Green Parenting – Because there is no Planet B

Thursday, 26 December 2019 / Published in Antenatal, In The News, Meet the Midwife, Midwife, Newborn Care, Pregnancy
Pregnancy is often a time when people give serious thought to the environment and the impact their everyday life has on the planet.  We all want to leave a world that’s safe, clean and healthy for our children and our children’s children… So, how can you balance life as new parents with being eco-friendly?  Here

The Life of a Private Midwife

Saturday, 07 December 2019 / Published in Antenatal, Meet the Midwife, Midwife, Pregnancy
My friends who are NHS Midwives think that I’m on-call 24/7, that I’m constantly being dragged out of my bed at 3am and that I have no personal life! (what my friends think I do!) Yet, I manage my own time and my work and home life has never been more balanced. Every time I see

What is the Harmony Test?

Thursday, 05 December 2019 / Published in Antenatal, Meet the Midwife, Midwife, Pregnancy
What is the Harmony Test? How accurate is it? When should I have it? Will it tell me the sex of my baby…and other commonly asked questions.   The ‘Harmony’ test or NIPT (non-invasive prenatal test) is a way of screening for a range of genetic chromosome abnormalities (i.e. Downs Syndrome) During pregnancy a woman’s

Alcohol in Pregnancy

Wednesday, 04 December 2019 / Published in Antenatal, Labour, Meet the Midwife, Midwife, Pregnancy
In 2016, the UK Chief Medical Officer published its guidance on low risk drinking.  Within this guidance, there was specific advice on drinking in pregnancy.  The recommendation took a precautionary stance, stating the simplest advice was to avoid alcohol in pregnancy to be certain there was no harm caused to the unborn baby. This was

An Expectant Christmas

Tuesday, 03 December 2019 / Published in Antenatal, Meet the Midwife, Midwife, Pregnancy
Congratulations, you’re expecting a baby, BUT… it’s Christmas, so you may be feeling more like ‘Fairytale of New York’ than ‘Joy to the World’ this festive season! However, with a little forethought and planning, you’ll still be ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree‘ with the family, enjoying the ‘Chestnuts Roasting on an open Fire’ and toasting

Vernix – The White Stuff

Tuesday, 03 December 2019 / Published in Antenatal, Meet the Midwife, Midwife
Imagine how wrinkled your skin would be if you sat in the bath for 40 weeks!! Yet, throughout your pregnancy, your baby is suspended and floating in a little balloon of fluid. Clever old Mother Nature has a solution for this however! Have you ever seen the cross channel swimmers who cover their bodies in

Myth Buster Number 1 – Hypnobirthing

Thursday, 31 October 2019 / Published in Antenatal, Meet the Midwife, Midwife
Using hypnosis as a birth preparation tool is becoming increasingly popular and thousands of women would testify to its efficacy. However, sceptics hear the word ‘hypnosis’ and it brings to mind holiday entertainment with unsuspecting members of the audience being made to cluck like chickens or bark like dogs up on stage! Either that, or

Your Midwife is there for you

Thursday, 31 October 2019 / Published in Meet the Midwife, Midwife
A great poem from our very own Melanie Ambrose: They cuddle and hold the baby, but who does that for you? They coo and smile and gaze at her, but they’re ignoring you! The baby’s fed, the baby’s washed, the baby’s needs are met. You’re hungry, tired and tearful and you haven’t showered yet! You

Your maternity rights for antenatal care

Wednesday, 23 October 2019 / Published in Antenatal, In The News, Midwife
A recent article in the Mirror online aims to find out the truth on whether you’re legally entitled to paid time off for maternity appointments. Our recent study found that more than 1 in 4 women said their partner was unable to attend midwife appointments due to their workplaces not granting the necessary time off.