Hello Baby Midwifery

Hello Baby Midwifery Supporting you on your journey to parenthood with private midwifery care in the comfort of your own home.

12/09/2024

Hello Baby is growing into a very popular pregnancy and new parent hub and so I have decided to stop offering private midwifery care as ‘The Bushey Midwife’ and will instead solely be offering these services under Hello Baby.

This page won’t be used anymore and so if you would like to keep up to date with what I’m up to, as an NHS and private midwife, and also as a provider of antenatal education and free social events, please make sure you follow Hello Baby on Facebook and also hellobaby_antenatal on IG.

There will also be educational, entertaining and inspirational content too 💜

Earlier this year I went to an elective caesarean shift at one of the hospitals I work at. Little did I know but when I ...
09/09/2024

Earlier this year I went to an elective caesarean shift at one of the hospitals I work at. Little did I know but when I arrived I was told that I’d be doing one of the cases with non other than Emma Willis and would be filmed for the new season of Delivering Babies. To say I was out of my comfort zone is an understatement. They even kept in my very awkward glance directly at the camera in my first shot! 😂

That being said, it was a fun (and extremely surreal) experience and one that I will never forget. If you want to see me in the thick of it as a working midwife on an NHS labour ward, check out the last 10 mins of S4 E1. Let me know what you think!

BRAIN is an acronym all about informed decision making. It‘s a fab tool that you can use to help guide you through the p...
30/08/2024

BRAIN is an acronym all about informed decision making. It‘s a fab tool that you can use to help guide you through the process of making a decision. And let’s face it, there’s a lot to be made when it comes to pregnancy and birth!

B - what are the BENEFITS of what is being offered? Will it contribute in a positive way to my experience?

R - are there any RISKS associated with it? Will it have a negative impact for me or my baby?

A - is there an ALTERNATIVE? Are there any other options that may be preferable?

I - what is my INSTINCT telling me? A gut feeling can tell you a great deal.

N - what if I did NOTHING? Is there time to have a think? Perhaps watch and wait?

Remember to use your brain to help guide you through your journey ☺️

The years are flying by! It’s hard to accept that in the near distant future these little girlies won’t be quite so litt...
03/08/2024

The years are flying by! It’s hard to accept that in the near distant future these little girlies won’t be quite so little. I often try to remind myself that very soon they won’t want a cuddle or have a book read to them. It’s challenging raising strong-willed and independent kiddos but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I know that they will be ready for the world. In the day to day challenges of life I know that I am so lucky and I’m trying to soak up every moment with these two 💕

I don’t do my job for the thanks or for the praise. I do it to hopefully make someone’s experience a positive one, no ma...
23/05/2023

I don’t do my job for the thanks or for the praise. I do it to hopefully make someone’s experience a positive one, no matter their situation. This beautiful bouquet and heartfelt card given to me by a couple I cared for on the labour ward on one of their darkest days is why I do it. This was a tough shift for me and I will never forget it. It’s an incredible feeling to know I made a lifelong impression on them too. I was always meant to be a midwife 💜

She gets it right every.single.time.
16/11/2022

She gets it right every.single.time.

Random Parenting Things… (part 2)

Cutting food into shapes somehow makes it taste better.

Every song on the radio now has swear words.

You’ll be caught red handed throwing away their artwork (aka a line on a piece of paper).

If the kids go to bed later, they won’t get up later.
If the kids go to bed earlier, they will get up earlier.

Connection over discipline does work, it’s the reparenting around it that’s hard.

Bluey is everything.

Taylor Swift is the best lullaby.

Lessons are meant to be learnt after & you won’t enjoy every minute just because someone tells you to.

You’ll hear “I’m finiiiished” multiple times a day from the toilet.
You’ll wonder where your partner is and he’ll be on the toilet.
Everyone likes to conversate around you on the toilet.

Always pick the bananus off the banana, if it’s bruised hand it over with your hand covering the bruise. If it breaks you’re getting a new banana.

There’s no award for whose kid grows up the fastest.

People will always have opinions, but you’re meant to do your best, not theirs.

It’s
Not
Just
Your
Kid.

When mum guilt creeps in, ask yourself did someone smile today, was someone loved?

Not everyone’s doing everything, social media just makes it seem that way.

Store old toys away and bring them back out a couple of months later, voila, brand new.

Take the photo, and don’t critique yourself, they’re listening.

Colours are for everyone.

It’s ok if you want time away from your kids, you’re a mother, but you’re also a human.

Let their rooms be colourful, let them pick their clothes.

Some things can wait, others won’t.

I’m convinced courier drivers have seen everything.
I’m convinced my neighbours have heard everything.

Play doctors when you need a break, be the patient.

Realise bribery is not the way, then cancel Christmas multiple times.

Nothing will humble you more than talking about a good nights sleep.

Dancing now involves musical beds.
Your dance moves seem awkward now anyway.

You’ll never regret holding them “too much”.

Forgive yourself.

Breathe.

Watch how your eldest comforts your youngest, realise you’ve done something right. Realise you’ve done so much right.

Hello hello. I’ve been pretty quiet on IG this year. My father in law was very sick with brain cancer and passed away at...
28/08/2022

Hello hello. I’ve been pretty quiet on IG this year. My father in law was very sick with brain cancer and passed away at the start of June. I then caught MSSA - a sister of MRSA - that was very unpleasant but pleased to say I’m all clear! Then we hit the summer holidays with the kids. Life has just gotten in the way.

First shift back on the maternity unit today in 5 months. Huge shock to the system after not being there for so long. But it was also like riding a bike. Missed a cannula, did a cannula, took blood, a few va**nal examinations, putting up fluids, giving injections, changing dirty sheets, lots of observations, palpating.. and as usual, tons of paperwork. And that’s just some of what I did.

I’ve been crazy busy with teaching back to back antenatal classes this year (apart from a well earned rest in august), and we’ve been running bushey babies and bushey bumps events as well.

Amongst all that I’m somehow managing to keep my 2 kids alive (3y and 5y) with hubby Dan, and I mustn’t forget Heidi and Lottie, our fur baby cats.

Life is strange. Life is beautiful. Life is manic. Life is overwhelming. Life is sitting in front of Netflix eating chocolate. Those of you who are new here, welcome!

22/08/2022

They may be very popular, but baby sleep pods and nests go against our advice that babies should sleep on a firm, entirely flat surface, and can increase the risk of SIDS by making it harder for babies to maintain a safe temperature. We don’t recommend you use them for your baby to sleep in.

Unfortunately we cannot comment on the safety of individual brands, as we don’t carry out any testing or research on products.

Love this!! 💜
09/05/2022

Love this!! 💜

This mom took a picture of herself at the pool with her three kids and her post about her postpartum body is now going viral.

Today we celebrate all the ‘mad-wives’ out there! This year marks 10 years since I became a midwife and what a 10 years ...
05/05/2022

Today we celebrate all the ‘mad-wives’ out there! This year marks 10 years since I became a midwife and what a 10 years it’s been! Being a midwife in the NHS is very hard right now but I wouldn’t change my job for anything. Nothing compares to supporting women (and their families) as they experience such a life changing event 💜

There are four recognized stages of labour:1️⃣ There are two phases to the 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿. During the early phase...
14/04/2022

There are four recognized stages of labour:

1️⃣ There are two phases to the 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿. During the early phase the cervix dilates (also known as opens up) to about 4 cm. This usually happens with short lasting, irregular and mild contractions. During the active phase the cervix dilates from about 4 cm to 10 cm (also known as fully dilated). This tends to happen with strong, regular contractions every 2 to 3 minutes or so. The number of cm is subjective and may differ slightly from person to person.

2️⃣ The 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 starts when the cervix is fully dilated and ends when the baby is born out of the va**na - basically the pushing stage!

3️⃣ The 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 is when the placenta and membranes detach from the wall of the uterus and are born out of the va**na.

4️⃣ The 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 tends to be thought of as the first few hours after birth when involution begins. This process is where the uterus contracts down to its pre-pregnant state over the course of a few weeks.

**nalbirth

𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 - 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲?⠀Many birth partners feel redundant when supporting a woman in labour. However, there ...
12/04/2022

𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 - 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲?

Many birth partners feel redundant when supporting a woman in labour. However, there is actually 𝘀𝗼 much you can do. Don’t underestimate the positive impact you can have on someone’s experience! Here are just a few suggestions for you:

🧏🏻 𝘽𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙧 - respond to her needs and discuss her birth preferences during pregnancy say that you understand what it is that she‘s wanting from her birth experience. It’s OK for her to change her mind, nothing is set in stone and preferences can change as birth progresses.

🍌 𝘿𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨 & 𝙨𝙣𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙨 - be on drink and food duty. Make sure that she is sipping little and often. Isotonic drinks (e.g. lucozade sport) and water are best for labour. If she’s not hungry, don’t worry, it’s very common and she’ll find the energy she needs to give birth.

🚽 𝙏𝙤𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙥𝙨 - it‘s crucial that she empties her badder regularly. Even a small amount of wee can prevent baby’s head from coming down in the pelvis. Try and remind her at least 2-hourly.

💃🏻 𝙈𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 - encourage lots of upright, forward and open positions, gentle walks, climbing stairs and dancing so gravity can help bring baby down.

💆🏼𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙜𝙚 - physical touch and soothing the muscles with oil helps to relax the body, mind and stimulates the birth hormone oxytocin.

🤝 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 - encourage her to take slow, long deep breaths and guide her in this if necessary. Remind her to relax her shoulders!

💗 𝙀𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 - remind her she is a warrior, a goddess, a strong and powerful woman. Share your pride and tell her how much you love her. She won’t get bored of you encouraging her!

🎶 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 - listening to music, watching films, telling jokes, reading books and sharing happy memories will all help to take her mind away from the contractions.

NB: For the mums, if a birth partner isn’t present, don’t worry - your midwife will do all they can to support and guide you!

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