Labour and Birth Further Information

Pelvic Floor – Check out Elaine Miller (physiotherapist) at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Its very funny, informative and good for your health. Worth a watch.

Hormones – A great article on the Hormones of Labour. The article is written by Dr Sarah Buckley. If you are interested in reading an evidence based book about labour, birth and early parenting then I would highly recommend her excellent book ‘Gentle Birth Gentle mothering‘. In her article Sarah mentions Michel Odent. Michel is a leading figure in the world of childbirth he has also written a number of books ALL of which I would highly recommended.

Induction and augmentation of labour – See my Induction of labour and Augmentation information sheet,  St Peter’s Hospital leaflet on Induction and I was pregnant for 10 months. If you want more information about the topic then I would highly recommend the AIMS book on induction. AIMS also have a number of other books on different topics ALL of which I would highly recommend. AIMS provides unbiased evidence based information. Its primary goal is to support women by campaigning for better maternity care.

Optimal Foetal positioning (OFP) and Breach Baby –If you have a breech baby or a baby in a transverse lie position then I would highly recommend the website Spinning Babies. It also has articles on OFP. If you want to read more OFP there is a wonderful book written by  Jean Sutton (who introduced the world to the concept of OFP). If you are interested in normal birth this is a lovely book to read about the physiology of the process as well as giving you useful tips on what you can try to encourage your baby into the OFP.

Active Birth –   Physicality of Birth Summary – For Parents – V. Cunningham

Pain Management –   OAA Leaflet on Pain Management during Labour and Birth

Caesarean Births – If you are having an elective caesarean birth or if your Plan C is to happen how can you make is a positive experience?  Watch doctors talk and perform a natural caesarean. Skin to skin, delayed cord clamping, breasting immediately after birth and music in the background are all possible in a caesarean birth. Read or print off the medical article about Caesarean Birth – A women centred Technique. Read the OAA leaflet on Caesarean Birth Anaesthesia.

NCT Labour and Birth Handouts:

 

Parents Tips and strategies (collected over the years from parents before and after they have had their babies):

  • Practical TO DO list to cope with Labour This is a practical to-do list for mums and their birth partners listing coping strategies to cope with early labour at home, the journey to the birth centre/hospital and what to do once at there. These strategies aim to help mums have a quick and straightforward labour.

 

Useful Websites

http://www.maternityalliance.org.uk good for rights at work, parental leave, benefits etc.  Also links to many other sites.

http://www.BirthChoice.uk.com  information to help you choose where to have your baby

www.doula.org.uk Doula UK find a birth and/or postnatal Doula. Birth doulas are experienced in childbirth. They have a good knowledge and awareness of female physiology BUT the doula is not supporting the mother in a clinical role – that is the job of the midwife/medical staff. Postnatal doulas work flexible hours to suit the family, offering practical and emotional support to the new mother and father in the home following the birth of baby.

http://www.tamba.org.uk  for support and information re multiple births

http://www.fathersdirect.com  for fathers

http://www.homebirth.org.uk  lots of information and support re homebirth

http://www.activebirthcentre.com  active birth centre, based in London, but with catalogue and network of teachers

http://www.nelh.nhs.uk   National Electronic Library for Health – lots of things including access to MIDIRS series of ‘Informed Choice’ leaflets.

http://www.immunisation.org.uk  Health Education Authority site

http://www.wddty.co.uk  ‘What doctors don’t tell you’ – an alternative viewpoint?

http://www.nice.org.uk  access to the latest guidelines on induction and monitoring

http://www.sheilakitzinger.com

http://www.fons.org/networks/ebm/guide.htm  Guidelines for midwifery led care in labour – ‘Evidence Based Midwifery’, much to support and inform choices

www.babycaretens.co.uk and www.pulsar-tens.com   For hiring of TENS machines – NCT has an agreement with these companies so a small amount is donated to the Trust for each hiring – so you’re helping to raise funds whilst using your TENS machine!!