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   You are here:   Home  | Pregnancy  | Labour & Birth

Labour & Birth

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Hello baby

You have probably heard a million times that having a baby is a life-changing experience, but nothing can prepare you for how big these changes really are! Everything about your lifestyle and even your way of thinking will alter – not only your priorities and attitudes but also practical, everyday things, such as sleeping, eating (both at home and at restaurants), your relationship with your partner and even your finances!

Working patterns, holidays and leisure activities will have to be planned now to accommodate the needs of your little one but it can be so much fun too, think about those childish pleasures that you can share with your baby, such as going to a playground to try the swings and have a spin on the merry-go-round.

It’s hard to predict how it is going to pan out as children develop differently and have individual needs, so it’s best to keep an open mind and go with the flow, especially in the first weeks when it’s tricky to establish a routine that sticks and you might feel overwhelmed by caring for a helpless infant.

Just remember that any change and even sacrifice will be well worth it as your life as a parent will be richer and more fulfilling. As your child grows you will be proud of any achievement (big or small), feel good about passing on your values, be involved in their education and become more active in your local community.

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What happens in labour

There are three main stages of labour: 1. the ...

Tips on how to bring on labour

Most women give birth two weeks before or after ...

Early signs of labour

The most common indication that labour is starting ...

Tips for getting your partner

Whoever your birth companion is – partner, Mum, ...

Tips for getting through labour

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Pain relief options

There is no way to sugar coat this, labour involves ...

Birthing alternatives

Home births You don’t have to give birth at a ...

When to go to hospital and what

Usually, women go to the hospital after the waters ...

Writing your birth plan

Your birth plan is a ‘wish list’ of what you ...

Hospital bag checklist

It’s sensible to pack your hospital bag well ...

After the birth and the first

This is the truly magical moment when you and your ...

Overdue

Most women give birth one or two weeks either side ...

Helping you through childbirth

We've put together this handy guide full of useful ...

C sections

There are cases when a Caesarean is the safest ...

Jaundice

Around the third day after the birth, some babies ...

Pregnancy

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  • Labour & Birth
    • What happens in labour
    • Tips on how to bring on labour naturally
    • Early signs of labour
    • Tips for getting your partner involved at the birth
    • Tips for getting through labour
    • Pain relief options
    • Birthing alternatives
    • When to go to hospital and what happens when you get there
    • Writing your birth plan
    • Hospital bag checklist
    • After the birth and the first feed
    • Overdue
    • Helping you through childbirth guide
    • C section
    • Jaundice
  • Emotional Health
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  • Diet & Nutrition
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Breastfeeding is best for your baby and provides many benefits. Good maternal nutrition is important for the preparation and maintenance of breastfeeding.

Introducing partial bottle-feeding could negatively affect breastfeeding and a decision not to breastfeed is difficult to reverse. Infant Milk Formula should only be used on the advice of a health professional and the manufacturer's instructions for use should be followed carefully. Improper use of an infant milk or innappropriate foods or feeding methods may present a health hazard. The social and financial implications of using infant milks should be taken into consideration. If you choose to bottlefeed, do not allow prolonged or frequent contact of milk feeds with your baby's teeth since this increases the risk of tooth decay. Make sure your baby's teeth are cleaned after the last feed at night.


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