The Bushey Midwife

Happy Easter & Happy Passover y’all 💜
I’m too tired to write much tonight after a very fun, busy and loud sedar night with the family but I wanted to share this amazing photo of a mum doing skin to skin in theatre after a caesarean birth with her triplets 😍
If you think having a caesarean means that you have to deviate drastically from any birth wishes you may have, as long as mum and baby (or babies in this case!) are well, skin to skin is one of those wishes that can most d...efinitely be honoured. Just be sure to let your midwife know this is something you’d like to do as they may not automatically offer it at the time!
Ps I’m not too sure who took this photo but I came across it on the Practising Midwife Journal’s fb page!
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💧Oxytocin hormone drip💧
The hormone drip sometimes recommended to certain women is a synthetic form of oxytocin, the ‘love’ hormone that also causes the uterus to contract.
If your waters have broken but you are not in labour (cervix dilated to 4cm or more), the oxytocin drip is usually started to try and encourage contractions and to start labour off.
... If you are in labour but contractions seem to be slowing down or stop, or the cervix isn’t dilating, this is another reason why the hormone drip may be recommended.
A tiny dose of oxytocin is given at first and every 30 minutes, this is increased very carefully, as long as baby is happy, ideally until there are 4-5 contractions in every 10 minutes. As the drip is bringing on contractions ‘artificially’, they tend to start quite suddenly and strongly. An epidural is always offered before starting but many women choose to try with no pain relief, or perhaps with just gas and air. Assuming the anaesthetist is available, an epidural can always be given at a later stage 🌊
Today I was looking after a lovely lady on the labour ward who was having her first baby; she was on the drip with no pain relief, being guided by me to breathe through each and every contraction, deeply and slowly. In this case, there is no better example of being ‘with women’, which is what ‘midwife’ means 💜
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We offer RELAXED, EDUCATIONAL and INTERACTIVE antenatal courses, led by a midwife and a hypnobirthing practitioner. Have fun, make friends and leave feeling PREPARED and EXCITED for the birth of your baby and the early days of parenthood.
Receive a FREE hypnobirthing taster session and BIG DISCOUNTS on private midwifery appointments, breastfeeding support and BirthMind hypnobirthing courses.
** Due to popular demand, limited availability on our 7 week course starting in JUNE. Book now to reserve one of the last remaining spaces! **

🏡 Home birth 🏡
Today I’m 23 weeks and this little one is super excited to be a big sis. She talks to baby every day and kisses my belly.
My latest thinking is that I’m now considering a home birth. For my first, although very long, it was actually quite straight forward; I gave birth in a midwife-led maternity unit surrounded by my chosen midwife friends and went home that same day 👭
... Having had a baby before with no complications, it is infact safest for me to give birth this time around at home. In 2011, the Birthplace Study was published which collected data on 64k ‘low risk’ women and their babies 📖
This study found that for those women having their second or subsequent babies, there were no significant differences in adverse outcomes between planned home births and planned births in a consultant-led maternity unit. In addition, giving birth at home significantly reduced the likelihood of having a Caesarean section, instrumental birth or episiotomy.
Of course birth is unpredictable and things can change very quickly. However, midwives are trained to deal with all eventualities and emergencies. The transfer rate from home to hospital for a woman having her second or subsequent baby is also only 12%.
I’m still considering my options and I don’t think I’ll make a decision for quite some time, but I’m getting a little bit excited thinking about the possibility of giving birth at home, surrounded by my own comforts in a place that makes me feel happy and safe. After all, this is the perfect environment to get the oxytocin flowing 💜
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Bushey Bumps & Babies 🚀
Exciting FREE event hosted by myself and BirthMind for new mums and mums-to-be in the local area!
Bushey (Hertfordshire) is such a lovely, family-friendly town and there are so many young children and babies growing up in and around the area. Chloe and I thought, why not have a morning dedicated solely to those expecting and those with a new baby - Bushey is calling out for a meet up like this!
... There is nothing quite like the friendships you can make and the support you can receive from others experiencing motherhood at the same time as you. It is also a chance for you to ask us (a midwife of 6 years and also a hypnobirthing practitioner, both who are mums to little ones themselves) anything you wish 💫
Date: Tuesday 30th April Time: 10:00-11:30 Location: Barracuda, Bushey Village Cost: FREE (bring some £ if you want to buy food/drink)
Please bring your Bumps and Babies, we look forward to meeting you soon!
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• Bathing a newborn •
Before you have your baby you may feel that you need to buy absolutely everything that’s recommended. But in this day and age, you can literally buy anything pretty much on the same day.
One thing I would advise to not rush out and buy beforehand is a baby bath. This is my daughter, day 6, having her first bath in the bathroom sink 🛁
... Newborns can fit in kitchen and bathroom sinks, a bath, a wash basket (without holes) - there are loads of places you can bathe them for the first few weeks. A baby bath is probably not necessary as there are various alternatives, but you may wish to invest in a seat that they can sit in whilst they are in the bath. You will most likely use this for quite a few months.
Oh, and get a photo of their first bathing experience 😍
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Looking for FUN, RELAXED and INFORMATIVE antenatal classes? Want to feel PREPARED and EXCITED for the birth of your baby and the 'fourth trimester'? Hoping to MEET other local expectant parents? We have just the course for you!
Book now on to our Bushey-based antenatal course, starting 5th June. It is a 7 week course that includes an infant feeding session, a FREE hypnobirthing taster session and much much more!
Classes are run by Hannah, a practising midwife of 6 years and C...hloe, a hypnobirthing practitioner - who are also mums to littles ones themselves!
Special offers available! Get in touch for more info and to book your space - limited availability due to popular demand!
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Only a few spaces remaining so book your antenatal course today! 👶🏻

💤 Cluster feeding 💤
Cluster feeding is when babies space breastfeeding closer together at certain times of the day and go longer between feeds at other times. This is very common in the first few days and weeks and babies are more likely to do this in the evenings. For example, they may feed for a few minutes, pull off, fuss or cry, feed for a few more minutes, pull off, fuss or cry.. and this can go on and on for hours.
As you can see from the second pic, this was what my da...ughter was doing when she was 3 days old. She fed almost hourly from 1930 until 0230!🤱🏻
It can be a very frustrating and exhausting time. However, it is so important to remember that this is all totally normal newborn behaviour. If baby appears to be happy for the rest of the day then soothe and feed them for as long as they need. Try not to be tempted to give them formula milk at this crucial time - it is their way of building up your milk supply.
The good news is, normally after cluster feeding, baby tends to have a very good sleep afterwards. This night I got nearly 8 hours of sleep in a row, at only 3 days old! 🙌🏼 As long as baby feeds efficiently and effectively 8-10 times over the course of 24 hours there is no need to wake them to feed. Look out for signs of a well baby for reassurance.
Unfortunately, you will hear mixed views on this which can be confusing but that is the most recent recommendation. The NHS advises that “all mothers and babies are different, and you and your baby will work out your own feeding pattern together. As a very rough guide, your baby should feed at least eight times or more every 24 hours during the first few weeks”.
These concepts are something we discuss further in the infant feeding session of our antenatal course. Please enquire for more details about booking your space if you are due a gorgeous babe this summer ☀️
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This is exactly how I’m feeling right now! I can see baby doing kicks and rolls in my tummy every day, wondering - are you a boy or a girl?? 💗💙
I know the wait and suspense will be worth it though.. it’s life’s greatest surprise after all 🤰🏻

☀️Shout out to all those expecting a baby this summer! ☀️
Please get in touch to book your Bushey-based antenatal course now, in partnership with BirthMind. Limited availability as places are going quick! 🎉
hannah@thebusheymidwife.co.uk... chloe@birthmind.co.uk
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🌟 Instinct 🌟
Instinct is such a powerful tool for a labouring women and it shouldn’t be underestimated by anyone.
Today I cared for a lovely woman as she birthed her second baby. She was being induced for an obstetric complication and was on the hormone drip to try and encourage contractions. She had a very effective epidural and dilated extremely quickly in just 2 hours 🙌🏼
... When the time was right she started to push. However, after a while, it was suggested that she consider an instrumental delivery as the baby’s heart beat was dropping with the contractions. The epidural was working well and she could hardly feel a thing.
She had birthed her first baby on all fours and therefore wanted to try and push in this position again. We waited briefly for the epidural to wear off and then she turned over. She was absolutely adamant that she would birth her baby like this as that’s what felt ‘right’ for her, and 10 minutes later, she did just that 😍
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Lovin’ my lady lumps 💫
21 weeks today and I’m not entirely sure how that happened! I’m thoroughly enjoying the weather and the birds tweeting away in our garden. Also really fascinated watching my body change and become rounder and rounder as the weeks fly by. It’s absolutely nuts to think that there’s a little person hanging out in there!
PGP is rather annoying - I’m mainly feeling it when I’m sitting on the floor and in the evenings.. but I’ve got my physio appointment book...ed for next week and after my first pregnancy, I‘m hopeful that a session every few weeks will sort me out 👍🏼
Tiredness isn’t that fun either at the moment. I’m sleeping pretty badly - vivid dreams, waking to wee in the middle of the night and a general feeling of uncomfortableness (even with my giant U-shaped pregnancy pillow) 😏
Buzzing with the amount of interest and bookings we are getting for our June antenatal course this summer, in partnership with BirthMind. If you’re interested, be quick to book your place as there’s limited availability - a special Mother’s Day discount is available but for only 9 more days! 💜
I’m back midwife-ing on the labour ward tomorrow and cant wait to help more women through their birth experience and perhaps catch a baby or two 🥰
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In honour of Mother’s Day we have a SPECIAL OFFER available! Book on to our antenatal course within the next 10 days and receive a fabulous 10% discount! Use the code MOTHER when booking (expires midnight on 9th April) 🌟💫💜
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there - to those who have lost children, to those who still have children, to those who are expecting children and to those who are hopeful for children. Wishing you all a lovely day! BirthMind 💐

This photo was taken when I was in the second stage (aka pushing stage) of labour with my daughter! 📷
By this point I had been contracting for 40 hours with 3 hours sleep over 3 nights. I was pretty far beyond exhausted! I don’t have much memory of this stage at all and so I’m very grateful that one of my wonderful midwives captured this photo of my husband holding my hand and being my cheerleader 🤝
Before the birth have a think about whether or not you would like to record t...he event, with photos or even a video - either by a birth partner or by a professional. It’s incredible to have such a special time on record, so that you can look back on the experience and perhaps show your baby one day when they’re older 🥰
If you’re not sure if you want to record it or not, it’s worth assuming that you do, as you can always delete the evidence after it’s happened!
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🌟 BOOKINGS NOW OPEN 🌟 for our June course for those expecting in August and September! Please share with your friends and family - amazing discounts available and who better to learn from than experts in all things birth and baby!
Check out www.thebusheymidwife.co.uk and www.birthmind.co.uk for more info or get in touch for a chat!

Yesterday I delivered a gorgeous baby boy and here’s a few points about the birth that I love:
🤰🏻 First time mum
🧠 Practised hypnobirthing
... 🚶🏻‍♀️Stayed upright and active as soon as she felt her first tightening
🎈1.5 hour first stage of labour
👶🏻 Birthed on all fours after 12 minutes of pushing
❣️25 minutes optimal cord clamping
👍🏼 Delivered the placenta physiologically
🤱🏻Extended skin to skin contact with her newborn
She gave birth 1 hour after I met her. It’s amazing how quickly, as a midwife, you have to create a relationship and a rapport with a woman who entrusts their life and that of their baby with you. It’s such a privilege to be the one to help guide a baby into this world and I’m so grateful that I had the honour of caring for this woman. Not that she needed anything from me.. she birthed her baby with grace, confidence, positivity and calm 🥰
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• Pelvic Girdle Pain •
👉🏼 What is it? PGP, previously known as symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), is an umbrella term for a number of symptoms that can occur during pregnancy. It involves pain in the front and/or back of your pelvis and can also affect your hips and thighs.
... 👉🏼 How many women does it affect? 1:5 pregnant women are affected by this condition.. and I am in that small group! I had it from 28 weeks in my first pregnancy but I can already feel my hips starting to ache and become stiff 🤦🏻‍♀️
👉🏼 What causes PGP? In pregnancy, the hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle. This can cause the joints in and around the pelvis to soften and to move unevenly and become unstable. In addition, as your baby grows and more pressure and weight is put on the pelvis, this can increase the strain.
👉🏼 What are the main symptoms of PGP? • Pain in the pubIic area, lower back, hips, groin, thighs or knees • Clicking or grinding in the pelvic region • Increasing pain on movement
👉🏼 What can I do to help my symptoms? ✅ Put equal weight on each leg when standing ✅ Keep knees together when turning in bed and getting in and out of the car ✅ Change position often ✅ Keep active vs get rest ✅ Use a pillow under bump and between knees when asleep ✅ Sit down when getting dressed and undressed ✅ Avoid heavy lifting ✅ Avoid sitting on the floor or sitting twisted ✅ Have regular physio, osteopath or chiropractor sessions who specialise ✅ Take warm baths and/or use heat or ice packs ✅ Acupuncture ✅ Wear a sacroiliac belt for support
You should speak to your midwife or GP if you need help/support/advice. It’s so important that you get this early on and not suffer. Pain killers and crutches may also be recommended depending on the severity of your symptoms.
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