Bicester Pregnancy, Birth and Baby

03/01/2023

Oh dear, I scare myself sometimes when my mind goes on a whirlwind tour of an exciting idea.
Right, all you postnatal mums (recent or otherwise!), if you were to have an evening/ afternoon of postnatal info sharing and support, what would the topics be?

I KNOW
….Getting sleep
…..Pelvic floor/continence
…..Mental well-being
are probably top of your lists. Please can you rate them in priority? (1 being top of your list)

And if you could have another topic? What would it be?

Maybe it would be
…..nutrition
…..sex and contraception
…..relationship building

What would you find useful?

I have an idea and my brain is looping the loop. I need your input! 🙏🏼
Please share with your mum mates. I’d like as much local feedback as possible. PM me if you’d rather not leave a public comment.

Pic by Stephanie Rew.
Just because it’s such a beautifully feminine and transparent image.

www.birthjourneysmidwifery.com

12/12/2022

Well, what a lovely session we had at Emmanuel Church, Bure Park last Tuesday. We’ll be there again tomorrow morning (9.30-11am), alongside the Bicester New Mums group.

Watch for an update here in the morning, though. If the roads look too bad, I may take the decision not to drive into town.

It was good to see all the NEW new babies last week. Apologies that I couldn’t spend as much time with you all as I’d have liked. Sometimes, I hope, it’s the cuppa, peer support, and a peek over your shoulder with a small suggestion to tweak the latch, and that’s all you need.

Remember online support and other (reasonably local) face to face groups, though, if you continue to have issues. Hopefully, next week there will be a lovely OBS trained feeding support worker to join me. It’ll be lovely to see her and ensure we can both get around the group to give that helping hand.

If you’d like one to one support with feeding, immediate postnatal worries, or discussing birth trauma, you can get in touch on 07823770858 or trudy@birthjourneysmidwifery.com

05/12/2022

New Venue Update…

For the baby feeding cafe!

PLEASE SHARE

It will now be held at the Emmanuel Church, Barberry Place, on Bure Park, Bicester. OX26 3HA.

New time of 9.30-11am

Every Tuesday morning.

There is parking, recycling, chemist, local shops on its doorstep still. We are sharing space with the Bicester New Mums group. It’ll be more sociable, more space for us AND pushchairs, but also space for quieter one2one time if required and if possible.

Come and join us. Bring your teenies for feeding support.

If you’d like guaranteed one2one feeding support, or would like to discuss birth plans or trauma therapy, get in touch on 07823770858 or trudy@birthjourneysmidwifery.com

www.birthjourneysmidwifery.com

Bring your babies, b***s and bottles. But maybe leave your wings at the door. Sadly no artist name to give credit for this art work.

09/11/2022

03/11/2022

Great Christmas keepsakes x

15/08/2022

Local breastfeeding support ❤️

Baby Feeding cafe is happening again tomorrow, Tuesday. The more, the merrier. Free professional and peer support. 10-12 at the back of Tesco, between photo shop and toilet rolls.

I also have a 1hour appt slot tomorrow evening, 6pm at Bucknell, to either help with newborn feeding issues, or to chat through your options of support with birth anxieties, trauma, and planning. This appt would normally be a free phone/zoom introductory consultation, but I’m making use of the free appt time. First to text me on 07823 770858 gets the slot.

Please share.

www.birthjourneysmidwifery.com

24/07/2022

Birthjourneys Midwifery services is an independent midwifery advisory service based around Oxford. Trudy Brock provides birth planning and debriefing..

18/07/2022

🌡Feeling hot, hot, hot! 🌡

With temperatures rising further across the UK this week, we thought another share of this handy graphic might be useful!

If you're breastfeeding your little one in this heat, remember:

☀️ In hot weather, your baby may want to feed more often or for longer than usual.
☀️ If they're under 6 months and exclusively breastfed, there's no need to give any additional water - just feed on demand to keep them hydrated and make sure you're getting plenty of fluids yourself.
☀️ Your body will generally continue producing enough milk for your baby's demand (except if you get extremely dehydrated), but keep on top of your water and ice lolly intake for your own wellbeing!
☀️ Babies over 6 months who have started eating solid foods should be offered water in a cup with meals, and throughout the day in hot weather.

More info on keeping your baby safe in the sun can be found here:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/first-aid-and-safety/safety/safety-in-the-sun/

06/07/2022

New baby feeding cafe starts 12th July!

Kick off for baby feeding cafe Tuesday 12th July! Put it in your diary, and I’ll see you there!

12/06/2022

Wahooooo!

I’ve secured the ‘Community Space’ room at the back of The Bicester Tesco’s on Lakeview Drive (OX26 1DE) every Tuesday morning, 10-12 noon, starting 12th July (No session on 2nd August).
Tesco will provide our cuppa and biscuits. I will ‘hold’ space for you to sit before/after your shopping and have a cuppa, change, weigh, and feed baby, and grab (or give) a bit of support and company.
If you’re pregnant, and want to grab a cuppa and some extra tips on feeding/ babies/ birth, please do also join us.

No fees for anyone!

I’ll be available for chats and feeding issues, but peer/ community support will be encouraged.

I may well be looking for a couple of floor mats and baby toys etc (I’ve yet to check out what is already available). If you have things to donate, please message me.

Please spread the word, and share my poster locally.
www.birthjourneysmidwifery.comm

17/05/2022

So... just three shifts left with NHS and a need to fill my time, while the trauma therapy works grows, with something other than sewing petticoats or bloomers!
Please spread the word that I’m up for hire!

How many couples have escaped the grip of maternity hospital, fell with relief and exhaustion onto their sofa at home,....to feel uncomfortably out of depth with their new baby’s needs?

Yup, just about ALL OF US. 😂🥳😍
Would half a day’s worth of registered midwifery/home help make the world of difference? Let’s face it, that knowledge and hands-on support would be invaluable.

Book me after your C Section, or when you’re about to bring your premmy/small baby home, or just if you feel a need for more support with feeding.

www.birthjourneysmidwifery.com

27/04/2022

So much of birth ‘trauma’ and post birth traumatic stress can be blamed on poor communication. If we get it right during birth, and in the early days post partum, that trauma won’t stay present in people’s daily lives.

I’m keen to reduce the trauma occurring in the first place. But that’s not so easy in the current overstretched, over medicalised NHS climate. Those around birthing women must understand the unique relationship that birth has with hormones and soul. It never has been, and never will be, simply a medically managed procedure.
www.birthjourneysmidwifery.com

21/04/2022

Birth trauma is carried inside like a deep scar. We can be gas lighted and belittled by comments like “well, at least you’ve got your baby”, or “of course you’re in pain. It’s childbirth!”
We’re made to put up and shut up. And we wonder if what we are suffering is normal.
It’s not normal to have flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks. It’s not normal to shut bits from our mind, or avoid places, situations that might remind us. It’s not normal that memories affect the way we live our daily lives, or to lose our s**t at the slightest thing.

Rewind therapy is a fast, effective and gentle way to remove the negative emotions from those experiences, and allow them to be filed safely into our past.
If you have birth trauma, phobia around giving birth, or simply want a listening ear or relaxation, get in touch.
www.birthjourneysmidwifery.com

30/03/2022

Our next online antenatal workshop is on April 5th. Partners/supporters are very welcome to attend, and there's time for Q&A after the presentation. Book a space here: https://forms.gle/7zJy6qgAknW7CENC7