This week Sophie talks about preparing for a baby, not just the birth. What will it be like having a baby at home 24/7, how might it affect your relationship, what are your expectations around a baby’s needs for sleep/food/comfort? Did you know that many doulas will offer sessions antenatally to help you prepare for… Read more »
Choosing not to have my partner in the birth room – a guest blog by Antonia Wise-Stewart
This week we are grateful to Antonia Wise-Stewart, founder of Mumvoice (uniting mothers using the power of writing and blogs), for sharing her story of deciding to birth without her partner present, and how doula support made for a fantastic second birth experience. “I am the only one of my friends that has ever chosen… Read more »
Singing and other ways to reduce Postnatal Depression – a video blog
Sophie talks about the recent news articles about the benefits of singing for postnatal mothers and how group singing significantly reduces postnatal depression. She highlights other options for new parents too. Click here for another video blog about loneliness in motherhood To contact us email info@nurturingbirth.co.uk
Vaginal Gandalf – descriptions of doulas on TV and Film
2018 – 17 years since Doula UK was founded, nearly 10 years after the establishment of the largest American doula organisation, DONA, and doulas are now appearing on mainstream TV programmes and films, so we thought it would be fun to share some of the recent viewings! For those who are fans of the Pitch… Read more »
Top tips to prepare for a safe car journey – a guest blog from First Aid for Life
Emma Hammett from First Aid For Life talks about preparing for car journeys and references important information about child and baby safety. Between June 2016 – June 2017 there were 27,130 people killed or seriously injured as the result of road accidents. One way that we can attempt to curb these shockingly high figures is… Read more »
How to have a baby – guest post by Natalie Meddings
We are thrilled that Nurturing Birth doula Natalie Meddings has published her book, How To Have a Baby! Here she shares some thoughts with us about the current birth situation Messages about birth at the moment are over-miserable. Newly negative in a way that is troubling. We’d got clear on it all once – several… Read more »
Doulas and Midwives – a video blog
Sophie Brigstocke talks about the relationship between midwives and doulas, the question most parents ask at a doula interview and how we can move forward in a positive way. For another blog which looks at a positive relationship between midwives and doulas visit https://nurturingbirthdirectory.com/wisdom-freedom-birth-story/ Contact us at Nurturing Birth if you would like to talk more… Read more »
Loneliness in motherhood – a video blog
Sophie talks about the recent Mumsnet and Jo Cox commission research in to loneliness in motherhood. Here are some ideas of where to go and how to find postnatal groups: Local church or community centre Children’s Centres Milk Spots and Breastfeeding drop-ins (not always exclusively for breastfeeding mothers) – BFN, ABM, LLL NCT Bumps and… Read more »
Setting up a postnatal group – Guest post by Sarah Ballard
Sarah Ballard, a birth and postnatal doula in Cheltenham shares her experiences of setting up a postnatal group, first shown on her website. Having always had an interest in positive birth experiences for all, believing in the small differences of care and treatment women receive led me become a doula. I used a doula myself… Read more »
Babywearing – Guest post from Wear My Baby
Hannah Wallace, owner of Wear My Baby, one of the UK’s leading babywearing consultancies and online stores and mother of two from Tooting explains the appeal of her service and the benefits of babywearing. Babywearing is an incredible parenting tool. All parents carry their babies and children in their arms. Using a sling simply means you… Read more »