Healthy Pregnancy | Pregnancy, Early Pregnancy Information

Premature labour and birth: the facts

Staff writers When a woman begins having real contractions where the cervix dilates, prior to 37 weeks gestation. Learn more about the risk factors, signs and treatment of premature labour and birth.

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome): the facts

Staff writers Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome in pregnancy.

Varicose veins in pregnancy: the facts

Staff Writers Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins in pregnancy.

Thrush during pregnancy: the facts

Staff writers In the case of pregnancy, thrush is usually caused by the overproduction of a sugar (glucose) called glycogen which leads to the vagina becoming more alkaline than acidic, an environment in which bad bacteria and yeast thrive. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and if it affects your baby.

Constipation and haemorrhoids: the facts

Staff writers The pressure of the expanding uterus on the rectum also makes it harder for bowel movements to pass through the bowel. This means pregnant women will become more easily constipated and as a result can develop haemorrhoids. Learn more about constipation and haemorrhoids, including symptons, diagnosis and treatment.

Flu shot reminder for mums-to-be

Pregnant women are missing the opportunity to receive flu vaccinations that could have a big impact on their health - and the health of their baby.

Valuable midwives being lost to budget cuts

Nepean Hospital - which serves Sydney's west, where the country's highest concentration of births occur - is running 90 shifts a week short in its maternity ward. And things are just going to get worse.

Downton Abbey and the fatal pregnancy condition

Liz Van Dort When Downton Abbey's Lady Sybil collapsed and died soon after her child's birth, viewers were shocked. Could that really happen? Sadly, yes - pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are still common pregnancy complications. One mum who's been through it shares her story.

Opinion

Pregnancy, alcohol and ADHD

Nicholas Stuart ADHD has become an acceptable label to paste on children, but what if the problem is something else - something that could have been avoided?

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Empty arms but full hearts

Kitty Hill Alive for just 90 minutes after her birth, baby Lucy will never be forgotten. Her parents share their story.

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Chrissie Swan's apology over smoking in pregnancy

Amber Robinson with smh.com.au "There is no excuse for smoking ... absolutely none,'' said Chrissie in a radio apology this morning.

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Obstetric cholestasis: the facts

Staff writers Obstetric cholestasis is a complication of pregnancy in which pregnancy hormones affect the liver. Learn more about this condition, including its risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and how it can affect the baby.

Soft cheese recalls widen after two deaths linked to listeria

Two people have died and a woman has miscarried after a listeria outbreak linked to soft cheeses produced in Victoria.

Delicate prenatal jab beats risky virus

Kate Hagan Mia Africano was still in the womb when a common virus threatened her survival, requiring a tricky - and very delicate - blood transfusion.

Pioneering hospital marks 100 years of prenatal care

MELISSA DAVEY Men are terrible wimps, according to Stephen Steigrad, who worked at the Royal Hospital for Women for about 45 years. He retired as the hospital's director of reproductive medicine in July.

Kate's condition no joke

Germaine Greer Even common morning sickness is no joke, so why isn't more research being done on it and its more severe cousin, hyperemesis gravidarum?

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Study: High levels of BPA found in most pregnant women

ALEISHA ORR A recent Australian study found that the majority of pregnant women have a chemical in their urine that's believed to cause behavioural issues in children.

You're pregnant! But should you tell?

MELISSA DAVEY After Kate Middleton and Prince William shared their baby news prematurely, due to a diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum, Melissa Davey asks how long a couple should wait until reveal they're pregnant - and what the Duchess's condition really means.

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Dear Kate: a letter from a fellow hyperemesis sufferer

Prue Corlette I want to congratulate you on your pregnancy! Brilliant news, but at the same time, I offer my commiserations.

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Woman died in Ireland after church refused to terminate miscarriage

Karen Kissane, Dublin A young Indian woman died of septicaemia in Ireland after Catholic doctors refused to terminate her miscarriage because abortion was against the country's law and religious beliefs.

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Women unsure about weight gain in pregnancy

AAP and staff writers A survey has found that 38 per cent of women gain too much weight during pregnancy, while 26 per cent struggle to put on enough.

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One in seven pregnant women still smoking

Pregnant women and indigenous Australians are being targeted in a new anti-smoking campaign that comes a month before all cigarettes have to be sold in plain packaging.

Tori Spelling: 'My daughter saved my life'

Melanie Mahoney Tori Spelling has spoken about surviving a potentially fatal complication during her last pregnancy – and how her 4-year-old daughter may have saved her life.

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Placental abruption: the facts

Staff writers Placental abruption is a serious pregnancy condition in which the placenta separates or partially separates from the uterine wall before the baby’s birth. Learn more about this condition, including its risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and how it can affect the baby.

Trial to prevent brain injuries in babies

Brooke Lumsden World-first clinical trials have started in Victoria after Australian researchers discovered that melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone, may prevent brain injuries in unborn babies.

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We are more than the sum of our genes

Stella Young Screening foetuses and embryos for genetic conditions sends an implicit message that the lives of those of us living with the conditions are simply not worth as much.

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Exercising when you're expecting

MICHELLE BRIDGES Keeping fit while pregnant is not only good for you but the baby, too, says Michelle Bridges.

Mums of boys have male DNA in their brains

AAP and staff writers A new study shows that being pregnant with a boy typically leaves women with a dollop of male DNA in their heads - which could have an impact on their future health.

Gestational diabetes: the facts

Between 3-8 per cent of pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Learn more about this condition, including its risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and how it can affect the baby.

Should parents be able to test for autism during pregnancy?

Julie Robotham Caitlin O'Neill is a happy, gurgling baby, the centre of her brother Gabriel's world. She's also one of the most closely monitored children in Australia, part of the development of a prenatal autism test that could raise ethical issues in the future.

Obese mums-to-be facing stillbirth risk

Peter Jean Women who are obese during pregnancy expose their unborn children to a greater risk of stillbirth than they would if they smoked or drank alcohol.

Factsheet

Hyperemesis gravidarum: the facts

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a pregnancy complication in which hormonal changes lead to acute, long lasting morning sickness. Here are the symptoms, treatments and other issues related to this severe form of morning sickness.

New evidence against drinking in pregnancy

AAP and staff writers A study has found that drinking in pregnancy can cause a wider variety of problems in children than previously thought.

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Mother's nightmare ends in dream come true

Kate Hagan Julia Cannell's first concern was for her unborn baby when, at 28 weeks pregnant, doctors told her she had an aggressive form of leukaemia.

The story of Sam

Ellen Lutton At a 19-week scan, Ellen Lutton was given news no-one ever wants to hear. She shares her story of living in a no-man's land between despair and hope throughout her pregnancy.

Alcohol, pregnancy and the politics of health advice

Staff writers Alcohol in pregnancy. It's something we've all got an opinion on. Here are the latest talking points in the battle of the booze.

A few sips is too much for mums-to-be

Aleisha Orr A new campaign funded by the Western Australia government aims to educate the public about the risks of drinking in pregnancy.

Research into rare obstetric diseases

Rachel Browne Tanya Woodard had spent her professional life working in health and had never encountered gestational breast cancer - until she was diagnosed with the disease. She's one of the few women who experience rare obstetric conditions in Australia every year.

Women's silent suffering

Sarah Berry Miscarriage happens to one in every four pregnant women in Australia, but you wouldn't know it because women tend to suffer in silence. We look at this common issue during National Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month.

Hope for victims of killer pregnancy condition

Melissa Davey Affecting up to 10,000 Australian women each year, pre-eclampsia has few warning signs and can be fatal. Not much is known about the condition, but a new discovery by a team of Aussie doctors could save women around the world.

Spotting and cramping in pregnancy

Brooke Tasovac Many women experience spotting and cramping in the first trimester of pregnancy – in fact, one out of every two or three pregnant women experience some bleeding. While these symptoms can be nothing to worry about for the majority of women, it's a good idea to keep track of them and to get medical attention.

How to get the best from your midwife or doctor

Your midwife or doctor plays a pivotal role during your pregnancy and early postnatal period, and the quality of care they provide may vary. Here, a midwife gives some advice on how to gain the most from your antenatal visits.

Breath test to detect smoking in pregnancy

Julia Medew Pregnant women could be breath tested to see if they smoke so health professionals can help them quit, a leading Australian anti-tobacco crusader says.

Push for alcohol warnings to save babies

Peter Jean Foster parents and public health groups have urged politicians to take urgent action to prevent more babies from suffering foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

You are what your mum ate

Sarah Berry and staff writers The behaviour and experiences of our parents and grandparents can affect the traits they pass on to us, possibly changing everything from our emotional wellbeing to our susceptibility to disease and obesity.

Pregnancy diabetes to soar after test change

Amy Corderoy One in five pregnant women could be diagnosed with gestational diabetes under new criteria doctors say will put more pressure on hospitals already struggling for resources to treat the condition.

Language skills linked to mother's time in sun

Melissa Davey Mothers with low vitamin D levels during pregnancy are twice as likely to have children who experience language difficulties requiring clinical treatment, Australian scientists have found in research that reignites the debate on whether all pregnant mothers should be tested for deficiency.

Medications to avoid when pregnant

LAKSHMI SINGH With many over the counter and prescription medications being unsafe to take during pregnancy, here are some general guidelines of what is not suitable to take when pregnant.

Diagnosis was a blessing in disguise

Cosima Marriner Lisa Taylor didn't fit the profile of a woman at risk of gestational diabetes. At 31, and pregnant with her son, Otis, she had a body mass index in the healthy weight range and no family history of the disease.