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Having a baby

having a baby

The decision to have a baby is one which throws up a number of issues and you may be concerned about support or how best to do things. 

The Having a baby section provides access to a wealth of information, from antenatal care to choosing a healthy diet, and from teenage pregnancy to childcare. 

Using ParentsCentre's articles, case studies, forums, hotseats, interviews and quick links to relevant pages of our partner sites, you will be able to find all the information you need.

 

Parents' views

Sometimes speaking to parents and carers who have experienced the same issues and problems as you can be a great way to get valuable advice and information. Read, respond or ask a question in the 'Having a baby' Opens in this window  section of the ParentsCentre forum. 

Experts' views

Benefit from the advice and tips given by our experts in the 'Ask an expert' section of the ParentsCentre forum.

DirectGov

Entitlements [External Site]
Health in pregnancy [External Site]
Teenage pregnancy [External Site]
Complications [External Site]
After the birth [External Site]
Maternity leave DirectGov Opens in new window
Paternity leave DirectGov Opens in new window

Preparing for pregnancy
  • advice from ParentsCentre's expert Dr Stuart Flanagan
  • pre-conception advice and general health issues
  • smoking, alcohol and recreational drugs
  • folic acid, vitamins and minerals
  • rubella, diabetes, epilepsy and other conditions
Healthy mum, healthy pregnancy
  • advice from ParentsCentre's expert Dr Stuart Flanagan
  • antenatal care and clinics
  • ultrasound scans and other tests
  • staying healthy in pregnancy
  • smoking, sex, exercise and diet
Common complaints during pregnancy
  • advice from ParentsCentre's expert Dr Stuart Flanagan
  • dealing with morning sickness
  • constipation, general aches and pains
  • colds, coughs, skin changes and rashes
  • PUPPP and prurigo gestationis
Complications in pregnancy
  • advice from ParentsCentre's expert Dr Stuart Flanagan
  • pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure caused by pregnancy)
  • ectopic pregnancy explained
  • gestational diabetes - risk factors and treatment
  • bleeding during pregnancy
  • preparing for the delivery day
Breastfeeding
  • information about breastfeeding
  • advice about bottle-feeding
  • healthy eating for breastfeeding
  • weaning your baby
Childhood vaccinations
  • advice from ParentsCentre's Dr Stuart Flanagan
  • to immunise or not?
  • the immunisation schedule by age
  • Dtap/IPV/Hib and Men C vaccines
  • MMR triple vaccine
  • DTap/IPV and MMR
  • Td/IPV and BCG
Cot death/Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
  • advice from ParentsCentre's expert Sr Stuart Flanagan
  • current guidelines on reducing the risk
  • causes of cot death/SIDS
  • 'Back to Sleep'
  • symptoms suggesting your child may be unwell
Fevers and fits
  • advice from ParentsCentre's expert Dr Stuart Flanagan
  • taking the rectal temperature with a digital thermometer
  • taking the oral temperature with a digital thermometer
  • treating a fever
  • how to deal with febrile convulsions