Optimum Bumps

01/05/2026

Following on from last night's session, here is a link to Sara Wickham's website: www.sarawickham.com

sarawickham.com is great for resources on induction, plus-size pregnancy, Group Step B, Anti-D and vitamin K.

Dr Sara Wickham - author, speaker, researcher. Evidence-based pregnancy and birth information for women, families, midwives and birth folk.

26/04/2026

If you are considering giving birth at Chippenham Birth Centre, do go along to their open evening, to take a look around, meet some of the midwives who work there and ask any question you may have.

21/04/2026

Wondering whether or not it's worth writing a birth plan? The evidence suggests that it is. Come along to next week's session, Optimum Bumps does birth plans, for some helpful hints on writing yours.

"Birth plans may be associated with improved maternal outcomes, including increased rates of vaginal delivery, and early breastfeeding. The overall evidence suggests birth plans as a strategy to promote a more respectful childbirth."

www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/a-2849-7990

20/04/2026

If you are currently pregnant and wanting to feed your impending arrival with breastmilk (whether exclusively or in combination with formula and whether straight from the breast or expressed), then this week's session (Thursday 23rd April) is for you.

Although our sessions are free to attend, you do need to book via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.com/cc/optimum-bumps-2377469

18/04/2026

Following on from this week's session on sleep, here are links to the evidence based website we discussed:

www.basisonline.org.uk - Baby Sleep Info Source - Basis
For parents who wish to make informed choices about infant sleep and night-time care.

www.lullabytrust.org.uk - www.facebook.com/LullabyTrust
The Lullaby Trust exists to keep babies safe, by funding life-saving research and empowering families with expert baby safety advice.

www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/durham-infancy-sleep-centre - www.facebook.com/DurhamInfancyandSleepCentre - The Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre (DISC) headed by Professor Helen Ball is the home for a group of researchers examining various aspects of infant and child sleep and parenting behaviour.

www.howbabiessleep.com - Pioneering and award-winning infant sleep researcher Professor Helen Ball www.facebook.com/ProfHelenBall brings together cutting-edge science, anthropological insight and practical advice to provide parents with everything they need to help them confidently – and sanely – navigate the first 365 night-times with a new baby.

www.llli.org/news/the-safe-sleep-seven and www.llli.org/resources/sweet-sleep

16/04/2026

Goody bags!

Everyone gets a free goody bag, when they come for their first Optimum Bumps session :-)

Inside you'll find lots of information about local pregnancy, birth and baby services, as well as a couple of other useful items.

11/04/2026

Our topic for this week (Thursday 16th April) is sleep. Come along to meet other expectant parents, over a cup of tea (as well as learn a little bit about about baby sleep).

Sleep deprivation is something many expectant parents dread. Can it be avoided? What is a normal number of night wakings for a baby? How often and for how long should they nap during the day? Where should baby sleep? In their own room or in their parents' room? In a Moses basket, in a cot or in their parents' bed? How can you lower the risk of SIDS?

What are rooming-in, co-sleeping and bed sharing? If you want baby to sleep in your bed, how can you make it as safe as possible?

Although the session is free to attend, you do need to book your space, via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/optimum-bumps-2377469

11/03/2026

Our topic for tomorrow (Thursday 12th) evening is birth physiology. There are lots of things that can affect labour and birth. But do you know what happens during a normal birth, if nature is allowed to take its course? Find out how our environment, and what we do during labour affects how things progress, and what can we do to try and optimise the natural birth process.

To book on any of our sessions follow the link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/optimum-bumps-2377469

05/03/2026

After 3 weeks off, Optimum Bumps is back!

Our topic for this evening's session is hospital bags. What should you pack in your hospital bag? Can you take more than one bag? Do you really need disposable knickers? What should you take in the way of snacks? Will you need cash? Should you take my own birth ball? Or your own pillows? What toiletries should you take?
Even if you're planning a home birth, it's a good idea to have all your 'birthy stuff' kept in one easy to access place.

Although the sessions are free to attend, you do need to book your place, as spaces are limited.

To book your free space on this, or any Optimum Bumps session, follow the link: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/optimum-bumps-2377469

02/03/2026

You don't technically have to have a bump to attend Optimum Bumps! I know that in our description it says, "anyone with a baby bump", but you are welcome to come along even if your bump hasn't yet started to show yet. You can come along any time from the day you get that postitve test result, right up until the day you give birth!

01/03/2026

26/02/2026

This coming Sunday (1st March) Optimum Bumps, along with a host of other pregnancy, birth, baby and toddler service providers will be at the Birth Network North Wiltshire's Chippenham Baby Show.

The event is free to attend, and there's even freebies up for grabs!