find themselves consuming options which are less than healthy, and much more convenient. To balance this out, supplements like hibiscus tea can be very powerful. Along with this, a lot of mums will choose to take multivitamins and pregnancy supplements throughout their pregnancies.

Exercise - Along with taking the right supplements, you could also think about getting involved with a little bit of exercise. Between sessions, your metabolism will be at its peak, and your body will be able to make proper use of all of the nutrients you’ve consumed. This is a great way to make sure that your baby is getting everything they need. Even when you’re eating the right food, it can be hard to tell whether or not the goodness is being passed down to your baby, unless you put some provisions in place to help with it.

Cravings - During pregnancy, lots of women will experience some sort of cravings. In most cases, this can be traced directly to the nutrients which you need the most. Those craving salt being low on sodium, and those who want sweet food needing a boost in sugar levels. This gives you the ability to make a difference through simple observation. Of course though, you can’t just give into the cravings, as you’ll also need to make sure that you’re eating healthily. To achieve this goal, it will be worth preparing your snacks in advance, making it nice and easy to keep yourself eating the right things.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start working harder on the time you put into your pregnancy diet. During this time in life, food is going to be more important than ever before, impacting your child’s development and your health when it comes to giving birth. Although your doctor and midwife will often have some of the best advice on offer, if you feel you need it.

Collaborative Post

38 Weeks Pregnant {Baby Number Three}

It seems crazy that we're at this stage already. I remember writing my very first update for this pregnancy, and thinking our due date was aaages away. But here we are, with just 9 days until that date! Although as I've said throughout this pregnancy, I still think I have at least one more update to write.

HOW FAR ALONG?

38 weeks & 5 days

DUE DATE?
14th January 2018

GENDER?
Girl!

HOW’S BABY DOING?
I use the Baby Centre App to check on baby's progress - Baby is around 6.8lbs, although I reckon she's closer to the 8lb mark at this stage now (especially if she takes after her brother and sister). She's also around 49.8cm long, which is about as long as a leek.

I've seen my midwife twice since my last update (I'm seeing her weekly now), and we've had some rather rubbish news. My iron levels have dropped again, so our home birth plans are now out of the window. I'm absolutely gutted, as it's what I've wanted from the very beginning. But I know the safety of myself and the baby are most important, so I will of course follow the midwives advice.

The good news though, is that baby girl is doing really well. She's well head down, in a good position, and still 3/5ths engaged. She's wriggling around loads, and forever bouncing on my cervix.. much to my discomfort!

WEIGHT CHANGE?
I'm hoping to jump on the scales soon to see how much I've put on overall - I'm a little bit scared though, as I've definitely indulged the last few weeks.

SYMPTOMS?
I'm absolutely exhausted and everything aches. I can't move or do anything without making those 'ooft' noises, and I've definitely given up trying to do anything more than I need to now. I'm waking constantly at night (all good preparation right?), but I know there's a light at the end of the tunnel so I'm trying to just embrace these last few days / weeks.

SLEEP?
What is sleep? I've said to Jack that I actually dread going to bed these days, as I know sleep is going to be so rubbish. I'm waking almost hourly, peeing at least twice during the night, and just cannot get comfortable at all! I'm exhausted though, and have found myself drifting off in the middle of the day a few times now.

CRAVINGS?
Nothing of note recently.

HOW I’M FEELING?

As I mentioned above, I'm just feeling a bit deflated and disappointed. I am SO excited to meet this little lady though! I go to bed each night thinking 'will this be it?' and although I'm terrified of the pain, I'm ready to do it all again.

MISS ANYTHING?
Nothing in particular.. I just have no idea what it feels like to not be pregnant anymore!

FAVOURITE RECENT OUTFIT?
Ah, nothing! I am totally done with dressing a bump now :|

BEST MOMENT THIS FORTNIGHT?
Celebrating our final Christmas and New Year as a family of four. It was so magical, and it's made me so excited to have another little one running around next year. The littles have absolutely loved talking to bump these last few days too. I feel it's a sign they're ready to meet her!

LOOKING FORWARD TO?

Hopefully meeting this beautiful baby girl very soon! Parker was born at 39+1 weeks.. so who knows when this little one will make her appearance?

You can see how this pregnancy compares to Parker's (my second) here.

36 Weeks Pregnant {Baby Number Three}

9 months pregnant. Wow! Although I feel as if I'm in the "I feel as if I've been pregnant forever" bubble now, I really do think I'll miss my bump when it's gone. Especially as this is definitely the last time I'm going to experience all the ups and downs of pregnancy.

HOW FAR ALONG?

36 weeks & 5 days

DUE DATE?
14th January 2018

GENDER?
Girl!

HOW’S BABY DOING?
I use the Baby Centre App to check on baby's progress - baby girl is roughly the length of a romaine lettuce this week, weighing around 2.6kg and measuring just over 47.4cm long. She's now shedding what's left of her downy lanugo hair and vernix - both of which she'll then swallow, which will then become part of her meconium poo.

I saw my midwife for my home-booking appointment yesterday, as well as my 36 week antenatal check. It made everything feel a lot more real, especially talking through where the pool is going to go, and the procedures. She also dropped off the home birth box, and the birth pool is being delivered this week too, so we're nearly 100% ready to go now! In regards to antenatal checks, everything was perfect. Baby girl is still well head down, and now 3/5ths engaged... and boy can I feel it!

WEIGHT CHANGE?
I don't even want to know anymore.. especially with Christmas just around the corner!

SYMPTOMS?
The constipation is back.. yay! I think it's due to the iron I'm taking, as well as the fact everything is so squished up now. Either way I'm hoping it passes soon, as it really makes you feel miserable. 

Braxton hicks are almost constant in the evenings now, and usually accompanied by period like pains too. I'm hoping it's a sign that my body is getting all prepared, so when labour does come it is a little quicker. Although I'm still certain she's going to be late!

SLEEP?
Sleep is pretty awful if I'm honest. I'm waking so much to go to the loo, and rolling is just impossible. I'm finding I'm waking in the night randomly too, and then struggling to get back to sleep. Which is incredibly frustrating when you have your husband peacefully snoring away next to you...

CRAVINGS?
Nothing of note recently.

HOW I’M FEELING?

Exhausted, achey, heavy, and pretty bloody huuuuuge. I am oh so excited though! My sister, who was due a few weeks before me, welcomed my nephew into the world this week. Meeting him and having those newborn snuggles has made me even more excited. I still can't believe I have a baby just like that in my belly though!

MISS ANYTHING?
Feeling 'normal'. I have completely forgotten how it feels to be able to walk around and not feel tired and out of breath. I just want to sit on the floor and play with the littles, but everything hurts too much to do anything. 

FAVOURITE RECENT OUTFIT?
I recently worked with JoJo Maman Bebe, reviewing some of their lovely maternity clothing. I think my favourite piece is this maternity and nursing top - it's so clever, and stripes are my favourite!

BEST MOMENT THIS FORTNIGHT?
We've got everything prepared for baby! We have built our co-sleeper, the clothes are all washed and put away, and I have my home birth box / hospital bag sorted. 

LOOKING FORWARD TO?

Enjoying our last Christmas, and hopefully New Year as a family of four! We have so much to look forward to in 2018, and I just want to enjoy every last minute with Indie and Parker before she's born.

You can see how this pregnancy compares to Parker's (my second) here.

34 Weeks Pregnant {Baby Number Three}

34 weeks pregnant, and I've definitely hit a wall. I'm just so. bloody. tired. I have zero motivation either (not helped by the colder weather), so I feel as if these last few weeks are going to draaaag even more. Ah!

HOW FAR ALONG?

34 weeks & 4 days

DUE DATE?
14th January 2018

GENDER?
Girl!

HOW’S BABY DOING?
I use the Baby Centre App to check on baby's progress - baby girl is roughly the size of a cantaloupe melon this week, weighing around 2.1kg and measuring 45cm long. She's still laying on those layers of fat, which will help her to regulate her body temperature once she is born. Going by the size of my bump, she's definitely filling out now!

I saw my midwife at 33 weeks, which was a rather exciting appointment. All checks were good, and baby girl was head down still. Even more exciting was the fact she was 2/5ths engaged already (something I could definitely feel). I'm pretty sure she's still bouncing in and out now, going by the lighting pains.. but it's a positive step!

WEIGHT CHANGE?
I'm pretty sure I'm half baby and half hot chocolate and marshmallows these days... I reckon that small weight gain is going to be rising pretty rapidly over the Christmas period.

SYMPTOMS?
I feel incredibly sorry for whoever has to spend time with me at the moment. The pregnancy hormones are real! I am just so heavy, tired and uncomfortable now, that the littlest thing will set me off... whoops.

Braxton hicks are pretty constant, and actually becoming pretty painful at times too. Oh and the lightning crotch I mentioned above too.. ouch! I feel as if my bump is so low now, so at least that's a little relief on my ribs.

SLEEP?
Oh how I miss sleeping well. If I'm not waking for a wee, I'm just awake in the middle of the night tossing and turning. I reaaaaally hope it doesn't turn into pregnancy insomnia, because I know how torturous that is.

CRAVINGS?
I'm not sure the hot chocolate thing is a craving, but I'm liiiiving for them right now. Just typing this I want to pop to Costa and grab a festive version.

HOW I’M FEELING?

I absolutely love pregnancy, but these last few weeks are oh so hard. I just feel like I want to hibernate and sleep all day now. But that's just impossible with two little ones and a house to keep running. I'm still loving all the baby wriggles though.. there's nothing like those!

MISS ANYTHING?
Sleep. Having energy. Being able to do things without it being a huuuuge effort... Can you tell I'm feeling pretty done now?

FAVOURITE RECENT OUTFIT?
How have I gone this long without maternity leggings? I finally caved and bought myself some, and they are AMAZING. I do still love my maternity jeans though - you can read about how I've been loving my Mothercare jeans here.

BEST MOMENT THIS FORTNIGHT?
Washing baby clothes! I forgot how amazing the smell of baby washing was, and just how lovely it is to have teeny tiny clothes hanging out to dry. Now I've just got to sort them all out again, and pop them away until she's born.

LOOKING FORWARD TO?

Jack's parents have offered to have the littles next weekend, so we can get all the last its sorted for baby girl. So that means building the co-sleeper, packing the home birth box and finding homes for everything. I'm so excited!

You can see how this pregnancy compares to Parker's (my second) here.

Linking to the Bumps & Babies Linky with Let's Talk Mummy

32 Weeks Pregnant {Baby Number 3}

My goodness do I feel reaaaally pregnant now! The weeks are absolutely flying by too, and it really feels as if I'm going to blink and my due date will be here. Talking of due dates, for some reason I just have a feeling I'm going to make it there this time, and maybe even beyond too. But who knows!

HOW FAR ALONG?

32 weeks & 5 days

DUE DATE?
14th January 2018

GENDER?
Girl!

HOW’S BABY DOING?
I use the Baby Centre App to check on baby's progress - baby girl now weighs roughly 1.7kg and is as long as a kale leaf at around 42.4cm long. Her finger and toenails are now full formed, and if she has an itch she may even scratch it (cute!). By this stage most babies are head down, but who knows with this little lady. She is always on the move.

WEIGHT CHANGE?
I actually stepped on the scales last week, as I was really interested to see how much weight I've put on. I've put on 4.6kg which is about 10lbs, which I'm actually really happy about. I don't know whether it's too much or too little, but it sounds okay to me!

SYMPTOMS?
Lots of hiccups and braxton hicks this last week, and all the baby wriggles too. My ribs are still in a lot of pain most of the time - although I'm unsure if this is from a foot, bum or head! 

SLEEP?
I've had a another rubbish cold recently, so while that's been at it's worst sleep has been awful! When my cough hasn't been keeping me awake though, I've been sleeping like a dream. I did get woken the other morning by baby girl though. She was pushing into my side so much it was pushing me up!

CRAVINGS?
Nothing of note this week!

HOW I’M FEELING?

My goodness am I well and truly at the waddling stage now! I'm slow, putting on my shoes is difficult and once I'm on the floor I'd rather just stay there... How I'm going to cope with another 8 week I'm not sure.

MISS ANYTHING?
Being able to wear normal clothes! My coat doesn't fit so I'm extra chilly when out and about, and I've still not found decent pjs that don't cost the earth!

FAVOURITE RECENT OUTFIT?
I feel as if I'm repeating the same few maternity t-shirts at the moment. I've got a few new bits on order to collect this week though, so fingers crossed I fall back in love with clothes again!

BEST MOMENT THIS FORTNIGHT?
Getting the last bits ready for bump and thinking about organising / building / preparing! I'm planning on washing the baby clothes in the next few weeks, and I've made a start of my 'hospital bag' bits too... eek!

LOOKING FORWARD TO?

It's our biggest girl's birthday on Sunday, so I am SO excited to celebrate her this weekend. I've then got another midwife appointment on Monday, so I'm really excited to hear how baby girl is doing. Fingers crossed she's head down still!

You can see how this pregnancy compares to Parker's (my second) here.

Linking to the Bumps & Babies Linky with Let's Talk Mummy