Breech info for parents to be

If you are one of the 3-4% of people carrying their baby in a breech position towards the end of pregnancy, it’s good to know there are techniques that can help turn baby head down. Sometimes babies lie this way because it’s best for your uniquely shaped pelvis. Sometimes its due to a pelvic restriction or imbalance, perhaps caused by a sedentary lifestyle or an injury like a fall or accident, the position of the placenta or too much or too little water around the baby.

Birth Balls for Beginners

Birth Balls are a brilliant way of keeping hips and pelvis flexible and supple thorough pregancy and can really be a help through labour. They can be a "better for birth" substitute for the office chair or the couch and a perfect way of exercising in a small space. Tips on how to use them safey, getting the right size, and simple exercises

Moving for an easier birth

It's hard to get antenatal support at the moment so I'm sharing a couple of short videos demonstrating two techniques I teach midwives and women to help stay more comfortable through pregnancy and that can help get baby into a better position during labour. The "sidelying release" is a technique that can really help if a labour is long and painful due to malposition and is also useful during pregnancy, the other showing a simple rebozo technique that can help ease discomfort in pregnancy and labour.

Moving for an easier birth (2)

It's hard to get antenatal support at the moment so I'm sharing a couple of short videos demonstrating two techniques I teach midwives and women to help stay more comfortable through pregancy and that can help get baby into a better postion during labour. The "sidelying release" is a postion that can really help if a labour is long and painful due to malpostion and is also useful during pregnancy, the other showing a simple rebozo technique that can help ease discomfort in pregnancy and labour.

Rights and Risks in Pregnancy

sq rights 300px With the best will in the world birth doesn't always go the way we would wish, but the better prepared we are, the better the chances of the hoped for outcomes. One of the things many parents don't understand are the pressures they can face once they get into delivery suite. Understanding the system, knowing the right questions to ask and, if necessary, being prepared to stand up and "challenge the system" can make a big difference to how childbirth unfolds.

The Active Phase of Labour

sq penny newborn skin to skin In the blog about the Latent Phase of Labour I discuss how to cope with it and, most importantly how to recognise when it transitions into active labour. This is “part two” - from the onset of strong and regular contractions to a baby’s birth. It describes a straightforward, unmedicated birth. I’ll discuss complications in labour in another blog.

The Latent Phase of Labour

sq belly and hands sq The latent phase of labour, although a normal part of the birthing process, can be a difficult time for pregnant women. First time mums in particular often believe this is “it”. It isn’t, and active labour may be many hours away. Recognising and understanding the latent phase is important. A combination of excitement and/or discomfort can disrupt sleep, nutrition and hydration, causing anxiety and exhaustion before the active phase even begins.