The Gut-Brain Axis: Why Your Microbiome Might Be Driving More Than Just Digestion
You’ve likely heard the phrase "gut feeling"—but what if we told you your gut was literally talking to your brain? That’s not just poetic, it’s biological. Welcome to the world of the gut-brain axis—an intricate, two-way communication system between your gut microbiome and central nervous system.
This connection influences far more than digestion. It has a proven role in regulating your mood, cognition, immune function, energy levels, hormonal signalling, and even reproductive health. During times of immense physiological change—like pre-conception, pregnancy, postpartum, and hormonal transitions—this axis becomes even mor
Instruments Used in Birth: What They Do, When They’re Used, and Why Understanding Them Matters
Instrumental birth is one of the most poorly understood aspects of modern maternity care. For many parents, forceps or ventouse are only introduced at the point they are recommended — often during an intense, time-pressured moment.
Yet these tools have clear clinical indications, specific mechanical functions, and predictable implications for birth experience and recovery. Understanding them antenatally allows parents to engage with decisions from a place of knowledge rather than fear.