There are a huge number of pregnancy books to choose from, some covering the entire pregnancy journey and others more specialist or niche in focus. We all know how important it is to eat a healthy, balanced diet during pregnancy, but pregnancy cravings, food aversions and nausea can often make this feel like a real challenge. Coupled with ever-changing advice on the foods you should avoid during pregnancy, it can be hard to know where to start when eating for two. In what ways are connective tissues affected for those with hEDS/HSD in childbearing, and what may be done to reduce the risk of any complications? Ina May Gaskin, America's leading midwife, shares her birthing wisdom in this intuitive guide to childbirth. With a focus on natural birthing, it offers advice and tips to maximise your chances of an unmedicated labour and helps you prepare for your birth experience, whether in a hospital or at home.

Robin was born in Uruguay to migrant parents. Spanish was his first language, French his second and Romanian his third language before coming to Australia when he was 10 years old.

Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life. It can be difficult to stop smoking, but it’s never too late to quit. Every cigarette smoked contains over 4,000 chemicals, so smoking when you are pregnant harms your unborn baby. Cigarettes can restrict the essential oxygen supply to your baby. As a result, their heart must beat harder every time you smoke. I loved [Milli Hill's] positive birth book. It covered loads of stuff I didn’t come across anywhere else, in particular about informed consent and how to advocate for yourself. Really recommend it to anyone who’s pregnant. It’s really accessible and easy to read, you can dip in and out of it."(Vetted by Mumsnet user AnneLovesGilbert) Our verdict This book also includes lots of practical tips and guidance for dads and birthing partners, making it a great option for couples to share. Practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers.

I was going to sign up with my neighbour but then she couldn’t because of work, I did um and ah about whether I could still do it on my own but I’m so pleased I carried on. Within 15 minutes of going along to the ‘toe in the water’ session, I knew this was something I wanted in on. It felt comfortable.Birth and Beyond Collective do not accept responsibility for individual practitioners. Should class attendees have any concerns about a class, these will need to be raised with the practitioner directly. What chance does a baby born to a parent with hEDS/HSD have of inheriting the condition themselves, and how might such newborns be assessed at birth? Volunteers offer a kind, listening ear and can signpost and accompany women to services and organisations that may be helpful to an individual's circumstances. We find that this really helps to connect mothers with their local communities. The project regularly supports women who may have no recourse to public funds, who may be very isolated physically and emotionally, and who may be experiencing low to moderate mental health difficulties. Why is community support important?

Covers a lot of ground - you may want something more focused on a specific area of pregnancy or childbirth Robin speaks at international conferences, on a range of themes presented in his books. He conducts international trainings for psychotherapists, and for parents and offers private psychotherapy/counselling/coaching sessions. Written specifically for men, this book is an excellent read for fathers-to-be who want to be more involved in their partner’s pregnancy or a good book to give to your other half to help them understand some of the physical and mental changes you’re experiencing during pregnancy.Bears of Hope – Bears Of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support provides leading support and exceptional care for families who experience the loss of their baby. Bears of Hope has a great Facebook group for grieving parents. There is also one group set up just for Dads. http://www.bearsofhope.org.au/ Jacqui Lewis is a meditation teacher, mentor, an author of four books, a Tedx Speaker, and hosts leadership programs globally. She co-founded The Broad Place, a global school sharing ancient knowledge and modern neuroscience, tools and experiences for higher grade living with Arran Russell. She focuses on philosophy and tools for greater clarity, creativity and consciousness and bringing a grounded, innovative and resilient approach into the lives of her students and clients. A student of Eastern wisdom, neuroscience and psychology, she continues to study and integrate these teachings into her work. Whether it's hormones or hypnobirthing, stretch marks or swollen ankles, it's always reassuring to know YANBU when moaning about your pregnancy ailments. Central to the programme is the training of and working with local volunteers to lead the peer to peer support programme, giving other new mums skills supporting others in their community.