NICE have recently updated their guidelines on induction of labour. These can be found on their website here if you would like to read them in full but there are a few parts that stand out to me. Induction of labour has become a worldwide epidemic. In some circumstances induction is absolutely necessary but more often than not, the reasons given to parents - you are overdue, too small, too big, not progressing - are not based on good science. Invariably, women are told about the risks of NOT having an induction, rarely are they told of the risk of consenting ..read more

Earlier this week, The Metro got in touch with Katharine for a comment on their article about the rise in pregnant people using music to soothe and guide them through their labour. The article describes how research has shown that music can actually alter the way the brain perceives pain, in particular, the parts of the brain associated with emotions and memory ..read more

This week (19th-24th July) is Birth Trauma Awareness Week.  Birth trauma is classified as distress experienced during or after childbirth – Postnatal PTSD. The trauma can be physical but can also be emotional and psychological. It is on the increase and what should be a joyful time for mother and baby has in many cases become a time of stress and worry which can last for a long time. Do I have Postnatal PTSD? It is estimated that 1 in 3 people experience some kind of birth trauma with 30% experiencing some symptoms of PTSD, both of which are alarmingly high numbers.  ..read more

Independent midwives have been facing a desperate situation right now. In 2020, self employed midwives lost all access to commercial professional indemnity insurance.  Exhaustive search for alternative insurance providers and support from the UK government has proved fruitless, leaving independent midwives simply unable to provide their services. These self-employed midwives are professional and regulated.  They choose to work outside of the NHS allowing them to offer personalised care for the parents they assist.  Many have shown examples of how a different style of care and pe ..read more

Today is International Day of the Midwife. We have always acknowledged the amazing work midwives do to help the birthing person and all the babies that arrive in the world – but particularly the last year. And what a year they have had! Many parents I have taught during the Covid-19 pandemic have expressed fears directly related to the situation we are living right now. We can teach parents how to prepare for birth and how to remain in control of their situation, but the midwives they birth with really have helped to give them the best experience they can, despite of any restrictions thrown u ..read more

Most new mothers experience the "baby blues" in the first few weeks after their baby arrives. This is from the effect of hormonal changes which can play a big part on your emotions. But postnatal depression is different and can last longer, or even arrive months after the birth. With one in ten women suffering from postnatal depression, it a subject we should discuss more openly and there are many coping techniques to help women cope with the situation they find themselves in. Katharine was recently interviewed along with Liz Halliday, deputy head of midwifery at Private Midwives, by NetD ..read more

On Friday 26th February, I will be joining an informal online event offering networking and business opportunities. This is being hosted by my local North Wiltshire MP, Danny Kruger, and three other women who own and run businesses locally. I would love you to join us for our discussion and there will be the opportunity to ask questions and network with likeminded people. The event takes place at 4pm this Friday via zoom. You can register for the event here. I look forward to seeing you there!   ..read more

Although we all hope to have a straightforward pregnancy and birth, sometimes you will need to make unexpected choices about certain topics that you may not be prepared for or are unsure where to find impartial information from. KGH have put together several resource sheets on various topics, including induction of labour and breech babies, to point you towards well-informed articles, websites and books. These sources will give you the information and confidence to have the knowledge to make well informed choices for you and your baby. These will complement your KGH course but can also be use ..read more

We are excited to share details of our 2020 Christmas Charity Giveaway!   Kicks Count Charity  This Christmas we are highlighting the Kicks Count charity.  The team at Kicks Count do an amazing job of highlighting the importance of monitoring your baby's movements.  Movements are a key sign of a baby's wellbeing and Kicks Count is the UK’s leading awareness campaign. Through education and awareness, they empower mums-to-be with knowledge about movements and give them the confidence to call their Maternity Unit if something doesn’t feel quite right. Whil ..read more

2021 New Year, New Career! It's fair to say that 2020 has been a challenge.  Maybe 2021 is the year to make some changes to your own career? Next year is a perfect time to up-skill in a new career, one which is flexible and can fit easily around your family. We invite you to join our growing team of KGHypnobirthing teachers.  No previous experience needed, just yourself and your enthusiasm to learn ..read more