A very special, very strong, determined and wonderful client has given me permission to share her story here. After a homebirth first time round, she had implicit faith in her body's ability to grow and birth her babies in a very ordinary, normal way. It took us a while to get our equally trusting, Continue Reading
Group B Strep
I've been asked about this subject quite a lot recently so I thought I'd write a post about it. Before I begin, as always, remember I am a doula, not a health professional or medical expert. So, if this subject effects you, do talk to your midwife/doctor as well as reading other resources so you Continue Reading
Boring Breastfeeding (why I hate doing radio interviews during breastfeeding Awareness Week)
Really, boring? Too boring for the media, obviously. After all, baby asks, mum offers, baby nurses, baby and mum get on with their day. Boring and normal. So if you have to talk about it on air...quick guys, find an angle. Is it child abuse? Are there really any benefits? Are we making mothers feel Continue Reading
Toffee Apples
The children are on half term at the moment so as usual, today I was trying to think of low cost activities to stop the 'I'm bored' chorus. So we came up with the idea of making toffee apples. As we watched the sugar boil and turn a golden brown and quickly dunked the apples in the hot, sweet Continue Reading
“That Was Your Midwife”
Last night I was doing that incredibly modern thing so many of us seem to do nowadays, namely half watching TV with my laptop on my knee. What I was half watching was the new detective show with Brenda Blethyn. At one point she is in the car with her side-kick; a young detective whose wife is Continue Reading
Why Just One Day?
This post is dedicated to all the amazing doulas I know who 'mother the mother', to every breastfeeding support worker I know and to every single mother I have ever supported - you are all incredible. One day? One day of the year we get. Just one. One day to appreciate, to thank, to hug to our Continue Reading
Why I do what I do: A list
1. Because it all starts in your mum's belly. If you can get a great start there, mum has a positive birth experience and you can be born gently, both of you can start out on your adventure tgether in tip top form. 2. Because an optimal start, physically, emotionally and spiritually will pay Continue Reading
Lies, Damned Lies and Medical Science
One man's pursuit of evidence-based medicine. Another Greek hero. http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/print/2010/11/lies-damned-lies-and-medical-science/8269 It's a great read - here's the first section to whet your appetites. In 2001, rumors were circulating in Greek hospitals that surgery Continue Reading
Ricki Lake strikes again
Birth and Death
This short film explains why so many women worldwide die in childbirth and what we can do about it. The White Ribbon Alliance are presenting this film at the G8. I happen to think it should include a call for all governments to promote and support exclusive natural term breastfeeding, as this single Continue Reading