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.

I was wondering how safe home births are? Have you delivered any home births, what are the main differences?

Hi Belle1409

There is no evidence to say that your next baby will do the same re position and having a scan will only tell you what position you rbbay is in at the moment not necessarily in labour. Babies move around lots in labour and can unfortunately get into all sorts of positions.

@Belle1409

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 had skin to skin straight away with my c section so it is possible :) x

@AWafferthinmint

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!

haha! My fringe is a mess right now! Finding like minded mum friends was key for me to feeling like I could be honest with them and admit I was finding motherhood tough/boring/unfulfilling at times. Remembering the person you were, still go and do those things will help you fell like the old you even if it's for a few hours. I often escape for a coffee by myself for an hour or two with a good magazine helps me feel like me not a mum

@WillowGreen

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
Clear planning and discussion of your birth preferences is key here, hopefully you have a birth partner who will support you through your birth. Using water or birthing in a pool can be really beneficial as the water will support you and help your pelvic girdle pain

Hi thanks for answering my question.

Cord clamping after 2-3mins still sounds very quick to me. What are the disadvantages to leaving it for longer?

@CDMO84

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!

Hi Poor you this sounds horrible have you considered practicing some form of hypnobirthing techniques to help you overcome this fear and remain calm during labour? Talk to your midwife and make sure it's all written in you r birth preferences, you can also have some anti sickness medication given in labour to prevent you from feeling and being sick

Hi Clemmie, I've been advised that I can't have any spinal pain relief due to an injury I suffered a couple of years ago. I was hoping for a natural birth, but have been told this might exacerbate symptoms of nerve damage from injury- leaving me with c-section under general. How long does it take to wake up after General & will it have any negative impacts on the baby? I could try natural birth, but rehab from injury was 3 years & intense, don't think it will be possible with new born.

@Vida32

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
Poor you this sounds horrible have you considered practicing some form of hypnobirthing techniques to help you overcome this fear and remain calm during labour? Talk to your midwife and make sure it's all written in you r birth preferences, you can also have some anti sickness medication given in labour to prevent you from feeling and being sick

Hi Clemmie
Im currently 34 weeks pregnant with DCDA twin girls. Twin 1 is currently head down and the other twin is breach. I'm absolutely petrified of giving birth and keep getting told by different consultants how i should give birth (c section or natural) is it possible to deliver the 2nd twin naturally even though it is breach?

@CDMO84

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!

Hi, it's really tricky as you can only know how you really feel about going through labour again. Use the BRAIN analogy - benefits, risks, advantages, instinct, nothing. There are risks and benefits to both types of births, have you considered hiring a doula? She would be a huge benefit and support you you

@TillyOcean

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

you poor thing piles are horrible, yes they should go away after the pregnancy and birth. They're more common than you think your gp can prescribe some cream for them if they're not resolving on their own

@WillowGreen I also have aspergers and I'm due to give birth soon. I have made a clear birth plan with my midwife that allows my husband to make decisions on my behalf should I feel unable to. This is signed by me and my husband. My husband and I have been through every outcome we can think of so he knows my wishes beforehand.
We (hospital /midwife) agreed to have as few people as possible in the birthing room to try and offset being overwhelmed.
I have also got an autism alert card that the hospital have a copy of. If you pm me your email address I will send you a copy so you can adapt it to your own needs.
The other thing I have been learning is hypnobirthing. Some of it is useless to me- obviously visualisation is very difficult for me. But we've been going through affirmations, practising relaxation breathing and ways my husband can prompt calmness in me. I've been very surprised at how much this has helped! I'd recommend looking into it.

@Gemmada79

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

There is no time frame when you should start feeling back to normal so I think it's really important you speak to your midwife or gp and tell them how you're feeling. PND can occur at any time after giving birth. Talk to your partner too you sound like you need lots of his support and love. you can also try www.pandasfoundation.org.uk/

@Littlewife

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, there's nothing that can change the size of your baby at birth so it's important that you discuss with your midwife or obstetrician about the risks and benefits of having a c-section or vaginal birth.

Hi, I am currently 4 days overdue with my second, so starting to think about the possibility of induction. I was induced in my previous labour due to PROM and had entonox and pethedine for pain relief. I have found out that if I am induced this time and unable to use the birth centre where I am booked the labour ward offers remifentanil. Can you give me the pros and cons compared to pethedine? I did find pethedine really helped with the syntocin contractions last time, and really do not want an epidural. Thank you.

@Lazypyjama

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

hi thanks so much. I think any issue such as this should be discussed when appropriate with women. A rectal prolapse is very rare but not widely talked about antenataly.

@Flanderspigeonmurderer

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
I think epidurals often get bad press I always say to women that you shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself when giving birth. There are many reasons why an epidural might be appropriate during labour, the most important thing is that you're well informed with the choices you make.

@Sparklyuggs

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

hi, hiring a doula is a personal decision and based on the woman's individual choices. Some women feel their birth partner may not be the right support they need and then use a doula as another form of support. doula.org.uk/ is a great website to find out more about what they do

@Sdubs

Hi, huge fan of your book and blog

thanks!

@Myscruffychild

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 it's absolutely possible but needs to be discussed with your midwife and an obstetrician and clearly documented in your notes so the right people are aware on the day

@nellienew

Hi Clemmie Im currently 34 weeks pregnant with DCDA twin girls. Twin 1 is currently head down and the other twin is breach. I'm absolutely petrified of giving birth and keep getting told by different consultants how i should give birth (c section or natural) is it possible to deliver the 2nd twin naturally even though it is breach?

hi it's quite common t for twins that they are in the breech position at this gestation (mine included!) and there is still time for t2 to turn head down and even in labour. The choice is always yours so make sure you have a detailed chat to your midwife or obstetrician before making an informed choice

@TillyOcean

I was wondering how safe home births are? Have you delivered any home births, what are the main differences?

hi I have delivered lots of babies at home, there are many differences. Have a read of the following to help you make that right decision re place of birth for you
www.nct.org.uk/professional/research/pregnancy-birth-and-postnatal-care/birth/birthplace-study

That brings us to the end of the webchat. Thanks so much for answering the questions tonight. Clemmie has agreed to join us soon for a Facebook live chat - we'll keep you posted on when this will take place.

We'll be announcing very shortly the winners of the two copies of Clemmie's Book How to Grow A Baby and Push it Out.

@RachelMumsnet

That brings us to the end of the webchat. Thanks so much for answering the questions tonight. Clemmie has agreed to join us soon for a Facebook live chat - we'll keep you posted on when this will take place.

We'll be announcing very shortly the winners of the two copies of Clemmie's Book How to Grow A Baby and Push it Out.

thanks so much for having me! x