Gentle Birth Companions: doulas in the UK by Adela Stockton SYNOPSIS ‘doula’: lay birth and postnatal companion, provides sustained emotional and practical support to expectant women, new mothers and their families, during the time around childbirth Marking ten years since the arrival of the doula Continue Reading
“In Yer Basket!”, or, the cult of the baby-trainer
I don't think it ever seriously occurred to me that what I had just pushed out of my body wasn't a human being. I was definitely completely certain it wasn't a puppy (despite my strange pregnancy dreams) or a robot. After a bit of kip, a cuddle and a coo, I was quickly convinced that this thing in Continue Reading
The Oxytocin Factory
Much is discussed about what a doula does, or doesn't do. Research consistently shows that women who have the constant emotional support of a lay woman in labour are significantly less likely to request pain relief. But why is this? As a doula-mentor, many doulas who are new to the role tell me Continue Reading
Living and Loving by Numbers
Tapping in my pin number always makes me smile. If you know me well, ask me why - the answer is infantile humour but helps me remember it. I don't have a good head for numbers, in fact I'd go so far as to say I'm pretty much number-blind. As I tapped in my pin the other day, I suddenly had an Continue Reading
The ‘C’ Word
Choice in Childbirth. What is it, what does it mean and why is it so important? As doulas, we talk about choice all the time, sometimes in a rather casual, throw-away kind of way. We all know about the importance of women having a choice about things like where to have their baby or what medical Continue Reading
Randomised Tongue Tie Trail August 2013
The latest study. You can read the whole study on the link below, but the abstract is copied here for you. 'Self-efficacy' means the mothers felt more able and confident breastfeeding without help. As so many of the mothers in the group randomised for no division asked for treatment, the results Continue Reading
Finding and Choosing a Tongue Tie Divider
http://www.tongue-tie.org.uk/ http://www.unicef.org.uk/BabyFriendly/Parents/Problems/Tongue-Tie/Locations-where-tongue-tie-can-be-divided/ Continue Reading
Understanding the Experiences of Mothers Who Are Breastfeeding an Infant with Tongue-Tie
A Phenomenological Study Janet Elizabeth Edmunds and others> Abstract Background: Tongue-tie or ankyloglossia is a congenital condition that negatively affects breastfeeding. The thickened, tightened, or shortened frenulum affects the infant’s ability to suck and frequently results in sore and Continue Reading
New study on the outcomes after tongue tie division:
Abstract Background and Aims Breastfeeding is considered the golden standard in neonatal nutrition. One of the complications encountered in breastfeeding is tongue-tie (ankyloglossia), which may eventually lead to aborting breastfeeding. Frenotomy is considered a harmless and effective procedure for Continue Reading
Basic Tongue Tie links and signposts
This page is for stories from parents, breastfeeding counsellors, lactation consultants, midwives, health visitors and anyone else involved in the care of mothers and babies who has a tongue-tie story to share. Please see my post in my blog on this website foran explanation of my interest in this Continue Reading