Mother's Embrace - Pregnancy, Birth and Postnatal Services

24/11/2025

22/11/2025

Matrescence is little talked about and recognised, especially in today's fast paced digital world.

Motherhood is more than just something that happens the day you have your first child; it's a process, a transformation, a journey that lasts for the rest of your life.

Just as we show grace for young toddlers learning the world for the first time, and teenagers navigating the changes of adolescence, so too should we allow women grace and understanding as they navigate the shifts the journey of matrescence brings.

21/11/2025

A new venture bringing antenatal classes to North Dorset 🥑💚

17/11/2025

My new venture with the gorgeous Carla - we'll be starting antenatal classes in North Dorset in the New Year! ✨

Until then, give us a follow and come and get to know us! 💚

12/11/2025

In light of recent media this is a really helpful way to put things into perspective

It sometimes feels like there's a new childbirth-related news headline every week.

And no matter whether it's on the web, in the papers or on TV, it’s highly likely that it will be scary and focused on risk.

It may instill fear and undermine women’s confidence in their own bodies and babies.

Here are a few things that you should bear in mind when reading these headlines and the associated stories.

1. Both the originator of the research and the people who turn it into a story want to get the headline and the story to spread as far and wide as possible. Their job isn't to help you make an informed decision about what is right for you.

2. The goal of getting maximum publicity for a research finding or story is sometimes achieved by taking a sensationalist stance. Sometimes, key facts are glossed over, shared in a misleading way or left out completely.

3. Risk and fear sell news very quickly. There are many, many studies showing that birth is safe and that women's bodies are marvellously good at growing, birthing and feeding babies. But these don't make exciting headlines, and they don't make nearly as many people read, click and share, so they are often ignored.

4. There is almost never any discussion of the bigger picture or the wider context, either of the study or situation itself or of other work that has been done on the same topic. We need more information than can be found in the headlines.

5. In reality, research and report findings are never certain. All studies have limitations. Sadly, the complexity and the uncertainty gets compromised in favour of those risk-filled headlines which make you want to click, read and share.

Stay calm. Remember that the job of the media is to sell headlines, not to help people making pregnancy and birth decisions.

Breathe.

Get informed.

And then make the decision that's right for you.

If you'd like to see more of my work on this topic, you can find me at https://www.sarawickham.com/wrfm

11/11/2025

❤️

07/11/2025

What would you add?

30/10/2025

We all know our weight goes up in pregnancy, but do you know what that weight includes?

It's not just fat, you're not 'letting yourself go' while pregnant; your body is preparing for its toughest, longest, most incredible task.

What 'the weight' includes:

✨ Your Baby - of course you're adding the weight of the baby you're growing, usually around 7lbs by full term, but it can be as much as 10lb or more

✨ Uterus - as your baby grows, your uterus expands to make space, this adds roughly 3lbs in weight by the time you give birth

✨ Amniotic Fluid - regulating internal temperature, protecting your baby from injury, and supporting their lungs to develop, the amniotic fluid adds up to 6lbs by full term

✨ Placenta - the life sustaining organ that links your body to that of your baby, at birth this weighs approximately 2lbs

✨ Blood - during pregnancy your body produces additional blood for your baby until they can begin producing their own, these both add to the total weight of your body by around 5lbs

✨ Body fluids - water retention, additional intercellular fluid, increased vaginal discharge, and additional urine all contribute up to an additional 3lbs

✨ Fat storage - to support the growing needs of your growing baby, and to begin preparing for breastfeeding after baby arrives, your body adds roughly 5lbs to its fat stores during pregnancy

✨ Breasts - an increase in glandular breast tissue, milk ducts, and milk producing lobules in preparation for feeding your baby add around 4lb by full term

What an incredible feat to create and grow all these things your baby needs, even preparing to feed you baby before they're here, our bodies are truly miraculous!

So the next time you look in the mirror while pregnant, please remember the incredible hard work it's doing, give yourself some grace, and don't feel guilty for eating that snack that's been calling to you all day!

15/10/2025

15/10/2025

✨Wave of Light✨

Tonight at 7pm candles will be lit to remember all babies no longer with us.

You can join us by lighting your own, even if you haven't lost a baby yourself.

Light a tea light, a scented candle, votive, electric candle, or whatever else you have to spread light, warmth, and remembrance to all families affected by baby loss.

10/10/2025

World Mental Health Day 2025

These words by The Grieving Daughter speak volumes for how I feel today - I hope you have the space to hurt and heal, I hope you can see there is good in the bad times, I hope you know you are never alone no matter how it feels.

If you're struggling with your mental health today, please reach out to someone - a friend, family member, charity, medical professional, therapist

Below are some charities and organisations you can contact for support:

Mind
The Brave and Determined Company
SANE Mental Health Charity
Samaritans
Place2Be
Shout
Maternal Mental Health Alliance

09/10/2025

Baby Loss Awareness Week 2025
Baby Loss Awareness Week

Honouring every type of loss, and remembering every little life this week.

No matter what your loss looks like, grief is monumental. Some important reminders no matter where on your journey you are;

🍁 Your baby matters
🍁 Your grief is valid
🍁 You are allowed to remember however you choose
🍁 It's ok to experience moments of joy while grieving
🍁 Grief is a journey, not always linear
🍁 You are still a parent
🍁 It's ok to talk about your baby
🍁 Be gentle with yourself

If you need support to navigate baby loss, below are some charities and organisations who offer specialist support:

The Lullaby Trust
Bliss
Tommy's
Sands - baby loss charity
Miscarriage Association
Child Bereavement UK
Petals
4Louis