Birth

The big day. Our expert tips and advice related to birth.

What The Experts WISH You Knew About Having A New Baby 

We’ve joined forces with some of the most respected voices in the UK parenting community to bring you the wisdom that exactly what the More

Delivering The Placenta: What To Expect

Often referred to as the third stage of labour, after delivering the baby, the final stage is to deliver the placenta, commonly known as the ‘afterbirth.’

7 Things You Wouldn’t Think To Put In Your Hospital Bag But 100% Need

The things you haven’t thought about packing that you will 100% need.

What To Expect From A Planned Caesarean

Regardless of where a C-section sits on your original birth plan, knowing what to expect is really important to support for having a positive birth experience.

What Is A Birth Debrief? And How To Deal With Maternal Burnout

Midwife Illiyin Morrison shares her advice on the importance of a birth debrief and how to deal with maternal burnout. 

Is This The End Of The Tooth Fairy? Find Out How Storing Your Child’s Milk Teeth Could Save Their Life

Did you know that right now, parents are storing their children’s stem cells for use in potential therapies? It’s called private stem cell banking and helps families to protect the health of their little ones for years to come.

What Are The Warning Signs And Risk Factors Of Premature Birth?

A birth is considered premature if it occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy. There are three different categories of premature birth based on gestational age which each carry their own risks and individual needs for specific care.

How To Overcome The Fear Of Childbirth Or ‘Tokophobia’

Tokophobia is the extreme fear of childbirth. This fear can become so significant that women might choose to avoid pregnancy altogether.

Dealing With Baby Loss: A Reader’s Story

From the outside looking in you would think I had everything a girl could want: a happy marriage, an amazing son, a beautiful home and a dog. Appearances can be deceiving, I do have it all, but what I don’t have is all my children at home.

Parental Control, Ep 66: An Eye-Opening Conversation With The Naked Doula About Pregnancy & Birth

My Baba’s Editor Ellie Thompson welcomes Emma Armstrong aka The Naked Doula to the show

C-Section Pain: What Normal, What’s Not And How To Cope

Dr Deepak Ravindran on c-section pain, what to expect, what’s normal, and how to cope with Caesarean pain and complications after birth.

Ten Things Nobody Tells You About Giving Birth

Milli Hill is the author of the bestselling The Positive Birth Book, and she drops by to celebrate the launch of her revised and More

Parental Control, Ep 60: Bestselling Author Milli Hill On The Realities Of Giving Birth

My Baba’s Editor Ellie Thompson welcomes bestselling author Milli Hill to the show to celebrate the launch of the revised edition of The Positive Birth Book and to discuss the realities of giving birth.

Parental Control, Ep 58: Midwife Marley’s Nitty-Gritty Guide To Common Pregnancy Complaints

My Baba’s Editor Ellie Thompson welcomes Midwife Marley to the show to celebrate the launch of her new book: The modern bible for pregnancy, More

C-section Recovery: Everything You Need To Know

This Caesarean section Awareness Month, Lesley Gilchrist, registered midwife and co-founder of My Expert Midwife talks to My Baba about how women can plan and prioritise their recovery after a C-section.

The Caesarean Scar: Everything You Need To Know

If you have had or are planning a caesarean, or know someone who is, then here is the commonest questions and answers covering everything you need to know about Caesarean Section scars.

Parental Control, Ep 39: Types Of Birth And How They Impact Future Pregnancies

My Baba’s Editor Ellie Thompson welcomes obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr. Ellie Rayner to the podcast to discuss how previous types of birth can have an impact on future pregnancy and subsequent births.

Do I Have The Baby Blues Or Postnatal Depression?

What’s the difference between the Baby Blues and postnatal depression? What makes somebody more vulnerable, and what can I do to manage PND?

Understanding Birth Trauma: The Signs, Symptoms And How To Get Help

Birth trauma can arise from many things, and not just the exact type of birth someone ended up with. Dr Ellie Rayner shares her expert advice.

Recommended Products You’ll Want To Use After Having A Caesarean Section

I had to have a C-section with my last baby and having had two natural births, there was a lot to learn. Here’s a selection of recommended products you’ll want to stock up on.

How Will My Baby Be Monitored In Labour?

Dr Ellie Rayner explains all you need to know about baby monitoring in labour. 

Caesarean Birth: An Overview And What To Expect

What happens in a Caesarean section and how long will it take to recover? A complete guide to the C-section by obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Ellie Rayner.

The Hospital Bag: Leonora’s Guide On What To Pack

For my first baby, I must have taken three suitcases – half of which remained unopened – but for my second and third, I managed to pare it down to the essentials.

Should I Opt for a VBAC or Repeat Caesarean Section?

A Cesarean or a VBAC? Each woman is different and has the right to decide for herself how she wants to give birth.

Episiotomies, Forceps, Ventouse And Induction: The Low-Down On Birthing Interventions

What is an episiotomy? An episiotomy is a procedure performed during labour, where a small cut is made to your perineum by your midwife More

What Is Vaginal Seeding? Weighing Up The Risks V Benefits

You may have heard of the term ‘vaginal seeding’, but what actually is it? What are the risks, and what are the benefits?

Sore Perineum After Birth? 5 Tips To Reduce Pain And Help Healing

If you’re one of the many women suffering discomfort after giving birth, worry not, help is on hand in the form of expert advice from obs and gynae Dr. Ellie Rayner.

False Labour Pains: What Are They? And How Do I Know If They’re Normal?

What are false labour pains? The difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and real labour contractions.

What To Expect From Pregnancy And Birth In Lockdown

Some important considerations for any expectant parent in light of the new lockdown restrictions to help you stay safe and stay well during your pregnancy and as you approach birth.

Everything You Need To Know About Pelvic Girdle Pain

Pelvic Girdle Pain is a common condition affecting one in five pregnant women. It is important to note that symptoms vary in range and severity.

Everything You Need To Know About Your Baby’s Birth Weight

To support the healthy development and birth weight of your baby, please be proactive and tackle the risks early with your GP and help reverse the lifelong consequences with an adequate diet and lifestyle.

3, 2, 1 PUSH…! The Most Popular Songs To Give Birth To

Are you looking for a birthing playlist? Here’s a list ot the most popular songs to give birth to, including hits by Ed Sheeran and Adele.

7 Things You Need To Consider When Choosing A Stem Cell Bank

Have you thought about collecting your baby’s stem cells or cord blood?

The Modern Midwife On Understanding The Postnatal Period

In the postnatal series Marie Louise, The Modern Midwife runs through key things that will help you to plan for the first three months with your baby, which is commonly known as the fourth trimester.

The Modern Midwife On Navigating Pregnancy And Preparing For Birth 

Marie Louise, The Modern Midwife talks about her new online antenatal Pregnancy & Birth series with details on how you can sign up.

The Benefits Of Hypnobirthing For You, Your Partner And Your Baby

What to expect from a hypnobirthing class, the benefits of hypnobirthing and the key ways hypnobirthing is different to the classic antenatal class.

Epidural 101: Everything Expectant Mothers Need to Know

Lesley Gilchrist, a registered midwife and co-founder of My Expert Midwife, shares her expert advice on epidurals, including the advantages, risks and complexities involved.

Join The Free Online Birth School For Parents To Be

Join moKee’s FREE online Birth School, helping mothers-to-be get ready for birth during these unusual circumstances.

What Is Newborn Screening And What Are The Benefits?

What are the reasons you should pursue newborn screening for your child?

Why Is A Birth Plan So Important?

When it comes to your pregnancy, your labour and giving birth, the focus should be on you, your choices and preferences.

Expectation v Experience: Do You Have A Birth Plan?

When I discuss anxieties surrounding interventions, they usually stem from fear of the unknown, loss of control or concerns about the reasons that these deliveries may be required. Women have often heard or read negative stories.

7 Ways to Take Charge and Give Birth Like A Feminist

It may take years or even generations to turn birth around and get it back onto a course that truly serves every woman as an individual. But you, you are where this change starts. The change starts with you. Here’s what you can do.

stem cell storage

Review of Future Health Biobank: The Day of Stem Cell Collection

We’re back with an update following our first vlog on why we decided to collect our baby’s stem cells.

What to pack in your hospital bag

Giving Birth: What To Pack In Your Hospital Bag

We explain what you should be packing in your hospital bag, so you can be totally organised ahead of the birth of your child.

different baby positions in womb

Five Different Baby Positions in The Womb & What They Mean

The position of your baby in the womb becomes more important during the third trimester of your pregnancy. The experts at Window to The Womb give us the low-down of each possible position, and what it might mean for birth.

how to increase breast milk supply

Breastfeeding Problems: How to Boost Breast Milk Supply & More

I’m planning ahead of time to boost breast milk supply before my baby is born – what key things should I be doing?

Pregnancy Chat Rooms Abbreviations Explained

222 Pregnancy and Parenting Chat Room Acronyms Explained

Online chat rooms can be a great source of information and support when you’re trying to conceive, if you’re a new mum, or just More

World Prematurity Day

Premature Birth – The Urgent Need for Answers

As November 17th is World Prematurity Day, Wellbeing of Women – the UK health charity investing in the future of women and their babies More

Top Tips for the Labour Room

Worried About Giving Birth? Check Out This Top 10 Tips for the Labour Room

I have been in midwifery for seven years now and have had various experiences whilst supporting women and their partners throughout labour. Some have More

What IS Hypnobirthing? Everything You Need To Know

Sophie Fletcher is the author of ‘Mindful Hypnobirthing’ a clinical hypnotherapist and doula. She lectures at Universities across the UK on hypnosis and mindfulness More

How to Reduce Stress and Anxiety in Pregnancy with Hypnobirthing

An expert article by Rosie Goode, one of the UK’s leading Hypnotherapists and founder of London’s renowned Hypnobirthing Works on how to reduce stress and anxiety in pregnancy with hypnobirthing.

jutta

When and How to Start Preparing for Birth Using Hypnobirthing Techniques

In over 35 years of being a midwife I have never lost the spark and curiosity on how to make pregnancy, birth and the time after, a beautiful and memorable experience.

Top Tips for the Labour Room

How To Reduce The Risk Of Tearing During Labour

Unfortunately, 85% of first-time mums will have a vaginal tear during labour. Physiotherapist Jenny Constable advises how to lower your risk of tears.

Top 10 Tips for Creating a Positive Birth Experience through Hypnobirthing

Siobhan Miller is a hypnobirthing teacher and founder of The Positive Birth Company. She is also a mum to 3 boys and on a mission to make hypnobirthing more accessible for everyone.

From Contractions to the Birthing Pool: A Day in the Life of a Midwife

To celebrate International Day of the Midwife our resident midwife and birth-trauma expert Lesley Gilchrist’s account of ‘A Day in the Life of a Midwife’ details a typical 24-hour shift.

CMPA and c-section babies

Are C-Section Babies More Likely to Have Milk Allergies? 

Are c-section babies more likely to have milk allergies? Leonora Bamford talks about her son’s experience following a caesarean section.

Skin to Skin Benefits

The Amazing Benefits and Importance of Skin to Skin: A Must-Watch Vid for New Mums

I discovered firsthand the importance of skin to skin from the lovely NICU nurses looking after my newborn son, and the results were transformative. Within two days of starting SSC, he had become responsive and was out of his incubator.

secret to enjoying labour

The Secret to Enjoying Labour: 10 Benefits of Mindful Birthing

Being mindful can help you have a stress-free pregnancy and birth experience, and let’s face it – I think we all like the sound of that! 

How To Make The Most Of Your Midwife After Birth

It’s important to make the most of your time with your midwife so you’re properly prepared for your baby’s arrival. Building a good relationship More

Reflexology to Relieve Labour Pains

3 Reflexology Points to Help with Labour Pains

We all know that reflexology works on the basis that your feet represent a map of your body. There are pressure points located on More

What Are The Different Types Of Birthmarks?

What are the different types of birthmarks, and can you tell us a bit about strawberry birthmarks?

How To Choose Your Birth Tribe

Author of Feelosophy of Birth explains the importance of choosing your birth tribe to guide you through pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Skin to Skin Contact

How Important is Skin to Skin Contact with Your Newborn?

We asked Lesley Gilchrist from My Expert Midwife her thoughts on the importance of skin to skin contact with your newborn, and exactly how soon More

VBAC-v-Caesarean

Caesarean Awareness Month 2017: Should You Have A VBAC OR Caesarean?

Sometimes it’s a difficult choice between VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean section) and caesarean, so we asked an expert.

Marina Fogle: ‘I never saw my son open his eyes or smile, but at least I told him how much he was loved’

Last August, on the final day of what had been a blissful summer holiday, my world was rocked, suddenly and tragically. I awoke from a general anaesthetic to find that not only had I lost the little boy I was carrying but I had also very nearly died myself.