There has been a lot of talk in the media recently about the suggestion by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), that for low risk pregnancy and if women are expecting their second baby, they should consider giving birth at home or in a midwifery birth centre.
World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that for the best outcomes for women and babies only 5%-10% of births should be by caesarean section...
On International Day of the Midwife, Midwife Jo Watson explains how UK Birth Centres can meet the needs of mums-to-be.
What is happening in the pre-labour or latent phase? Well this is all about your cervix getting soft or “ripening”. Yes it is at this point that your cervix changes from the consistency that is firm and muscular like the end of your nose to wonderfully soft like your ear lobe.
To me, birthing means opening up my deepest and most intimate parts. This is both a literal physical truth, and is also true on my emotional, psychological and spiritual levels. I felt a strong need to feel fully supported and to be able to trust those around me, so I
Better informed is better prepared. Partners are often unsure of their role when it comes to preparing for childbirth and how they can help. I am often asked how men can prepare in order to support at the birth,
How often have you heard women say “I had to be induced “or my baby might have been stillborn. This statement implies that the balance of power lies in the hands of the Midwives and Doctors whom we have to gain permission from when it comes to how we give birth.
At times you will have a pregnancy journey that is veering away from the straight forward route and when this happens you can feel that you have very little choice but to go along with the medical interventions even though they were not part of your birth plan. This can lead to feelings of powerlessness and a perception that you are not being heard!
The alternative approach to pain management includes a wide variety of techniques that address not only the physical sensations of pain, but also attempt to prevent you suffering by enhancing the emotional and spiritual aspects of your care. In this approach, pain is seen as normal but is separated from suffering and made acceptable.