Breech and External Cephalic Version (ECV) It is recommended that all women with a breech baby at term should be offered ECV. The procedure attempts to turn the baby around in a somersault-action, so that they are ‘head down’ before labour starts. It is recommended that ECV is performed from 36 weeks’ of pregnancy [...]
I’ve been told that my baby is ‘breech’! If you are told that your baby is breech, it means that they are lying inside the uterus (womb) with their ‘bottom down’ and the buttocks or feet closest to your cervix (the neck of the womb). By contrast, where your baby is lying ‘head down’ [...]
Waterbirth: Immersion in water for labour and/or your baby’s birth When we have aches and pains, are feeling stressed, or are fatigued, there is nothing quite like a nice long soak in the bath to soothe our discomfort, aid relaxation and lift our spirits. The same may be said for immersion in water during [...]
What happens when your baby is overdue? Going overdue and having a post-term or prolonged pregnancy can be very frustrating, because it is only natural that you are eager to meet your new baby. Feeling heavy, uncomfortable and coping with backache and sleepless nights can easily take their toll on the most patient of [...]
Choosing where to have your baby: place of birth Having a baby is generally very safe for the vast majority of women and their babies; this is why UK maternity services offer women the choice of where they would prefer to give birth. Many women assume that they will have their baby in hospital, [...]
Pain relief options for labour and birth This article has been written to provide clear evidence based information about the various pain relief options available for labour and birth, so you can start to think about what you might prefer. There is a lot of information to take in, so we do advise that [...]
Monitoring your baby’s heart rate in labour This article has been written to explain how your midwife and doctor observe and record your baby’s heart rate during labour, so they can monitor your baby’s health and wellbeing. During your pregnancy, the midwives and doctors will regularly listen into your baby’s heartbeat. They do this [...]
Your newborn baby’s sleep patterns We all need sleep for our health and wellbeing, and newborn babies are no different. Growth and self-regulation (of sleep) occur while babies are sleeping. Enhancing your baby’s sleep-time and avoiding unnecessary sleep disturbances are very important for their health and development. Babies who are born at term (around [...]
Caring for your baby’s ‘sticky’ and ‘watery’ eyes Your baby’s eyes are kept moist and healthy by tears that wash over the surface of their eyes constantly. Tears are produced in the lacrimal glands and there is one lacrimal gland above each eye. Your baby’s tears are then carried away from the eye by [...]
Severe perineal trauma: Third and Fourth degree tears Sustaining perineal trauma during childbirth is very common, particularly where it is your first vaginal birth. The perineum is the area of skin between the vagina (birth canal) and anus (back passage). During a vaginal birth this area stretches to accommodate the passage of the [...]
