Monitor Every Step Towards Motherhood With the Pregnancy Calendar
While no two pregnancies are ever exactly the same, the growth of your tiny fetus into a baby ready to be born, can be followed week by week by all mums-to-be on a pregnancy calendar.
A good pregnancy calendar will cover the changes to the expectant mum's body as well as explaining the growth and development of the baby from conception up to week 40, although many babies are born, fully developed, around the 37th or 38th week.
That's because due dates are calculated from the dates of the woman's last known menstrual period and not usually the conception date.
Knowing what stage your baby is at in the womb is fascinating and reassuring and helps mums-to-be understand the changes going on week-by-week.
At the same time as following your progress on a pregnancy calendar it's a good idea to keep a diary of your feelings throughout, along with any symptoms and expected - or unexpected ¬- side effects so these can be discussed with your midwife or GP at check-ups.
Healthcare professionals usually suggest you also make a birth plan outlining how you would like your labour and birth to be managed.
One of the things you will need to think about is how you want to give birth.
This may depend on where you give birth.
Although many hospitals and maternity units offer facilities for different types of birth these days, not all of them offer all the options.
Your midwife will be able to tell you what's available at the hospital or midwifery unit where you plan to have your baby.
However, do remember that it's important to keep an open mind, as you may find you have to make changes as your pregnancy progresses - or if complications arise when you are in labour.
These are the points to consider for your birth plan: Where are you going to have your baby? What kind of birth do you want? Who do you want to be with you as your birth partner? Do you have any special requirements to help you through labour? What is your ideal method of pain relief? Would you rather tear naturally than have an episiotomy? Do you want your partner to cut the cord? Would you like your baby to be given to you immediately after being born or when she's been cleaned up? Do you want skin-to-skin contact straight after the birth? Do you want to breastfeed your baby as soon as possible after the birth? Would you like the placenta to be delivered with the aid of drugs, or naturally? Are you happy to have student midwives or medical students present at the birth? Have you any cultural needs that your health professionals need to be aware of? Are there any language difficulties? Do you have a special diet? Is transportation to and from the maternity unit likely to be a problem?
A good pregnancy calendar will cover the changes to the expectant mum's body as well as explaining the growth and development of the baby from conception up to week 40, although many babies are born, fully developed, around the 37th or 38th week.
That's because due dates are calculated from the dates of the woman's last known menstrual period and not usually the conception date.
Knowing what stage your baby is at in the womb is fascinating and reassuring and helps mums-to-be understand the changes going on week-by-week.
At the same time as following your progress on a pregnancy calendar it's a good idea to keep a diary of your feelings throughout, along with any symptoms and expected - or unexpected ¬- side effects so these can be discussed with your midwife or GP at check-ups.
Healthcare professionals usually suggest you also make a birth plan outlining how you would like your labour and birth to be managed.
One of the things you will need to think about is how you want to give birth.
This may depend on where you give birth.
Although many hospitals and maternity units offer facilities for different types of birth these days, not all of them offer all the options.
Your midwife will be able to tell you what's available at the hospital or midwifery unit where you plan to have your baby.
However, do remember that it's important to keep an open mind, as you may find you have to make changes as your pregnancy progresses - or if complications arise when you are in labour.
These are the points to consider for your birth plan: Where are you going to have your baby? What kind of birth do you want? Who do you want to be with you as your birth partner? Do you have any special requirements to help you through labour? What is your ideal method of pain relief? Would you rather tear naturally than have an episiotomy? Do you want your partner to cut the cord? Would you like your baby to be given to you immediately after being born or when she's been cleaned up? Do you want skin-to-skin contact straight after the birth? Do you want to breastfeed your baby as soon as possible after the birth? Would you like the placenta to be delivered with the aid of drugs, or naturally? Are you happy to have student midwives or medical students present at the birth? Have you any cultural needs that your health professionals need to be aware of? Are there any language difficulties? Do you have a special diet? Is transportation to and from the maternity unit likely to be a problem?
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