Susi Rainbow Doula

26/03/2025

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/reader/download/60143c87-7256-47b1-b605-5b483bccea85/book/pdf?context=ubx
Written by Mari greenfield

26/03/2025

We are so grateful to Slingababy for the opportunity to continue to grow as providers after our initial training. We have a family as well as colleagues, and for that, we are so thankful.

Spending the day with like-minded people in a learning-focused community is a powerful way to grow both personally and professionally. When you surround yourself with individuals who share similar goals, passions, and challenges, you create an environment that fosters mutual support, inspiration, and growth.

By learning alongside others, you benefit from the exchange of ideas, diverse perspectives, and experiences that can broaden your own understanding. Whether it's a workshop, seminar, or networking event, being in a space with people who are committed to personal and professional development pushes you to think differently, expand your knowledge, and refine your skills.

26/03/2025

26/03/2025

🟣 Another blog post updated and moved to my website!
Shoulder dystocia is more likely to happen if a baby is big. However, shoulder dystocia is often caused by disrupting physiology and instinct with unnecessary interventions. A shoulder dystocia can be resolved using a standardised approach or a situational approach.
https://www.rachelreed.website/blog/shoulder-dystocia

26/03/2025

I'm writing a paper on the effects of epidurals and the oxytocin system (spoiler, it's not good.) But I'd love to hear some of the good things you have seen or personally experienced from epidurals, especially situations where labour progress has picked up after the epidural or any other benefits. Also, any comments re CSE (epidurals with an initial spinal injection) vs. epidurals? Thanks so much y'all.
NEW. Thanks everyone for your generous sharing. I'm turning off the comments (as best I can) because I need to get back to my study. Best wishes to you all, mamas and those who support them.
PS none of these questions, or your responses, will be used in my thesis.

07/04/2024

07/04/2024

Now and again, I hear someone share the idea that a newborn baby who is attached to its cord needs to be held at the level of its placenta so that gravity can assist it to get its full complement of blood from the placenta.

Is there any evidence for this?

No, and in fact there is a bit of evidence to suggest it's not true.

Although, as with many issues, there's a bit of nuance and a need for careful, critical thinking.

And open-mindedness, because we have been interfering with optimal placental blood flow for so long that we need to re-learn what's normal.

Which raises another important issue.

The fact that so many obstetric myths are predicated on the idea that women's and babies' bodies are faulty, incompetent and incapable of self-regulation.

Which also isn't true.

Women's and babies' bodies are highly capable, in the vast majority of situations, of health, healing and self-regulation.

We just need to create an appropriate environment (in every sense of that word) where they can do just that.

I have a blog post which looks at the issue of gravity and placental transfusion, if that interests you.

See it at https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/a-revelation-that-every-birth-worker-needs-to-know-about-gravity-and-placental-transfusion/

And while you’re on my website, there are hundreds of other posts which offer information on different aspects of birth.

I hope you’ll find them useful 😊

07/04/2024

Dr. Sarah Buckley shares fascinating findings from her current PhD research about the important role that oxytocin plays in pregnancy, birth and motheringDr ...

07/04/2024

This Autism Acceptance Month, check out if you are pregnant and neurodivergent.

Posted • Our ‘Sensory Toolkit’ infographic is now available to download and it’s FREE! 😮

It outlines key tools to support the sensory experience of labour, birth and the postnatal ward.

Comment TOOLKIT on the original post and the link will drop directly into your DMs.

Share this with your neurodivergent friends and birthworker besties.

07/04/2024

07/04/2024

During pregnancy, it’s more important than ever to incorporate dynamic motion into your day to keep your hips fluid.

Dynamic sitting? What does that look like?

If you work at a computer, swap out your office chair for a firm exercise ball, keeping your knees spread apart, lower than your hips. Let your abdomen become a hammock for baby.

When driving a car, try putting a small physio ball (with just one puff of air) in between your ischial tuberosities (or “sitz bones”), so they touch the car seat. Your hips will get the dynamic motion they need, and you’ll have less pain. Win-win!

Click the link below for more tips on our recommended Daily Activities!
https://i.mtr.cool/grhuakvgta

07/04/2024

If you step on the scales during a medical or midwifery appointment your BMI will be calculated and used as a screening test to determine what care you will be offered.

You have every right to decline.

Plus size women may also be asked to step on the scales again in late pregnancy.

Again, it’s up to you to decide whether or not this is right for you.

Not your midwife, doctor, doula or childbirth educator, and certainly not the RCOG or NICE.

Remember that guidelines ONLY tell health professionals what to offer.

You do not have to follow any guideline or recommendation, or accept anything that isn’t right for you.

For more information, see my website and books.

You’ll find info on plus size pregnancy at https://www.sarawickham.com/plus

And info on your rights and decisions more generally at https://www.sarawickham.com/me