About Baby Care

Posts Tagged ‘pregnancy’

Let’s face it: babies are expensive. The first few years of a child’s life, in particular, can really put a strain on your wallet. In fact, before a baby is even born, it’s common for the parents to have spent thousands of dollars on clothing, furniture, medical check-ups and special classes.

If you’re thinking ahead and trying to figure out how you can save money during your pregnancy, you’ve come to the right place. Here are five simple tips that can help you make sure that your baby doesn’t bankrupt you:

1. Shop smart. Having a baby is really exciting and many moms-to-be allow themselves to be overcome by the excitement. There is so much to buy! Maternity clothes, baby clothes, baby furniture, baby accessories, etc. You don’t need to buy everything at once; remember, you have nine months to plan for the arrival of your child. Make a budget and shop around for the best prices. Look for sales and check out online stores to see if they have better prices than you can find at the mall. Most importantly, don’t go overboard and buy things that you don’t need.
2. Ask around for used items. Do you have friends or family members who’ve already had children? Chances are they have a bunch of lightly-used baby clothing, baby toys and other baby accessories that they would be happy to pass on to you. There’s no shame in accepting used items and one day you’ll have the pleasure of passing things on to another family.
3. Go to the library. There’s no need to buy books and magazines about being pregnant; just head to your local library. From medical textbooks on what pregnancy symptoms you should expect to pamphlets on how to arrange your baby’s bedroom for maximum fengshui, you’ll find hundreds of great resources about all aspects of having a baby at the library. Best of all, everything is free!
4. Plan to breastfeed. Not only does breast milk provide your baby with all the nutrition he or she needs, it’s free! Baby formula can be very expensive and bottles aren’t cheap, either. Some women are unable to breastfeed their children due to medical reasons, but most face no impediments. The best way to save money after your baby is born is to breastfeed.
5. Consider re-usable diapers. The idea of re-usable diapers is off-putting to many moms-to-be. Soiled diapers are, understandably, unpleasant and it’s convenient to throw them away rather than worry about washing them. Disposable diapers can be very expensive, though. In fact, some women save as much as $1,000 a year by using re-usable diapers.

Being pregnant in the summer can be a real ordeal because the heat and humidity can exacerbate normal pregnancy symptoms such as tiredness, swelling and itchy skin.

Overheating during pregnancy also can affect your unborn baby. He doesn’t have a temperature control system and relies on you keeping cool to keep him cool. There’s evidence that if your core body temperature is high it may raise your baby’s risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Your midwife will probably advise you to avoid hot tubs, saunas, and sunbathing during your pregnancy.

Here’s our roundup of what to expect if you’re pregnant during the summer months:

Itchy skin

As your bump grows and stretches the skin of your abdomen you’ll likely notice your skin feels tight and itches. You may also feel itchy in other areas where your skin is stretched, such as your breasts and thighs, particularly if you gain excess weight during your pregnancy. The summer heat can exacerbate this by drying out your skin still further. Drinking plenty of fluids (preferably water – avoid caffeinated beverages such as coffee as these deplete your body of water) will help alleviate the dryness and you also should slather on lots of moisturiser after your shower or bathe.

When your skin is particularly itchy, soaking in a tepid bath with baking soda added to the water can help. Your midwife may be able to suggest a safe over-the-counter anti-itching treatment.

If you feel that your itching is excessive, especially towards the end of your pregnancy, and you are experiencing itching on the palms of your hands tell your midwife immediately as this can be a sign of a pregnancy condition called cholestasis, which could harm your baby.

Discoloured skin

Pregnancy hormones can affect your skin, ramping up the effects of melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin its colour and is responsible for tanning and the development of freckles – you may notice that your nipples become darker and that you develop a patch of darker skin on your face. Officially called melasma, this effect also is known as the butterfly mask because it tends to take the shape of butterfly wings. It’s especially common in darker skinned women and women with dark-coloured hair but don’t panic if you get it – it fades after your baby is born. Many women also often develop a dark line, called the linea nigra, down the centre of their abdomen.

If you’re pregnant in the summer, exposing your skin to the sun can increase these skin changes and discolouration, so it’s even more vital to protect your skin from the sun’s rays. If you can, avoid being in the sun between the hours of 10am and 4pm, and if you do have to go out use a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and wear a wide-brimmed hat for additional protection.

Swelling

In pregnancy the amount of fluid in your body increases in order that your body can produce amniotic fluid and also that it has extra blood volume to carry oxygen and nutrients through the placenta to your growing baby, as well as remove his waste products from your system.

This increased fluid can result in oedema – swelling – which you’ll notice mainly in your hands, ankles and feet, since it’s harder for the extra blood to flow upwards. Summer humidity can make swelling worse because extra moisture in the air makes it difficult for your body to cool itself.

Avoiding standing or sitting for long periods can help, as can elevating your hands and feet higher than your heart whenever you can, but if the swelling isn’t alleviated be sure to tell your GP or midwife. Swelling also can be a sign of pre-eclampsia, a potentially serious pregnancy condition that is particularly common after week 20. Other symptoms include headaches and visual disturbances and it’s one of the reasons why your midwife checks for signs of swelling and also checks your urine for the presence of protein (another symptom) at each antenatal check.

If your work means you have to spend a lot of time on your feet, try to elevate your feet at every break. Take the precaution of removing any rings that might be rendered too tight as your fingers swell.

Dehydration

While your fluid volume increases in pregnancy, you’re still at risk of dehydration and this can be worsened by the fact that you’ll be perspiring in order to cool down. Dehydration can be very harmful to your unborn baby because it can increase his heart rate and raise the risk of preterm labour. If you notice he isn’t as active as usual, contact your GP or midwife straight away, especially if you’ve been noticing signs of dehydration (excessive thirst, constipation, fatigue).

Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water, limit your time outdoors in the sun and heat if possible, and use a fan to keep you cool at your desk or in your home. Avoid eating salty food and snacks, as high sodium levels leech fluid from the body.

1. Know who you want to help you for the first week or two that you are home with baby.

It’s unrealistic to assume you can do it all on your own or that you have to! And if you don’t plan ahead, you could have every neighbor, cousin and coworker stopping by to gawk at your new little one. While it’s nice that people care, set limits because you and baby need rest and one-on-one time.

Be honest by letting others know how they can be most helpful (visiting at a certain time so you can nap or bringing a meal for your family). People genuinely do want to help you so relish in it!

2. Know that a new baby uses a lot of diapers, and not always “newborn” size.

You can never have too many diapers on hand! Most babies outgrow the newborn size very quickly so make sure you have size one available too. If getting out of the house proves difficult, don’t forget miraculous two-day shipping via the Internet!

3. Know that your breasts will probably become engorged when your milk comes in and you should have a breast pump available.

Don’t delay the purchase or rental of a breast pump because you don’t think you’ll need it until you introduce the bottle or return to work! Engorgement happens and it happens fast. Being ready with a breast pump, even an inexpensive manual one, will bring you much needed relief. While it is different with every baby, your milk typically comes in three or four days after delivery.

4. Know that it’s okay if your baby does not sleep in her crib or bassinet right away.

Those first couple of nights at home with your baby are likely to be challenging. Because it is so important that you get some sleep and that baby doesn’t get her nights and days mixed up, consider letting your baby sleep in her carrier, swing or bouncy chair. It’s unrealistic to think that baby will automatically sleep wonderfully in her bassinet (and if she does you will be surprised and overjoyed)!

5. Know that you will bleed for a while.

I had no idea this would happen. Seriously. I knew that there would, naturally, be a lot of blood during the delivery but I had no idea about the immense amount of menstrual-like bleeding that would take place afterwards. And having not had my period for the last nine months I had no women’s products on hand. Make sure you have plenty of pads to address this issue! This postpartum bleeding could last up to six weeks. If bleeding is excessively heavy, bright red (for more than 7 days after delivery), accompanied by a discharge that smells bad, a fever or chills, you need to contact your health care provider or go to the emergency room.

6. Know that babies like to be warm.

It was during my pregnancy that I was first introduced to the concept of swaddling a baby. Sounded kind of silly to me, but it totally made sense. Learning how to swaddle your baby could help your baby sleep for longer than 20 minute increments (which was super important to me). And because you should never cover an infant with a blanket, I recommend using bag sleepers (or sleep sacks) once your baby outgrows swaddling.

7. Know that batteries are every mother’s best friend.

If a new mom could choose one item to invest money in, I would highly recommend it be batteries. Everything from baby swings to freakish dancing Elmo dolls require these little power packs. Not much is worse than having a hysterical newborn who won’t stop crying unless she’s constantly in motion except having a hysterical newborn who won’t stop crying and then finding out that the batteries in her swing are dead [again]! Stock up on batteries– lots and lots of batteries.

8. Know that you need to take care of yourself.

Perhaps the best piece I advice I could offer for the postpartum period is that as a new mom you need to take care of yourself! I know, I know, you just had a baby you’ve got loads of wash to launder, dozens of diapers to change, lots of bottles to scrub and oh-so-much cuddling to do. And, don’t get me wrong, all of those things are important (especially the last one) but it is also very important that you take a few minutes to yourself. I always rolled my eyes when someone said I needed to be napping while my baby napped (especially after the delivery of my third) but it really is important. Most other things can wait. Your body just underwent huge stresses and it needs to recover. Taking time for yourself might look like napping but it could also be a nice, hot shower while hubby holds baby or a short walk down the block while grandma spoils baby. Whatever it is, it is necessary and you deserve it!

Most couples assume that once they’ve had one child, they’ll have no problems conceiving another. Unfortunately this is not true and for many couples it can be pretty frustrating to discover you’re not pregnant month after month.

Reasons for Secondary Infertility tend to be the same as primary infertility although varying factors may have changed since your last pregnancy. You may have gained weight, had an infection, or are eating fewer healthy foods. These might seem like small factors but can all contribute to your reproductive health. You may also be stressed, (this is probably the case if you have a boisterous two year old to deal with) something which can cause many couples to be unable to reproduce especially since experts believe you are more likely to conceive when relaxed. The other factor can be sex. Having a toddler run into your room when you least expect can dampen your efforts at baby-making, coupled with tiredness, means you probably have had less sex this time round than when you were baby-making with your first baby.

Age – At least one factor changes by the time you start considering a second pregnancy and that is your age. More women are leaving having their first baby until their early thirties, which means by the time they want a second they may be in their late thirties or early forties. Women are most fertile between the ages of 20-24 years and by age 35 a woman is half as fertile as when she was 25. If you haven’t fallen pregnant after six months of trying it is advisable to make an appointment with your GP.

Couple Factor - Another factor in Secondary Infertility is the introduction of a new partner. Where you were previously able to conceive with a different partner, you may have problems with a new one. And remember, a problem can lie with the man’s fertility, the woman’s fertility or both. If you think this is the case, make an appointment with your GP who can refer you to a fertility clinic for more testing.

Timescale – Just because it took you a week to conceive last time, does nto mean that it will happen again. You are older, more stressed and have a child to look after so lots of things have changed this time. Do not judge when to conceive on the last time you fell pregnant, as it will invariably take longer. Try to set yourself a realistic timescale. It might be worth discussing your concerns with a GP or fertility expert who can look at your individual situation and give you a realistic timescale to work with. See How long will it take to get pregnant for more help.

Consider other options
If enough time has passed and you are still not pregnant and your fertility problems seem to be unexplained it might be worth considering other paths to look at. Going to a fertility clinic can help, but so can taking steps to ensure you are eating the right foods, staying healthy and making sure your lifestyle is ready for another baby. Lots of complementary therapies can help to improve issues such as irregular cycles or hormonal imbalances which can decrease your chances of getting pregnant.

Experiencing secondary infertility is an emotional experience for both men and women, and also for the child or children you already have. Even if they are young they are sure to pick up on some of your emotions. Sometimes couples in this situation will think about assisted conception such as IVF.

Nothing spreads holiday cheer quite like a festive drink. But I’m pregnant, I hear you cry! Well you don’t have to miss out on the fun just because you’re an expectant mum. Obviously you will need to steer clear of alcohol, but there are plenty of recipes for non-alcoholic drinks which you can indulge in this holiday season. So grab a cocktail shaker, your favorite glasses and get creative in the kitchen!

Non-alcoholic Sex on the Beach:

If you’re rather partial to a tropical drink, you could celebrate the holidays with this fabulous non-alcoholic version of Sex on the Beach! For this drink you will need one large shot of peach juice (approximately 50ml), three large shots of pineapple juice, three large shots of orange juice and the juice from half of a squeezed lime. Add all of these liquids to a cocktail shaker that is filled half way with ice. Shake up the mixture and strain it into a highball glass that is filled with ice. Top off the drink by placing a lime wedge, orange slice, or strawberry on the rim of the glass.

Virgin Mary:

Perhaps a Bloody Mary is usually your drink of preference? Well this Christmas you can opt for an alcohol-free Virgin Mary instead. To make this concoction you will need 300ml of tomato juice, a dash of Tabasco (optional), 2-3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce, a teaspoon of horseradish sauce, the juice from a quarter of a squeezed lemon and a pinch of salt and pepper into a cocktail shaker that is filled up halfway with ice. Shake up the mixture and then strain it into a highball glass that is filled with ice. Place a small stick of celery in your drink for the finishing touch!

Non-alcoholic mojito:

If it is an enticingly minty drink that you are after then you can whip up a non-alcoholic Mojito. For this beverage you will need two ounces of fizzy water, three fresh mint sprigs, two teaspoons of sugar and three tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Mix all of these ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Stir up the concoction and then pour into a fun shaped glass. To add a little flair to this drink you can dip the top of the glass in lemon juice and then into sugar, creating a sugar-rimmed glass. For the finishing touches add a lemon and maybe a fun tropical umbrella and you’re ready to party!

Warm winter punch:

Get the chill out of the winter season with this warm winter punch recipe! The ingredients you will need to include are one pint of apple juice, half a pint of orange juice, one tablespoon of lemon juice, two tablespoons of honey, and two teaspoons of ground cinnamon. To prepare this drink, combine the apple and orange juice in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the mixture is steaming hot (not boiling!), remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice, honey and cinnamon. Pour into your favorite mugs and serve hot! This holiday drink will be sure to warm you up.

Non-alcoholic mulled wine:

Nothing says Christmas more than Mulled Wine. Though you can’t have the real thing this winter, you can try this great alternative using cranberry juice. The ingredients you will need include 1 liter of cranberry juice, one stick of cinnamon and one small orange. Pour the cranberry juice into a pan. Break the cinnamon stick in half. Peel and dice up the orange, then add the cinnamon and orange pieces into the mixture. Warm the concoction over a low heat for 8-10 minutes. Be careful not to boil the mixture. When it is heated through, serve out for all to share in the holiday spirit!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!

Most women develop stretch marks during pregnancy almost 90% except for those very lucky few that we all envy. The abdomen is the most effected but stretch marks can occur on the hips, thighs and breasts basically every area that will enlarge over the nine month period of pregnancy. These are caused by the tearing of skin cells within the tissue of the skin where collagen has separated from the skin causing scarring. The color of stretch marks depends on your skin color but new stretch marks start out purple or pink and then fade into whiter marks after time.

The separation of the collagen from your skin causing these scars is due to a lack of elasticity in the skin, the amount of elasticity is usually down to genetics and it is those that don’t get stretch marks that have the coveted elastic skin that snaps back into place after being stretched out. Lotions and creams can help with the prevention of stretch marks but realistically they won’t make a huge impact they will probably just lessen the damage basically if your mother was prone to stretch marks then you probably are too.

There is no scientific evidence to prove that buying all these magic lotions and potions to prevent stretch marks will work. Keeping the skin well moistened will help limited the damage but it really is the genetic make up of your skin that will dictate the outcome. If you got stretch marks on your breasts or hips during puberty then the chances are your skin is not very elastic and you will get stretch marks during your pregnancy. So there are some things that you can do to limit the amount and severity of stretch marks you get.

Firstly while you are planning to get pregnant you should be taking supplements to help strengthen your skin and improve the elasticity of your skin. Vitamin E and D are very important here also take a good fish oil supplement to keep skin well oiled inside as well as out. Use coca butter all over your body daily there is no need for expensive brands and lotions as the idea is too keep the skin well lubricated to minimize the scaring. Number one; do not gain any more then the recommended amount during the pregnancy the more you grow the more you will stretch. Do not use your pregnancy as an excuse to eat what you like it is recommended that you eat an additional 300 calories per day only.

Don’t worry too much about stretch marks though, follow the steps above to ensure yourself that you have done your best to limit the damage and if they do occur then you’re just like 90% of mothers and its completely common and normal. If they are too severe and you’re really unhappy about them then there is treatments available post pregnancy that has a major effect on minimalising stretch mark scarring. Laser treatments are increasing in popularity due to the wonderful results women are getting on their skin from all types of scarring but mainly stretch marks. It is a non invasive procedure that can be done in sessions that last up to one hour. The number of sessions varies depending on the severity of the problem and the cost depends on how many sessions you endure but it

You can’t expect your figure to go back to your pre-pregnancy shape straight after birth! Its takes time for the womb and your stomach to re-adjust to its normal size. Expect it to be around 4 weeks.

Don’t rush back into weight loss after the birth. It is a very stressful and busy time and you don’t need the extra strain of trying to lose weight.

1. Waiting around six weeks to start your diet is sensible. Remember your body has been through a lot and needs time to recover! The average weight gain for a mother during pregnancy is 25-35 pounds. Expect to lose around 13 pounds after the birth. This gives you around 12 to 22 pounds to lose. A reasonable target to lose this weight is 8 months. Losing 1 or 2 pounds a week is an easier proposition. Don’t push yourself too hard to lose the weight. Give your self reasonable targets that are obtainable.
2. Be careful when trying to diet when breastfeeding. Your body needs extra nutrition to produce the milk, but your body is very effective at milk production so you don’t need a lot of extra calories. Be guided by your appetite and eat when hungry. If you don’t feel hungry at all, be aware that postnatal depression can cause lose of appetite. See your doctor if you are feeling down and you don’t feel like eating.
3. Take your baby for walks – your baby will appreciate the fresh air and you will burn calories! Taking exercise will also make you feel better. Even going walking around the shops or a stroll in park. It will also give you bonding time with your child.
4. Breastfeeding burns around 500 calories a day and is of course best for baby. You should be eating around 1800 to 2000 more calories a day when nursing. Remember that everything you eat is going to baby as well so don’t go over board on junk food.
5. Make up or buy healthy snacks for when you are at home. You will be spending a lot of time in the house and you are probably not going to resist the urge to snack! So be prepared and have plenty of healthy options rather than cakes or biscuits. What about making up a smoothie? Get in a few of your 5 a day. Research points to liquid foods can make you feel full for longer. Honey and yogurt. A pot of honey and yogurt for a 120g pot is around 140 calories and is a tasty snack! Dried fruit – such as mango, prunes and apricots. Potato wedges – put them on oven foil or paper, to save on the grease on the baking tray. A very nice low fat potato option! Plenty of fruit – always have fruit in your bowl, buy a combination of different fruits to stop your self getting bored! Why not try something you have not eaten before?
6. What about a postnatal exercise class? This is a good way to lose weight and also you will meet other mums in the same situation. After you have had your post natural check feel free to get your self out to a regular exercise class. If you are breastfeeding try to exercise after you have feed the baby. Research points to some babies shunning the breast completely or feeding less than normal.
7. Eat when you are hungry! Don’t skip meals, hunger is a natural instinct and will always win! Plan your meals and eat a sensible amount of calories for each meal. You need to learn the difference between actual hunger and emotional hunger.
8. Drink water – Most people do not consume enough water during the day. If your urine is yellow then this is a sign of dehydration. Drinking water will help refresh your body – try sipping water throughout the day. If you replace that sugary drink with a glass of water you are reducing your sugar and calorie intake. We sometimes think we are hungry but we actually just thirsty. Get into the water habit!
9. Increase whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Foods high in fiber will help you feel full for longer. Whole Grains are high in complex carbohydrates which give you long lasting energy. Vegetables are high in fibre and have a generally high water content meaning they are low in calories and fat free. Fruits are also high in fibre and are a good source of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs.
10. Base you meals around these three food groups and you will be well on your way to achieving your goal.

Miscarriages are when the pregnancy terminates before the sixth month and are estimated to occur in about 10 to 20 per cent of pregnancies. It is hard to find an exact figure because many women miscarry before they even realise they are pregnant, and pass it off as a very heavy period.

The majority of miscarriages happen in the first three months of pregnancy and affect about one in five pregnancies. At least half of all miscarriages in the first trimester are caused by chromosomal abnormalities, which prevent the foetus from developing normally. Later miscarriage, usually in the second trimester, is more likely to be a result of the placenta not functioning properly.

The symptoms of miscarriage are vaginal bleeding accompanied by lower backache and severe stomach cramps, a bit like period pain.
Lots of women experience vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy and go on to have a normal pregnancy and healthy baby. Experts are not sure why this happens, but it affects roughly one in four women.

Once the uterus starts to expel the pregnancy there is little that can be done to save it. An ultrasound will probably be required to establish what stage you are at, or if you are miscarrying at all. You will either have an external ultrasound where a transducer (looks a bit like a microphone) is placed on your lower abdomen. If the pregnancy is very early you may have to have an internal ultrasound where a probe is inserted into your vagina. Neither procedure hurts or is harmful to your baby.

There are three types of miscarriage:

• A complete miscarriage, where the uterus expels the foetus and placenta entirely, and an ultrasound scan shows that the uterus is completely empty.
• A missed miscarriage, where the foetus and placenta die but remain in the mother’s womb for some time before being expelled. There might be very minor symptoms such as a brownish discharge. An ultrasound can check whether the foetus’ heart has stopped beating, or for an empty sac inside the uterus.
• An incomplete miscarriage, where a miscarriage happens but some of the products of conception are left inside the mother.

What treatment will I receive if I miscarry?

If you start to bleed at any time during the second or third trimester, call your maternity unit and go there as soon as possible. If you are bleeding in your first trimester, call your doctor and stop any sexual activities and exercise. Your doctor will probably refer you to an early pregnancy unit at the hospital, or gynaecological department, and you will be given an ultrasound to see whether a miscarriage is imminent.

If a miscarriage is inevitable, there is little doctors can do to stop it. You may be given the option to see if the pregnancy is expelled from your body naturally over the next few days. Most women are offered a procedure known as ERPC (evacuation of retained products of conception) which is a minor operation offered under anaesthetic, to clean out the uterus. It involves dilating the cervix and scraping tissue away from the lining of the uterus. You will probably need a short stay in hospital with this procedure.

Late miscarriage

Experts believe that an incompetent cervix is the cause of 20-25 per cent of miscarriages in the second trimester. It is a condition where the cervix opens under the pressure of the growing baby and can cause miscarriage or premature delivery.
It can be caused by a genetically weak cervix, damage during a previously difficult birth, previous surgery on the cervix, and a cone biopsy for surgical cancer or laser therapy.

How will I know if I have an incompetent cervix?

It is usually diagnosed if a woman has previously had a miscarriage in her second trimester, or through internal examinations and ultrasound.

What is the treatment?

The treatment for an incompetent cervix is a procedure that sews the cervix closed to reinforce it. It is usually performed between 12-16 weeks of pregnancy to prevent any problems when you go into labour. The stitches are removed before the estimated delivery date, or as labour starts. The chances of carrying a baby to term with this procedure have proven to be very successful.

If we could choose our ideal birth it would probably be something like this: Water’s breaking on due date at 9am (not all over the bed), labour pains for two hours, comfortable painless journey to the hospital where our partners stay calm, helpful midwife on arrival, get put into the biggest room in the maternity ward with en suite bathroom and birthing pool facility, 20 mins of pushing and your baby emerges with no help from forceps, ventouse, drugs or episiotomies. In reality, birth is very different.

Babies go overdue all the time especially for first time mums. Current research shows that first time mothers gave birth on average five days after their due dates and second time mothers gave birth on average two days after their due dates. The reason that inductions happen is that there is an increase in problems for babies that go beyond 42 weeks. This is because there is a very small percentage of babies who die or who are stillborn when the pregnancy exceeds 42 weeks. Doctors don’t know why this happens but feel that it is safer for the mother and the baby to induce labour before 42 weeks. In most pregnancies labour will start somewhere between 37 and 42 weeks and if you go over your due date you will be monitored very closely and will probably need to have weekly antenatal check-ups.

When and why might I need an induction?
An induction is usually recommended when it is felt your baby is better off outside of the womb than in. This may occur if your pregnancy is over 41 weeks, your waters break but labour does not start (your baby is at risk of infection once the waters break), or if you are suffering from a pregnancy related problem such as Pre-Eclampsia where the only cure for mum and baby is immediate delivery. Other reasons include poor growth of your baby or unexplained bleeding at term.

What happens in an induction?
When labour starts naturally your body makes a hormone called oxytocin which is released into the bloodstream and hormonal changes in the body start the process of labour. Nobody knows what the trigger is that starts labour spontaneously (or doesn’t start in some women) although lots of research has been dedicated to the subject. Inductions are when labour has to be started artificially and a synthetic form of oxytocin is administered to bring on labour.

Membrane Sweep
Once it has been established that you need an induction, you will probably be offered a membrane sweep. A membrane sweep sounds worse than it actually is and involves a midwife inserting two fingers through the cervix and sweeping them around the inside. This releases prostaglandins from the cervix and can help to start contractions. Some women report that it is a little uncomfortable but no more so than a smear test. It is perfectly safe and can be an effective way to start contractions.

Prostaglandin
Your body naturally produces prostaglandin, which stimulates the uterus into contracting, but some women may need prosthetic prostaglandin to help get labour started. Synthetic prostaglandin can be administered by inserting a pessary or gel into the vagina, which softens the cervix. You may need more than one dose of prostaglandin to start contractions at somewhere like six hours later. Lots of prostaglandin doses are given at night so that you can have the second dose when you wake up (and you’ll have had a good night’s sleep before labour starts). The gel or pessary will have to be administered on the antenatal ward because you and your baby will need to be closely monitored.

Artificial rupture of membranes
Often known as AROM. One way of speeding up contractions is to artificially break the bag of membranes which surround your baby and this is known as your waters breaking. Once the bag bursts, the amniotic fluid leaks out and the amount of prostaglandin increases, which speeds labour up. It is done using a long plastic instrument with a hook at one end, during a vaginal examination. It should not be painful, just a little uncomfortable.

Syntocinon
Syntocinon is a synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin, which makes the uterus contract and can be used once the cervix has softened. It is usually administered using an IV (intravenous line) so you won’t be able to move around as much. You may have to be attached to a foetal monitor, as Syntocinon can over-stimulate the uterus and result in your baby becoming distressed. You and your baby will need close monitoring. You are always given a small dose to start with and the dose will then be increased depending on your contractions and how effective they are. Because you are effectively forcing labour to start, contractions can come very quickly and can be much stronger. You probably won’t have had time to get used to contractions building up over time and this can make contractions feel more painful. Some women will decide to have an epidural with a Syntocinon drip as it can help with the pain.

Emergency caesarean
Sometimes none of these methods will work and an emergency caesarean is required. Read our article about what happens in a caesarean so you are prepared if this has to happen.

It can be easy for your partner to feel a bit neglected when you’re pregnant as the focus is very much on the mum-to-be.

It’s important, however, to involve him as much as possible so that he doesn’t feel excluded. Here are gurgle’s top ten tips on how to achieve this:

1. Attend antenatal classes together whenever you can. These are a great way for you both to prepare for birth; you’ll learn about all aspects of pregnancy, labour and useful tips on caring for your baby. Your partner will also learn how he can help you during labour.
2. Wherever possible, go to check-ups together so that you can both understand the developments in your pregnancy. You can also discuss any queries or concerns you may have with your doctor and hopefully alleviate any fears. One of the most exciting parts of pregnancy is the ultrasound scans, so try to attend these together; nothing beats that first sight of your little one.
3. Read baby books together; your partner may not be the one carrying the baby, but the more he learns about your pregnancy, the more involved he will feel. Why not have a look at gurgle feature Bonding before birth? You could also watch our great videos on Positions for delivery and Breathing techniques to prepare you both for the big event.
4. Practice relaxation techniques with each other, such as Pregnancy massage. This is a great way for the two of you to bond and share a bit of intimacy. While your partner is massaging you he could gently place his hands on your bump to see if he can feel any baby movements!
5. Take some gentle exercise together, such as swimming, walks in the park or yoga. Read our feature on Exercises recommended in pregnancy and watch our video on Safe exercising for mums-to-be for more information.
6. Having a baby is a life-changing experience and you’re both likely to go through a range of emotional highs and lows. Don’t bottle up your feelings, but talk to each other openly and honestly. Communication is key to keeping your relationship healthy.
7. Make room for romance in your relationship. Some women find that they go off sex during pregnancy, but there are other ways to be intimate, like cuddling or enjoying a nice meal.
8. Prepare for the arrival of your baby together; decorate the nursery, buy baby clothes that you both like and make sure that you’re each happy with the name you choose.
9. It might sound cheesy, but some people sing to their baby! If your partner hasn’t got the best voice (not that this matters!) or feels self-conscious, he could read a favorite story or even chat about his favorite football team…
10. Make time for each other. When your little one makes his arrival you will have your hands full, so use the time you have now for outings such as going to the cinema or theatre and, above all, enjoying each other’s company. You could even plan a romantic mini-break!