Birth & Baby Blog
Where knowledge, experience and insight meet to give you the pregnancy, birth and postnatal journey you deserve.
Where can I give birth in Cornwall?
One hospital and four birth settings: choosing where to give birth in Cornwall relies on you understanding the pros and cons of each labour and delivery setting. Let’s go…
The benefits of booking an independently-run antenatal course…
Antenatal classes aren’t all made equal. Independent antenatal providers (like me!) have the power to make a real difference to your birth experience, despite lower Google rankings. Here’s why…
Four reasons why doulas (like me) make the best antenatal teachers…
Every antenatal teacher and doula comes to birthwork carrying their own experiences & biases. Understanding how these can help you prepare for birth, may be the game-changer you’re looking for.
Hospital bag essentials to boost your birth …
Onesies and nappies are useful but won’t boost your birth experience. Adding these five things to your hospital bag will help to boost oxytocin & help you to labour smoothly…
This time next year…
There’s no way of knowing for sure what life will be like after birth but exploring the changes that can happen help ease the uncertainty and boost your confidence.
Why ALL birth stories matter (and deserve to be told)
Birth stories aren’t entertainment - they’re a vital part of humanity: our identities, our society & our biology. To not share them is to do a disservice to everyone - especially yourself.
Five questions to help choose the RIGHT antenatal course for you…
Research tells us that antenatal courses make a difference. It’s all about finding the right one for you, but with so many options, how do you choose? Start here…
Birth is mega painful right? How will I cope?!
Our ancestors didn’t have gas & air or epidurals during labour. If you want your labour to be as drug-free as possible, understanding this has to be your starting point.
Three things to about know the maternity system…
Understanding the maternity system is a key part of getting a positive birth experience. Get started with these three things to know and do as you prepare for birth...
Let’s talk about stretch & sweeps…
Being booked in for a sweep around your due date is a common milestone in the UK. But what are they? Do they work? Why would you want one?
Sharing vs scaring: telling our birth stories without the horror.
Birth stories that share the reality of birth are vital. Knowing what labour, birth & baby life really is can be transformational, when shared helpfully. Here’s how to do that.
How can I help my birth partner to help me?
Birth partners can be the game-changing support you need during labour, but they work best when they know what to do. Here’s how you can help them to prepare…
Want to avoid medical interventions? Try these five things…
Episiotomies, inductions, forceps and caesareans are a common and increasingly standard part of the modern birth experience. Can do anything to try to avoid them? Yes, and here’s how.
Morning Sickness: the what, the why and how to deal with it.
New ground-breaking research has shed light on the causes of 'morning sickness', helping to make the brutal reality of this ‘normal’ and expected part of pregnancy manageable and understandable.
5 quick ways to get informed about birth…
Yes, you know it’s important to be informed about birth, but in a world of research, books and blogs where on earth are you meant to start? Try here…
What actually IS an induction?
Induction is a big part of modern birth, but what does it actually involve? This step-by-step guide explains it and helps you to decide if it’s right for you.
What does a birth partner do?
A skilled and confident birth partner can transform labour. These five steps give birth partners a framework and focus as they support their birthing person on the big day.
What will an antenatal class do for me?
Understanding your options & developing useful skills will help you to feel ready to meet your baby; the right antenatal class will give you all of this and much more.
5 reasons to write a birth plan (and 1 not to!)
You wouldn’t go on holiday without doing some planning first, so not plan for birth? These five tips will help you write a birth plan that gives you confidence.
What do I need to know about pregnancy?
No-one has taught you how to be pregnant, yet still you feel clueless! These four top tips will help you to understand your body and mind & find your confidence.