to hospital if necessary.Possible reasons include the heart rate dipping, or meconium (the baby's first bowel movement) found in the waters - a sign of foetal distress.In rare cases you may need to be transferred to hospital if you've retained the placenta

. The likelihood of a pregnancy ending in miscarriage is 6.4% in women under the age of 35, but rises to 23.1% in women over the age of 40. Women over 40 who smoke have an even higher miscarriage rate. Foetal abnormalities The risk of neural-tube defects

abnormality. In a small number of cases, there is a complication during labour that leads to the baby dying during delivery, but these cases are increasingly rare due to advances in foetal monitoring during labour. Even if the cause of death is identified

.’ Having an epidural means you’ll need to stay in bed to be monitored – another reason you can’t walk around. ‘You’ll be wired up to a foetal monitor and also a drip to increase blood volume, as an epidural lowers your blood pressure,’ says Gail Werkmeister

inductions here.* Foetal heart monitoring -  This allows early detection of possible complications. Your midwife can monitor your baby's heartbeat with a hand-held Sonicaid, or by continuous monitoring where two sensors are held in place by straps around your

Syngelaki, sonographer at King's College Hospital, says, 'The 11-13 week scan is done for several reasons: to date the pregnancy accurately, to confirm multiple pregnancies and to ensure the baby is developing properly. We will be able to diagnose any foetal

opinion. 'Too much alcohol during pregnancy can lead to foetal alcohol sydrome, affecting the baby's growth and mental ability, but this is usually only a problem in persistent heavy drinkers. 'However, the DoH's advice saying that women shouldn't drink

the placenta has come adrift.Foetal distress, indicated by abnormalities in the baby's heartbeat, lack of success with ventouse or forceps, or a failed induction can also lead to a Caesarean.What to expect You will be given a pair of surgical stockings to wear

, a doorbell ringing or an adult sneezing, with the ‘startle' or ‘Moro' reflex when her arms and legs suddenly outstretch. 4. By one month your baby is uncurling her way out of the foetal position - her knees and hips are stronger and not as flexed

be painless, or be associated with a period-like pain in the lower abdomen. If the midwife suspects a threatened miscarriage, she can arrange a scan to see if the foetal heartbeat can be seen. If everything is OK, she will advise bed rest until the bleeding