For most, the summer sun is a welcome break from our variable British weather but for mums-to-be, the heat wave brings certain risks and challenges.

With temperatures soaring, pregnant women can experience swelling, increased body temperatures and greater sensitivity to sunshine caused by higher oestrogen levels and even potential higher risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

We have a few tips and tricks to help you stay cool so read on to find out more.

For decades, ultrasounds have provided millions of expectant parents with peace of mind as they get a glimpse of their unborn baby for the first time.

In recent times, they have become a more popular option for parents looking to track their baby’s progress even before birth – with more options and higher quality scans becoming available in the private sector.

The article was updated and reviewed by Angie Willis, Specialist Midwife.

There’s a lot to do as your due date draws near – from preparing the house to stocking up on baby supplies, it’s a challenge to get everything finished in time.

Hopefully, this maternity hospital bag checklist means that packing your maternity bag for hospital becomes one less thing to think about.