Blog

Will Induction increase my chances of a Caesarean Section?

Will Induction increase my chances of a Caesarean Section? The simple answer is ….NO! It it is more likely to reduce the chances of ending up in the operating theatre. Traditionally, many of us believed that inducing labour actually led to an increase in the chances of operative delivery, including Caesarean Section. We have all heard stories of a long drawn out labour, epidural and then a trip to theatre for an emergency Caesarean Section. Well there is some new and fairly convincing evidence that shows that the opposite actually appears to be the case. A very large study, putting […]

Heel Prick Test.

Traditionally , in the UK , all babies have a “heel prick” test done by the midwife , between 5 and 8 days of age. What’s it for? At the moment, it’s for five conditions. Firstly , it’s for diseases of the oxygen carrying component of the blood which is called haemoglobin. The commonest condition picked up is sickle cell disease. It’s also possible to diagnose cystic fibrosis and cretinism , which is congenital hypothyroidism. Other rarer diseases that are currently detected routinely are , phenylketonuria and medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. These last two are very rare disorders of […]

What is the correct way to make up Formula? – Charlotte Young IBCLC

Charlotte Young IBCLC  founder www.milkmatters.org.uk & www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk Also by Charlotte Young “How to Prevent and Treat Sore Nipples” and “Mixing Bottle and Breast” Q.   Would you consider an article about making up infant formula please?  I’ve read you have to use water hotter than 70 degrees and make the feeds up as required, but a lot of mums I speak to don’t do this as it’s quite new information and babies have been fine for years without it and over cleaning is just as bad.  Who is right? A.  You are correct that Department of Health guidelines are to use water of at least 70 degrees and discard a bottle […]

Babies! Babies! Babies! Just a few that Roger has delivered!

 

Should I have a home birth? Is it safe? By Obstetrician Roger Marwood MSc FRCOG

Place of Birth – should you have a home birth?   By Obstetrician Roger Marwood MSc FRCOG Once again , the “Place of Birth ” is becoming an important issue, and will doubtless be a political  football, which will be kicked around for the next few months by most of the interested parties.  This has been prompted by the release , this week , of the draft deliberations of NICE , who are recommending that more women should be delivered in Midwifery led units and, more controversially perhaps, at home. They are recommending that all low risk women should be […]

Help for Sleep Deprived Mothers (and fathers) – by Jo Tantum

Hello to all you sleep deprived families out there, A poll conducted by Mother & Baby Magazine found that sleep deprivation was one of the causes of post -natal depression and that it played havoc with the relationships and working lives of new parents. The survey found: 56% of working mothers said weariness left them in a “state of despair”. 82% admitted a lack of sleep affected their performance at work. 88% felt fed up, exhausted and pulled in too many directions. 70% said their tiredness was so debilitating they felt unable to function properly. 61% said their boss was […]

A “Natural” Caesarean Section – should they all be like this?

A “Natural” Caesarean Section? By Roger Marwood MSc FRCOG A “natural” Caesarean Section? “No such thing”, I hear you saying.  And , of course you are right as a Caesarean can never be fully natural.  But there are ways that the process can be made to feel less like a major operation in an unnatural and clinical environment and more like an exceptionally moving, astonishing and , dare I say it, enjoyable and unique family event. For the last few years of my clinical practice , I was lucky enough to be able to achieve, wherever possible, a very satisfying […]

The Pregnancy Survival Guide

1. You will not always attain the fabled “Pregnancy Glow”. Despite allusions to the contrary, many women do not feel their best during pregnancy and that special warm feeling, as life grows inside you, may sadly evade you for the full 40 weeks. There are a multitude of little afflictions that can plague the average pregnant woman. During the first trimester you may feel very tired, sick, emotional, fat, spotty, with sore boobs and odd twinges that fill you with fear. The second trimester, which is often hailed as the best phase of pregnancy, may bring constipation, piles, more emotion, nausea, […]

How To Get Pregnant

  Millions do it every month.  Almost half of all pregnancies are not even planned. Should be easy, shouldn’t it ? All you do is have sex and , err, that’s it.  It happens!? The reality , however, is somewhat different. On average , from starting to actually plan a baby, to conception, takes about six months.  So for some , it takes only two and a half minutes, and for others it may take several years.  Even under optimum circumstances, with a fertile woman and a fertile man, having regular intercourse, there is only approximately, a one in three […]

Should the Father be at the birth of his baby?

In the last 40 years there has been a dramatic change in the behaviour and role of fathers in the delivery room . Figures suggest that, in UK, the presence of the responsible male at the critical moment has increased from 10% to 90% . Most of us would think that, in balance, that this was a healthy and welcome advance. But it doesn’t work for everyone.     There are so many potential benefits, for both mother and father.  For the mother, it can mean the reassuring presence of her lover, best friend, confidante and most importantly, the man […]