Don’t worry, pregnant readers, this post isn’t aimed at you. The act of giving birth is considered more than useful, so don’t feel you need to take on any further responsibilities in the labour room. No, this article is more for the eyes of any future birth partners, so make sure you send yours a copy.

Being a birth partner is a pretty big deal. Whether you’re the father, a family friend, or about to become  grandma, being a birth partner is an honour. It’s also, however, a pretty big responsibility. It’s impossible to predict how a birth will go, and you won’t know in advance how the mum-to-be will be feeling on the day. Try not to get too worried about the endless possibilities of things you should be doing in the delivery room, and instead focus on the following five ways to make yourself useful during childbirth:

1. Soothe – one of your main roles in the delivery room is to keep the labouring woman calm. Worry, fear and panic need to be as far away from the labour room as possible. Feeling worried can actually stop labour from progressing, so you need to keep the mum-to-be in high spirits. This is no place for jazz hands though, instead go with soothing words, a low voice, and reassuring touches.

2. Cheer – the best homework you can do for labour, is to watch Bring It On a few times. As a birth partner, you are the official cheerleader of the mum-to-be. You’re her coach, her team mate and her cheerleader, all rolled into one. Come with your pompoms at the ready, and have some stock phrases ready to put into action. Tell her she’s doing great, that she’s amazing, and that you’re in awe of her.

3. Help – whatever she needs during labour, it’s your job to do it. Have the layout of the hospital bag memorised in advance, because when she’s screaming mid-contraction for the massage ball, you won’t want to waste another second. Snacks, drinks, ice chips – whatever she needs, you’re her personal butler. When she says her backaches, offer her a massage. If she’s hot, hold a cold water flannel to her head. Just help, in any way you can.

4. Get involved – labour is no time for sitting on the sidelines. You need to be by her side, as much a part of the team as the professional delivering the baby. Use your strength to support her weight so she can try out vertical positions during labour, maximising gravity during the birth. Help her with her breathing, reminding her to use her breathing to stay calm, and even to help focus her strength during the pushing stage.

5. Ask – childbirth can be a bit of a blur, especially for the labouring woman. She may not be conscious of decisions being made, or plans being suggested around her. Of course, the most important thing is that both mother and baby are healthy, but don’t be afraid to ask questions about why certain decisions are being made. Not only will this help the mum-to-be when she asks questions about the birth, and is able to get a full explanation from you, it could also help to remind the healthcare provider of the mum-to-be’s birth plan.

Who have you chosen to be your birth partner, and why?

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.

Time seems to play tricks on you from the moment you fall pregnant. Sometimes the weeks rush by, leaving you wondering how so much time has passed without you ticking off a single thing from your to do list. Other times, time will seem to crawl by at an almost excruciating pace. This is especially true during the last few weeks of pregnancy. Chances are, you’ve crossed everything off your to do list, you’ve taken time off work to prepare for the baby, and you’re waiting for the birth.

If your due date has been and gone, you are probably ready to try anything to kick start labour. Here are some tried and tested ways to naturally induce labour:

Let’s talk about sex
The theory behind this is that sex can trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone that controls contractions during labour, and may cause labour. It is also thought that having an orgasm could help to stimulate the uterus and get labour started. As well as this, semen contains a high number of prostaglandins which may help to soften the cervix in preparation for labour. Sex has not been proven to induce labour, although there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to support the theory. Having sex with a big bump can be a bit difficult, you may have to get creative with your positioning. Spooning, woman on top, and from behind are three positions commonly used during the third trimester.

Needle in a haystack
Acupuncture has been proven to be successful at inducing labour, although only a limited number of studies have been carried out. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into the body. Depending on the placement of the needles, the energy within the body is stimulated to work in a certain way. Acupuncture is safe during pregnancy, and may start to work as soon as six hours after the appointment.

Hot, hot, hot
There is no evidence to back up this claim, but many women swear it was a spicy curry that kick started their labours. The theory is that eating very spicy food can cause affect your digestive system, which may in turn cause your uterus to contract. Spicy food also contains prostaglandins which may also cause contractions.

Second base
Nipple stimulation is said to be effective for inducing labour as it releases the contraction-causing hormone oxytocin. Your nipple stimulation should mimic a baby suckling, because this is how the oxytocin release will be triggered. Massage your whole nipple, one at a time, including the areola, for five minutes. Then take a 15 minute break, and try this again on the other breast if nothing has happened. You should repeat this for about an hour, three times a day. You should cease nipple stimulation once labour has started.

Touch me babe
An induction massage is said to be an effective way to induce labour, and even if it doesn’t work for you, it will be a nice way to relax before the baby arrives. Choose a masseuse who is train in induction massages, and they will work on acupressure points that are usually avoided during pregnancy for fear of induction. They will also use specific essential oils that are said to induce labour.

Round the block
Walking may help to bring on labour. The rhythmic pressure of the baby’s head pushing down on your cervix as you walk, may stimulate the release of oxytocin. It can also help to get baby in a good position for the birth. Try not to tire yourself out, if labour does start, you will need plenty of energy. A short stroll round the block every hour or so is probably best. Bouncing on a birthing ball could also have a similar effect.

If you try any of the above and have success, let us know. What have you tried so far to induce labour?

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.

While you’re rushing around trying to decorate a nursery, research strollers, tie up any loose ends at work before maternity leave, and grow a person, you might long for a few minutes to relax. Having a beauty treatment is the perfect way to take some time out from the hustle and bustle, put your feet up and feel calm. A beauty treatment will help you to feel great in your changing body too. You may be desperate for a trip to the local salon, but wondering which beauty treatments are safe during pregnancy?

Safe treatments
The following treatments are considered safe during pregnancy:

• everyday cosmetics – hair and nail products such as shampoo and nail varnish, are considered safe for use during pregnancy.
• hair dye – each time you dye your hair, a small amount of chemicals is absorbed into your skin, but there is no evidence that this reaches or affects the baby. Some women choose to avoid dying their hair during pregnancy, just in case. Some healthcare providers worry about the use of bleach during pregnancy, but most are unconcerned about its use.
• tanning lotions – fake tans are safe to use when pregnant.
• facials – facial products are considered safe for use during pregnancy. If you are having a professional facial, be sure to inform your beautician that you are pregnant. They may be able to tailor the facial to best suit your skin’s needs during pregnancy.
• massage – not only are massage oils safe to use during pregnancy, they should be compulsary. A massage is the perfect way to rid you of those pregnancy aches and pains, and help you to relax and forgets the stresses of impending motherhood. If you are having a professional massage, be sure to tell your masseuse that you are pregnant as this will affect the massage techniques used.

Treatments to avoid
The following beauty treatments are NOT considered safe during pregnancy:

• tanning – you should avoid using sunbeds during pregnancy. Sunbeds may cause your body to overheat. The harmful UV rays are also found to break down folic acid. Folic acid is important for healthy foetal development.
• body wraps – the application of heated towels or wraps during pregnancy should be avoided. The heated wraps may cause your body to overheat, and there is no effective way to monitor how much heat is reaching the foetus.
• hot tubs – you should avoid hot tubs and saunas during pregnancy, because these can raise your core temperature to a level considered dangerous for your baby.
• botox – it is generally thought that botox stays in the area it is injected, and so would be unlikely to reach the baby. However, there isn’t enough data on this, and so most healthcare providers will advise postponing botox until after the birth.
• piercings – pregnancy compromises your immune system and puts you at an increased risk of infection, so you should avoid getting piercings when pregnant.

Have you had any beauty treatments during pregnancy as a way of relaxing?

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 2017. All rights reserved.

For some parents, bonding begins in utero, and for some it happens instantly at birth. For others, it can take a few days for things to settle down enough for the bonding process to really begin, and some parents may find it takes a bit longer.

There are plenty of ways you can encourage the bonding process between yourself and your baby, here are a few tried and tested techniques:

1. Skin to skin – touch is a great way to bond with your baby. Research has found that skin to skin contact helps babies by regulating breathing, stimulating digestion, regulating body temperature, and stimulating feeding behaviour. It has been found to help mothers relax, and to trigger the hormones of breastfeeding. Make sure you spend some time enjoying skin to skin contact.
2. Alone time – there’s probably a line of friends and family queuing up outside your door, but try to postpone them by a few days. Spend a some time bonding as a new family, and getting used to each other before you invite other people to meet your newborn.
3. Use your voice – your baby recognises your voice from his time in the womb. You may have noticed that, even at just a few hours old, he will turn his head to you whenever he hears you talk. The sound of your voice might even be enough to soothe him when he cries, so make the most of this ability and chat away throughout the day.
4. And your ears – talking is great, but listen, too. Your baby might not be able to talk just yet, but that doesn’t mean he’s not communicating. He may smile when happy, shy away when he doesn’t want a massage, or suck his thumb when he’s hungry. Through these actions, he is communicating with you. By learning to interpret your baby’s early attempts at communication, you can help him to learn the value of communicating – something you’ll be thankful of in the future. You may also learn to pick up on his early feeding cues, and be able to feed him before he starts to cry from hunger.
5. Feeding time – mealtimes are the perfect time to bond with your baby. If you’re breastfeeding, feed as often as your baby indicates he would like to. Feed frequently, and make eye contact with and talk to him as you do. The hormones associated with breastfeeding are said to encourage the bonding process too. If you’re bottle feeding, you can still use feeds as valuable bonding time. Talk to and make eye contact with your baby throughout the feed. Some parents decide that only they will feed their baby, to stop visitors from stealing that valuable bonding opportunity.
6. Close enough to kiss – you may have noticed that your newborn cries whenever he is put down, that’s because he wants to be close to you. Using a sling is a great way of keeping everyone happy. You’re happy because you have your hands free to get on with other things, and the baby is happy because he knows he’s safe with you. Dad can get in on the babywearing action too – it’s a great way for him to bond with the baby.
7. Massage – massaging your baby is a great way to promote bonding and closeness. You can incorporate a massage into your daily routine. Baby massage may also help to improve your confidence in your mothering abilities as you learn to communicate with your newborn. Massage is also said to help with colic, sleep and wind (gas) in babies. There are baby massage courses across the country that will equip you with the skills and confidence to massage your baby.

How do you plan to bond with your baby?

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 2016. All rights reserved.