The birth of a child is a very special and life-changing experience, and the moment you first meet your baby is one you will want to remember forever. If professional birth photography is out of your budget, but you would like the birth to be captured, you could ask your birth partner to take on the role of photographer. Or, if you’d rather keep your birth partner available to you, you could ask a close friend or family member to capture the vital moments on film. Whoever you choose, here are some tips to help them get the most out of DIY birth photography:

1. Use the best camera you can get your hands on – if you have or can borrow a top of the range camera, that’s great. If not, get hold of the best camera phone or digital camera you can.

2. Practice makes perfect – whatever camera you use, make sure you are well-acquainted with it before the birth. Make sure you understand what each and every button does, and how to find the right setting for your location. You don’t want to miss taking the all-important photograph because you were pressing the wrong button.

3. Have it set up before you need it – if you are using a fancy camera, make sure it is set up in advance. It may take you a while, fiddling with the ISO and other settings, before you can get pictures you’re happy with. Do this in advance, so that when the moment comes, you’re ready. If there is a lot of natural light in the birthing room, you may need to adjust your camera setting as the day progresses. The right setting at noon, will be very different to the setting needed at midnight.

4. Ask for the ground rules – your job is to capture the birth, not to risk upsetting the labouring woman by zooming in on the crowning shot. Ask the couple what they would like you to capture. Do they want photographs of the labour itself, the moment of childbirth, or just the first cuddles with their baby? Does she want it to be a strictly above-the-bump affair, or is she happy for you to capture the entire scene?

5. Adapt, and fast – no matter what ground rules you had, people are free to change their mind. If the capture-everything woman is now screaming at you to go away, then you should. But hang around, she might change her mind when the baby arrives, and she wants some special photographs.

6. Don’t get in the way – there will be healthcare providers with jobs to do, so make sure you’re not in the way. Most hospitals will be happy for you to be there, until you start getting under their feet, and then they’ll quickly tell you to leave. Stay out of the way, and try to shoot as a fly on the wall.

7. Photograph the details – it’s not just the photos of the first family cuddle, it’s also the little memories that are great to look back on. The tiny hospital band wrapped around the ankle of a newborn, the mother-to-be receiving a much-needed back massage from her birth partner, and a few establishing shots of the room itself, with the door number visible.

8. Save them immediately – take your laptop with you, so you can upload the photos straight away. It’s not worth risking a lost laptop case or corrupt memory card, just do it while you’re at the hospital to be safe. This has the added benefit of giving you a laptop to keep yourself occupied if you have a long wait at the hospital.

Who will be taking the first photos of you with your newborn baby?

You can also use our Baby+ App for iPhone / iPad or Android to capture your baby’s milestones and unforgettable moments, or use the App to create a time-lapse video by taking a picture of your baby every day. The App will then automatically produce a beautiful video. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

‘Push presents’ are a relatively new phenomenon, and are by no means common practice just yet. Some people think it’s a nice way to acknowledge the occasion, and others feel it is an unnecessary gift when the baby is reminder enough. Whatever your personal feelings, you won’t want to be the only new dad showing up to the postnatal ward empty handed, especially when all the other new mums are cooing over their gifts. So, here are five inspiring ideas for push presents, whatever your budget:

1. The classic choice – jewellery is the classic option for push presents. Some fathers choose to give their wife a third ring to wear on her wedding finger, and others choose to have a locket inscribed. Whatever you choose, make sure it is something your wife will love, and a piece she will want to wear to all occasions.

2. The modern alternative – some women want to learn to take better photographs so they can capture their growing child, others may want to start an online journal to record life as a new mother. Whatever your partner’s ambitions, you could treat her to a piece of technology that will make it that little bit easier – a new camera for photographs, or a laptop to use for blogging. Or maybe you’d like to treat her to a tablet or smartphone so she can keep herself entertained during the (many) hours she’s about to spend trapped under a sleeping baby.

3. The budget choice – becoming a parent can be an expensive hobby, so you are forgiven for not having much spare cash lying around for a push present. A push present doesn’t have to be expensive, it just needs to be a nice reminder of what your partner did, and how impressed you were. A nice frame is a perfect present – it won’t break the bank, she will be able to keep it forever, and she’ll be able to decide which photograph goes in it.

4. The artistic gift – you could hire a local artist to create a custom print of your new family. You can get amazing illustrators who will be able to capture both you and your partner, while creating a generic new baby so that the gift can be ready before the birth. Or, you could wait until after, and have an artist paint a picture from your first family photograph.

5. The sentimental reminder – this needn’t cost you a penny, all you need is a pen, some paper, and some time to note down your thoughts and feelings. As well as feeling exhausted, you will probably be overwhelmed with love for your partner after the birth. Take this opportunity to note down how you feel, and exactly what she means to you. She will be able to keep the letter forever, and look back on it to remember this important occasion in your joint history.

What push present are you hoping to receive, or do you see it as an unnecessary luxury?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

The mucus plug (also known as the operculum) is a thick glob of cervical mucus that blocks the cervical canal during pregnancy. The mucus plug prevents bacteria from getting inside the uterus and keeps the uterus sterile for the developing baby. Before the baby is born, the mucus plug is expelled to allow the baby to pass through the cervix.

What does a mucus plug look like? The mucus is usually thick, clear and sticky. It can look similar to nasal mucus, but is usually thicker. Towards the end of the pregnancy, as the cervix starts to efface in preparation for labour, the mucus may be tinged pink or slightly bloodied. It is sometimes known as a “bloody show”. Some women lose their mucus plug all at once, but for most it is a gradual process.Many women don’t even notice it happening due to the increase in vaginal secretions.

I’ve passed my mucus plug, is labour imminent? I hate to disappoint you, but passing the mucus plug is not a clear indication that labour is about to start. In fact, some women pass their mucus plug weeks before going into labour. However, passing the mucus plug does mean that your body is starting to prepare for labour. If you have passed your mucus plug before going into labour, your cervix will continue to secrete mucus and then plug will rebuild itself. Amazing, right? Some women even report losing their mucus plug more than once. Some women will only lose their mucus plug when they are in the throes of labour, and this is totally fine too.

Should I call my healthcare provider? If the mucus is clear, tinged pink or slightly bloodied, then there is no need to contact your healthcare provider. There is also no need to keep a sample of your mucus plug to show to your healthcare provider at your next appointment. However, you should mention to your healthcare provider that you have passed the plug when you next see them. If your mucus plug is bright red in colour, or excessive in quantity (more than two tablespoons), you should contact your healthcare provider immediately. These symptoms can be indicative of more serious conditions including placenta previa or placental abruption. If you see blood-tinged mucus before the 36th week of your pregnancy, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

The mucus plug is a thick column of cervical mucus which sits in the cervical canal during pregnancy, essentially forming a blockage. The mucus plug stops bacteria from getting into your uterus, and helps to keep your uterus sterile during pregnancy. Before the birth, you will lose your mucus plug, allowing the baby to pass through the cervix during labour.

Your mucus plug is made of a sticky, clear mucus, like nasal mucus, but often thicker. Towards the end of the pregnancy, you may start to lose some of your mucus plug. Some women lose the entire plug in one go, but others report the process taking up to a few days. The mucus plug is odourless but may not be the most attractive sight to behold.

What is a bloody show?

A bloody show is simply another name for a mucus plug. You may find that the mucus appears pink or brown tinged with blood, and this is why it is commonly known as a bloody show. There is nothing to worry about if your mucus plug is tinged with blood, in fact it is quite normal. It’s also normal to have a clear plug, you may also have heard it called a ‘show’.

Passing your plug

Passing your mucus plug is not always a clear indication that labour is imminent. In fact, if you pass your mucus plug over 24 hours before labour starts, your body will create a new mucus plug to take its place. Some women lose their mucus plug weeks before labour begins, however, it does mean that your cervix is starting to prepare for the birth.

Though it doesn’t mean the onset of labour will happen any minute, it does mean you should start preparing for labour. Is your hospital bag packed? Have you finished the nursery? Now is the time to finish off any loose ends around the house, and get ready to welcome your baby within the next few weeks.

You may notice you have passed a small amount of mucus after a vaginal exam or after having sex, this is usually nothing to worry about.

When to tell your healthcare provider

You can mention the plug to your healthcare provider at your next appointment, but there’s usually no need to contact them specially for this reason. However, you should contact your healthcare provider if:

• you notice blood-tinged mucus before your 37th week of pregnancy
• the mucus plug is bright red
• you pass more than two tablespoons of mucus

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

The majority of labours begin naturally, but some women are given a helping hand in kick-starting labour. There are a few different methods of induction, and procedures vary between hospitals. Speak to your healthcare provider to find out more about induction procedures in your area.

Why might induction be necessary?
This will vary between hospitals, between healthcare providers, and even between patients, but some possible reasons for induction include:

• being overdue – some hospitals like to induce from week 41, and others wait until week 42
• diabetes – if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you are likely to be offered early induction to reduce the risk of labour complications
• your waters have broken but labour hasn’t started – if labour hasn’t started 24 hours after your waters broke, your healthcare provider may want to talk about induction to prevent the risk of infection
• pre-eclampsia and other medical conditions – if you have been diagnosed with a condition that endangers you or your baby, your healthcare provider may wish to induce labour early
• if fetal growth problems are detected – if a growth scan shows that your baby has stopped growing, your healthcare provider may wish to opt for induction

How is labour induced?
Induction methods vary between hospitals, and may depend on your individual circumstances. Possible induction methods include:

• prostaglandin – this hormone causes the cervix to soften during labour. A pessary or tablet of prostaglandin will be placed into your vagina. If after six hours your contractions have not started, you may be offered another pessary or tablet.
• synthetic oxytocin  – if prostaglandin has not kick started labour, you will be offered synthetic oxytocin through an intravenous drip. Your waters will be broken before the drip is administered. Synthetic oxytocin causes more powerful contractions than natural labour, and your baby will be monitored throughout to check for signs of distress.

What does induced labour feel like?
Induced labour is said to be more painful than natural labour, this is because the contractions are more powerful. You will have access to pain relief during labour, so make sure you discuss your options with your healthcare provider in advance.

What if I don’t want to be induced?
There are times when induction is necessary to save a life. If, for example, you have developed pre-eclampsia, induction is the best option to protect both you and your baby. However, if you feel that you are being offered induction unnecessarily, speak to your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will want to inform you of the risks, but you are well within your rights to request more information and question the need for induction.

Is your labour being induced? Have you been through an induced labor and have tips to share?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

First-time mothers may be thrilled and nervous at the same when their expected date of delivery is fast approaching. Most of them are anxious about what might happen during. And, it would help to know what changes your body will undergo during this time and what you can do to prepare for it.

All types of pregnancy exercises are good labour preparations. There are a lot of benefits of prenatal exercises since they reduce bloating, swelling, constipation, backaches, and other unpleasant effects of pregnancy. They also help prevent excessive weight gain and may also shorten labour and delivery. Moreover, it also helps women lose weight faster after giving birth.

The four most important pregnancy exercises are:

KEGELS

Kegel exercises are small internal rotations of the pelvic floor muscles. Kegels strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, therefore, improving circulation to your vaginal and rectal areas, preventing haemorrhoids, and speeding healing after the episiotomy or natural tear of giving birth. There are even some evidences that a strong pelvic floor muscles may shorten the pushing part of labour.

Kegels is one of the pregnancy exercises that can be done anywhere and anytime, whether you are watching television, standing in line at the grocery store, or sitting in front of your computer.

• Tighten the muscles around your vagina as if you are trying to stop the flow of urine.
• Hold for four seconds, then release.
• Repeat this method ten times for three to four times a day.

PELVIC TILT

This is one of the variations of the pelvic tilt that is done on all fours. It strengthens the abdominal muscles and relieves labour pain.

• Get down on your knees and hands, keeping your knees hip-width apart and arms shoulder-width apart. Keep your arms straight, but do not lock your elbows.
• Tighten your abdominal muscles as you breathe in, and tuck your bottoms under and round your back.
• Relax your back when you breathe out.
• Repeat at your own pace.

SQUAT

Squatting is a time-honoured way to prepare for giving birth. It strengthens your thighs and helps open the pelvis.

• Hold the back of the chair with your feet slight more than hip-width apart.
• Contract your abdominal muscles and lift your chest. Relax you shoulders and lower your tailbone to the floor.
• Inhale and exhale, pushing your legs to an upright position.

TAILOR OR COBBLER POSES

These pregnancy exercises can help open your pelvis, loosen your hip joints, improve your posture, and relax your lower back.

• Sit up straight against a wall with your soles touching each other.
• Press your knees down and away from each other.
• Stay in the position for as long as you can.

How are you preparing for labour?

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Labour can be a very painful experiences. Knowing some of the ways to ease the pain, may contribute to having a better labour experience. If you are an expecting mother planning on having a natural birth, and would like to see labour as a rewarding and less painful experience, here are 10 secrets you should know!

1. Stay Fit

Expecting mothers who stay fit usually have shorter labours compared to those who are either overweight or underweight. Fitness improves the endurance of a pregnant woman, making her more able to tolerate the pain. You can keep fit by swimming, walking, or taking a prenatal exercise class.

2. Take a Childbirth Class

To help you feel less anxious, familiarise yourself with the stages of childbirth and practice comfort measures before the big day. Take childbirth classes in small groups, with a certified instructor, and goals that coincide with yours.

3. Find a Good Support

Although your partner will most likely be by your side throughout the labour, you may want to add more people in your support group. According to studies, women with continuous care, provided by a person trained to support labouring women, experience better child births. This lessens the need for caesarean birth and pain medication. Women with such support also experience shorter labour. Discuss this option with your health care provider.

4. Entertain Yourself

First-time mothers experience active labour for 12 to 14 hours. When contractions begin, try to stay calm. Entertain yourself with other activities such as walking, taking a shower, and baking cookies.

5. Eat Some Snacks

To help maintain your energy level, take some light snacks. However, you should avoid fatty foods and hard-to-digest foods to avoid nausea and vomiting. Muscle contractions and rapid breathing may lead to dehydration as well. So, drink enough clear liquids at home and once you arrive at the hospital. Let you healthcare providers know when you feel thirsty.

6. Take a Shower

Pain causes tension in your muscles, adding more discomfort. A warm shower can relieve the pain, especially by aiming the showerhead at the area where the contractions are most intense. Just ask if you can use the shower during labour in hospital.

7. Immerse in the Tub

Immersing yourself in the tub can provide pain relief. You can change positions easily in the tub by sliding around in the warm bath. Aim your lower back at the jets to ease your intense contractions. Most hospitals provide a birth pool, but you may need to ask in advance.

8. Get a Massage

Labouring women who receive massages from their partner feel less pain and anxiety during childbirth. Inform your partner what feels best – a shoulder or a neck rub, or even a simple hand or foot rub.

9. Do Not Lie Down

Stay upright all throughout the labour. It will help your cervix dilate. Also, you can try standing, squatting, or kneeling to lessen the discomfort and hasten delivery.

10. Entonox (gas and air)

Entonox (also known as laughing gas) won’t remove all the pain but it can help to reduce it and make it more bearable. Many women like it because it’s easy to use and they control it themselves. It’s safe for your baby and the extra oxygen you breathe in may even be good for you and your baby. Although Gas and Air doesn’t take away the pain entirely, they do take the edge off contractions. This method isn’t available everywhere, so you may want to check with your birth location ahead of time.

Written by Team Health & Parenting

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

An increasing number of women are choosing to spend at least some of their labour immersed in water. For some, this means a few hours in the bath at the start of their labour, and for others it means delivering their babies in a birthing pool. Birthing pools are now a common sight in birthing centres in the UK, and some women even choose to hire birthing pools for use at home. Water births are less common in the US, though many women still choose this option when planning a home birth.

If you are currently writing your birth plan, you may be considering water birth as an option. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages or water births:

The advantages:

• The warm water can provide relief from the discomfort of labour, and may even be used instead of medical pain relief
• It doesn’t prevent the use of other medicines, you would still be able to use certain forms of pain relief in the pool. Speak to your healthcare provider to find out more
• The water can have a calming effect, allowing you to relax during labour which can help labour to progress
• The water can support your weight, meaning you may find yourself free from the aches and pains of late pregnancy
• The water can support your weight, leaving you better able to change position and stay upright
• The pool around you can help you to feel more private and protected. Your healthcare provider will still be able to reach you if needed, though the barrier may help you to feel more in control during labour
• The calming effect of the warm water can help to lower blood pressure
• Giving birth in water is thought to reduce the risk of vaginal tearing

The disadvantages:

• There are some forms of pain relief that are not compatible with the pool, so you may need to abandon the birthing pool if you want to have one of those pain relief options
• If you get into the pool before labour is underway, there are concerns that you could slow down the onset of labour
• Birthing pools are not available in all birthing units, you will need to check with your healthcare provider whether you will be able to have one on the day
• If you are planning a homebirth, you will need to hire a pool yourself which you will need to budget for
• Not all women experience the pain relieving benefits of water, some simply feel disappointed when they get into the pool

Are you considering a water birth?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

As you near the finale of the nine-month-long trek you’ve been waiting for, you may feel like going off grid altogether. The endless texts asking “Any news?”, combined with the Facebook updates telling you yet another prenatal class buddy has welcomed their little bundle of joy, are enough to convince you to throw your smart phone out of the nearest window. Add to this the abundance of phone calls from over excited soon-to-be-grandparents desperate to know when it all kicks off, and you’ll soon be reaching for the scissors to put your landline out of action too.

The only exception to this please-leave-me-alone-and-stop-contacting-me-to-ask-if-I’m-in-labour-yet rule, is your birth partner. You will want your birthing partner in front of their emails, next to the office phone, with their mobile waiting and ready in their hand, just in case it’s almost time. If your partner has a hectic work schedule, or can often be out of contact for hours at a time, what can you do to ensure you reach them when the big day comes?

1. Keep it mobile – while your grandma may remember the days of labouring women awaiting neighbours running across town to inform soon-to-be-fathers that labour had started, that’s not quite how it works today. In fact, your partner probably has a mobile phone that is taken with them everywhere, and this makes things much easier. Make sure your partner keeps their phone fully charged, and carries a phone charger at all times, just in case. Ask your birth partner to turn the volume up and keep the phone with them at all times. If your birth goes places without signal, he or she should try to call every few hours to make sure they haven’t missed any calls from you.

2. Call the office – make sure you have the office number, and that the receptionist knows you are due to have a baby so any calls from you will be considered urgent. Work lines can be busy, so it may take a while to get through. If you’re not having any luck on their mobile, try calling the office. Even if he or she is not there, the receptionist is likely to offer to take over ringing their mobile number so that you can concentrate on labour.

3. Get the digits – you have the mobile number and office number, but where else might they be when the first contraction hits? If your birth partner spends a lot of time at the gym, make sure you have the number for the reception in case they are working out when it starts. You don’t want to be googling sports venues during your early contractions. If they are going round to a friend’s house, ask them for the landline number in case you need to get in touch. This is going to be one the greatest events of their life, so you’ll want to make sure they doesn’t miss it.

4. Have a back up – not a back up birth partner, although that is always a good idea to have one in mind, just in case. Have a back up phone operator in case you struggle to get hold of your partner. You really don’t want to be breathing through contractions while listening to the electronic voice mail message for the millionth time. If you can’t get in touch with your partner, ask a friend to take over calling them while you focus on labour.

5. Send for your birth partner – if you know where they are but can’t get through because of bad signal, a dead battery or a power cut – send someone else to look for them. Ask a close friend or family member to go and find your birth partner and get them for you. It’s unlikely you’ll ever need to do this, chances are the phone will be picked up as soon as you ring the mobile, but it’s worth being prepared.

How is your partner staying accessible as your due date approaches?

Have you enjoyed this article? You can find plenty more useful articles and great tools in our new Baby App for iPhone / iPad or Android. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

It’s easy to get carried away when packing your hospital bag. After all, you may be more used to packing for two weeks by the beach, and so a bare minimal hospital bag can come as a bit of a surprise. Childbirth is one of the great unknowns, so you may find yourself packing for a whole host of different scenarios, just in case. What you really need to do, is pack light and pack sensibly. A huge hospital bag bursting at the seams can be a nuisance on the day. Not only will it be difficult to drag up to the ward, but it may also prove problematic when it comes to find particular items in the bag.

Make sure you can justify everything that goes in your bag, you’ll probably still end up taking more than you need, but at least this might keep things to a minimum. Here are five items you don’t need in your hospital bag:

1. Books, magazines and films – ‘in case you get bored’, anything in this category should be taken out of the hospital bag immediately. If you arrive at the hospital in the throes of labour, and leave carrying your newborn baby, you won’t have had time to be bored. The only exception to this, is if you are being induced or having an elective caesarean. Both of these could involve a bit of waiting around, so it’s wise to take your own entertainment.
2. Pre-pregnancy clothes – you may be missing those push up bras, and be desperate to slip back into those much loved skinny jeans, but unfortunately you won’t be leaving hospital in them. After you give birth, you will still have a bump for a short while as your body slowly shrinks back to your pre-pregnant size. You will also still be carrying the extra weight you put on during pregnancy. Take clothes that will allow you to be comfortable after the birth, ideally maternity or loose fitting clothes.
3. A selection of cute baby outfits – newborns sleep most of the time, so you should pack lots of onesies and sleepwear to keep your little one warm in hospital. Cute as the mini cowgirl outfit complete with hat is, your newborn probably won’t appreciate it just yet. Keep your newborn dressed for sleep, or naked so you can enjoy some skin to skin bonding. Bring an outfit for taking baby home, and plan outerwear according to the weather.
4. The baby book – much as you want to note down each treasured memory of the birth, you’re not going to have time at the hospital. Chances are, you’ll be exhausted after the birth and will then be busy adapting to your new role as a mother for the remainder of your stay. Leave the baby book at home, but take a pen and paper with you just in case you do feel the urge to write some quick notes down.
5. Your full make up kit – while you may like a bit of mascara or a touch of blusher, chances are you won’t have time to apply a full face of make up. By all means, take a few of your must-haves, but don’t pack your entire vanity cabinet. Newborn babies take up a lot of time, and you’re likely to be sleeping when not looking after your baby. Your appearance will be far from your mind.

What would you advise expectant parents to leave at home as they head to hospital for the birth?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

The big day is finally here, you spent a few hours at home, bouncing on your birthing ball and breathing during contractions. Your contractions grew stronger, longer and more frequent, so you jumped in the car and headed to the hospital. You’re now bent over the front desk, huffing and puffing your way through another contraction, as your partner rubs your back while trying not to collapse under the weight of the three colour coordinated hospital bags you brought.

As your healthcare provider ushers you into your room and tells you to make yourself at home, your mind might be focused on other things. By this point, you may have forgotten the list of things you wanted to ask your healthcare provider. Of course, your healthcare provider will have a copy of your pregnancy notes, and this should include a birth plan; but birthing centres are busy places, so it’s always worth reiterating the important information in person. Make sure you tell your healthcare provider the following:

1. The type of birth you want – you don’t need to sit down and give a detailed and lengthy description including backing music and desired lighting, but it is worth giving a general outline. Would you like a water birth or active birth? What sort of positions would you like to try? Try to keep an open mind on the day, though. Remember, things can change.
2. Your desired pain relief – remember, this could all go out of the window because it’s impossible to predict how you will find labour, but you can give an idea of your thoughts on pain relief. If you’re hoping for a natural birth, your healthcare provider will try to support you in this plan. Alternatively, if you are hoping for an epidural, it is helpful to know this is a possibility so arrangements can be made with the necessary medical staff.
3. Your birth partner’s role – whether you want your partner to massage your back, get you drinks or sing your praises during labour, you should let your healthcare provider know in advance. Some birth partners may feel overwhelmed on the day, and forget to carry out certain roles, but your healthcare provider can help to involve them in the process if you state your wishes in advance.
4. Anything out of the ordinary – if you have experienced vaginal bleeding, or noticed a brown tinge to your mucus plug or amniotic fluid, you should inform your healthcare provider immediately. While it may be nothing to worry about, your healthcare provider needs to be fully informed about your situation to provide you with the best care.
5. How you feel about interventions – if you feel very strongly that you would like to avoid interventions, such as episiotomies, you should state this in advance. Of course, your healthcare provider is charged with safely delivering your baby, and sometimes interventions are unavoidable. However, knowing in advance that you want to avoid medical interventions may cause your medical team to question whether an intervention is really necessary before making a decision.

Finally, it never hurts to say thank you at the end. If you feel that you had the best care possible, and will be eternally grateful to your fantastic healthcare provider, let them know. Send them a card thanking them for their hard work. It’s always nice to feel appreciated.

Do you enjoy this App? Good news! You can now also download our new Baby App for iPhone / iPad or Android. Click Baby+ iOS or Baby+ Android to install the App, and prepare for the arrival of your little one(s).

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

Benefits of listening to music during labour

Some women choose to use music during labour, either as a way to motivate them or keep them calm during contractions. For some women, controlling their birthing environment helps them to feel empowered during labour. While you can’t redecorate the birthing suite, you can do things to make it feel more like home. Music is a great way to change the ambience, and will distract from the background sounds of the labour ward.

Listening to pleasant music can release dopamine into the brain. Dopamine is strongly associated with feel-good activities such as sex and food, and may act as a form of pain relief. Scientists believe music can lessen patients’ experience of pain at the dentist, so why not give it a go during childbirth? As well as triggering the release of chemicals, music can act as a distraction from the discomfort. If you are focused on the music, you will be less focused on any discomfort you may be experiencing.

Music has been found to relieve the physiological symptoms of stress. During labour, these symptoms can act to impede labour by triggering the fight or flight response. Music can lower blood pressure, slow breathing down and ease muscle tension, all of which could have a positive effect on labour.

The practicalities

Most hospitals and birthing centres have CD players or music docks available, but it is worth checking in advance. If your hospital does not offer this service, they may allow you to bring your own in. Some women choose to listen to the music on headphones instead.

If you are having an elective cesarean, whether you are allowed music playing will depend on your surgeon. Some are happy to allow patients to choose music, but others may find it distracting which isn’t really ideal for operating! Speak to the hospital in advance, and find out what to expect on the day. Unlike with a vaginal birth, you should know in advance exactly how long the birth will last, and can plan a playlist accordingly.

What to listen to

If you want to use music during labour, you should create a playlist including your favourite songs. Try to cover all the bases – emotional, upbeat, angry and calming – you’ll probably experience a variety of emotions during childbirth.

It’s impossible to predict how you will feel on the day. You may find that after spending hours producing the perfect mix playlist for labour, you then want to sit in stoney silence throughout. If you usually like calm, sensual music, you may find yourself yearning for some loud, angry heavy metal for the pushing stage of labour. Be prepared, and take a mix of music types, so that you have something to suit every mood.

What songs have you got on your labour playlist?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.