The Real Baby Guide

If you're considering having babies or you are part way through your pregnancy, then this site's for you!

There are plenty of pregnancy and sites out there, but this one's a record of our own baby experiences.

It's a real baby guide.

It's not full of medical details, just our own experiences.
Here's a short video of our daughter at four months, trying to sit up.

This web site started life as a diary. As the pregnancy progressed, we decided to publish it. We've enjoyed putting it together and we hope you enjoy reading it. We hope you enjoy being a Mum or Dad. They say the first 21 years are the worst!... Blocks

Pregnancy

Well the first part is obviously getting pregnant I'll leave this bit up to your imagination!

This can take time, but 80% of women conceive within one year. Factors which can affect your chances of getting pregnant include your diet and lifestyle, and how physically fit you are. Mental health factors like depression and stress can also affect your odds of getting pregnant. A simple pregnancy test can be bought from most stores; they are surprisingly accurate. Pregnancy symptoms include tender swollen breasts, nausea or vomiting, and fatigue. Nothing prepares you for that positive pregnancy test

Unfortunately a large portion of women will experience at least one miscarriage during their pregnancy.
A miscarriage can be a very unhappy, frightening and lonely experience. It's important to realise that it's not your fault.
It is advised that you see a fertility specialist if you've been trying to get pregnant for more than a year without success.
Some women may need additional help in the form of In vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment; a technique in which egg cells are fertilised.
There's more information from the NHS website

This is the ultrasound image we got from the hospital. You can clearly see the baby's head! Click to enlarge.

For me, the pregnancy was full of highs and lows. During the third trimester the antenatal (or parentcraft as ours were called) classes were well worth attending. They give good advice on the birth, breastfeeding, and baby care. We went for a tour round the hospital to see the delivery suite. Most women choose to give birth in Hospital, but home water birthing pools are available for hire. I wanted to go into labour using the birthing pool at the Hospital. I filled in my birthing plan, but once in labour, everything changed and I wasn't able to use it during the birth. After the baby was born, it was great to go home with our new family.

The government do give you some support in the form of Child Benefit, Working Tax Credits, and the Child Trust Fund. The money does help, but it does not go far. After the birth, you need to be aware of your own health, and in particular, your diet. What you eat has a big part to play in your recovery. You also have to name your baby, or babies in the case of twins.

Is their life for "you" after having a baby? Yes Absolutely! As a Mum, you'll find it all shattering, but it's important to make some "you" time. It's useful to join a baby group full of other mothers. You'll make friends and be able to support each other. Returning to work after the baby is never an easy decision to make.