by Eleanor Hayes | Jun 12, 2020 | Labour & Birth
There is lots of talk in pregnancy around writing a birth plan and it stirs up lots of debate. On the one hand, some people feel it is most important to just “go with the flow” and be as flexible as possible and therefore feel that creating a birth... by Eleanor Hayes | Apr 6, 2020 | Labour & Birth
The recent Coronavirus outbreak has had a huge impact on maternity services and expectant parents around the world. Routine pregnancy appointment and scans have been cancelled or limited to the mother attending alone meaning she is having to leave her birth partner at... by Eleanor Hayes | Nov 15, 2019 | Labour & Birth
Clary sage oil (or to use its Latin name Salvea Sclarea) is a popular choice for people hoping to kick-start labour, or enhance it once it has begun. I have written previously about how you can use clary sage oil safely in labour. Using this sweet-smelling essential... by Eleanor Hayes | May 22, 2019 | Labour & Birth
So many women feel fed-up at the end of their pregnancy. On the one hand, you feel as if you have been pregnant for 6 million years and frankly another day is too much! On the other hand, you feel really sure that you want to let things happen as naturally as... by Eleanor Hayes | Jun 8, 2018 | Labour & Birth
People who have had a baby understand that approaching labour in blissful ignorance with zero preparation does not put you in the best position to facilitate an amazing birth. Don’t get me wrong, you can absolutely birth with no preparation, but in my experience the... by Eleanor Hayes | Mar 30, 2018 | Labour & Birth
Most pregnant women I meet want a natural birth. OK, there are always some people who believe that they have a zero tolerance of pain and fully intend to get all the drugs as soon as they go into labour. And I fully applaud them. Regardless of your choices knowing... by Eleanor Hayes | Mar 23, 2018 | Labour & Birth
There are a thousand books on how to have a natural birth with different techniques and methods. Very few of them address the reality that over 50% of mothers in the UK have some form of intervention or birth pain relief in childbirth, and the number is much higher in... by Eleanor Hayes | Jan 31, 2018 | Labour & Birth
What are birth interventions. On the whole, birth interventions are not usually planned for in early pregnancy. However, the two major interventions many parents face are an induction of labour or caesarean. In many cases, birth interventions are required for medical... by Eleanor Hayes | Jan 31, 2018 | Labour & Birth
Pain Relief vs Natural Birth When preparing for birth, most women’s first instincts are to find out all they can about natural birth and not really consider labour pain relief. We have done it for millions of years, after all, and the excitement that... by Eleanor Hayes | Oct 12, 2016 | Labour & Birth
Clary Sage Oil Clary sage oil is often touted as an effective method to induce labour naturally and enhance contractions once labour has started. The reality is that babies come precisely when they are ready. Studies have shown that labour is triggered once the... by Eleanor Hayes | Sep 28, 2016 | Labour & Birth
Guest Post by Lisa Ramsey, Doula. So, my name is Lisa Ramsey and I have been a doula for 8 years now and I love it! Most of my working hours are spent either with couples preparing for birth, with couples during birth or supporting new parents in those first weeks... by Eleanor Hayes | Mar 22, 2016 | Labour & Birth
TENS Machine in Labour Most women don’t like the idea of using pain relief in labour and so any methods that are side-effect-free are a bonus. There are many things you can do in labour to minimise the pain and using a TENS Machine in labour is a popular choice.... by Eleanor Hayes | Aug 10, 2015 | Labour & Birth
[toc] Delayed cord clamping Delayed cord clamping – or optimal cord clamping as it is starting to become known – is when a delay is made between a baby being born and its umbilical cord being clamped and cut. This delay is considered anything from around a... by Eleanor Hayes | Mar 30, 2015 | Labour & Birth
Equipment for Labour and Birth However you manage to cope with contractions, it can be incredibly helpful to have some useful pieces of equipment for labour and birth that can enhance the whole experience. Whether you are at home or hospital, there are some really... by Eleanor Hayes | Mar 1, 2015 | Active Birth, Baby, Labour & Birth
[toc] Allowing The Impossible in Birth You often hear the question “am I allowed” asked in the context of birth, particularly in the hospital setting. Am I allowed to get off the bed? Am I allowed to have something to eat? Am I allowed to change position?...