When I was at medical school the obstetrics professor used to tell us there was no right time to get pregnant because something else always came up in a couple’s professional or domestic life. But in many other ways there’s … Read More
What are the financial costs of having a baby?
But there are also hidden costs such as heating, transportation and what you may give up for your children – meals out, holidays and perhaps some of your ambitions. No-one can pretend there isn’t a financial implication to parenthood. But … Read More
Should we plan for pregnancy?
This may sound obvious, but often couples do not plan for pregnancy with the same care as other important life events. The ideal of course is that you want to have a baby and have planned for it but even … Read More
Should we get married?
One of the reasons commonly given by prospective parents for marrying before the baby is born is that it ensures the father is the legal parent of his child. The legal situation varies from country to country so formal marriage … Read More
How will having a baby affect relationships in my life?
Most women no longer expect to be the sole childminder, and many couples agree that parents should be equal partners. When you decide to have a baby you and your partner should view it as a contract: a contract that … Read More
How much will our lifestyle change?
Most people’s lives are extremely busy and many new parents assume that their new baby will somehow fit in. They don’t. Babies and children need a lot of time and attention and you will undoubtedly have less time than you … Read More
How important is the age factor?
Whatever your age, you are likely to have a normal pregnancy and birth. But you should be aware that some problems such as infertility and chromosomal defects, (Down’s Syndrome, for example), do become more frequent with the increasing age of … Read More
How can we be sure a baby is the right thing for us?
Even if you both really want a baby because you love each other and it’s the natural thing to do, you might want to consider the following things: Does the idea of having a baby seem to be the instinctive … Read More
What if I’m anaemic?
If you have anaemia it means your heart is overworked and this can affect your baby. If you are prone to anaemia tell your doctor. A blood test would reveal anaemia and it may be necessary to take iron supplements … Read More
What can we do to ensure a healthy baby?
Where your baby’s health is concerned, consider, and act on, the following: Smoking. This is one of the most damaging factors to the health of your unborn baby and the major cause of avoidable health problems. The risks include miscarriage … Read More