Whether you eat and drink during labour could well affect how well your body performs during what is serious physical exercise. Sports scientists have shown that keeping hydrated and eating carbs helps your body to perform better and reduces the chance of ketosis. Ketones are produced when your body needs more energy so fats in your liver are broken down (and lots of ketones are known to slow/stall your labour). A Cochrane review of research (2013) didn’t actually show any

Even before Covid hit, Vitamin D supplementation was recommended for during pregnancy – because incredibly up to half of pregnant women in the UK are affected by vitamin D deficiency. But now there is even MORE reason to pop that tablet. There is growing evidence that low levels of vitamin D might be associated with more serious respiratory symptoms if you get Covid. In the colder months it is virtually impossible to take in enough vitamin D without a supplement. Our main sou

When I was pregnant for the first time I had never heard of hypnobirthing, so I googled antenatal courses and opted for a traditional antenatal class. When pregnant a second time, I opted for hypnobirthing. So what is the difference between an antenatal course and a hypnobirthing course and what would suit you? One, the other, or both? An antenatal course would be provided by Baby Matters (Maidenhead-based), NCT or one of a host of smaller providers. These courses cover a

Covid-19 may unfortunately be here to stay, at least until we have a vaccine. Even extremely careful pregnant women taking all the recommended precautions might be exposed to it, for you cannot live in a bubble and still needs to access maternity care. It therefore makes sense to prepare your body to fight it and potentially reduce your chances of having a bad dose. How? By strengthening your immune system – for then if you do encounter the virus we will be able to deal with

Did you know that babies listen to music whilst still in the womb? From around 16-18 weeks of pregnancy babies start to hear sounds, but by the third trimester their hearing is much more advanced. They can hear music and tend to find classical music and soft melodies soothing – but they can enjoy other music too. They will grow to love any music you love, as whatever you listen to regularly will become what they are familiar with and what they will enjoy. Your favourite tunes