Are you a first time mum? Here's everything you need to know

Congratulations on your pregnancy! It's such a special time in your life. We know that becoming a mum for the first time can bring a mix of emotions – excitement, joy, and maybe a little bit of nervousness too. That's completely normal!

To help you feel confident and prepared every step of the way, we've put together a guide full of helpful tips and advice for first-time mums. We've also included some recommendations for things that can help you stay relaxed, happy, and healthy throughout your pregnancy and beyond.

Pregnancy

It's perfectly natural to have lots of questions when you're expecting your first baby! One of the most common questions is, "How long will I be pregnant?" Or maybe you're wondering, "How far along am I already?"

Even if your pregnancy came as a surprise (it happens!), there's an easy way to estimate your due date and how many weeks pregnant you are right now.

How long will my pregnancy be? 

Every pregnancy is unique! Just like our bodies and menstrual cycles, pregnancies can vary in length. While there's a general guideline, it's important to remember that it's just an average.

Typically, a pregnancy lasts about 280 days or 40 weeks. That's a little over 9 months, which is why most people use the 9-month timeline as a helpful guide.

Many women discover they're pregnant around the time of their first missed period, which is usually around week 5 or 6. However, if your periods are irregular, it might take a little longer to notice a missed period. That's why taking a pregnancy test, either at home or at the doctor's office, is the best way to confirm if you're pregnant.

It usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks after conception for the fertilised egg to implant in your uterus. After that, you might start experiencing some early pregnancy signs and symptoms, even as early as one week after conception.

Signs and symptoms to look out for include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sore breasts
• Spotting (usually light and pink)
• Mood swings
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Frequent urination
• Cramping
• Dark spots on the face

While some women might not experience any early pregnancy symptoms, most start to notice changes within the first 12 weeks (the first trimester).

Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters:

First trimester: Weeks 1-12
Second trimester: Weeks 13-28
Third trimester: Weeks 29-40

It's important to see your doctor as soon as you know you're pregnant, especially if you have any concerns like heavy bleeding, severe symptoms (like frequent vomiting), or even if you're just unsure. Regular checkups can help reduce the risk of miscarriage, which is most common in the first trimester.

Becoming a first-time mum is exciting, but it's also normal to feel overwhelmed. Pregnancy hormones can intensify emotions like stress and anxiety, so remember to prioritise self-care and seek support when you need it. 

Labour and delivery advice for first-time mums

After 9 amazing months of pregnancy, it's almost time to meet your little one! We know this can be both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking for first-time parents, so let's talk about labour and delivery.

First things first, it's important to remember that most women don't give birth exactly on their due date. Your doctor will likely give you a window of time, about a week or so, when your baby might arrive.

Babies born between 39 and 40 weeks are considered "full-term." Some babies arrive a little earlier or later than this, and that's often perfectly normal. However, babies born before 37 weeks are considered premature. If you experience any signs of labor before 37 weeks, contact your doctor or midwife right away.

According to the NHS, some signs of labour include:

• Contractions and spasms
• The "show" of mucus that comes away from your cervix
• Backache
• Water breaking
• Feeling the urge to use the restroom and have a bowel movement

If you think you're experiencing signs of labour, your midwife or doctor will create a plan based on your specific situation. They'll check if your water has broken and make sure your symptoms aren't caused by something else, like an infection.

If you have early contractions or a premature birth, there's no need to panic! There are many medications and treatments available to help prevent complications. These might include steroids to help your baby's lungs develop, medicine to slow or stop labour or antibiotics to treat any infections.

If your baby is born prematurely, they'll receive specialised care in a neonatal unit. These units provide round-the-clock support for premature babies and even babies born as early as 24 weeks can survive and thrive.

On the other hand, it's also possible for babies to stay comfortably in the womb for a little longer than expected. This is called a prolonged pregnancy and it's usually not a cause for concern. However, your doctor will likely induce labour if you go more than one to two weeks past your due date.

Will giving birth hurt?

Giving birth can be extremely painful, however, a recent survey done by the American Society of Anestheologists showed that almost half of all first-time mums said their labour wasn't as bad as they thought it'd be!

During labour, women can have a natural birth, a home brith or a C-section where the baby is taken out from an incision made in the abdomen. Your doctor and midwife will provide medical care, including pain medication, to help you through the birthing process.

Recovery after childbirth

You did it! You're a parent! It's such an incredible moment when you finally get to meet your little one. After the birth, you'll be able to hold your baby and just soak it all in.

While you're enjoying those first precious moments, the doctors and nurses will be busy making sure everything is okay with your newborn. They'll check their heart rate, breathing, and temperature, give them any necessary medications or vaccines (like a Hepatitis B shot), do a quick newborn screening, weigh them and all that good stuff.

You'll hang out in the hospital for a little bit after the birth, usually a day or two after a vaginal delivery and maybe 3 to 4 days after a C-section. The midwives and doctors will keep checking in on you and your baby to make sure you're both doing well.

Right after birth, your body will be doing some pretty amazing things too! Your uterus will start to contract, and you'll deliver the placenta. But honestly, the best part is getting to know your new baby. That first hour after birth is a really special time for skin-to-skin cuddles and bonding. Breastfeeding can also be done during this first hour while your baby is energetic and full of life.

After breastfeeding, you might feel your nipples are sore or the skin around them is dry and chaffed. Make sure to pack some of our balm to help sooth this irritation, along with other items in a care bag before your delivery. Having a care bag can help you during childbirth recovery at the hospital. You can take items including:

• Supportive bra or nursing bra
• Dressing gown and slippers
• Personal toiletries
• Mobile phone
• Medications
• Support underwear for C-Section aftercare
• Extra pillows

plus any other items you think you'll need during your stay at the hospital! 

Childbirth recovery will also be quite different and vary from woman to woman. Some women might find they feel just fine after giving birth, while other women might take some extra time to recover even after coming home.

Some signs to look out for that indicate you should go to the hospital after child birth include:

• Dizziness
• Severe headaches
• Blurry vision
• Fever
• Pain or tenderness in the legs
• Signs of infection at C-Section site, such as pus and redness
• Open c-section wound site

The period after child birth might also bring with it postpartum depression, which can be serious if left untreated. If you notice any signs of depression, such as crying fits, low mood, fatigue, and thoughts of harming yourself, seek medical care right away.

Thankfully, most women recover from childbirth in about 6 to 8 weeks, but it can take months to feel their physical best again. During recovery, take time to practice self-care, including taking baths that can help soothe pain from vaginal lacerations, using a body oil to treat stretch marks and help nourish your skin, and taking some much-needed rest time and time off work to heal.

Breastfeeding tips for first time mums

According to the NHS, breastfeeding is the best nutrition you can give your baby, as it is unique to your infant and provides a plethora of health benefits for your baby.

These benefits include preventing the following conditions in breastfed babies:

• Asthma
• Obesity
• Type 1 diabetes
• Severe lower respiratory disease
• Ear infections
• Sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS
• Diarrehea and vomiting

First-time mums should also be aware that breastfeeding has health benefits for them too, including:

• Lowering blood pressure
• Lowering risk of type 2 diabetes
• Lowering risk factors of ovarian and breast cancer

Breastfeeding can be done as early as the first hour after childbirth. If you need help breastfeeding, ask your health visitor. Alternatively, fin a consultant from the Lactation Consultants of Great Britain can help you find the right method to breastfeed your baby.

Breast milk is like magic for your baby's first 6 months to a year. Around 6 months, you can start adding other foods to their diet.

Newborns have tiny tummies and need to eat every 2 to 3 hours. They'll start with just a little bit of milk (about half an ounce) and gradually increase to a few ounces per feeding by a couple of weeks old. By 4 months, they'll be guzzling down 4 to 6 ounces! And at 6 months, they can handle a whole 8 ounces every 4 to 5 hours, plus they'll be ready to try solid foods.

Your baby will definitely let you know when they're hungry, so watch for cues like crying, fussing, or reaching for you. If you're bottle-feeding, just be careful not to overfeed. 

In addition, you should burp your baby gently after feedings to make sure gas doesn't build up in their tummies, as they suck in air during feedings. To burp your baby:

1. Hold your baby over your shoulder while gently patting their back with a cupped hand until you hear them burp

2. Put your baby face-side down on your lap and pat their back this way

3. Sit your baby down on your lap while supporting their chest and chin with one hand, and patting their back with your other hand

Baby hygiene

It's not just about burping! Taking care of your little one involves a few other things too, like mastering the art of diaper changing and becoming a pro at baby bath time.

Nappies

Nappies are essential for keeping your baby clean and dry. You've got two main choices: disposable or cloth.

Disposable Nappies:

• Pros: Super convenient, easy to dispose of.
• Cons: Can get pricey, not great for the environment.
• Tip: Buy in bulk to save money!

Cloth Nappies:

• Pros: Eco-friendly, can save money in the long run.
• Cons: Require washing, need a larger upfront investment.
• Tip: Aim for 25-30 nappies and consider "one-size-fits-all" options.

No matter which type you choose, remember to change them frequently to prevent nappy rash. A smelly nappy or a fussy baby usually means it's changing time!

How to change a nappy

1. Wash your hands before you change your baby's nappy to reduce the risk of infection

2. Gather your new nappy, any nappy skin ointment, wipes, and a disposable bag or have a trash can nearby

3. Lay your baby flat on their back on the changing table

4. Unfasten the nappy pins (in a cloth nappy) or tabs

5. Lift your baby's bottom up by grabbing their ankles and lifting them off the diaper, then sweep the diaper off them moving it towards you

6. Set the dirty nappy aside and wipe your baby with moist towelettes. Wipe girls front to back to avoid UTI's.

7. Place the new nappy with the tabs on the back side of your baby

8. Pull the front of the nappy between the baby's legs and fasten the tabs or cloth pin

9. Apply any nappy ointment your doctor has prescribed

10. Throw away rolled up diapers and disinfect the changing table

11. Wash your hands and that of your baby

Bathing a newborn

If your baby has soiled themselves too much, it might be better to run then a newborn baby bath to clean up. The World Health Organisation recommends delaying your baby's first bath 24 hours if possible, or at the very least 6 hours. Newborns can then take baths about 3 times per week afterward since they won't get dirty or need them much more than this.

To bathe your newborn:

1. Place them on a flat surface such as an infant tub that is kept clean

2. Do NOT submerge your newborn under water until after their umbilical stump has fallen off (1-2 weeks after birth)

3. Gently bathe your baby with a spongebath, using warm washcloths and minimal or no soap, as it can dry out and irritate their delicate skin

4. For girls, pay attention to their genital areas, and for all newborns, clean creases between their necks, legs, underarms and elbows

5. Use a non-scented baby bath in 4 to 6 weeks, and only water before that

6. Keep your baby covered in a towel and only expose areas you are washing to keep them warm 

7. After their umbilical cord stump has healed, you can try to submerge them under warm water that fills about 2 inches of an infant tub

Soothing and putting baby to sleep

Newborns can sleep a lot – like, up to 16 hours a day! Don't worry if it seems all over the place in the beginning. Their sleep schedule will gradually become more predictable. By the time they're 3 or 4 months old, you can hope for a good 10-hour stretch of sleep at night (fingers crossed!).

Every baby is unique, so finding what helps your little one drift off to dreamland might take a bit of experimenting. Cuddles, warm baths, gentle songs, or reading a story can all work wonders. Try different things and see what your baby loves most. You'll soon become a pro at soothing your little one to sleep.

It's recommended to have your baby sleep in a bassinet in your room for at least the first six months. This helps you keep a close eye on them and reduces the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

Other things to consider during your newborn sleep routine:

• Babies thrive on routine. A consistent bedtime routine will signal to your baby that it's time to wind down.
• Dim the lights, turn off the TV, and keep things quiet before sleep.
• A dummy can be a great soother and may also reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Keep the cot or bassinet free of soft items like blankets and pillows to reduce the risk of SIDS.