Umbilical cords are amazing. From the moment it forms and until it is cut, the umbilical cord supplies a baby with the oxygen and nutrients it requires for survival. The umbilical cord is comprised of one vein and two arteries enclosed in a sticky substance called Wharton’s Jelly. This is in turn encased in
Recently I was at a lovely homebirth. The baby was born into his parent's arms after a short but intense labour. No problems during labour were identified. Once the woman and her baby were snuggled together and comfortable, I set to the task of checking the placenta under the women’s watchful glaze. Quickly we
This morning I woke to read the Google newsfeed on Waterbirth and waterbirth evidence. What I found were headlines like “Study: Water Birth Offers No Special Benefits”, “Water Babies: Docs Challenge Growing Trend — Childbirth In A Tub” and my favourite “Water Births May Be Risky For Mother And Newborn”. Had there been a
This is a wonderful YouTube video from Tom Fletcher (the lead singer from boy band McFly and the father-to-be) called 'From Bump to Buzz. It features time lapse pregnancy photos from the start of pregnancy right the way until the baby is born. A lovely song called "Something New" (by Tom Fletcher) accompanies the
My breastfeeding story begins with my independent midwife saying to me ‘have you started learning about breastfeeding’ and with me responding ‘I thought it just happened naturally’. After kindly and gently letting me know that ‘it doesn’t just happen naturally’, my wonderful midwife lent me countless DVDs to learn from. I also joined the
When a new baby arrives you suddenly have so many new tasks. Parenting is a big role – huge in fact – imagine the job description were you to write one! One of the tasks on your new list is bathing the baby. This article looks at both the pragmatics of bathing a baby
It’s time to sound the drum roll. You're 3 weeks pregnant. This is the week your baby is conceived! If you have been trying to conceive you will have earmarked the magic four days this week which will give you your best chance of success. You have made love on some (or maybe all!)
As far back as I can remember I have wanted to have children, to be a mother, and throughout my life, I have always seen breastfeeding as one of the most important parts of the early mothering relationship. But despite my plans and dreams, my path to parenthood just didn’t go to plan! After many
Jade Beall is an amazing woman with an amazing mission. Rebelling against the world of air brushing and digital enhancement that proliferates our society, she seeks to shine a light on genuine beauty and the stories behind it. While photographers create glorious images of bellies ripe with babies, how many come back afterwards to
Parenting books promising to save our sleep (and tame our toddlers) and the yummy mummy movement have something in common that we, as first-time parents should know. Both contemporary trends capitalise on women’s fear of motherhood. Or that’s what I think, anyway. As a second-time parent, there is something now peculiar to me about
