To be sure, people have been giving birth throughout the ages and it’s something the body is built to do. But it’s also one of the most demanding tasks to which a body can be subjected. So what’s the best way to prepare for childbirth?

For your baby, bonding is important for survival. But what does the reverse mean – when a parent-to-be develops an emotional connection to the baby they’re carrying?

You’ve surely heard it before – exercise is good for us. It strengthens the immune system and improves energy, sleep, mental health and more. But during pregnancy, there are actually even more reasons why it’s smart to get moving. We’ll go through them here – along with how to approach exercise each trimester.

To be sure: you can’t share the physical burden of pregnancy, but you can actually do a lot to make pregnancy an experience you go through together.

When should you pack your hospital bag? And what should you bring with you? We’ve assembled a checklist of items that might be nice to have with you – and what you might not really need…

Awaiting a baby is an incredible experience filled with lots of wonderful moments – the first kick, excitement around how your life will change, the fascinating things your body is capable of! But however wonderful it may be, pregnancy can also mean constant nausea, urgently having to pee, or fuzzy pregnancy brain.

What do you really need for a newborn? Which baby items are good to have when you get home from the hospital? We know: it’s a jungle out there. To help you out, we’ve put together a shopping list of items that might be nice to have at home those first few days and weeks.

It’s never fun to come down with a stomach bug or food poisoning, but it’s even worse when you’re pregnant. So it may be nice to know that in most cases, it isn’t dangerous for your baby.

About half of all pregnant people experience nausea – mostly in the morning. It usually starts after about a month. And it usually passes around three months in. But some people feel sick and vomit throughout their pregnancy.

Choosing a baby name is exciting, challenging – and sometimes nearly impossible! It has to withstand the passing of time, and tolerate nagging parents and best friends. But no pressure… Here come some tips that might help you out.

About six percent of babies born in Sweden are premature, which means they are born before week 37. Most preemies develop completely normally and have no lasting problems from arriving a little too early.

How much does it hurt? How long does it take? And what are you expected to do? It’s not unusual to have lots of questions before childbirth, including from the person who will be by the mother’s side.

Feeling some degree of nerves and anxiety before giving birth is common – it’s part of the preparation process. But for some people, it can get out of hand and affect their entire pregnancy, or even their desire to have a baby.

It is perhaps logical to assume that expecting two babies will feel twice as exciting – who are these little ones, and will they be identical or fraternal twins? Is it possible to find out the answer to the latter question before they are born?

Your head is pounding and a migraine is about to erupt; all you want to do is lie down in a dark room and shut out the world while you wait for the pain to pass. What causes headaches when you’re pregnant? Is it possible to counteract and prevent them?

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are fairly common in both children and adults. But pregnant people are at slightly higher risk – and yes, if left untreated, a UTI can be dangerous for you and for the baby.

They’ve always been there – knowledgeable and experienced women have provided help and support during childbirth throughout history. Today, doulas provide support to the whole family during childbirth, and they are often important during pregnancy too.

A Caesarean section, or C-section, is either planned or performed as an emergency intervention when childbirth isn’t quite going as planned.

When has it really started? Does it hurt continuously? Once the baby is out, are you not quite done? During the different stages of childbirth, the body works in different ways – we explain here what happens and when.

Do the days following your due date feel unbelievably slow? Have your windows never been cleaner? Is your chili pepper consumption getting a little out of control? It might be good to know that it’s completely normal to go into labour anywhere from two weeks before to two weeks after your due date. Only about five percent of babies are actually born on the ‘right’ day.

Giving birth is no picnic – whichever way you look at it, this is a process that is going to hurt. So it’s wise to read up on the different kinds of pain relief before the big day!

Whoops! Your water broke… In the movies, it all starts with a splash – and then come the contractions, followed by a baby soon thereafter. But in reality, it isn’t quite that simple. Childbirth doesn’t always start with your water breaking – far from it. In fact, it’s usually the opposite, with contractions underway for a while by the time your water breaks.

In a bathtub? Seated on a ball? On all fours? Just what are the best birth positions?

Any day now! But how do you know when it’s time? There are lots of things to watch out for, but there’s only one sure sign: regular contractions.

You’ll become acquainted with pains of various kinds during pregnancy. Early labour pain and contractions – but what’s the difference? Here, we present what these are – and what they feel like.

Most bacteria and viruses can’t harm the baby in your belly, and thankfully, infections that are dangerous during pregnancy are rare. But there are some exceptions of which it may be good to be aware.

Breech presentation, which is rare, means the baby’s little bottom is facing down towards the birth canal. About 3% of all babies wind up in this position, and if it happens, you will most likely be offered an attempt to turn the baby to face the right way.

Pelvic pain and lumbar spine pain during pregnancy are par for the course. It might be nice to know that there are a few things you can do to alleviate your aches.

Maybe it feels like the gentle flutter of butterfly wings – or maybe it feels like you’ve got a budding gymnast in your belly. All babies are different, and so is how they move while in the womb. But sooner or later, you will feel the little bun in your belly move around.

Concerned about your blood sugar values? When carrying a baby, your body wants more and more insulin, which can lead to developing a particular type of diabetes called gestational diabetes. But don’t worry – your doctor or midwife will keep an eye out.

The blood group of the foetus is inherited and determined by the biological parents’ blood groups. But it isn’t as simple as the baby inheriting them directly – blood groups are complex and sometimes, the baby won’t have the same type as their parents. And that can be problematic if the pregnant person is Rh-negative.

Pregnant people can still get sick, and sometimes to the point of needing medicine. So it’s good to be aware that there are some over-the-counter medications that you should avoid. We’ll go through the most common ones here, as well as a good general mindset for medicine while pregnant, and what applies for natural medicines.

Double pushchairs, convertible prams, strollers, tandem pushchairs, buggies… Browsing through the different kinds of strollers out there can be a jungle to say the least. But don’t worry! We’ll help you sort through all you need to know about prams and strollers – like the differences between the models and what to keep in mind before you buy.

How does the pregnancy benefit work? What are your rights with your employer when you are pregnant, and what happens if you have to go on sick leave? Here, we’ll explain some of what may apply when it comes to work and pregnancy.

Travel during pregnancy is generally fine – but a growing belly can make the trip a bit more uncomfortable and cumbersome. So it’s wise to plan your trip well and be aware of safety guidelines, like where your seatbelt should sit when you’re pregnant, or how late into pregnancy you can actually fly.

Shopping for a brand-new pregnancy wardrobe might not be appealing – for your wallet or for the environment. But you can actually wear much of what you already own while pregnant – we’ve got tips, plus input on which pieces it might actually be smart to spend some money on.

It doesn’t really matter why it happens or how long you were pregnant – a miscarriage is often a very difficult experience to go through and the time it takes to process your grief can vary.

It often comes as a total surprise that you are expecting twins. You might feel happy, worried, tense and surprised before it all settles in.

We know that alcohol can harm the baby in your belly – plenty of research shows that. But what about non-alcoholic drinks and alcohol in food? What if you had alcohol before realising you were pregnant? We’ll explain it all here.

As most people know, smoking is harmful when you’re pregnant – not just smoking yourself, but second-hand smoke as well. But did you know that snuff use during pregnancy is equally high-risk?

Stretch marks, acne and pigmentation changes... or thicker hair and pregnancy glow? Your skin and hair might change radically during pregnancy – for better or for worse.

Suddenly feeling ready to go at any moment – or is it the last thing on your mind? Sexual desire during pregnancy can go any which way – both for the pregnant person, and for their partner. Simply put, we all react differently to physical and emotional changes.

It’s completely normal to experience Braxton-Hicks contractions during pregnancy, but what are they actually, how early can they happen, and what do you do if they are painful? We’ll unpack the most common concerns about these contractions below.

Being pregnant means gaining weight; it’s part of the process and it’s necessary for your baby’s development. How many extra kilos you gain is individual – but you might still be wondering what is considered “normal” weight gain while pregnant. In addition, so much focus on weight may make you uncomfortable – what should you do?

When you’re pregnant, should you sleep on your stomach, back, or side? What do you do when it takes half the night to find a comfortable position? We’ll go through various sleep positions and present our best tricks for bad sleepers during pregnancy.

Fish and shellfish are rich in nutrients that both you and the baby in your belly need. Among other things, they contain important fatty acids that are crucial for the development of your baby’s brain. But some fish might contain environmental toxins, so it’s important to pick your seafood with care.

And there it is – a positive pregnancy test, the baby growing inside of you a true, wonderful and verified fact. The next step is to contact your clinic for your first prenatal appointment.

Interest in home births has increased in recent years, and it is an option in many places. But of course, if you are considering a home birth, there are some things that it is important to know.

Heartburn can be quite an annoying problem when your baby is growing and taking up more and more space in your belly. It isn’t dangerous, but it is a hassle. Read on to find tips for relief.

A positive pregnancy test in your hand, a full heart and butterflies in your stomach! This is the beginning of a long, fun, exciting, demanding and incredible journey – a journey that will change your life. Because every time a baby is born, a parent is born, too.

Some foods are extra beneficial to eat when you’re pregnant, but that whole thing about eating for two is a myth – no matter how good for you the meal may be.

Can I feel that I’m expecting? When will the first symptoms of pregnancy arrive and what signs should you watch out for? Everyone is different, of course, but there are some things to watch for. Below are some of the common early symptoms and signs of pregnancy.

Tired? Out of breath? About 20 weeks into your pregnancy? It’s probably iron deficiency. This is easy to correct with iron-rich foods and possibly an iron supplement.

Vitamin D, folic acid, iron and calcium – the list of vitamins and minerals your body needs is lengthy, especially when you’re forming a new baby. A varied diet will take you a long way, but some substances can still be difficult to get in the right quantity. Find out what you need to know here.

Following a vegetarian or vegan diet while pregnant is perfectly fine, as long as you make sure to get everything that you and your growing baby need!

The baby is coming! It’s time to grab your bag and head for the hospital. After all those months of waiting, it’s finally time.

What foods should you pass on when you’re pregnant? Is it okay to have coffee? And just what is Listeria? Read here about what to eat – and above all, what foods to skip – when you’re expecting a baby.

Parents-to-be often look forward to the ultrasound exam. Getting to see the baby in your belly can make everything feel much more concrete. The routine ultrasound is the most common component of foetal diagnostics that most people do, but there may sometimes be reasons to run additional tests to check for any abnormalities in the foetus and ensure your baby is growing properly.

You’re having another baby – congratulations! This time, even more people are welcoming the new little one – but it’s not a given that everyone in your family will be equally thrilled. Here some tips on how to prepare your older child for a new sibling.

The most common symptoms of pre-eclampsia are high blood pressure and protein in the urine. These symptoms are likely to go unnoticed until your check-up at the maternity clinic.