In an ideal world antenatal care should begin before conception Ideally antenatal care should actually commence even before you conceive. This is because how healthy you are both before and during your pregnancy can impact the health of your baby, right through their...
E-cigarettes have been around for quite a while now and a lot of smokers find them useful when they are trying to quit smoking. However, there is a lot that is still unknown about these electronic cigarettes and vaping. Therefore, other nicotine replacement products...
Now that you know that you're "eating for two", you may be wondering what exactly your pregnancy calorie intake should be. So how many calories a day to you need when pregnant? The simple answer to this question is that you will need between 2,200 calories to 2,900...
If you are the parent or caregiver of a teenager who has become pregnant, you will need to really support her in understanding and taking on board healthy teenage pregnancy nutrition. While the news of her pregnancy may have come as a shock to begin, your acceptance...
When it comes to pregnancy nutrition, there is so much information out there, that it can become confusing and cause an overload. This article aims to give you a down to earth overview of the role of fish and omega fats during pregnancy. It includes: 1. Fish during...
During pregnancy, you need to consume 3 portions of dairy products, or calcium-fortified food alternatives. If you are an adolescent who is pregnant, you will need to bring these recommended portions up to 5 per day. Calcium is central for bone health. Your...
During pregnancy diet is of the utmost importance, both for you to be healthy and for your baby to get all the nutrition he needs to develop. This article investigates some of the essentials of pregnancy diet and nutrition that will help you work towards a healthy...
Leg cramps are unconscious muscle contractions affecting calves, legs and often the upper-leg. The painful sensation is very normal during pregnancy, frequently occurring during the night. Even though most common throughout the 3rd trimester, you might experience...
If you find yourself suffering from constipation during pregnancy, you're not alone. Depending on the sources, statistics range from between 38% to 50% of all women that are pregnant, who experience constipation during some stage of their pregnancy. Bloating and pain...
Bleeding gums, sore gums and swollen gums can be caused by a combination of hormonal changes and a build-up of plaque, during a time when your gums are more vulnerable. This can lead to bleeding and inflammation, known as pregnancy gingivitis. During pregnancy, the...
Exercising during pregnancy has a range of benefits, including contributing to the chance of a smoother delivery, as well as reducing the risk of gestational diabetes. Even if the changes in your body make it tempting to avoid exercise, consider these benefits and...
There are cases of pregnancy where certain conditions tend to develop along the way thereby putting the baby and the mother’s health at a greater risk. Along the course of pregnancy, some pregnant women are exposed to certain substances, drugs, chemicals, infections...
The majority of expectant mothers (and even some fathers) experience sudden cravings for a specific food or combination of foods. In some cases, women crave a particularly unusual combination of foods. Many women experience an aversion to certain foods while they are...
Discovering that you are pregnant is only one of the many stages you will go through over the coming months. Whether your pregnancy is planned or unplanned, and either way if you take a small amount of time to learn and understand to what extent you can influence your...
Estrogen or oestrogen is the main female sexual hormone, which is responsible for the regulation and development of the female reproductive system, along with secondary sexual characteristics. Oestrogen is a hormone, which is secreted by the ovaries. Oestrogen or...
Up to a certain point you may have felt like you were happily coasting along enjoying your experience of early pregnancy, in fact, you’ve been blooming and happily telling people your news. That was up until one day when you woke tp with a curiously strange feeling...
No matter how pregnant women try to be fit and healthy during the course of their pregnancy, there are still times when illnesses such as the flu inevitably come. Conditions such as influenza can really be harmful to pregnant women as it increases their risks for more...
After my first pregnancy, I was in the same boat as lots of pregnant women, carrying a dozen extra pounds that ended up taking residency and staying where they were. It’s normal to be inclined to think about weight loss after having a baby. You just had a baby and...
If you and your partner are having some issues when it comes to conceiving, you may want to look at some easy to follow health tips. It can be a very stressful time and while there are some options out there, many are expensive and do not always offer a concrete...
It is extremely important for pregnant women to be extra careful with their health during pregnancy. There are a lot of substances, some of which can be easily found at home, that can affect a growing fetus. Many of these things don’t even affect the mother’s health;...
Back pain is just one of those things that you expect will happen during your pregnancy, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t learn how to cope with it and reduce the pain. As your body changes, you’re bound to notice a few new aches and pains. By learning what to do...
If this is your second pregnancy, or another subsequent pregnancy, there may be some differences that you will experience from your first pregnancy. Of course no two pregnancies are the same, and no two women are the same. Purely because you have actually been...
Smoking is an expensive habit and no matter how much you feel you enjoy it, wouldn't you love to save up that money for a big treat like an extra holiday? Easier said than done, as smoking is extremely addictive and it can be very challenging to stop. There's no...
While teen pregnancies are at a record low, they still present us with some serious considerations, for both the teen parents and society as a whole. We have known for a long time that teens who have babies have an exponentially more difficult time just being...
If you haven't practised yoga before, you may wonder if you can actually start during pregnancy. The answer to this question is yes you can, however it is better to wait until the second trimester, purely for safety. This doesn't mean that pregnancy yoga is risky,...
If you suspect you may be pregnant or are planning a pregnancy, then it can help to know in advance when early pregnancy scans can take place and what to expect. This article explains in lay-woman's language about what you should expect when you book an early...
Anxiety during pregnancy was not something that you had on your agenda for the 9 months that your new family member is growing inside you. However you are not alone, and many women experience anxiety in pregnancy. Did you know that between 5 and 16% of women...
Drinking socially has been an integral part of Irish culture for centuries. Moderate social drinking can be good fun and an enjoyable way to socialise. There are times, however, when cutting out alcohol from your lifestyle can be a good idea. One of these times is if...
There is nothing more important for a pregnant woman than the health and safety of her baby. Fortunately, you can protect your child by avoiding some risky factors that may complicate your pregnancy or cause harm to your baby. Learn about what things you should avoid...
Everybody knows about morning sickness. It’s probably the most-often heard complaint about pregnancy (and completely justified!), followed by swollen fingers and feet, back pain, and trouble sleeping. But there are some health issues associated with pregnancy that you...
As a coffee and chocolate lover, I am the first to appreciate that they are both very difficult to limit, or even cut out of your lifestyle. However during pregnancy there are a variety of risks associated with caffeine intake. Each main risk factor is analysed in...
Finding out that you are pregnant is big news and if it is your first pregnancy you may want to clear up any of those nagging doubts about what you should and shouldn’t do. Getting some early pregnancy lifestyle advice will enable you to be confident that you are...
Over the years, a lot of common myths about what pregnant mothers should or should not eat have been debunked. Many of the things that society used to think were not okay for pregnant women have since been proven to be harmless old wives' tales. Thanks to the...
Nutrition is essential for growth, development and for protection against disease. Pregnancy is a time of rapid growth and development and there is no other stage in a woman’s life where good nutrition is more important.Amongst healthcare professionals, it is widely...
All articles on the blog and website are intended as information only. Please do not consider any of the information provided here as a substitute for medical advice. At all times seek medical advice directly with your own doctor and medical team.