What does a Doula mean? If you have been thinking about planning for your labour and birth and are looking into your options, you may have come across the term doula already. A doula is the term used to refer to someone who provides support to women and birthing people during their pregnancy, labour and … Continued
Your Antenatal appointment schedule Your care in pregnancy is often referred to as ‘Antenatal care’ which refers to the care, advice and support you will get from a range of healthcare professionals in your pregnancy such as midwives, GP’s and specialist doctors called obstetricians. This care will involve antenatal appointments that will be arranged for … Continued
Vaccinations offered in pregnancy You will be offered a range of vaccines (immunisations) during your pregnancy by your midwife or GP to help protect you from certain infections or to help keep your baby safe from infection during the first few weeks of their life until your baby has had their own vaccinations. In pregnancy … Continued
After all of the excitement of last week with your 20 week scan, you’re probably feeling more and more pregnant and now beginning to enjoy this next stage of your pregnancy. There are lots of changes ahead as preparation begins for the third trimester and life with a baby – so don’t be surprised if … Continued
Congratulations! You are pregnant and if you’ve just arrived here, it’s most likely you’ve only just found out! How exciting and daunting and overwhelming at the same time. If you’ve been following us from week 1, then you know that your baby – although absolutely tiny, is developing and growing. What happens in week 4 … Continued
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.
Colostrum is the first breast milk that your body makes. Its colour can range from almost see-through to yellow. Your breasts will start to produce colostrum from about 20 weeks pregnant. As colostrum is made during pregnancy, it is possible to begin to hand express, collect and freeze colostrum before the baby is born. This is often called colostrum harvesting.
Whilst there are many websites, forums, Instagram posts, YouTube videos, Facebook pages, books and magazines all sharing advice on labour and birth, it can all feel a little over-whelming to try and find the information and advice that works for you. And this is where antenatal classes can really help – by having that one qualified, experienced midwife on hand who you can talk to and ask questions to help prepare for your baby’s arrival.
Pregnancy or planning a pregnancy can naturally bring with a whole a range of questions and worries. Being pregnant during a pandemic that is affecting so many can understandably cause even more anxiety and worries during such an unprecedented time.
If you are expecting or are the parent of a newborn, do not fear – there are well established, commonly agreed upon measures you can take to drastically reduce the chance of something happening while your newborn sleeps. In fact, since safer sleeping practices have been adopted among parents, there has been a steady decline in infant mortality since 1990.
As soon as your baby arrives, you will be wondering how they will develop over the coming months and years. The anticipation of the baby’s “firsts” is something that parents all over the world await with excitement. From the first cry, first smile to step, these small gestures melt every parent’s heart. Learn what to expect when in these all important milestones