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Rest up Queenie, thanks for making home birth fit

Rest up Queenie, thanks for making home birth fit for Royalty 👸🏻

The Queen birthed all four of her children at home. The first a caesarean, in Buckingham Palace! Here she is pictured birthing her fourth child (Edward) in in the Belgian Suite at Buckingham Palace (Artists interpretation of course). The first of her births where she wasn’t in ‘twilight sleep’ and was joined by her husband.

After the Queen’s Mother apparently suggested moving to another room away from the crowds that were gathering outside the front of the palace; the Queen reportedly refused, saying, “I want my baby to be born in my own room, among the things I know.”

Very wise Liz, very wise.

(She was also the first monarch in British History to give birth without the Home Secretary present 😂 so doubly wise you might argue 🤦🏻‍♀️)

📸Beautiful Artist interpretation of the scene by @natalielennard

#Repost @birth_ed
・・・

The monarch is a controversial topic, and while I am saddened by the news of Queen Elizabeth’s death, I am also aware that many atrocities have been carried out in name of and by the British empire. This post is not about the monarch, but about a woman and a mother who stood up for herself and had autonomy when she birthed her babies.

BMI is not an accurate indicator of health 📢 A

BMI is not an accurate indicator of health 📢

And it’s infuriating to see and hear individuals be being denied access to care models and pain management options because of an out of date and inaccurate method.
Some things the system may do because of BMI include:
🚩Denying access to midwifery led care
🚩Denying access to the closest hospital
🚩Denying access to birth centre care
🚩Denying access to water immersion and waterbirth
🚩Extra pressure to induce labour
🚩Extra pressure to do additional testing
🚩Fat shaming and suggestion of weight management in pregnancy

Remember your body is incredible regardless of your shape or size and you can decline or call out anything that doesn’t sit right with you, including being weighed. ✌🏻

Many believe that a VBAC is risky, but few underst

Many believe that a VBAC is risky, but few understand the actual risks involved. Sometimes things appear riskier than they actually are because of the way they are perceived culturally.

The absolute risk of adverse outcomes for both a planned VBAC or a repeat scheduled caesarean is very small. The risk of maternal mortality is lower in VBAC than in a scheduled caesarean (0.004% versus 0.013%), while the risk of perinatal mortality is higher in a VBAC (0.13% versus 0.05%) but as you can see from the actual statistics, these risks are very small.

It’s important to note that statistics can only tell us the chance of things happening, but it can never tell us if it will happen to you specifically. The risk could be one in a million, but you could be that one. There is no type of birth that doesn’t carry risk, and so it’s important you make decisions you are comfortable with. Make these decisions by weighing up the risks and benefits for your individual situation, not what everyone else tells you to do. We all make different decisions with the same information, and that’s what makes us individuals.

There are also ways to increase the likelihood of your VBAC (such as homebirth, or midwifery led care) or increase the likelihood of another caesarean (such as private obstetric care, or induction). Understanding how these decisions impact your chances at your VBAC can help you in the decision making process.

Having additional support during your VBAC can be extremely beneficial. If you would like more information on my doula support package options head to the link in bio ✌🏻

Such a wonderful post by @melaniethemidwife that I

Such a wonderful post by @melaniethemidwife that I had to repost:

#Repost @melaniethemidwife
・・・
A complete guide to the options available when planning out your maternity care. The key is understanding your own philosophy and then fitting everything else around your care provider and location choices.

First think about where YOU sit on the medication spectrum and THEN start aligning this with your choices of care provider and location.

The further you slide across the spectrum the more medical your care becomes and the more likely you are to be exposed to unnecessary/routine interventions throughout your care. The further you move along the medicalisation spectrum the closer you are to a hospital and rapid medical attention.

If your dream birth involves early hospital admission, pharmaceutical pain relief, elective induction or caesarean and an extended stay in hospital then you might feel more comfortable with an obstetrician in hospital

if your intention is to have a vaginal birth with as few interventions as possible, midwifery care would be better suited and as far away from a hospital as you feel safe

Once you understand where you sit on the spectrum, choose a care provider and location that also aligns with your personal needs and philosophy. Choosing a care provider and location that doesn’t align with your preferences creates a barrier to you getting what you wanted from your birth. It’s your responsibility to make the choices that create the best opportunity for your needs and desires to be met…

This is a place to start when planning care that will feel most satisfying in the end.

Beyond excited to finally have The Birth Circle on

Beyond excited to finally have The Birth Circle online shop open! Currently 3 products available, with many more to come!

Head to the link in bio to purchase for yourself or as a thoughtful gift 💫

Having a support team around you that makes you fe

Having a support team around you that makes you feel comfortable and safe during your birth has a big impact on your overall birth experience. Deciding who should be in that space is a personal decision and it should only be people you feel will positively impact you and your environment.

During labour feeling completely safe and supported allows your body and mind to be as relaxed and calm as possible. Your support team will be aiding you with physical and emotional tools to work through labour, and advocating to ensure nothing can disturb you as you work to bring your baby earthside.

It’s important to talk to your partner or support person and ensure they also feel confident to support you through the intensity of your labour and birth. If they are fearful of birth, this will impact your environment and both of your experiences.

Ways you can help prepare your partner and create a positive support team include:
✨ Hiring a doula to offer additional support to both of you during pregnancy and birth.
✨ Doing independent childbirth education classes together (NOT just your hospital classes!) such as Hypnobirth or Calmbirth.
✨ Read, listen and immerse yourself in positive birth experiences.
✨ Become knowledgeable on the process of birth, the system you’re birthing in, and create a birth plan, making informed decisions and understanding what you will and won’t consent to.

If having a doula is something you’re thinking about, reach out for a chat. I am nearly booked out for 2022 and have already started taking bookings for 2023!

📷 @loverandbeloved