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Is getting or hiring a doula worth it?

May 1, 2021
4 min

Is getting or hiring a doula worth it?

The honest opinion from a doula. Are we worth having? It would be easy to make this post a selling/self-promotion post, but that wouldn't be real or honest. You could ask many people about whether they would get a doula or hire a doula for their birth or postnatal period. Some would praise them like no tomorrow and some would say 'well, you just gotta get on with it. So what's the point of the fuss and spending more money?' Both relevant opinions and a valid question. Honestl

Being a Doula in the North

Apr 8, 2021
4 min

Being a Doula in the North

The struggles and triumphs of being a birth worker in the North of England. Specifically, Newcastle upon Tyne. Once I had qualified as a doula I thought that meant that women with baby bumps and sonograms would start running towards me and see me as this sparkly light in the darkness. Oh, how I was wrong! Don't get me wrong, putting in the graft and working hard is 100% necessary, but I did think that it would be easier to attract 'clients.' I realized after time, effort and

Your body after birth: What can happen?

Jun 2, 2019
2 min

Your body after birth: What can happen?

After sending the last few months listening to pregnancy and birth podcasts and reading books, I have learnt so much about the female body AFTER birth. I had absolutely no idea how many different "symptoms" women can get after the birth of their babies. 1. The Blood I've heard from many new mothers that you can bleed vaginally for weeks after birth. As if the labour wasn't enough, now you've got an elongated extra heavy period right after too. I assume this occurs because the

When is the right time to become a parent?

Apr 25, 2019
3 min

When is the right time to become a parent?

I have been thinking about this question a lot recently. No Mam, not because I want babies yet; but because I wonder if there is ever really a right time to be a parent? Is there an ideal age? healthy window? financial level? I did watch a fascinating video on youtube about this exact concept and it was very humbling to see mothers and couples of all ages, statuses and financial bands figuring it all out themselves. If i'm honest living in Asia has made the idea of becoming a

Review: Best Birth-related Podcast

Mar 26, 2019
2 min

Review: Best Birth-related Podcast

After becoming slightly obsessed with birth and pregnancy I dived into nearly all forms of media that have connections with birth/pregnancy. Whether it was Ina may Gaskin's books, One born every minute on Channel 4 and even podcasts on my phone. After following one specific podcast for over a year now I am 100% sure in saying that this is probably one of the best, if not the best, podcasts to listen to during your pregnancy to gain information, hear some incredible stories an

Top Tips for traveling with children

Mar 8, 2019
3 min

Top Tips for traveling with children

Traveling in general can be a stressful task; remembering your passport, packing the right clothes and putting all your big liquids in the checked in bags are just a few of the minor things we need to do; now imagine that with kids/babies too. As a nervous flyer I can't imagine anything worse than getting on an aeroplane, but I bet some parents feel this way when they first travel with their baby/children. Below we have compiled the top tips from other mothers and parents to

Mom Shaming: Part 2

Feb 13, 2019
3 min

Mom Shaming: Part 2

Appearances Mom Shaming is an unnecessary aspect of being a mother/parents; when other mothers or just random/ordinary people judge and make comments about what you do/are doing as a parent. Not everyone may have experienced it, but those of you who have were not pleased after. For reference, where I'm from we call our mothers Mam and that's what'll be saying from now on, as saying mom is not the norm for me. It's quite sad now that online bullying and shaming regarding appea

Mom Shaming: Part 1

Feb 6, 2019
3 min

Mom Shaming: Part 1

Mom Shaming is an unnecessary aspect of being a mother/parents; when other mothers or just random/ordinary people judge and make comments about what you do/are doing as a parent. Not everyone may have experienced it, but those of you who have were not pleased after. For reference, where I'm from we call our mothers Mam and that's what'll be saying from now on, as saying mom is not the norm for me. I feel that the whole concept of Mam shaming has become so normal now; purely b

The Non-Parent

Feb 3, 2019
3 min

The Non-Parent

Considering I am a non parent and have yet to have my own children, I 100% have experienced awkward situations when misunderstandings and misconceptions have happened between me and parents; especially with family and friends that already have kids. First of all, as for me my intention is never to be ignorant and thoughtless. Thoughtless meaning saying anything to anyone, but I have to admit there have been times when I've said something and it's been taken the wrong way. As

Things we wish we had known about CHILDBIRTH. From mothers to mothers.

Jan 26, 2019
4 min

Things we wish we had known about CHILDBIRTH. From mothers to mothers.

Continuing on from my previous post this blog series is all details and accounts from mothers to mothers all across the world, of all ages and nationalities and mother with older and younger children. Just a clear reminder; some of the things you read about in this post are from other people's personal experiences. This doesn't mean that it will happen to you or that your birth/pregnancy will end that way. Every mother, pregnancy, birth and journey is completely different and

Things we wish we had known about pregnancy; before getting pregnant! From mothers to mothers.

Jan 19, 2019
3 min

Things we wish we had known about pregnancy; before getting pregnant! From mothers to mothers.

I'm starting this mini series about all the things mothers wish they had known before and after various moments in their pregnancies. It's exciting and also a real reminder that we don't know everything; we can always learn and grow. I've collected responses from women all over the world, of all ages, with young children, old children and many more! I hope when reading this it will not put a damper on your ideas of pregnancy and birth but enlighten and maybe even bring comfor

Top 5 tips for surviving morning sickness

Jan 11, 2019
3 min

Top 5 tips for surviving morning sickness

Hello mothers! Ah, we've heard all the stories and seen all the well played movie scenes showing us what morning sickness would/should be like, but let's get real. Morning sickness has been said to never have just been in the morning; some of you have had it all day, just at night, in the mornings and for some of you lucky ones out there who NEVER get it; go on you! Another illusion we've been fed is that the first trimester is filled with vomiting and all, but according to s

Who should be with you during your birth?

Dec 14, 2018
2 min

Who should be with you during your birth?

As we know/can assume labour is beautiful but strenuous; before your birth you'll find yourself choosing who is going to be with you during labour. Your husband/wife? Partner? Mother? Father? Your other children? Friends? Cousins? Aunties? Doula? Private Midwife? Photographer? Whoever you decide to bring into your surroundings during labour should be someone that will support and be present for you and more importantly maintain positive and calm vibes. It has been proven that

Top 3 foods to avoid while pregnant

Dec 12, 2018
2 min

Top 3 foods to avoid while pregnant

"You only love it when you lose it" how perfectly does this quote summarize some mothers food related experiences when pregnant. When growing your lovely babies, sometimes we need to alter our diets and although it's so worth it; It can be so hard to give up some foods, especially the foods we love. 1. Some cheeses I don't know about you, but cheese is just.... life. I'm a huge cheese fan I'm sure most of you are. Fortunately most everyday cheeses like Cheddar and Parmesan ar

Fear vs Birth

Dec 10, 2018
4 min

Fear vs Birth

Hey Mamma's, for those of you reading we are going to discuss some of the common fears associated with birth. Everyone is different, what seems "normal"/"natural" to some may be terrifying for others. Now this post isn't here for creating/confirming fears, the post is here to address some of the worries that some mothers feel leading up to their births and to remind them that although some things and moments might be out of our hands; you are 100% capable and you are going to

Review: Spiritual midwifery - Ina May Gaskin

Dec 9, 2018
3 min

Review: Spiritual midwifery - Ina May Gaskin

Hey Mama's, for any of you who have not read Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin, I'll be reviewing it in today's post. Now I have to admit I am only three quarters of the way through it, but I'm now in the section dedicated to the Midwives. In all honesty, I love Ina May's books, I finished her Guide to Childbirth in 2 weeks and have been taking my time through Spiritual midwifery. I highly recommend reading the books if your aim is to have a drug free "natural" vaginal de

Birth Plans: Can we follow them?

Dec 7, 2018
2 min

Birth Plans: Can we follow them?

The famous birth plan has made its way into the spotlight today. For those of you who may not know, a birth plan is a document with various questions and options for the mother/parents to fill out with their preferences for their birth. Now I love filling out multiple choices and questionnaires, but this one can come back to haunt us. Lots of mothers fill out their birth plans with all their requests and wishes for their birthing, but unfortunately babies come when and how th

5 ways to prepare yourself mentally and physically for labour

Dec 7, 2018
4 min

5 ways to prepare yourself mentally and physically for labour

Hello beautiful mamas, just a gentle reminder to take everything with a grain of salt. Not all the advice and tips you read and try will work for you or someone else. At the end of the day you have to do what makes you comfortable and what's most important, do what's best for you and your baby. With that in mind I have written this post specifically for those of you amazing women who are in your final weeks of pregnancy, after reading extensively and hearing from many mothers

Delayed Cord Clamping: Is it worth it?

Dec 7, 2018
2 min

Delayed Cord Clamping: Is it worth it?

Just another thing to think about after popping out a baby! Clamping the Cord; now we usually see that cords are cut by the father/partner/family member while the baby is fresh outta the womb and everyone is still hustling around you. Nowadays, the concept of Delayed Cord clamping has become a huge trend that many mothers are following and trying to include in their births. So what is it? Delayed cord clamping is a birth practice where the baby's umbilical cord is not clipped

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