There may be a number of sleeping problems that can arise during the first year of life. Whether your baby decides she wants night feeds or develops a tendency to wake up during the middle of the night or whether bedtime is just unsettled in general, there are practical steps you can take to overcome problems.

Night feeds:
By about the age of six months your baby should be able to go without food through-out the night, but she may settle into a pattern of waking in search of a feed. If you want to wean her off these night time feeds, start by reducing the amount you give her, gradually stopping feed altogether, but instead staying with her for as long as she cries.

At the bedtime feed don’t let your baby fall asleep with either breast or bottle in her mouth. She needs to develop the habit of falling asleep on her own rather than rely on sucking to relax her. As soon as the eye lids drop tuck baby up in her cot.

If she wakes through the night feed her only for the first few times, reducing the amount each time. If she continues to cry then wait five minutes then pop back in and reassure her. Then go back to bed, even if baby’s still crying.

Continue to pop back every five minutes if she continues to cry. Only pick her up if she’s beside herself crying, then put her back and leave for a few minutes again. This may go on for a couple of hours but persevere.

For the next few nights you should stop offering food altogether and instead adopt the tactics for night waking for as long as it takes to teach baby how to sleep through the night.

Night waking:
The key to solving this problem is to reassure her while you also convey the message to your child that you have not abandoned them in the middle of the night, but at the same time making it clear that during these hours she will only be able to command minimum attention.

If you hear the child stirring, wait a few minutes so see if they fall back to sleep again. If the crying becomes sustained then go in and check to make sure nothing is wrong. Soothe her by rubbing her back, or if that doesn’t help a pick up and cuddle should do the trick. Stay until the tears turn into sniffles and put her back to bed, snug and warm. Then go back to bed yourself.

If crying continues call out to her reassuringly from your bed but wait a few minutes before you go back in to settle her down again. When you do go back in comfort her but try not to have to pick her put out of bed unless she is really beside herself.

Continue going back at five minute intervals until baby goes back to sleep, but after half an hour increase the gaps between going in to 10 minutes. A week of gentle firmness should be enough to establish a better sleeping pattern.

Unsettled bedtime:
From around the age of nine months it is good to establish a bedtime routine and sticking to it. If your baby gets into the pattern of not settling when you put her to bed then a week of resolutely following the tactics below should stop the pattern. Baby will get the message that you will always come if she cries, but you won’t get her back up again.

Make the bedtime routine fun but also loving, if she cries when you leave her go back and administer a loving kiss, but don’t pick her up and don’t stay long.

If she continues to cry, call out reassuringly to her but wait a few minutes before going back in to her. Make sure there isn’t something wrong like a dirty nappy or uncomfortable clothes, be cheerful but firm and after soothing her, go.

After several visits try increasing the length of time between each visit, but never leave your baby crying for more than 15 minutes.

It might be tempting to hang around in the bedroom longer but you need to show her that the brief reward of you visiting isn’t worth all the effort on her part. Eventually baby will drop off to sleep.

Few first-time parents have any idea of what behaviour to expect from a toddler. As a result, parents end up spending much of the time feeling guilty, inadequate, blaming themselves and believing they are the only parents who can’t control their children. The truth is that although each child is different and behaviour can vary widely, the normal toddler is far from being the little angel you may have been imagining.

In an effort to help first time parents come to terms with what they are about to experience, it should be noted that typical toddler behaviour will include varying degrees of the following:

- They will have little sense of what might be dangerous. They can be impulsive and unpredictable; even the normally sensible child is prone to doing the unexpected. All toddlers need close parental supervision.

- Toddlers crave attention, although some might be satisfied being near to their parents and be happy to receive whatever personal interest they get from mummy and daddy, others will insist on you answering to their every whim.

- Most toddlers (until the age of about three) do not like being separated from their parents. The toddler will prefer to play near his mother and will not stand mum being out of sight for long. For most, the first meeting with an unfamiliar child minder can be a source of stress, especially being left alone in the same room.

- Toddlers will be completely oblivious to the mountains of mess they create. It will be very unlikely that you will be able to convince junior to pick up his toys after he’s finished playing with them.

- Little people tend to be busy people. Some might be extremely active and rarely sit still, others will just be active.

- Tend to be stubborn and wilful; some are quite militant but others will bend to reason.

- Small children show little respect for other people’s property. Ornaments may get smashed and cupboards rearranged. For some reason, unknown to science, toddlers also manage to spread a sticky substance onto almost everything they touch.

- There will be endless questions, often the same ones over and over again, with very little real interest in the answer.

- Toddlers are extremely sensitive to emotions in their environment. They can sense upset, excitement and tension in their environment. A sound sleep pattern can be upset by illness, holidays or stress. Often quite a minor alteration to the environment can make the child who was fully toilet trained start to leak.

- They will constantly change their minds. One moment they might like something, the next hate it. Don’t plan to far in the future according to what the young one enjoys today.

- Constant interruptions of adults are a certainty. It’s not that the child is rude, it’s just that their heads are so full of what they perceive as being important information, that it just bursts out.

- Finally, little children display an unbelievably honed skill of being able to make their mothers feel inferior. Many will be as good as gold when in the care of others, keeping their more demonic side in reserve for their parents. Other toddlers will behave perfectly for their fathers but terrorise their mothers. This is because, more often than not, the child has had more time to study the vulnerabilities of its mother and knows exactly how to hit a raw nerve.

Of course not all children will be little terrors. Some will be wonderfully natured and mild mannered, but this is the exception rather than the rule. The good thing is that once you know what to expect and as you realise that this is normal toddler behaviour, it becomes so much easier to deal with.

Diversion is one of those good old-fashioned remedies that has stood up to the test of time and still comes out with flying colours. So what is it, and how can we use it?

Think back to those balmy days of your own childhood. You were at your granny’s house and about to introduce yourself to her collection of attractively coloured balls of wool which she kept for her knitting. Suddenly you heard granny calmly say, ‘I’ve just remembered I have a box of French Fancies cakes in the cupboard’. Your mind was instantly redirected towards this fascinating new prospect and the balls of wool went on to fulfil their destiny as an itchy jumper for you that next Christmas.

Today’s parents can use exactly the same technique with the same success. It is particularly useful with younger children. When it looks like a child is about to do something that you’d really rather it didn’t, it is often much easier to quickly divert the child’s attention before the obnoxious behaviour has time to take hold.

There is a precise moment at which the clever parent can step into a situation and take control, guiding the child to an activity or item which is much more socially acceptable. It must be remembered that if you can divert the attention of the child onto a ’side-stream’ (ie something not directly involving you) you will find yourself less busy.

Some parents argue that the use of diversion is improper, claiming that it deceives the child therefore teaching it dishonesty. I believe the answer to this is two fold. Firstly the art of diversion has been practiced for centuries. It works and helps prevent fights, accidents and other non desirable things from happening, therefore, you would be mad not to use it. Secondly I think it could be argued that diversion is also a form of entertainment. You are forced to always consider something interesting for the child to do or play with which can only be good.

Parents today are being bombarded with so much information about discipline the often fail to see what really matters. With all the different schools of thought it’s hard to remember what the really important core is.

If you remove all the trendy ideas about how to teach discipline to children you are essentially left with the following framework:

Love – A child can not have their behaviour effectively moulded unless they have the feeling of being wanted, respected, loved and cared for.

Consistency – children need to know exactly where the limits lie and precisely what is expected of them. They should see that their parents are in agreement and completely in charge. Discipline must be consistent and not dependant on the fluctuating moods of a weary mum or dad.

Staying calm and in control – don’t argue, don’t get into a debate, don’t stir up things which have happened before, don’t ‘throw a wobbly’ and don’t shoot from the hip.

Avoid trouble in the first place – toddler proof your home, don’t fight over little trivial things and recognise when you are on a loosing ticket.

Boost the best – reward good behaviour with encouragement, fun, attention and warmth. You can also give more tangible rewards and even bribes occasionally.

Underplaying the desired – try to hold yourself back from rising to the bait. Practice will make you skilled in the art of selective blindness and deafness.

Use your common sense and cunning – learn to spot when trouble is about to happen and avoid normal triggers. Divert the child’s attention, especially towards something which doesn’t directly involve your participation but which you can monitor while you get on with other things.

Have sensible expectations – young children are different from adults and will not behave as adults. Listen to what they are saying to us, since their behaviour may not need disciplining but instead comfort, reassurance and a cuddle.

Safety valves – when you think you’ve had enough try separating the warring parties. Sent them off to their bedrooms and find something else for yourself to do.

Finally, have a sense of humour – toddlers are capable of a huge variety of amazing things. Some will most definitely not be amusing but with others you may be able to see the funny side.

This is the final part in a three part series covering the three Trimesters of Pregnancy.

You will likely feel anxious about labour and wish you could go ahead and have the baby now. This doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with your baby. The sense you have of urgency is due to metabolic changes in the brain. Subtle shifts have gone on in each trimester bringing about the fatigue of the first, the elation and vigour of the second, and now the nervousness of the third.

Physical changes:
Your size is now growing rapidly and you are likely to feel tired. You may find that you are not sleeping as well as usual and this will increase your need for rest. As your ligaments stretch and give way, you may find walking about rather uncomfortable. Once your baby has settled into your pelvis, you will find that your breathlessness will diminish because the pressure on your diaphragm has been relieved.

Breathing:
Because of the reduced movement of the diaphragm as the baby grows larger in the abdomen, pregnant women breathe more deeply, taking more air in with each breath allowing for a better mixing of gases and more efficient consumption of oxygen. This lifts the ventilation rate from the normal seven litres of air per minute to ten litres (three pints to five pints per minute), an increase of over 40 percent. However, the oxygen requirements are increased by only 20 percent. This leads to over-breathing, which means that more carbon dioxide is exhaled per breath than normal. The low CO2 in the blood gives rise to a shortness of breath and this may be bothersome during this trimester. Relief should come when your baby engages in your pelvis. Meanwhile, sit in a semi-propped up position and avoid overdoing things.

Possible problems:
Hypertension might be a problem in the later stages of pregnancy. The major warning signs are swollen and puffy hands, wrists, ankles, feet, and face. Pre-eclampsia may interfere with the functioning of the placenta and prevent it from transporting nutrients to your baby efficiently. You may have to be hospitalized.

Taking care of yourself:
As the third trimester continues, the extra weight you are carrying can result in further backache and cause you to feel continually tired. Sleep can become a problem as you get bigger, as very few positions in bed seem to be comfortable. Don’t be tempted to take sleeping pills because they will make the baby sleepy too.

Take your time with everything during the last month, and make certain you get adequate rest; catnap whenever you can and set aside periods when you can relax - even if you don’t sleep. As your desire for making love may diminish or be frustrated by your increasing size, you may find that massage can enable you to relax and unwind, particularly if your partner can make it sensual. Continue to eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and drink at least eight glasses of fluid per day as you’ll probably pass urine more often. You may find that you are constipated at times.

Your Antenatal care:
You will be checked more frequently during this time. There are many tests that your doctor may use to judge the baby’s health or well-being such as ultrasound, foetal heart rate monitoring and hormones measurements, and your doctor will discuss at each stage what is being done and why. Urine and blood pressure testing will be done frequently as will checks for possible swelling of your feet and hands. From the 36th week up until the onset of labour, you will be seen and checked at weekly intervals.

Preparing for baby:
Towards the end of this trimester you should have completed your baby’s nursery, and purchased the essential equipment.

It’s likely you have stopped working by the seventh month, and will be able to take life at your own pace. Labour may be increasingly on your mind, and some women do find themselves worrying obsessively about it. Although no-one can predict exactly what will happen during labour, as your experience will be unique, be reassured that the vast majority of births go without a hitch.

This is the second part in a three part series covering the three Trimesters of Pregnancy.

This is the time when pregnancy is well established and many of the minor complaints connected with early pregnancy will have vanished. It is, however, also the time when certain tests may have to be done. Amniocentesis, for example, will be offered to women over 35, those with a family history of congenital abnormalities, and those who have suffered repeated miscarriages.

Physical changes:
You may notice that your nipples begin to secrete colostrum. Your waistline will disappear and you will now ‘look’ pregnant. Your gums may become slightly spongy owing to the action of pregnancy hormones. However, there is no evidence for increased dental decay during pregnancy and absolutely no evidence to suggest that there is any truth in the saying “a tooth lost for every child”.

Digestion:
The entire musculature of your intestinal tract is relaxed and this is the cause of many of the minor discomforts during pregnancy. Oesophageal reflex may give you heartburn due to the relaxation of the sphincter at the top of the stomach. Gastric secretion is also reduced and therefore the food remains for longer in the stomach.

The relaxed intestinal muscle also leads to fewer bowel movements and although this allows more complete absorption of foodstuffs, it can also lead to constipation during pregnancy. Your increasing size Once your uterus has grown above your pelvis, your waistline will begin to disappear and you will need to wear larger and looser clothes.

On the other hand, the second trimester is a classic time for women to be told that they look small compared to how many weeks pregnant they are. If this happens to you, don’t worry. How big you will end up will depend on many factors, including your height and build; whether this is your first pregnancy or not, as the uterine muscle tends to get stretched after the first child; and the size of your baby. If your doctor is satisfied with the progress of pregnancy, then you should be too.

Taking care of yourself:
This is the trimester in which you will gain the most weight overall (approximately 6kg/12lb) and there fore it is essential that you consistently eat well. Your posture may also alter as the muscles of the abdominal wall become stretched so as to accommodate your enlarging uterus. As your uterus enlarges it will produce an alteration in your centre of gravity because you are carrying an increasing amount of weight in front. Leaning backwards to try and counter this may result in backache.

Backache:
This usually happens because of the increased blood flow to the whole of your pelvis, which causes some softening and relaxation of the ligaments of the sacroiliac joints (the sacrum) , which attach your pelvic bones to your spine at the back. In addition, the ligaments and the cartilage at the front of your pelvis also loosen and so the mobility of these joints is slightly improved. To help prevent backache, sit with a straight back and don’t slouch, don’t wear high-heeled shoes, and preferably sit on a hard chair or the floor.

Always maintain a straight back or, if lifting, bend from the knees and lift from a crouching position. Avoid lifting if you possibly can.

Your Antenatal care:
Regular checks of your urine, weight, and blood pressure may be augmented by testing for chromosomal defects. From this time, too, your doctor will concentrate on measuring the adequate growth of your foetus. He or she will palpate your abdomen to feel the size and shape of the uterus and check for the height of the fungus and will listen for the baby’s heartbeat.

Preparing for baby:
Towards the end of this trimester, when you are feeling good and full of energy, it is the ideal time to prepare your baby’s nursery and shop baby equipment.

This is the first part in a three part series covering the three Trimesters of Pregnancy.

Through pregnancy the trimesters are the chief milestones of the mother-to-be. Rather than signifying three three-monthly periods, they are periods of uneven duration, and are defined by the physiology of foetal growth. By convention, the trimesters run from presumed conception (a fortnight after your LMP), and the first trimester represents the first twelve weeks of your baby’s foetal life. The second trimester ends at 28 peeks, and the third trimester encompasses the rest of your pregnancy.

Throughout the first trimester, your body adjusts to pregnancy. At the start you won’t look pregnant, and you may not feel pregnant either, but the activities of your hormones will soon start to affect you in a range of ways. Your moods may change unpredictably, your libido may decrease or increase and you will probably find that your appetite changes and that you prefer more simple food.

Physical Changes:
Your pregnant body is working very hard to accommodate the growing embryo and the placenta. Pregnancy induces a higher metabolic rate - between 10 percent and 25 percent higher than normal – and that means that the body speeds up all of its functions. Your cardiac output rises sharply, almost to the maximum level that will be maintained throughout the remainder of your pregnancy. Your heart rate rises as well, and will continue to do so until half way through the second trimester. Your breathing becomes more rapid as you now send more oxygen to the foetus and exhale more carbon dioxide.

Because of the action of oestrogen and progesterone, your breasts quickly become heavier and larger, and are usually tender to touch from very early on. Fatty deposits are increased and new milk ducts grow. The areola around the nipple becomes darker and develops little nodules called Montgomery’s tubercles. Underneath your skin, you will notice a network of blue-ish lines appearing as blood supply to the breasts increases.

Your uterus enlarges even in the early stages of pregnancy, but it can’t be felt through the abdominal wall until the end of the first trimester, at which point it begins to rise above the pelvic brim. While it is still low in the pelvis, your uterus will increasingly press on your bladder as it enlarges, so that you will probably find that you will need to urinate more frequently. Also, the muscle fibres of your uterus will begin to thicken until it has become very solid. However, you will probably not notice any increase in your waistline until the end of this first trimester.

How to take care of yourself:
You will have an increased need for carbohydrates and protein to supply your developing baby and the placenta, as well as your uterus and breasts, so it is really important that you eat healthily right from the start of your pregnancy. You will also have an increased need for fluids, so try to drink at least eight glasses of fluid a day. Make sure that you are getting plenty of rest as well.

Drugs, caffeine, junk food, alcohol, and smoking should be avoided throughout the whole of pregnancy, but particularly during this time.

While there is no need to invest in maternity clothes just yet, there’s nothing worse than having to put up with your clothes feeling tight even if it’s only for a few days, so make sure that you keep one step ahead of your increasing size. However, you will almost certainly need a larger bra from early on, and this should be a correctly fitted maternity bra.

Antenatal care:
Your doctor might be the one that confirms your pregnancy, or you might make an appointment with the antenatal clinic as soon as you have a positive test. If this is the case, you may not be seen until your second trimester. At the first visit, you will be asked about you and your family’s medical histories and you will have a thorough physical examination, which will include urine and blood tests.

Making plans:
Your doctor will be able to advise you as to the childbirth options that are open to you in your area, and may offer antenatal care, whether full or shared with your hospital. You will need to start thinking about the type of delivery you want and where you are most likely to get it. Books like this one can help you determine your choices in childbirth as well as provide in-depth information on aspects of pregnancy, birth, and baby care.

Soon after pregnancy is confirmed, most women are unable to resist buying their unborn babies at least one small gift, such as a teddy bear, although many feel that to do more than this is to tempt fate.

Being prepared for a fire is the best way of not becomming a victim of one. You should always install fire detectors, they are cheap and freely available, there really is no excuse. Fires can happen for a number of unexpected reasons so it’s important to have given some consideration to how you would react to a fire before you actually find yourself with one. Here’s what to do.

Act quickly - remember that most fires can be smothered before getting out of control - but do not waste valuable time trying to extinguish it yourself if it seems likely to spread. Call 999 (or 911) and be sure to give clearly the address where the fire has occurred. In town areas the Fire Brigade can get to the scene of a fire within a very few minutes, so do not hesitate to call it out in an emergency; its services exist for these reasons.

MINOR outbreaks : Follow these general rules :

1. If you have no fire extinguisher, Smother the flames with a wool rug, a wet sack or - provided the blaze has not been caused by electricity or flammable liquids - a bucket of water used with as much force as possible. Fat that catches fire in a pan can be covered with a large saucepan lid or a damp table cloth; turn off the gas or electricity at once.

2. Before using water on a fire caused by electricity, switch off the electric current.

3. shut the doors and windows in order to prevent the flames spreading.

4. If the fire is not immediately brought under control, deal with it as for a major blaze (below).
Clothing on fire: Roll the victim in a
wool rug or blanket and make him lie
down.

MAJOR outbreak Memorize these important rules :
1. Shut the room conceded and get everybody else out of the house.

2. Leave the house, closing all doors behind you.

3. Call the Fire Brigade.

4. If you are caught in an upstairs room and you know that someone else has called the Fire Brigade, wait as long as possible for rescue. If you are unable to summon help, think of some means of lowering yourself from the window, for example, by making a rope of sheets or other strong material. lf it becomes necessary to drop to the ground, try first to throw out something which will break your fall, such as a mattress, pillows or blankets.

A baby has only one source of food – you. During pregnancy, more than at any other time, it is necessary to have as varied and as wide a diet as possible. You don’t need to plan special meals and you don’t have to eat for two.

To have a good diet during pregnancy all you need to do is eat a variety of fresh, unprocessed foods from the selection below. Doing that will ensure you get all the nutrients you and baby need.

Calcium:
Calcium is important to ensure the healthy development of your baby’s bones which start to form from about eight weeks. You will need about two times as much calcium as usual, good sources include dairy products such as milk and cheese – although they are quite fatty so get low fat versions if you can, green vegetables, brazil nuts, sardines or several slices of white bread.

Protein:
Fish, meat, pulses and dairy foods all supply protein. Peanuts (even peanut butter), lentils, eggs and hard cheeses are all other good sources. Animal products can be high in fat so try to always get lean cuts. White meat is less fatty then red meat while fish is an excellent all rounder.

Vitamin C:
Helps to build a strong placenta, helps your body to fight infection as well as helping in the absorption of iron. It is required daily since the body cannot store vitamin C. Any vegetable or fruit is a good source so there are a wide variety of possibilities from oranges to cabbage. However, remember that a lot of vitamin C is lost by prolonged storage and cooking, so try to only eat fresh produce and steam green vegetables or eat them raw.

Fibre:
Fibre should be a large part of your diet because constipation is common during pregnancy and fibre is good for preventing this. Fruit and vegetables are great sources for fibre since you can eat quite a lot of them during the day. Don’t concentrate too much on bran since it can hinder the absorption of other nutrients. There are plenty of other alternatives, try: wholemeal bread; mixed nuts; raspberries, whole wheat pasta; garden peas; dried apricots; raisins; leaks; or brown rice.

Folic Acid:
This is needed for the growth of the baby’s central nervous system, particularly in the first few weeks. The body can’t store this nutrient and during pregnancy excretes several times the usual amount; therefore it’s necessary to have a daily intake. Fresh dark green, leafy vegetables are a good source of folic acid, but remember to steam them or eat them raw. Broccoli, spinach, hazelnuts, peanuts and wholemeal bread are all good sources of folic acid.

Iron:
This is needed in increased amounts throughout the pregnancy. The baby needs to build up a store of iron for after the birth and the extra blood your body produces needs iron to carry its oxygen. Iron from animals is absorbed more readily than iron from other foods such as dried fruit and pulses, so if you don’t eat meat combine iron rich foods with those rich in vitamin C to maximise the absorption.

A successful pregnancy, labour and the birth of healthy babies are the responsibilities of both parents to the same degree. A baby’s health depends to a large extent on the health of her parents at the time of conception, and the baby’s well-being can be put in danger not only by long-standing medical conditions or inherited genetic defects, but also by her parents ‘ lifestyle prior to conception. A lot of couples do not plan for pregnancy with the same care as other significant life events, yet it is one of the most important things you can do.

Starting a family is a time of re-evaluation because becoming a parent will fundamentally change your life.

Many things that we take for granted - who we are and what we do - will affect or be affected by a baby. Most people’s lives are very busy and many new parents think that their new baby will somehow fit in. They don’t. Babies and children need a lot of time and attention, and parents will always have less time than they did before.

In financial terms the average experience is that you will spend 15-25 pen cent of your income, in spite of of how much you earn or the size of your family, on child-related expenses such as clothes and equipment. But there are also hidden costs such as heating, transport, and what you may give up - meals out, holidays, and, perhaps, some of your ambitions.

It is not only your relationship with your partner that alters when you have a baby. Your relationship with your parents will change, and you may find that you grow away from your childless friends and seek new friendships with other parents who are going through the same experiences as you.

One of the most damaging factors to the health of your unborn baby and the major cause of avoidable health problems is smoking. The connected risks include miscarriage and stillbirth, harm to the placenta, a low birth weight baby that fails to prosper, and an increased chance of foetal abnormalities. Smoking is also one of the factors that can cause a low sperm count, and a man who continues to smoke while his partner is pregnant can risk damaging the health of his unborn baby via passive smoking.

Smoking also can have long term effects - children of heavy smokers tested at five, seven, and eleven years have been found to suffer from impaired growth and learning difficulties.

Alcohol is another substance to avoid when pregnant; it is a poison that may damage the sperm and ovum before conception, as well as the budding embryo. The chief risks to the unborn baby are mental retardation, retarded growth, and harm to the brain and nervous system. Alcohol can also cause stillbirth.

Research suggests that the effect of alcohol is variable: some heavy drinkers seem to get away with it while some women who drunkenly a small amount doesn’t. The only sureness is that there will be no effect if alcohol is avoided. Women tend to have a lower tolerance than men, and have a higher proportion of fat to water, so alcohol can become very highly concentrated in the blood that nourishes your developing baby.

Over-the-counter medicines should only be taken when necessary, and social drugs should definitely be cut out before you conceive. Marijuana interferes with the normal production of male sperm, and the effects take three to nine months to wear off. Harder drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and morphine can damage the chromosomes in the sperm and ovum, leading to abnormalities.

Diet and exercise are both vital to your health and the health of your baby. You ought to have a balanced diet that is low in fat content, particularly animal fat, with high intakes of raw fruit and vegetables. Good eating habits must be coupled with moderate forms of exercise.

During pregnancy, all the ligaments and cartilages slacken up so that the pelvis can expand more easily. This can put some strain on your muscles endpoints, and so the fitter you are, the better you will cope.

In terms of age many women are delaying pregnancy until their 30s, and even 40s, and this is no more hazardous than being in your 20s as long as you are fit and healthy. Whatever your age, you are likely to have a standard pregnancy and birth, although some problems such as infertility and chromosomal defects, for example Down’s syndrome, become more frequent with the growing age of both parents. Tests for chromosomal abnormalities are always offered to older women.

Lastly be aware of what’s around you, both in and out of the home, and avoid anything that is potentially dangerous. What we eat where we work, the places we travel to, and sometimes even the people we come into contact with may be risky for a pregnant woman.