Pregnancy, Maternity, Labour and Birth Articles

Our Pregnancy Articles section covers everything from how to work out your fertile period, telling your boss you're pregnant, what baby gear to buy, exercising whilst pregnant, stress during pregnancy, choosing a baby name, how to lose post pregnancy weight and dozens more! Check out our other Pregnancy Information and Resources too.

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Pregnant? To buy... or not to buy?

With so many products and choices to choose from, it can be difficult to decide what you really do and don't need to buy. Amanda Jephtha from Planning for Babe writes this objective series to help you decide - with confidence.

To buy... or not to buy? Part 1: The Bassinette
From the frou-frou, flouncy bassinettes from the 80s, to the contemporary teepee inspired suspended cradles, bassinettes can be as different as chalk and cheese. But do you actually need one?... read more

To buy... or not to buy? Part 2: The Change Table
Change tables can morph into bookshelves, chest of drawers or student desks. Some sit atop cots or dressers, whilst others fold out from the wall. But do you actually need one?... read more

To buy... or not to buy? Part 3: The Baby Bath
From baby baths with stands and shelves, to womb-style tubs and bath supports, baby baths come in all shapes and sizes. But do you actually need one?... read more

To buy... or not to buy? Part 4: The Second Pram
From streamlined ultra-lights perfect for air travel to complicated folding contraptions, George Jetson style, a second pram can be handy for quick errands and messy occasions. But do you actually need one?... read more

To buy... or not to buy? Part 5: The High Chair
Fixed. Folding. Table-clamping. Convertible. High chairs cater for every scenario imaginable. So which throne do you actually need?... read more

To buy... or not to buy? Part 6: The Travel Cot
From nature calls to vibrating mattresses, light shows to side curtains, travel cots have more features than a cinema. But do you actually need one?... read more

More Pregnancy Articles

What is a fertile period?
Women's bodies work in cycles, and they are only able to conceive in one particular part of their cycle, and this part is called their fertile period. The exact length of a fertile period varies between women, and even for one woman at different times in her life... read more

Are You Trying to Conceive?
It's easy to become impatient when trying to conceive. After all, you have one shot per month. In the beginning there are approximately 2 weeks wait for the right time to try and then there are 2 weeks wait to find out the result, by which time if you are not pregnant, the cycle starts again... read more

Top 3 Ways To Conceive A Baby Girl (And Not a Single Doctor In Sight!)
In this day and age, some people still argue if it is at all possible to choose the gender of your baby. Of course it is possible! Science has found ways to virtually guarantee you the conception of baby of a preferred gender... if you're willing to endure some very invasive medical procedures - and you're able to pay - that is! In this article, however, we're going to talk about completely natural, safe and simple ways to conceive a baby girl! ... read more

How do pregnancy tests work?
Most women know that a pregnancy test requires a urine sample, preferably first thing in the morning. They know that a colour change or new line appearing (depending on the test brand) will mean pregnancy, either wanted or not. But how do these tests work?... read more

5 Absolute Signs of Pregnancy
Pregnancy is probably the most glorious phenomenon that can ever happen in a woman. It can also be the most problematic. A woman's body undergoes drastic changes to accommodate the needs of the developing fetus... read more

Is it Safe to Consume Caffeine during Pregnancy and Breast Feeding?
Is caffeine safe during pregnancy? Most experts agree small amounts of caffeine, which equal to about one to two cups of coffee a day, appears safe during pregnancy. The safety of larger amounts is questionable... read more

Taking Folate
Folate is a vitamin recommended to be taken by all women who could possibly get pregnant. It reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly and is also believed to help prevent other birth defects and illnesses such as heart disease and colon cancer... read more

Folic Acid to the Rescue
Nowadays, it's common knowledge that folic acid is essential to a healthy pregnancy, but do you know why? This vitamin from the group of B vitamins is actually responsible for avoiding such problems as spina bifida... read more

Neural Tube Defects (NTDs)
Within the first four weeks of pregnancy, the embryo forms and closes a neural tube. This tube becomes the spine and brain of the developing child. If the tube doesn't close correctly, the baby is said to have a neural tube defect (NTD). NTDs can be tested for at about 16 - 18 weeks of pregnancy, and most cases are identified using an ultrasound and the triple test... read more

Dealing with Morning Sickness
Morning sickness. It is certainly the first image of new pregnancy in movies and TV shows, and it is a reality for many pregnant women. Not all women experience morning sickness in early pregnancy, and not women stop feeling it after 13 weeks of pregnancy either. Despite its name, women can feel the nausea in the morning, day, evening, night - or all of these times... read more

Pregnancy and Morning Sickness
The toughest bit of the 1st trimester of pregnancy is morning sickness and any woman who has gone through or is going through it, knows the first signs usually develop during the month following the first missed menstrual period... read more

Facts about Miscarriages
Miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy before 24 weeks. It is against the will of a woman and can cause a lot of grief and tears to her. Most of the miscarriages take place in the first 12 to 13 weeks... read more

Weekly Pregnancy Calendar - An Important Record
Pregnancy is a miracle of nature that brings a mother at par with the creator. It is the happiest and a most exciting moment in the life of a woman. Of course the sign of pregnancy causes scary and nervous feelings... read more

10 Pregnancy Risk Factors That Every Pregnant Woman Should Be Aware Of
Many factors affect the development of a fetus into a healthy child, some which are beyond your control and others that are within your control. Here are ten of the most common pregnancy risk factors that can be controlled or influenced... read more

Have You Considered this type of Nutrition During Pregnancy?
There's usually a flood of advice for pregnant women about what they should and should not eat, in order to ensure their own health and that of the baby. Curiously, you may have overlooked this piece of research about omega 3 fish oils... read more

Effect of Cleaning Supplies During Pregnancy
While most women are aware that they need to stay clear of harsh chemicals while pregnant, they overlook just how toxic their everyday cleaning supplies, perfumes, cosmetics, pesticides and other seemingly safe products can be to their health, their unborn baby and to say the least, the environment... read more

Pregnancy and Oral Health with Toni Pearen
When you're pregnant, you know how important it is to take special care of your body. However, you should also know that pregnancy is a time to take extra special care of your teeth and gums. Australian celebrity and expectant mum Toni Pearen is renowned for her great smile and knows the importance of healthy teeth and gums. Toni shares her dental tips with Mum Zone readers... read more

Hey, Boss… Telling your workplace you’re pregnant
The test was positive and you were excited; it's been hard not telling the world that you are going to have a baby. Perhaps you choose to keep it quiet, at least in some areas of your life, for the first thirteen or so weeks. Or just long enough to tell the Grandparents and close friends first. Whether it's thirteen weeks later, or you've just found out, telling your Boss the good news is often a daunting task... read more

Body Changes in Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a nine month journey for both you and your baby. During this time your own body will change, both internally and externally. During pregnancy the breasts will grow larger under the influence of hormones. Enormous physical, hormonal and emotional changes take place during pregnancy... read more

Pilates during pregnancy
So, the million dollar question - 'Should I exercise while I'm pregnant?' The answer my friends is simply - YES, you'd be a fool not to! As you know, when you fall pregnant your body shape starts to change; the boobs get bigger, as does your tummy. Your balance goes out of whack and your lower back begins to curve more, resulting in a postural shift... read more

Can You Believe Old Wives Tales In Pregnancy?
You are pregnant. There are going to be a lot of changes to your body and in your day-to-day life over the next nine months. But now is the time when every woman that has ever been pregnant will be more than willing to give you advice... read more

Pregnancy and Exercising - Reasons to Exercise During Pregnancy
Everyone knows that exercise is good for your health. Exercising during pregnancy can have additional benefits. Generally, exercise should be light, especially during the first few weeks of pregnancy while your body adjusts to the changes... read more

Planning the Perfect Maternity Wardrobe
"I have nothing to wear!" Heard this before from a new mother? After putting in much time and effort into planning their maternity wardrobe, many new mums suddenly discover they have nothing to wear after their baby arrives!... read more

Beating The Heat When You're Pregnant In Summer
The heat in the summertime can be quite unbearable for the average person. When you are pregnant, the discomfort increases tenfold. Learn how to beat the heat and stay safe while you are pregnant... read more

Helpful Heartburn Tips for the Pregnant Woman
A woman's body goes through a lot of different changes during pregnancy and some of these changes can cause the repeated occurrence of heartburn. If you've never had heartburn before, you may have it a lot during pregnancy... read more

Secret Singlet Business
I dreamed of little singlets, blindingly white, all lined up in a row with matching wooden pegs on the line. These tiny garments, embraced by the sun and smelling like the breeze, would keep my baby's rounded body warm all day long. Welcome to reality. Babies move. And babies get picked up... read more

Stress During Pregnancy - Pregnancy and Stress
As a psychologist friend of mine once told me if you don't feel stress in your life you're not paying attention. Everyone experiences stress, even pregnant women. What is not clear, however, is whether stress can have harmful affects on pregnancy... read more

Meditating Mammas
The connection between meditation and motherhood isn't always obvious. During pregnancy women are intimately connected to their babies, body and mind. The potential to be 'in tune' with the strengthening life within is often a powerful catalyst in a woman's life, motivating her to explore her inner or spiritual world as she begins the journey into motherhood... read more

Dads are new parents, too
When talking about pregnancy and new babies, people tend to think of the new Mother and somewhat forget that Dads are also new parents. Obviously, there are aspects of becoming a parent that men are excluded from, such as actually being pregnant, giving birth and breastfeeding, but all other aspects of parenting can affect either parent... read more

Choosing a baby's name
Having a baby is exciting. Once the child is born, you’ll be faced with a number of questions - is it a boy or a girl, how big was it and what is the baby's name. You may not have a lot of say in the gender or size of your baby, but the name is totally up to you and your partner. And it is a big decision to make for someone else... read more

A Simple Method for Choosing the Perfect Name for Your New Baby
A person's name is something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Selecting a baby's name is an important, but often difficult decision for many parents. Follow our guide for a simple process in selecting your baby's name... read more

Baby Names - Choosing Trendy or Traditional
Lists of baby names are always fun to look at, whether you're seeking a name for your soon-to-be-born baby boy or baby girl, wondering about the popularity of your own first name, or just curious about what baby names are currently hot... read more

Let Your Children Name the New Baby
Choosing a baby name is an important job, so make your children feel important by letting them help you name the new baby. After all, you're not the only one who's having a baby - your whole family is!... read more

Pregnancy - Maternity Bras and Nursing Bras
For successful breastfeeding you should buy the best nursing for you. Breastfeeding a baby - especially outside of the home - can be difficult at the best of times, so it's worth spending a little time and thought before you buy the nursing bra that is right for you... read more

Exercise During Pregnancy - The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
Are you pregnant? Has your doctor told you to get moving in some way, to do some sort of exercise? Exercise can either be your best friend or your worst enemy... read more

Insomnia during Pregnancy - Stop Thinking and Go to Sleep
If you're exhausted during the day and can't wait to go to sleep at night, insomnia during pregnancy may be what's causing the problem. Often, you'll find yourself resting for a few hours at night to only wake back up and not be able to fall back asleep... read more

Natural Pain Relief in Labour Begins in Pregnancy
For some women, the risks and side effects of pharmaceutical pain relief during labour is a big concern. Other women believe that the symptoms of labour pain are correlated to the bonding process. Whatever your belief, there are natural pain relief techniques, and they are effective for coping with labour pain... read more

Epidurals: real risk for mother and baby
Epidural pain relief is an increasingly popular choice for Australian women in the labour ward. Up to one-third of all birthing women have an epidural, and it is especially common amongst women having their first babies. For women giving birth by caesarean section, epidurals are certainly a great alternative to general anaesthetic, allowing women to see their baby being born, and to hold and breastfeed at an early stage: however their use as a part of a normal vaginal birth is more questionable... read more

Pregnancy Weight Gain
You're pregnant and there's nothing you wouldn't do to make sure that your pregnancy goes off without a hitch, even if that means you have to cut down on your favourite foods and drinks in order to control your overall pregnancy weight gain... read more

Know the Signs and Symptoms of Preterm Labour
Full term pregnancy is 37 weeks. If you go into labour before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy, this is preterm or premature labour and too early for your baby to be born. Preterm or premature babies have a higher risk for lifelong or life-threatening health problems... read more

Face Fatherhood Fears
You are truly ecstatic about the impending birth of your baby. But, deep down, you are also grappling with fears regarding your new status as a father. Understandably, you are not quite comfortable discussing these issues with anyone... read more

Buyer Beware! - What You Need to Know Before you Buy Baby Clothes
You are expecting a baby! There are few events in your life that will be as profoundly sacred and joyous as the day you welcome your new bundle of joy into your family. Like millions of parents to-be, you have probably spent months in thoughtful preparation to assure your little one has the best of everything... read more

Baby Nursery Feng Shui: Create a Space Full of Health, Harmony and Happiness
Imagine creating a space within your home for your baby to grow and develop while being healthy and at peace. I've consulted on many nurseries for existing and expecting parents. Here are 9 tips to consider when creating a nursery for the new baby... read more

What kind of furniture should you buy for your baby?
Babies are a joy for all. The arrival of a baby is looked forward to with great anticipation and nervousness. And like grown ups they also need furniture for a more comfortable life. But a baby's world is so different from an adult's, which makes the adults a little unsure about what to buy for the baby... read more

Baby Nursery Decor and Baby Gifts
Baby Nursery Decor Ideas for a Fabulous Nursery - Our practical nursery decor ideas will help make your newborn's homecoming a wonderful experience... read more

Hair Loss After Pregnancy: Advice and Information
If you are pregnant or have just given birth, hair loss after pregnancy is a concern to many women. However, like most changes during pregnancy, it is a temporary problem you will face. And there is no need to worry that you are a lone ranger... read more

Babies: How to Get Your Children Excited About the New Arrival
The sudden appearance of a new baby can be rough on the other children in the family. Daily routines are disrupted and suddenly mum and dad are too busy to pay attention to older siblings... read more

Preparing your Perineum for Childbirth - avoid that Episiotomy!
Your perineum is the area that takes a fair bit of stretching in childbirth, to accommodate your baby. It is said that the perineum is designed to stretch and accommodate a baby, however, certain situations can make it more prone to tearing or grazing... read more

Pre Eclampsia - Frequently Asked Questions
Pre Eclampsia is an illness, which only occurs in pregnancy. Indeed, it is the most common serious medical disorder of human pregnancy... read more

Pregnancy: What to Expect at Time of Labour
As your due date approaches you may become anxious and want to know about what to expect as signs of labour. I know this was on my mind a lot. I often wondered how I will know "when" to go to the hospital... read more

Breastfeeding - How Important Is It? (Parenting Article)
Years ago, perhaps when you were a child, breastfeeding was not very popular. Breastfeeding was not encouraged as it is in todays society. Doctors didn't fully grasp how important and beneficial it is for a newborn baby... read more

Healing from the Pain of Birth
Approaching healing after birth naturally will ensure that you are treating your body and your baby with respect and kindness, just what you need when you are not yet feeling one hundred percent. Statistics show that post birth can be a challenging time for new mothers both physically and mentally, and there is increasing interest in specific herbs that have been used for centuries after birth with great efficacy... read more

Weight Loss for After Pregnancy
Right, so you've had a baby, and you're distressingly aware of the extra weight you've gained, which just didn't seem to melt off at the time of birth. This is very natural and you can look to have retained about 4-7 kilograms of your pregnancy weight... read more

Bringing Home Baby: Tips for Preparing the Expecting
The moment finally arrives; you are now officially a mother. All of that morning sickness, pain, and anxiety of giving birth is finally over. Your baby is in your arms and is looking right into your eyes... read more

How Do I Know If I Have The Baby Blues? (Parenting Article)
What is Postpartum Depression? When depression occurs after pregnancy it is called postpartum depression, peripartum depression and sometimes is more commonly known as "baby blues" After pregnancy, the many hormonal changes occurring within a woman's body may trigger symptoms of depression... read more

What is Post Natal Depression (PND)?
Post Natal Depression, or PND as it is commonly known, is not well understood by those who have not experienced it. It is a genuine illness that mothers can't just 'snap out of'. Statistics vary, but it is commonly thought that about 14% of Mothers experience PND... read more

Irish Twins
I first came across this term a few years ago reading one of the many baby care books around. Little did I know I would come to know very well just what that term means! Basically Irish Twins are not twins at all, but siblings born within 12 months of each other. The exact date of the term origin is not known, but it was originally a derogatory term, referring to the stereotypical fertility of Irish Catholic families, who traditionally do not use birth control, and therefore tended to have children in very quick succession... read more

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