My Birth Journey

Did you notice the lunches packed and bagged with everyone's favorite foods, crusts cut-off sandwiches, all ready to go? She did it.⁣
⁣
Did you notice the sink is all empty from last night, where every single bowl and plate was dirty? She did it.⁣
⁣
Did you notice the pantry stuffed with all the foods everyone likes? She did it.⁣
⁣
Did you notice how every appointment gets made and how everyone gets registered for everything? She did it.⁣
⁣
Did you notice all the clutter cleared all around the house, how the toilet paper never runs out, and the clothes are always folded and put away? She did it.⁣
⁣
Did you notice how everyone gets dressed, fed breakfast, hustled out of the house on time, into the bath, dinner, bed? She did it.⁣
⁣
Did you notice how she knows where everything is and where everything needs to go? She did it.⁣
⁣
Did you notice how everyone’s clothes are laid out, favorite pajamas ready for bedtime, and shoes the right size? She did it.⁣
⁣
Did you notice her picking up the Legos off the floor so everyone won’t hurt their feet on them? She did it.⁣
⁣
Because 𝘴𝘩𝘦 is mom, and she does everything,⁣
and sometimes that not-noticing hurts her soul.⁣
⁣
And she doesn't do it for praise, but she's human, and it does get to her.⁣
⁣
It makes her feel like she doesn’t matter. ⁣
⁣
So, this is your reminder to tell her she does, and you 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, and 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 her.⁣
𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴.

📸: Joolsannie Art
....................................................⁣⁣
My Children’s Book 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘖𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘖𝘬𝘢𝘺: 𝘈𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴 𝘎𝘦𝘵 𝘉𝘪𝘨 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘛𝘰𝘰 is out everywhere: https://amzn.to/317TvVc

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the young families in Ukraine 🙏

Giving birth in a bunker in Kyiv: ‘I said to him you’re a new Ukrainian’ Viktoria, 32, describes the birth of her first child last Friday in a hospital underground shelter

This 💜

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59385621.amp

This could save up to 8,000 babies a year ❤️

Progesterone recommended to prevent early miscarriage The treatment could lead to 8,450 more babies being born each year in the UK, experts say.

🙌

Watchdog U-turns on recommendation to induce pregnant women at 41 weeks Charities and campaigners welcome softening of guidelines saying there is no evidence it would reduce stillbirths

Can’t believe we’ve already started weaning, time flies..! You definitely forget how messy it is 😂🍌

Remember this 💕

Clare 💜

💜

❤💛💜🧡💙💚

Who doesn’t love a rule breaker 🤘

We love this! 🙌

Of course, in our role as midwives we offer help and advice based on experience. Our personal and professional experiences offer a great starting point in helping new and expectant mums.

Of course, rules are good to stop risk or harm - but we are big on parents making informed decisions about what's right for them and their baby. There's no right or wrong way to parent - it's about taking the time to explore all the options. We're here to offer that advice and information so you can do what works for you. 💚

Remember to get your smear test done ladies, so important

An important message not just for but for all women at all times - keep up with your smear tests 💚

🟢In the UK, all women from age 25 until age 64 are invited. The screening process is a free health test that helps prevent cervical cancer.
🟢It checks for a virus called high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and, if you have HPV, cervical cell changes (abnormal cells).
🟢Cervical screening is not recommended for anyone under 25 years old.

You will not usually need to have cervical screening if you're pregnant, or could be pregnant, until at least 12 weeks after you've given birth. This is because pregnancy can make it harder to get clear results - however it is recommended you make sure you keep up with a regular appointment when you can instead of 'skipping' for the next invite to come through.

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust has practical advice and information about the test, outcomes and also offer great support for anyone anxious about waiting for results.

It's such an important message - do spark the conversation with those you know and love and spread awareness of why it's so important. 💚

Read more here:
👇
https://www.jostrust.org.uk/information/cervical-screening

**Trigger**

Sad story 😢 but all too common trying to get baby out when they’re not ready to come. Trust your instinct mama, full term ranges from anywhere between 37-42 weeks and remember baby doesn’t get the memo about their due date !

LISTENING TO TRAUMATIC BIRTH STORIES⠀
⠀
She thought that they were so kind. So caring and so generous.⠀
She’d never done this before. It felt exciting but scary. A whole new life to grow and to protect⠀
She listened and paid attention. They told her that birth can be a risky business but that they were there to look after her.⠀
Such a lovely group of people.⠀
⠀
At 39 weeks her kind midwife told her that she’d give her a stretch and sweep as that way her baby could arrive before her pregnancy dragged on and became dangerous. She said that she didn’t want to be induced, did she? So a sweep was best.⠀
⠀
At 41 weeks and two sweeps later, her kind midwife booked her Induction in.⠀
She told her it was the safest thing to do. Her body obviously just couldn’t go into labour, it would just be a nudge... Placentas fail, babies have died and she did not want that to happen to her.⠀
⠀
And at 42 weeks there she was. Her kind and generous team welcomed her and looked after her while the gel over-stimulated her uterus. While the drip made her body work too hard. While her baby went into distress. While fear swept through her body. While they kindly wheeled her through to surgery. While she bled. ⠀
⠀
They smiled as they wheeled her back to the ward. They kindly gave her morphine to cope.⠀
Told her how well she did and that the drain pipe into her stomach would come out tomorrow and the catheter taken out when she was up and about again.⠀
⠀
And there they left her.⠀
A bit broken. With a baby she couldn’t reach or hold.⠀
So thankful that they were there to help her along. To save the day.⠀
They were so nice and kind and a healthy baby is all that matters after all... isn’t it?⠀
⠀
⠀
This re-telling of one of my birth trauma client’s birth was wholly inspired by a post I saw today on ‘s Instagram feed by . ⠀
⠀
The wolves in sheep's’ clothing?⠀
⠀
Beautifully drawn and realised picture by on Instagram. Laura has a thread of hugely insightful drawings about birth trauma and her recovery. I highly recommend visiting them. x

Happy Homebirth Day
For anyone wanting to know some of the benefits of homebirth and has had any questions


・・・
⁣What do you think when I say home birth? Do you think risk? Mess? Maybe you think it’s the absolute perfect place to be, but your birth partner isn’t convinced? ⠀
⠀
Home birth isn’t for everyone and is a very individual decision, but when there are SO many myths floating around; you can see why it’s important to separate opinion from fact.⠀
⠀
The statistics above do speak for themselves. And this is based on the birther PLANNING a home birth. So even if you end up giving birth in hospital, your chances of intervention are significantly decreased if you plan to home birth. ⠀
⠀
So what are the REAL risks for you? That’s something worth discussing with your midwife or obstetrician, because your case should absolutely be looked at individually. Established home birth teams are very well prepared, speaking to your local team is really worth doing if you’re weighing up risk. ⠀
⠀
And about the mess? Being prepared with a few waterproof sheets and dark coloured towels is usually enough, and the midwives will take any medical and bodily waste with them in specialised bags. ⠀
⠀
It’s also a good idea to get some extra support from parents who have had home births, or are booked in for home births in your area. Get connected and check to see if there are any local support groups or Facebook groups to put you and your partners’ mind at ease.⠀
⠀
Don’t forget this is YOUR decision, it’s your right to birth in the environment you choose, and it’s your right to change your mind too! It’s not written in stone, you can decide to birth in hospital when you go into labour if that’s what feels right for you. ⠀
⠀

What if we saw children sleeping on us as a positive? What if we viewed the babies who refuse to go down to nap as a sign that we need to slow down?

What if we changed our perceptions on contact naps, and instead viewed them as an opportunity to relax?

Baby has just fallen asleep on me. I spend a few minutes browsing Facebook and then, my mind wonders towards the dishes piling up in the sink. The pile of laundry stacked up in the bathroom. The dust that has settled on the tv. I start to feel guilty. I start thinking about work that could be done. Or food that needs to be cooked. I try to put baby down, but no way. Baby is having NONE of it.

But what if, just say, WHAT IF this is how it is SUPPOSED to be? Alright yes, we know that evolutionary babies are designed to want to be close to their mothers, but what if that is also meant to work out for the mother to rest too. It’s meant to be for OUR benefit.
To sit back for just a moment, and forget about everything else going on in life.
To take in the beauty of our children, and REST.

Rest our minds.
And rest our bodies.

Childbirth has put our bodies under some serious stress. And there are always a million things that need to be done before the day is over. Perhaps our babies and children needing us to be still with them is natures way of telling us to slow down for just a moment.

Rest mama.
Take the opportunity ❤️

Growing up so fast 💙

Theo makes up the home birth number for March 🥰

New look stats post for March births :)