All posts filed under: Comment

Maternity Service Report – pregnancy & birth findings

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The latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) maternity survey has just been published and it’s findings are interesting but concerning. It found that “at a national level the 2022 maternity survey shows that people’s experiences of care have deteriorated in the last 5 years.” Of the 26 evaluation questions used in the survey: You can read more about the maternity survey here but here are the main antenatal points for me… Availability of staff This is worrying as it could impact how looked after and reassured a woman feels, not to mention how safe it is. So, what can you do? It may help to prepare well so you can work with your contractions and know what you can do to help manage your labour but that may only do so much. Hiring a doula can give you ongoing support as well as additional help to speak to your midwife. Don’t be afraid to speak up, to ask questions, to ask for more support. Concerns taken seriously during labour Unfortunately I know that women can be …

Conversations & Questions this week

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No two weeks are the same and there has been a range of antenatal and postnatal questions, comments and conversations this week. Here’s a brief round-up of what we talked about: It really does help to talk it all through, to plan and to focus on what would help you most. My job is to build you up, to give you the space to talk, discuss and ask questions and to have more knowledge and confidence. Based in the North East and working with parents everywhere

good communication

Good communication is everything

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Good communication is essential in every aspect of life but it is crucial in healthcare when you need to make decisions. Being open with honest information and presenting /discussing realistic options, makes a huge difference and it’s one of the reasons why I focus on 1:1 consultations with parents. A huge frustration has always been the way information can given to expectant parents by maternity services, often delivering information in a this is what will happen /this is what you should do style. It’s important to be as clear as possible with information, to see how it lands with parents – how do they feel about the information, do they have questions, how can they tailor the information to their own birth preparation? Good information means that parents can be as well prepared as possible and that they can have more realistic expectations of their care, the facilities and their options. It’s no good preparing for the advantages of a birthing centre – with it’s carefully designed rooms, plenty of birth pools, continuous midwifery care …

What can impact your contractions?

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Did you know that your contractions can be influenced by how safe and comfortable you feel in labour? Your contractions are created by a balance of hormones and oxytocin creates strong, regular contractions but this can be impacted by how you feel. So what can interfere with your oxytocin production and your contractions? All of these factors can mean that you can’t truly relax, rest and work with your contractions. Even if you are induced or have an epidural, it still helps to feel safe and supported. There is new post in the Mother Cuppa Lounge looking at contractions – what they are, how they work and what they need to be effective. Working with parents since 2002 | Janine Smith Practice – where you read and talk about pregnancy, birth, babies and early parenting Say hello…Instagram  | Linkedin

Conversations & Questions this week

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This week has been a real mix of first and second time parents – some are pregnant, some are in the thick of it with their baby. As ever no two weeks are the same and there has been a range of antenatal and postnatal questions, comments and conversations this week. Here’s a brief round-up of what we talked about It really does help to talk it all through, to plan and to focus on what would help you most. My job is to build you up, to give you the space to talk, discuss and ask questions and to have more knowledge and confidence. You can message me below with any questions or queries. Based in the North East and working with parents everywhere