If you see labour in the movies, it’s often, well, dramatic. But most begin gently and gradually develop over hours—even days. Here are the signs it’s started… You’ve packed your bag, written a birth plan and plotted your route to the hospital, but there’s one thing you still won’t know—how your labour will go. Here’s your cut-out-andkeep guide. Your waters break This happens when the sac of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby ruptures. You may feel a huge gush, or have a slow trickle that lasts a few days. “Waters can break any time during labour or birth,” says UK-based antenatal teacher Phi ..read more

  My baby is six months old and is exclusively breastfed. Lately, I have noticed that he has been sweating profusely when he is being nursed. Initially, I thought that it could be because summer is setting in, but his breathing has become really rapid and he gasps a lot while nursing. He seems tired and often falls asleep in the middle of his feed. This is interrupting in the amount of milk he should be drinking. I am worried. Please advice. Query answered by Effath Yasmin, India’s leading International Board Certified lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Congratulations for exclusively brea ..read more

Love exercise but unsure if you should continue now you’re expecting? Find out how it can help you have a happier, calmer pregnancy MEET THE EXPERT Professor Sophie Scott is a neuroscientist at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London. She’s a mum-of-one and a regular runner. Exercising helps you feel happier, stronger, less stressed and calmer, but despite all of these benef ts, doing it while you’re pregnant can raise a few eyebrows for all the wrong reasons. According to new research from Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign, many of us are hanging up our train ..read more

A healthy diet during your pregnancy means a healthy baby. Here’s how to make sure you get the right nutrition for every trimester BY ANANTA GOYAL A healthy diet is synonymous with a healthy lifestyle. This holds true for a healthy pregnancy as well. Eating right from the get go nourishes your baby and aids in the overall development. It sets the stage for mothers to maintain a healthy and steady weight gain, and avoid a series of health issues which can crop up with an unhealthy pregnancy diet. Here’s everything you need to know: Eating for two The baby you are eating for, weighs only about 2 ..read more