Assisted delivery
For a variety of reasons, your baby may need assistance when being delivered. Often the mother has been pushing for a long time and baby is making slow progress down the birth canal. If you have a lar . . .
Birth plans
All women are encouraged to write a birth plan during their pregnancy, so that everyone involved can clearly understand what kind of birth they desire.
Most midwives won’t be too k . . .
Bonding before birth
Bonding with you baby while she is in your womb is not only an exhilarating experience, but also excellent for your baby’s development.
Studies have shown that babies start to reac . . .
Breech birth
A breech baby is a baby who sits upright in your womb rather than headfirst. About one baby in four is breech at 28 weeks, but most turn around at 36 weeks. Often babies who come early are breech beca . . .
Can I work out how my baby lies?
Although this can be quite a task, it is sometimes possible to work out which position your baby is lying in. Try to make notes of where your baby kicks, as you may see a small heel from time to time . . .
Complications that may arise in birth
Although most women go on to have successful births and healthy babies, it is worth preparing yourself for the unexpected things that can happen during labour and birth.Induced labour It can be pretty . . .
Cesarean Sections
Elective CaesareansAn elective Caesarean is when the decision to have a Caesarean is made before labour starts.
The most common reasons for babies to be born this way are if the baby . . .
Emergency Home Birth
Although most mums make it to a hospital, or are assisted at home by a midwife or ambulance crew, sometimes a baby will decide to come early whilst you are at home. If you think your baby is coming ea . . .
Encouraging your baby into a good birth position
A mother’s positions and movement in the final weeks of pregnancy and labour can influence the baby’s position in the womb, and can make delivery of the baby easier.Occiput anterior, (OA) is the ideal . . .
Episiotomy
An episiotomy is a surgical incision made in the perineum, (the area of skin between your vagina and anus) to enlarge the vaginal opening for a baby’s head to emerge.
Although it was on . . .