What to pack in your hospital bag

Did you know? The “superpowers” of breast milk for your baby (and you) cannot be underestimated—and pregnancy is the perfect time to prepare.

Your pregnancy: weeks 14-17. Your baby's individual features and sensory organs are now being fine tuned. Iron requirements increase during this period as your blood volume increases to help build reserves of for the fetus and placenta.

Why 30 minutes a day can impact a lifetime.

Being pregnant is an exciting experience, not only are you anticipating the day you finally hold your baby in your arms, but your body is also going through amazing changes.

Your pregnancy: weeks 18-22. A month of finishing touches for the baby. A miracle for those who have not felt it as yet - which is often the case in the first pregnancy - you feel the movements of your baby!

Make sure your feeding plans don’t get overlooked in all the excitement of your new arrival.

Here’s an outline that starts with your third trimester, and takes you right through to your upcoming labour.

Your pregnancy: weeks 28-31. Your baby and you are now in the final stretch. Changes in your body and your baby continue to take place as you enter your third trimester through to the end of pregnancy.

Your pregnancy: weeks 23 – 27. Your baby develops movements that will later help it take its first whiff of air in the world, inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid. You may feel rhythmic movements which is your baby hiccupping.

The key question to ask if you’re being tested for, or monitoring, gestational diabetes.

Your house is about to become home to all kinds of firsts for your new family addition—make sure everyone can share every special moment in a safe environment where your baby can thrive!

Stress, hormonal upheaval, and a growing abdomen: all these factors can cause insomnia, nighttime dreaming and nightmares, resulting in fatigue and drowsiness during the day. To solve this problem, listen to your body!

You might think it’s too early to start planning for the big day, but it’s never too early to starting thinking about what kind of birthing experience will be the ideal one for you. 

Babies’ taste preferences start before they are born

Your pregnancy: weeks 32-35.  Your baby is still developing as you near the finish line and it’s mostly adding the finishing touches from here on out. He or she is getting ready to meet you!

10 essential questions about gestational diabetes answered

Your pregnancy: weeks 1-4 – the start of your first trimester. The first signs of pregnancy may be very obvious… or not at all. In fact, there are as many different kinds of pregnancies as there are women

 

Packing for the hospital is not quite as simple as packing for a weekend trip since you leave home pregnant, and return with an extra bundle of joy. Your baby will need some amenities and don’t forget your labour coach either. Here's what to pack for the hospital when having a baby.

A lack of folic acid during pregnancy leads to higher risk of neural tube defects in the baby. Learn about supplementing with folic acid and how much you need.