Pre-eclampsia is the most common of the serious complications of pregnancy.  It is caused by a defect in the placenta, which joins mother and baby and supplies the baby with nutrients and oxygen from the mother's blood.  Pre-eclampsia is symptom-less in the early stages and is detectable only by regular antenatal checks on the mother's blood pressure and urine.

“Mom-e is your access to ‘knowledge’.  The aim of the site is to inform couples about pregnancy in a medically accurate and easily digestible way.  Medical knowledge and thought in the area is constantly changing and Mom-e is updated in line with these changes. We will address frequent questions in Mom-e as the site is updated.”

The Baby Friendly Initiative is a global programme of UNICEF and the World Health Organisation which works with health services to improve practice so that parents are enabled and supported to make informed choices about how they feed and care for their babies.

“We are the leading charity for pregnancy, birth and parenting in the UK. Every year we support thousands of people through this incredible life-changing experience, offering relevant information, reassurance and mutual support.”

Collected stories from Bandolier relating to women’s health.  Includes sections on healthy living, family health, migraine and headache, complementary and alternative therapies, arthritis, plus a knowledge library, extended essays, learning zone and an evidence-based medicine glossary.

“From menstrual matters to sex and contraception, from cellulite to nutrition and diet - whatever your health worries, our comprehensive Women’s Health section contains all the information you need.”

Information and advice on the most common health issues affecting women, including breast cancer, eating disorders, heart disease, depression and fertility, plus wellbeing and relationships...

Common Health Questions, such as, Accidents and First Aid; Cancer; Children’s Health; Dental Health; General Health; Healthy Lifestyle; Hot Weather; Immunisation; Lifestyle; Medicines; Men’s Health; MRSA; NHS Services and Treatments; Operations, Tests and Procedures; Pregnancy; Sexual Health and Contraception; Travel Health; Winter Health; Women’s Health.

“We can tell you which treatments really work and which don't work, based on the best and most up-to-date medical research.  BestTreatments is the only website that rates thousands of health and medical treatments, based on how well they work.”

“This booklet will give you some idea about the pain of labour and what can be done to relieve it. You will need further information from those who are looking after you about the types of pain relief available at your own hospital. We hope that if you know what to expect and, with good pain relief if need be, you will find the birth of your baby can be a satisfying experience.”

There are several types of anaesthesia for caesarean section. This booklet explains the various choices. You can discuss the choice of anaesthetic with your anaesthetist.  Obstetric anaesthetists are doctors who specialise in the anaesthetic care and welfare of pregnant women and their babies.

Patient Information Leaflets: Over 600 information leaflets on health and disease.  “The aim of this website is to provide non-medical people in the UK with good quality information about health and disease. The authors do this by writing evidence based information leaflets on a wide range of medical and health topics. They also review health and illness related websites and link to many of these from the web directory included on this website. UK sites are the primary links in the web directory as they feel that residents in the UK prefer to obtain health information from UK sources.  They also suggest some links to selected overseas sites.”

CARE Centres Network is concerned about the welfare of women and their partners in relation to pregnancy and pregnancy loss, including abortion.  CCN has nearly 20 years’ experience of helping these centres to support women and their partners with crisis pregnancy and post-abortion concerns.

Medicines, Drugs, Supplements: general articles on medicines.

This site is for you if: you're thinking about having a baby or you're already expecting a baby.  It's during the time leading to conception and over the first three months of your pregnancy that your baby stands to benefit most from you eating a healthy diet.  So, ideally, you should start putting into practice the advice given on this site from the time you first start planning to have a baby.  If you're already several months pregnant, however, don't worry. It's never too late to start eating a healthy diet - and both you and your baby will feel the benefits.

This not-for-profit site has been set up, and is run, by a mother of three premature babies (all born eight weeks early).  This site provides useful information for parents, expectant parents, friends and relatives of premature babies particularly in the UK.

Government public services website offering advice on parenting and having a baby. Sections include: Health in pregnancy; Complications; After the birth; Disabled parents.

“Tommy's exists to save babies' lives through funding research into and providing information on the causes and prevention of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth.  By 2030 we want to halve the number of babies who die during pregnancy or birth.  We believe every baby deserves the best start in life. We are committed to funding medical research and providing pregnancy information to help more mums and dads through a healthy pregnancy and birth.”

If you're trying to get pregnant you will find advice on what foods to eat, what foods to avoid, as well as information about supplements.  For a happy and healthy pregnancy, it's important to know how you can make sure you are getting enough nutrients for you and your baby. (A Food Standards Agency site.)

“WellBeing of Women (WoW) is dedicated to solving the health problems that solely affect women. Wow is currently funding a wide range of research projects, which will have a huge impact on the lives of women and their families. We are also committed to providing information and raising awareness of gynaecological health conditions which have an adverse affect on women’s everyday lives.”

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust was established in 1998 to raise awareness of ectopic pregnancies amongst women of childbearing age, the medical profession and the general public  The Trust strives to: Provide support and information to couples who have suffered an ectopic pregnancy; Support research into the underlying causes, treatment and prevention; Improve the diagnosis and treatment of ectopics through the establishment of Best Practice Guidelines.

Online leaflets on matters relating to women’s health concerns and links to other health organisations.

“Hysterectomy is defined as the surgical removal of the uterus or womb. A hysterectomy may by total, that is removing the whole of the uterus (womb) and the cervix; it may be sub-total, that is removing the uterus or womb but leaving the cervix intact. In addition to the hysterectomy, the ovaries and the fallopian tubes may also be removed, this is called a hysterectomy with bi-lateral salpingo oophorectomy.  The purpose of this website is to enable women to make an informed decision about whether a hysterectomy is the right operation for them. You will find masses of information about the menopause/surgical menopause and hormone replacement therapy as well.”

“Where women gather, share and learn!” Health Forum; Beauty & Style; Fitness & Nutrition; Family & Relationships; Sex & Sexual; Health; Physical & Mental Health; Girl Talk; Health Library.

The comprehensive set of Informed Choice leaflets examines key decisions facing expectant mothers during pregnancy and is designed to assist them in making informed choices.  Leaflets for women link to corresponding publications for professionals, aiming to provide midwives with sound evidence upon which to base their practice.

Women's Health Concern is a charitable organisation which aims to help educate and support women with their healthcare by providing unbiased, accurate information.  Includes: Telephone Helpline Nurse Counselling Service - Confidential Advice, Email Nurse Counselling Service - Confidential Advice By E-mail and Information Leaflets.

Breastfeeding Articles, Breastfeeding FAQs, Breastfeeding Forums, Breastfeeding Names, Breastfeeding News, Help & Support, Organisations, Nestlé Campaign.

Owned by Hearthstone Communications Limited, this site strives to improve the availability of accurate health information for women. Focusing on reproductive issues, visitors to this site will find articles on pregnancy, infertility, miscarriage, PCOS, endometriosis, pregnancy complications and other issues important to a woman's well-being.

Department of Health site concentrating on the benefits of breastfeeding. “Breastmilk provides all the nutrients a baby needs.  Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of an infant's life.  Six months is the recommended age for the introduction of solid foods for infants. Breastfeeding (and/or breastmilk substitutes, if used) should continue beyond the first six months along with appropriate types and amounts of solid foods.  Mothers who are unable to, or choose not to, follow these recommendations should be supported to optimise their infants’ nutrition.”