Sally Elspeth Birthing Services

05/08/2023

22/11/2021

**MARCH WITH MIDWIVES**

Yesterday, hundreds of people marched the streets in vigils to protest about the midwifery crisis the UK is currently facing.

These statistics speak for themselves.

Midwives support women and families but who will support them?

The four demands which have been put to the UK Government to implement include:

🔺To listen to all staff, service users & their advocates
🔺Fund emergency retention of staff
🔺Enable all qualified midwives who are willing to work & support students to enter training & finish their course &;
🔺Reduce demands on staff

Are these too much to ask?

13/11/2021

**MATERNITY SERVICES CRISIS**
I’ve been quiet on here recently as I have been focusing my attention on pursuing my ambition of becoming a midwife. This is not however an easy task with most universities receiving 700-800 applications with only 50 spaces available. Yet, even with these huge numbers of people willing to enter into this rewarding profession, maternity services are absolute crisis point ⚠️

It is really saddening to hear the safety of maternity services is under serious threat and according to a new RCM survey:
- 83% of midwives do not believe their NHS Trust or Board has enough staff to operate a safe service &;
- 71% of midwives and maternity support workers have considered leaving the profession

Midwifes, and maternity support workers, are dealing with endless challenges including understaffing, low pay, lack of resources and being overstretched like never before.

There has never been a greater time to show our support and appreciation to all those incredible maternity staff all over the UK.

If you have been lucky enough to receive the amazing care and support from a midwife, or a maternity support worker, or would like to have these invaluable services available if you decide to get pregnant then please sign the petition below ⬇️ or even better join one of your local vigils on 21st November with the aim to deliver an emergency manifesto to .

https://chng.it/5zCgSx6kgw.

25/09/2021

**IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD**

This is an old African proverb meaning that a whole community is required to provide and contribute towards a child’s safe & healthy upbringing.

This should start from when a woman, or birthing person, finds themselves expecting.

Seek and utilise the people around you for support, care and motivation to make your antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal stages as positive as possible.

Look into what and who you want in your birthing dream team whether it be a life partner, family member, friend, midwife or doula.

These people should empower, encourage, love and respect you and don’t accept anything less.

Having the perfect mix of supporters is the recipe to a truly magical experience ✨

20/09/2021

**PERSONAL HYPNOBIRTHING BIRTH PREPARATION**

Birth can, and should, be one of your biggest achievements and most magical memories 🤩

I am hugely passionate about working with women and their birthing partners on a personal one to one basis to help you achieve just that.

Courses are informal, fun and include full antenatal education with proven Hypnobirthing techniques included.

Message or call for a free birth chat 💕

15/08/2021

**NATIONAL RELAXATION DAY**

So today is the National day of pure relaxation! The whole premise behind Hypnobirthing is that it teaches you how to get you into deep relaxation on demand so your body can work as effectively and efficiently as it was perfectly designed to birth your baby.

Everyone has different things they like to do to relax whether it’s reading a good book, having a bath or going for a lovely stroll in a park.

The more you practice relaxation the more beneficial it is on your mental health.
Benefits include:
- Lower stress levels
- More effective thinking
- Pain control
- Induces emotional calm

Whatever your chosen relaxation method ensure you make time out of your hectic schedule to do it.

Self care should be your number one care!

📷 Courtesy of the National Today website.

05/08/2021

**INNER STRENGTH**

When I talk with new Mum’s about how they felt during and immediately after their birth, I love it when a woman states that they felt empowered, invincible or like they have an inner goddess within them.

These should be the emotions felt after any type of birth. Caesarean. Vaginal. Induced Labour. VBAC. You name it!

Preparing for birth brings endless advantages for all parties involved. You, your partner, your baby and also your healthcare dream team.

Emotional, mental and physical preparations will help you in more ways than you can imagine and when you strong, confident and emotionally centred you’ll be much more in control of your experience.

Find your Inner Strength!

01/07/2021

**WATERS BREAKING**

During your pregnancy, your baby is nicely cushioned in a sac which is filled with amniotic fluid which helps protects your unborn child. Just another incredible thing your body just does without you realising!

One of the signs of labour starting can include your waters breaking…or as we like to call it in the hypnobirthing world…waters releasing’. Nothing is broken peeps!

Some fun facts:
⭐️Only around 1 in 10 labours start with waters breaking.
⭐️Most labour journeys start with tightenings (surges/contractions - however you like to call them).
⭐️Most women are in established labour (more than 4cm dilated) before this happens.
⭐️Your waters do not have to go before birth of your baby. Some babies are born still inside an intact amniotic sac. This is called an ‘en caul’ birth.

This photo demonstrates exactly what we all ‘think’ waters breaking is like - a gushing sensation. A puddle left on the floor. However, waters releasing isn’t always like this. More often than not, it’s likened to more of a trickle or slow leak and should not be painful.

So if this happens… be sure to breathe, put on a sanitary towel and contact your midwife. Follow this helpful acronym to advise on your developments - COAT:

COLOUR OF WATER - clear or pink shades are normal but if it is green this could be a sign that your baby has passed their first p**p (meconium) in the womb. Go straight to the hospital if this is the case.

ODOUR - A strange or unpleasant scent from the fluid could be an indication of infection. A subtle sweet smell is normal.

AMOUNT OF FLUID - Was the release a gush or slow leak?

TIME - Ensure you check the time when your waters break. Once this happens the risk of infection increases as this is the protective fluid that is protecting your baby. Usually 24 hours is given for natural labour to progress.

Thank you to for some super facts on this topic and .birthstory for this mind blowing image!

27/06/2021

**BIRTH RIGHTS**

Do you know, or have you even heard, of Birth Rights?

These are quite simply your rights in maternity care and childbirth.

Yesterday, I took part in an informative training course all about birth rights presented by the amazing human rights charity -

But what are your birth rights?

Here in the UK, every birthing person has a right to:
▫️Safe & appropriate maternity care that respects their dignity
▫️Privacy & confidentiality
▫️Equality & freedom from discrimination
▫️Make choices about their pregnancy and birth

Birth rights are thoroughly discussed and incorporated into my antenatal sessions and I encourage you, and your partner, to consider these also when you are creating your birth preferences.

Knowing your rights gives you the confidence to politely decline anything you do not wish to have. And this can, quite literally, be the difference between a negative or positive birth outcome.

For full information and advice about your birth rights check out or message me for details 💚

23/06/2021

**GOOD VIBES ONLY**

I came across this picture on a recent trip to The Lakes for mine and my husband’s wedding anniversary ❤️

During pregnancy, it is imperative to surround yourself with positivity. This can sometimes be easier said than done and there will always be several external factors that can influence how you’re feeling. This can be anything from social media pages you follow, personal anxieties or the people you are surrounding yourself with.

Focusing on a ‘glass half full’ attitude will have endless benefits not only on your welfare during pregnancy but also your unborn child’s. 👶🏽👶🏻👶🏾

So ditch anything that makes you feel negative and target your energy on something, or someone, who makes you feel as fabulous as you really are! 🤩

20/06/2021

**FATHER’S DAY**

So I know we go on a lot about women when we’re talking about pregnancy and birth but the Dad’s have a very important, you could say invaluable job to do…

And with the right knowledge, preparation and kick up the you know what, they can quite literally make or break a birth experience!

I have worked with so many Daddy’s and I can honestly say wow! You have all been incredible, been chatty and intrigued and all gone on to support your birthing partners like absolute hero troopers! 🦸‍♂️

So today everyone, let’s celebrate the Daddio’s and salute them for rubbing our backs, massaging our feet, putting up with our pregnancy whinges and even scooping out our 💩 (in birthing pools - obvs 🤣).

Happy Father’s Day boys! You are all legends! 💪🏿💪🏾💪🏽💪🏼💪🏻

04/06/2021

**VBAC**

AKA - Virginal Birth After Caesarean

Repost from

Last year there was an update to the NICE guidelines in the UK around care for women having a vbac. It seems however that this guidance is taking its time to filter down in to practice...

The guidelines (amongst other things) now state:
🤚 No routine cannula
🛀 Water birth should be supported
📈Monitoring should be offered (though also states that there isn’t conclusive evidence to say whether or not this identifies problems sooner than intermittent monitoring but is offered just in case).

The chance of a successful vbac is around 75% (similar to the vaginal birth of a first time mum) and higher for those who have been in labour or had a vaginal birth before (85-90%!!). The reason vbacs tend to be more to be ‘medicalised’ and the reason more medical management is still being offered is because of the ‘increased risk’ of uterine rupture. But what does this mean?

The risk of uterine rupture in a unscarred uterus (i.e. no previous c-section) is 0.005%.

For women having a vbac it is 0.05%.

Vba2c is 1.3%.

So yes, whilst the risk IS higher, it’s an incredibly RARE complication and should certainly be balanced against the potential complications that can be caused by a medicalised approach to birth (i.e bright lights, labour ward, birthing in a laying on back position, continuous monitoring etc).

Everyone’s choices for a vaginal birth after a previous c-section will be incredibly personal. There may be other complexities to take into account, previous birth experiences etc. But the crucial thing to know is that everything you are offered, is an OFFER and it lies with you to decide which offers to accept of which to decline. You can still give birth in a birthing centre or at home if you choose to, but it’s worth initiating those conversations early so you can get a good plan in place for you and your baby. You can also choose to have a planned caesarean birth if you prefer.

📷 .foto

25/05/2021

**HOW DO YOU VIEW BIRTH**

So in every one of my hypnobirthing sessions I ask the the couple what 3 words they associate with birth. And yes, as you would imagine, the words are rarely positive.

Why is this?

A vast number of different factors contribute to these associations such as: 👉🏼The media
👉🏼Films
👉🏼TV programmes
👉🏼Other people’s stories
👉🏼Outdated family beliefs

The list goes on...

But what if I told you it doesn’t need to be this way. Birth can be magical. It can be powerful. It can be life changing and for all the right reasons!

Hypnobirthing birth preparation provides you with the tools to change these preconceptions and gives you and your partner the confidence, knowledge and power to experience just that.

If you want to find out more about hypnobirthing why not send me a message, send me an email or simply give me a bell. I’d love to hear from you 🥰

19/05/2021

**ACTIVE LABOUR**

Thank you to for this photo and inspiring post.

Whether you decide to give birth to your baby in hospital or whether it ends up being that way there are sooo many handy things that you and your birth partner can do to make your birthing environment amazing!

These include:
👉🏼Move all unnecessary furniture or equipment out the way or out of sight. The bed is the first to go - move to the side of the room and make space for your birthing ball, yoga mat or whatever birthing prop you desire.

👉🏼Utilise the bed for everything other than lying down. Lean over it, kneel on all fours on it, squat on it or even just put your bags on it!

👉🏼Use, or request, active birth equipment to assist with your labour such as birthing balls, birth stools, mats, robozo scarves.

👉🏼Utilise gravity by standing, swaying, squatting &/or leaning over objects for an easier descent of baby down the birth path. Lying on your back can be the hardest and most uncomfortable position.

👉🏼Slow dance or even bounce on your birthing ball along to your favourite tracks.

👉🏼Make the environment romantic. Think low level lighting, background music, close curtains/doors, use battery operated candles or fairy lights, aromatherapy scents.

👉🏼Bring positive encouraging accessories such as photos of loved ones, baby’s first outfit, blanket, pillows & birth affirmation bunting.

All of the above and more can be used to speed up and encourage the natural rhythm of labour.

17/05/2021

**Use your BRAIN**

It may come as a surprise but within birth you have choices, lots of choices 🤗

Keeping this handy little acronym in your pocket is a super and easy way to enable you to make decisions wherever and whenever you need too 👍

B.R.A.I.N stands for:
▫️Benefits
▫️Risks
▫️Alternatives
▫️Instincts
▫️Nothing

Don’t be afraid to ask questions to determine the answers or information you are looking for 🤓

Remember it’s your body, your birth and your baby!

12/05/2021

**LIFE CHANGING MOMENT**

I came across this incredible photo posted by earlier this week and I was adamant I wanted to show it to you lovely lot 🤩

This is what birth should look like:
✨Exhilarating
✨Amazing
✨Life Changing
✨Powerful
✨Incredible
..And this is what birth can look like with the right frame of mind, support, respect and environment! 💜

Hypnobirthing antenatal education is so great for showing you what birth can look, and be like 🙌

It’s not rocket science guys, but it is science! Let’s get learning! 🤓

10/05/2021

**HYPNOBIRTHING COURSES**

With the lockdown 2 baby boom fully in bloom, what better time to prepare your antenatal preparation for that amazing positive birth you have always dreamt of 🤩

Choose which course suits you best from:

Full Bespoke
- a one to one private course tailored especially to you (and your partner) over 3 sessions where not only you get to learn how your body works, the mind/body connection but lots of evidence and science based tips & techniques on how to rock your birth 🤘

Mini Bitesize
- A compact, but full of facts, 2 hour session which informs you about your body, how to protect your birthing space and not forgetting a digestible birth partner focus 💜

Double Couple
- Are you and your friend pregnant at the same time? Why not enquire about a combined discounted course for a fun informal hypnobirthing experience 👩🏼‍🤝‍👩🏾

Which will you choose? 🤩

Message or ring for details 🥰

04/05/2021

**MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH KEY FACTS**

Following on with UK Maternal Mental Health awareness week I thought I would share this key facts sheet from a post done by .

Everyone at some point in their lives need some help, support or assistance with their mental wellbeing. I certainly did and these anxieties can brought on or exacerbated by, just to name a few the postnatal & antenatal stages, baby loss, birth trauma, breastfeeding, previous abuse and many more triggers.

If you, or know of someone who could benefit from a simple chat or some more needed support please reach out to get the help you need.

People you can turn too could be:
👉🏼 Friend
👉🏽 Family Member
👉🏿 Midwife
👉🏻 Doctor
👉🏾 Health Visitor
👉🏼 Birth support worker

Some helpful phone lines include:
* Pandas UK - 0843 28 98 401
* Anxiety UK - 03444 775 774
* The Breastfeeding Network - 0300 100 0212
* The Lullaby Trust - 0808 802 6868 for Info & Advice or 0808 802 6869 for bereavement support
* The Miscarriage Association - 01924 200799

You can and will recover 💪🏼