Tips for pregnancy and birthing in New Zealand.
When it comes to finding a book for Kiwi parents, The New Zealand Pregnancy Book has been in print since 1991, and has provided thousands of parents with information they need that is relevant for this country.

With recent changes in paid and unpaid parental leave entitlements and the increasing pressure on mothers to leave hospital early after giving birth, this book written by GP Sue Pullon and midwife Cheryl Benn can help parents be prepared for anything they might encounter before, during or after pregnancy.

I asked Cheryl to share her best tips for a successful pregnancy:

Family planning
Plan the pregnancy. The best time to have children is somewhere between 20 and 35 years of age. It does make sense to plan your pregnancies to occur somewhere between these ages and if you want to have several children having your first one before the age of 30 is biologically sound.

Be careful
It is best to avoid drugs and alcohol, including medications bought at the chemist such as antihistamines and cough mixtures. These can affect a pregnancy, even in the time before you know you’re pregnant.

Don't smoke
Quit or significantly decrease smoking. Women who smoke are more likely to have trouble getting pregnant. They are also more likely to have a miscarriage, suffer from high blood pressure, have a premature birth or stillbirth, and/or have breastfeeding problems. Smokers’ babies have more colds and ear infections, are more likely to have asthma and also have a higher risk of cot death.

Folic acid
Take folic acid. There is good evidence the incidence of severe brain malformation and spina bifida can be reduced if pregnant women take extra folic acid prior to conception and in early pregnancy. Dig in! Eat well. During pregnancy, women have an increased need for extra calories as carbohydrates, protein, fluid, iron, folic acid, vitamins B, C and D, calcium, zinc and magnesium.

Get moving
Exercise often and moderately. Regular exercise can help prevent loss of fitness, too much weight gain and lower back pain and can help prevent such things as high blood pressure, diabetes and varicose veins.

Be wise, immunise
Ensure your immunisations are up to date during the early planning stages, especially Rubella (German measles).

Someone to trust
Find a Lead Maternity Carer that you trust and can work well with. This will usually be a midwife and it is important that you get on well with them and can talk to them openly and easily so do check out whether their philosophy on pregnancy and childbirth is compatible with yours.

Be aware
Contact your LMC early if you have any concerns about your health or that of your baby at any time. Go to class Enrol in and attend antenatal and parenting classes.

Know your body
Get to know your body in preparation for labour and birth. Doing pelvic floor exercises, massaging the perineum and preparing your nipples can all help your body cope better during and after labour.

Don't go it alone
Be sure to include your husband/partner or a trusted friend or relative in the pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal care, to conception and in early pregnancy.