Every contraction is one step closer
 Putting your birth plan together can sometimes be confusing. What are you supposed to include. Here are some things you can think about to help formulate your ideal birth plan:
1. Where do you want your baby to be born – hospital, birth centre, at home? 2. How do you feel about being induced/having your waters broken? 3. Do you have a preference to only being seen to by women? 4. Would you mind any students being present during your labour and birth? 5. Do you want to be active during labour, such as being able to walk around? (ask your midwife to use the wireless monitoring if you need it, formally known as telemetry) 6. What labour techniques do you want to use? Hypnobirthing, water birth, listening to music etc? 7. Do you know what pain relief you would/wouldn’t like? 8. How do you want your birth partner to support you? 9. How do you feel about medical intervention? Detail your list in order of preference. 10. How long do you want it to be until they cut the umbilical cord? Read about Optimal Cord Clamping. 11. Do you want your partner to cut the umbilical cord? 12. How do you want to find out the sex of the baby - be told/see for yourself? 13. Do you want your baby delivered onto your stomach? 14. Do you want to do skin-to-skin contact straight away? 15. Do you want to try to breastfeed straight away? 16. Who do you want to get the baby dressed? These are just some pointers that will help you decide what is right for you. You may also want to consider your options for a natural birth and what you would like should you need a c-section. If you want some extra help, go the NHS website to download a birth plan template. Be sure to write it down and attach it to your maternity notes. Make sure that your birthing partner knows where it is so that they can relay your preferences to your midwives. Why not photocopy a copy of your birth preferences, so that your birth partners have their own copy. We hope you found this article useful. Follow Magical Baby Moments on its social channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Each week we like to share a video with you.
This week I want to share this amazing explanation as demonstrated by Liz Chalmers. 
Believe you can and you will
There are different types of antenatal preparation to get ready for the birth of your baby. One of them is hypnobirthing. Please don't be put off by the name,
Hypnobirthing is about learning to take control of your mind and your body for labour and birth. You can achieve this through breathing, visualisation and relaxation techniques. Women who do a hypnobirthing course learn to trust in their body and baby to guide them through this wonderful journey. They relax into labour and allow their body to do its thing. But hypnobirthing isn’t just about these relaxation techniques for birth. It is a comprehensive antenatal course that provides you with a toolkit and wealth of information. It will empower you to make the right choices for you and your baby. Hypnobirthing courses are usually done after 20 weeks gestation. Here are 10 way how it enhances labour and increases the chances of a positive birth experience. Informed choice All women (and their birth partners) need to be informed of the choices that are available. They need to know the risks and benefits associated with those choices. Are there alternatives? What are the risks and benefits of those. Only when they have a comprehensive picture can they make an informed choice. Connect the mind and body The links between the mind and the body are strong, and you can influence them one way or another. Hypnobirthing scripts, visualisations and positive birth affirmations are all techniques used by mothers. They enable them to remain calm, reassured and focused during pregnancy and labour. Trust in nature All animals instinctively know how to birth their babies. In the modern and frantic world that we live in, us humans often look for medical assistance when we give birth. In some cases this is not even necessary. Many think this will be an 'easier' path, but it is often not the case. Induced labours can be long, hard and, at times, difficult. Birth is not usually a medical emergency, we should stop treating them as such. Bond with your baby in pregnancy Hypnobirthing courses teach mums and birth partners connect and bond with their baby during pregnancy. These little beings are already unique tiny people. They are ready to connect with you before they are born. Involve your birth partner during pregnancy Quite often birth partners are observers during the pregnancy stage. Attending hypnobirthing course will teach them the tools and techniques for a calm and gentle birth. They will be an invaluable support during labour. Let your birth partner support you during labour and birth Birth partners who get involved in pregnancy, make fantastic supportive birth partners. Why? Because together you plan for the birth and discuss the path that you would like to experience. If questions arise during labour, they are able to support your wishes and be an advocate for you. Release any underlying fears you may have People often tell expectant mothers the ‘negative aspects’ about the experiences they have had. For first-time mums this can be detrimental, as these can play on a mothers mind. Hypnobirthing allows couples to talk through their worries and fears. The course will help them prepare for birth with a positive outlook. Learn natural ways to keep your body relaxed and comfortable in labour Being relaxed calm and comfortable during labour allows the body to work more efficiently. Couples will explore many ways to achieve this; whether they are in hospital, a midwife-led unit or at home. Discover the best positions for labour and birth TV and films would have us believe that being on our backs whist one a bed is how to give birth. This is the WORST position to allow your baby to descend with ease. Learn what to do instead in a hypnobirthing course. Learn how to use hypnobirthing for a Caesarean Section and/or a Vaginal Birth after a Caesarean Section (VBAC) Hypnobirthing applies to all women, regardless of how their birth experience plays out. If the birth journey takes an unexpected turn and needs to include medical intervention, everything that she has learned will still be extremely useful. It is every expectant woman’s right to have a positive experience. In our current world, birth can often be seen as a medical emergency. Medical professionals get involved and individualised care isn’t carried out. Give yourself the tools and the power to take control of your birth experience. Arm yourself with the right information to aide you in making the right decisions for you and your baby. Give hypnobirthing a try. If you are pregnant, it would be my pleasure to support you through your pregnancy. Give me a call and let's have a chat. Follow Magical Baby Moments on its social channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  If you read the book The Microbiome Effect by Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford you will learn that how your baby is born (whether vaginally or via a c-section) can impact it's long-term health.
This book has been written following some emerging research that shows how vital bacteria are for human health. The human body is made up of of trillions of human cells and microbes (bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi etc). These cells and microbes live on and inside us. The bacteria inside our body help it work properly and give it the ability to fight off diseases. Our exposure to friendly bacteria during labour, birth and beyond helps develop our immune system. Babies born vaginally, are exposed to different types of bacteria through the birth canal and around the vagina, when compared with babies that are born via C-Section deliveries. (who don't come into contact with these areas). This research indicates that C-Sections impact the development of their immune system, which in turn makes them more susceptible to non-communicable diseases. If you would like to find out more on this subject, read the dedicated blog that I have written. Follow Magical Baby Moments on its social channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Each month we like to share with you positive birth experiences, to show you how calm, comfortable and amazing a natural birth can be like. One video on it's own doesn't convince anyone, that's why we have a list on our Videos page, so that you can watch others.
Enjoy! |
Magical Baby MomentsFrom maternity to motherhood
Hypnobirthing classes in Romford and Upminster Thorntons Farm Ave Romford RM7 0TT 07764 680 215 | classes@magicalbabymoments.com |
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