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10 Tips for Surviving Labour
Labour is an incredibly daunting and difficult journey for many Mums, We asked our readers to offer us their tips and suggestions for ‘Surviving Labour’, we then narrowed these down to our five favourites to help guide Mums through the most incredible moment of their lives.
Listen to your midwife and don’t rule anything out! – Sue Thompson- Stay active in labour, gently bounce or rock your hips while sitting on a birthing ball and visualise the baby moving down the birth canal with each contraction. Deep controlled breaths with each contraction will help you get through each one. Try not to lay down on the bed.- Rebecca McKay
- Reading lots (and watching a certain reality show) as well as talking to friends and relatives who have been through it helped me feel prepared. – Cheryl Jane Losty
- I would say the best tip is to keep an open mind and just go with it. Both of my labours were completely different and so even the first experience couldn’t prepare me for the next. – Karen Scotts
- Try not to panic as much as it is so painful try and stay focused and remember it will end soon and it will all be worth it. – Shelley Marie Kent
We would like to thank our wonderful readers for their positive contributions and look forward to sharing more of your ‘top tips’ in future. If you would like to be involved with some of our articles then be sure to ‘like’ us on facebook (www.facebook.com/mumsbabymag) and follow us on twitter (www.twitter.com/mumsbabymag). Alternatively why not join our forum www.mumsbabymagazine.com/forum and discuss your ideas and experiences, you never know we may just use your ideas in our magazine!
Bond Before Birth with Blooming Lovely Jewellery!
Blooming Lovely Jewellery produce a range of beautiful, handcrafted pieces of jewellery designed specifically to aid bonding with baby from before birth and beyond. The Bola Necklace features a chiming pendant traditionally worn by pregnant women in Mexico, the pendant would be worn on a long thread enabling it to be level with the unborn child. The soft tinkling chime of the pendant is said to gently serenade and soothe baby whilst Mum goes about her daily life. Once the baby has arrived, the same relaxing sounds of the Bola necklace are said to bring comfort and a sense of familiarity to the child.
It has been scientifically proved that babies within the womb (from around sixteen weeks onwards) are able to hear sounds from outside of the womb and over time build familiarity with those sounds they experience regularly. Once a child is born, they recognise and are familiar with voices and sounds that they experienced during their development within the womb.
Blooming Lovely Jewellery stock three designs of the Bola Necklace, all of which are silver plated and attached to lengthy natural cord measuring 200cm which can be adjusted to the required length. Whilst these necklaces are designed to be worn during pregnancy at a longer length, once your baby is born is is advised to wear this item at a shorter length for safety. The silver plated loop on each charm is wide, allowing thread to be folded and doubled to adjust length without causing any issues over rethreading the charm.
The Bola Necklace is the ideal distraction to be worn by Mums to entertain young infants whilst feeding or to listen to as a soothing charm whilst being rocked to sleep. Whilst this is a beautiful item to be worn during and after pregnancy it is also suitable for wearing once your child has grown as Blooming Lovely Jewellery is just that, blooming lovely! Each necklace comes beautifully wrapped and presented in a handmade jute pouched with a card detailing the story behind the Bola Charm
Mums Baby Magazine give the Blooming Lovely Jewellery ‘Bola Necklace’ 10/10 for beauty and charm. Blooming Lovely Jewellery Bola Necklaces are the ideal gift for Mums to be and are available from http://www.littlelilypad.co.uk from £18.00.
What does PREGNANT stand for? We asked you…
PLANNING
From the moment that you find out you are expecting onwards it seems that ‘becoming and being a parent’ requires far more planning than day to day life beforehand. It may well be worth investing in a notepad and pen to jot down ideas and lists when required, making notes can be especially handy during pregnancy as many women suffer from so called ‘baby brain’ and do tend to become forgetful.
REFLUX
Reflux is one of the main causes of heartburn, although not all women experience this problem it does tend to be a common issue throughout later pregnancy. During pregnancy the bodies levels of estrogen and progesterone increase, the reasons for this natural increase is to assist the muscles in your uterus to relax as your baby grows. However, these hormones also tend to relax the muscles in the lower oesophageal sphincter. When the sphincter relaxes it is then unable to prevent stomach acids from flowering into the oesophagus (the throat) which is the cause of reflux and heartburn.
Old wives tales suggest that those ladies who do experience heartburn and reflux are said to be having babies with lots of hair!
EMOTIONS
Finding out that you are expecting can trigger many emotions and feeling. Pregnancy hormones also tend to play havoc with our emotions.
GROWTH
Growing is a key aspect of pregnancy for both your baby and yourself. Whilst many people lavish the idea of ‘eating for two’ this isn’t necessarily the wisest idea. Recent research suggests that overeating and consuming the incorrect food and drink types can be potentially harmful both for you and your child.
During pregnancy the body becomes more efficient in absorbing nutrients from the food that you consume. Therefore doubling your food intake isn’t required, it is more likely to result in excessive weight gain for you and could cause serious pregnancy complications.
NEVER ENDING TRIPS TO THE TOILET
Carrying a child in your uterus does tend to put added pressure onto your bladder especially during the first and last trimesters of pregnancy. This added pressure will cause you to need to toilet more frequently. Also the hormones produced during pregnancy cause blood to flow an increased rate through your kidneys, filling your bladder more frequently.
During the later months of pregnancy ‘toilet trips’ tend to interrupt sleep. It is said that disturbed sleep during the later months of pregnancy is simply preparing the parent for interrupted sleep after the child is born.
ANTENATAL
Antenatal classes are workshops which expecting parents are encouraged to attend in order to learn ‘what to expect’ during labour, birth and beyond. Antenatal classes vary in frequency and time (some classes run over short periods of time, for example one full day class whilst other classes are offered on a weekly basis).
Antenatal classes help to prepare all involved for the journey of ‘parenthood’. Ask your Midwife for more information upon when and where antenatal classes are available for you to attend. There are now a range of online antenatal classes available for those who are unable to attend workshops.
NAMES
Choosing the name of your child can be one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make. Spend time contemplating how the name sounds, whether your child will or will not have a middle name, whether the name works in terms of initials and research the names meaning.
There are many websites now available to research baby names and list your preferred options.
TIREDNESS
Being pregnant is hard work! Many women tend to experience feelings of fatigue and tiredness especially during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Your body is working extremely hard throughout pregnancy especially during the first trimester of pregnancy whilst you are creating the placenta, your baby’s life-support system. Hormone levels and metabolism are constantly changing whilst your blood sugar and blood pressure tend to decrease, which in turn contributes to feelings of fatigue and tiredness.
Try to relax and take regular naps and eat healthily, most of all try to listen to your body and rest when you can.
Kate Lyons (currently 38 weeks pregnant), producer of the Vanessa Feltz Radio Show counts down to her due date!
Kate Lyons, 29 from Highgate, North London is now approaching week 38 of her pregnancy with her first child, due to be born at the end of this month. Kate is the producer for Vanessa Feltz’s Radio Show which is on during midmorning on BBC London 94.9 FM.
Week 38
How long is it until your due date?
2 weeks and 4 days left!
Have you had any new symptoms since we last spoke?
No just more backache still and lots of Braxton hicks!
Have you got any last minute jobs to get done before baby arrives?
Clean the fridge, oven and sort my wardrobe out. These are jobs I’ve been meaning to do for ages. Now I have a couple of weeks left before the baby arrives I can get them done!
How was your final day at work?
It was very emotional. I was really busy in the morning sorting the show out so i didn’t have much time to think about it but when i realised it was 11.50 and the show was nearly over it suddenly hit me that I was leaving to have a baby! Vanessa said a lovely goodbye to me on air just before we finished. I’m really going to miss her and the team so much. I’m sure they’ll all come and visit and I’ll be taking baby Lyons to the office to meet everyone.
Did you celebrate the beginning of your maternity leave?
I had a sip of champagne in the evening with Joe to celebrate. I can’t wait until i can enjoy a whole glass!
What do you plan to do in the time leading up to your due date?
Well I actually have a very busy first week off. Other than finishing my list of jobs to do in the house, I’m having my hair done (i don’t want terrible roots in my post labour pictures!) meeting my friends new baby (she had him this morning!) and meeting up with some friends for lunch. I also have a pregnancy massage booked at a spa.
How frequently are you experiencing Braxton Hicks?
Loads every day. I’ve got so used to them now. I’ve been having them all through out my pregnancy. I asked my GP and midwife if its usual and they both said “yes”.
How is your hospital bag packing coming along?
It’s pretty much packed. I have the baby clothes, nappies, muslin squares, bottles and cotton wool all packed. I’ve packed my bikini (for the pool!) and some going home clothes for me. I still need to buy some snacks and some drinks then I’m done!
Have you had a tour around the hospital?
Yes I’ve visited the birthing centre several times. I have my assessment next week as need to see if I’m well enough to give birth there as its mid-wife led only. The rooms in the birthing centre are huge with big double beds and a huge birthing pools in so I really hope everything goes to plan and I give birth there.
Now that you have your pram, have you been practicing?
Yes we put it all together the second it arrived….well Joe did actually and i watched. We’ve practised collapsing it and fitting it in the boot of the car. I can’t wait to start using it!
What are you looking forward to the most at this point?
I’m looking forward to sleeping and reading a few books before the baby arrives.
Are you getting nervous at all?
A little as i don’t know what to expect and when to expect it but I’m very excited to meet my baby.
Have you put any of the ‘old wives tales’ to the test in terms of inducing labour?
Not yet but i was thinking i might buy some raspberry leaf tea today. I’ve heard it doesn’t taste the best though so I’m not sure how many cups I’ll get through!
How are you sleeping?
I wake up several times during the night needing trips to the bathroom! Also the baby wakes me up with lots of kicking. If i roll on my side and he/she doesn’t like it I’ll soon know about it!
Is all ‘swell’?
Only my hands at night when i get hot. I’ve had to take my rings off now in case they get stuck. I’ve heard horror stories about women having to have theirs cut off!
How are babies movements?
The baby is still moving all the time. There isn’t much room in there now so I’m really feeling every single movement.
How is your hubby doing?
He’s really excited about meeting our son or daughter. He’s looked after me so well. He’s been doing the washing and cooking and cleaned the whole house for me the other day! I’ve trained him well.
Mums Baby Magazine would like to thank Kate for her time and wish her a pleasant maternity leave. We will be catching up with Kate shortly and keeping you updated with all the latest news upon the arrival of Kate and Joes beautiful bump.
Kate Lyons producer of the Vanessa Feltz Radio Show shares her Baby Shower Celebrations with us.
Kate Lyons, 29 from Highgate, North London is currently expecting her first child which is due to be born later this month.
Kate is the producer for Vanessa Feltz’s Radio Show which is on during midmorning on BBC London 94.9 FM.
Kate’s friends recently threw Kate a Baby Shower in order to celebrate her pregnancy, Mums Baby Magazine caught up with Kate to find out more upon the latest craze to hit the UK which is ‘Baby Showers’
When was your Baby Shower?
My baby shower was held last Saturday
Where did you have your baby shower?
Luckily the weather was nice so we were able to sit out in my back garden in sunny Highgate.
Who organised your baby shower?
My friends Charlie and Gemma. They were great. My garden looked so pretty as they decorated it with beautiful bunting.
Did you wear anything special for the Baby Shower?
I wore a dress (over leggings) and sandals. I did think about wearing heels but I’m glad that I didn’t as i think I would have been in a bit of pain by evening time!
What time of day was your Baby Shower?
It started at 2pm and went on until about 7ish.
Were you excited/ nervous about your Baby Shower?
I was really excited. I had told Charlie I didn’t want much of a fuss but she insisted she wanted to organise one. It was very sweet of her.
How many people were at your Baby Shower?
There was about twenty people altogether. A couple of friends brought their babies along too which was lovely.
How many gifts did you get?
I told people not to bring gifts as I felt bad but everyone did anyway. The lovely Vanessa Feltz bought me a new born baby swing which lots have friends with children said are wonderful to get the baby off to sleep!
The girls also bought me a cake made of nappies and muslin squares!. I also got some more clothes for the baby, a changing bag from Cath Kidson, a water massager for the birthing pool, a beautiful photo frame and two treatments to have while I’m on maternity leave! (i really did get duly showered!)
Did you have provide a gift list for people to buy from?
No. The only thing I choose was the changing bag.
What was the best gift that you received and why?
They were all lovely. I’m a very lucky Mummy-to-be.
Did you have a buffet/ drinks/ refreshments?
Yes! Everyone bought food and a bottle of bubbly! I made Pimms and sandwiches. We had so much food left over after we didn’t know what to do with it. We’re still eating cupcakes now!
How was the party?
It was really lovely. Very chilled out and a great excuse for all the girls and Granny’s-to-be to get together for the afternoon and have a drink and a gossip.
How do you feel about Baby Showers becoming popular in the UK?
Do you agree with these things or not? The reason I was so dubious about having a baby shower in the first place was because i didn’t want people to feel like they had to buy the baby or me a gift. As I said its nice to have a girly get-together before the baby arrives but some baby showers can be a little over the top.
Would you recommend a Baby Shower to other expectant Mums?
Yes as long as they’re fun and not too organised.
Mums Baby Magazine would like to thank Kate for her time and wish her well in the last few weeks of her pregnancy journey. We will be catching up with Kate shortly and keeping you updated with all the latest news upon the arrival of Kate and Joes beautiful bump.
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