The Braided Doula

Open communication between you and your partner with a young baby can be tough. You are both tired, a bit stressed, have no routine, and have a small human to look after without previous experience. ​​​​​​​​
Often it can be hard to break down what might be frustrating you, what needs to be done in relation to the home and what both of your needs are. It's not about who is more tired or did the most, there are different roles you will each play in relation to the home, the baby and each other and it won't stay this way. For every leap or stage baby goes through, you and your partner will be making adjustments whether they are obvious and conscious, or subtle and you only realise when something comes to point. ​​​​​​​​
Try and find time for each other and yourselves. It is easy to be caught up with what baby needs and rightly so, but your needs as an individual and as a couple are important too. Speak with each other about what you are feeling and needing, and see how those might fit in with your partners. You have have from individuals who have chosen partnership to a collective with a small human who you adore and as a result redirect all of your focus and energy. looking after yourselves IS looking after your baby as a happier parent is a calmer parent and that will always have a positive impact on baby. ​​​​​​​​
If you ever want to chat about how you can open the communication between you and your partner I am here. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​

Milk collection day always makes me feel happy. Today I was able to hand over 4.4L and it makes my heart full!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In order to donate breast milk you will have some blood tests run to check for any irregularity’s, after which you should receive a box with bottles, labels and a freezer record sheet.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The freezer record sheet is important as you will need to take note of the freezers temperature daily in order to ensure the frozen breast milk stays at a constant temperature until collection.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The breast milk goes through microbiology screening to check for any harmful bacteria before and after pasteurisation in order to ensure it is safe for consumption for premature and NICU baby’s.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you would like to find out more about donating breast milk you can visit the Milk Bank Scotland website:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/your-health/health-services/milk-bank-scotland/how-to-become-a-donor/⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Happy New Year everyone! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I have been quiet on here what with Christmas and then my family getting covid so I have been sleeping and resting as much as possible. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has been part of my page for the last year. It has been such a pleasure to get to know so many new and wonderful people, including those special couples and their baby’s that I have supported. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2021 has been a challenge for sure, but it has also been an absolute pleasure and I am grateful for every moment that I have had. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Here’s to a new year coming in, new memories to make and new families to meet! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Advanced Maternal Age is any mother who is over the age of 35 during her pregnancy. According to the medical system. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Now language plays a huge role in terms of how someone feels, and for women who are pregnant over the age of 35 they are often referred to as mature, geriatric, high risk, obstetrically old but chronologically young, or in their reproductive twilight years. This seems really silly considering many of those titles are actually quite inaccurate, case and point being an older mom does not automatically make you high risk.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The reality of this title means that you will be asked to undergo more tests such as Gestational Diabetes and extra scans throughout your pregnancy. It it completely up to you whether you choose to undergo these tests - ask your midwife for a full breakdown of what tests they want to carry out, why they want to carry them out and what benefits/risks are association with them. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Being an 'older' mom does not mean that you will have an unsafe or higher risk pregnancy. Each pregnancy is different and any risk that is mentioned should be discussed in terms of absolute risk and how it pertains directly to you. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Depending on how involved you are with the online birthing world, you will always see posts about your estimated due date (EDD) and how unrealistic that date really is. The reality is that baby's arrival is strongly anticipated anytime from 37 weeks - not to mention the long term waiting-game of pregnancy in general. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The last stretch of pregnancy is hard, not just because you are tired, possibly achey and a bit sore. It is hard because every day is a mental battle of whether today will be the day, will baby arrive, is it a cramp or is it just gas? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

While it may be both a physical and mental challenge, it is important to be gentle with yourself and give yourself the time and capacity to rest. With older siblings this is understandably hard, take time in the day when and where you can. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Having a toddler currently prone to meltdowns and achey hips has been a challenge for me. Baby is deep in my pelvis which can be uncomfortable while walking etc - I am trying to rest in the evenings, use my exercise ball and have a good soak in the bath before bed. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

How have you found the final stretch of pregnancy? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

We often forget to process our own emotions with a small little baby to look after. this is just a gentle reminder that it does come together and you will find your new normal ❤️
Posted • This time of year can be really fun and full of festivities, but also we can feel a bit anxious and lost.

Rubbish weather, constant illnesses, possibly sleep deprived and learning to be a new parent …..

It will get easier, and it will be ok # # # ❤️

I harp on about this a lot I know, but birth really is an incredibly important milestone in a families life - particularly for the birthing person. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Mentally, you have a large amount of preparation to go through; this applies to the physical changes of pregnancy, the anticipation and planning for the actual labour and birth, and then for the physical and mental adjustment period of being a new parent. Its a big shift and should involved the utmost care and support from everyone in their community. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Support is a really important component of a positive birth journey, from all sides of a birthing persons experience. If you feel that you are not getting it from the right avenues, then reach out to me or anyone you feel comfortable with in order to back yourself during your journey. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The quote by Carla Hartley reads “Birth should not be a time in a woman’s life when she has to FIGHT for anything.” and this is something that really rings true. You have the complete right to decide how, when and where you want to birth your birth and that should include informed choice. You should not have to fight for your decisions to be heard or supported by those around you, including family and medical staff.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

There are multiple different options for pain relief in birth, most of which have some form of pro/con list and possible side effects. TENS, which stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, is a great option as it has no long lasting effects on you physically while being an effective form of pain management. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A TENS Machine is often used as a form of pain relief in labour due to the fact that you do not have to ingest/inhale/receive any for of medication. The machine works by sending out small electrical pulses to your muscles during labour ie your stomach or back muscles during a contraction, and this essentially reduces the pain signals being sent to your brain. As a result, you will feel a tingling sensation more than the pain from the contraction, with control over when you feel the impulse as well as the strength of the signal. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Some people swear by a TENS machine as a form of pain relief in labour, while others really dislike the feeling. It is a good idea to try and give it a test run before you go into labour so that you know what to expect, as well as being familiar with how it works. This is particularly important if your birth partner will be controlling it for you. Having said this, people have also said that they did not enjoy the feeling while not in labour but really relied on it once they were having strong contractions so don't discount it if you are not a huge fan when trying it out for the first time. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You can either buy one (easily accessible online) or rent one for a period over your due date. Many birth centres and local groups have them available. If you need any help let me know!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The amniotic fluid plays an important role in pregnancy as it cushions the baby and protects them, while allowing them space to move around and grow in the womb. There is generally an 'ideal' level of amniotic fluid in the womb, however, sometimes there can be too little or too much which is known as oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios respectively. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The amount of amniotic fluid within the womb changes over the gestational period of the pregnancy, with scans showing an estimate as they are not 100% accurate. Further, the way in which the amniotic fluid is usually based on the average of 2 or 3 pockets of the fluid around the baby. The amount of amniotic fluid peaks at about 1 L round 34-36 weeks and goes down to about 800 mL at 40 weeks. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Oligohydramnios is when there is too little amniotic fluid and has been associated with your waters breaking, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), baby having a kidney or urinary tract problems or placental abruption. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Polyhydramnios is when there is too much amniotic fluid and it usually identified in later pregnancy. Most women will be able to carry and birth without any major complications, however you may be advised to birth in the hospital. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you have been told that you have oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios and you are not sure what to do next, you can ask for another opinion/scan to be taken again in order to confirm the results. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Please remember that scans are not 100% and you should ask for all the risks and complications to be explained as they pertain to you. As always, it is completely up to you what you decide is best for you and your baby. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

With my first daughter, I had postnatal anxiety and it took me months to realise that what I was feeling was normal and that it was something I could work through. It’s a hard place to be when you do not feel 100% within yourself.
Posted • Oxytocin is the natural ‘love’ hormone our bodies produce when in labour, while breastfeeding, when we feel good & when we are intimate with a loved partner. 💚

It is responsible for causing uterine contractions in labour and primes us for bonding with our baby. 🤱🏻

Syntocinon (Pitocin in the US) is a synthetic version of this hormone, used to induce or speed up labour. It is also used to prevent/stop excessive bleeding after birth.

Perinatal psychiatrist, Dr. Kristina Deligiannidis (Feinstein Institute, New York) originally thought that Pitocin might be linked to lower rates of postnatal mood disorders, as oxytocin is a feel-good hormone.

Her research team found the exact opposite.

‼️ Women with a history of pre-pregnancy depression or anxiety had a 36% increased risk of anxiety or depression if they received Pitocin just before or just after birth.

‼️ Women without a history of pre-pregnancy depression or anxiety had a 32% increased risk.

This was compared to women who did not receive any Pitocin just before or after birth.

🤔 Possible explanations for the link include: the interference of synthetic hormones with the bodies complex natural hormonal process during and after birth… it is also possible that induced labours may be experienced as more difficult/traumatic and this may lead to symptoms diagnosed as depression or anxiety…

❗️As always it is important you ask for the benefits and risks of any intervention in relation to your specific circumstances and make a decision you feel comfortable with

(An increased risk isn’t a guarantee you will experience postpartum depression or anxiety)

Sources:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/da.22599

I often talk about female empowerment in birth and the deep wells of strength that we all store but don't always harness until the pregnancy and labour of our child.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Another part of that strength and shift is the way in which we, as birthing mothers can influence those around us. While we can all sympathise with a friend or loved one, having someone empathise with your emotions can be the balm to our burning soul we never realised we needed.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Birth is beautiful and raw and powerful, but for many women it can be stressful, traumatic and painful to recount in any way. It is important that those women feel heard, acknowledged and supported by those around them; it can be particularly healing to have someone who has been in a similar state to show that support. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Yes birth is beautiful, but if your experience didn't make you feel powerful and strong then that is ok too. Its important to normalise the harder parts of birth and working through any trauma or hard emotions you may have experienced in your pregnancy, labour and birth of your child. I am always available to talk through anything with you, otherwise reach out to the other women and moms in your community and support bubble. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The quote reads mother and baby.’” – Midwifery Today⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“The wisdom and compassion a woman can intuitively experience in childbirth can make her a source of healing and understanding for other women.” by Stephen Gaskin. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Preparation. Planning. Organising. Making lists. There’s a lot we need to get together for the birth of our babies in terms of ‘things’ and logistics which is always fun and fairly easy to do. The other part of this process is the mental preparation and that’s not always as comfortable.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A large part of the mental preparation is working through your fears, concerns and/or trauma around childbirth in order to give yourself the best headspace for this one. It can be really helpful to make a list of things or scenarios that you worry about happening and then give yourself a solution, positive affirmation or plan A or B answers to each one. You can ask friends and family for help, or your midwife and doula to give suggestions when looking at different scenarios. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Another component is understanding yourself physically - what will happen to the muscles, how will it feel, how do you best manage with and cope with discomfort and how can you mentally support yourself to work through those factors. Whether it be yoga, breathing exercises, affirmations, dancing, hypnobirthing, pain relief, water, music and so on - it is important that working through all of those options and working through a positive birth scenario gives you strength and confidence going into your labour. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Your head space is an incredibly important part of your happiness and well-being. In the build up to your labour try and surround yourself with positive people, birth stories, family, delicious food and a wholesome environment in order to give your head and heart the best relationship so that when baby decides they want to be earth side: you are ready. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

There is a lot to prepare and organise before the arrival of your little one when you are pregnant:
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🌱 the pregnancy itself (care, support, check-ups, vitamins, exercise etc) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌱 the labour itself (where, how, support etc)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌱 baby’s arrival and space (clothes, accessories, changing tables, bottles, breast pads, bed, toys etc)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌱 the postnatal period (emotional, mental and physical support, clothes, food, vitamins, nourishment etc) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌱 your partnership (parenting logistics, time to see and bond with one another, support for one another, connecting as a couple and so on)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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When there is an older sibling or siblings, there is another set of logistics that need to be organised and put into place: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🌿 mental preparation of your child for the arrival of their sibling ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌿 figuring out where your older child will be when you go into labour and who will look after them⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌿 putting plans into place for support for your older child when you have a newborn ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌿 physical support for yourself in the second (and so on) pregnancies while running/looking after a small human who never stops moving ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌿 emotional support for mom to manage the adjustment from 1 to 2⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌿 have something special for the older sibling to validate their place in the family and new role and Big Sister/Brother⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌿 have some presents for the older child to distract them and give you 10 minutes while you feed the baby or make a poo! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
How did you plan for your baby and yourself with older kids to look after? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

This is such a key statement. Often mothers feel that they cannot complain about a traumatic birth experience their baby is alive and well, and they are by definition 'ok'. This puts a lot of pressure on moms to essentially minimize their strain while adjusting to life with a new born, which is by no means a pain-free journey. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The goal of the birthing world should be for mothers to have a positive and fulfilling experience, with the outcome of a baby in full health and their own happiness and well-being. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The birth-workers who support women in labour and who are not HCP's will always promote this fact: women should not feel traumatised after their labour and the birth of their child. They should feel empowered and elated, tired and satisfied, in-love and supported. 'Health is more than a physical capacity to be sent home from hospital, it is an emotional and physical state of balance that means a mother is strong enough and feels confident and supported in her role as mother. A 'healthy' mother after the birth of her child should mean the labour was an experience worth her pride and exultation, not her anxiety and stress. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We owe it to all mothers going through labour to make sure they feel supported and confident in their bodies and abilities so that the birth of their child is a memory worth cherishing. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The quote reads 'Although the popularly desired outcome is 'healthy mother, healthy baby,' I think there is room in that equation for 'happy, non-traumatized, empowered and elated mother and baby'' by midwifery today.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

I love this!
Posted • Medicated?
Unmedicated?
Natural?
Normal?
Assisted?
Unassisted?
Physiological?
Caesarean?
Belly birth?
Empowered?
Home?
Hospital?
Free?

NONE of it matters. Honestly.
What matters is whether you were informed before, during and after your birth.
You can have a completely uninformed cesarean and leave absolutely traumatised, it’s likely not the caesarean that was traumatising it was the fact that you had no idea what was happening which means you likely didn’t make any of the decisions.

The exact same can happen with a home birth if you actually do not feel informed enough and are unaware of what is happening and unable to make your own decisions.

I’ve been a part of physiological births in a hospital that were fully informed and epic so anyone who tells you you can’t have that is just uneducated.
I’ve worked with families who have had planned C sections and talk about their birth with such joy and have nothing but loving memories of their day.

Birth is birth, YOU may believe physiological is the ‘best’ way but that’s only YOUR belief. You may believe birth belongs at home, but that’s your belief.

YOU making informed decisions is actually the key.
That is what will dissolve birth trauma.
Forget the labels, it’s just adding to the segregation and separation, not to mention judgement! Who the F judges how a woman births? It’s madness.

All I care about is whether you were informed about your birth and you made all the decisions.

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication as a result of high blood pressure (hypertension) and usually occurs from about 20 weeks gestation. Pre-eclampsia can lead to serious complications to you and your baby if left untreated. Mild cases affect 6% of pregnancies, with severe cases affecting 1-2% of pregnancies. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Signs and symptoms include the following: protein in your urine (hence the sample every time you see the midwife), swelling in the feet/ankles/hands/face, vision problems, severe headaches, pain just below the ribs, nausea or vomiting, and decreased urine output.
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Complications from pre-eclampsia can include fetal growth restriction, placental abruption, preterm birth, HELLP syndrome, eclampsia, other organ damage and cardiovascular disease. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Delivering your baby will treat the hypertension and as such it will be a matter of discussing with your HCP about the severity of your case and the best route of delivery (usually between 37 and 38 weeks). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Many women who have pre-eclampsia go on to have positive birth experiences with healthy baby's. However, t is important to make sure they you are conscious of any changes in your body and any symptoms that you experience. If you are concerned then reach out to your midwife or GP and set up an appointment.
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Have you experienced pre-eclampsia in pregnancy? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

A Macrosomic, or Large for Gestational Age (LGA) baby is a baby classed as being higher than the expected birth weight. This often considered to be over 4 kg (8 lb 13 oz), although may differ between hospitals/areas. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Nice guidelines state that a woman should not be induced based as the only factor if the baby is suspected to be large for their gestational age. There is an increasing trend where woman are told that they need to be induced due to a suspected LGA baby. However as the due date and sonograms to give baby's weight are not 100% accurate it is hard to give an exact size of how big baby is, and if indeed they are LGA. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The concern with a LGA baby is that they are more likely to experience should dystocia in labour where their head is born but the shoulders do not follow quickly and affects between 6-7 babies in 1000. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
One of he main risks of should dystocia is baby having a broken collarbone, affecting about 2% of suspected big baby's, all of which go on to heal without any further issues. One of the other main risks is nerve damage in the shoulders occurs in around 2% to 16% of baby's who experience should dystocia, of which less than 10% of those affected go on to have permanent damage. i.e. between 2 and 16 baby's in 100 with shoulder dystocia will have permanent damage. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Midwives have training in handling this situation and will recommend a position change to open your pelvis more to allow baby's shoulders to pass through and is about 90% effective in shoulder dystocia cases. In very rare cases, if there is a lack of oxygen is can result in brain damage resulting in cerebral palsy, or death. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

It is important that your doctor and midwife discuss everything with you in detail so that should your baby be suspected to be LGA, you are able to understand the risks as they pertain to you and can make an informed decision.

This quote follows a bit of a theme that I have been holding in my space for the last little while. There are often the negative or scary stories that people love to jump to when discussing birth, but even in the sad ones, there is always the underlying core principle: women are incredibly strong. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This particularly rings true in line with the pandemic where hundred's of women have gone to appointments, scans, received news both good and bad, laboured and possibly even met their child without the support of their partner. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If there is anything I would want to impress onto moms, its that they are incredibly strong and capable. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The quote reads “There is a secret in our culture, and it's not that birth is painful. It's that women are strong" written by Laura Stavoe Harm. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Diastasis Recti or Divarication occurs when the abdominal muscles separate. This occurs in women with multiple babies or multiple pregnancies where the uterus pushes the abdominal muscles back, making them wider and longer. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This muscle separation can occur during pregnancy or after the birth, and can often resolve on its own. While pregnant, it is important to support yourself while getting up from a seated or lying down position. You can do this by rolling forward and then using your arms to help your body up, rather than just relying on your stomach muscles. When doing any lifting, try keep a straight back and this will take some of he strain off of your stomach. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Signs and symptoms of abdominal muscles separating can include a bulge/dome forming in the centre on your tummy when you sit up, lower back pain, poor posture, discomfort along the centre of your tummy and the feeling of a gap down the centre of your tummy. This gap can form anywhere from the top of your belly down to your pelvic bone. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I have a pointy bulge at the top of my belly when I get up and what feels like growing pains in that area which is how I knew that it was muscle separation. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
After pregnancy, there are exercise that you can do in order to strengthen the muscles and support their re-alignment. a good resource to access is the Pelvic, Obstetric⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
and Gynaecological Physiotherapy website (https://thepogp.co.uk/patient_information/pregnancy_and_early_postnatal.aspx) where you can access different exercises for your pelvic and abdominal muscles. It is important to listen to your body when doing exercises after birth, and go gently until you feel stronger. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀