Preparing for childbirth? Join our webchat with midwife Clemmie Hooper (aka @mother_of_daughters) from 8-9pm tonight!

[RachelMumsnet]

On Tuesday 28 February midwife Clemmie Hooper will be on hand to your questions about pregnancy and childbirth.

Clemmie has over 10 years experience working as a midwife for the NHS. She’s also a mother of four and author of the esteemed blog gasandair not to mention the massive Instagram account @motherofdaughters. Her recently published first book How to Grow A Baby and Push it Out offers a no-nonsense guide to pregnancy and birth with tips, practical advice and well as real-life birth stories.

Join Clemmie on this thread next Tuesday (28 February) between 8 and 9pm to ask her any burning questions you have about pregnancy, birth and those first few weeks of being a parent. If you’re unable to join at that time, do post up your questions for Clemmie on this thread in advance.

Hi Clemmie
My first baby is due in 4 weeks. I've been advised that, due to a fibroid, I am at slightly higher risk of a PPH and should therefore have a managed 3rd stage with syntocinon drip (cannula will be inserted earlier in labour), controlled cord traction etc. I'm fine with this as I understand the possible risks v benefits but am really worried about the possible impact on me having immediate skin to skin contact with the baby and being able to breastfeed straight away (assuming that the 3rd stage management is going as it should of course). I'd be very grateful if you could let me know whether this is something you've seen people successfully do before as, if it doesn't look likely, then I'd like to be able to mentally prepare for that ahead of time.
Thank you so much in advance.

Hello. Is it worth not having pethidine or epidural in labour to ensure a smooth start to breastfeeding?

Hi, can you tell me why the NHS approach is to cut the cord 2-3 minutes after birth? What are the disadvantages to leaving it until after the placenta has been birthed?

My baby never "dropped" or engaged during pregnancy and during labour it was discovered he was facing the wrong way and was stuck in my hip. I was rushed to theatre to get him out. Is this common and likely to happen again if I have another? I had no idea he hadn't dropped as he is my first baby but when / if I have another can I request an additional scan to check positioning toward the end of pregnancy?

Also - after having an episiotomy first time is it likely I would need another for another baby, would they re cut the same position? If I didn't have to have one is that area more likely to tear?
Thank you - love your Instagram feed!!

I'm struggling after the birth of my baby to find my own identity, other than just being a 'mum'. Any tips? Also, how do you keep your fringe looking so good!

Hi Clemmie,

I follow you on and your husband in Insta and love your feeds. I do wonder what the impact is on your older kids if having their lives so puckicky documented and followed by so many. How do you talk to them about it? Do they understand the popularity of your accounts and what do they think about it? Do you allow them to preview posts and veto anything embarrassing?

This isn't a criticism. I post pics of my kids too but obviously my audience is teeny tiny compared to yours yet I still struggle with whether to give the kids a veto.

Oh dear, terrible typing. I meant "publicly documented".

Hi Clemmie
What is the best way to give birth if you have severe pelvic girdle pain? I have hypermobility syndrome so I am worried about long term damage as I know other mothers with hypermobility who have needed to use a wheelchair after having their babies as a result of this.
I have an due to have a natural birth but have been told not to open my legs wider than my pain free range. How practical is this in labour? What will I do if they tell me I need forceps?
I have Asperger's syndrome and when I get upset I lose the ability to talk so I don't feel confident about telling people this when I am in labour.

Thank you

Hi Clemmie,
I found your slot on Woman's Hour the other week really helpful. Thank you! I am 30 weeks with my first and I'm concerned about vomiting in labour. I know there are many, many worse things that can happen but I have had a lot of sickness in this pregnancy including some really violent episodes of vomiting that have lasted for hours. I haven't been on any medication for this and I don't think this is at HG-levels as these bouts are occasional rather than constant.
It's during the extreme episodes that I have felt most despairing and out of control in my pregnancy. I have almost felt like I'm outside my own body at times - I can't connect to myself, think clearly or respond to anyone in any way when it's happening. It just takes over. Frankly, I'm scared about this happening during labour and I think my experiences are starting to make me a bit emetophobic.
Would there be anything the midwives could do to help me with this? Is there something I can take to stave off sickness in labour? Are there non-medical techniques that I could try?
Thank you!

Hi Clemmie
You are amazing by the way!! Thank you for opening up all these conversations and debates! So important!
After being diagnosed with tocophobia, I had a rather tricky first delivery at 36 weeks - 65 hours from waters breaking via an indication drip, 6 failed episurals and forceps. Our little girl is wonderful so it was worth it really! I'm pregnant again and don't think I can cope with that again! I'm being given so much advice - home birth to C Section! Where can I go to get neutral, clear advice? Thank you!

Hey, just wanted tips for piles !!!! that developed towards end of pregnancy - will they ever go away postpartum?!?! 🙈

Hi Clemmie,
I gave birth 10 days ago (at Kings - the care I received there was superb, the midwives and obstetrics team were amazing!). After how long of having the "baby blues" should it be a cause for concern? I'm still feeling very emotionally fragile and out of sorts, which I don't remember feeling as bad with after my last pregnancy. Is it too soon to be concerned about PND?
Thank you xx

Hi! I had a baby in april-15, she was large at birth 9,9pounds and got stuck at end stage labor (shoulder dystocia) and i got a 3degree tear. I am now expecting another baby and am terrified at the prospect of birth, both vaginal and cesarean. I have a few questions, most babies in my family are very large (grown ups not) is there something that can be done about that? Is it possible to have another vaginal birth without a repeat tear? And last, how common is shoulder dystocia in birth?

Hi Clemmie, great that you are doing this and raising awareness for many childbirth issues. I had a ventouse delivery with my second child and now after my third I have a rectocele prolapse. In hindsight I wish I'd had a cesarean as my problems began after the second birth. I had never even heard of pelvic organ prolapse before then and child birth is the biggest cause. What are your thoughts on this and do you think expectant mothers should be more informed of the risks? Thanks! Xx

Hello!

I'm currently 18 weeks pregnant, due end of July. Due to a pre-existing medical condition (Type 1 diabetes) I have been advised that a delivery is recommended at 38 weeks, to prevent deterioration of the placenta (and I have done research around this and support the conclusion).

The most likely outcome is an induction at 38 weeks, although I can choose a c-section (and depending on health/medical advice closer to the date this may be advisable anyway).

I am nervous that my body will not be prepared for an induction at 38 weeks, it will be more intense, and this is more likely to lead to medical intervention anyway (emergency c-section or forceps/suction). I am inclined to opt for a c-section but keen to hear of any ideas to improve the outcome of an early induction and any positive stories!

PS I've bought your book (and read your blog) and notice most induction stories are for late babies so it doesn't seem comparable.

Thanks!

Susie

Do you think that there has been a shift in thinking to try and encourage women not to have epidurals? My midwife started talking to me about labouring without one at my first visit, even before asking me what my thoughts on pain relief were.

Hi Clemmie,

What are your thoughts on doulas? Is there anything you would recommend that a woman can do to prepare for labour? I'm doing pregnancy yoga and reading up on the different options but not sure if there's more I can do to prepare myself.

Thanks

A big thank you to Clemmie Hooper for agreeing to join us and answer your questions. We hope you're done with the pancake tossing Clemmie and appreciate you giving us your time this evening. Welcome to Mumsnet and over to you...

Hi everyone thanks for joining this chat!

Hiya!

Hi PeanutButter82

A 'managed' third stage should not have any affect on having skin to skin with your baby. When your baby is born he or she will still be able to be placed immediately onto your chest and then the midwife can deal with the delivery of the placenta. During this time you then out the baby to the breast. Make sure you write clearly in your birth plan the importance of this

@PeanutButter82

Hi Clemmie My first baby is due in 4 weeks. I've been advised that, due to a fibroid, I am at slightly higher risk of a PPH and should therefore have a managed 3rd stage with syntocinon drip (cannula will be inserted earlier in labour), controlled cord traction etc. I'm fine with this as I understand the possible risks v benefits but am really worried about the possible impact on me having immediate skin to skin contact with the baby and being able to breastfeed straight away (assuming that the 3rd stage management is going as it should of course). I'd be very grateful if you could let me know whether this is something you've seen people successfully do before as, if it doesn't look likely, then I'd like to be able to mentally prepare for that ahead of time. Thank you so much in advance.

Hi, huge fan of your book and blog

@troodiedoo

Hello. Is it worth not having pethidine or epidural in labour to ensure a smooth start to breastfeeding?

Hi Trooiedoo Pethidine (an opitiate) does cross the placenta and therefore can make the baby sleepier at birth. There is a smaller chance the same can happen with the drugs used in an epidural but the affects on the baby are much less than pethidine. Remember not to feel guilty if you have pain relief such as an epidural in labour. Skin to skin after birth and good support from your midwife when breastfeeding your baby are also really important for a smooth start to bf

Hi Clemmie. I wondered if it's possible to be passed your baby for immediate skin to skin following a c section? I wasn't given the option when my daughter was born, just wondered if I could do that with any future c sections, should I need one x thanks x

hi,
new evidence and research shoes that optimal cord clamping benefits the baby as clamping the cord too soon can actually deprive the baby of up to 30% of it's intended blood volume. So now in the UK it should be best practice that midwives and doctors are allowing time for the cord to cut after 2-3 mins of birth

@Batteriesallgone

Hi, can you tell me why the NHS approach is to cut the cord 2-3 minutes after birth? What are the disadvantages to leaving it until after the placenta has been birthed?