Birthjourneys Midwifery

25/03/2026

Home birth is an option for EVERYONE. It may not be the best option, but that’s for YOU to decide. It’s certain there are many more women who might have a home birth, than those who choose or are recommended against. I’m increasingly feeling that homebirth is a woman’s best chance of giving birth normally and without the escalating intervention we are seeing in maternity units.

We are SO lucky to have free (NHS) access to exceptional obstetric care when it’s required. The skills in keeping both poorly women and babies alive and as safe as possible are amazing. But in a busy and understaffed maternity unit, normal birth is too often not protected or supported either emotionally or physiologically. Supporting normal birth is a skill, and if we don’t get it right on a ‘normal’ day, we sure as hell won’t get it right on a complex day.

If you’re a midwife, and you honestly can’t consider yourself competent at home birth, get yourself trained up. It’s part of your NMC competence. If you’re a parent to be, exploring your options, get wise on hormones, physics and physiology of birth, and know your rights. What none of us can currently do, is magic up available NHS midwives to definitely attend your home birth (they’ve either left NHS, or are led by management who say there is no capacity to support), but this is where independent midwifery comes in (search Zest Midwives… yes, you have to pay for them, like you do for teeth, physio, opticians, etc).

Parents and midwives need to reclaim birthing skills, and home is the place to do it.

I'm holding a Home Birth Conference in June, with amazing speakers.

Come hear the stories, the research, the wisdom.

"Home birth benefits everyone"

Feel inspired. Boost your confidence for planning or supporting home birth.

Who is it for?
🤰Parents-to-be who are considering homebirth, parents who had a home birth

🏠 Midwives, student midwives, doctors, maternity providers

😍 Doulas, antenatal teachers, birth geeks

Attending home birth conferences gave me confidence to home birth, and inspired me to the work I'm doing now.

Www.chilledmama.co.uk/home-birth-conference

03/03/2026

We're posting this research request on behalf of a doctoral researcher.

❗️Participants needed ❗️

I'm currently recruiting participants for my thesis as part of my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology!

I am looking to speak with global majority fathers for my study exploring their experiences of psychological/emotional help-seeking during the perinatal period. This will involve an online interview about your experience(s) of fatherhood.

Please use the following link for more information on the study: https://tinyurl.com/bdp4nazx or scan the QR code on the poster!

Global majority refers to people who are of African, Asian, Latin American, Caribbean or Indigenous descent, dual heritage, mixed-heritage, or anyone racialised as an ethnic minority.

If you would like to take part, please get in touch via email: d028254o@student.staffs.ac.uk

01/03/2026

Course cancellation!

I’m afraid the postnatal courses arranged for 24th February and 28th March have been cancelled. Couples have been contacted, but if there are others who are considering joining, please do share the info.

I need time away from my therapy (and so also my midwifery) work, in order to grieve for my dear mum’s passing. There is no timeline or end date to this very tricky time, but I’ll be back to taking bookings and consultations as soon as I’m able.

www.birthjourneysmidwifery.com

08/02/2026

Good morning. I hope all you new parents are managing some lazy Sunday activities, and catching up by connecting with each other as well as with that little munchkin that’s now in the middle.
A cold February weekend, and you could do far worse than shutting the door and slumbering your way through the day with a duvet on the sofa and stores of yummy food to reach out for.

It’s really a time for protecting each other’s mental health. Worries and tiredness sit together for the perfect storm, after the build up and unmet expectations around birth and baby feeding.

If you feel you could do with talking, in a nurturing, open, and trauma-informed space, let’s chat your experiences through. Either as individuals or as a couple, we can reflect on your journey so far, and plan ways to ensure the stepping stones along that path are a little closer together.

We can meet in person, or online. It might be for me to simply answer any questions you have, it might be working through a plan for next time. It might be that you’ll benefit from actual psychotherapy support for trauma or depression.

Or you might both like to join me for 3 Saturday morning sessions in a small group. The places are free, and this starts in Bicester on Saturday 14th Feb. Book an everlasting Valentine’s gift for each other.

For more details, and to book, go to my website.
For now, enjoy your Sunday snuggles.

www.birthjourneysmidwifery.com

06/02/2026

One for the Dads, but bring baby and partner too!

It’s tricky juggling all the needs of your brand new family, isn’t it? Mum is sore, tired, and having to feed littl’un. While you’re likely doing your best to hold the house, the space, and your partners needs. Your own needs aren’t getting a look in, eh?

It’s easy to find, during this wonderful but challenging time, that the juggling gets a bit tricky, and emotions go astray.

There’s good reason for it, and understanding the brain changes, and societal changes can help accept and allow appreciation of your role and hiw to bring harmony to your little family.

Come to our ‘Settling In’ postnatal course starting Saturday 14th Feb.
Go to my website to book your free place.
www.birthjourneysmidwifery.com

04/02/2026

When should I start to feel movement?
Most women and birthing people usually begin to feel their baby move between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy.

How often should my baby move?
There is no set number of normal movements. Get to know your baby's individual regular pattern of movement

What should I do if I notice reduced movement?
If you think your baby’s movements have slowed down or stopped call your maternity unit or midwife immediately. The maternity unit is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Don't put off calling until the next day or wait until your next scheduled appointment.

What if my baby’s movements are reduced again?
You should contact your maternity unit again, however many times it happens. Even if everything was normal last time, don't hesitate to contact your midwife or maternity unit for advice. You're always doing the right thing.

Why are my baby’s movements important?
A reduction or change in a baby’s movements can be an important warning sign that a baby is unwell. Around half of women who had a stillbirth noticed their baby’s movements had slowed down or stopped. It's NOT true that babies move less towards the end of pregnancy

You should continue to feel your baby move right up to the time you go into labour and whilst you are in labour too.

Should I prompt my baby to move?
As it can cause a delay in getting medical advice, do not use ice, fizzy drinks etc to make your baby move, always call your maternity unit.

What if my baby’s movements reduce again after check up?
If, after your check up, you are still not happy with your baby’s movements, you must contact either your maternity unit or midwife straight away, even if everything was normal last time. NEVER HESITATE to contact your maternity unit or midwife for advice, no matter how many times this happens.

Should I use a phone app or home doppler to check the baby's heartbeat?
Do not use hand-held monitors, Dopplers or phone apps to check your baby’s health. Even if you hear a heartbeat, this does not mean your baby is well.

03/02/2026

People talk of that baby moon high, don’t they? And that high level of excitement and oxytocin is truly intoxicating. But sometimes the practicalities of newly parenting can bring a harsh interruption to all that.

This is the time to have that ‘village’ around you. There are so many new skills, both practical and mental, and it’s great to learn them from a place of comfort and security. Family and friends can create that protective bubble for you to grow and learn and tackle those little (and sometimes big) challenges together.

However, so many couples feel an isolation in those early weeks. Birth is such a huge transition/jolt into parenthood, that relationships, identity, and priorities are all up for review. A new mum still instinctively needs that village, and Dad now has to, not only take on his new role as father, but he takes on the responsibilities of that village, too.

At a time when your bodies, minds and souls are running on overtime, it’s really tricky to think out loud and work through day to day requirements to ensure each of you get your physical and emotional needs met. It’s helpful to have tools to enable good communication and sharing of tasks. It’s also helpful to understand and appreciate the parenting brain becomes wired differently for each parent.

Would you like to know more?

Book your place on my free ‘Settling In’ postnatal course. Go to my website for more info, or text me on 07823770858

www.birthjourneysmidwifery.com

02/02/2026

Have you heard the one about the new mum who says “I’m exhausted”…

….and he says “you should try working all day!”
….?

Me too.
But it’s not funny, is it? We’ve all felt it, eh, and it hurts a bit.

When you feel you’re only just holding your head above water, it’s REALLY hard to think of someone else, especially when there’s a little ‘cuddle thief’ coming between you. Those days, not coincidentally, happen when your baby has changed sleep/feed/demand patterns and your brain has gone into emotional overload.

You’re both coming from different angles, and during stressed and tired periods, grumpy comments are two a penny. You don’t mean it, but there just no time or energy to put things right.

I have ideas and tools to help you check each other out, in a really nurturing, non-judgmental, and lighthearted environment. Join me at one of the ‘Settling In’ postnatal courses. We are a small group, sharing peer support, laughter, and tools for better ‘team’ work. Learn skills that will last you a lifetime of parenting and partnering.

Saturday 14th February 10.30-12 at Emmanuel Church, Bicester, followed by 28th Feb and 14th March.

Saturday 28th March 10.30-12 at Emmanuel Church, Bicester, followed by 11th April and 25th April.

The courses are currently free to book onto.

Text 07823770858
Email trudy@birthjourneysmidwifery.com
Website www.birthjourneysmidwifery.com

31/01/2026

Hmmmmmm….

So, in two weeks time, it’s Valentine’s Day!

💕❣️💕❣️💕❣️💕❣️💕❣️💕

How does that make you feel?

It’s a funny one, isn’t it. Lovely when you’re in a new, exciting relationship. But, when you have a baby literally sitting between you and all the romance you once knew, do you bother? Do you want to push it under the carpet?

Maybe you’re tired, feel unlovable and a bit grumpy, certainly not sexy. And maybe you don’t even want the ‘Valentines’ situation to raise its uncomfortable head.

How can it ever be different with a new baby in the house?

🫣 👶 🥺 👶 🥱 👶 😵‍💫 👶 🫣 👶 🥱

How about gifting each other better communication, learning to juggle things better….together, and discovering how you can watch out for each other during this daunting transition as new parents…?

You know it doesn’t have to be Milk Tray and roses. Real love looks very different. You both have a shared goal now: that little bundle of absolute joy.

So how about booking onto my short, 3 week course, and giving yourselves a really good chance of starting parenthood the way you’d like to contunue?

The first course starts 10.30 Saturday 14th February at Emmanuel Church, Bure Park, Bicester. Contact me to get your names down.
And it’s FREE.

There will be more dates (28th March is also free). If you’d like one to one sessions with me, though, I can come to your home.

Text 07823770858
Email trudy@birthjourneysmidwifery.com
Website www.birthjourneysmidwifery.com