Your placenta is an amazing organ. For a start you made it and it has also kept your baby with the supply of oxygen and nutrients it needs to enable them to develop and grow! Not only does it give your baby all it needs it also removes waste products from the baby’s blood, all The post What to do with your placenta after a home birth appeared first on Private Midwives ..read more

While the onset of labour is a natural process that typically begins when your baby is ready, there are some gentle methods you can try to encourage labour to start naturally when the time is right. In this article, we’ll explore some techniques that could be effective for jumpstarting labour, from enjoying raspberry leaf tea, The post How to Start Labour Naturally appeared first on Private Midwives ..read more

During pregnancy, the anticipation of labour may feel like one big waiting game, but in reality, labour is a dynamic journey with sometimes distinct and sometimes subtle stages. Each stage offers you and your midwife clues about your progress and how close you are to meeting your precious arrival. There are technically four stages of The post What are the three stages of labour? appeared first on Private Midwives ..read more

There are many reasons why women might choose a homebirth. No car rides in labour, home comforts throughout, no limitations on birth supporters, feeling more empowered as you labour in your own space, to name but a few. Top of the list though is that, contrary to public belief, it is a very safe option The post Homebirths appeared first on Private Midwives ..read more

In the UK about 2% of births take place in the home, and in Ireland it’s about 1%. Birthing at home can lead to less interventions, less adverse maternal outcomes and less adverse outcomes for babies too. Which creates a more positive experience for the women and their families. Are home births safe? Birthing at The post Are home births safer than hospital births? appeared first on Private Midwives ..read more

Pregnancy for some is an incredible time filled with anticipation, excitement, and a touch of nervousness. It can also be a filled with a vast amount of information and recommendations, these might include choosing where to give birth, navigating screening tests offered to you and nutrition considerations etc. Having all of these options can feel The post Navigating Maternity Care: Decision Making, Declining Care and Saying No appeared first on Private Midwives ..read more

World Prematurity Day: Understanding and Supporting Premature Babies and their Parents Every year, on November 17th, World Prematurity Day is observed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by premature babies and their families. Premature birth, defined as birth before 37 weeks of gestation, affects millions of infants worldwide. In this blog, we will explore The post World Prematurity Day: Understanding and Supporting Premature Babies and their Parents appeared first on Private Midwives ..read more

What happens after a home birth? My job frequently involves witnessing women at their most powerful and fierce; seeing them birth their baby and wrapping them safely in their arms; watching as their face changes from pure strength to a soft, peaceful, and elated look; and quietly observing as they flood their newborn with protective The post What happens after a home birth? appeared first on Private Midwives ..read more

Should I have a homebirth? Homebirth, an age-old practice that has witnessed a revival in recent years, embodies the essence of women’s strength and resilience. By choosing to birth at home, women warmly embrace the idea of bringing their child into the world in a familiar and soothing environment. It is important to note that The post Should I have a homebirth? appeared first on Private Midwives ..read more

Can Men Get Postnatal Depression? We have all heard about new mums and “baby blues” and in more extreme cases, postnatal depression, but what about new dads? Can dads get postnatal depression too? In this blog, leading campaigner for dads mental health, Mark Williams, talks about postnatal mental health for new dads. Can Dads Get The post Can Men Get Postnatal Depression? appeared first on Private Midwives ..read more