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Pregnancy & Birth

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Early signs of pregnancy

…could I be, pregnant? You might have asked yourself this little question in the quiet recesses of your mind. Our instincts are still a little understood factor in…

what to ask your midwife

After that amazing moment of finding out that you are pregnant, one of the first things you will need to do is choose your lead maternity care provider.…

Every family has a few skeletons in a closet and adoption has long been a history of silence for many women and families in New Zealand affected by…

Successful conception relies on such an intricate series of events, it is somewhat surprising that any of us are actually here at all!!  There are so many factors…

Nutrition guidelines for preconception and heathy pregnancy

For many women, preconception nutrition is not considered unless they have a related health issue or are consciously planning for a healthy pregnancy. Once pregnant, focus is altered to planning for arrival of baby, so post-conception nutrition can be an afterthought, yet remains vitally important throughout pregnancy.

Traditionally childbirth has been described as consisting of three “mechanisms”: • Powers – The forceful strength of co-ordinated contractions • Passage – The birth canal anatomy, including the…

cord blood banking

The last thing most parents want to think about when they’re expecting a baby is the possibility that their child becomes seriously sick. But sadly, that’s what sometimes…

Pregnancy help

Pregnancy Help supports the well being of pregnant and recently pregnant women, parents, caregivers and their families/whanau, by providing information and practical support with non-judgemental Care, Concern and…

La Leche League offers information and encouragement – primarily through personal help – to women who want to breastfeed their babies. Find out how it can help you.

 This article Teenagers and Birth explains some of the issues that are common amongst teenagers when they are at the end of pregnancy or giving birth.

This article looks at teenagers & pregnancy and provides advice for teenagers on how to care for themselves and their babies during pregnancy.

When we first see those two little lines on that little stick, one can never imagine the joy and love that is about to come. We imagine little…

Third degree tears are not common but can have long term effects on the woman’s health – find out how to minimise the risks of third degree tears.

This article explains what to expect when you return home after a Caesarean section. Life at home after a C-section can be pretty tough in the first weeks.

Pain relief is at the foremost of most women’s minds in pregnancy. This article outlines the main options for pain relief in labour in New Zealand today.

In this article on induction of labour we provide an overview, or summary, of what to expect during an induction.  If you know you are going to be…

This article describes induction of labour in detail. It describes why and how an induction takes place, including details of risks and complications.

HypnoBirthing® – The Mongan Method involves natural childbirth education, combined with self-hypnosis techniques (including deep relaxation, visualisation, affirmations and special breathing), to achieve a confident, calm, and gentle birth. HypnoBirthing involves more…

This article discusses fetal distress – why a baby may become distressed before birth and the likely consequences of fetal distress.

Episiotomies and tears are common after childbirth. This article explains episiotomies and different types of perineal tears and how they are repaired.

caesarean section in detail

This article provides an overview of Caesarean section – why they are performed and the risks and complications associated with Cesarean section.

caesarean section in detail

This article gives information on Caesarean in Detail – what happens before and after a Caesarean section in New Zealand, what is involved and detail on what it…

How will I know if I am in labour? Check our list of signs and symptoms to help you to recognise whether labour is underway.

Pre-eclampsia is a condition of pregnancy and affects many women worldwide. This article explains pre-eclampsia and the implications for mother and baby

Ectopic pregnancy is a potentially life threatening condition. Read about the causes and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy and treatment for the condition.

As many as one in four pregnancies end in miscarriage. Find out more about the causes, symptoms, risks, and treatment for miscarriage for women in New Zealand today.

bleeding in pregnancy

There are three main causes of bleeding in pregnancy. Find out why bleeding in pregnancy should always be checked out by your maternity carer.

This article is full of tips for Maternity Wear – whether it’s tops, pants or underwear you’re after, for work or home, for formal or casual, small or…

growth of the baby

Many parents worry about the growth of the baby during pregnancy and are told they are having a small baby or growth of baby is slow. Read on…

This article examines fetal movements in pregnancy. Baby’s movements or kicks are a reflection of fetal health and well being in the womb.

The 3 trimesters of pregnancy – the amazing experience of carrying and growing a new life inside your body. What is happening in each of the 3 trimesters…

This article gives information for parents on the role of the doula, a fairly new phenomenon in New Zealand, how to find a doula and what the benefits…

This article explains the role of obstetricians and when you may require the specialist care of an obstetrician in pregnancy or childbirth.

midwives

This article explains the role of the midwives in New Zealand, how to find a midwife and what they will do during pregnancy, birth and afterwards.

How do I know I am pregnant ? This article explores the early signs and symptoms you may have if you are pregnant and common feelings in early…

In this article we thought it timely to discuss “information – gathering and sharing”. As the fertility journey we are going through is, for the majority, for the first…

Endometriosis – is often referred to as a silent disease or a hidden epidemic. The words “hidden” and “silent” are aptly, though unfortunately, used because just like our…

This article on dealing with announcements discusses difficulties for couples who are experiencing fertility problems when faced with dealing with pregnancy announcements.

Heartburn in Pregnancy

Heartburn in pregnancy is a very, very common complaint and effects most women during pregnancy at some point. Some women experience quite severe heartburn during pregnancy.

Iron requirements increase in pregnancy due to the needs of the growing baby and the mother’s increased blood volume. Iron requirements are even higher in the third trimester,…

Calcium – an essential nutrient in pregnancy Calcium is important for bone strength. Generally, the calcium needs of the baby during pregnancy are met through the mother absorbing…

During pregnancy the altered hormone levels (increased progesterone) affects gut function and this can result in constipation for some people.