It’s the most common way labour and birth is portrayed in films and on TV – a big gush of water, lots of screaming and a big rush to the hospital to have the baby. All very dramatic, even more so when waters in film/on TV always tend to break publicly, in the shops, at a party or surrounded by people!
In reality it’s rarely like this …….read on to find out what to expect!
Woohoo! and huge Congratulations! You have just found out you’re pregnant. It’s an amazing, exciting, daunting journey ahead and once you are over the shock and celebration you are probably wondering ‘what should I do now?’
Worry not! – we are with you to make sense of all of the new terminology you are going to come across, the new people you’ll meet and the wonderful changes ahead. We have blogs on it all too if you want to delve deeper, but for the time being let’s cover what you need to do to get your pregnancy off to the best start
Labour rarely begins on your ‘estimated due date’ EDD, especially if it is your first baby. In reality your due date is probably more accurately described as a ‘due window’ – of 5 weeks, as babies are born often between 37 to 42 weeks.
In most pregnancies, labour will usually start naturally on its own within those 5 weeks, but there are times that it may need to be started artificially. This is called induced labour – to help your cervix to soften and open out and your uterus (womb) to start contracting. There are many ways this can be done …..
Whilst breastfeeding is the easiest go to fast food – after you’ve overcome the first few weeks, there are times that you may not be around to feed baby yourself. This is where expressing breastmilk comes in handy – being able to draw off some milk for either someone else to feed your baby or storing up for another day. Expressing can even be a good skill to use to boost your supply if it’s low.
Exercise in Pregnancy Series Running Running is great aerobic exercise and can help you to have a fit and healthy pregnancy. If you were a runner or regular jogger before you became pregnant and you are well, you can carry on running for as long as you feel...
Swimming in Pregnancy Exercising in water in pregnancy – be it swimming or doing other exercises is a great way of staying active as your bump grows. Swimming is an aerobic and strength conditioning exercise – both of which can help shorten labour and reduce the...
Planning a pregnancy can feel daunting and it’s perfectly understandable to start thinking about what you need to do to prepare for this big life changing event. Its important to remember that your health before pregnancy can affect the lifelong health of your baby.
These are a number of the things you can do before pregnancy to make your pregnancy and baby healthier – check out midwife’s tips!
We’ve all heard about gas and air, often called laughing gas, being used in labour and stories of the often hilarious effects on the person using it. In fact, most films and tv shows will often portray a woman using it furiously whilst she is rushed off to have her baby.
Entonox – the medical term for gas and air, is the most popular pain relief during labour with around 80% of women choosing to use it.
We’ve all watched labour and birth on tv or in films – and 9/10 births will be happening on a hospital bed of some kind, imbedding into everyone’s mind that birth has to take place on a bed lying down on your back.
In reality, lying on your back in labour can be a real hindrance…..in fact the more upright you are, with gravity on your side the better.
Most of us in the third trimester will find some kind of urge to start nesting – planning, preparing and getting everything ready for baby’s arrival. One of the most common questions we as midwives are asked about is what to pack in the birth centre/hospital bag.
So read on for our top tips on how to pack your hospital bag.
7 months ago
Whilst it is harder during lockdown to build your tribe, it’s still very possible. Online, virtual calls – friends and family can still be there for you.
It’s been amazing to watch parents connect and support each other during our antenatal classes. https://t.co/4mMcw96jQ1
8 months ago
If you have been active before pregnancy – you can keep going with it for as long as you feel comfortable.
If you haven’t been very active before pregnancy – Daily, gentle walking is a great place to begin, the more active you are , the better you will feel. https://t.co/jvc2mrQwrQ
8 months ago
Our course consists of eight 60 minute Midwife-run Antenatal Classes from the comfort of your own home, covering all aspects of pregnancy right through to baby first aid.
Click here for more info - https://t.co/igAYAAofR1https://t.co/05imI4Zea8
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