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Joyful Birth Doncaster

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Doncaster
Joyful Birth Doncaster

Independent midwife offering private maternity care within 2 hours of my home in Doncaster. Hypnobirthing classes also available.

Check out my linktree for freebie offers, discovery calls, Instagram etc. https://digital.joyfulbirthltd.com/linktree Get in touch with Joyful Birth LTD for independent midwifery care & hypnobirthing classes in Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire & Lincolnshire. Over 28 Years midwifery experience.

16/09/2025

I found this message today from my daughter it's really made my day. As most of you know I've been living in Ashington, Northumberland for 6 weeks now supporting home births. She's such a thoughtful woman. I've definitely done something right there. Thank you Lydia.

15/09/2025

If you’re considering having children present during a home birth, this guide covers safety, comfort, emotional well-being, and practical planning. It’s designed to help you think through decisions and communicate clearly with your birth team and household.

Space, privacy, and environment

Dedicated birth space: A calm, private area with minimal noise, distractions, and clear paths for medical equipment and emergency access.
Boundaries for observers: Be clear who is allowed in the birth space and for how long. Consider a “quiet zone” near the doorway for visitors.
Noise and sensory management: Decide in advance about music, lighting, and who will mute or silence devices. Lighting and sound levels can affect labour experience.
Safety for children: If children are present, ensure they have a safe, supervised space outside the active birth area with a caregiver and age-appropriate activities.

Consider the age, maturity and understanding of the child.

Prepare them before the birth by watching birth videos, introduce them to the fact there will be blood in the birth space. Also discuss birth noises, vocalising, mooing, possibly shouting out and losing control. Gas and air can be noisy and strange to a small child.

Make sure someone is on standby to take them to their house if needed a friend or grandparent.

I've been at some births where children are fine and of comfort to the birthing woman and others where they have been frightened.

Also it might be a distraction you don't need or your children could be of great comfort. Only you know your children, with preparation and care it can be a fulfilling experience for all.

Feel free to share your own experience in the comments.

14/09/2025

Monitoring fetal movements is a simple, non-invasive way to assess how well a growing baby is doing inside the womb. Tracking movement patterns can help identify potential issues early, allowing timely medical evaluation and care.

Why fetal movement monitoring matters

Early indicator of well-being: Consistent movement generally indicates adequate oxygen and nutrient supply.
Can signal problems early: A noticeable change in movement patterns may precede more serious complications.
Empowers expectant parents: Regular awareness helps you partner with your healthcare team in monitoring your pregnancy.

Do movements slow down due to lack of space?

There is a common concern that as a pregnancy progresses and the uterus becomes more crowded, fetal movements might slow down. In reality:

The fetus does not simply “run out of room.” The fetus continues to move the same at every stage of pregnancy.
The type of movement may change with gestational age:
Early pregnancy: larger, more spread-out kicks and rolling movements.
Late second/third trimester: movements may feel more localized (often around the same time each day) as the baby’s space becomes tighter.
The baby still has space to move, and movements can be felt differently but should not disappear entirely. If a decrease in movement is noticed, it warrants assessment.

What to watch for: normal vs. concerning movement patterns

Normal patterns (varies by pregnancy, but common themes)
Daily movements after about 26 weeks: many women notice a reliable pattern, often after meals or in the evening.
A mix of kicks, rolls, pushes, and maybe hiccups.
Movements are present, even if less forceful than earlier, and occur enough to be noticed several times per hour or within a 2–3 hour window.

Concerning patterns that require prompt evaluation
A sudden, noticeable decrease in movement or a complete stop in movements.
Movements that are markedly weaker, sporadic, or absent for a day or more.
New or worsening abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, leakage of fluid, or signs of labour.
Movements are unique to you and your baby. Noticing a change could save your babies life.

12/09/2025

I have missed Remus and Myrtle so much while I have been away. Of course I've missed other people but my dogs don't understand where or why I've gone. Looking forward to big slobbery dog kisses but we need one more baby first. My family are coming to visit tomorrow but first a trip to see and weigh her baby and see how the family are getting on.
I will miss being here for lots of reasons, the clients are incredible, they always are. I will miss I really think you should open one in Doncaster and I'm not joking we need a gym like yours.

11/09/2025

We have the first of our Northumberland babies. It is always such a privilege to be present at a birth. Thank you for allowing me into your home at this special time. (Permission was given to post these photos). They really show the emotion involved in birth.

09/09/2025

If your care team advises against home birth, use these steps to decide safely and align with your values.

1) Are the risks genuine
Ask for the why
What risks apply to you? Get a written, personal explanation.
Are there safe alternatives (birth center, hospital with minimal interventions)?
Home birth with an independent midwife.

2) Lock in a safety plan
Transfer plan: how fast to a hospital, transport options, time estimates.
Nearby facilities with on-call obstetric care and emergency triggers.
These factors are considered for all my clients.

3) Clarify values
What matters most: safety, autonomy, interventions, environment, or support.

4) Discuss options with your team
Request a joint planning session.
Compare: home birth (if ever advised), birth center, or hospital with a chosen plan.
Write a birth plan and transfer protocol.

5) Consider a second opinion
If unsure, consult another clinician with your notes.
Most independent midwives do a birth planning session at a reasonable cost to discuss your preferences and risks.

6) Quick comparison (at a glance)

Safety in your situation: risk level
Emergency access: transfer time
Skilled staff: credentials and privileges
Pain management: options available
Environment: comfort vs monitoring
Postpartum care: NICU, lactation, follow-up

Quick questions to bring
Why is home birth not advised for me?
What are the exact risks and alternatives?
What is the transfer plan and timeline?
What will my birth plan look like?

Remember it is your body and your baby. You have the right to have your baby wherever you.
There are very few cases where homebirth is genuinely unsafe.
Just planning a homebirth significantly raises your chances of a normal vaginal delivery and decreases the chance of intervention.

An independent midwife is more likely to support your homebirth than the NHS. An IM can help you make the right decision for you and can attend an appointment with your consultant to discuss risks and plan your birth. This plan will take into account safety for you and your baby.

Always do your research, ask other people's advice and don't be coerced into making a decision. Often you have time to make a decision.

08/09/2025

I've been a busy little bee today 🐝. 1st I made a call to a client who's gone over her due date to remind her it's just a guess date and to keep doing enjoyable things and not to dwell on going over. Baby will come in it's own time. We discussed induction of labour briefly at her request.
Tidied my room and drank a million cups of earl grey tea.
Wrote contracts for 2 clients I'm about to start working with. This took a large part of the afternoon.
Ordered some more aromatherapy bottles and essential oils.
Now I'm in bed reading Harry Potter ready for an early start to see a client tomorrow morning.

07/09/2025

Better week this week was missing home last week and the beginning of this but I've forced myself out and about and been to the gym 4 times. Still on call but that's no issue. if anyone has any questions about working with me please DM me or call me. Number on my website www.joyfulbirthltd.com

04/09/2025

Pros and cons of a vaginal sweep (also called a cervical sweep) in pregnancy. This procedure is typically discussed in the context of inducing labour or assessing cervical readiness, and practices may vary by region and clinician. In the trust I came from these are offered as early as 39 weeks leading to some women having several performed.

What is a vaginal sweep?
A clinician gently inserts a gloved finger into the cervix and nurses the membranes to separate the bag of waters from the cervix, or brushes the cervix to release prostaglandins.
Often discussed as a method to encourage/trigger labour in the final weeks if pregnancy is past due or if induction is being considered.

Potential benefits (pros)
May help stimulate labour and reduce the need for pharmacological induction (e.g., prostaglandins, oxytocin) in some cases.
Can be done in a standard antenatal clinic or labor ward setting without special equipment.
May be associated with a shorter time to labour onset for some women who are already near term or slightly post-term.
Low-cost option with minimal equipment and generally quick to perform.
Some people report a lower likelihood of needing stronger medical induction methods if labor starts naturally.

Potential drawbacks (cons)
Discomfort or pain during the procedure; some people find it very uncomfortable or painful.
Not guaranteed to start labour; effectiveness varies and may not work for everyone.
Potential for minor vaginal or cervical bleeding, irregular contractions, or transient cramping, leading to lack of sleep with no progress.
Risk of infection is generally low but present, particularly if performed when membranes are ruptured or if sterile technique isn’t ideal.
May cause contractions that lead to early labor, which could be emotionally challenging if not desired or if the pregnancy isn’t ready.
Contraindicated or not recommended in certain situations (e.g., preterm labour, placenta previa, ruptured membranes with infection, vaginal bleeding, or if there are fetal concerns). Should be avoided in certain high-risk pregnancies.

These are common in NHS practice but it is often better to allow labour to start in its own timeline.

02/09/2025

You have decided you would like to have an independent midwife for your pregnancy, birth and postnatal period. Of course you need to feel comfortable with them and actually like them as your going to spend a long time with them. You also need to trust them with your special little bump. I do a discovery call on zoom usually to check we both feel comfortable. If you would like to book an appointment comment discovery.

Here are some questions you should ask:-

Qualifications and practice: certifications, years in practice, solo or team, on-call coverage.
Care package: antenatal, birth, postnatal follow-up.
Birth philosophy: approach to risk, interventions, evidence-based care.
Safety plans: transfer plan to hospital, emergency equipment, transfer triggers.
Monitoring: how you monitor mother and baby; tests offered/needed.
Settings and preferences: pain management, mobility, water birth, support persons.
Safety nets: consent, when to involve partners, siblings present.
Logistics: fees, what's included, insurance, reimbursement, travel fees. 2nd midwife at delivery will you meet them prior to the birth.
Collaboration: how you coordinate with obstetricians, pediatrics, doulas; referrals.
Personal fit: why choose me as your midwife (because I'm nice, calm and experienced).

You may have other questions and that's fine, I want you to feel comfortable in my care. Comment DISCOVERY to book a discovery call and I'll send you a zoom link.

01/09/2025

It sounds wonderful buy a cheap Doppler (the machine used to listen to babies heartbeat) cheeky listen, show family and friends. There can be dangers involved in this though. Read below :-

Accuracy and interpretation issues
Home Dopplers can be difficult to use correctly without training.
They may give cause unnecessary alarm (failing to detect a heartbeat when there is one) or false reassurance (detecting a heartbeat that isn’t fetal, such as from a vascular signal such as mum's artery.
Misinterpretation can lead to unnecessary anxiety or a false sense of security.

Delay in seeking care
If a home Doppler is used and a heartbeat is detected, parents might delay seeking medical evaluation, which can delay diagnosis of real problems.
Conversely, detecting a heartbeat doesn’t provide information about fetal well-being or placental function.

Limited information about fetal health
A Doppler only measures heart rate, not rhythm, variability, or other indicators of fetal well-being. A skilled midwife can assess this to some extent just by listening, and then refer for further tests such as a scan or longer monitoring in hospital. .
It cannot assess placental insufficiency, fetal growth, or amniotic fluid status.

Commercial products vary in quality
Not all home Dopplers are calibrated or validated for accuracy.
Differences in probes, frequencies, and audio quality can affect reliability.

Risk of anxiety and misuse
Hearing a heartbeat does not guarantee ongoing pregnancy or health; similarly, not hearing a heartbeat can cause distress, especially in early pregnancy.
It may lead to attempting to diagnose miscarriage without medical support.

Professional guidance is preferred
In pregnancy, routine antenatal care includes clinical assessment, ultrasound as indicated, and non-stress tests or other fetal monitoring when needed.
If there are warning signs (bleeding, severe pain, decreased fetal movement after 24 weeks), seek medical care promptly rather than relying on home devices.

When might home Dopplers be considered appropriate? They can be used as a bonding tool only not for reassurance. .

31/08/2025

lovely day yesterday with Miles and Piers, not only was it great to see them but they brought Remus and Myrtle my dogs. They honestly couldn't get to me quick enough, they are so confused as to where I've gone. About to go for a beach walk I need to get out today.

Address

Lower Pasture, Blaxton
Doncaster
DN93RF

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 10pm
Tuesday	9am - 10pm
Wednesday	9am - 10pm
Thursday	9am - 10pm
Friday	9am - 10pm
Saturday	9am - 10pm
Sunday	9am - 10pm

Website

http://WWW.JOYFULBIRTHLTD.COM/

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