BIRTH-ED BLOG
Hypnobirthing, Birth and Pregnancy blogs
It helps to know what NICU is like, just in case you spend time there
Did you know 1 in 7 babies will access care in NICU when they are born and 60% of those are born at full term?
So why don't we ever talk about what it's like to have a baby in the NICU?
What is NICU like?
A slightly sensitive topic today, feel free to scroll by if you're affected or not in a headspace to engage. But an important topic that we can't let pass by without discussing.
This month (September) is NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) awareness month. Did you know 1 in 7 babies will access care in NICU when they are born and 60% of those are born at full term?
So why don't we ever talk about what it's like to have a baby in the NICU?
So much of our Trauma Prevention work at birth-ed is to demystify the 'scarier' aspects of maternity. Knowing what an unplanned caesarean or instrumental birth might be like in advance can really help you feel informed in the moment. The same goes for time spent in the NICU. So this is really worth learning about, even if it isn't something you're expecting to need.
I wanted to share with you our NICU podcast episode, where I am joined by Clinical Psychologist (And NICU Mum) Dr Frankie Harrison, who specialises in supporting families during and after time spent in NICU through her work as a psychologist and organisation Miracle Moon.
We discuss the practicalities of caring for a baby on NICU from feeding to dressing them, bonding to going home; but with a strong focus on the emotional experience of being a NICU parent, both in the short and longer term.
Have a listen during pregnancy if you can!
Your First Birth isn't a 'Dress Rehearsal'
Expecting your first baby? Read this!
I work a lot with families expecting their first babies, and an interesting thought that often comes up is ‘mmm,I quite like the idea of a home birth/no epidural/doula/hypnobirthing etc.. but I’ll probably do that for my second baby’.
And there’s usually ‘sound’ reasoning there- at least to the person feeling it. ‘I don’t know what it will feel like/ I don’t know what I will need/ surely a hospital is safer/ my body hasn’t done this before/ my partner would never go for it/ people would roll their eyes at me/ I’ll just do what the doctors say this time/ what if I didn’t get what I wanted, how embarrassing etc’.
Now, I hate to break this to you over email, but if there is EVER a time to dig deep, get informed and listen to those ‘niggling desires’- it’s before the birth of your FIRST baby! You need to understand the potential impact of not doing these things (if they are things you secretly feel you want).
We have a tendency in western society to really separate Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting. But in fact, the choices we make (tests we have/ prep we do/ lifestyle we lead) during pregnancy have a direct impact on our births. The way that our births unfold (the care we receive, the choices we make, the intervention recommended) has a direct impact on our postnatal experience- physical health of us and our babies, our mental health, our identity as parents, establishing breastfeeding, our relationship with our children, and yes- FUTURE BIRTHS TOO.
Second births do tend to be swifter and more straightforward- but not because first births are inherently 'dangerous’ or more complicated. We have excellent research to show that outcomes for babies are no different whether they are born at home or in hospital, even for first babies- but outcomes for the person giving birth are SIGNIFICANTLY safer, when birthing OUT of hospital. It sort of going against all of the assumptions we probably make- given the cultural conditioning we have around birth (ie that we all need rescuing from ourselves). But when you begin to understand the system in which birth happens (medically led, tick boxes, high intervention) and how at odds this is with what the body actually needs for birth to work (darkness, privacy, trusting relationships)- it’s actually REALLY easy to see why this is.
This email is your nudge to pause, consider what it is you REALLY want from this birth experience. this birth experience that you only get to do ONCE. And that you are going to remember FOREVER. Now is not a time for people pleasing, being polite, considering anyone else’s needs except YOURS and YOUR BABY’S. And to then go away and learn more about what that might look like, how you make it happen and how you find confidence, trust and support in that journey.
If you need a helping hand with that, we are here! Our courses talk through all your options from planned caesareans to home births, epidurals to inductions, water births to instrumental births. All in a non judgemental, balanced and positive way- to really help you work out what you need- and what feels right for you. First step would be to join us for a course online or in person. And then if you want to chat one-to-one, we can do that too!
Your first birth is NOT a dress rehearsal, so let’s make it something really special.
8 Ways to Birth Prep FAST
No time to prep for birth? This will help!
Life right now is BUSY! (Even as someone who isn’t pregnant!).. Throw in getting ready to welcome a new baby (buggy shopping, painting a nursery, batch cooking.. probably moving house or renovating) and I imagine it’s easy for the birth prep to slip to the bottom of the list. Am I right?
Well, I thought I would make life easy for you and share 8 EASY (low effort, low time) ways to get prepped, even if you're due imminently! Most of which you can do WHILST putting together flat pack furniture or driving to work.
Podcast
Our podcast is a GREAT way to get a deeper understanding about what birth might entail and how you can prepare for it.. here are 3 must listen episodes! (All available on Apple Podcast, Spotify etc.)
1. Holistic Birth Prep
2. Caesarean Birth
4. Home Birth
5. Men in Birth (One for any dads to prep with!)
6. Guided Relaxation
Guided relaxations are a really useful hypnobirthing tool that can be used to help nurture the connection between you and your baby, aid the practice of deep relaxation and build the trust you feel in yourself and your body. You can listen each night as you drift off to sleep, and use in labour too to help you remain calm and comfortable! Here's a free track for you to practise with.
Listen Here
7. Online Course
Got time for something a little more structured but can't fit in a whole weekend out of the house? Our pre-recorded online course is broken down into short videos of 2-20 minutes so you can watch any time, any where; repeat as often as you like and take it slowly or binge the whole thing! It's just £40/$49.
If you want a little more hand holding, access to our supportive community and genuine motivation to do SOMETHING to make your birth better- this is probably your best bet.
Sign Up
8. Read Birth Stories
Stop scrolling instagram on the train today and do this instead!
Find the birth stories of people who got what you are hoping for- ask 'what did they do?' and copy them! Ok, it's not always quite as simple as that, but an awful lot can be learned from reading other people's stories- what did they find helpful, what do they wish they did differently?
It also helps to read some positive stories about aspects of birth that might be making you feel anxious. Worrying about having a caesarean birth? Read a positive birth story! Worry about giving birth with pain relief, read a positive birth story!
You can read 100's from birth-ed clients here, and you can 'search' if you're after something specific!
Hopefully that gives you the nudge you need to get going with your birth prep. I promise you won't regret prioritising this (honestly, the cot doesn't need putting up before the baby is born- THIS stuff can't wait.)
Find 10 minutes today to do SOMETHING to prepare for birth (And I mean preparing your mind or body- not packing your birth bag!), future you will thank you!
5 Biggest Home Birth Myths
Many families using our Hypnobirthing course go on to plan a homebirth.. but occasionally people are discouraged or warned against the ideas using some pretty spectacular myths! These are probably the top 5 most common (but not the only) bits of utter nonsense I've heard about homebirth over the years- has anyone told them to you?
Many families using our Hypnobirthing course go on to plan a homebirth.. but occasionally people are discouraged or warned against the ideas using some pretty spectacular myths! These are probably the top 5 most common (but not the only) bits of utter nonsense I've heard about homebirth over the years- has anyone told them to you?
MYTH 1) You can't use a birth pool if you live upstairs because you might fall through the ceiling.
Now, if you have a wardrobe full of clothes.. a bed with storage in.. a bath tub.. or could manage around 8 adults in the room you're planning to use without panicking.. you can hold a birth pool! This is NOT A THING!
MYTH 2) You can't give birth in your bedroom if it's upstairs incase you need paramedics.
Please! Paramedics are perfectly capable of bringing someone down a set or two (or 5) of stairs! Does everyone having a heart attack have to ensure they're doing it on the ground floor from now on too? Again.. not a thing! (For what it's worth, we ONLY have an upstairs- we live in a first floor maisonette- and had a home birth no problem!)
MYTH 3) We may need to knife/slash the pool in an emergency.
ABSOLUTELY UNTRUE. If an emergency occurred whereby you couldn't safely get yourself out of the pool, it's likely you birth partner would step straight in to help scoop you up. Or at the very least your head may simply need supporting out of the water in the short term. The chances of this kind of situation ever arising are incredibly slim. But flooding your entire lounge isn't going to improve the situation.
MYTH 4) It's less safe if it's your first baby
Some OLD (12 year old) research suggested it may be every so slightly less safe to give birth at home for your first baby. But a much larger (500,000 people) review of research done in 2020 showed that home is AS SAFE as anywhere else in terms of outcomes for babies and MUCH SAFER for people giving birth (in the 'low risk' population). If you want the paper- The Lancet 2020 Homebirth.
MYTH 5) You can't give birth at home if you're 'high risk'
Actually, you can do whatever you want. There are circumstances where hospital birth might be the safer option, but it's never quite as black and white as it seems. Research (the Birth Place Study 2011) showed that intervention rates and complications for baby are higher over all in women with complex pregnancies.. but it also showed that this was reduced out of the hospital environment. So basically- if you compare 'high risk' with 'low risk' women both giving birth at home- yes the rate of complexities at home are higher in the 'high risk' group. But compare 'like for like' (I mean, you either HAVE complexities of pregnancy or you don't- so this is the important bit), we STILL see lower rates of intervention at home. The flaw to the research was that all 'high risk' pregnancies were grouped together (age/bmi/vbac/diabetes etc).. and the evidence around each 'risk factor' has varying levels of credibility (and in a lot of cases there is no quality evidence at all).
If homebirth is on you radar and you'd like to learn a bit more, have a listen to our podcast episode on it here!
Whenever you're ready, here's 3 ways I can help you to feel confident and informed before the birth of your baby.
1. Listen to the Podcast
UK TOP 5 RANKING Parenting Podcast! Seriously in depth conversations with the world's leading women's health, pregnancy and birth experts. I really don't hold back when it comes to asking questions here- if you've wondered it, I've asked it. Topics from tongue tie to infant sleep, caesarean birth to home birth.
2. Join the Online Course
Multi-Award Winning Antenatal & Hypnobirthing course. All the handy tips and info you get from these emails, in one easy to follow video course. 1000s of families have used the course to find clarity in their decision making, confidence and trust in themselves and gone on to have incredible birth experiences. Just £40/$49 and available worldwide.
3. Join me in person
If you're local to Surrey, UK, you can combine the community of some mat leave pals with the magic of a birth-ed group course. If you want a more bespoke birth preparation, the opportunity to talk through your personal circumstances and pick my brain about all things birth & postnatal- we can work together 1-1 online or in real life! Just reply to this email and we can chat dates!
Vaginal Seeding: What is it and how do you do it?
Vaginal seeding
What is it and how do you do it?
Vaginal Seeding: What is it and how do you do it?
If you are putting together your plans for a possible caesarean birth, you may have come across the concept of ‘vaginal seeding’. But what is it?
When a baby is born vaginally, they pass through the vagina and usually come out with their face towards your bottom/anus. On this journey, they pick up millions of tiny, invisible bacteria which go on to colonise their skin, mouth, respiratory system and gut, creating a living ecosystem of bacteria commonly referred to as their ‘microbiome’.
Whilst we are barely scratching the surface into microbiome research, we know that having a diverse microbiome has a positive impact on everything from allergies to asthma, eczema to digestive health, even behaviour and long term mental health!
We also know that babies born vaginally, out of sterile environments (such as birthing at home), receiving skin to skin and breastfeeding tend to have a more diverse microbiome than babies born by caesarean, in a sterile hospital environment, who don’t receive skin to skin or who receive antibiotics in labour/birth or the early postnatal period. It’s important to recognise that caesarean or hospital birth, or the use of antibiotics are absolutely not negative interventions when reached for appropriately. But, it certainly makes sense to explore ways in which an infant’s microbiome can be diversified if for any reason it ‘s development was disrupted (quite possibly due to very real medical need!). And this is where the concept of Vaginal Seeding comes in!
Vaginal Seeding involves placing a swab/gauze inside the vagina during the caesarean birth, allowing it to pick up some of the vaginal fluid and therefore bacteria; then taking this swab and rubbing on/in/around your baby’s mouth, nose, eyes, ears and hands.
The idea here would be that baby is exposed to new bacteria which then transfers to their digestive and respiratory systems; grows and diversifies the type of bacteria forming their microbiome.
There is currently limited evidence into the safety or benefit of the practise, but research is currently ongoing. For this reason, it isn’t something that appears in guidance and is usually something you as parents would have to raise, or even ‘do’ yourselves. Some physicians are reluctant to practise Vaginal Seeding as there is a chance that alongside transfering ‘good’ bacteria, you may inadvertently pass over bacteria which could be harmful to your baby (Such as a sexually transmitted disease, Herpes or Group B Strep- you may choose to test for these things ahead of your birth in you are planning a caesarean and are concerned). There is no evidence to say that this practise put baby at greater risk of harm however, particularly as they would have passed through these very same bacteria if they were born vaginally- both the benefits and risks are currently theorised rather than proven!
How do you do it?
If you have decided you would like to practise vaginal seeding- in a practical sense, this is what you would need to do:
Let your health care team know your intentions (either in a pre op appointment, antenatal appointment or if a plan changed to caesarean birth at any point in labour)
Ask for or provide sterile gauze/pad that can be used, moisten this with a saline solution for more comfortable insertation.
You may insert this yourself ahead of the birth in a planned caesarean (be sure your doctor is aware it is there for the safety of the surgery) or ask your doctor/midwife to insert it for you.
Remove the gauze/swab (or ask your midwife to) after the birth (leaving it in place for around 30-60 minutes)
Story in a sealed pot like the kind you may use for a urine sample until needed.
Rub the gauze/swab gentle over your baby’s face including their mouth, nose, eyes and ears, across their body and their hands (which they will put to their mouth frequently). It’s likely that you or your partner will need to do this yourselves, due to it being ‘out of guidelines’ in most UK hospitals.
Other ways you can develop a baby’s microbiome
Vaginal Seeding is one thing that may contribute to a more diverse microbiome, but it’s not all! Here are some other things that contribute positively.
Receiving Breastmilk- ideally directly from the breast for the greatest impact.
Skin to Skin, ideally right after birth, but if not then as soon as possible afterwards (with either parent). And continuing skin to skin throughout babyhood.
Avoiding unnecessary antibiotics (in both mum and baby).
Having a pet in the house!
Allowing your toddler/child to explore nature, dirt and mud!
Introducing a wide variety of solid food around 6 months
Delaying their first bath, certainly for at least 24 hours, but you can even wait a few weeks or longer.
Avoid antibacterial soaps (soap and water will do!)
Introducing probiotics may help
So, there you have it, an insight into vaginal seeding: the pros, the cons, the theories and the ‘how to’. I wonder if it’s something you would like to include in your birth plans or not?
Find out more about your options and choices for birth by joining us for a hypnobirthing and antenatal course, online or in person in Surrey, UK.
References:
Power CE, McShane BD, Gilligan PH et all; Microbiome and pediatric atopic dermatitis.
PubMed https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26388516
de Weerth C, Fuentes S, de Vos W; Crying in infants
On the possible role of intestinal microbiota in the development of colic. Taylor and Francis Online http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.4161/gmic.26041
Mueller NT, Bakacs E, Combellick J et al; The infant microbiome development: mom matters. NCBI https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4464665/
Prophylactic Probiotics for Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26624488/
What is a healthy gut microbiome? http://thesociablescientist.com/baby-microbiome/
Dominguez-Bello M, Jesus-Laboy K, Shen N; Partial restoration of the microbiota of cesarean-born infants via vaginal microbial transfer. Nature Medicine http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v22/n3/full/nm.4039.html
Vaginal Examinations are NOT a requirement of birth
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, many women are being told they are ‘required to have’ a vaginal examination before their partner can be with them- it simply isn’t true.
Vaginal examinations are a tool used by HCPs in labour to assess a woman’s cervix. Sometimes they may give helpful information such as helping to identify a baby’s position, which may in turn influence the way you are supported there forwards (eg. You may be helped to try a different position to encourage a baby to rotate), or it may be useful to you if you are making a decision between 2 types of pain relief for instance.
However, your cervix is not a crystal ball and a vaginal examination cannot determine how long is left of your labour. You may be 2cm dilated and have a baby in your arms within the hour. You may be walking around 4cm dilated for 3 weeks without even knowing.
Several women in the birth-ed community have been told by their midwife, that in order to have their partner with them in labour they would be ‘required to accept a vaginal examination’.
I did some googling and found this..
‘Accept’. Verb. Consent to receive or undertake (something offered)
‘Require’. Verb. Specify as compulsory.
You CANNOT be ‘required’ to ‘accept’ anything. You can either ‘accept’ out of choice or ‘be required’. Not both. A requirement that you would not usually choose is to be coerced or forced. To limit access to a birth partner, (Pandemic or not), based on whether or not you will allow someone to perform a vaginal examination on your body is not only disrespectful and wrong, but against all codes of healthcare and most importantly, illegal.
Consider for a moment what a vaginal examination involves. Another person, perhaps whom we do not know, touching our body in possibly the most intimate way. There are a vast number of reasons as to why a woman may feel uncomfortable in accepting this. None of which she should need to disclose if she doesn’t want to. Which is why vaginal examinations ARE and ALWAYS WILL BE an OPTIONAL part of labour and birth.
You may well feel completely comfortable choosing to have them, and in almost all circumstances they are done gently & with the utmost discretion & respect. However, if you choose not to have one- ‘No’ should mean no.
images from the World Health Organisation
I have been in contact with birthrights this week & have shared their helpful response and resources below:
“Dear Megan,
Thank you very much for contacting Birthrights and thank you so much for all of the vital work that you are doing to support women in pregnancy and birth. We are alarmed to hear about this situation at the mentioned NHS Trusts and we very much appreciate you bringing it to our attention.
It sounds as though some of the midwifery staff at the Trusts have been wrongly informed about the legal position. We are discussing the way forward today and may well contact the Trusts directly on behalf of Birthrights.
We are glad to be able to share some further information with you and please do share it with all of the women and families you are supporting.
The legal position is that an individual does not have to consent to any medical treatment that they do not wish to have, and that includes vaginal examinations at any stage during labour and birth.
Consent that is given on the basis of a threat about being admitted to hospital and/or a threat about a partner being able to join, is not valid consent and the healthcare professional may be legally liable for battery and a breach of human rights if they proceed with a vaginal examination in such a situation. Consent should be properly sought for every medical procedure offered and it is only ever an offer of treatment. The law and good practice, as stated by the General Medical Council and NICE, amongst others, requires that all treatment or course of action should be discussed fully and consent sought. Women and individuals always have an absolute right to say no.
I attach our factsheet on Consenting to Treatment: https://www.birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/consenting-to-treatment/
and Human Rights in Maternity Care: https://www.birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/human-rights-in-maternity-care/both of which explain some of this in more detail.
You and the families you support might also find this recent British Medical Journal blog on vaginal examinations during the pandemic to be helpful: https://blogs.bmj.com/bmjsrh/2020/05/22/ve-consent-covid/
Maternity services cannot be dependent on a person accepting a vaginal examination. It would be untenable if the Trust were saying that no midwife in the Trust has the skill/ability to determine that a woman is in established labour other than by a vaginal examination.
I hope this is helpful Megan. Please do encourage women to write to us individually, either to make a complaint, or to have information about their rights in a current pregnancy. We would be glad to support them further.
Thank you for all of the work that you are doing to share accurate information about rights and options in childbirth and to offer ongoing support and services to so many women and families. “
For a greater understanding of your rights and choices in childbirth, our online hypnobirthing and antenatal course takes you through everything you need for a positive, supported and informed birth experience. (And it’s JUST £40).
Media Portrayal of Childbirth.. And why it’s so wrong.
So, I was unfortunate enough to have lost an hour of my lockdown life to watching BBC’s ‘Life and Birth’ on iPlayer today. In summary, in case you don’t reach the end of this, if you are pregnant, know anyone who’s pregnant, ever plan to be pregnant or may have a conversation, at any time in the future, with anyone who either is or may become pregnant… just don’t watch it.
Media Portrayal of Childbirth.. And why it’s so wrong.
So, I was unfortunate enough to have lost an hour of my lockdown life to watching BBC’s ‘Life and Birth’ on iPlayer today.
In summary, in case you don’t reach the end of this, if you are pregnant, know anyone who’s pregnant, ever plan to be pregnant or may have a conversation, at any time in the future, with anyone who either is or may become pregnant… just don’t watch it.
It was everything I had been expecting. And more. (And that’s not a compliment).
A teeny tiny part of my being had hoped we may finally have a programme that challenged the age old media representation of birth: That it’s dangerous, can’t happen without a doctor and has to happen in brightly lit room, on a bed, on your back, in a hospital. I was sadly left disappointed.
Women are incredible
Of course, I’m going to caveat this with the fact that all the women birthing their babies on the programme did an absolutely incredible job in an often very difficult set of circumstances. They were strong and inspiring and beautiful, just as all women are when they birth their babies. And on the most part, the care given by their midwives and doctors was wonderful (Some particularly great care by the midwife who left the baby’s cord intact when rubbing them down after birth and some kind, compassionate care from Dr Anna Searle). The main issue is the content selection, the ‘system’ in which birth happens, the narration and the editing of course!
And of course, I understand the fact that these stories are chosen BECAUSE they are dramatic and make ‘good TV’. That said, showing an uncomplicated birth where a woman chooses her own position or a conversation which focussed on informed choice would both be pretty SCANDALOUS. A revolutionary portrayal of birth and maternity care on the TV! But forgive me, they’re right, that would be ‘boring’.
The thing is, Mr Production Man/Lady, when it comes down to sharing information about something as life altering as birth, it comes with the responsibility of knowing what you share- and how you share it- will directly impact the lives of those watching (and potentially the lives of their children)… It’s a pretty big responsibility.
Allow me to explain..
Image from BBC’s ‘Life and Birth’ 2020.
What happens when you show a conversation on the TV that goes like this:
Doctor: ‘In 2 days time, if nothing’s happened in terms of going into labour, I’m proposing we look at inducing you. We don’t want a situation where, yes the baby’s consistently growing, but it may overshoot, because its riiight at the top of the upper limit of normal. Does that sound alright to you?’
Mum: Yeah that’s fine
Now, I’m going to give this doctor the benefit of the doubt here and ASSUME there were reasons not mentioned on camera as to why induction was being suggested for a ‘big baby’, despite there being a ‘do not recommendation’ for it in the NICE guidance. And I’m going to ASSUME that he then went on talk this mum through the risks of induction (including the considerably higher chance of malposition and instrumental birth, which is what she goes on to have) as well as the supposed risks of remaining pregnant. But the thing is, as an audience- we don’t see it. (Fine, I agree, this probably wouldn’t make the most riveting TV show). BUT the message that we then receive, as an audience is this..
Doctors call the shots.
It’s our job to agree.
Birth is risky.
Big babies are Risky. Her baby got stuck because is was SO GIGANTIC (nothing to do with the fact that her labour was induced and her baby maybe not having opportunity to rotate yet).
Induction is without risk’.
THIS is the story that’s seen by the audience. (In particular, the pregnant audience).
So it needs caveating. Be that with narration, an alternative plot line where someone declines the offer of intervention, SOMETHING. Else once again, we are reinforcing the same message that women hear time and time again.. that they are not in charge of their own births.
On top of this we see birth after birth (after birth, after birth) on a bed. With the lights on. Tons of conversation. Zero thought for supporting the normal physiology of birth. And you’d be right in saying ‘but that’s how most birth LOOKS’, because it does. So the issue here might be less with the editing and more with the system as a whole. Most birth does look like this. But it doesn’t have to.
As women we hop up onto a bed because it’s all we know. It’s the only picture we’ve ever seen of birth. Because every time birth is shown on the tv, its on a bed. It’s in a hospital. It’s bright and its medical. (Even if we know logically, that all evidence and anatomical knowledge shows that labouring and birthing on your back, in a bed, is a bad idea the vast majority of the time).
So why shouldn’t we be watching this?
Our minds work in a wonderful way. The vast, vast subconscious part of our mind is taking in information constantly. So programmes like this shape the way we picture birth subconsciously (whether we want them to or not)- other people’s birth and our own. The information goes in- through our eyes and our ears and sits there quietly, waiting until it becomes relevant to us. Our subconscious mind influences everything we do- all our involuntary actions (like hopping up and laying on a bed when we see one and consider ourselves to be ‘the patient’) and our voluntary ones too (like choosing where to give birth to our babie.)
And when all that sits in our subconscious mind are thoughts about birth that make us feel afraid, then we aren’t in a very good place to be making informed choices or to be supporting our bodies birth our babies. When we feel afraid we sit in the sympathetic nervous system, our ‘emergency mode’ and produce a hormone called adrenalin. Adrenalin and being in this part of the nervous system, quite literally inhibit labour and make birth more painful.
So by watching programmes like this or portraying birth ONLY in this way, we fuel this fear. And this fear is not our friend when we are pregnant.
Now, this is not to say that you can’t have a truly wonderful birth on a bed or on a labour ward or by induction, when that is what you want or truly need in the moment.
But what you MUST know as a mother going in to give birth (or anyone supporting her) is this..
Every decision in birth is YOURS to make. You should be given balanced, evidence based information to make choices that feel right for you. If you’re not sure if that’s what youre getting, ask questions, ask to see the evidence yourself or ask for a second opinion.
Understand the basic physiology of birth and how to support it. The hormones that are involved in birth, the impact the environment plays on them and also the physical mechanisms of labour (like how your baby is designed to fit through the pelvis)
Find tools to help you feel unafraid, confident and calm about giving birth (INCLUDING if birth takes an unexpected turn).
The birth-ed online course is specifically designed to support you to feel ALL of these things. So next Tuesday, turn off your TVs and tune in to our comprehensive, positively presented, evidence based antenatal and hypnobirthing course instead! I promise you will go to bed feeling 100 times MORE confident, calm and excited about the birth of your baby! (And it’s JUST £40!)
The benefits of skin to skin after birth
What are the benefits of skin to skin after giving birth? Why should you put this in your birth plan?
Holding your baby skin to skin, can happen immediately after birth or throughout their first few years of life. With your baby either naked, or in just their nappy, you can cuddle them against your bare skin, (or your partner can). It’s also a great way to give them their first bath!
What are the benefits of skin to skin?
Regulating temperature, breathing and heart rate.
Skin to skin is the easiest way to help regulate a baby's body temperature. Keeping your baby close means they mimic your breathing patterns and helps the transition from womb to world be as gentle as possible.
Establishing Breastfeeding
As you hold your baby skin to skin, you body produces TONS of othe hormone oxytocin. The role of oxytocin in breastfeeding is an important one, it enables the ‘let down reflex’- literally enabling your baby to get the milk out of the breast itself. Skin to skin also makes it easier for your baby to see, smell and seek out the breast, which in turn has been shown to increase the success rate of breastfeeding.
Maximising Newborn Neurodevelopment
As you hold your baby skin to skin at any stage of babyhood, it makes them feel safe, relaxed and develop secure attachments with you are your partner if you have one. The oxytocin produced by both mother and baby (or parent and baby) is a crucial hormone involved in the bonding process, and helps to fulfil a baby’s basic biological need. If at any stage of early parenthood you are finding it hard to read your baby’s cues, finding you feel distant from them or feel like you need to reconnect- skin to skin shoul dbe your first go to!
Developing the Microbiome
Living throughout our bodies, on our skin, in our gut, and everywhere else, are millions of GOOD microbes that help keep us healthy. In the hours following birth the microbiome of your baby begins to form. It’s influenced by everything from the method of birth to the environment they are born into to initiating breastfeeding. Holding your baby skin to skin means we are able to transfer a lot of the good bugs living on our skin to our babies, giving them a diverse microbiome, and potentially even improving their long term health.
Encouraging Healing
Whenever possible, you should be able to hold your baby skin to skin as soon as they are born. Occasionally, the benefits of separating mother and baby, for the sake of baby’s health may outweigh the benefits of immediate skin to skin. This may be to take a baby to a special care unit for example. Thankfully, the benefits of skin to skin are there for a long time after those initial few moments. If your baby is poorly and being looked after on NICU or Special care, you can adopt something called ‘kangaroo care’, meaning you and your baby spend a lot of tiny skin to skin, even whilst they are being treated. We know this improves outcomes for babies when used alongside medical care. Many of the benefits of skin to skin can be gained from Dads/partners too!
If you want to find out about other top tips for birth, or how you can build in skin to skin into your own birth preferences, why not join our in depth antenatal and hypnobirthing course online for just £40?
Best Pregnancy and Birth Books
The Best Books for Pregnancy and Birth
One of the most asked questions I get on here is WHICH BOOKS SHOULD I READ? The book world of birth and parenting is just enormous, and filtering out the gems from the junk can be tricky!
I set myself a challenge at the beginning of the year, to consume a book a week (no mean feat when running a business and raising a toddler! Audible has been a big help here, and the majority of my choices have been very UN-birth related) But, I thought I would take the opportunity on this rainy, rainy day to recommend my TOP 10 Pregnancy, Birth and Baby books! (In no particular order..)
1. The Positive Birth Book by Milli Hill
This one falls line with our values at Positively Birthing, covering everything you might need to know about birth, from a positive perspective. Easy to dip in and out of and take away what's most relevant to you!
2. Inducing Labour by Sara Wickham
(and every single other thing she's ever written)
Does what is says on the tin! Unpicks all the evidence behind the different reasons for induction. A MUST READ before you consider induction for any reason whatsoever.
3. The Heart in the Womb by Amali Lokugamage
A must read for anyone who is 'medically minded'. Tells the experiences of a obstetrician who planned a home birth. Great at getting back to the physiology and emotional nature of birth.
4. AIMS books- AIMS
AIMS are a charity supporting women rights and informed choice in childbirth and they have books on everything from your choices for Breech Birth, Birth after Caesarean, Gestational Diabetes etc!
5. Men, Love and Birth- Mark Harris.
My book gift of choice for any expectant fathers. Written by a male midwife, it unpicks a lot of what's going on both physically and emotionally in birth, in a particularly relatable way for men.
6. How to Have a Baby by Natalie Meddings.
Mother gathered knowledge about birth! There's something really special in hearing about birth from women who have been through it. Plus Natalie's approach to all things birth is SPOT ON.
7. Cure by Jo Marchant
Not strictly birth related but there's a chapter on hypnobirthing! All about how our mind and body interact- it's utterly eye opening and my BOOK OF THE YEAR!
8. Your Baby, Your Birth by Hollie De Cruz
Straightforward and practical approach to using hypnobirthing for ALL births. A really easy and accessible read.
9. How to be an HG Hero by Caitlin Dean
Hopefully not relevant to loads of you, but if you're planning a second HG pregnancy, this helps older children understand what's going on.
10. Let us know your favourite read so far! (I'm also about to go on a child free holiday.. so non birth related book suggestions welcome!!)
Please note, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. I have not been sponsored or gifted any of the books on this list, they are all my genuine recommendations!
Thinking about using a Doula?
What is a doula and what difference can they make?
‘Doula' is another one of those words, a but like 'hypnobirthing' that sounds a bit weird until you know what it really means! And (unless you're a big Gilmore Girls fan like me) you may not have come across doulas before.
So what is a doula?
Doulas nurture and support women either throughout labour and birth or in the postnatal period (or both!). As a non medical professional they are there to provide you with support (be that practical, physical, emotional, information providing or as your advocate), no matter what decisions you make or how you give birth. Doulas, just like the rest of us, come from ALL walks of life! It's simply about finding someone you connect with, who you feel able to welcome into your birthing space.
Now, if you you've been using the resources at Positively Birthing online for longer than, I don’t know, a day (!!) you'll know what I really like to know is what the research says! So here goes...
A Cochrane review into continuous support from a woman in labour showed women were..
More likely to have spontaneous vaginal births
Less likely to have any pain medication including epidurals
Less likely to have negative feelings about childbirth
Less likely to have instrumental births, and Cesareans
Likely to have a shorter labour by approx 40 minutes.
Less likely to suffer from postnatal despression.
There is NO evidence that having continuous support in labour has any negative outcomes. NONE!
YIKES! So why don't we all have one? Well, I’ve put your questions to some amazing Doulas so you can work out if it sounds like something you might like to consider.