Lotus Midwife is an Independent Midwifery Practice, provides antenatal care, support during your baby's birth, and postnatal care for six weeks.
Berkshire Independent Midwifery Practice is a new service launching in January 2016. I am Sarah March, registered Midwife, International Certified Lactation Consultant and Tongue-tie Practitioner. A Birth mother myself to three children, (one Vaginal Breech Birth, one Homebirth, one Premature Emergency Cesarean), and I am also blessed to have two grown up children who complete my Family. I offer t
ailored Antenatal care, unhurried and relaxed in your own home; this can be one off appointments in addition to your NHS care, or part of a complete package. For your Labour and Baby's Birth, I am experienced in Homebirth and Waterbirth, however can accompany you to your hospital birth if desired. Most hospitals do not provide insurance for independent midwives, therefore if you chose a hospital birth, (or we transfer there in the event of a complication) I can accompany you as your advocate. Postnatal support is available for six weeks following the birth of your baby, I visit you at home daily to start, and can assist you with all aspects of feeding and caring for your newborn. As a Lactation Consultant, I specialise in Breastfeeding support and can offer one to one breastfeeding antenatal and postnatal sessions, also as a one off appointment or as part of your pregnancy package. I specialise in tongue tie assessment and am qualified to perform frenulotomy (the division of the tongue tie) in babies up to six months old. Other services include:
Support and Advocacy for Consultant appointments,
Birth Plan preparation,
Previous Birth Debrief,
Pregnancy Belly Casting and Birth Art! Please do call for a chat if you feel an independent midwife might be right for you, i would be happy to answer your questions!
11/08/2025
Colic drops - do they work?
It’s so hard seeing your baby uncomfortable, especially during those long, unsettled evenings. Some parents find colic drops helpful but for others, these make little difference.
Unfortunately there’s no magic fix, and what works for one baby might not work for another. Sometimes, it’s about trial and error and lots of cuddles.
If you're unsure and would like some advice, please feel free to DM me or get in touch via my website 💛
Silver cups can be used as a tool to help heal sore ni***es, however they should be used with caution.
As an IBCLC, I would encourage you to employ moist wound healing to help heal sore ni***es, and unfortunately the silver cups can create too much moisture, causing the cells in the ni**le to become waterlogged. A waterlogged cell won't heal very quickly, neither will a dried up cell, so we want to aim for a somewhere in between.
Silver cups are expensive, and will not solve the reason for the sore ni***es in the first place. So if your ni***es are suffering, please reach out as I will be able to help you find the reason for the soreness and help you find the most optimal way to heal 💛
Sore, cracked, or bleeding ni***es are a sign that the latch needs adjusting.
Your ni***es may be sensitive in the first week post birth, but cracked, bleeding and ni***es that are painful all the way through the feed, means that something is not quite right. Being told that things will get better on their own is not actually true, and often a tiny tweak in the attachment can make all the difference.
Expressing milk can be a brilliant way to share feeds, ease engorgement, or prepare for time apart from your baby.
Whether you’re hand expressing, using a pump, building a little freezer stash, or just trying to relieve some fullness, expressing needs your brain to believe that the pump is your baby and thats not always an easy thing.
If you feel you need support, or have any questions about expressing please reach out. DM me or contact me via my website:
Are you pregnant or know someone who is? The early days with a newborn can be overwhelming: healing, feeding, sleep, and big emotions 💛
Gentle postnatal care in your home with me as your midwife includes:
✅ Daily visits in week one, then regular support up to 6 weeks
✅ Breast & bottle-feeding support
✅ Tongue tie assessment (and release, if needed)
✅ Recovery support after birth
✅ Emotional check-ins & mental wellness support
✅ 24/7 phone access for 6 weeks
✅ Guidance as you adjust to newborn life
This is care with you and your family at the heart, so you can rest, recover and feel confident as you naviagte life with your newborn.
📩 Message me to learn more or hear from other mums who’ve been there.
Getting a good latch can take time, practice, and lots of patience - for both you and baby.Breastfeeding is a learned skill, and takes time
Here are a few tips that might help:
💜 Chin to Skin - Guide your baby on so that their chin indents the breast.
💜 Keep baby’s whole body in a straight line, turned towards you so they’re not twisting their head to feed.
💜 Ni**le UP the nose - lay your ni**le on their philtrum to encourage a wide open mouth.
💜 As they open their mouth, roll the baby over the breast, there should be more of your ar**la visible above their top lip than below.
💜 Check for comfort - The latch shouldn’t feel painful. If it does, break the latch gently and try again.
And most importantly, if you need any support please reach out for help. Often it takes a tiny tweak and the latch can be transformed. DM me or contact me via my website if you would like some support with any aspect of postnatal care 💕
Travelling with a baby can feel daunting, especially if you’re breastfeeding 35,000 feet in the air!
Breastfeeding during take off and landing can help to regulate the pressure in their little ears, and if they get a little cranky or upset on the flight, a snuggly feed can help to calm them.
Remember that the cabin crew are there to look after you all too.
As a midwife, I’ve supported so many incredible women and families on their breastfeeding journeys. It’s not always easy, but it is powerful, beautiful, and worth celebrating.
This week is a reminder of the strength it takes to feed your baby from your body - the early mornings, the cluster feeds, the sore ni***es, the doubts, the triumphs. Every single feed matters.
To all the mums trying their best, whether you're exclusively breastfeeding, expressing, combination feeding, or still finding your way, you are doing brilliantly.
Let’s keep supporting informed choices, better care, and kind, compassionate understanding for every feeding journey. You’re never alone, I'm here if you need a hand.
As a midwife, IBCLC, and tongue-tie specialist, I’m passionate about helping families thrive during early parenthood and beyond. I know how overwhelming those first weeks and months can be, especially when it comes to feeding and bonding with your baby, that’s why I’ve created a monthly newsletter packed with:
✅Evidence-based tips to support your baby’s feeding journey.
✅Practical advice on everything from breastfeeding and pumping to sleep and self-care.
✅Insights into common challenges like tongue-tie, latch issues, and how to overcome them.
✅Encouragement and expert guidance tailored for new and expectant parents.
Want to join our supportive community and get expert advice straight to your inbox? To subscribe for free drop me a message!
It has been great to have some summer sun recently! For those new mums amongst us who are breastfeeding in this heat, here are some tips to help you navigate the summer months:
💧Offer feeds more frequently: this helps keep baby hydrated and soothed.
💧Keep yourself well hydrated: drink plenty of water yourself, especially if you’re feeling warm.
💧Feed in a cool space: draw curtains, use a fan (not directly on baby) and take breaks if you're feeling too hot.
💧Dress baby lightly: a vest or just a nappy is often enough indoors during warm weather.
“Chin to skin, Ni**le UP nose, she opens her mouth and over she goes!”
When your baby’s chin touches your breast and their nose is just above the ni**le, They’ll naturally open their mouth wide, like a big yawn. This allows you to gently bring them onto the breast. This helps them take in more of the ar**la (not just the ni**le), making feeding more comfortable and effective for both of you.
Remember: a deeper latch means less ni**le pain and better milk flow for your baby!
For some mums, especially those with gestational diabetes, or other health concerns, hand expressing can help prepare for potential feeding challenges ahead.
If you’re thinking about hand expressing or harvesting colostrum during pregnancy, I recommend beginning around 36 to 37 weeks because your body may be able to release colostrum closer to term.
Expressing at this stage is not easy and many women, if not most, will not be able to collect any colostrum before baby arrives - this is normal! It's because the placenta is releasing progesterone (the hormone keeping you pregnant) which inhibits prolactin (your milk making hormone).
Basically, theres no point making milk if the baby is not earthside yet! If you are finding that very little or no milk comes out antenatally, rest assured this is normal and is not an indication that there will be a problem with your milk supply. But if you do get a drop or two out, then this can be saved and given to your baby once its born.
If you would like tips or support on when and how to start, I’m here to help you feel confident and prepared!
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My experience as a midwife has taught me that for birth to unfold well, we (midwives) must build a good strong relationship built on trust with the mother and her birth partner. I work to build this trust over regular appointments in your home at a time convenient for you both and these usually last 45mins, but can take longer if needed.
The first appointment takes around two hours to take a full history, and subsequent appointments include your clinical checks as well as emotional support, preparation for the birth and resources such as DVDs and books. The birth plan preparation at 36 weeks takes some time, so to ensure that you are well informed. Should your baby decide to wait a little longer to arrive then the extra antenatal visits at 41 and 42 weeks are included too, as are information books such as 'induction of labour ', 'GBS' etc which we would take time to make sure that you have all the information to make an informed decision.
If your baby decides to arrive prematurely (before 37 weeks) I shall endeavour to be there to support you at the birth, and care continues for the full antenatal and postnatal period past your due date. I am experienced both personally (my own son arrived at 32 weeks) and have a wealth of professional experience regarding caring for and feeding babies who are born prematurely.
I am available to you throughout your pregnancy for any questions or concerns, via telephone or email outside of our scheduled appointments and I am able to attend consultant appointments and extra scans with you if this is needed in your care plan.
I also lend a birth pool (saving you around £150 for hire) and a Tens machine (another £50 saving) so that you have them if you would like to use them, and I deliver these to you at 36 weeks. Should you plan a homebirth, I can assist you and your partner with the preparations.
From 37 weeks- I would be 'on call' for you, and therefore stay close to home so that I can attend to you when you feel you need me. When the day of your baby's birth comes, I am able to attend to you in labour and support you during the birth, whether at home or in hospital.
Labour and Birth Care
I am fully insured for Labour and Birth Care through 'My Midwife and Me'
Includes: Full Midwifery Care throughout your pregnancy (booking from 8-12 weeks) regular antenatal appointments, birth preparation, breastfeeding antenatal session, On call from 37 weeks of pregnancy, support for your hospital or homebirth and full postnatal care for both mother and baby for up to six weeks.
Also includes Birth Pool and TENS machine loan.
Cost: £4500
For Families looking for midiwfery care later in pregnancy, please be aware that the cost is the same. This is sadly due to insurance, and all the fact that when Independent Midwives take on care at such a late stage, there's often a lot of complex history and a lot of work to do between the IM and the family and less time to do that in. Ideally, please book no later than 36 weeks of pregnancy, so that there's time for birth preparation and time for me to get to know you and your preferences.
