The LushTums Blog
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Evidence-informed writing about pregnancy, birth, postnatal recovery and women's wellness ~ from the team behind LushTums.
Founder Clare Maddalena, Senior Yoga Teacher, Doula and FEDANT-accredited Antenatal Educator with nearly 25 years of experience, shares honest insights, the latest research and the conversations that matter most to women at every stage of their journey.
With special Guest Blogs included along the way, to help you have a most positive and informed experience as possible.
Acupuncture in Pregnancy: Gentle Support from First Trimester to Birth
Pregnancy takes nine months for a reason, and your body and mind change hugely along the way. Our guest acupuncturist, Katy Bradshaw, shares how gentle, tailored acupuncture can support you from those queasy early weeks through to breech babies and birth preparation.
Breathing - Preparing For Birth Manual
Regular yoga and breath work practice will put you in tune with your body. Here are some breathing techniques to use during the birthing process.
Points to remember about Birth: Notes for a Pregnant Woman - Preparing For Birth Manual
Points to remember about Birth: Notes for a Pregnant Woman With thanks to ‘Blessings’ by Binnie A. Dansby, 1996
Positive Affirmations - Preparing For Birth Manual
Combined with all of the pain relief options available, having a positive state of mind is tremendously important.
The Pain Relief Ladder - Preparing For Birth Manual
Having a positive attitude to the sensations of labour really helps you manage your perception and response to any pain.
Stages of Labour - Preparing For Birth Manual
It’s important to prepare yourself for birth and one way to do this is to know what to expect. We’ve put together this blog full of things you’ll need to know for each of the different stages of labour
Hormones and How Fear Affects Labour - Preparing For Birth Manual
It’s important to acknowledge the effects of fear on the body, and during labour in particular, and to understand how staying calm actually helps labour progress.
What is a Contraction? - Preparing For Birth Manual
Contractions are strong muscular tightenings of the womb (uterus), which are needed to open the cervix (or neck of the womb) and to help move the baby down and essentially, push them out.
Induction - Preparing For Birth Manual
Being overdue is very common, especially with your first baby, so relax and don’t worry. Only 5% of babies are born on their due date…
The Signs Labour Is Starting - Preparing For Birth Manual
Finally, you’re in labour! The culmination of months of anticipation, getting to this point can make you feel quite euphoric…
Birth Partners - Preparing For Birth Manual
Today it is commonly assumed that a woman’s partner will take on the role of her birth partner. However this is a relatively modern expectation which only dates back to the 1970s/80s…
Preparing for Birth - Preparing For Birth Manual
Here are some top tips to help when preparing for birth during the later stages of your pregnancy
My Birthing Wish List
We’ve put together this Birthing Wish List Template for you to fill in. There will be some things that apply to you and your baby and others that do not. Amend, add and edit as you see fit and share it with the people who will be present at the birth
Hospital - Midwife-Led Unit - Home Birth Comparison
We’ve put together some useful information if you are hoping to have your baby in hospital or a midwife-led birth unit or at home. Many women choose to have their babies in hospital where there is everything you need to help you birth your baby.
Due Dates and Inductions
Dealing with due date pressure It is very exciting having a baby and when someone tells you your baby will arrive on this date you can’t help but get attached to that date. However as we know the realities of that happening are very slim.
C-Section Information
We’ve put together some useful information if you are electing to have a C-Section or if you are worried that you may end up having one. Remember it is always your choice even if you have had an emergency C-Section the last time.
My Elected C-Section Birthing Wish List
We’ve put together this Birthing Wish List Template for you lovely ladies that are electing to have a c-section. Some of the things in this template will apply, others will not; just use it as a guide. Amend, add and edit as you see fit and share it with the people who will be present at the birth.
My C-Section Hospital Bag Essentials
We have put together a list of things for all you lovely ladies who are electing to have a c-section, that you may like to take with you to hospital.
Birthing Bag Essentials
Do you know what you’ll need with you at your birth? No? Mild panic now setting in? Don’t worry - we’ve put together these two lists to help you know what to bring for you and your new baby at your birth.
What Are The Signs That Birthing Has Started?
Birth is not an exact science. Midwives are very skilled but you know your body best. If you feel you need to go to hospital but your midwife is insisting that you should stay at home you have a decision to make.