Those blisters will not go. Yes, when you are pregnant your acne will only worsen. You could have acne during pregnancy due to the changes in the body, including fluctuations in hormonal levels.
The overworked hormones can lead to an acne breakout, especially if you had experienced the problem before you were pregnant. In some cases, acne can become severe during pregnancy.
In the first trimester, your hormone levels go through an upheaval. As the levels of your hormones increase, your body secretes more oil than usual. As a result, you suffer from acne outbursts.
Here are some of the most common causes that lead to acne in pregnancy:
The biggest reason for acne outburst while you are pregnant is shifting of the hormonal levels. During the start of your first trimester, i.e. around the sixth week of your pregnancy, your hormone levels hit an all-time high.
Progesterone is the main hormone. It makes your glands produce more natural oil or sebum, which causes the acne breakout. The excess oil that your glands produce at this time block the pores of your skin. As a result, bacteria build up in the pores and result in infection, leading to acne breakout.
While you are pregnant, your body will begin to retain fluids. All the additional fluid that your body will retain will contain toxins, which can lead to an acne breakout.
If your skin is predisposed to acne, you are most likely to suffer from acne breakouts in pregnancy. Also, if you have always had acne just before the start of your menstrual period, you are more likely to experience that when you are pregnant.
In case you do not suffer from acne during early pregnancy, you will most likely not get any acne breakouts during the latter part of your pregnancy as well.
Acne is painful both in its feel and look. Added to the other pregnancy woes, acne could make you feel depressed. But before you opt for treatment, you would want to make sure that it is safe.
Continue on next page...
Acne is not a serious health or medical condition, but simply a cosmetic condition that will disappear once your hormone levels even out. One of the best things you can do about your pregnancy acne flare-ups is nothing. You may want to try some presumably safe over-the-counter medicines that promise to work on your acne and remove the spots, but these are not safe to use when you are pregnant. Even if the medication states that it is safe for you, it is good to avoid it certain ingredients in the medicine may have a negative impact.
But do not get disheartened as you need not have to live with the acne for nine months. Take some care and that will act as a natural remedy for acne.
Acne is not worrisome, apart from the fact that it may mark your appearance. You can deal with it by taking the below-mentioned measures:
The best way to prevent acne when you are pregnant or otherwise is by keeping the skin as clean as you can.
Use a mild and soap-free cleanser twice in a day to wash your face. You can wash your face once in the morning after you have woken up and then at night before you go to bed. Wash your face properly with the cleanser and rinse off any residual soap. Pat dry gently but do not rub your skin.
Also take care to wash and clean the area near your hairline and your jawline, as these are the two areas where pores get clogged the most.
Oily and greasy hair can also cause an acne breakout. Therefore, use a good shampoo to wash your hair. To avoid any residual oils from touching your skin, change and wash your pillow cases, towels and any scarves or hats that you use regularly.
While you may want to wash and scrub your acne to make them go away, doing so will only worsen the situation.
When you are pregnant, your skin becomes extra sensitive, and even the slightest rubbing and scrubbing can cause an injury. Regular scrubbing also strips the natural layer of moisture. When your skin loses its natural moisture, it will send out a signal to your oil glands to produce more oils to make up for the lost moisture. As a result, the oil glands in your body will start producing more oils, which can further clog your skin and lead to acne breakouts.
If you try to squeeze your pimples or prick them, it can make your breakouts stubborn and lead to permanent scarring and spots.
This advice may not sound sensible but it helps because moisturizing your skin is one of the safest acne treatments when pregnant. It is important to keep your skin properly moisturized if you want to avoid acne breakouts. Use an oil free moisturizer formulated for acne prone skin. It will reduce the irritation that often accompanies with acne.
Using the right moisturizer will also help you to keep your skin hydrated. Sometimes, when you wash your face frequently to avoid any oil clogging in the pores, it can tend to dry out your skin and make it harsh. As a result, your skin can become vulnerable to acne breakouts even when it is too dry. You have to strike a balance where your skin is neither too dry nor too oily.
Before you buy any product to use on your skin, read the labels and understand the ingredients.
Certain products are meant exclusively for those with acne prone skin. For instance, products that are labeled as oil-free, non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic are ideal for those with oily skin and scalp. Such products keep the skin and scalp oil free so that you do not have any breakouts.
Over-exposure to the sun not only increases the acne but also damages your skin. Being out in the sun for a long time increases the risk of skin cancer. It can also highlight the pigmentation and spots on your skin that are a common feature in pregnancy.
To avoid any harmful side effects when you are out in the sun, make sure you use a sunscreen that has an SPF count of at least 15. Also, you need to make sure that the sunscreen you are using is made for oil and acne-prone skin.
If you like to eat sweets or refined grains, reduce their intake or remove them from your food list altogether if you want to get rid of the pimples.
Instead of sugar, go for alternatives such as jaggery or honey that will give you the sweet taste, but not the harmful effects of sugar. And instead of having refined grains, switch to whole grains.
Also avoid fried or baked foods as they are loaded with unhealthy or saturated fats that make the skin vulnerable to pimples.
Include nuts such as walnuts and almonds, fresh fruits and vegetables from a variety of color combinations, so that you get the best of nutrients. Concentrate on fruits and vegetables that are green, yellow, orange and red in color.
Note: Before you make changes to your diet, talk to your doctor, and also eat everything in moderation.
Vitamin A will help to keep your skin healthy and prevent the outbreak of acne.
While you do need a good amount of vitamin A during pregnancy, an excess of this vitamin can have an adverse effect on your unborn baby. To maintain a healthy balance of vitamin A in your body, get your dose from natural food sources of such as carrots, fish, milk, and eggs. And do not take vitamin A supplements unless your doctor has asked you to.
Another best acne treatment is to drink a lot of water. It is extremely important to stay properly hydrated, especially since pregnant women get dehydrated easily. Dehydration makes the skin dry.
Make sure that you drink at least eight to ten glasses of water each day. You can also add some fresh fruit or vegetable juices, healthy smoothies, and milkshakes to your fluid intake.
If your acne persists in spite of the care you take, you might be tempted to get them treated. However, be aware of some treatments that could be harmful.
Drugs containing zinc sulfate, erythromycin, azelaic acid and clindamycin are generally prescribed for use during pregnancy to treat acne. They are considered safe as they are meant for external use and need to be applied topically.
So consult your doctor and get a prescription before using acne medication during pregnancy, as this is a matter of safety for you and your growing baby. Do not self-medicate but take care of your skin. That will help you avoid or deal with acne.
Subscribe to our mailing list and LIKE US on Facebook to receive more tips and insights on pregnancy and parenting!
If you are pregnant, chances are, you probably get worked up about every little change in your body. While some changes are simply annoying, few can signal an underlying condition. Vaginal discharge is quite normal during pregnancy, but the color of the discharge can tell you whether you need to consult a doctor or simply run down to the supermarket for some panty liners.
If you are worried about the color of your vaginal discharge, or you notice that it doesn’t look or smell normal, consult your doctor. In the meanwhile, read our post below to learn why the vividly colored vaginal discharge occurs.
When you are pregnant, you will notice an increase in your vaginal discharge, something you may have always experienced but haven’t noticed until now. Before you panic, understand that vaginal discharge is a part of pregnancy and is quite normal.
Here are some of the different types of vaginal discharge that you may experience while you are pregnant:
Here are a few reasons why you may notice a white colored discharge from your vagina while you are pregnant:
Here are a few reasons you may notice a green colored discharge from your vagina while you are pregnant:
Continue on next page...
Here are a few reasons you may notice a pink colored discharge from your vagina while you are pregnant:
Here are a few reasons why you may notice a yellow colored discharge from your vagina while you are pregnant:
Continue on next page...
While it is normal to have vaginal discharge while you are pregnant, there are certain situations that may require immediate medical attention and you should speak to a doctor about it. Here are a few such situations that you should take note of and make sure to call your healthcare provider to understand what needs to be done:
Vaginal discharge is extremely common and even normal during the time that you are pregnant, but there is no doubt that it can be very uncomfortable and may also feel very unhygienic. If you want to make things a little bit more comfortable for yourself and also want to ensure that you do not have the risk of catching any infection, try out the following tips that could be helpful:
No matter the type or color of vaginal discharge you experience while you are pregnant, make sure that you always keep your doctor updated about the same. Also, if you have any concern or feel any symptoms such as itching, burning, swelling, redness or anything else that is mentioned above, immediately speak to your doctor.
Subscribe to our mailing list and LIKE US on Facebook to receive more tips and insights on pregnancy and parenting!
Article written by Debolina Raja
Spotting and bleeding from the vagina during pregnancy is common. Almost 50% of the pregnant women experience vaginal bleeding and panic. Do you think this is a miscarriage symptom? Or is there any possibility of having periods during pregnancy? Well, before you get startled, know that vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy is not something that should worry you. It is in fact a good sign to show that you are a pregnant.
The bleeding may range from light bleeding or spotting to massive bleeding. Light spotting during pregnancy is not a matter of concern, but heavy bleeding can be an indication of a serious disorder. It is important to know the possible causes and undergo a check up to eradicate any complications.
If you observe brown or pink discharge similar to what you observe at the end of your menstrual period, it is spotting. If you observe a bright red discharge, it is bleeding. The amount of blood you notice is another warning sign. Spotting in pregnancy may not soak a sanitary pad, but bleeding does.
Light spotting in early pregnancy is usually not a serious condition. It can happen at the same time your menstrual period would have been due and lasts for one to two days. The other causes of bleeding in early pregnancy can be any of the following:
In the early pregnancy phase, about 20 to 30 % women may experience spotting because of implantation of the embryo into the uterine wall. It will occur around the time of your expected menstrual period. It can be confusing if you mistake it for a normal period before you realize you are a pregnant. This is normal during pregnancy and should not be a cause of worry.
During pregnancy, the flow of blood to the cervical region increases. Therefore, it is quite normal to observe light spotting after intercourse. Also, the region will be tender and any kind of minor stress can cause spotting. Sometimes, benign growths will occur on the cervix, known to be cervical polyps, which can also cause spotting after having intercourse.
Spotting after an internal pelvic exam or pap smear also holds the same reasons as above. The cervical region will become tender because of the increased blood flow and any bump to the region could cause spotting.
Conditions that are unrelated to pregnancy can also cause spotting. Vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis or yeast infection or sexually transmitted diseases like herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea or trichomoniasis can cause inflammation or irritation of the cervix. The inflammation can lead to spotting on being ruptured by sex or other stress.
Chorion is the fetal membrane that encloses the placenta. Subchorionic hemorrhage is a condition wherein bleeding happens within the folds of the chorion and the placenta. It usually stops by itself and does not lead to problems during pregnancy. Still, a prompt diagnosis and required treatment is suggestible.
As your body prepares for labor, you will pass your mucus plug, a state where your cervix begins to dilate. It will be soaked in blood, that is also called ‘bloody show’. Passing your mucus plug will not be a concern if you are already into 37 weeks of pregnancy. But, if there is heavy bleeding, be sure to consult a gynecologist.
Vaginal bleeding can occur at any time during pregnancy. It is rarely a sign of a serious condition, since it can accompany many pregnancy complications. But, it can sometimes be a sign of serious condition too. Therefore, it is important to understand the possible causes and get a check up done.
Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy first trimester can be caused by various factors. Nearly 20 to 30% of pregnancies will be affected with bleeding during this phase.
In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, that is usually in the fallopian tube. You will usually notice cramping and a sharp pain in the lower abdominal region accompanied by dizziness, weakness and nausea. It can be life threatening to mother and requires immediate medical attention. Statistically, only 3% of pregnancies experience it.
Ectopic pregnancy can happen if you have had a history of the any of the following complications:
Prior ectopic pregnancy, ligation or Fallopian tube surgery, pelvic inflammatory condition, infertility for more than 2 years, smoking and having a birth control device placed in the uterus.
Molar pregnancy is a rare condition that results when the placenta becomes a cystic mass from a malformed embryo. This is a type of tumor that occurs because of pregnancy hormones and is not life threatening at all. It happens within a few weeks of conception. In some cases, it can turn out to be abnormal and can spread throughout the body, the condition being diagnosed as gestational trophoblastic disease. You can observe vaginal bleeding within few weeks of conception if you happen to suffer from molar pregnancy.
One of the major concerns with bleeding during first trimester of pregnancy is that it can be a miscarriage as well. It is common to occur during the initial 12 weeks of pregnancy. If bleeding accompanies symptoms like cramping, lower abdominal pain and passage of tissue through the vagina, then there is a higher chance of miscarrying the baby. About 50% pregnant women who experience the symptoms along with vaginal bleeding, miscarry a baby.
The common cause of bleeding during late pregnancy is due to placenta problems. Also, abnormal cervix or vagina can cause bleeding.
This is the most common cause of bleeding during late pregnancy. In this condition, the placenta that usually connects the fetus to the womb will cover a part of the cervical opening. As a result, bleeding takes place. Later in pregnancy, the cervix becomes thin and dilates to prepare for labor. At this stage, the placenta stretches and ruptures causing heavy bleeding. The risk factors for this placenta previa condition include prior placenta previa, multiple pregnancies and prior cesarean delivery.
This condition occurs in the second half of pregnancy or the third trimester. It is an early separation of placenta from the uterus and it leads to blood collection in the region between the placenta and uterus. It is accompanied by cramps, pains in the abdominal region, tenderness in the uterus and back pain. If the separation is too little, it is not lethal for the baby. But, it will pose severe risks if the separation is large. The risk factors for this cause of vaginal bleeding include trauma, hypertension, usage of tobacco, cocaine and prior placenta abruption.
In rare conditions there will be an abnormal splitting of the uterus due to a scar from a prior C-section. It makes the fetus expel into the abdomen that can be quite dangerous for both the baby and the mother. The uterine rupture can occur before or during the labor time. There are certain other risk factors that include trauma, multiple pregnancies, using excess amounts of oxytocin medicine (strengthens contractions) and deliveries through forceps.
The developing blood vessels of the fetus may cross the opening of the birth canal. These are known to be vasa previa and can be lethal to the baby as blood vessels can tear open and bleed severely. This condition is also accompanied by abnormal fetal heart rate. It is a very rare condition that happens in 1 out of 5000 pregnancies.
If the delivery time falls between week 20 to week 37, it is considered a pre-term labor. It is accompanied by cramping, regular contractions, built-in pelvic pressure and back pain. A few days before your body prepares for labor, you will pass your mucus plug where bleeding starts. This is termed as a bloody show that requires an immediate contact with your health care provider.
Light spotting is normal and nothing to be worried. Severe vaginal bleeding that soaks through the pad is a concern. Bleeding is not always a sign of miscarriage since some women suffer high bleeding still deliver healthy babies.
It is not possible to judge the right cause for vaginal bleeding since many factors can cause the condition. The universal advice is you should not hesitate to consult your doctor.
Use a pad as it helps you keep a track on how much you are spotting or bleeding. Examine the type of blood (whether it is brown, red, pink or full of clots). Bring all your issues to the doctor and do not indulge in sex or use a tampon when you are bleeding during pregnancy.
Your doctor will check the vagina and may suggest you to go for an ultrasound scan. Vaginal and abdominal ultrasounds occur together to evaluate the reason. Your doctor may also perform a few regular tests like blood and urine. These tests would help check the hormonal levels of pregnancy. Also, check for any of the following symptoms. If you experience them, they could be signs of miscarriage or any other serious condition.
If you bleed during the initial stages of pregnancy, you should take it easy until your doctor checks and gives you instructions. At the moment, just rest and relax. Do not take any heavy stress or indulge in strenuous exercises. Avoid sex, using a tampon and or contraception. Always keep your body cool by drinking plenty of water. Also, keep a check on the amount of pads you are using.
If you experience heavy bleeding during late pregnancy, you need to consult your doctor immediately.
Continue on next page...
There are many diagnostic tests your doctor may take you through to evaluate the cause of the abnormal bleeding during pregnancy:
Any bleeding during pregnancy, no matter when you experience, you need to call your health care provider immediately, only to confirm nothing is wrong. You should be prepared to give out the answers in detail about the amount, color and period of bleeding to help your health care provider determine the cause.
Most of the time, a little spotting doesn’t pose any health risk to you and your little one, though, bleeding can sometimes specify a difficulty with your pregnancy. If you are pregnant, you need to be conscious about your bleeding. If you experience any irregular bleeding or period during pregnancy, contact your doctor immediately.
Subscribe to our mailing list and LIKE US on Facebook to receive more tips and insights on pregnancy and parenting!
Article written by Jayshree Bhagat
There are situations when a pregnancy may be termed as high risk. While it may sound like a situation that can be difficult, there are various ways in which you can still have a healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby. Read on to learn what it means by a high risk pregnancy and what sort of precautions you should follow if your doctor terms your pregnancy as high risk.
Having a baby is more or less a natural process, in which case you go through the full term of your pregnancy and enter labor as you reach the delivery date. Once your labor contractions begin, your baby is born within the next few hours or so. Sometimes, though, pregnancy is considered a high-risk pregnancy and the above course may not be the one that will be followed.
A pregnancy is termed as a high-risk one by the doctor when he is worried that there is a high possibility of complications arising in the pregnancy. The complications relate to the health of the mother, to the health of the unborn baby or the health of both. Once a woman is categorized as having a high-risk pregnancy, she is placed under constant medical observation so that the mother and the baby can be given all the required medical assistance as and when needed.
Here are a few reasons for high risk pregnancy that can make your doctor term your pregnancy as a high-risk one:
When you are trying to conceive or if you find out that you are pregnant, it is very important to consult with your doctor and find out what medical conditions you may have or are at a high risk of. Your doctor will be able to take necessary precautions right from the start and will be able to bring down the chances of high-risk pregnancies.
Of course it is possible that you were in the best of health when you conceived but once you got pregnant, certain medical conditions came up. While some or the other minor infection or health issue does crop up while you are pregnant, and it is perfectly normal, some can be a little serious. There are a few medical conditions that you can get affected with during your pregnancy. In such a case, it is important to get in touch with your doctor immediately and understand what course of treatment and care you should take. Here are a few medical conditions that can put your pregnancy at high risk:
It is a condition that usually causes a huge increase in the blood pressure levels, can lead to high traces of protein in the urine and can also result in swelling. Preeclampsia is a very serious condition that can also reach to life-threatening proportions and cause extreme risk to both the mother and the unborn baby. However, once you start getting the right treatment and care, it is possible that your condition of preeclampsia will be treated, and there will be no risk to either your unborn baby or you.
As the name suggests, gestational diabetes is a specific type of diabetes that develops when you are pregnant. Even though it is also a serious health condition, if you get the right treatment and care on time and follow your doctor’s advice, it is possible to minimize the risk. With the right care, you can have a healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby even if you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. In most cases, gestational diabetes will be there only until the time you are pregnant and will resolve once you deliver your baby. However, there is always a possibility that if you did develop gestational diabetes while you were pregnant, you might most likely develop type 2 diabetes after you have had the baby.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which it gets difficult for a woman to get pregnant, and when she does, it can become difficult for the pregnancy to continue until full term. Women who have PCOS while they conceive or while they are pregnant are always at a higher risk of suffering a miscarriage. In most cases, the miscarriage happens before the 20th week of pregnancy. Women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome while they are pregnant are also at a higher risk of getting affected with preeclampsia, diabetes and getting into premature labor.
Autoimmune diseases contain a group of various other diseases such as multiple sclerosis and lupus. Some of the autoimmune diseases can also significantly increase the risk of new problems arising later during the pregnancy. For instance, if you suffer from lupus, it can increase your chances of getting into premature labor as well as increase the risk of having a stillbirth. In some cases, however, a woman who had some or the other autoimmune disease before she got pregnant may notice some improvement in the condition once she becomes pregnant. However, in many other cases, women who did have some or the other autoimmune disease before they got pregnant will notice an increase in the symptoms and conditions associated with the same once they are pregnant. It is also difficult to treat the autoimmune diseases while you are pregnant, as the medications required to treat can often cause harm to the unborn baby.
If a woman has a kidney problem, it can create a lot of difficulty in getting pregnant and keeping the pregnancy safe till full term. In most cases, women who have kidney issues while they are pregnant or when they conceived may often go through a miscarriage. A woman who has any kidney problem while she is pregnant will require a lot of additional treatments along with a change of her diet and medication plan. In such cases, the pregnant woman will have to visit the doctor regularly for checkups and tests through which the doctor will monitor the condition of the problem as well as the health of the unborn baby and the mother.
Obesity is another medical condition that can often cause various complications in your pregnancy and make it come under the high risk pregnancy criteria. If you are obese when you conceive or after you become pregnant, it can significantly increase your risk of getting diabetes, which can further lead to more complications related to birth.
If you have HIV or AIDS while you conceive or when you are pregnant, it can end up damaging the many cells of your immune system. As a result, your body will not be able to fight off infections and diseases and will be at a high risk of contracting various diseases while you are pregnant. In addition to certain infections and medical conditions, it will also put you at a higher risk of getting some or the other type of cancer. At such a stage, you will also be at a higher risk of passing on the infection to your unborn baby, which can further complicate things. In many cases, the infection can be passed on to the baby later after birth as well, while you are in labor, while you are giving birth, or later, during breastfeeding. There are various treatments available that can prevent your HIV condition from spreading to your unborn baby or even after birth. In some cases, pregnant women who have a very low amount of viral load may even be allowed to go in for a vaginal birth, without the risk of passing on the infection to the baby. A viral load is the amount of active HIV that is present in the blood. Those women who have a higher amount of viral load are taken in for a cesarean birth so that there is less risk of the baby getting infected during or after birth.
If you were battling with infertility issues earlier, it may be possible that you had to take some specific treatment and fertility drugs in order to get pregnant. In many cases, women who do take fertility drugs to get pregnant have a higher chance of getting complications while they are pregnant, as compared to those who did not take any fertility drugs. The most common complications that can arise in such cases are related to the placenta, which links you to your unborn baby, as well as excessive bleeding through the vagina.
Various thyroid diseases that are beyond their regulated levels, such as an overactive thyroid or an underactive thyroid, can also cause various complications during the pregnancy. The thyroid is a small gland that is located in your neck and helps to produce various hormones that keep your heart rate and blood pressure in control. In case of thyroid issues while you are pregnant, it can lead to other complications such as birth defects, problems in the heart as well as poor weight gain for the unborn baby.
Continue on next page...
While there are various medical conditions that can turn your pregnancy into a high-risk pregnancy, sometimes there are other conditions too that can increase your risk. Here are a few more high risk pregnancy factors:
If your labor begins before you are in the 37th week of your pregnancy, it is termed as premature labor. While your doctor will not be able to certainly tell you whether or not you will get into premature labor, there are various factors that can increase your chances of an early labor. If you have had a preterm labor birth before, or have some specific type of infection while you are pregnant or if your cervix is shorter than it should be, you can be at a higher risk of a premature labor. As a result, your pregnancy will be termed a high risk pregnancy.
If you are carrying more than one baby while you are pregnant, where you are pregnant with twins, triplets or more, your pregnancy will also be termed as a high risk pregnancy. A multiple pregnancy is more common when you have taken infertility treatments earlier. It can also put you at a higher risk of high blood pressure, gestational diabetes as well as premature labor.
Sometimes, an unborn baby, or the fetus, may have certain problems that can be visible while carrying out an ultrasound test. Almost two to three percent of pregnancies have a situation where the fetus has some or the other developmental problem. In some cases, it happens when there is a family history of problems related to unborn babies. In other cases, the same could happen without any earlier history as well.
Placenta previa is the condition in which your placenta ends up covering your cervix. In such a situation, you are likely to experience a lot of bleeding, especially if you have already started having your labor contractions. If your placenta still covers the cervix while you are nearing your date of delivery, your doctor may choose to go for a cesarean delivery so that there is lesser bleeding involved at the time of birth. It will also help to reduce any further risks to you or your unborn baby.
If your doctor suspects that you have a high-risk pregnancy, they will change your regular checkup schedule and plan something that will give you more easy access to checkups and treatment. Here are a few things your doctor may recommend:
Once you become pregnant or are planning to have a baby, it is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle and make the best choices to make sure that both you and your baby remain healthy and safe. Sometimes, you cannot do anything to prevent your chances of having a high risk pregnancy. However, in some cases, you can follow a few tips that can reduce your chances of having a high risk pregnancy. Here are a few things you can keep in mind to make sure that both you as well as your unborn baby remain healthy and safe:
Your pregnancy is a time when you have to be extra careful to make sure that both you and your baby are health. Follow your doctor’s advice and speak to him the moment you feel any discomfort.
Subscribe to our mailing list and LIKE US on Facebook to receive more tips and insights on pregnancy and parenting!
Article written by Debolina Raja
The first time the baby kicks is a thrilling and exciting moment for most mothers, one that they would like to experience again and again. Feeling your baby move around in your tummy can be an oddly calming and reassuring feeling that everything is just fine. Fetal movement generally begins in the second trimester, and if you want to keep experiencing the ecstasy of it, you’ll be happy to know that you can anytime you want!
Your little monster can be woken up by a cool glass of water running down your throat and into your belly. The cold temperature of the water can make your baby squirm in search of warmth. You can even try placing an ice pack on your belly and feel your baby move inside to a warm spot. Just be gentle while pressing the ice pack.
But be super gentle while doing that! You don’t want to hurt yourself or your baby. This technique is the same one your technician uses when you go in for your ultrasound so you can be 100% sure it works. While he prods you with a stick, we suggest you use something much safer such as your own fingers so you can put just the right amount of pressure. Just wriggle your belly or poke the bump ever so slightly with your fingers to feel the little toy move inside you.
Any natural fruit juice or something sweet like milo or hot chocolate would do. Just drink a glassful and you will feel your baby fidgeting due to the sudden spur in your blood sugar levels. You can also try other healthy alternatives such as nuts, fruits, yogurt etc. We recommend you not to try this with packaged fruit juice as they contain artificial sweeteners which can be harmful for you baby.
An instant way to wake your baby up from its sweet slumber party in your belly? Go to dreamland yourself. When you’re up and about and carrying out your daily chores, your baby goes into snooze fest mode as the gentle cradling of your movements put its right to bed. But as soon as you lie down, you little tyke wakes up like a nocturnal being. So if you want to feel your baby move around as often as you can, try taking breaks in between your chores. You can either lie down or sit and feel your baby get into action mode.
Yes, a sweet sounding lullaby even before birth can rouse a strong reaction from your baby! When you’re having your round of mommy and baby conversations with your belly, be sure to slip in a little bit of music and you’ll feel your baby gently rolling in your womb. Word of caution: do not play loud music as your little one’s tiny ears are still in the stage of development and can get hurt.
Subscribe to our mailing list and LIKE US on Facebook for the latest updates on your pregnancy journey!
Image credit: Casper Women's Care
Congratulations, you’ve gotten a positive on your pregnancy test kit, and you’re now a mum- and dad-to-be! In 9 months (give or take a few days), your baby boy or girl will be unleashed unto the world, and there’s definitely a lot to do and prepare in advance!
But, for the moment, now what? Schedule an appointment with an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, and listen to their advice on what you two should do during your pregnancy. One part of pregnancy that we’ll be looking at today will be the prenatal screenings and tests that you’ll have to do. There’ll be quite a bit of them, but you and your ob-gyn will be able to come up with a doable schedule.
Why Do Prenatal Screenings and Tests?
These tests are performed during pregnancy to ensure the health of both mummy and her baby, and to find out if baby has any conditions, or the risk of them happening. If there are any conditions present and aren’t taken care of, mum and baby could be at risk. Each test allows your doctor to keep track of your pregnancy and ensure that you’re both healthy and doing well.
First Trimester Tests
1. Blood Tests
During your first pregnancy visit, your doctor should ask you to do a Full Blood Count test. It’s mainly done to check if you have anaemia or thalassaemia. Other blood tests that can be done are: Hepatitis B, Rubella immunity, syphilis, and HIV.
Procedure: Blood sample will be drawn at the clinic
Costs: Depending on your clinic charges
2. Dating Scan
This ultrasound scan can be done from 6 to 12 weeks, and lets you know if your baby is in the right position, if you’re expecting more than one baby, which stage of pregnancy you’re in, and your expected due date. It also checks for any potential abnormalities in the structure of your baby’s bones and organs.
Procedure: Ultrasound scan
Costs: Depending on your doctor’s charges
3. One Stop Clinic for the Assessment of Risk (OSCAR)
Usually done from 11 to 13 weeks, it’s also known as OSCAR. This is a first trimester option offered to all pregnant women as an earlier and more accurate method of screening for risk of fetal anomalies, in particular, Down’s Syndrome.
Accuracy: 90% with 5% false positive
Procedure: Ultrasound measurement of fetal NT (thickness of fluid-filled area behind fetal’s neck) and a blood sample will be drawn
Costs: $340 - $380
4. Non-Invasive Prenatal Tests (NIPT)
There are 2 types of NIPT in Singapore – Harmony Test (can be done as early as 10 weeks) and Panorama Test (as early as 9 weeks).
The tests analyse the DNA in a sample of your blood to predict the risk of Down Syndrome (trisomy 21) and two other genetic conditions, trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome) and trisomy 13 (Patau Syndrome).
The 2 tests can also determine the gender of the fetus.
Accuracy: 99% with 0.1% false positive
Procedure: Blood sample will be drawn
Costs: $1,200 - $1,400
Remember to check with your gynaecologist on which screening is most suitable for you.
Continue reading for tests available at the second and third trimester...
Second Trimester Tests
1. Foetal Anomaly Screening Scan (FA Scan)
This scan can be done from 18 to 21 weeks, and is a much more detailed ultrasound scan with the goal of examining your baby’s anatomy for major anomalies. They’ll focus on the brain, face, spine, heart, lungs, stomach, bowel, kidneys, limbs, genitalia, and umbilical cord. The growth of your baby, amount of amniotic fluid, placental position, and uterine blood flow are also assessed during this scan.
Procedure: Ultrasound screening of the fetus
Cost: About $280
2. Glucose Screening
This is usually done from 24 to 28 weeks, and checks for gestational diabetes – a condition that could develop during your pregnancy, and is usually temporary. As with all glucose tests, you’ll be required to fast for at least 8 hours.
This test has been made compulsory at some hospitals (KKH and SGH). Your gynaecologist should advice you accordingly.
Procedure: You’ll be asked to drink a glucose solution and blood sample will be drawn
Cost: $20 - $40
Third Trimester Tests
1. 3D or 4D Scans
These scans are more for parents to have as a keepsake of their unborn baby rather than for medical reasons. The 3D scan is a three dimensional photograph of the baby, whilst a 4D scan is a video of the baby. The best time to obtain a good picture of the baby’s face is between 26 – 32 weeks.
Procedure: Ultrasound scan
Cost: $250 - $350
2. Growth Scan
This is usually done from 28 to 32 weeks, and checks the growth of your baby and its positioning for labour. The position of the umbilical cord and the amount of amniotic fluid is also taken into account.
Procedure: Ultrasound scan
Costs: Depending on your doctor’s charges
And that should about wrap it up for the scans that you’ll have to go through during pregnancy!
Keep an eye out for our other articles that give mummies-and-daddies-to-be useful info and tips! Subscribe to our mailing list and like us on Facebook!
Maternity leave is something that working mums in Singapore need to plan out thoroughly. Just imagine you’re near your expected due date (EDD), your tummy’s still getting bigger, you’re aching in places that you never knew could ache, and then there’s work the next day.
According to the Ministry of Manpower, mums are eligible for 16 weeks of paid maternity leave (ML) if they meet these requirements:
For your first and second births, your first 8 weeks are employer-paid (which they can claim from the government), and your last 8 weeks are government-paid.
For your third and subsequent births, all 16 weeks are government-paid.
When Should You Take Your Maternity Leave?
You can either choose to take the entire 16 weeks of ML continuously at once, starting at 4 weeks before your EDD. If you decide to do it this way, Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays are included as part of those days of leave, so some mums consider it a waste of leave.
Alternatively, you can talk to your employer and come to an agreement on how flexible your ML will be, which would be the best outcome for you to maximise your maternity leave!
If you’ve got a flexible arrangement with your employer, you can decide how soon or late you wish to begin your ML. Some mums decide to start their leave 4 weeks before delivery, others choose to do it 2 weeks before, and some even work up until their EDD!
Here’s an example:
With a default arrangement, your ML will be from 25 Feb 2018 to 16 June 2018 (4 weeks before EDD and 12 weeks after delivery).
With a flexible arrangement, you can choose to go on ML on 25 March 2018 to 19 May 2018, and then decide when to use your remaining 8 weeks of leave from 20 May 2018 to 24 March 2019 (12 months after you’ve delivered).
Continue reading on page 2 to find out what other mothers did...
We Ask Mummies How They Managed Their ML
“I worked all the way till I delivered cos I hate to waste my leaves sitting at home doing nothing! I went back to work after 14 weeks of ML. The remaining days I put on standby for doctor visits.” – Daphne Chen
“I used up all my annual leave 1 week before my EDD since I needed to clear it anyway. Then continued maternity leave when baby was born. I took 10 weeks of ML and subsequently had 4-day work week till I finished all my ML.” – Lee Hui Ling
“I started my ML from the day I gave birth and went back to work after 12 weeks. The remaining 4 weeks converted to 20 working days. More worth it!” – Tracie Goh
“I started my ML at 36 weeks cos I wanted to rest. Felt very tired and was having frequent Braxton Hicks. Didn’t want my water bag to break at work! I used up all 16 weeks at once.” – Jacqlyn Tan
Remember to plan your ML around public holidays if you can! Here’s a list of PH for 2018:
Credit: Ministry of Manpower
Can I Use My Hospitalisation Leave?
In some cases, your gynaecologist will provide you with Hospitalisation Leave (HL) but they’ll ask you to get bed rest at home instead. This is due to the fact that most of us have 14 days of medical leave, and over 40 days of HL.
HL is usually given if you’ve got medical conditions (touch wood!) such as spotting, high blood pressure/preeclampsia, a low lying placenta, and other conditions that your gynae believes might pose a health risk to either you or your unborn child.
Proper check-ups and medication will be given to you, and you’ll most likely be asked to be warded for a few days for the check-ups before you’re able to head back home to be on bed rest.
Some companies might ask to use your ML instead of HL, especially if you’re 36 weeks pregnant and on. Do check with your human resource department about the validity of your HL – for more serious cases, they’ll usually be understanding enough.
Something for the Dads too
Dads will also get the benefit of going on Paternity Leave (PL) for them to help their wife and baby out with things such as medical check-ups – they’re entitled to 2 weeks of paid PL if they fulfil the same requirements as mum, with the exception of:
They’ll be able to take their 2 weeks of PL at once, within 16 weeks after baby is born. Or if they’re able to come to an agreement with their employer, they can either take 2 weeks any time within 12 months after birth, or to split the 2 weeks into working days and take them in any combination within 12 months.
The way the working days is counted is 2 X (number of working days in the week), and is capped at 6 working days per week. For example, if you’re working for 5 days a week, you’ll have 10 days of flexible paternity leave to allocate.
Mums can also choose to transfer up to 4 weeks of their ML to the dad’s PL via shared parental leave (unfortunately, dads aren’t able to return the favour)!
Keep an eye out for our other articles that give mummies-and-daddies-to-be useful info and tips! Subscribe to our mailing list and like us on Facebook!
Pregnant or soon-to-be pregnant ladies generally have a lot of questions and worries on their mind, especially so if it’s your first time!
We’ve come up with some general tips and recommendations for you on what to do throughout your trimesters to help your ease a few of those worries. Always consult your doctor if you have any further questions about pregnancy!
Throughout The Trimesters
1. Keep Yourself Active
Do some stretches every once in a while – they prevent your muscles from tightening and will make you feel much more relaxed. Going for a short walk (around 10 to 20 minutes) can actually help boost your energy levels! And if you were fairly active before your pregnancy, going for brisk walks of 20 to 40 minutes is recommended. But remember to keep hydrated during your walk, which brings us to…
2. Drinking lots of fluid
In general, you should drink around 2.5 litres of fluid per day. That’s right, fluid, not simply water! You can keep yourself hydrated with water, milk, fruit, vegetables, and yogurt. Remember that everyone is different, so drinking more or less is normal. It’s better to pay attention to the colour of your urine – a dark coloured or cloudy urine means you need to drink more, and clear or pale coloured urine means you’re drinking enough.
3. Quit Smoking And Drinking Alcohol
Nicotine and alcohol are bad for babies and yourself (but it’s more important now that you’re carrying a life), and whatever you consume, they’ll go straight to baby as well. Smoking increases your risk of miscarriage, premature and still births, and it also slows foetal growth. Alcohol raises the chance of low birth weight, and could cause problems your baby’s learning abilities.
4. Reduce Caffeine Intake
High caffeine consumption could lead to miscarriage and other problems during pregnancy. At most, you should consume less than 200mg per day. It may be difficult as we generally drink quite a bit of coffee every day, but it’s doable!
Also read: How Much Caffeine Can You Drink When Pregnant
5. Pay Attention To What You Eat
You should avoid these foods that could contain bacteria or parasites:
6. Stock Up On Healthy Snacks
You never know when you’re going to get the munchies, and having a stash of healthy, nutritional snacks literally at hand will help you out. Munching on plain snacks like crackers might also be able to help with morning sickness.
7. Prenatal Depression
Stress, hormonal changes, and discomfort during pregnancy could lead to prenatal depression. According to studies, around 7 to 20 percent of women experience prenatal depression in varying degrees.
If you feel like you could possibly be suffering from prenatal depression, please voice out to your loved ones and get help for yourself and your baby.
8. Let’s Talk About Sex
Having sex while you’re pregnant is safe for the baby, and it can help you and your partner keep the bonds of attraction and intimacy going. You two might have to get a bit more creative in the third trimester, but it’s still doable! Consult your doctor if you’re worried about any complications that might affect sex.
9. Be Kind To Yourself
Give yourself some loving too! Pamper yourself with a massage, go for a manipedi, have a nice dinner out, or do something you love. If you’re feeling down, talk things out with a close friend or your partner – remember, communication is a two way street.
Continue reading on page 2 for the first trimester checklist...
First Trimester
1. Financial Planning
Okay, this is dry and daunting, but it’s something that we have to do. New financial responsibilities will come up, and you’ll have to consider these items: life insurance, setting up a will, having a savings and educational plan for your child, getting health insurance for your child, and budgeting yourselves. Look into the Baby Bonus and Child Development Account as well.
Also read: Costs of Delivery In Singapore: Private Vs Public And How Much Can You Claim From Your Medisave
2. Prenatal Vitamins
It’s difficult to get all the nutrients for you and your baby, even if you eat a wide variety of food! Prenatal vitamins ensure that mums are able to get enough critical nutrients during their pregnancy – folic acid and iron are the highlights of these vitamins as pregnant women usually don’t get enough from food alone.
Getting enough folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. For iron, it’ll help mums avoid iron-deficiency anaemia, which cuts their risk of premature births and low birth weight.
3. Schedule A Prenatal Appointment
Mums-to-be usually see their healthcare provider at around 8 weeks, but it’s always better to book an appointment in advance. Get any questions that you have ready for your healthcare provider and find out the medical histories of both sides of your families, as they’ll want to know more about that.
4. New Underwear, More Comfort
Your breasts might go up one or two more sizes, and a good maternity bra will definitely help you out with giving extra support and comfort. Some comfy undies will also give you a bit of relief as your abdomen expands.
5. Morning Sickness
The dreaded morning sickness! Some mums get it bad, some barely even have it, but most mums suffer from it frequently enough. Unfortunately, the ‘morning’ part is generally a lie as pregnant mums can feel nauseous throughout the day.
Eating small but frequent meals and snacking throughout the day, and eating bland-tasting food could help with easing the nausea (like those crackers I mentioned earlier). Talk to your healthcare provider about anti-nausea medication that’s safe to take during pregnancy.
Continue reading on page 3 for the thirs trimester checklist...
Second Trimester
1. Moisturise Your Belly
You’re going to get stretch marks, and that’s all right. The moisturisation is more for getting rid of that itchiness that you’ll start feeling soon enough!
2. Learn To Sleep On Your Side
To reduce swelling and improve blood flow to your placenta, you should start sleeping on your left side. To make sleeping on your side more comfy, try placing a pillow between your legs, behind your back, or under your hips.
3. Sign Up For Childbirth Classes
They’re about as close as you can get to actually giving birth, so you and your partner can learn some important lessons from it. Register early for a childbirth class to ensure a spot! You and your partner will learn about pain management, the process of labour and birth, and much more.
4. Talk To Your Older Children
Find out what they think about having a new sibling, and show them that they’re still and will still be loved by you. Get them used to the idea of a new brother or sister and see what they’ll be able to do to help you prepare!
5. Maternity Leave
Now’s a good time to start planning your maternity leave – check with your HR department, complete the paperwork, and find out your benefits. You’ll need to understand the process of going on maternity leave and if (touch wood) any complications arise in your pregnancy. Work-wise, plan out your handovers to your colleagues in advance.
Also read: Maximising Your Maternity Leave: How To Calculate And When Should You Start
6. Childcare Options
Singapore is a busy, busy city, and you might not have enough time to care for your baby when your maternity leave is up. Your best option would be to have your parents look over our little ones while you’re at work, but if that’s not possible, you should do a comprehensive review of childcare centres.
Also read: Pros & Cons: Childcare Vs Foreign Helper Vs Nanny Vs Your Parents
7. Don’t Forget To Be Yourselves
Spend some quality time with your partner! You two have a bit more free time now, so make the most of those precious moments. Watch a movie together, eat at your favourite restaurant, go for a walk while holding hands, and do things that show your appreciation for each other.
Continue reading on page 4 for the third trimester checklist...
Third Trimester
1. Gear Up
Get your strollers, carriers, diapers, cribs, and baby monitors ready because your little one’s going to be needing all those essentials soon! Do some research on what you’ll need and compare the different brands. Join a Facebook page that’s for mums and tap on their collective experience. Check with your friends who have kids – they may have some hand-me-downs that you can ask for!
2. Baby-Ready Your Home
From the first point, getting the baby stuff is just the beginning. Now you’ll have to ensure that they’re all set-up properly! Make sure that baby’s nursery is a peaceful and quiet area that doesn’t have bright lights over their crib. Keep it as uncluttered and accessible as possible, but remember that you’ll probably have to move stuff around after baby is around, as you’ll discover your own best way to care for baby.
3. Prepare For Breastfeeding
Find out about the benefits of breastfeeding, and read articles to learn more about it – the do’s and don’ts of nursing your baby, how to get your breastmilk flowing, etc. Look for groups who are willing to contribute frozen breastmilk if you’re unable to produce enough breastmilk in your first few days after birth, as that might happen to some mums.
4. Talk To Your Baby Bump
Your child can hear and recognise your voice at this point, and talking to them will help the two of you bond. It doesn’t have to be anything specific – you could be reading a book out loud, or narrating what you’re currently doing, or even singing a song!
5. Stock Up On Supplies
After baby is born, you’ll probably have a hectic time taking care of baby, which means you won’t really have time to buy groceries and household supplies like toilet paper, sanitary pads, soap, shampoo, and other daily essentials. So stock up on them, unless you have a helper that can do so on your behalf.
6. Make Entertainment Easily Accessible
For you, not for the baby! Prepare a lengthy list of shows, books, songs that are easily accessible for you after baby has arrived. You’ll thank your past self for doing so.
7. Prepare Yourself For Labour
It’s easier said than done – labour is something that has to be experienced in order for you to truly understand what it’s about, and every woman’s pain that they go through is different. But a certain amount of mental preparation can be done – learn about pain medication during childbirth or if you’d prefer a natural birth. Consider your options and plan accordingly.
Learn more about the 3 stages of labour – which could last from 8 to 20 hours. If this isn’t your first child, your labour period should be a lot quicker than before.
And that’s all the time that we have for today, ladies! Keep these lists at hand during your pregnancy, stick them on your fridge or softboard, and they’ll help you out.
For more pregnancy and childcare tips, subscribe to our mailing list and like us on Facebook, to receive new articles for mummies like you every week!
Image credit: Mothers Circle
Have fun during your pregnancy! It might sound counterintuitive, what with “fun” and “pregnancy” being used in the same line, but there are things that you can only experience while you’re pregnant! Make the most of your time pregnant (but in a safe way) and you’ll look back on it with fond memories.
Let us give you some ideas on the simple pleasures of pregnant life to help you feel as comfortable as possible throughout those 9 months!
1. PHOTOS!
It goes without saying in our photography obsessed world now… but take lots and lots of photos! It’ll be a bit hard when you’re not feeling your best, but trust me, your future self will be thanking you for documenting your pregnancy!
You can choose to do a weekly, monthly, or trimester-ly shoot – I suggest doing it weekly if you wish to best capture the changes you’re going through.
Here are some things to consider when doing a shoot at home:
1. Pick a pose and stick with it for consistency’s sake, plus it’ll look pretty cool when you do a timeline (here’s a cute example of a timeline) – one of the most common poses that shows off your progress is a side view
2. Look for an area in your home that’s got good natural lighting with a simple backdrop (plain walls or long curtains do well)
3. Show off your bump! Lift up that top and let your bump breathe
4. Make it a habit and routine – choose a day of the week and make it your photo day, creating a habit out of it will ensure that you’ll see this project to its end
An added bonus of doing photography is learning how to properly edit those photos that you took! Keep to a central theme for your photos, for example if you want them to be black and white, make the others be black and white too for consistency.
2. Keeping the Flame Alive
It may not be easy to bring romance to the table as you’ll be dealing with morning sickness in the first few months of pregnancy, and it’ll definitely take a lot more effort from both of you, but keeping romance going is something that’ll benefit you two in the long run!
Plan a date night with your significant other once every two weeks – get out of the house and watch a movie, have dinner alfresco style along Boat Quay, or stay home, get some microwaveable popcorn plus ice-cream, and watch some movies that you two watched way back when you started out dating (nostalgia power!).
It doesn’t even have to be a date night – a date day (afternoon?) with a picnic out at the East or West Coast beaches, or even at Sentosa, will do you wonders. Break the monotony of rigid schedules, and get to know yourselves once more.
3. Go On a Babymoon
This ties in with the above point – being parents of a newborn means that you won’t really have a lot of time to yourselves, so you should enjoy a final… CHILD-FREE holiday if you can! Try to plan your trip during your 2nd trimester, as it’s hopefully after your morning sickness and before you’re too ache-y and tired to travel during your 3rd.
Pick a place that’s nice and relaxing, one that both you and your partner are happy with visiting. Regardless of how good you feel, try not to get a flight that’s too long because you’ll definitely get uncomfortable on longer flights. On flights, make sure you move around every hour to help you with circulation and lessen the risk of getting blood clots.
Always check with your ob-gyn and get a green light from them before you go on a trip during your pregnancy.
4. Go Shopping (For Yourself)
Plan a shopping trip with your mum, your MIL (to deepen your bonds and relationship with her, throw her some compliments here and there), or your besties. Focus on yourself, get some fancy maternity wear, sexy new maternity lingerie, cosmetics that are safe for pregnant use, comfy shoes or footwear, and whatever else you need!
5. Be a Queen
Being pregnant is somewhat of a free pass on things that you can do and favours that you can ask from others, but remember: “with great power, there must also come great responsibility”.
Exercise your pregnancy powers in moderation, lest you annoy your loved ones to no end.
With that said, you can take all the guilt-free naps and eat all the ice-cream (unless you’re lactose intolerant) that you want! Visit a spa, get a pre-natal massage, give your hands and feet a treat with a manipedi, get the full royal treatment but remember to be a just and kind queen at the end of the day!
6. Bond With Your Parents
They know what you’re going through, because they’ve been through the exact same thing – and it’s great for them, and especially your mum, to share the experience that they’ve went through. It’ll definitely bring you closer, you’ll get some much needed insight as to what comes after baby is born, and it’ll allow them to reminisce about their memories when you were young.
Our parents are the ones who helped us become who we are today, in one way or another, and we’ll only learn to appreciate them more for what did for us.
7. Involve Your Partner
Sometimes, your partner wants to help out, but they don’t really know how to – so it’s up to you to help guide them along. Ask them along when you’re heading for your ob-gyn appointments, let them know what you need (regardless of whether it’s a foot or shoulder rub or some time alone), get them to attend prenatal classes with you – it’s all for helping them to get a better understanding of what you’re going through.
Let them know that you appreciate what they’ve been doing for you, because sometimes we tend to forget to let our loved ones know that; verbalise your gratitude because communication is important!
8. Be More Forgiving (Of Others and Yourself)
I’m pretty sure you’ve noticed, but there’s a lot going in your body. There’s a new life that’s growing in you, your hormones are all over the place, you’re hungry but your appetite’s being messed with by nausea, you’re getting rashes in places you never knew you could get rashes in, your growing belly needs constant moisturising and scratching, and that’s just the tip of the pregnancy iceberg.
So take it easy (yeah I know it’s easier said than done), because stress is bad for both you and baby! Look on the brighter side of things, focus on the positives that you’re going through – forgive yourself for the things you say, do, or feel, and forgive others for the things that they do to annoy you because it’s usually never on purpose.
For more pregnancy and childcare tips, subscribe to our mailing list and like us on Facebook, to receive new articles for mummies like you every week!
