10 Things Your Midwife May Not Have Told You About Giving Birth in Cheltenham & Gloucester
First-time mum giving birth in Cirencester, Cheltenham or Gloucester?
Here are some of the most common birth questions and concerns answered for you.
Hey there mama-to-be! So, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed with all the information (or lack thereof) about giving birth. But don't worry, I’ve got you!
Here are 10 things your midwife may not have told you about giving birth that will help you feel more prepared and in control.
(And hey, if these pique your interest, bring these up to your midwife or consultant at your next appointment!)
You don't have to give birth in the hospital.
Giving birth at home or in a birth centre can provide a more relaxed and intimate setting for the birth of your baby. It allows you to have more control over the birthing process and can provide a more personalized experience. This option is safe for low-risk pregnancies and has similar or better outcomes compared to hospital births. If you want to give birth at home, consider a hiring a doula to support you.
The Stroud Maternity Hospital is a birth unit within Gloucestershire, run by skilled and caring midwives, giving you a more relaxed and comforting birth experience vs giving birth in a hospital.
The Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in Gloucester has its own Delivery suite which includes state of the art en suite delivery rooms with mood lighting, a birthing pool room, mobile monitoring to help you experience the benefits of active labour, and the main hospital just across the hall with access to consultants and doctors should anything go wrong.
Question for your midwife: Would she support you and work with a home birth midwife if you decided to go this route?
Epidurals are not the only form of pain relief available during labor.
Epidurals are a common form of pain relief during labor, but they are not the only option available. Other forms of pain relief include gas and air, spinal blocks, and natural methods such as hypnobirthing, acupuncture and massage, and water. Warm water in the form of a bath or birthing pool can help tremendously with the pain of labour. These options can provide a more natural and less invasive form of pain relief.
Question for your midwife: What other pain relief options do they see often that’s effective other than epidural?
You can bring your own music or sounds to the delivery room.
Music can have a powerful impact on our emotions, and it can help create a calm and soothing environment for you during labor. You can bring your own playlist, a sound machine, or even your own voice to help you relax and focus during labor.
Question for your midwife or consultant: Can I bring music to the birthing room?
Birthing pools can help you feel more comfortable and relaxed during labor.
Warm water can help ease the pain and discomfort of contractions, and it also allows you to move around more easily, which can help the baby move down the birth canal. Birthing pools can also provide a sense of privacy and intimacy during labor. Personally I used the birthing pool at Gloucester Royal Hospital during the birth of my second son, and I have shouted its benefits from the rooftops! His birth was so much calmer, so much more soothing than the birth of my first which was an induction with an epidural.
Question for your consultant or midwife: Are there birth pools at the hospital or another way I can use water to relax?
You will probably poop during labor (and that's okay!).
It's a normal and natural part of the birthing process, and your nurses and doctors are used to it. Don't let this concern hold you back, it's nothing to be embarrassed about. If I am completely honest, during both of my labours, it didn’t even cross my mind once I was in labour. I did ask my husband after both births, and yes, I did poop myself, but given the unbelievable thing I had just done (birth an entire human) I genuinely didn’t care, neither did he and the midwives certainly did not!
Birthing positions - there are many different positions that can help make the birthing process easier.
There are a fair few birthing positions that can help make the birthing process easier, such as standing up, sitting down, squatting, on your hands and knees, or even lying down. Experiment with different positions to find what feels most comfortable for you.
Question for your midwife: In what positions are you willing to help me birth my baby?
I birthed on my back in a hospital bed for my first son, and on my knees with my chest over the edge of the birthing pool with my second. Both had their pro’s and con’s, with my first though, I had little choice as I was on the monitors and on a drip and so the bed was really the only option.
Doulas create a safe and sacred space for women to surrender and birth with courage
Doulas are a great support and aren’t only used for birth.
A doula is a professional trained to provide emotional and physical support to a woman and her partner during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum period. A doula can help you with relaxation techniques, provide emotional support, and advocate for your wishes during birth.
Question for your midwife: Do you work with doulas often? Are there any you would recommend?
You can eat and drink during labor, if you want to.
Having a light snack can help keep your energy levels up. It's important to listen to your body and your healthcare provider during labor, and to make sure you are well hydrated and nourished. If you can of course! nausea during labour is common, and this will impact whether or not you you can eat during labour.
Question: Under what circumstances will I not be allowed to eat or drink in labor?
The power of the mind - visualisation and other relaxation techniques can help during labor.
Visualization and relaxation techniques such as hypnobirthing, yoga, and meditation can help you stay calm and focused during labor. It can also help to lower stress hormones and increase endorphins, which can make labor more manageable. Research local hypnobirthing classes near you, not only will this give you tools to help you through labour, you can also meet other mums-to-be!
The Bump-to-Baby Hub in Cheltenham offers antenatal and hypnobirthing classes in a safe and supportive environment. Led by Midwives with practical tips for birth and baby.
Cesarean sections are not as scary as they seem.
C-sections are a common form of delivery and can be planned or unplanned. Your doctor and nurses will take great care of you and your baby during the procedure. It's important to remember that a c-section is a surgical procedure and there are risks associated with it, but it can also save the lives of both mother and baby in certain situations.
Question: In what circumstances do you perform c-sections? If I have a planned c-section, how can I make it a little more personal?
So, there you have it, mama. You're armed with some new information that will hopefully help you feel more confident and excited about your birth! I hope reading 10 Things Your Midwife May Not Have Told You About Giving Birth in Cheltenham & Gloucester has given you some answers and guided you towards some resources that might help.
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