Second Time Around

Second time Mums-to-be who have had a bad experience first time around sometimes favour a c-section. If the root of birth anxiety can be unlocked these women can begin to feel in control of their bodies once more. Natal Hypnotherapy™ workshops are one way of doing this.

Simon Mehigan Consultant Midwife at Liverpool Women's Hopistal says

"They think about what happened last time - when they had no control - and it makes them very fearful." His approach is to see them regularly during their pregnancies, build up their confidence and unpick the causes of their fear."

It would be interesting to read more about his methods for instilling birth confidence...

BBC Article - Are women with a fear of childbirth bein supported?

For more info on C-sections please see Caesarian Section?

Birth Preparation

Pregnancy is filled with a rollercoaster of emotions. Many women get caught up in worrying about their health, the birth and what kind of mother they will make. If that sounds like you, you are not alone!

Birth preparation classes are excellent ways to get practical advice. You may be worried about how you will bath and feed your baby or about where your baby will sleep - NCT or NHS classes are excellent sources of advice - as well as a brilliant place to meet other mums-to-be who are feeling exactly the same as you.


One of the best ways of coping with tension is to take time out, relax and try and put things in perspective. Natal Hypnotherapy classes can help you feel really calm and confident about your birth. It's easy to say "Put your feet up and chill out", but deep relaxation is a skill. Natal Hypnotherapy works with the body and mind to help you fully 'understand and respond' to birth. Read more in Hello! Magazine...

Hello!

8 Considerations for Home Birth

Our birthing environment is one of the most important factors in having a comfortable and satisfying birth. A place where we feel safe to birth our baby.

 

The most common choice is hospital: women feel comfortable in a place where medical assistance is on hand - should there be an emergency, historically Mothers and Sisters have given birth in hospital and that's the norm, for some women their midwife may have advised that this is the best option.

There is no 'correct' place to birth, only a place that's right for you.

Natural or Medicalised Birth?

Women who want a home birth tend to favour natural birthing, they choose to stay away from hospitals as they feel once they are admitted into the hospital system they are drawn into medical policy & procedure and that they will have a greater chance of medical intervention - induction, forceps, c-section and so on. That said, there is an effort by many midwives to become more women-centred, especially in midwife-led birthing centres.

Some women like to 'nest', in order to make their birthing environment as perfect as they can - using lighting, music, oils, bedding and other home comforts. Hospitals can be accommodating, but there is no getting away from the fact it is a medical setting with strip lights, uniforms, clip boards, medical equipment etc...

Question: What comes to mind when you think 'hospital'?

Answer 1: Emergency, pain and panic - for this woman, a far from relaxed response.
Answer 2: Safety, reassurance and support - for this woman, medical security.

8 Considerations for Home Birth

A few questions to consider when you're weighing up Home V's Hospital Birth...

What type of birthing experience do you want?
Where would you feel the most comfortable?
What does your birth partner think? Does s/he support your choices?
What does you midwife say?
Is it safe?
Do you want pain relief?
What is the transfer time to hospital?
Do you already have children? Would they be present/Do you have childcare?

Every woman in the UK is entitled to request a home birth and for normal, low-risk pregnancies a home birth option is entirely possible - if you want it.

Any Comments welcome xx


Further Information:

Sky News Homebirth Debate Video

Aims

Homebirth.org 

Another Blackpool Natural Birth

Congratulations to Ivy and Chamoa! "The youngster will remain on her mother's chest for about six months before it starts to explore it's surroundings". Pleated Gibbons obviously have excellent Antenatal Advice...

 Full Story from Blackpool Zoo

Home Birth

On home birth Doula Rebecca Schiller states

"Perhaps the next step is to look at how we can nurture our anxious society so that it has the information at hand, the education as standard and the support as needed to make positive decisions based on knowledge rather than fear."

Women should be empowered to make informed decisions on their birth choices. More Home Birth articles to follow...

Read article in Full

Caesarean Section?

Sometimes women choose to have a C-section, sometimes it is 'necessary' and other times it is actually necessary. Before you make up your mind about C-section you have a right to hear about some of the repercussions. You may have no intention on having a C-section, but as your labour progresses it might be something that is recommended to you and it's worth knowing some of the facts. This excellent article by Pat Thomas looks at some of the reasons C-sections are performed/preferred, the knock on effect of medical procedure, how the media and our environment impact on our decisions, and pointers for a 'normal' birth. The article perfectly underlines how problems for a potentially normal birth start with fear and anxiety and escalate into a unpleasant reality.

Caesarean Section