I know I’m pregnant because

….I’m wearing my husband’s clothes more than my own. because I just love the baggy shirts!

5 ways to get a good night’s sleep

1. Your baby is naturally soothed by you walking around, so once you are lying still in bed, he thinks it’s playtime! Massage your bump to help relax both you and your baby and avoid sugary drinks and foods before bedtime which will trigger sugar surges in your baby and make her more lively.

2. No-one is quite sure what causes restless leg syndrome (RLS) during the third trimester, but some experts believe that low iron levels may be the reason, so make sure your diet contains plenty of iron-rich foods. Regular exercise and keeping well-hydrated can also helkp

3. The increased blood flow during pregnancy can leave you hot and bothered at night, so wear light, loose-fitting cotton nightwear and use a lower Tog duvet.

4. To avoid your stretching skin itching at night, make sure you properly moisturise your skin with a stretchmark cream or oil at night

5. Your legs may also cramp more at night – probably protesting at the extra workload. Pressing your feet hard against a wall or standing up on the cramped leg will help ease the discomfort

Did You Know…..

The average age for first-time mums is now 27, compared to 24 in 1971.

I know I’m pregnant because

I haven’t seen my feet for 2 months – but I know they’re still there because they ache all day

Did You Know…..

When parents hear a baby crying, their heart rate and blood pressure increase, and breastfeeding mums often produce milk, even if it’s someone else’s baby

Coping with miscarriage

You may not want to think about the possibility of miscarriage right now, but if it happens to you or someone you know, this may be of some help.

Firstly, there is no right or wrong way to feel or behave after a miscarriage. You may grieve intensely or very little, you may find that you are overwhelmed with sadness, regularly or just occasionally, or you may find that life moves on quickly and positively.
The only certainty is that the reaction will be a very personal one, but the principles of coping with miscarriage remain the same:

* allow yourself time to grieve
* accept all the different emotions that you may feel, everything from guilt and shock to denial and loneliness and more besides
* do not bottle up your emotions, this will only lead to more pain
* talk to your partner about what has happened and let him tell you how he feels
* don’t put a time limit on when you will feel better by
* if you feel depressed or unable to cope, go to your GP
* if you find it difficult to talk to your partner about the misscarriage, then talk to a close friend or a member of your family. You can always contact The Miscarriage Association for their help and advice (Tel: 01924 200799 or www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk)

Did You Know…..

80% of UK parents say the’d never let their sons wear a skirt outside of the home, compared with 45% of Swedish parents

An apple a day

A University of Aberdeen study of 2,000 mums found that those who ate at least 4 apples per week were half as likely to have children who developed asthma. Those who consumed fish once a week also halved the chances of their baby developing eczema

I have to choose between breast and bottle feeding

No you don’t. Many women happily combine the two, giving their baby the benefits of breastfeeding during the day, but handing over the responsibility (and a bottle) to a partner in the evening.
It can be the best of both worlds, but it is best to establish breastfeeding first – but don’t leave it too long otherwise baby may not take the bottle

Did You Know…..

Your baby becomes right or left-handed as early as 10 weeks into pregnancy. Researchers have found that the hand your baby favours in the womb will become his dominant hand later in life.