The average pregnancy is counted as 40 weeks, starting from the first day of the mother’s last period. Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, with different stages in each. The development of a pregnancy can be followed week by week, but it’s important to remember the experience varies for e...

Breastfeeding has many benefits for mother and baby, from improved immunity for baby, to closer bonding for both. Some women find that breastfeeding comes naturally, but for many others, advice and education from health professionals helps them to overcome some hurdles.

Breast engorgement is when too much breastmilk is produced, making your breasts feel heavy and uncomfortable. Breastfeeding may be more difficult, as your baby is unable to attach to very full breasts. Heat packs can help with the letdown of breast milk and cold packs can relieve the discomfort.

A caesarean section is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby. This can be a planned or an emergency procedure, which involves the use of an anaesthetic for the mother prior to surgical delivery of the baby.

Cholestasis is a condition in which the flow of bile from a pregnant woman’s liver is slowed, causing a build-up of bile acids in the bloodstream. It may occur in the later stage of pregnancy and the most notable symptom is intense itching.

During pregnancy, you need to make sure both you and your baby get all the nutrients you need. Not only does your baby need a range of nutrients for their development, there is increasing evidence that what you eat during pregnancy can affect your baby's health throughout their lives.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when an embryo begins to develop at a site other than within the uterus, such as in a fallopian tube. Unfortunately, it results in the loss of the pregnancy. If left untreated, an ectopic pregnancy can cause dangerous complications, such as haemorrhage into the abdomen.

Foetal alcohol syndrome may occur when an unborn child is exposed to alcohol consumed by its mother during pregnancy. The condition may have devastating effects on the development of the foetal brain and the child’s subsequent intellectual, physical and behavioural development.

As a baby gets closer to birth, they will settle into a final position. The most common position is the anterior, with the baby’s head pointing down and facing the mother’s back. This is also the ideal position for a vaginal birth.

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs exclusively to pregnant women, marked by high blood sugar levels. These high sugar levels can affect the pregnancy and the unborn baby’s health. The condition commonly settles soon after delivery of the baby, but it does increase the mother’s...

HELLP syndrome is a rare but serious condition that can develop in the second half of pregnancy, or soon after delivery. It causes liver inflammation, poor clotting and the breakdown of red blood cells. It requires urgent treatment.

Labour is the process through which a baby is delivered from a woman’s womb to the outside world. Stages of labour that pregnant women commonly experience include uterine contractions, dilation of the cervix and the rupturing of foetal membranes to release amniotic fluid, or ‘water breaking’.

Listeriosis is a condition caused by infection with a bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. It will typically pass after a few days with no lasting effect, however, listeriosis can be extremely dangerous, especially to unborn babies and infants. The best way to prevent listeriosis is with good ...

Low-lying placenta (also called placenta praevia) occurs when the placenta attaches to the uterus in a position that is too low down in the uterus. This can block the passage for delivery of the baby and if labour occurs, cause severe bleeding.

Mastitis is the inflammation of the breast tissue, commonly due to an infection in women who are breastfeeding. It normally occurs in the first three months of breastfeeding. It typically causes pain and redness in the breast.

Miscarriage is defined as the loss of a pregnancy before it has reached 20 weeks’ gestation. If a loss of pregnancy occurs after 20 weeks, it is known as a stillbirth. Miscarriages often occur without any obvious cause. When a pregnancy ends prematurely, it can be very distressing; however, couns...

A molar pregnancy occurs when the pregnancy develops abnormally, forming a mass of tissue inside the uterus. It is sometimes also known as a hydatidiform mole. There is usually a period of monitoring hormone levels following a molar pregnancy.

Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Despite its name, it can strike at any time of the day. Up to around 85% of pregnant women experience morning sickness. Fortunately, it tends to settle down by the 20th week of pregnancy.

Nipple problems such as pain and soreness are common during breastfeeding. They are usually caused by incorrect attachment of the baby to the breast, which can be corrected with advice from a midwife, nurse or lactation consultant.

Pelvic floor exercises are muscle-contracting movements that strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. In females pelvic floor muscles support the uterus. They also support and control bladder and bowel function in men and women. Pelvic floor exercises help improve urinary and bowel incontinence.

A placental abruption occurs in pregnant women when the placenta detaches from the wall of the uterus before the baby has been born. Also known as abruptio placenta, this is an emergency that can threaten the life of both mother and baby.

Pre-eclampsia is a condition in which placental abnormalities cause serious complications for a pregnant woman, such as high blood pressure and leaky kidneys. Involvement of other organs distinguishes it from pregnancy-induced high blood pressure.

Pregnancy can be a time of great change. While it can be joyful and very exciting, it can also place extra stress on both women and men, which can lead to an increased risk of mental health problems. Understanding the signs and symptoms and seeking help early can prevent symptoms from worsening.

A birth is defined as premature if it occurs before 37 weeks’ gestation. Although the risk of complications for premature babies increase the earlier they are born, survival rates are continuing to improve as treatments evolve and develop.

Pre-pregnancy check-ups can improve pregnancy outcomes by identifying risk factors that may cause complications and providing options to avoid such occurrences. Consulting with your doctor on lifestyle factors – such as diet, alcohol and smoking – and making some changes may result in better outc...

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that can occur when a person eats uncooked meat, or comes into contact with animal faeces, most commonly from cats. Healthy people will often show no obvious symptoms, however, the condition can cause complications in people with compromised immune systems a...

Vaginal bleeding can happen at any stage of pregnancy. While it can be worrying, most women who experience vaginal bleeding during their pregnancy go on to deliver a normal and healthy baby.