All posts tagged: #tynesidepregnancy

pregnancy newcastle tyneside

What can affect labour & birth?

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For many of us, when we are pregnant and preparing for the birth of our baby, we are aiming for a ‘normal’ labour, we want as natural and as straightforward an experience as possible but we might be unaware of what can affect labour. With an unplanned caesarean rate of 14.8%, an assisted delivery rate of 12.5% (Birthchoice) and a growing epidural rate of 30% – information about what can affect labour, how it works and how we can manage our contractions can be beneficial. As a mother of three and an antenatal teacher, I passionately believe that good antenatal classes are an important part of pregnancy – to inform, provide practical information and skills, to support and to reassure. There is a lot to be said for knowing about and trusting the birth process – of believing we can do it and this does go a long way to deal with anxiety and fear but this is only part of the story, so what can affect how labour flows and our need for pain relief …

Birth at QE Maternity Unit, Gateshead

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Queen Elizabeth Maternity Unit, Queen Elizabeth Ave, Gateshead NE9 6SX This maternity unit has… A  pregnancy assessment centre 6 labour rooms  – which are en-suite 2 Induction rooms and a family suite 1 birthing pool Gas & air Diamorphine Epidural Birth balls and birth equipment A Febromed birth system This maternity unit provides care for women who are classified as low risk, for women whose pregnancy/birth options are more complicated as well as for women who need a caesarean or to be induced 16 postnatal beds, which includes en-suite single rooms where birthing partners can stay overnight Jungle Room – space for toddlers and other children to play while visiting in the postnatal ward Postnatal day room My thoughts on the QE Maternity Unit… I used to teach antenatal classes at The QE and I have also attended births here as a birth doula – so it has been very familiar to me. I have always been impressed by the midwives as well as the layout of the unit. It has a birthing pool, as well as a …

Birth at the RVI

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Birth at the RVI offers you two options:the maternity unit and the birthing centre. The maternity unit offers the full range of medical care while the birthing centre focus on straight-forward labour and birth which do not need additional medical support. The RVI maternity unit has: 12 labour rooms, including 2 birth pool rooms Epidural Gas & Air Diamorphine & Pethidine Birth balls may be available Partners might be able to stay on the postnatal ward on a chair Staff: midwives, obstetricians and anaesthetists are available This maternity unit provides care for women who are classified as low risk, for women whose pregnancy/birth options are more complicated as well as for women who need a caesarean or to be induced There is a Special Care Baby Unit and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit available for babies who need extra care and medical support My thoughts on the RVI Maternity Unit…It’s a great unit and it is used by pregnant women who may need more medical observation and monitoring or who may feel more secure having …

High Risk Pregnancy

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If you are classified as high risk, you may have limited options about where you have your baby but even this can come with a degree of flexibility, depending on what the risks are. Of course it depends why you are high risk – this can range from your age, your weight, how many babies you are carrying to medical conditions and concerns with you or your baby. I have taught women who have needed to think through their options because there are more things to consider. It’s worth asking about what your options actually are. I was high risk with my third baby because he had a severe heart defect and I had polyhydramnios, which is excessive amniotic fluid. This meant I chose not to give birth at home, despite having two previous homebirths. I knew a waterbirth wasn’t going to be an option because of continuous monitoring and my waters breaking but I used my birth ball and I gave birth standing up, leaning over the bed. As a doula I have supported women …

10 reasons to book antenatal classes Newcastle Tyneside

10 reasons to book antenatal classes

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I truly love running antenatal classes, it is a privilege to work with expectant parents at this life-changing time and my role is to provide the information, support and reassurance that different parents need. I love birth, I love the uniqueness and unpredictability of birth and I love the strength and pure awesomeness of women and what we do to grow and birth our baby. I don’t believe that one type of birth is better than another although I would prefer it if births didn’t involve any distress for women, their partners and babies – but this is an issue I talk about and attempt to prepare you for. Birth, Baby & Family Antenatal Classes I have about 16 years experience of teaching antenatal classes, I have professional qualifications and I have attended births as a doula but what’s in it for you… 1. You will benefit from a range of practical, realistic information for labour, birth, staying calm, for movement and resting, for contractions and for managing your energy. 2. I provide a professional service and I am an experienced practitioner who …