BirthWise Antenatal

24/10/2025

Another couple have just completed their 1:1 Hypnobirthing course where they had 12 hours of private tuition bespoke to them.

We covered everything they needed to know before having a baby in the maternity system here in the UK so that they have the knowledge and tools available to ensure they have a positive birth that is right for them, however that might look.

If you are pregnant and want to learn how to empower yourselves to make decisions that are right for you, and welcome your baby into the world in a confident and positive way, get in touch.

I am taking bookings for private classes.

14/10/2023

There are always lots of decisions to be made in pregnancy (many of which often aren't dressed up as something you have a choice in, but that's a post for another day). What kind of birth do you want? Are vaginal examinations right for you? Is an induction medically necessary? What about those sweeps, what do they do and why are they offered?

To help you make the decisions that are right for you - use your BRAIN.

Ask about the BENEFITS

Find out the RISKS (there are always risks to anything you do)

Seek out the ALTERNATIVES, what are all the options?

Listen to your gut, what is your INTUITION telling you?

And remember, there's always the option to wait and see. You can choose to do NOTHING for the time being. If something changes, you can reassess then.

Whatever your decisions are, they are yours and yours alone. They should be well informed and considered and not a result of coercion or fear.

This is your birth. Make sure it is one where you feel in control of all the choices surrounding it.

Make it your own by getting well informed beforehand.

Come and join one of my courses, there is a full 12 hours of birth education on offer where we go through literally EVERYTHING you need to know about birth.

This is the only course on offer that has been accredited by the Royal College of Midwives and is jam packed full of solid evidence based information on how the maternity services in the UK work, how our incredible bodies labour - the mechanics and the hormones (and everything that affects these), and a full tool box of hypnotherapy techniques to help you along the way.

Get in touch to book your course. I will be so thrilled to help you.

.R.A.I.N

09/10/2023

I'm excited to announce that classes are coming to Desborough.

Now that my children are all off to school I've decided it's time to get back out there and deliver this incredible course to the prospective parents of North Northamptonshire.

The course that I offer is a full breakdown of everything you need to know before embarking on one of the most momentous events you will go through in your lifetime, as well as practical and effective tools you can use on the big day.

A birth itself may just be one day in your life, but the effects of it are far reaching and remain a part of your story forever. This is why it is so important to be well informed before going into it and worth every minute, and pound, you spend investing in it.

If you're expecting a baby, why not get in touch to see what hypnobirthing is all about (trust me, it's not what you think) and see if I can help you prepare for an incredible and empowering birth experience.

My feeling is that you will be glad you did.

Much love
Jessica ☺️

18/08/2022

Over the years, I have shared a number of studies showing that induction increases the chance of caesarean. A 2021 study again reinforced our knowledge in this area.

This is important, because what these studies show is contrary to what many women and families are told.

Many people are told that induction of labour reduces the chance a having a caesarean.

But that’s not what midwives, doctors, birth supporters and others who work in the real world see, though.

In the real world, and in research carried out in real world settings, we see something different.

We see that healthy women are more likely to end up having a caesarean if they have induction of labour. That's compared to going into labour on their own.

It's really important that we don't take evidence at face value. We need to dig deeper and explore what's going on.

We need to understand that just because there's evidence to support an idea, that doesn't mean it's right.

It doesn't mean that there aren't other perspectives.

Most importantly of all, there are pros and cons to everything.

Induction of labour is absolutely the right decision for some woman and families, regardless of an increased chance of caesarean.

And it's absolutely not right for others.

The key is in getting informed, and figuring out what's right for you.

My blog post explains this in depth, and I spell out the numbers. https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/induction-increases-caesarean/

I hope you’ll find it useful.

04/07/2022

"Interventions can cause harm as well as good, and the risks and benefits need to be weighed up carefully."

The gut microbiome is SUCH an important issue for long term physical and mental health.

If you have been diagnosed with group strep B in pregnancy, it is entirely your choice if you want to go down the antibiotics route or not, but make it as a fully informed choice and do your research before you decide one way or the other.

“Since the implementation of screening and prophylaxis guidelines for group B streptococcus (GBS) in the early 1990s there has been considerable advancement in scientific knowledge about the gut microbiome and its role in both health and disease processes.

Research assessing early influences during the development of the infant gut microbiome has advanced considerably in the last 15 years. It is now widely accepted that early introduction of antibiotics in infancy is associated with increased risk for illness later in life.” (Garcia 2021).

This is from a review published in the Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health. It looked at antibiotics given to prevent GBS disease and the risks that this poses to babies.

The reviewer found that, “Among vaginally born infants, IAP [antibiotics given in labour to women who are carrying the group B strep bacteria] appears to change the developing microbiome for up to 6 months following exposure. Specifically, IAP alters the microbial counts of the organisms that first colonize the gut, contributing to a decrease in commensal bacteria and a persistence of potentially pathogenic bacteria.” (Garcia 2021)

This confirms the importance of thinking carefully about interventions relating to the screening and prevention of GBS.

Interventions can cause harm as well as good, and the risks and benefits need to be weighed up carefully.

You can see the research study at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jmwh.13245

If you’d like more information on GBS, I have an information hub on my website, and I have also written a book on this topic, Group B Strep Explained.

(Look for the edition with the burgundy colour and the signpost on the front – the UK guidelines have significantly changed and more evidence emerged since I wrote the original, which is why I wrote the new edition in 2019).

To find out more, visit www.sarawickham.com/gbse

18/05/2022

In a world where we rush around and try to fit too much in, a baby’s ‘due date’ has come to be seen by some people as a kind of appointment.

Statistically, only 5% of babies are born on their due date.

That's one in twenty.

Some come earlier, and many healthy babies are born after this.

I sometimes suggest that people plan to do something nice on their baby’s due date; there’s a really high chance that you’ll be free to do it!

But the important thing to remember is that, on the whole, our bodies and our babies’ bodies know what they’re doing.

If you’d like more information about due dates, induction or birth in general, see www.sarawickham.com/iol

Yes, feel free to repost. We just ask that you keep the original pic, words and credit intact and don’t put Sara’s words into your own branding 💜

15/04/2022

This research and information has the power to entirely change a breastfeeding journey and all the feelings that go with it that last a lifetime.

Everyone should have this information. 👇🏼
This way, if you choose to have IV fluids and or need them, newborn weight and loss/gain can account for this in the first weeks.
In 2011 a team of Canadian researchers published a study which linked routine IV fluids with excessive weight loss in newborns. The study concluded that it takes about 24 hours for babies to correct their fluid state and therefore a true birth weight should be done at 24 hours. Here's the issue with with weighing baby at birth with a mother who received IV fluids: those fluids not only over saturate the mother (throwing her into an electrolyte imbalance), but this same thing happens to baby!
So let's say you had the typical hospital birth..labored for 12 hours with fluids being pumped into you the entire time. Baby is born weighing 8lbs 8oz. You go to your 3 day postpartum checkup and baby is down to 7lbs 5oz! Well..thats over a whole pound lost. The provider you see suddenly encourages you to supplement with formula because your baby is losing too much weight. You wonder how could this be...youve been nursing round the clock, changed plenty of wet diapers. How could this happen? .
You spent months researching breastfeeding and all its benefits for it to come down to this?..and at only 3 days postpartum! You feel like you've failed, but you fear that your baby is starving. So what do you do? You supplement...with formula. Next your milk supply drops because you're not bringing baby to the breast, but rather to the bottle. Before you know it you have an exclusively formula fed baby. .
This scenario is SO common, and I believe receiving IV fluids in labor is a HUGE part of the problem. As if the obstetric community hasn't failed women enough..now their "harmless" interventions caused you to lose all confidence in your ability to feed & nourish your baby from your breasts. .
So what can you do???
1. STAY OUT OF THE SYSTEM!
2. Say NO to routine IV fluids
3. Bring this study to attention if this happens to you
4. Continue nursing your baby. Bring baby to breast as first solution when she cries
5. Nurse in demand NOT on schedule



Edited to add:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1948093/

References:
https://internationalbreastfeedingjournal.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/1746-4358-6-9

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3174114/pdf/1746-4358-6-9.pdf

https://www.nfaap.org/sso/sso.aspx?nfredirect=https%3A%2F%2Fpediatrics.aappublications.org%2Fcontent%2F127%2F1%2Fe171.abstract%3Fsso%3D1%26sso_redirect_count%3D2%26nfstatus%3D401%26nftoken%3D00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000%26nfstatusdescription%3DERROR%253A%2520No%2520local%2520token&no-redirect

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine put this as well in one of its 2017 protocols.
https://abm.memberclicks.net/assets/DOCUMENTS/PROTOCOLS/3-supplementation-protocol-english.pdf

https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2011/08/15/study-shows-link-between-maternal-iv-fluids-and-weight-loss-in-newborns/

Good info form evidence based birth.
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/iv-fluids-during-labor/

31/03/2022

"Induction of labour has significant consequences, downsides and knock-on effects as well as potential benefits.

It's vital that anyone being offered induction is also offered clear, evidence-based information, explanation of the limitations of current research AND discussion of the wider issues so they can make the decisions that are right for them."

I wrote that at the end of a blog post that I'm sharing today.

In it, I look at two recent studies, from the USA and Australia.

Both studies looked at how trends in induction of labour are changing.

And whether the publication of the controversial ARRIVE Trial has affected trends in induction.

They offer fascinating - and also worrying - insight.

They confirm some of the concerns of midwives and doctors who are witnessing the effects of the changes every day.

This is vital research, as it shows how induction directly impacts experiences and outcomes for women, babies and families.

You can read more in my blog post today.

It's at https://www.sarawickham.com/articles-2/trends-in-induction-of-labour/

I hope it helps you to better understand the issues.

31/03/2022

I know I've been quiet here lately, but I wanted to let you know that I will soon have my website live finally 🎉🎉🎉

REASONS TO FOCUS ON YOUR BIRTH AND LEARN HYPNOBIRTHING:

❤️ You are more likely to have a straightforward physiological birth

🧡 You can understand what your choices are and the pros and cons of each of them

💛 You can address and reduce any fear surrounding birth (you might even become excited about it!)

💚 You will have time to relax and truly focus on the miracle that is growing within you

💙 You and your birth partner will learn practical tools to help you in labour and they will learn how to effectively advocate for you and your wishes

Hypnobirthing can be used in any and every scenario, it is not simply for the coveted "natural" births, it is for all births no matter what the plans are.

This is because it looks at birth holistically and carefully considers all aspects. It is scientific and logical and provides a comprehensive education on all things birth related.

Quite simply, it is everything you need to know in order to prepare for a positive birth where you are the one in charge and can make the best choices for yourself.

Please email me if you're interested in booking. I have spaces available for April and May.

Much love
Jessica

02/11/2021

There are some stunningly good reasons to offer to induce someone’s labour.

Serious pre-eclampsia, for one. That’s a brilliant reason to recommend induction.

Or where the baby has a health problem or condition that will certainly get worse if they stay in the womb for longer. Also a great reason to recommend inducing labour.

Being Black, Brown, Asian or mixed race?

🙄🤦🏿‍♀️

Being older or a bit fatter than average? Or having conceived via IVF or ARTs?

Having a suspected big baby, when we know that there’s a 15% margin of error either way on ultrasound estimation?

In some of these situations, some data show that there’s a slightly increased chance of stillbirth in those groups compared to some other groups.

But it’s complicated.

Sometimes, different studies show different things. The difference can be tiny. Most importantly, we often don’t have any robust studies showing that inducing labour will reduce the risk. And we DO have studies showing that induction has short, medium and long-term health consequences, leads to more intervention, can cause distress and trauma and a whole load of other things that aren’t ideal.

So there’s more to it than just recommending induction for anyone who is deemed to be “at higher risk.”

If you want to read more about the evidence, see www.sarawickham.com/iol

Because there’s nothing wrong with induction when it’s appropriate, justified and done after someone has made an informed decision that it’s right for them.

It’s just that this isn’t always what’s happening.

Yes, please feel free to repost, tag and share the original pic with my text and credit intact.

01/11/2021

Desborough friends, I will be running the first of my new Monthly positive birth meetings on Thursday 25th November, 10-11 at the library.

If you are pregnant, hoping to start a family or have given birth before and have a positive story to tell, or are a birth worker with a passion for informed and empowered clients please come along where we will be talking all things birth related.

This month our focus will be on the birth room, and the effects our environment has on labour progression but all topics are welcomed and encouraged.

Whatever your plan is for your birth, being well informed is ALWAYS going to help you, so come on down and we can discuss logical, effective birth strategies and where you can find solid evidence based information.

13/09/2021

Fantastic news! Here's hoping other trusts follow suit. X

With immediate effect, visiting will now be from 08:00 - 20:00 for everyone on Ward 9.

We will be continuing with certain visiting requirements, and visitors must provide evidence of a negative lateral flow test every 3 days.

Find out more: https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/news/changes-to-maternity-visiting-ward-9