The last three months

What's happening?:

• The baby
• Maternal changes

Feelings:

• Practical problems
• Looking forward

Helping yourself:

• Looking after your pelvic floor
• Perineal massage
• Looking after your skin
• Sleeping, bending and lifting
• Sexual activity

When pregnancy becomes complicated:

• Multiple pregnancy
• Bleeding (antepartum haemorrhage)
• Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT)
• Severe abdominal pain in later pregnancy
• The Rhesus factor
• Heart disease in pregnancy
• Premature birth
• Stillbirth

Continuing health care:

• Antenatal visits
• Possible tests in the last three months
• Antenatal admission to hospital
• Going to pregnancy and parenting classes
• Breathing and relaxation for birth

Planning for birth:

• Changes at the very end of pregnancy
• A plan for birth
• Preparation for birtWho is going to help at birth?

A couple's story: A first birth