Innholdsfortegnelse for June - July 2019 i Your Pregnancy & Baby

As a little girl, I dr eamt about my wedding day , happilIy ever after , and one day holding my baby in my arms. My dr eams came tr ue when my husband and I found out we wer e pregnant. Pr egnancy is everything I wanted it to be and mor e. Morning sickness did get the better of me initially, but I’m well now and loving every minute of this miraculous transformation. One thing I r eally love about pr egnancy is the love fr om all sorts of people! Friends, family and strangers alike, blessing the child in my womb, wishing me well, and the sweet smiles fr om strangers as we pass one another in malls. Everyone loves a pr egnant mommy . The innocence…

NEVER RUN OUT OF POWER Phoning for your gynae appointments, emailing on the go, looking up recipes for dinner, running a navigation app to pick up the kids from nursery school – a supermom’s most trusty sidekick is her cellphone. And when your cellphone’s battery dies, you’re in a real pickle, considering all that you do and everyone you take care of. To make sure you never get caught with a flat battery again, get yourself the Romoss Skinny Power Bank. It’s small and lightweight, perfect for your handbag and has a dual charging cable for iPhone and Android devices. The Romoss Skinny Power Bank is available at Computer Mania and Experimax for R319. MOMMY SPOIL Pregnant and wide awake at night? Pregnancy insomnia can be a real pain. You’ll…

MY FATHER-IN-LAW (spoiler – he is big in early childhood development, so his words carry extra weight, as does the fact that he delivered all four of his own children) once gave me some very kind and wise advice – your newborn is not there to mess with your head, he warned. No matter how exasperatingly illogical that tiny human is being, it’s the only way they know how to communicate their basic biological needs. They are trying to tell you something. “I’m hungry,” “I’m tired,” “Look at me!” This is the primary rule of parenting. It puts everything else into perspective and allows you the space of mind to see a scream as a cry for help in an admittedly melodramatic new language, rather than a direct challenge to…

“Hypnobirthing requires commitment to really master the techniques, so they become second nature,” emphasises specialist hypnobirthing educator Kim Young, who’s based in Cape Town. “Moms should listen to a relaxation or meditation recording every night at bedtime, read up between classes and practice the techniques as they learn them during the course — breathing, visualisations, relaxation, deepening and massage.”…

DID YOU KNOW you take an average of 23 000 breaths a day? Breathing is something the body knows how to do and is the only function in the body that can be controlled on “automatic” (such as when we’re sleeping), or that we can take active control of (such as breath holding or breathing with awareness). Breathing also reflects the level of activity in the body. When we work hard, we breathe hard. When we rest, we breathe softly and slowly. When the challenges of life (or labour) seem too hard to handle or things aren’t going as smoothly as planned, we tend to stifle the natural flow of our breathing by unconsciously holding our breath or restricting our normal respiratory movements. DID YOU KNOW? • Pregnant women require…

➡ The cord can be submerged when the infant is bathed and should be washed with soap and water. ➡ After a bath or nappy change, clean the base of the cord (where it touches the tummy) with an earbud dipped in cooled-down boiled water, and then dry in all creases with another dry ear bud. The crucial thing is to keep your hands spotless – washing your hands with antibacterial soap is essential. ➡ If there’s fresh bleeding at the base of the cord as it is drying and coming loose from the skin, dry it and put a gauze swab on the skin. No pressure band is needed. ➡ Keep the umbilical stump exposed to air or loosely covered with clean clothes, and keep the nappy folded down…

This is critical so baby gets enough milk and mom doesn’t suffer sore nipples. Some discomfort should be expected (your nipples have never done this before) – but not agony. Hold your baby close to your body, and gently tickle his upper lip with your nipple until his mouth opens wide, like a yawn. Pull him in chin first, quick and close, so that he takes in as much of your breast as possible. If your baby is latched well, his chest will be against your body (tummy-to-mummy), you’ll see no areola, and his lips will be flared. You may see his ear wiggle slightly and his jaw move as he takes long drawing sucks.…

Oily fish These are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital for your baby’s brain development. Choose pilchards, yellowtail, snoek, trout and anchovies, which are high in omega 3’s while being low in mercury. Water Drinking enough fluid is essential during breastfeeding to keep yourself well hydrated and still encompassing the increased fluid needs of producing breastmilk. A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables Eating these kinds of foods will get your baby used to these tastes and make him or her more receptive to eating these kinds of foods when he or she is a bit older. Dairy products Your calcium needs increase during breastfeeding. Therefore, make sure that you have ideally about three servings of dairy per day. One serving is one glass of milk, 30g of…

APART FROM CONFIRMING your pregnancy, there’s a lot to get through during your first appointment. Your doctor will want to take a full medical history, a complete physical examination and may even take some blood. With all this going on, it can be easy to forget any other questions you may have. Here’s a list of common questions to ask. Remember, no question is too silly... so ask away! QUESTIONS TO ASK • Do I have an increased risk of any specific complications or conditions? • What screening or diagnostic tests for abnormalities will I need? • What kind of diet should I follow? • How much weight should I gain, and at what rate? • Should I be doing any particular kind of exercise? What is safe? • Are…

REMEMBER Your body is busy making your baby’s life-support system: the placenta. Add progesterone into the mix – and it all equals exhaustion YOUR BODY IS WORKING extremely hard making a baby. This is especially true for the first trimester, when you’re busy making your baby’s life-support system: the placenta. Add to this the rush of progesterone flooding your system – progesterone is a hormone that helps regulate a woman’s reproductive cycle and it also makes you drowsy. Your metabolism is changing rapidly, lowering your blood sugar and blood pressure levels, which cause tiredness; your newly tender breasts may make it hard to find a comfortable sleeping position; your growing uterus puts pressure on your bladder and sends you scrambling for the bathroom throughout the night. Nausea and vomiting can…

“EATING A WELL-BALANCED DIET IS CRITICAL FOR YOU TO HAVE A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING IMMUNE SYSTEM, AS IS HAVING PROBIOTICS IN YOUR DIET TOO” DURING PREGNANCY YOUR immunity may already be compromised a little so it’s worth your while to be proactive and start protecting yourself against the flu. There are several things you can do to build your immunity naturally. The key to staying healthy and to avoid the nasty flu bugs is to strengthen your immune system. Your immune system is your body’s number one defense when it comes to fighting off the cold and flu. If you get the lurgy though, get help. SOAK UP SOME RAYS Fortunately we live in South Africa and our winter weather boasts wonderful sunny and warm winter days. Researchers are adamant that…

THIS IS SO HARD! Q: I’m 30 years old and 30 weeks pregnant with our first child. I’ve never experienced such terrible constipation in my whole life. So far I’ve only had one morning of morning sickness, but thinking about it now, I would gladly trade the constipation for morning sickness. The constant discomfort of bowels that are fuller than usual is quite draining. I paid a quick visit to the local chemist, and she gave me a wonder syrup. The only problem is that is only works when you take it three times a day. I think I finished the bottle in a week, and if I keep this up, it is bound to get very expensive. I don’t think it is healthy to take it all the time,…

1 THE FIRST ‘P’ STANDS FOR PASSAGEWAY This is the route your baby will follow as he heads for the outside world. The passageway is made up of the pelvis, cervical opening and birth canal. During the first stage of labour, the first “door” your baby will move through is the cervix, which thins and opens as the baby’s head presses down on it. As your baby moves forward into the vagina, it will encounter many folds of skin (like a fan, hence the name “fanny”) that have been “in storage” waiting for this exact time, when more space and length is needed in the vagina. The vagina stretches to accommodate the baby’s head as it moves down towards the exit. As baby moves down, he has to pass…

STYLIST SAYS... “A wrap dress is perfect for every body type. It accentuates the waist and bust to create feminine curves and hides areas of your body you might be uncomfortable with during your pregnancy. I love the pretty print on this dress. Samantha looks absolutely radiant!” SAMANTHA SAYS... “I loved the way this wrap dress hugged my curves in the right places. It was light and flowy, and I felt feminine in it. I loved the way my hair was styled, and my make-up made my eyes sparkle. Thank you to the YP team for making me feel extra special!”…

When you cast your eyes on your precious baby at birth, you’re meeting someone you know very well for the first time! You’ll feel that strong need to protect this perfect being with everything you have and more. For some, the love comes immediately, for others, it takes time to grow. I deal with hundreds of expectant couples during the year, and I get goosebumps knowing what’s coming their way: the joy, the love and, of course, the hardships – there will be those times when your baby cries for no apparent reason and you feel completely helpless. “BABIES NEED TO BE HELD WHEN THEY’RE SCARED OR ANXIOUS, WHEN THEY CAN’T SEE, SMELL OR HEAR YOU. THEY NEED TO BE NURTURED, FED WHEN THEY ARE HUNGRY, AND LOVED BECAUSE THEY…

WIN everything an expecting mommy needs and more with a NUK, Korbell & JJ Cole hamper worth over R2 000! Your prize includes a NUK Nature Sense hamper, NEW NUK Genius Colour soothers available in microwavable packaging for steam sterilizing on the go, a stylish JJ Cole Nappy bag to carry all your baby essentials and a Korbell Nappy Disposal System to dispose of nappies economically and efficiently!*Please note designs may vary. Ts & Cs apply SEND YOUR LETTER AND CONTACT DETAILS TO LETTERS@YOURPREGNANCY.CO.ZA…

Art director Denise Khoele’s… FAVOURITE INSTAGRAM PAGE Follow @lifeinthesouth and find beautiful local food photography and recipes to inspire you! RESTAURANT TO LUST OVER Curry & Craft in Observatory, Cape Town, is where you’ll find great curries to satisfy your craving and trendy craft beers for Dad. It fills the gap between fine-dining Indian restaurants and cafeteria-style establishments. The palak paneer is a winner. See curryandcraft.com Editor Helen Schöer’s… SHOW TO WATCH If you’re battling to get your head around the whole working-mother thing, the Canadian series Workin’ Moms on Netflix will give you some insights and laughs. It will also make you very jealous, as in Canada they get nine months’ maternity leave. Those characters really need to toughen up a bit. Also on Netflix: Amy Schumer Growing. One…

WHETHER IT’S FOR your newborn or your toddler, one of the most important things you’ll buy as a parent is a car seat. Chicco has mastered the fine balance between safety, quality, functionality and style. Every Chicco car seat is engineered for comfort, safety and peace of mind. World-class innovation and user-friendly touch points make Chicco’s car seats easy to install and secure your child. All tested in Italy with crash-test dummies and checked for ultimate safety in the most extreme circumstances, Chicco car seats are a trusted part of millions of children’s journeys every day all over the globe. CHICCO’S FAVOURITES 2Easy: age 0+/1 (0-18kg) The perfect car seat to accompany your little one from birth to four years old, the 2Easy car seat lives up to its name.…

“We did some research years ago that showed that two-thirds of iron-deficient patients have pica, especially for ice or soil,” says Prof. Vernon Louw, head of haematology at UCT. Pica is the medical term for the compulsion to chew substances that don’t have any nutritional value: ice, dirt, ash, lemon pith and paper. It’s one of the symptoms of iron-deficiency anaemia. Doctors still aren’t sure why the craving afflicts so many anaemic patients. One explanation is that ice calms inflammation in the mouth that sometimes comes with iron deficiencies.…

UNIT 1 An overview of the beginnings and philosophy of hypnobirthing, the history of women and birthing (including how women’s bodies are designed to give birth), the power of the mind, how fear affects labour, breathing and relaxation, and how to build positive images of birth. UNIT 2 Preparing the mind and body for birth, how to “fall in love with your baby” before he or she has been born, how to select care providers and build a partnership with them, and how to release fear through visualisation and deepening hypnosis (using breathing techniques). UNIT 3 Practical breathing and visualisation techniques for labour, how to turn breech babies or avoid artificial induction, learning the body’s preparations and signs for birth (including how to initiate labour naturally), and details on how…

• Stand with your feet apart Lift your chin slightly. Inhale and exhale gently. Place your thumbs on your sternum, the bone between your breasts. Your shoulders should not be rounded forward or backward. • The sternum is the body’s centre of lightness As you lift it, you allow more room for your lungs to expand. • Lift your chin slightly, and imagine that you are adding air to the spaces between the vertebrae in your spine Relax your jaw. Contract your tummy muscles. Visualise your pelvis as a bowl, and imagine tilting it slightly upward. Lift your arms out to the side and curve them, keeping fingers relaxed. Bend to one side, pause and return to centre. Then bend to the other side, all the while breathing gently and…

1 SKIN TO SKIN Before your due date, negotiate with your caregiver about skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth – even before the checks that are routinely done on your baby. Ask if these checks can be done while baby is on your chest. It’s not necessary to weigh and measure baby immediately after birth, as this can be done within the hour. Any medications your baby has to receive can be administered while baby is with you. His heart rate, blood pressure, sugar levels and breathing will all normalise once he is in his mom’s arms. Baby will be warm and feel loved with mom in the environment he knows. 2 AVOID BRIGHT Protect your baby’s eyes from the bright lights of a labour ward or theatre. Place a blanket…

INFERTILITY IS A topic that’s often discussed, but how much do you actually know about the whole mechanism that allows your body to make and have babies? Fertility experts will agree that a lack of knowledge and misinformation can be obstacles in your journey to falling pregnant. Take our quiz to test your own fertility knowledge and to separate many of the facts from fiction. 1 Is infertility mostly the woman’s problem? YesNoIt’s mostly the man’s problem 2 Is it true that stress has a lot to do with infertility, and if you just relax, you will become pregnant? YesNo 3 If you’ve become pregnant easily, does this mean you won’t have a problem when next you try to conceive? YesNo 4 Between what ages is a woman most fertile?…

ONLY 21 DAYS after conception, your baby’s heart begins to pulse with its first flutters. Its drumbeat will be your child’s companion right until the end of what you hope will be a long and happy life. The heart is the first organ to develop in a foetus, and your doctor can detect a heartbeat by ultrasound from as early as five-and-a-half weeks into your pregnancy. Hearing the sound of your baby’s heart is often when the reality of having a baby sinks in for first-time moms. If you hold up your fist, that’s approximately the size of your own heart. But in the early stages of the development of the foetus, the baby’s heart is about nine times bigger than its little body. SPARK OF LIFE What sets a…

BEING HIV POSITIVE doesn’t make it easy to follow the rules: taking medication for life, avoiding infections, having regular tests and check-ups. Edith Moosa, midwife and director of the South African Midwives’ AIDS Alliance, advises that couples must consider how to optimise the safety of their sexual choices and encourages them to take responsibility for their health, including adhering to HIV treatment and management plans. WHAT DOES HIV DO? Dr Sindi van Zyl, an HIV clinician from Gauteng, explains how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) works. “HIV weakens the immune system. It gets into the body primarily through unprotected sex. It targets CD4 cells, which are part of the body’s defence system, and uses these cells to make copies of itself. CD4 cells die after releasing HIV copies into the…

RED PEPPERS A red pepper has twice as much immune-enhancing vitamin C as an orange. Vitamin C is an essential weapon in your flu-fighting food arsenal — it could decrease the duration of a cold by 80 percent and the severity of symptoms such as sniffles and a cough. Red peppers can be chopped up and used in salads, pasta dishes and omelettes or on sandwiches. They’re great roasted too. YOGHURT Yoghurt contains probiotics, the good bacteria that line our intestines and defend our bodies against invading germs. Plain low-fat yoghurt has fewer calories and less added sugar than fruit-flavoured versions. To make sure your yoghurt contains probiotics, read the label. ALMONDS Almonds are an excellent source of the disease-fighting antioxidant vitamin E. Add chopped almonds to oatmeal, salads or…

WHY USE A BALL IN LABOUR? • In the last month of pregnancy, you will find it easier than a chair or couch to get up and down from. • It encourages pelvic mobility. • It allows you freedom to rock your pelvis, change position and shift your weight for comfort. • It encourages foetal descent as you remain sitting upright and takes advantage of gravity. • Sitting on the ball helps keep the baby well aligned in the pelvis. • The ball encourages pelvic relaxation by conforming to your body, similar to a water mattress, as it provides perineal support without undue pressure. • Sitting on a warm compress on the ball will maximise perineal relaxation. • It encourages rhythmic movement, as you sway or rock back and forth…

DARK PROBLEM Q: Ever since I discovered my pregnancy I’ve been passing very dark stools. At first I thought it was because of the iron supplement I was taking, but I’ve been off it for a week, and my stools are still as dark as before. I have been asking friends about this, but nobody seems to have the same symptom. What could be the cause? I eat really well. I am starting to worry that I might be ill and that this could harm the baby. A: Tina says: Iron supplements commonly cause dark stools. Although you have stopped taking them, are you perhaps taking another pregnancy multivitamin? Most pregnancy multivitamins contain iron, which may be causing the dark stools you are experiencing. It is unlikely that any food…

YOUR BABY’S FINALLY HERE, and you’re excited, but you’re also exhausted, uncomfortable and on an emotional rollercoaster. No matter how you birthed your baby, the physical changes of the postpartum period are immediately visible, unlike the gradual changes of pregnancy. WHAT TO EXPECT ✓ Tender breasts Your breasts may feel full and tender for several days when your milk comes in, and your nipples may be sensitive at first. You will have colostrum in your breasts until the mature milk comes in within three to six days after delivery. If you have any breastfeeding problems, talk to your midwife or a lactation specialist. She can advise you on how to deal with any breastfeeding problems. Relieve clogged milk ducts with breast massage, frequent feeding, feeding after a warm shower, and…

WHEN TO START In your second week post-op start with Exercise One and Two only. PRESENTLY, C-SECTIONS ARE recognised as a fairly routine and common procedure with minimal risk to both mother and baby. However, your body has still undergone major abdominal surgery and as a result, what you do and when you do postnatal exercise is critical to your recovery. The following exercises are safe to do early on, provided you work within your pain or discomfort limits. This means that you stop at a level before you feel any pain and do not push yourself. 1 THE ZIP This exercise gently starts activating your pelvic floor muscles again by activating the nerve stimulation to them. This exercise is not designed to be rigorous or painful so work within…

OUR BLESSING My husband and I dated since we were teenagers, and we knew we wanted a big family one day. When I was 20 years old my doctors said without the help of fertility treatment I wouldn’t conceive my own baby. The prognosis was due to having an irregular cycle and low egg count. Knowing that I’d probably never afford the fertility treatments necessary, I felt being parents wouldn’t happen for us, unless there was a miracle. Nonetheless, we decided to try. We planned to start the natural process last December, as we figured we’d be more relaxed due to the holidays. But, in September I was feeling off. We bought a home pregnancy test just to rule out the possibility. That evening I was over excited and couldn’t…

WIN A CARRIWELL ®  HAMPER VALUED AT R2 000 Seamless Preggy Belly Bando® from Carriwell® turns regular wear into maternity wear, so you don’t have to splash out on a whole new wardrobe. It’s the perfect solution to bridge the gap when tops become too short to cover your tummy, and to cover unbuttoned pants, skirts and shorts. It’s comfortable, providing light support in a soft, seamless fabric. Available in black and white for R165.95. Send us a beautiful, good quality photograph of you with your gorgeous bump or baby. Send your photo with both your names and date of birth, and where you’re from to: Your Pregnancy Snaps, letters@yourpregnancy.co.za…

MOST OF US know omega fatty acids are good for our babies. Mostly, we know the terms omega 3 and omega 6, and we possibly know that eating one or two portions of fish per week will give us some of what we need. But what really makes the omegas good for our babies? And are there other sources than fish? Could they also be good for pregnant moms? Here’s the lowdown. WHAT THEY ARE Omega 3’s and 6’s are two kinds of polyunsaturated fatty acids that go some way to ensure that your body – and that of your baby – function normally. Adequate intake of these fatty acids during pregnancy is commonly associated with a range of benefits for your baby. You might also have heard omega 3…

“OUR CULTURE TEACHES us that birth is dramatic, painful, dangerous, or something to be dreaded,” says Theoni Papoutsis, a doula and hypnotherapy practitioner who has witnessed hundreds of births over the past 25 years. She adds that the modern concept of birth and our delight in sharing birthing “horror stories” have fostered an unhealthy attitude and fear of labour. In response, a growing number of moms are seeking out self-hypnosis, aka hypnobirthing, to help face their fears, and to reduce the pain of natural childbirth. Theoni, who teaches at Genesis Maternity Clinic in Johannesburg, says antenatal classes that incorporate hypnobirthing typically leave moms feeling more involved, satisfied and especially empowered with the overall birthing experience. That’s certainly how Kim Young felt after trying hypnobirthing for the birth of her second…

“My first two pregnancies were long and slow-going hospital births. They weren’t traumatic, but I looked back and wish I’d found hypnobirthing sooner. I didn’t do the course, I just read books by Katharine Graves and Marie Mongan because I used to do competitive ice-skating and was familiar with doing pre-competition meditation and visualisation to ease my nerves. It made perfect sense to me… I totally believed in my body’s ability to get me through it. “When I was in labour with my third, I stayed at home for much longer because I felt way more relaxed and in control. I just lay on the couch and stared at the ceiling until it was time to go to the hospital. When we finally went to the hospital, I was only…

IT’S ALL INCREDIBLY exciting, finally having met your baby after all these months of pregnancy and knowing that you can get him home to start your new life as a family. But that’s the thing, isn’t it? You suddenly realise taking your baby home means you’re responsible for absolutely everything to do with that tiny newborn, and it can be a scary and overwhelming situation. These new-mom fears are all part and parcel of having a baby. “It’s a normal reaction to be nervous when presented with a new situation. Being a parent for the first time can be nerve-wracking and intimidating. You don’t want to make mistakes, and that can cause a lot of anxiety,” explains registered counsellor Emma Shabangu. The best way to face these fears, she adds,…

THE FIRST FEW WEEKS after your baby is born is an exciting time but can also leave you with little time to eat healthily or plan your meals – after all, you barely have time between nappy changes. However, eating correctly is essential to keep the quantity and quality of your milk production up, as well as to ensure that you don’t have dips in your blood sugar and energy levels. Plus, it can help you keep your eating in check and lose those post-baby kilos. DO I NEED TO FOLLOW A PERFECT DIET WHILE BREASTFEEDING? No! You definitely don’t need to maintain a perfect diet while breastfeeding. But even though many of the strict rules you had to abide by during pregnancy have fallen away (hello, sushi!), it’s important…

OPTIMISING SEX DURING OVULATION Q: I’m 36 years old, and we’ve been trying for six months now. I was on the Pill for years and years before that. I’ve noticed now that my period isn’t exactly regular – sometimes 24 days between cycles, sometimes 28. So I’m never sure exactly when I’m ovulating. How can I work this out? Also, I’m confused about whether we should have sex before I ovulate, or during ovulation? And is it better to have sex once at exactly the right time, or often over the course of a few days that might be the right time? As you can tell, I’m keen to do this naturally first, before resorting to medical help – or is that stupid of me? A: Dr Peter Koll says:…

DANCING ALL THE WAY Q: Is it safe to dance while you’re pregnant? When should I stop? A: Tina says: Yes, it’s safe to dance, as long as it’s not high-energy hip-hop with leg lifts or movements that may cause you to lose your balance and fall. In fact, as labour day approaches, dancing may help release oxytocin and endorphins that can get your labour going and keep your labour going. I advise all the moms who attend my classes to slow dance with their partners, up close, as this releases all the hormones that got the baby there in the first place. Ballet may not be the thing to do right now, but dancing your baby down into your pelvis while you listen to your favourite music may just…

I NEED TO SCRATCH Q: I am 32 years old and four months pregnant with my first baby. My worry is that I experience a lot of itching around the vaginal area. It’s so bad that I can’t resist scratching the area and therefore experience swelling. Should I be worried? A: Tina says: You do not mention if you have any discharge as well, but during your pregnancy and while you are breastfeeding you will not have your menstrual cycle, but it is usual to have some sort of vaginal discharge. Usually it is a thin, colourless, watery discharge. This is as a result of hormonal changes, and there is no need to be concerned, unless it burns or itches or is any other colour than white or clear, and…

1 The ball should be large enough to sit on with legs bent at a 90 degree angle. 2 Clean it easily with soap and water or a weak bleach solution. 3 Inflate the ball to a point that’s slightly firm but still “gives”; it should roll easily. 4 Keep sharp objects and heaters away from the ball. 5 Hold the ball with your hand as you sit down on it with your feet flat on the floor and hip distance apart to give you a stable base. Your partner or midwife can assist you by standing behind you if you feel unstable.…

Circle the option that is the closest to how you’ve felt in the past seven days 1 I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LAUGH AND SEE THE FUNNY SIDE OF THINGS 0 As much as I always could 1 Not quite as much now 2 Definitely not so much now 3 Not at all 2 I HAVE LOOKED FORWARD WITH ENJOYMENT TO THINGS 0 As much as I ever did 1 Rather less than I used to 2 Definitely less than I used to 3 Hardly at all 3 I HAVE BLAMED MYSELF UNNECESSARILY WHEN THINGS WENT WRONG 1 Yes, most of the time 2 Yes, some of the time 3 Not very often 4 No, never 4 I HAVE BEEN ANXIOUS OR WORRIED FOR NO GOOD…

CONGRATULATIONS! Samantha gave birth to her baby Maya Annette Middleton just four days after these pictures were taken. Though born seven weeks early, Maya is doing well! LOOK WHAT ELSE OUR LUCKY MAKEOVER MOM GOT TO TAKE HOME! A STUNNING GIFT HAMPER FROM PIGEON TO THE VALUE OF R1 170! Get off to a good start with Pigeon’s Breastfeeding Kit. Express with the Pigeon Manual Breast Pump 2-Phase, which is easy to use, as the milk goes directly into a Pigeon Breastmilk Storage Bottle. It can then be stored in either the fridge or freezer – ready for Dad to take a feed. Pigeon Breast Pads keep you dry and comfortable, while Pigeon Nipple Cream will prevent sore, cracked nipples. Available from baby stores, Dis-Chem, selected pharmacies and retail outlets.…

ONE HUNDRED YEARS ago on this very day, lo, in the hills of the West, there appeared a shining star on the horizon. Fathers everywhere didn’t know it, but they would soon be getting all sorts of cool gadgets from Cape Union Mart, shirts from Timberland, and subscriptions to Popular Mechanics magazine. And definitely not socks or hankies. Okay, it was more like a shining light bulb above the head of a young woman sitting in a church listening to a Mother’s Day sermon. But it was indeed in the West, in Spokane, Washington, and the date was May 1909. “Bugger this for a game of soldiers,” thought young Sonora Smart Dodd. “My daddy’s a good old hero. He needs a day of his very own.” Old Man Dodd did…