A GREATVINE PARENTING GUIDE

Pregnancy & Birth

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Pregnancy & Birth? There must be someone who can help...

Finding out youre expecting is such an exciting time but it may also feel a little overwhelming.
This Greatvine booklet is full of invaluable advice and expert tips on pregnancy and childbirth, from how to ease morning sickness, to thinking about the birth; to preparing yourself for relationship changes and getting ready for life with your new baby. The specialists featured have years of experience helping parents through the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth. Ranging from experienced midwives and leading health visitors to best-selling parenting coaches, their support and advice can give you confidence for your big day. If this booklet helps, remember that these pregnancy specialists are just a part of Greatvine. For one-to-one advice you can trust, visit Greatvine.com and see how we can make a difference to your life. The experts are ready to talk with you, whenever you need.

How can I have a happy

In this edition
4 6 8 Meet the pregnancy & birth experts Expert Q&A with Ruth Armes Top tips for pregnancy & birth 10 Next steps for more advice

pregnancy & birth

Meet the

experts
Caroline Flint

Talk with a specialist, whenever you need

The recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Journal of Midwifery, Caroline has 33 years experience as a midwife and has taught NCT antenatal classes for 41 years. She was the first elected President of the Royal College of Midwives, and has advised the government on maternity services. An expert in all aspects of preparing for parenthood including labour, life with a new baby, and adjusting your relationship with your partner Caroline offers sympathetic and non-judgemental advice

and support. Caroline is also the author of several books on birth, including Sensitive Midwifery and is the founder and director of The Birth Centre, the first private birth centre in the UK. Talk with Caroline on 0906 207 2675 - 1.00/min*. greatvine. com/caroline-flint

Maggie Howell
A clinical hypnotherapist and doula, Maggie specialises in supporting women through conception, pregnancy and childbirth. The founder of Natal Hypnotherapy, her courses have helped over 50,000 women and

Maggie has trained many midwives and birth professionals. She believes passionately in the bodys abilities and the power of the mind. Supportive of home birth, she gave birth to her five children at home and has guided many other women through their birth experiences. A former expert panel member of Pregnancy & Birth magazine, Maggie has also appeared in much of the UK press. Talk with Maggie on 0905 248 0001 - 1.10/min*. greatvine.com/maggie-howell

Sonya Murray
A former nurse and midwife with 20 years of experience, Sonya is the co-

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founder of The Baby Gurus, an educational organisation which aims to modernise antenatal education and parenting support. The organisation has partnered with the University of Glasgow to assess the health and wellbeing of pregnant women in the workplace. Sonya also works with the Scottish Association for Mental Health to improve support for pregnant women and new families and is passionate about improving womens emotional health before and after birth. Shes an expert contributor to national newspapers and magazines. Talk with Sonya on 0906 207 1133 - 1.00 per/min*. greatvine.com/sonya-murray

Pregnancy, Denise is a visiting lecturer at the University of Greenwich and research consultant to Canterbury Christchurch University. Talk with Denise on 0906 400 6227 - 1.50 per/min*. greatvine.com/ denise-tiran

Nikki Khan
The expert midwife for Prima Baby magazine for over a decade, Nikki has been a practising midwife for more than 20 years. She currently works for Epsom & St Helier NHS Trust, and was formerly a midwife for baby charity Tommys where she answered questions about pregnancy and childbirth. Having been a midwife for 17 years before she gave birth to her own child, Nikki has great insights to share. Also a trained clinical negligence lawyer, Nikki has a special interest in maternity rights and benefits, the law when pregnant, and birth injuries. Talk with Nikki on 0905 675 4618 - 1.20 per/min*. greatvine.com/nikki-khan
* from a BT landline. Calls from other networks and mobiles may vary. 18+.

Ruth Armes
As an active birth teacher and former NCT teacher with 16 years of experience, Ruth has supported over 2,000 women and their partners through the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy, and in helping them prepare for a satisfying experience of birth. She knows how important it is to allow all parents to plan for the birth theyd like. Ruth has particular knowledge of coping with pregnancy-related ailments and problems such as pelvic pain, digestive problems, energy and sleep. A pregnancy yoga teacher, Ruth can also advise about how a mum-to-be can use yoga to prepare for their big day. Talk with Ruth on 0906 207 2681 - 1.00 per/min*. greatvine.com/ruth-armes

Denise Tiran
A midwife for over 30 years, Denise is an international authority on the safe use of complementary therapies for pregnant women. Qualified in reflexology, massage, aromatherapy, moxibustion for breech babies and an advisor on herbal homeopathic and Bach flower remedies, Denise is passionate about easing pregnancy discomforts, relieving pain, aiding progress in labour, and helping mothers breastfeed. Although Denise advises on safe ways to deal with heartburn, constipation and headaches, having endured morning sickness when pregnant, her specialty is helping other women who experience morning sickness. Author of Teach Yourself: Have a Happy

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A GREATVINE PARENTING GUIDE PREGNANCY & BIRTH

Expert Q & A
How do I cope with morning sickness?I cant even keep water down.
Morning sickness (also called pregnancy sickness, as its not just confined to mornings!) is a miserable condition that can be tough to cope with. It can begin from week four or five of pregnancy. While it often tails off at around week twelve to fourteen, some women experience it right the way through. Most cases of morning sickness dont normally damage your baby, as theyll generally be able to get enough nutrients from your body. But if you cant even keep water down, it may be more serious and you should see your GP in case the sickness is making you dehydrated. Try to eat small amounts regularly, even when you wake up in the night. Nuts, seeds, oat biscuits

Ruth Armes has helped hundreds of mums-to-be cope with pregnancy ailments. Here, she answers some frequently asked questions

with Ruth
or ginger in any form can help. Remember to keep sipping fluids, too. Peppermint tea, hot water with a slice of lemon or fruit juices are all good options. Some pregnant women are helped by alternative therapies like acupuncture, reflexology and homeopathy. Make sure you see a qualified practitioner with experience of treating pregnant women. For some self-help acupuncture, buy a set of sea bands from a chemist. They apply pressure to a specific point on your wrist to help ease sickness.

What can I do about heartburn?

Heartburn is caused by acid from your stomach flowing up into your oesophagus. Pregnancy hormones relax the valve between the stomach and the oesophagus, and the baby presses up under your stomach. As your baby grows, heartburn

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in hot weather or if youre overweight. Exercise improves circulation and helps move fluids around. Drinking plenty of water is also a good idea. Occasionally, a sudden increase in swelling might be related to a serious condition called preeclampsia. Other pre-eclampsia symptoms are high blood pressure, protein in your urine, headaches and sight problems. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.

Im five months pregnant and get terrible constipation. What can I do?
Constipation is another common side effect during pregnancy. It happens because pregnancy hormones relax the smooth muscles of your intestine, and slow your digestive system. Dont strain on the loo, as that can lead to uncomfortable piles. Nor should you take laxatives unless your GP has prescribed them for you. Instead, drink plenty of water, drink prune juice or eat prunes, do more gentle exercise and carefully massage your abdomen in a clockwise direction. Eating a tablespoon of whole linseed every day might also help. You can sprinkle it on cereal or drink it in a glass of water. Constipation can also be caused by taking an iron supplement. If this is the case, try swapping it for Floravital, which you can get from health food shops, or Spatone, which you can get from chemists. These are both iron-rich supplements, which tend to upset the digestive system less.

often becomes worse. There are a few things that can help, like eating fresh apple after each meal. Avoid sugar and fatty, heavy meals - the worst offender is chocolate, with cakes, biscuits and cheese following closely behind. If you try cutting out refined sugar for a week chances are you wont have heartburn! Peppermint or camomile tea are good choices, too.

Im seven months pregnant and keep getting tummy aches. Is it serious?

Stomach ache is very common during pregnancy. As the organs in your abdomen are being squeezed for space, your abdominal muscles are stretching, all the ligaments in the pelvis stretch and soften, and theres upward pressure under your ribs, stomach and diaphragm. But a bladder or kidney infection can also cause pain. If the pain is severe, or if youre worried, you should speak with a midwife or doctor.

Talk with Ruth

My feet and ankles seem permanently swollen. What can I do about them?
Swelling in pregnancy is called oedema, and its caused by extra fluid in the body leaking into tissues. Its generally harmless, and more common

0906 207 2681

1.00/min from a BT landline. Calls from other networks and mobiles may vary. 18+.

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A GREATVINE PARENTING GUIDE PREGNANCY & BIRTH

pregnancy & birth

Top tips for

1 2

Eat healthy, regular meals and carry

carbohydrate snacks with you, especially in the first trimester to keep the nausea at bay. -Nikki Khan

Wear comfortable, flat shoes as you are

Catch up on your sleep as and when

more prone to twisting your ankle due to the pregnancy hormones which relax all your muscles and ligaments. Try putting your feet up when you can, to prevent fatigue and swelling in your feet and ankles. -Nikki Khan

you can. 8 hours a day is ideal, but can be difficult in the first trimester and the last trimester, so rest when you can during the day. -Nikki Khan

Get fitted for your first maternity bra at

about 6 weeks gestation, then go for regular fittings every six weeks or so as youll just keep on getting bigger.

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Finally, at about 36 weeks, its time to be fitted for a nursing bra. -Nikki Khan

5 6 7 8

Exercise can help to relax you and

reduce stress. A daily, moderate walk of at least 15 to 20 minutes will suffice. -Nikki Khan

Get to know your unborn child.

Remember your baby has the ability to hear from about 21 weeks gestation, so play music, talk and even read to your baby. -Nikki Khan

Be positive and upbeat about your

9 10 11 12

Learn to manage pain. Learn techniques

to manage pain naturally such as breathing, relaxation and visualisation. -Maggie Howell

13 14

Relax during birth you

Know you can do it. Many

women today have lost trust and belief in their bodies ability to give birth naturally. -Maggie Howell

will produce pain-fighting chemicals. As soon as you tense up you produce adrenaline and your body prepares to escape the situation rather than birth your baby. -Laura Campbell

Ditch paper knickers from

Prepare your birth partner.

pregnancy and the eventual outcome and dont listen to horror stories! Remember to be open-minded as every birth is completely different. -Nikki Khan

If your partner is confident, well informed and prepared, they will be able to support you in a way that will help you have a more positive experience. -Maggie Howell

your hospital bag; they are uncomfortable and they make a silly noise - a bit like walking along wearing a crisp packet. You can buy a pack of 6 knickers for 2 in most supermarkets - buy a size up for comfort. -Laura Campbell

Acquire practical skills. Think

Try to overcome fear. Fear and anxiety

lead to an increase in pain so by letting go of any fears about birth, your body is more likely to labour in a relaxed, more comfortable way. -Maggie Howell

through and practice practical things to help you be more comfortable such as massage and visualisation. -Maggie Howell

Find more great pregnancy & birth tips

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A GREATVINE PARENTING GUIDE PREGNANCY & BIRTH

Next steps for

Pregnancy and childbirth are such exciting times, but with so much to prepare for its good to know where you can find advice thats unique for you.
Greatvine lets you talk on the phone with the countrys best experts, whenever you need. Choose from leading specialists in over 80 topics covering all aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and parenting from birth planning and baby sleep to postnatal depression and child nutrition.

more advice
The team includes midwives, health visitors, breastfeeding specialists, paediatricians, practice nurses, parenting coaches, child nutritionists, child psychologists, counsellors and more. With an average of five qualifications each the experts offer advice you can trust. Friendly and understanding, theyre here to help. Many also contribute to TV, radio and to leading magazines & newspapers. Simply browse the experts profiles, choose a specialist and talk whenever you need.

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