Pregnancy
We’ve pulled together support & tips from the best of the UK’s independent midwives, doulas, antenatal instructors and postnatal providers.
The Virtual Doula Changing How Modern Families Prepare for Birth
When Charlotte Butterworth-Pool launched The Smart Doula nearly two years ago, she didn’t set out to reinvent what birth support could look like. However she did want to help a few expectant parents navigate the confusing tangle of maternity guidelines in the UK. What she didn’t expect was that her approach, entirely virtual, deeply evidence-based, and available by…
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Early Pregnancy Headaches: Causes & Safe Relief
Headaches are one of those pregnancy symptoms that can catch you slightly off guard. Nausea? Expected. Sore breasts? You might have been watching out for those bad boys. But waking up with a thumping head for the third morning in a row can leave you wondering whether this is another…
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Giving Birth Abroad: From Uncertainty To Confidence For English Speakers In Spain
Giving birth can feel daunting even when you know exactly how the maternity system works. Add an unfamiliar healthcare system, different expectations and conversations happening in a language that is not your own and giving birth abroad can suddenly feel much more complicated. For the founder of Born in Trust,…
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Is It Normal to Feel Exhausted in Early Pregnancy?
Exhaustion in early pregnancy can feel overwhelming. Many people are surprised by how intense fatigue can be, particularly in the first trimester. Feeling extremely tired in early pregnancy is common and usually linked to hormonal changes. Early pregnancy exhaustion is not the gentle sort of “I stayed up too late…
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Pregnancy Bra Fitting Guide: How to Get the Perfect Fit
If someone had told me that getting fitted for a bra would be one of the most helpful things in pregnancy, I might have blinked slowly and nodded while scrolling Instagram. But let’s be honest, when your body is doing the most dramatic redesign since puberty, a bra fitting in…
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Why Do My Breasts Hurt in Early Pregnancy?
Breast tenderness is often one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. For some people it is mild discomfort or an unusual tingling sensation around the breast, while for others it can feel surprisingly intense, making everyday movement uncomfortable. If your breasts hurt in early pregnancy, it can send you straight…
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Nausea relief in early pregnancy that’s backed by science
Nausea in early pregnancy can range from mild queasiness to symptoms that interfere with daily life. Despite being commonly referred to as “morning sickness”, nausea can occur at any time of day and may feel unpredictable. For some it comes and goes in waves, but for others there is a…
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Is cramping normal at 5 weeks pregnant?
Experiencing cramping at 5 weeks pregnant can be worrying, particularly if you are newly pregnant or have experienced loss before. Here at Pregnancy Pal, we’re always conscious of your past experience and how this might affect how you feel in other pregnancies. Many people describe the sensation of cramping as…
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First Trimester Spotting: Causes, What’s Normal and When to Seek Help
Noticing spotting in the first trimester can be frightening. For many people, any amount of bleeding in early pregnancy immediately triggers worry, particularly if this is a first pregnancy or there has been previous loss. The reality is that spotting in early pregnancy is relatively common, and in many cases…
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Early Pregnancy Symptoms: What’s Normal (and What’s Not)
Early pregnancy can feel full of contradictions and the unknown. You might feel unwell one day and almost normal the next. You might notice lots of physical changes or hardly any at all. For many people, this uncertainty can be unsettling, especially in the first few weeks before scans or…
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The Virtual Doula Changing How Modern Families Prepare for Birth
When Charlotte Butterworth-Pool launched The Smart Doula nearly two years ago, she didn’t set out to reinvent what birth support could look like. However she did want to help a few expectant parents navigate the confusing tangle of maternity guidelines in the UK. What she didn’t expect was that her approach, entirely virtual,…
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5 Ways Yoga Can Help You Prepare for Birth
Yoga is not just a physical practice; it’s a philosophy that emphasises the mind-body connection with breathing techniques and meditation, each offering numerous benefits for both physical and mental well-being. When applied to pregnancy, yoga offers a holistic approach to preparing for childbirth, including teaching movements and positions that can…
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Microchimerism: The Hidden Connection Between Mother and Child
Pregnancy Pal finds out more about microchimerism, where cells from a baby remain inside the mother for years to come, with some studies suggesting these cells can improve a mother’s health.
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I was petrified of giving birth – THIS completely changed everything
When Sarah Cheeseman was expecting her first child, she was absolutely terrified of the thought of giving birth. The fear of pain, the unknown, and all the ‘what ifs’ swirled in her mind, leaving her feeling anxious about the upcoming experience. But something happened that completely transformed her mindset and…
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Because of my Mum, I never feared birth
Julia Kitching’s journey into the world of hypnobirthing and birth support wasn’t driven by fear, but by fascination—thanks to her mother. Growing up, Julia’s mum shared stories of her own birth experience with such positivity that it shaped Julia’s entire view of childbirth. “My mum told me birth wasn’t painful,…
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What Happens When Your Baby Is Late?
So, you’ve hit that magical due date, the one you’ve had circled on the calendar for months, and yet… nothing! The nursery is ready, your hospital bag is packed, and still, no baby. If you’re in this situation, you’re definitely not alone. ‘Postdates pregnancy’, where your pregnancy goes beyond the…
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Weeks 5-8 of Pregnancy
Week 5 Pregnancy Symptoms By week five, your baby is still tiny, about the size of a sesame seed, but there’s a lot happening inside. This is the week when many people first start noticing that they’re pregnant, especially if they’ve missed a period. Morning sickness might kick in, and…
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Weeks 1-4 of Pregnancy
Week 1 Pregnancy Symptoms It’s the start of your pregnancy journey, but technically, you’re not pregnant just yet! Your body is preparing for ovulation, and while you may not feel anything out of the ordinary, it’s a good time to start thinking about your health. Make sure you’re getting plenty…
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What should I eat in pregnancy? Info, ideas & swaps.
We’ve got the low down on what to eat and what to avoid during pregnancy, plus some super easy swaps to make for a nutritious & tasty pregnancy.
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6 Unique Ideas for your Pregnancy Announcement
If you haven’t yet announced your pregnancy to your loved ones, how are those plans coming along? The positive pregnancy test might have only just landed in the bin and your bump might not yet be showing, but the ideas stage is the most fun of all. Let the planning commence with our list of creative pregnancy announcement ideas!
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Postnatal Anxiety: My experience and what it has taught me.
Debra Russell of Roar Birthing tells Pregnancy Pal about her experience with postnatal anxiety and her road to recovery.
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Your 12 week scan: Everything you need to know
What can you expect from your 12 week scan? Here we delve into every aspect of the dating scan, from its purpose and process to what to expect during the appointment and beyond.
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How long should you wait before announcing you are pregnant?
How long should you wait before announcing you are pregnant? by Michelle Pankhurst from Antenatal & Hypnobirthing Teacher Announcing when you are pregnant is such a personal decision, and there’s no right or wrong time to do it, although society may not always make it feel that way… what is right for…
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What to really pack in your hospital birth bag
What to really pack in your hospital birth bag By Emma Thompson of Blooming Births Hypnobirthing A well packed and organised hospital bag is an absolute essential for your baby’s birth. Knowing that you have everything packed ahead of time means you (and your birthing partner), can fully relax. There’ll be no…
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The Surprising Science Behind Your Pregnancy Cravings
The Surprising Science Behind Your Pregnancy Cravings by Holly Johnson-Ferrand from The Rebel Birth Club Pregnancy is a magical journey, and part of the fun is the mystery of pregnancy cravings. Ever found yourself yearning for a weird food combo and all those midnight snacks? Don’t worry; you’re not alone! But what’s…
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Why Should I Hire an Independent Midwife?
Did you know there is a turning tide of women opting for a different kind of midwifery care? Bailey Warner explores the role of an Independent Midwife.
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5 Steps to Confident Pregnancy & Parenting Decisions
Tiktok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram… your Aunty Susan: if you’re pregnant or a parent, there’s always someone, somewhere willing to tell you how do to things better.
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Pregnant again after traumatic birth
Soraya Paterson-Byrne explains what you should consider if you’re expecting again.
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Pregnancy Podcast 101: 6 Birth Prep Podcasts for 2024
Candy Elsbeth explores the best pregnancy and birth podcasts in 2024
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Why Lavender Might Be The Secret To A Positive Birth
Ellie Waddington reveals how Lavender can be a useful tool for labour
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5 Surprising 2nd Pregnancy Symptoms
When they say that every pregnancy is different, they really mean it…
