All posts filed under: Mother Cuppa – Checklists

labour & birth checklists

Labour & Birth Checklist

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This labour & birth checklist works as a quick reminder to focus on you when you are in labour. There can be a lot going on so it is easy to forget the small, important details. There’s a lot of simple things that can make a huge difference to how you are feeling from those early contractions, right through to giving birth. Here’s a quick guide to your labour & birth checklist… are you using your breathing? You can use your relaxation and breathing techniques to remain calm, to help your contractions and to give you energy. can you rest? Using positions to rest and conserve energy can be crucial, especially if labour is over several hours. do you need to move/change position? Listen to your body, move about to be as comfortable as possible. do you need to eat? Food is important for both you and your baby during labour. You might need to snack regularly or you could be ravenous. are you going to the loo regularly? Your baby needs every bit of …

tips for birth preparation

Tips for birth preparation

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These tips for birth preparation are for every birth. Whether you want a waterbirth, are having an induction or you are booked in for a caesarean – there is power in doing birth on purpose. Putting yourself at the centre of your care is all about knowing your options, having a say and asking questions. This means you can be better prepared for the reality of labour and birth and what it might involve. Labour and birth can be unpredictable so pregnancy is a time to start gathering knowledge and skills and to get your head ready for what you can do and what you might need. I have worked with expectant parents since 2002 as a childbirth educator and as a doula. And I have also had three of my own babies, which all required different preparation. I passionately believe that it helps to: know more about the reality of birth. Labour and birth can be about contractions, tiredness, decisions, doubt, strength and vulnerability. There is great strength in knowing where the challenges might …

Pregnancy Essentials Checklist

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This pregnancy essentials checklist is for all pregnancies. Whether you are feeling great or if your pregnancy is more complicated you can adapt these to suit your needs. Pregnancy is a time to look after you, to focus on what you need and to gather knowledge. It is a time to ask questions, to put yourself at the centre of your care and to tune in to your instincts. After working with thousands of expectant parents – and having three pregnancies myself – I know how different each pregnancy can be. But it always comes back to the basics… being as comfortable as possible – moving, walking, using a ball, using pillows, changing position can all help eat as well as possible and drink plenty of water to help with tiredness and general discomforts put yourself at the centre of your care. Say what you need, rest when you can, gather information and ask questions about your care and as part of your birth preparation. know how to use your breathing. This for for calm, …

new parent rest

Rest with a newborn

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The early days and weeks can be all about finding your feet with your new baby but it is also about looking after you. You have been pregnant, you have birthed and now you have a newborn baby so you need to rest as much as you can. You will be in doing mode soon enough, so take an opportunity to be looked after while you can. Plan in rest, plan in snoozes and a chance to just potter. The early weeks can be about giving yourself permission to take it easy, so you are not rushing around. One thing that mums often say is that they wish they had rested more in the early days. You can book a session with me if you have questions, need some additional support or preparation for birth & baby. antenatal & postnatal specialist | working with parents since 2002 Always seek medical support if you are concerned about yourself or your baby. Even if it is just a feeling that something isn’t right. For Pregnancy & Birth | For …

make sure you rest in labour

Rest is an essential part of labour and birth

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Rest is crucial during labour and birth – to allow you to conserve your energy, to recharge, to enable you to move as you need to. Good birth preparation is also about an awareness of how to manage and conserve your energy – this includes positions, using birth balls as well as the bed, using your breathing and pain management options. Labour can be brief and it can be long, no matter how your labour unfolds, listening to your body is really important. You can book a session with me if you have questions, need some additional support or preparation for birth & baby. antenatal & postnatal specialist | working with parents since 2002 Always seek medical support if you are concerned about yourself or your baby. Even if it is just a feeling that something isn’t right.