Pregnancy can be a tough time; it can bring on new muscle and ligament aches, backaches, and it can worsen headaches or migraines. It’s hard to know what pain relief is safe to reach for, so let’s talk you through what’s available to you, while keeping you comfortable and your baby healthy and happy. The general rule of thumb is, don’t take anything unnecessarily. If your pain is mild and bearable, hold off on medication, especially in the first 12 weeks (first trimester). Try non-medicated solutions first, such as lying down in a dark room to help with a headache, having a warm bath or using a hot water bottle to relieve muscle aches. Some medications are known to cause harm to your pregnancy and should be avoided. Other drugs may not have been through clinical trials on pregnant women, so there may be a theoretical risk, or they are not known to be either safe or harmful. Drug manufacturers usually err on the side of caution in saying their medication should be avoided during pregnancy. Thankfully, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised on what’s safe and what’s not. They stress that if you need to take pain medication, it should be at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest time possible. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) also recognize that inadequate pain relief can carry a psychological and physical burden, causing anxiety and depression in a new mother and disrupting bonding with the baby. It may also prevent you from getting that all-important rest you need to revive.

Varicose veins are swollen blood vessels that are seen most often in the legs. They can twist, swell, and enlarge. Varicose veins tend to run in families and are more common in individuals who stand on their feet for a living or are overweight. They can form for a number of reasons, especially from middle age onwards, and if they run in your family. They are fairly common in pregnancy. We’ll talk you through what to expect if you do develop them.

Certain vaccinations are recommended in pregnancy to boost the immunity of both your and your baby against certain infections. During pregnancy, a woman’s immune system is usually weakened as it is diverted to protect the baby. Some vaccines are boosters of vaccinations you may have had in childhood. Certain vaccinations are safe, and some pose a risk – your practice nurse, midwife, or doctor can talk you through this. Any potential risk posed by a vaccine is considerably less than getting the infection itself.

What Is Ovulation? Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from a woman’s ovary during her menstrual cycle. The egg travels down the fallopian tube, where it might meet sperm and become fertilized. This is the only time during the cycle when pregnancy can happen, because an egg must be present for conception to occur. Why Is Ovulation Important for Pregnancy? Knowing when ovulation happens is important if you’re trying to get pregnant. Every person’s cycle is different, so understanding your own cycle can help you time intercourse for the best chance of conception. This means learning how to track ovulation and spot your most fertile days.

Age is an important factor in fertility for both men and women. As people get older, it usually becomes harder to have a baby. Knowing how fertility changes in your 20s, 30s, and 40s can help you make better choices about starting a family. Other things like your health, lifestyle, and genetics also matter, but age is a big part of the picture.

Postnatal depression is also known as postpartum depression. This is a type of depression that happens after having a baby and can affect anyone around the baby, for example, mothers or fathers. Your doctor will ask you about these symptoms at your six-week check, but if you want to speak to someone about it earlier, contact your doctor immediately.  It's always important to seek advice from your doctor if you think you may be experiencing postnatal depression. Postnatal depression can worsen over time without any intervention and persist for months, so getting the right support early for you and your family is very important.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is very common – up to 1 in 10 women of child-bearing age have it. They may only find this out once they start trying for a baby. The combination of a hormonal imbalance and problems with metabolism can make this difficult – but not impossible. It’s one of the most common causes of infertility but also treatable. Let’s talk you through the science of ovary function and what can be done about it in PCOS.

Pregnancy can bring many surprises to your body, and you may not have expected changes to your hair, nails, and skin. Some find their nails become much stronger and longer, while others complain that nails are brittle and break easily. These changes are caused by the changes in hormones in pregnancy, so luckily, they don't last forever and usually revert back to your pre-pregnancy state after delivery. You may notice changes that warrant a trip to the doctor, such as deep grooves that develop on the nails or the nail becoming thickened and lifting from the nail bed (onycholysis).

The best way to increase your production of breast milk is to ensure that baby is nursing frequently and effectively. As milk is drawn down from the breasts, your brain stimulates them to produce more milk to meet the high demand, and your baby will meet this supply, demand more, and so the cycle continues. At some times, it might mean that you will need to nurse every one and a half to two hours in the day, and every three hours at night, in order to re-stimulate your milk supply. It’s just as important that you position baby for an effective latch, so that they are drawing down well from the breast.

If you find yourself pregnant and do not wish to keep the baby, you can seek an abortion to bring the pregnancy to an end. Abortion laws vary by state. It can be difficult, and you may feel confused about the right decision for you. Turning to those that know and love you – friends, family, your partner – can help, but if this is difficult, your doctor can provide a good listening ear, and abortion clinics have counseling services to discuss options with you. An abortion carries less risk the earlier it is carried out. Earlier discussions also allow for more time to think about the right option for you.

You got that all-important positive on the pregnancy test? Congratulations! You’re at least three weeks into your 40 week journey! But where do you go next? Let’s take you through the system, so you’re prepared.

Having hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland, requires changes to medication and close monitoring throughout pregnancy and afterward. With the right treatment, you should be able to expect a healthy baby and a healthy you right up to term and delivery.