At around 6 months (or possibly earlier) you may want to start a bedtime routine that includes reading a story to help your child settle to sleep. This is believed to help with their communication, memory and vocal skills as well as being a “set point”...
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...
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...
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...
Would you have a photo or painting taken of yourself in pregnancy? If so would you dare to bare or would you stylishly cover yourself up? It is a fairly divisive question - with some mums seeing the beauty of the pregnant body, whilst others will cringe...
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...
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...
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...
Earlier this month Barack Obama signed a bill that requires public buildings to provide baby changing stations in both male and female toilets. This followed a year of championing by American celebrities and public figures to make changing rooms more accessible. A petition was raised by...
Continuous fetal monitoring in labour? An ingenious invention that has saved countless lives? Well, no actually...