If your pregnancy is healthy, it is best to stay pregnant for at least 39 weeks. Staying pregnant to full term, or 40 weeks, is one of the best ways to give babies enough time in the womb to grow and develop. What is considered a full...
What is constipation? Constipation is when a baby or child has very hard stools, and has fewer bowel movements than he normally does. All babies are different - and baby bowel patterns are no exception. Because of this, it’s sometimes hard to tell if your baby...
A childbirth educator is a professional who you can trust to give you a balanced view on the reality of pregnancy and labour. Her teaching philosophy should be “freedom of choice based on the knowledge of alternatives” – telling you the facts, pros and cons...
Often people think a hospital is a hospital and that they are all the same – this is not the case. Have a look around and tour different hospitals and see which hospital offers you what you are looking for, for your birthing experience. The...
It is not something many of us have probably ever given much thought to – but newborn babies can, and do, present with pain, stiffness, muscle spasm and inflammation - similar to that found in adults! After being confined in the womb for months (often...
By Anchen Verster - Registered nurse, midwife, SA Certified Perinatal Educator – SACPE, wife, mother to 4 children including a set of twins Dear Mom-to-be… “I am your pelvic floor. I realize you have so much to think about and plan but I need you to give...
Caesarean sections should only be performed when medically necessary A News release in April 2015 by the World Health Organisation said that caesarean section is one of the most common surgeries in the world, with rates continuing to rise, particularly in high- and middle-income countries. Although it...
By Hettie Grove – SA certified location consultant Q. Must I prepare my nipples while I am pregnant? A. Your breasts actually do it automatically. The areola enlarges and become darker. The bump like areas on your areola are secreting a substance which will...
By Anthea Taylor – SACLC – SA certified lactation consultant The first safe and effective modern breast pump was invented by Einar Egnell in the 1940s. Since then many different types have been developed, manufactured by dozens of companies. With so many different types of pumps...
By Barbara Hanrahan – midwife and educator, masters in midwifery, SA certified perinatal education course developer and coordinator Childbirth is not an illness. Neither does the birth of every baby have to be a medical procedure. Fit, healthy women can have the choice of being active...