Everyone wants a healthy and easier pregancy. Here are a few tips that may help.

Limit your caffeine: Start cutting down your caffeine intake by using half decaf in your espresso-maker and then gradually increase the ratio of decaf. You could do the same with tea as there is now decaf tea available.

Learn to say no: Don't feel at all guilty about saying 'no' to invites and obligations - you'll be tired so put yourself and your baby first.

Keep moving: Regular exercise will help to control your weight, improve circulation, boost your mood, and help you sleep better. 

Beware of baby brain and start writing everything down: Shopping lists, appointments, remembering birthdays, questions to ask your midwife - everything needs to go down on paper - or into your phone.

Ginger for nausea: Go straight for a pot of strong ginger tea made by adding boiling water to a tablespoon of chopped fresh ginger. Sip slowly throughout the day, also carry a couple of gingernuts with you if you get nauseous in the car.

Practice kegels: a great way to keep your pelvic floor strong for the journey ahead. Practice squeezing as though you're stopping the flow of urine when you use the bathroom. Hold for three seconds, then relax for three. Repeat 10 times. 

Snaps to track your preggy belly: Set aside time each week, say Sunday at 11am, to take a photo of the bump. Put a post-it note on your bare tummy announcing the week (week 13, week 14 etc) or draw it on your bare belly with lipstick. You'll enjoy looking back on this later.

Sweet treats for that burning sensation: Heart burn can be a nuisance from the second trimester on. Easing the pain differs for everyone - ice cream works well for many while cold sweet citrus ice blocks offer relief for others.

What's that smell? Greater sensitivity to odours is common among pregnant women. Get hold of a tube of lavender scented ointment and put a bit just under your nose.

Swollen ankles: Drink lots of water! Put your feet up whenever possible too.

Itchy skin: Lashings of cocoa butter and vitamin E oil spread all over the body is the secret to preventing and controlling the itch that can be associated with stretchmarks. 

Pack your bags. Make sure you're organised early with your hospital bag or items for your home birth. Knowing you are ready for baby to arrive with nappies, baby clothes, baby blankets and the like can ease your mind hugely.

Know when to call your midwife or doctor: Keep a track of what is normal for you. if you are experiencing any of the following outside your norm, then its time to make the call.

Pain of any kind: Strong cramps, contractions at 20-minute intervals, vaginal bleeding or leaking of fluid, dizziness or fainting, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, constant nausea and vomiting, trouble walking, decreased activity by the baby