Pregnancy, Birth

Very often when women start nursing, they may encounter breastfeeding problems such as cracked nipples. Cracked nipples are extremely painful and often also accompanied by bleeding. This problem commonly occurs as a result of poor positioning and latch-on during breastfeeding. However, certain measures can be taken to make breastfeeding more comfortable while your nipples are healing. Remember, breastfeeding is not supposed to be painful or uncomfortable!

The acupressure points outlined in this booklet are easy to use, promote natural labour
and encourage close partner involvement. It is my hope that in the future acupressure
will be offered to women as part of their routine antenatal care.

Some pregnancies have been planned for months or years, but many are unexpected. Either way, you’ll probably feel pretty mixed up. A baby means new responsibilities which, whatever your age, you may feel unready for.

Children grow up too fast. Before too long the almost indistinguishable speck in your womb is going to be flying down a hill on a bike with their hands in the air and driving down the interstate in your new car. Before you know it youll be telling them good-bye as they start college, crossing your fingers and hoping for the best. Youll never have the opportunity to nurture them again that you do right now, when theyre safely inside you tucked away from the outside world.

This ebook describes a hospital birth because that is where most people have their babies, but the information will also be useful if you are having a home birth.

Pregnancy normally lasts for 37–42 weeks from the first day of your last period. The average is 40 weeks. If you’re not sure about the date of your last period, then an ultrasound scan may give a good indication of when your baby will be due.

In the first few days after the birth, you and your baby are beginning to get to know each other. Don’t feel you have to make a great effort. Just have your baby close to you as much as you can.

From the minute you know you’re pregnant, things begin to change. Your feelings change – feelings about yourself, about the baby, about your future. Your relationships change – with your partner, other children and also with parents and friends.

Before you get started on a pregnancy fitness program, talk to your doctor. Your physician will want to evaluate your fitness status in relation to your pregnancy, and your fitness instructor will most likely want your physician’s approval or consent-to exercise form before you begin an exercise program.

The choice you have about where to have your baby and how you are cared for will depend to some extent on where you live. But what should be the same everywhere is that the care and the place should feel right for you.

To understand about conception and pregnancy, it helps to know about the male and female sexual organs. This information is useful in pregnancy too, when you want to ask questions and be clear about what you are told.

Some babies need special care in hospital, sometimes on the ordinary postnatal ward and sometimes in a Neonatal Unit (NNU), also known as a Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Nausea during pregnancy is often dismissed as a minor disorder of pregnancy. As it can be compared to the experience of having persistent food poisoning it is not something that one would
volunteer to endure for 12 to 16 weeks. As nausea is estimated to affect one third of all pregnancies it is worth considering the alternatives.