Joyful Birth 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.

What they are: Identical twins develop from a single fertilized egg (zygote) that splits into two embryos. Because they ...
23/11/2025

What they are: Identical twins develop from a single fertilized egg (zygote) that splits into two embryos. Because they share the same original DNA, they are genetically very similar, typically calling for a common genome for both individuals.

How the split occurs: The timing of the split in early embryonic development largely determines placental and amniotic configurations:
Very early split (within the first 0–4 days): usually results in dichorionic diamniotic twins (two placentas, two amniotic sacs) similar to fraternal twins in placental structure, though still monozygotic.
Split around day 4–8: often monochorionic diamniotic (one placenta shared, but with two amniotic sacs).
Split after day 8–12: can be monochorionic monoamniotic (one placenta and one amniotic sac), with higher risk features.
Very late splits are rare and can be associated with conjoined twins.

Genetic makeup: They arise from one zygote and start with nearly identical genomes. However, they are not absolutely identical:
Post-zygotic somatic mutations can create genetic differences between twins.
Epigenetic differences (differences in DNA methylation, histone modification, etc.) can alter gene expression between twins.
Random X-chromosome inactivation in females can lead to differences in which X is active in different tissues, influencing phenotype.
Environmental factors in utero (e.g., nutrient sharing, placental blood flow) can lead to subtle differences.

Physical and developmental similarities/differences:
They usually look alike and often have similar facial features, voice timbre, and handwriting, but are not identical in appearance or personality.
Fingerprints are not identical, though they may be very similar at a high level; they are uniquely formed by random developmental processes.
They can have different birth weights, growth rates, and medical histories.

Health considerations and risks:
Chorionicity and amnionicity matter for pregnancy risk. Monochorionic twins (one placenta) have higher risk for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and other placental sharing issues.

22/11/2025

Busy/stressful week I'll let the video explain. I'm on call again and will potentially be on call for the next 3 months. Exciting times waiting for a baby. Kits all ready in the car, phone permanently on loud, ready to spring into action. DM me to discuss how you can work with me. on Instagram comment DISCOVERY for access to my calendar.

21/11/2025

Join myself and Kelly Wilson your local doula tomorrow at Doncaster Corn Exchange for a free pregnancy coffee morning. Come and grab your drink of choice and let's talk birth and how we can support you.

The Role of the Birth Partner A birth partner provides emotional, physical, and practical support to the person giving b...
17/11/2025

The Role of the Birth Partner

A birth partner provides emotional, physical, and practical support to the person giving birth.

Before labour: discuss preferences, attend classes, pack essentials, offer reassurance.
During labour: advocate, stay with the person, help with comfort (breathing, positions, touch), handle logistics and questions for the medical team.
After birth: support bonding and feeding, help with newborn care, assist with discharge tasks.

Practical tips:
Create a brief birth preferences list.
Respect autonomy; the birthing person makes the choices.
Stay calm, communicate clearly with staff.
Be flexible; labour can change.
Take care of yourself too (breaks, hydration).

A birth partner can be babies day, a friend, family member or a doula. Anybody you know well who knows your preference and can keep you calm. Birth with an independent midwife will help as you can build up a relationship. Comment DISCOVERY to find out how you can work with me.

Exercise in pregnancy: is it safe?In general, pregnancy is not a contraindication to regular physical activity. For most...
14/11/2025

Exercise in pregnancy: is it safe?

In general, pregnancy is not a contraindication to regular physical activity. For most pregnant people, exercise is safe and can provide benefits for both mother and baby. However, individual recommendations depend on health, fitness level, pregnancy progression, and any complications. Here’s a practical overview.

Benefits of exercise during pregnancy
Improves mood, sleep, and energy
Helps manage weight gain
May reduce risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia
Supports cardiovascular fitness and muscle tone
Can ease common discomforts (backache, swelling)

General guidelines (healthy pregnancies)
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week (e.g., brisk walking) or 30 minutes most days.
Include strength training 2–3 days per week with light to moderate resistance.
Include flexibility and pelvic floor exercises.
Stay hydrated; avoid overheating (do not exercise in very hot environments or when having a fever).
Avoid lying flat on the back after 20 weeks for prolonged periods; switch to a side-lying position.
Cool-down and gradual warm-up for every session.

What counts as moderate intensity
You can talk but not sing during the activity.
Your heart rate should be elevated but not at dangerous levels.
You should stop if you feel excessive shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, or severe swelling.

Activities to prefer or avoid
Generally safe options:
Walking, stationary cycling, swimming, prenatal yoga or Pilates, low-impact aerobics
Low-impact strength training with proper form
Prenatal dance or water aerobics

Activities to be cautious with or modify:
Contact sports or activities with high risk of falling (e.g., horseback riding, skiing, snowboarding)
Exercises that involve lying on the back after 20 weeks (due to reduced blood flow)
routines with risky sudden movements, intense breath-holding, or Valsalva maneuvers (straining)

What is an Independent Midwife?A qualified midwife who provides home-based or community-based prenatal, birth, and postn...
13/11/2025

What is an Independent Midwife?

A qualified midwife who provides home-based or community-based prenatal, birth, and postnatal care without being tied to a hospital or birth center.
Services often include early pregnancy check-ins, birth planning, continuous support during labour, newborn care, and postnatal follow-up.
Typically offers a personalized, continuous care model and may manage planned home births or out-of-hospital births when appropriate and safe.
Can also offer hospital support when required.

Benefits
Personal continuity of care with the same midwife or small team.
Greater flexibility in birth planning and environment (home or chosen setting).
Emphasis on informed choice, education, and postpartum support.
Potentially fewer interventions when risk is low and care is appropriately managed.

Considerations
Availability: Independent midwives may have limited geographic coverage or waitlists.
Scope of practice: Confirm they are qualified to handle your birth setting (home, birth center, or hospital transfer plans).
Collaboration: Ensure there’s a clear plan for transfer to hospital if complications arise.
Insurance and costs: Check what’s covered by insurance and what you’ll pay out-of-pocket.
Safety and regulations: Verify they are licensed/registered with the relevant professional body in your country or region.

How to Find an Independent Midwife
Ask for recommendations: From friends, family, or your primary care provider.
Search professional associations:
In the U.K.: Royal College of Midwives (RCM), Independent Midwives Association (IMUK).

Check qualifications and experience: Look for formal certification, years of practice, and experience with home births if that’s your plan.
Interview candidates: Prepare questions about:
Birth setting options
Support provided
What is provided in the package.
Make sure you like and trust them, you'll be spending a lot of time with them.

If you would like to discuss working with me comment DISCOVERY to book an appointment.

Adrenaline in labour and birthAdrenaline (also called epinephrine) is a key stress hormone released by the adrenal gland...
10/11/2025

Adrenaline in labour and birth

Adrenaline (also called epinephrine) is a key stress hormone released by the adrenal glands. During labour and birth, its role is complex and varies depending on timing, maternal condition, and intrapartum events. Here’s an overview of its physiology, clinical implications, and practical considerations for obstetric care.

Key physiological roles in labour and birth

Maternal physiological response to stress and pain
Adrenaline is released in response to pain, fear, anxiety, hypoxia, and exertion.
It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and bronchodilation, helping to maintain maternal oxygen delivery.

Uterine activity
Adrenaline can modulate uterine contractions. Higher levels may blunt contractions, potentially leading to slower labour progression or secondary arrest.
In some contexts, mild sympathetic stimulation can help coordinate contractions, but excessive catecholamines may inhibit uterine activity.

Fetal well-being
Adrenaline crosses the placenta in small amounts; fetal adrenal response contributes to fetal adaptation during stress.
Excess maternal catecholamines have been associated with reduced placental blood flow and potential fetal distress in extreme scenarios.

Situations that raise adrenaline during labour
Pain management (especially with inadequate analgesia)
Physical exertion and prolonged labour
Maternal cold exposure or hypoglycemia
Acute distress, fear, or emergency situations

Clinical implications and management

Pain relief and anxiety control
Adequate analgesia (e.g., neuraxial analgesia like an epidural or intrathecal analgesia) can reduce the maternal sympathetic surge and limit excessive adrenaline release.
Non-pharmacological comfort measures and supportive care also help minimize stress responses.

Labour progression
Inadequate analgesia or high stress may contribute to slower labour or a stagnation phase.

Hypnobirthing can reduce the production of adrenaline and potentially speed labour up

Joy Bedford I don't think ***** would be here today if it wasn't for you. I'm so glad I got to have the most incredible ...
10/11/2025

Joy Bedford I don't think ***** would be here today if it wasn't for you. I'm so glad I got to have the most incredible community midwife for my last pregnancy! I will never forget you or what you did for our family, our guardian angel 🩷 I wouldn't be sat with 2 healthy babies if it wasn't for your care.

Thank you will never be enough ###

This was a client I looked after in the NHS she was on weekly appointments so we got lots of time to get to know one another. A client who her and her babies will always have a special place in my heart.
If you would like to speak to me about we can work together comment DISCOVERY to book an appointment.
you

Endorphins and Their Use in LabourEndorphins are the body’s natural opioids, participating in pain relief, mood regulati...
08/11/2025

Endorphins and Their Use in Labour

Endorphins are the body’s natural opioids, participating in pain relief, mood regulation, and stress responses. During labour, endorphin levels rise in response to pain and stress, which can influence the perception of pain, labour duration, and the emotional experience of childbirth. Here’s a concise overview of their role and practical considerations in labour.

What are endorphins?
Endorphins are endogenous (produced by the body) opioid peptides, primarily beta-endorphin, enkephalins, and dynorphins.
They bind to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord to reduce pain and induce feelings of well-being.
They are released in response to stress, pain, exercise, and certain sensory stimuli (e.g., touch, warm water).

How endorphins influence labour
Pain modulation: Endorphins help dampen the sensation of uterine contractions, potentially decreasing the perception of pain.
Emotional response: They contribute to the “euphoric” or dissociative feelings some people experience during intense contractions or pushing.
Labour progression: The analgesic effect can impact the subjective experience of contractions, which may influence coping strategies and labor dynamics.
Birth environment: A calm, supportive, and less stressful environment can promote natural endorphin release.

Factors that affect endorphin release during labour
Environment: Quiet, private, and non-stressful settings may enhance release.
Support: Continuous support from a partner, doula, or caregiver can reduce anxiety and facilitate endorphin production.
Breathing and relaxation: Slow, rhythmic breathing and relaxation techniques can modulate the stress response.
Movement and positioning: Changing positions, walking, upright positions, and gentle massage can influence pain perception and endorphin release.
Sound and touch: Calming sounds, massage, water immersion can promote endorphin release.
Breathing techniques and hypnobirthing: Methods that reduce fear and promote a sense of control may support endorphin-mediated analgesia.
There is evidence a TENS machine can increase the production of Endorphins.

Melatonin in labourand birth: purpose and potential rolesMelatonin is a hormone primarily produced by the pineal gland i...
07/11/2025

Melatonin in labourand birth: purpose and potential roles

Melatonin is a hormone primarily produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness, playing key roles in regulating circadian rhythms and sleep. In pregnancy, melatonin also has several functions that can influence labor and birth. Here is a concise overview:

Potential roles of melatonin in labourand birth

Antioxidant protection for the fetus
Melatonin is a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger.
It may help protect fetal tissues from oxidative stress during labor, which can be a time of increased metabolic demand and hypoxia-reperfusion events.

Support for placental function
Melatonin receptors are present in the placenta.
It may modulate placental blood flow and help regulate uteroplacental circulation, potentially supporting fetal oxygenation during late pregnancy and labor.

Uterine function and timing of labour
Some evidence suggests melatonin interacts with the uterine clock genes and circadian rhythms that can influence myometrial excitability.
Melatonin levels rise late in pregnancy in many species (including humans) and may contribute to the timing of labour onset by interacting with prostaglandins and oxytocin pathways, though this area is complex and not fully established in humans.

Synchronization with circadian rhythms for birth timing
Labour and birth may follow circadian patterns. Melatonin, in concert with cortisol and other hormones, may help synchronize the process of labor with maternal and fetal biological clocks.
Circadian timing could influence duration and progression of labour, although individual variation is common.

Neuroprotective effects for the newborn
The placental transfer of melatonin to the fetus increases in late gestation.
Postnatally, melatonin may help protect the newborn brain during the stress of birth and early adaptation.

Clinical implications and current evidence

Therapeutic use during labour?
There is ongoing research into using melatonin supplementation for pregnant people at risk of preterm birth or fetal growth restriction, and some studies explore its potential to reduce oxidative stress and improve outcomes.

Had a lovely day today lunch in a cafe saw some young cows (heifers), goats, sheep and rabbits. Dog walk and then walked...
06/11/2025

Had a lovely day today lunch in a cafe saw some young cows (heifers), goats, sheep and rabbits. Dog walk and then walked around jervaulx abbey and ate ice creams almost as big as our heads, mine was Wensleydale cheese and ginger cheesecake flavour (it was delicious), Miles had Beer flavour which I didn't like.
Then onto Middleham which was a beautiful town with some amazing houses, village pub was cosy and friendly, Remus and Myrtle got so many compliments. Now relaxing in the caravan (listening to an owl) before 1 last dog walk. Remember I'm still here if you want to talk about how you can work with me just comment DISCOVERY

06/11/2025

Brief overview: natural oxytocin in birth

What it is: the body’s own oxytocin produced during labour, released with uterus stretching and baby’s progress.
Key benefits:
Stronger, more efficient contractions and steady dilation
Potentially shorter active labour
Lower likelihood of medical interventions when labor progresses well
Better fetal oxygenation and well-being
Enhanced bonding, milk let-down, and postpartum adaptation
Calming effects, potentially reduced pain perception
Facilitates placental expulsion

How to support natural release:
Calm, private environment with trusted support
Continuous support (partner/independent midwife/doula)
Comfort measures: warmth, massage, skin-to-skin, positioning
Trust, autonomy, and minimal unnecessary interruptions
Non-pharmacologic techniques: breathwork, movement, visualization, hypnobirthing.
Prepare healthily in late pregnancy (hydration, sleep, stress management)

Important notes:
Hormone balance matters; stress/adrenaline can hinder oxytocin.
Good antenatal preparation can reduce stress and therefore adrenalin production.

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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

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