Pregnancy 

Sometimes, the amniotic sac can burst suddenly when you least expect. Read on so that you can be prepared when it happens. It may sound silly but this is a possible scene. One day, you suddenly find some clear liquid leaking from your bottoms and initially, you may think that you have wet yourself. The truth is that the amniotic sac (water-bag) has just ruptured and you are leaking amniotic fluid. This is a real emergency. Get ready your maternity bag and zoom to the hospital

Many positions that you and your baby can explore while breastfeeding — you may even end up inventing your own unique positions. Posture: Encourage your newborn to take a significant amount of your breast into his/her mouth, with more of the areola and with the nipple pointing towards the soft palate. Hold your breast during the attachment and draw the baby to the breast to ensure a good latch. I recommend two nursing positions during the first few weeks: the crossover hold a

Know your EDD — when is your baby due? The antenatal period is a wonderful time for you to enjoy and bond with baby. However, it is crucial that you remain healthy, both physically and emotionally. Antenatal care is part of this preparation and your first visit to your obstetrician after pregnancy is an important occasion. Calculate your EDD Your baby was conceived about 14 days after the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). Expected date of delivery (EDD) is at 40

Prematurity can strike unknowingly. Know what it means and you can be on the look-out. Premature (preterm) labour means an earlier than expected delivery. This is prior to 37 weeks. Your baby is too eager to meet you! Am I at risk of PTL? These are some risk factors and how you can minimise them. Smoking. Try to quit whilst pregnant. Oversized. Get into shape with BMI 20-25 before conception. Inadequate antenatal care. Do take good care of yourself. Excessive alcohol or stree

Exercise during pregnancy is safe and beneficial for both mother and baby. But there can be inherent risks. While exercise is a safe for most pregnant women, there are some risks to take note. The adrenaline hormone stimulated during exercise can induce womb contractions, although the actual risk has not been fully studied. Exercise also causes blood to gush to skeletal muscles and reduces oxygen and nutrients to baby. The growing baby receives oxygen and nutrients through th

Breastfeeding is a time of bonding with your baby. Cherish these special moments! It won't happen again. Let's answer some burning questions. #1 Can I continue to breastfeed my baby if I am pregnant again? There are some concerns about continuing breastfeeding during pregnancy. Firstly, there is the worry about nutrient deficiency to the developing fetus and the impact on the mother's health such as depleting her store of calcium. Thus, continue to take vitamin and calcium su

Is it true that pregnant women should avoid cats? Let's examine. It may be fine to have pet indoor cat when you're pregnant, but be careful about cleaning its litter box. Let your partner do the job. Cat feces can carry a parasite that causes an infection called toxoplasmosis. Some birds and raw or undercooked meats, can also carry the parasite. Infected pregnant women may affect the baby's nervous system resulting in blindness and brain abnormalities. Cats can transmit toxop