My Expert Midwife
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20-24 weeks pregnant – reaching your pregnancy halfway point
Read more →Congratulations, you are halfway through your pregnancy! Your pregnancy might be starting to feel much more real. You may also feel like you are connecting with your baby as their movements become stronger. Try to find a quiet moment every day where you can talk, sing or play music to your baby bump. Mums and dads often say that their babies recognise voices and tunes that they heard in the womb once they are born. Your bump is growing and other people around you may begin to notice that you are pregnant. Week 20 You will probably have...
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Surviving Christmas with a new baby
Read more →Christmas can be hectic enough, without adding a brand new baby into the mix. If it’s baby’s first Christmas or your baby is due this Christmas period, take a step back and think of a strategy that will work for you. Don’t think you that you have to accept any pressure to attend family events, organise get-togethers, or tackle that huge present buying list. See this as an ideal opportunity to downscale your Christmas to suit you and your new arrival: Tell friends and family in advance that you may not be able to make events, as caring for your...
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16-20 weeks pregnant – the development of your growing baby bump
Read more →You are now well into the second trimester of pregnancy. It is at this point that most women experience feeling more energised and want to be more active. Your baby bump will probably be starting to be visible to others and you may have started announcing your exciting news to a wider circle of family and friends. Week 16 Your baby is about 11cms long, is the size of a pear and moving around a lot, so you may start to feel fluttering sensations. Your breasts are preparing for feeding your baby, so they may be feeling larger and...
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What is VBAC?
Read more →VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean section) is when a woman has a baby vaginally after previously having an emergency or elective (planned) caesarean section. Provided there are no other medical complications with you or your baby, it is much safer to plan for a vaginal birth even if you have had more than one c-section previously. Caesarean sections carry a higher risk of increased blood loss and infection rates than vaginal births, as well as increasing the chances of having problems with your placenta in any future pregnancies. For some women, a desire to give birth vaginally is very strong...
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12-16 weeks pregnant – bonding with your growing baby
Read more →Congratulations, you have now entered the second trimester of your pregnancy! Women often describe this trimester as a time when they feel more invigorated and energised, as any tiredness, morning sickness and nausea in pregnancy they may be experiencing usually starts to subside. Here is an update on your baby’s development, and a checklist of things to think about and do during this time: Week 12 Your baby is fully formed. All their body parts, internal organs and structures are in place, and your baby now just needs to grow. You will probably have had your dating scan to...
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How will I know if I am in labour?
Read more →Towards the end of your pregnancy your body will be making many subtle changes to prepare you to birth your baby. You may or may not notice all of these changes, as every woman is different, and every labour and birth can be different too. During your pregnancy your cervix is long, thick and firm, securing the entrance to your uterus to protect your baby. Leading up to and during labour the cervix begins to soften and thin down in preparation to open and birth your baby. Whilst your body is preparing you for the birth with hormonal changes, you...
