What is pelvic girdle pain?
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is the term for pain in the pelvic area during and after pregnancy. The pain is caused by changes in posture, changes in strength, and a…
What causes linea nigra?
The dark vertical line that can develop around the second trimester of pregnancy is known as the ‘linea nigra’, which literally refers to the black line. About 75% of pregnant…
Why have I got swollen ankles and what can I do about it?
Ankle and hand swelling is (unfortunately) a super normal feature of pregnancy. It’s usually down to the big changes in hormones, specifically oestrogen, which make you retain water more than…
How to write a birth plan
The basics of planning birth are deciding where you would like to give birth, whether you’d like to have any pain relief (and if so what types are you comfortable…
What can I do about pregnancy reflux?
Lots of women experience reflux - also known as indigestion or heartburn - during pregnancy because of the changing levels of hormones in your body and also because of the…
How accurate is my due date?
Hate to break it to you, but less than 5% of babies are born on their due date. Yup, that’s right. Even more bizarrely, in France due dates are calculated…
Your maternity leave, pay and rights
Every woman in the UK has maternity rights by law, whether they work full time or part time. You are entitled to up to 52 weeks of maternity leave. The first 26 weeks is called Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML) and the second 26 weeks is called Additional Maternity Leave (AML).
Is it normal to feel constipated during pregnancy?
YES. Constipation isn’t just normal, it’s one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy… and one of the most frustrating. All of the hormones swirling around your body can cause…
When will I feel the baby start to move?
Most women feel their babies move for the first time between 16 and 24 weeks. You’ll probably start by feeling some flutters and then they’ll develop into more decisive kicks…
When will I start showing?
Most women begin to get a bump near the beginning of their second trimester, around the 12 to 16 week mark. But many women start to show earlier or later…