So you first find out that you are pregnant with a longed-for baby (or babies), you go along to the GP and say, “I’m pregnant!” fully expecting a full drum roll and fanfare of trumpets. Because you obviously are the first woman in the world ever to be pregnant, aren’t you? At least, that’s what … [Read more...] about Seven ways to get closer to your midwife…
The Waiting Game…some thoughts on induction of labour
Up to a quarter of births in the West are induced by one means or another. Only half of those inductions take place because of a medical or obstetric reason. The rest take place because of the woman's dates. The date on the calendar is not the best way of indicating that a baby should be born right … [Read more...] about The Waiting Game…some thoughts on induction of labour
Chocolate IS good for you in pregnancy!
At last! The research study we have all been waiting for. This is the abstract of a study I've just read about thanks to MIDIRS and the NCT library service: I reproduce it here without further comment.... Potential effects of chocolate on human pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. di Renzo … [Read more...] about Chocolate IS good for you in pregnancy!
Final days of pregnancy
"As the birth approaches you’re a bag of nerves, so you need to know your partner is ready to swing into action whenever he gets that call." That's what a big pregnancy and baby advice website is saying today in its advice for the final days of pregnancy. So you're a "bag of nerves", are you? I … [Read more...] about Final days of pregnancy
Childbirth as horror: Ten Twilight-Related Facts About Childbirth
I doubt I will be seeing the final film in the "Twilight" trilogy unless by accident. I didn't see the other two. The relative hotness of R-Patz and Taylor Lautner does not fire me (though as the mother of two pallid West London schoolboys I feel a slight patriotic pride to see girls swooning over a … [Read more...] about Childbirth as horror: Ten Twilight-Related Facts About Childbirth
Pre-eclampsia: has this study found a simple, low cost dietary answer to protecting women?
This is a really interesting study. Did you realise that pre-eclampsia might be linked to dietary factors?The BMJ has published a study done in Mexico involving women at high risk of pre-eclampsia. The women given food bars with high supplements of L-arginine (an amino-acid) and anti-oxidant … [Read more...] about Pre-eclampsia: has this study found a simple, low cost dietary answer to protecting women?
Euphemisms and birthing language
The language around birth is very important. With HypnoBirthing it is all-important since hypnotherapy is an entirely language-based therapy.in this month's "Practising Midwife", the distinguished midwife Sara Wickham discusses euphemisms such as "pop" - "often preceded by the word just"..."an … [Read more...] about Euphemisms and birthing language
