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Labour rarely begins on your ‘estimated due date’ EDD, especially if it is your first baby. In reality your due date is probably more accurately described as a ‘due window’ – of 5 weeks, as babies are born often between 37 to 42 weeks. In most pregnancies, labour will usually start naturally on its own within those 5 weeks, but there are times that it may need to be started artificially. This is called induced labour – to help your cervix to soften and open out and your uterus (womb) to start contracting. There are many ways this can be done …..

We’ve all heard about gas and air, often called laughing gas, being used in labour and stories of the often hilarious effects on the person using it. In fact, most films and tv shows will often portray a woman using it furiously whilst she is rushed off to have her baby. Entonox – the medical term for gas and air, is the most popular pain relief during labour with around 80% of women choosing to use it.

Most of us in the third trimester will find some kind of urge to start nesting – planning, preparing and getting everything ready for baby’s arrival. One of the most common questions we as midwives are asked about is what to pack in the birth centre/hospital bag. So read on for our top tips on how to pack your hospital bag.

Whilst the first few hours and days after your baby’s birth can be a magical time……there are also much messier and less photogenic aspects of newborn life you’ll need to be prepared. Your baby’s first few poos fall firmly into this category – and despite not being a dinner table conversation, it’s important and actually quite fascinating!

We’ve all heard about morning sickness, it’s one of the common assumptions about pregnancy and the question most pregnant women get asked about when they share their pregnancy news. However, whilst it is very common to feel sick during the first few months of pregnancy, it can have a real impact on your physical and emotional well-being if you aren’t well supported and advised on how to try and manage it.

What you eat and drink is important at any time in your life but in pregnancy it affects your baby’s health as well, both when you’re pregnant and after the birth. It can however, be hard to try eating well if you are struggling with early pregnancy sickness and tiredness, or even later symptoms such as heartburn. Try not to worry too much if this is the case and do your best to eat a range of healthy foods every day if you can. 

Maternal mental health week aims to focus on the issues of mental health that affect pregnant and new parents, which are often not discussed openly and in 2021 have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Pregnancy and the birth of a baby is supposed to be a time of great happiness and excitement, but for many new parents-to-be, the reality can be far from this.

As part of our labour and birth series we explore all non medicinal pain relief options. As midwives we know that most pregnant women are aware of medical options of pain relief available to them in labour such as gas & air or epidural but are less aware of the range of other non-medicalised options. Knowledge is power and preparation is key.