Delayed Cord Clamping: Benefits, 'Wait Until White', and NHS Guidance
Delayed cord clamping (DCC) is an evidence-based birth practice where the umbilical cord is not clamped immediately after delivery. Instead, healthcare professionals wait for at least one minute—or until the cord turns white and stops pulsating—before clamping. Supported by NHS and NICE guidance, DCC is increasingly standard in UK maternity care for its benefits to both term and preterm infants.
Understanding the Physiology of Labour: What to Expect
Pregnancy is a time of change—and with change can come anxiety, excitement, and uncertainty. Whether you're attending antenatal education in Tunbridge Wells or preparing from home with online antenatal classes, incorporating mindful breathing into your daily routine can offer a powerful anchor through it all.
The Benefits of Mindful Breathing in Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of change—and with change can come anxiety, excitement, and uncertainty. Whether you're attending antenatal education in Tunbridge Wells or preparing from home with online antenatal classes, incorporating mindful breathing into your daily routine can offer a powerful anchor through it all.
Why Iron Matters in the Third Trimester
As your baby grows rapidly in the final months, your blood volume expands by as much as 50%. This physiological shift helps deliver oxygen and nutrients through the placenta. But it also means your body needs significantly more iron — to produce enough haemoglobin to support both you and your baby.
Your First Antenatal Appointment: What to Expect
The first antenatal appointment—often called the booking appointment—typically happens between 8 and 10 weeks pregnant. It’s your official entry into maternity care and helps build the foundation for a healthy pregnancy.
Nesting Instinct: What Science Says About Pre-Birth Prep
The nesting instinct is a powerful drive that kicks in during pregnancy—usually in the final trimester—urging expectant parents to get their home “baby-ready.” It can feel like an urgent mission: clean every corner, stock every shelf, wash every onesie. It’s part instinct, part anxiety, and often a little bit magica
How to Cope with Pregnancy Fatigue: Tips for Boosting Energy
Pregnancy fatigue is one of the most common symptoms expectant mothers experience, particularly in the first and third trimesters. Growing a baby is hard work, and the hormonal changes, increased blood production, and emotional shifts can leave you feeling utterly exhausted. While pregnancy fatigue is completely normal, there are ways to manage it and maintain your energy levels throughout the day.
Let’s Talk About the Cervix: It’s Role During Fertility & Pregnancy
The cervix is a small but essential part of the female reproductive system. Sitting at the lower end of the uterus, it connects to the vagina and plays a vital role in both fertility and pregnancy. Despite its importance, it often goes unnoticed—until you’re trying to conceive or expecting a baby.
My Birth Story: Navigating a High-Risk Pregnancy and Preterm Labour
Bringing my second child into the world was a journey filled with unexpected challenges, emotional highs and lows, and ultimately, the deep satisfaction of overcoming adversity. My pregnancy was far from straightforward—marked by early complications, hospital stays, and a tough postpartum period—but it was also the experience that strengthened my passion for helping other women navigate pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
Let’s Talk About the Cervix: It’s Role in Fertility & Pregnancy
Breastfeeding has been practiced for thousands of years, and while it may seem like the most natural thing in the world, the science behind breast milk is nothing short of extraordinary. This unique substance is a carefully tailored, living fluid that evolves to meet your baby’s nutritional and immune needs. Let’s explore the incredible science behind breastfeeding, how breast milk works, and some fascinating facts that highlight why it’s often referred to as "liquid gold."
Baby Positions in the Womb: Preparing for a Smooth Labour
Discover the different baby positions in the womb, including occiput anterior, occiput posterior, breech, and transverse lie, and learn how they influence labour preparation and delivery outcomes.
The Science Behind Breastfeeding and Breast Milk: Why It’s Liquid Gold
Breastfeeding has been practiced for thousands of years, and while it may seem like the most natural thing in the world, the science behind breast milk is nothing short of extraordinary. This unique substance is a carefully tailored, living fluid that evolves to meet your baby’s nutritional and immune needs. Let’s explore the incredible science behind breastfeeding, how breast milk works, and some fascinating facts that highlight why it’s often referred to as "liquid gold."
Embracing Emotional, Social, and Medical Well-being in the Third Trimester
The third trimester is a time of immense transformation, not only physically but also emotionally, socially, and medically. As your body prepares for the arrival of your baby, it’s crucial to prioritise holistic health to navigate these changes with confidence and joy. While much focus is placed on emotional and social aspects, understanding the medical considerations during this phase is equally important. Here, we explore strategies to nurture these dimensions of health as you prepare for childbirth and beyond.
Understanding Braxton Hicks Contractions: What to Expect in the Third Trimester
As you journey through the third trimester, your body begins preparing for the arrival of your baby in remarkable ways. One of the most common – and sometimes confusing – experiences is Braxton Hicks contractions. These "practice contractions" can catch you off guard, but understanding them can make this part of pregnancy less daunting.
Physiological and Psychological Changes in the Third Trimester
The third trimester of pregnancy, typically spanning weeks 28 to 40, is a remarkable period of transformation as the body prepares for childbirth. This phase is characterised by significant physiological and psychological changes that are essential for the baby’s development and the mother’s readiness for labour. Understanding these changes can help expectant mothers navigate the challenges and celebrate the incredible process of creating life.
Why Self-Care and Investing in Yourself Matters
Self-care isn’t just a trendy phrase; it’s essential. It’s not about being selfish or indulgent—it’s about keeping myself sane, healthy, and happy so I can be the best version of me for my kids, my partner, and myself. And honestly? It’s been a game-changer. Here’s why I’ve started prioritising myself and why I believe you should too.
Reframing Pain in Birth: Understanding Its Physiological Importance
Pain is often one of the most feared aspects of childbirth, but what if we reframed it as a vital and purposeful part of the birthing process? From a physiological perspective, pain in labour plays a critical role in guiding the body, releasing essential hormones, and preparing both mother and baby for birth. By understanding why pain occurs and how it supports the birthing process, we can shift our perception from fear to empowerment.
Why Hypnobirthing Is Beneficial for Labour, Birth, and Beyond
One of the most common misconceptions about hypnobirthing is that it’s only for vaginal, unmedicated births. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Whether your birth is vaginal, abdominal (caesarean), induced, or highly medicalised, hypnobirthing techniques can make the experience more positive and empowering.
The Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids During Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Postpartum: Why Nutrition Matters
Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), play a crucial role in the health of mothers and babies during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and postpartum recovery. These essential fats are vital for brain and eye development in babies and offer numerous health benefits for mothers.
The First Room of Labour : What to Expect and How to Prepare for the Latent Stage
The first room of labour, also commonly referred to as the latent phase, marks the beginning of an incredible journey to meeting your baby. It is the longest and most varied phase, involving the gradual opening (dilation) of the cervix to allow your baby to move into the birth canal. Understanding this stage, knowing what to expect, and preparing mentally and physically can help you feel more confident during labour.