Better Births

6th October 2018 In Better Births, Diastasis Recti, Early Days, Expecting Again, Family, Labour and Birth, Mummy Tummy, Mums, Newborns, Postnatal Body, pregnancy, Pregnancy yoga By Sallyann Beresford

Diastasis Recti – What does it mean for Pregnant and Postnatal women

Everywhere I look on Facebook at the moment, there are videos and posts talking about Diastasis Recti. Unless you have heard of it before, it may be very confusing, and not something that many pregnant or postnatal women realise is about them. Simply put, Diastasis Recti...

19th October 2017 In Better Births, Birth Partner, Birth Preparation, Birth Trauma, Dads, Doula, Expecting Again, Mums, PTSD By Sallyann Beresford

Birth Trauma – Finding Ways to Heal

Birth Trauma or PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) that occurs after childbirth is an increasing problem across the world. For the women and their partners that it affects, they can experience childbirth in such a negative way that it impacts them beyond anything that they...

14th June 2017 In Better Births, Birth Partner, Bonding, Dads, Early Days, Family, kangaroo care, Love, Mums, Newborns By Sallyann Beresford

Birth Without Violence

I have just heard that Frédérick Leboyer died! I met him once, maybe 10 years ago or more, at a Doula UK weekend retreat. He was very old, and i have to admit that at that time, i thought he was a little bit off the...

24th February 2017 In Better Births, Labour and Birth, Mums, pregnancy, Pregnancy yoga By Sarah Cossey

Top Labour tips from a real mum..

“Experience is what you have right after the moment you needed it” This is a favourite saying from a friend of mine who’s known for his pithy one-liners. I think it fits well for labour. We were as well prepared for the labour as I think you...

19th January 2017 In Better Births, Dads, Doula, Early Days, Expecting Again, Family, Labour and Birth, Maternity Services Liaison Committee, National Maternity review, Newborns, News, Personalised maternity care budgets, pregnancy, Pregnancy therapy By Sallyann Beresford

Bump goes live – Personalised Maternity Care Budgets for pregnant women in Birmingham and Solihull

Yesterday saw the launch of a new website: www.yourbump.nhs.uk Bump is a new initiative which will change the way that maternity care is offered to women and families in Birmingham and Solihull. It came about after last years National Maternity Review: Better Births. Baroness Cumberlege who chaired the review stated:- “Our...

10th January 2017 In Better Births, Dads, Doula, Labour and Birth By Sarah Cossey

Dads & Doulas

The primary role of a doula is often to support a birth partner - which in turn frees them up to support the laboring mum. How does that work? Well firstly, partners often REALLY worried about seeing someone they love in pain, and being unable to...

6th December 2016 In Better Births, Dads, Doula, Labour and Birth By Sarah Cossey

Birth photos – Why & How?

In the summer I supported a couple during the labour and birth of their first baby and managed to capture some photos as their beautiful baby emerged gently into the world. The room was dark and lit only by candles, I only had my iPhone to...

28th November 2016 In Better Births, Dads, Expecting Again, Labour and Birth By Sarah Cossey

Worried about birthing again?

Worried about birthing again? You are not alone.. According to NHS Maternity statistics during 2014 - 15 approx: 75% of first timers achieved a vaginal birth - albeit often following a long and arduous labour. 14% of all women needed assistance during the second stage of labour with either forceps or...

28th November 2016 In Better Births, Dads, Doula, Labour and Birth By Sarah Cossey

Why does labour start at night?

Is it true that most women go into labour at night - and if so why? It would seem that the majority of our “first timer” doula clients do indeed start labouring in the late evening and it may well be that it is caused by...

22nd November 2016 In Better Births, Dads, Doula, Family, Labour and Birth By Sarah Cossey

Expecting Again? Top 10 reasons to do classes

Congratulations! You are having another baby and are considering attending an antenatal refresher course. You might have lots of questions that an experienced teacher can help you to answer, but you don't want to go back to the beginning and attend a course with "first timers!" Of course...