Maternity

The HSE’s Perinatal Statistic Report for 2013 reveals that the average age of an Irish woman giving birth is 32.1 years, and the average age of first time mothers is 30.3 years. This increasing age profile coupled with stats that indicate that the trend of total births has risen over the past 10 years, it comes as no surprise that the preparation for pregnancy, the birth and your well being post natally is at the forefront of your priorities for this well planned and much hoped for baby. So with congratulations in order, let Inhealth.ie guide you through the minefield of maternity aids, products and pregnancy supplements all designed to keep you as comfortable as possible throughout the next nine months and beyond. With a selection of multi award winning brands including Mama Mio, Dreamgenii, Zita West, Meditens and Lansinoh  to name but a choice few, allow Inhealth.ie to take you from conception through to birth through to your new baby’s growing needs into toddlerhood and beyond. So what products do you need? Will you breast feed? Do you require Breast Pumps? Have you thought about nutritional supplementation? How will you combat stretchmarks? So many questions........ that’s what we’re here for!

Breast Pumps & Breast Feeding

The WHO (World Health Organisation) recommends that a baby should be breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months of it’s life. A personal choice for every mother, breastfeeding and it’s nutritional, economical and medical benefits are widely championed worldwide, even though certain areas of society still attach a level of stigma to the act of breastfeeding in public, it is proven that ‘breast is best’. However, breastfeeding is your choice so at Inhealth.ie we support your preference with a full range of Breast Pumps, Breast Feeding Covers, Breast Pads, Breast Skincare treatments and all things breast! Choose from The Mumsnet Award Winning Breast Pump 2015 – the Ardo Calypso Electric Breastpump, to Lansinoh Breast Pumps, Clevamama Nursing Pillow, to Ardo Disposable Breast Pads, Ardo Nipple Shields, Carriwell Nursing Bra’s, to Ardo Easyfreeze Breast Milk Bags and the much loved Ardo Breastfeeding bag that has everything you need stored in the one convenient place when out and about.

Pelvic Toners

Strong, healthy and toned pelvic muscles are vital for every woman throughout all the stages of her life. And none more so than the post natal period. A strenghtened pelvic floor will enforce the vital muscles that support the urethra, the bladder, uterus and the rectum. Reducing incontinence, supporting an easier labour, alleviating menstrual issues and reducing the incidence of pelvic disease, toning your pelvic floor muscles is an integral post natal excercise. At Inhealth.ie we recognise that remembering to carry them out with a new baby in tow can prove quite difficult so we have chosen high performing pelvic toners for you to choose from including brands such as Kegel8, Sensatone and Elvie. From the Sensatone Digital Pelvic Floor Stimulator to the Kegel8 Pelvic Toner and Comfort Probe , to the Kegel8 Periform Intra-Vaginal Probe, all aspects of your pelvic health and strength are addressed through our selection of award winning brands.

Fetal Dopplers

The fetal heart can be detected as early as 8-12 weeks, it should be audible 95% of the time at 12 weeks and almost 100% audible at 14+ weeks into the pregnancy. Hearing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time is a momentous occasion and usually takes place at a routine checkup with your Obstretrician, via a hand held fetal doppler or in some cases with an ultrasound machine. For many mums-to-be, the sound of baby’s heartbeat offers comfort that baby is well, a fetal doppler is also vital for those mums-to-be who are overly anxious or have previously experienced a difficult pregnancy. Whilst always consult with your health care provider if you have any concerns, a fetal doppler can help eliminate stress and doubt, allowing the expectant mum a level of relaxation she may not havepreviously had, benefitting both the growing baby and the mum-to-be. Inhealth.ie stock market leading fetal dopplers from brands such as Angelsounds, offering the chance to record and play music as you listen to your baby’s heartbeat in the privacy of your own home.

Maternity Tens Machines

A TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machine is a non-invasive, drug free method of controlling pain. An extremely popular form of chemical free pain relief that has been used over the years in the control of acute and chronic pain conditions, especially for those people who are looking for a side effect free method of pain relief and to limit the use of medications. The importance and effectiveness of TENS has really risen to the forefront in it’s use for management of labour pain in the past 15 years and has cemented itself as a vital support for pregnant women worldwide. Choose from market leading brands such as Medi Tens, Obi Tens, Elle Tens and Smart Tens that gently stimulate the sensory nerves suppressing and blocking the nerve signals to the brain. Encouraging the release of endorphins the bodies natural painkillers, the Inhealth.ie selection of TENS machines will support your pursuit of a pain free labour without the use of medication.

Maternity Underwear

Throughout your pregnancy, the support needs of your underwear change as your stomach expands and your breasts fill and grow. Inhealth.ie are proud stockists of Denmark’s leading maternity underwear brand Carriwell, understanding the very real need to ensure that the lower back is supported and that weight is lifted off of the pelvis, reducing muscle strain and relieving discomfort. Carriwell have been designing and developing innovative, comfortable and supportive maternity underwear for mums-to-be and nursing mums since 1996, and the range available offers underwear pieces that are both therapeutic and preventative. Whatever your requirements choose from Carriwell support belts, Carriwell Comfort and Nursing Bra’s to Carriwell Shapewear Control Panties, fashionable, comfortable and supportive for all expectant and nursing mums.

Pregnancy Pillows

A good night’s sleep can prove elusive throughout pregnancy, contending with a growing bump, to a boisterous baby, to simply being too uncomfortable. Over 96% of all women experience problems when sleeping, with positional discomfort the main factor. Providing pregnant women with support and comfort, enabling the perfect nights sleep for both mother and baby is vital for the mum-to-be’s well being and energy levels as she approaches the birth. That’s where the benefits of a designated pregnancy pillow comes in, and at Inhealth.ie we stock the multi award winning Dreamgenii Pregnancy Pillow. Created to deliver unparalleled comfort whilst ensuring through gentle positional manipulation the most effective and optimal position for maximum healthy blood flow from the mum to the baby and from the 20 week period actually plays a pivotal role in encouraging optimal foetal positioning. So allow yourself the ultimate comfort with the Dreamgenii Pregnancy Pillow and we also stock the Dreamgenii Standard Pillow Cover.

Pregnancy & Labour Essentials

As your pregnancy progresses it’s time to stock up on your pregnancy and labour essentials, with Inhealth.ie’s award winning products and treatment range specifically chosen for their ability to comfort, support, soothe and guide you throughout your pregnancy experience and birthing process. Manage, reduce and eliminate pain without the use of medication with the side effect free TENS machines from brands such as Medi Tens, equip your labour bag with necessities such as Medicare Maternity Pads, Carriwell Disposable Hospital Panties and Lansinoh. We have every aspect of your care covered from the soothing, calming Zita West Relaxation CD to the Miracle Box Birthing Ball which is advocated and used throughout maternity wards in the UK. Care for your nipples as you breastfeed with Nipple Care and select from Inhealth.ie’s other award winning brands and products from brands such as Belly Bandit, Elle Tens, Mama Mio and Pregnacare.

Maternity Supplements

Maintaining a healthy diet is the optimal way to ensure you get the vitamins and minerals you need, however throughout the pregnancy journey you may fall short on key nutrients, so whether you’re pregnant,trying-to-conceive or wanting nutritional supplementation both pre and post-natally – we have a pregnancy supplement specific to your needs. Specifically formulated pregnancy vitamins should always include Folic Acid (which prevents neural tube defects) and Iron (to prevent anemia – a condition in which the blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells) and the all important Omega-3 fatty acids which promote baby’s brain development, as well as a range of carefully selected, high performing vitamins and mineral to ensure the health, and well-being of both you and your baby. Inhealth.ie have selected a range of nutritional supplements for all stages of your pregnancy and post natal experience, from the UK’s leading pregnancy and fertility expert we stock the Zita West range with a supplement designed for each trimester and the post natal period. We also offer the high performing Pregnacare range, NHP and the Betteryou Oral Vitamin sprays.

Birth Balls

Just like sleeping comfortably, sitting comfortably can become more of a challenge as the pregnancy progresses. Courtesy of your growing baby and belly , extra weight can cause discomfort and muscle strain on the lower back and pelvic areas, so when comfort seems almost unattainable, it’s time for a birthing ball! The Miracle Box Birthing Ball, used extensively throughout the UK’s maternity wards, is proudly stocked by Inhealth.ie as it moulds to your shape, delivering comfort and firmness to support your back and pelvic area with ease. The use of a birthing ball during your pregnancy has shown that benefits including the maintenance of good posture, increasing blood flow to the uterus, placenta and growing baby, relieves pressure on the spin, perineum and thighs and will actually increase the pelvic diameter, encouraging your baby to descend in an optimal birthing position.

Stretchmarks & Maternity Skincare

Uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation and dry skin are just some of the changes your skin can experience throughout pregnancy. However it’s the mere mention of the word ‘stretchmark’ that causes the greatest concern. Due to a massive hormonal shift, the skin is altered in varying ways, thankfully the majority of them aren’t permanent but the development of stretch marks can leave a lasting impression. As the body expands faster than the covering skin, the skin tears forming a scar as it heals, these scars then appear on the surface of the skin as a stretch mark. Another skin concern that actually happens in over 50% of all pregnant women, is the skin pigmentation condition called Melasma, or more commonly known as ‘the mask of pregnancy’, at Inhealth.ie we recognise the impact these skin changes can present and have chosen a selection of multi award winning brands and products to keep your skin in optimal condition, both beautifully hydrated and moisturised. Featuring the worldwide sensation that is Mama Mio skincare, from the Mama Mio Goodbye Stretch Marks to Khloe Kardashian’s favourite, Mama Mio Pregnancy Boob Tube. From Mama Mio to Mustela to the all round moisturising genius of Bio Oil.

Pregnancy Books/CD’s/DVD’s

Research indicates that stress can have a significantly negative impact on both the mother’s health and happiness during pregnancy, as well as on the present and future health and development of the baby. By putting aside a little time on a regular basis, to just relax , you can help to counteract this effect. Learn guided relaxation and positive visualisation techniques to help focus and relax you throughout your pregnancy, with Inhealth.ie’s selection of CD’s for your relaxation. Choose from the UK’s No. 1 authority on preconception, planning, natural and assisted fertility, pregnancy coaching and post-natal support – Zita West. Choose from Zita West Relaxation CD for Pregnancy to the Bend, Breathe & Conceive DVD created for trying-to-conceive couples.