Smoking and Pregnancy There is a wealth of research that shows us that individuals who smoke tobacco are putting their health at risk from cardiovascular (heart) disease; chronic lung disease; cancer and cerebrovascular disease (stroke). Second-hand smoke puts the health of others at risk too – more than 80% of second-hand smoke is invisible [...]
Anti-D for Rhesus Negative Women There are four main blood groups: A, B, AB and O and alongside your blood group is the Rhesus factor with the ‘D antigen’ being an important substance that stimulates your immune system to produce antibodies. The Rhesus factor (usually abbreviated to ‘Rh’) is a molecule that is found [...]
Alcohol and Pregnancy The topic of 'alcohol and pregnancy' has attracted a lot of media attention. This is because of concerns over the adverse health impact of alcohol during pregnancy on the developing baby. For this reason, revised UK-wide guidelines on alcohol consumption during pregnancy were published on 8 January 2016. The Chief Medical Officers for the UK now [...]
Delivering your placenta: The third stage of labour When your midwife or doctor talks about the third stage of labour they are referring to the time from your baby’s birth until the placenta and membranes, and the remaining section of umbilical cord attached to them, have been delivered. On average, the third stage of [...]
Your Baby’s Umbilical Cord The umbilical cord - also referred to as the birth cord, connects the developing baby to the placenta (afterbirth). The cord literally acts as a ‘life line’ supplying the baby with oxygen and nutrients that support its growth and development whilst they are in the uterus (womb). What does [...]
‘Dural Tap’ – A headache following an epidural Many women choose to have an epidural – also called regional anaesthesia for pain relief during labour and birth. Most have no problems at all with their epidural and once the numbness has worn off and sensation returns; they soon return to their normal level of [...]
Vaginal Birth after Caesarean (VBAC) The term VBAC refers to having a vaginal birth when you’ve previously had at least one baby delivered by caesarean section. If your first baby was delivered by caesarean and you go on to have a subsequent pregnancy, you will need to decide how your next baby will be [...]
Caesarean section birth There is concern about the rise in the number of babies being born by caesarean section, with studies indicating that women are now around five times more likely to give birth by caesarean than they were forty years ago. Caesarean section (also referred to as an ‘operative birth’) is the commonest [...]
Forceps & Ventouse Births Forceps and ventouse births (also called vacuum extraction/suction cup) are referred to as ‘assisted’ or ‘instrumental’ births. There are clinical guidelines that UK midwives and doctors use in the maternity services and these identify when it is advisable to assist a woman to birth her baby. For mothers who are [...]
Moxibustion In the past it has been thought that women can encourage their baby to turn from breech to cephalic (head down), by kneeling on-all-fours, with their head down and their bottom up in the air. However, research studies have found that this doesn’t actually work. Complementary therapies have however, gained popularity; in particular, [...]
