If you’re preparing to welcome a little one into the world, you may be thinking about creating your own birthing playlist.  Birthing playlists are a great idea to give you extra motivation when you’re in labour, as well as a sense of familiarity and a stress-reducing distraction during what can be an overwhelming time. Plus, they’re super fun and easy to make. One celebrity who has made her own birthing playlist ahead of the arrival of her fourth child is Hilary Duff.  The actress, known for her roles in Lizzie McGuire, Cheaper by the Dozen and A Cinderella Story, has revealed she’s ..read more

Hypnobirthing, gender reveal parties, and 'bump' photoshoots are among the fastest-rising pregnancy trends, according to research commissioned by Vitabiotics, the makers of leading pregnancy supplement brand, Pregnacare. The findings also uncovered that elaborate social media pregnancy reveals, baby showers, and 'babymoons' have also seen a huge rise in popularity since 2020. Other traditions have seen a consistent decline including new fathers wetting the baby’s head, with only one in ten new dads heading to the pub to toast the birth. Social media and celebrity trends are impacting the pr ..read more

Bringing a child into the world is a monumental event, filled with a rollercoaster of emotions. Amidst the whirlwind of preparing to welcome a little one into the world, one element that often gets overlooked by parents-to-be is the power of music during childbirth.  Creating a birthing playlist can transform the atmosphere of the delivery room, offering comfort, motivation, and a touch of familiarity during this extraordinary journey.  If you’re looking to create a birthing playlist but are unsure of what songs to include, check out these 20 songs below that we think should def ..read more

Kourtney Kardashian-Barker recently welcomed a baby boy into the world and has decided to reveal what she packed in her hospital bag with fans.  While baby Rocky is Kourtney’s first child with her husband Travis, she also shares 13-year-old Mason, 11-year-old Penelope and eight-year-old Reign with her ex-partner Scott Disick, so she’s a pro at packing hospital bags at this stage.  If you’re expecting a little one and are unsure of what to pack, Kourtney has shared some advice on what necessities she included in her bag when preparing for Rocky’s arrival, which is super helpful for ne ..read more

A top obstetrician has spoken out about the steady rise in C-section births in Irish hospitals. A recent report discovered that in five out of the 19 maternity units across the country, over 50% of first-time mothers have welcomed their babies through a C-section. Now, a leading expert has noted some possible causes behind Ireland’s statistics being higher than other EU countries.  The HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme clinical lead Cliona Murphy detailed that there can be complications surrounding C-sections. While it is usually a safe procedure, it is still a huge u ..read more

If you’ve just found out you’re pregnant, congratulations! There is nothing more exciting than finding out you’re expecting a little one. Whether it’s your first or fourth child, the feeling of telling your partner that you’re going to have a baby together is out of this world. While you may just want to run and tell your spouse the wonderful news straight away, you might also want to set up an extra special way of delivering the message.  That’s why we’re sharing our top 10 fun ways to announce your pregnancy to your partner below! Check out the list and find a sweet way to share th ..read more

Did you know that there are so many benefits to playing music to your little one during pregnancy? These benefits include having a positive effect on your baby’s brain, being an aid in your child’s development, and helping to sooth your little one once they make their arrival into the world.  If you’re expecting and haven't already been playing some tunes to your baby bump, you may want to start now! While working with UNICEF, Dr. Ibrahim Baltagi has shared an insight into playing music to your bump and the positive impact it has on your baby from when they are in your womb until they are ..read more

Dearbhla Toal AKA Belle Azzure is an exceptional busy mum – she's the founder of Baby & Beyond and is a pre/postnatal personal trainer, influencers and digital marketer. She is holding an event, Baby and Beyond, on 10th September 2023, from 10am to 4pm in The Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links, Dublin. The event is a postpartum wellbeing event for mums and mums to be. The event will be a day of empowering conversations and classes to help attendees through the postpartum period. The day will include speakers, movement classes and coaching. An educational and supportive day for expectant ..read more

Pregnancy is such an exciting and unique experience for every woman, but it can also be quite an overwhelming time for many. Whether it’s your first or your fifth, each pregnancy is different and you often just have to take it day-by-day and go with the flow of it all.  One person who knows a thing or two about this is Kourtney Kardashian. The reality star, who is obsessed with health and wellness, is currently expecting her fourth child. After announcing her pregnancy back in June, Kourt is past her first trimester and has now shared some of her top tips that helped her survive the diffi ..read more

The Government has announced an extension to the number of people who can access to its free contraception scheme. In September of last year, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly launched the scheme for women aged between 17 and 25. Although the free contraception scheme was a welcomed introduction to the healthcare system, it still received criticism for its narrow age range, with many arguing that the need for contraception does not cease at 25. In January of this year, 26-year-olds were subsequently allowed access to the scheme. Now, one year on from its launch, the Minister for Health has ..read more