Hygiene and handwashing are integral to professional healthcare practice in the UK. It is astonishing to experience a society where this just isn’t understood to be a priority. In the hospital here there is usually running (cold) water, but soap is not often available. It is simply not seen as a priority purchase. The irony of the posters on the…
Homebirth with a private midwife
If you are thinking about where your baby will be born, have you thought about a homebirth with a private midwife? The NHS midwifery teams in Sussex (University Hospitals Sussex, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare, Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells and East Sussex Healthcare all aim to support homebirths, but all are facing significant staffing issues. They will aim to support anyone…
Elective c section
Elective c section is the term used for a c section which is planned in advance of labour, rather than being advised as a medical necessity as a result of concerns during labour. Elective c section is often recorded in medical notes as ELCS. It is also referred to as maternal request c section, but I prefer to use non-…
Is induction of labour right for you?
Induction of labour is one of those things you start to hear a lot about when you are pregnant. The issues around it are complex and unfortunately the detail and nuances often get lost. As with most things in pregnancy and birth there are no simple answers. So how do you know? Is induction right for you? TRIGGER WARNING: stillbirth…
How do you get a midwife?
Most people know basically what a midwife, is but you may wonder how do you get a midwife? In this blog I will set out your options and give you some things to consider. In the UK, registered midwives are the professional experts in supporting pregnancy, birth and the early days with your baby – when things are progressing normally.…