Pregnant women may not be able blame lapses in concentration or memory on their baby bump. Researchers say that it is a myth that having a baby affects your brain power. A study concluded that there was actually no difference in how pregnant women or new mums scored on tests of thinking speed and memory compared with those women who did not have children.

There are several options for you to look at:

In Hospital – This is the most popular choice. There will be medical staff and equipment on hand and access to pain relief.

A Birthing Centre – This is more relaxing environment with access to equipment such as a birthing pool. The same midwife should be with you throughout. There is a possibility that you may need to be transferred to hospital if there are any complications.

At Home – If there are any complications you may need to go to hospital.

1 Establish a pre-bedtime routine. This may be tea, playtime, a bath and then story in baby’s room.

2 Bedtime in the bedroom. Once baby is in the bedroom he should stay there until morning. This will associate his room with sleep.

3 Put baby in his cot in his room whilst he is awake. Try to read baby a story and put him in the cot before he falls asleep. Dim the lights and make your baby’s room calm and soothing.

4 If your baby wakes in the night try not to pick him up. If your baby needs comforting you should put him on your shoulder and once calmed down place him back in the cot. Do not feed baby until it is a time that you consider to be the morning.

5 Try giving you baby something to remind him of you, for example a toy or blanket.

6 Don’t give up! The third night can be quite testing and many will be tempted to give in…keep going.

A simple blood test might tell you the sex of your unborn baby. This is the conclusion of research published in the issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Between 2003 and 2009 the researchers tested women who were between eight and 10 weeks pregnant. They studied DNA from blood samples to predict the sex of the babies in 186 pregnancies. They predicted 105 boys and 81 girls. They were right every time.

Emily and Eric Thompson of Midvale, Utah were expecting their third child on 20th December, but the baby had other plans. The baby boy arrived five days early on the same day that his sister Emery aged 8 and brother Easton aged 4 were born.
Emily realized she was in labour on 15th December and she also realised she did not have time to get to the hospital. The 9lb 3oz baby boy was delivered at home by dad Eric.