So your thinking about getting a doula? But have no idea where to start? Read on… this post is for you…. Where to find a doula? Like all other services – here’s some ideas…. Word of mouth is a great place to start – ask your friends, ask on facebook/social media, maybe check […]
In a time where intervention rates are ridiculously high (63% at NHS Lothian – details from an FOI request – what percentage of births are induced/augemented/forceps/ventous/c-section – a rise in 12% in the last 5 years…. ) In a time where adverse events in maternity care are very high In a time where […]
I love working with midwives – I have so many positive relationships I’ve formed with the local midwifery community and via twitter and other social media platforms. I love that partnership approach and working side by side. I often feel defensive for some of the midwives I work with too – workloads, challenging case-loads and being able […]
If you’re reading this post and this is you – then I’m sorry and I hope it doesn’t trigger you in any way. Many of us, including myself, didn’t get the birth that we wanted – the birth that we had hoped for and visualised – I’d class us as having birth disappointment or birth […]
Nothing can prepare you for this! It’s a hurricane! The hardest job in the world! I didn’t sleep for months… the sleep deprivation really knocked me… I was exhausted, tired, fed up, stressed…. breastfeeding was horrific – it didn’t work for me… it’s relentless…. Does parenting really need to be like this? Does it need […]
A weekend was spent with, what I strongly believe to be, the most influential people working in Perinatal Mental Health and I’ve come back feeling inspired, motivated and know that what I’m doing is there to make the biggest of differences to expectant and new parents. Many of us volunteer for grass-root, peer support organisations […]
At this morning’s weaning class, a mum asked for a shopping list of what would be good to buy each week at the shop. I’ve already listed the top 10 Finger Foods but here’s what I would ADD to a shop – bearing in mind with baby led weaning you can adapt what you normally […]
So, what are the secrets to enjoying those first few weeks of being a parent? In fact, not just the first few weeks but months and years….. Look after yourself – that includes looking after yourself in pregnancy, through birth and the postnatal period – ensure you are eating well, taking the opportunities to rest, […]
We’re coming to the end of a massive building project in our home. I can’t say it’s been the most stress-free period of my life with the door being a turnstile to tradesmen, never knowing how will be here day to day or when they’re going to be here. And I’m missing the quiet of […]
I’m looking forward to delivering the Preparing for Parenting classes throughout 2016 – class dates are now being published for the start of the year. Throughout all the topics we will be reflecting on the expectations and realities of parenting. Why am I doing this? What is the purpose of this? What I believe strongly […]