http://hollyblue-antenatal.com/

HollyBlue Antenatal, Wolverhampton (2025)

08/10/2025

Everyone is there for the baby but who is there for the mother?

I invite you to write down 2 names of friends or family members who will support you in the postnatal period, these should be 2 people you know who will come to see you, listen to you, nurture you and support you with the bonus of baby cuddles but you will be their priority ❤️

When a woman becomes a mother for the first or fifth time it is a new experience, every birth is different, every baby is different, it can be a big change to the couple or family.

Knowing you have support around you can be a huge comfort.

You need people you don't have to put on a brave face for, friends who are at ease and will not shy away from the raw and real you ❤️

Professionally you will have your midwife, health visitor and gp for support too ❤️

We all need support and a community 💖🦋

07/10/2025

Informed consent

Informed consent means you are in control of what happens to your body and where you are able to make decisions WITH your medical professional.

Informed consent is when a medical professional (midwife or consultant) explains what procedure, examination or test they are offering, what it involves, the risks, the benefits and if there are any alternatives.

By having all the information, you will be able to make an informed decision, if you require more information never be afraid to ask the questions you want answered, before making your decision and giving your consent.

By making decisions and giving your consent you are saying you understand what is being offered and why.

Your consent must be given freely and voluntarily without any pressure, persuasion or fear, this can be verbally or written consent.

By making an informed decision with the information given to you, asking questions and giving informed consent you will feel empowered and in control of your birth.

03/10/2025

Womb to world ❤️

Babies are in the womb for 9 months where their every need is met. They live in a dark, dim, muffled world listening to their mothers heartbeat, recognising familiar voices and being rocked constantly 💕

Once your baby is born their world changes to a bright, noisy place where they suddenly hear really clearly, they can feel people touching them, they can hear familiar and unfamiliar voices and they feel hunger and thirst for the first time 🥺😯

This is the start of the fourth trimester. Research shows us that it can take a baby an average of 3 months to adjust to life outside the womb 🌏🩷

🦋How can you support this time?🦋

🦋 Skin to skin is a fabulous way to support your baby to transition from womb to world:
Your Baby is close and can smell you, can hear your heartbeat, it regulates babies body temperature and their heartbeat.
Skin to skin is great with any main caregiver👶

🦋 Babywearing (slings or carriers) keeps baby close and also keeps baby moving

🦋 Responsively feeding - if breastfeeding watch for feeding cues and offer baby the breast regular for feeds. If bottle feeding look for signs that your baby is full 🤱👨‍🍼

🦋 Swaddling baby can help baby feel enclosed similar to the womb where everything was tight towards the end of pregnancy

🦋 Go with the flow and don't worry about a routine. Babies are unable to tell the difference between day and night, their clock is just 24 hours with no am or pm. Let baby feed when they need to and let them have sleep as often as they need aswell 🕐

🦋 Shushing and singing to your baby can help to calm them and soothe them 🎶

🦋 Babies can see at birth but can only focus on a distance of about 20-30cm clearly, keeping baby close, smiling, talking and eye contact can help baby feel settled 👀

Babies don't have wants they have needs ❤️

Babies tend to cry more in the first 3 months than any other time ❤️

This may be linked to your baby's brain developing , you will not spoil your baby by holding them and cuddling them ❤️🩷💙❤️

https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/after-the-birth

https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a25019365/your-baby-and-the-fourth-trimester

02/10/2025

Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition some women develop during pregnancy normally from 20 weeks.

🦋How is it identified?🦋

🟥 High blood pressure which would be identified at a woman's midwife appointment

🟥 Protein in the woman's urine

🟥Swelling around the woman's face, eyes and hands

🟥Headaches similar to migraines

🟥Pain under the ribs and in the shoulder

🟥Sudden weight gain

🟥Blurred vision

🟥 Shortness of breath which comes on suddenly

🦋Who is most at risk? 🦋

Any pregnant woman can get pre-eclampsia, however a woman is at higher risk if:

🟪 They have had diabetes, kidney disease or high blood pressure before pregnancy

🟪They have an autoimmune disease

🟪They had pre-eclampsia or high blood pressure in a previous pregnancy

🟪If the woman is over 40

🟪 If they are pregnant with twins or triplets

🟪If it's a first pregnancy

🦋What causes it?🦋

Research is still ongoing to find out what the exact cause of pre-clampsia is - however it is thought that it is caused by the placenta not functioning effectively - this may happen when the placenta is forming in the early stages of pregnancy.

🦋Treatment 🦋

If a woman is diagnosed they will be referred for an assessment.

The only way to cure pre-eclampsia is to birth the baby. A woman may be asked to stay in hospital for monitoring and could be offered induction or caesarean birth at 37/38 weeks.

Once baby is born mom will be observed and blood pressure checked to ensure she is no longer at risk - however if any symptoms persist or come back up to a few weeks after birth then the woman should contact their midwife/hospital asap as it could be eclampsia.

Here are some links for more information:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pre-eclampsia/

https://www.preeclampsia.org/signs-and-symptoms

01/10/2025

Affordable Antenatal Classes in Wolverhampton

Expecting a baby? Whether it’s your first or your fourth, my classes are designed to give you the knowledge and confidence you need for birth and beyond.

🌼 What we offer:

➡️ Small group sessions – relaxed, friendly, and a great way to meet other parents-to-be.

➡️ 1-to-1 sessions – tailored support for you (and your partner) in the comfort of a private setting.

➡️ Affordable prices – because quality antenatal care shouldn’t cost a fortune.

Learn about:

🤰Preparing for birth

⚖️Pain relief options

❓What to expect in labour

👶Early days with your newborn

☺️ My focus is on support, confidence and calm – in a safe, welcoming space.

Classes in Wombourne, Wolverhampton

📩 Limited spaces available (6 couples per course) – message today to secure your spot!

30/09/2025

Once you have given birth, it's beneficial to take care of your pelvic floor muscles.

These muscles are the ones which are around your bladder, bottom and va**na.

Doing the exercises supports recovery after pregnancy and birth and prevents the likelihood of urinary incontinence as you get older.

Pelvic floor exercises are also known as kegels and strengthen these muscles.

Maintaining good posture, avoiding heavy lifting and practicing relaxation can also help to support your pelvic floor health postpartum.

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/lifestyle/what-are-pelvic-floor-exercises/

29/09/2025

Preparing your child for a new baby ❤️

There are 25 months between my two daughters.

I remember when I was pregnant with my second child 😊

I was excited to be pregnant with another baby but I was also filled with other feelings and emotions too:

I strongest feeling I felt was guilt 😢
My first daughter (E) was my world, it had been me and her for the last 16 months.
How could I expect her to share me? How would I share my time? What if E felt like she had lost me? What if E hated her sister?

How will I share my love???

When I was pregnant I was talking to a friend and she said your love doesn't half it doubles 💕

And she was right it definitely did for me - although not straight away.

I read lots and talked to people and this is what I did which did make the transition from one to two manageable - not easy and at times difficult but they have always been the best of friends and my world got bigger along with my heart 💜

Firstly always be kind to yourself - being a parent is hard work, introducing a baby to the family can take time to adjust 🦋

🦋 I made sure E was always part of the pregnancy journey - she came to the midwife appointments, she looked at pictures of the scans, she picked clothes

🦋 I made sure when E met F, she was in the cot, so I was available for E if she wanted me, she went straight over the cot and stroked her sisters head and smiled ☺️

🦋Once home I have E little jobs to do to help with F, getting a nappy, I would read with her or cuddle her when I was feeding F.

🦋 I also carried F in a sling whilst she was little so she could sleep and I could do nice things with E, like baking, doing some creative stuff or going for a walk

Picture of me pregnant and E listening to her sister ❤️

Picture of E holding F 💜

25/09/2025

🦋What is gestational diabetes? 🦋

Gestational diabetes is diabetes during pregnancy. Diabetes is when your body doesn't produce enough insulin (the hormone that regulates your blood sugar).

It is most common during the second or third trimester.

Some women won't have any signs or symptoms and will only find out if they accept the offer to have the screening (not every woman is screened).

Some of the reasons why a woman may be offered screening:

🦋 They are over 40

🦋 They have diabetes in the family

🦋 They have had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy

🦋 They are black African, South Asian, Black Carribbean or Middle Eastern, Asian.

🦋How to control gestational diabetes?🦋

Some women may find they are able to control their blood glucose levels and keep them low by eating healthier and keeping active.

Some women may find their blood glucose levels remain high and they have medication to keep it low.

🦋Does it affect birth?🦋

Gestational diabetes kept in control by diet shouldn't affect a womans option to have a spontaneous labour and birth.

A woman who has high glucose levels through pregnancy maybe offered induction.

🦋What happens after birth? 🦋

Once baby is born ideally baby will be placed skin to skin on mom, dad or parent to help to regulate baby's body temperature.

The baby would also need a feed as soon after birth as possible.

If a woman has chosen to breastfeed they can talk to their midwife about antenatally expressing to feed baby colostrum (the first milk).

🦋Here are two websites for more information 🦋

https://www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding/expressing-breast-milk/

24/09/2025

Join one of my small-group weekend courses designed to leave you feeling calm, confident, and ready for the journey ahead.

What we will cover:

All stages of labour & birth

Pain relief options & birth preferences

Baby care basics (nappies, sleep, feeding & more)

What to expect postnatally – physically & emotionally

Small groups = relaxed atmosphere & plenty of space to ask questions

A few 121 sessions available too

Weekend sessions to fit around busy lives

Laid-back, honest, supportive – no judgement, no fluff

https://www.hollyblue-antenatal.com/

08/09/2025

Throughout life we make decisions on what to have for tea, what to wear, where to go on holiday........

This is no different in pregnancy:
The decisions are still yours to make 🦋

During your pregnancy and labour there will be options or choices for you to make.

Ensuring you are spoken to, liased with and having an active part in your labour and birth is important as it means you are in control:

here is a good tool to remember - this can also help your birth partner too.

B is for Benefits - what are the benefits for mom and baby?

R is for Risk - what are the risks involved for mom and baby?

Alternative - is there anything else we could try?

Instinct - what does your gut instinct say?

Nothing - what if you wait a while to have a think?

Asking health professionals these questions will help you make an informed decision.

03/09/2025

My favourite place with my two fabulous girls ❤️❤️

HollyBlue Antenatal

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