Pregnancy / labour tips and SM accounts

[Kalodin]

Does anyone have some great pregnancy and labour advice and tips they can share?

Any social media accounts or websites with information they'd recommend.

I'd love to get into some pregnancy yoga and continue working out (I'm a powerlifter)

The Naked Doula, The Honest Midwife

Both on Insta

Yes, take the epidural! 😂 it's heaven

Ah see can I have an epi without a catheter as I've had serious issues with them in the past!

Thanks @YouBoggleMyMind shall check them out

The Midwives Cauldron and Welcome to the Womb podcasts are really interesting and informative.

In terms of your question about epidural and not having a catheter, it's not normally recommended as once you have an epidural you can't feel if you need to empty your bladder and you can end up in urinary retention which can cause damage to your bladder. Also a full bladder will stop baby's head coming down properly. You could however discuss your concerns with your midwife and see whether they could give an epidural and just do in/out catheter so they put it in, drain your bladder and then take it out. Obviously depends on what previous problems you've had with them is. You may find you don't need an epidural though, see how labour pans out but good to have a plan for if you decide you want one.
All the best 😊

Thank you, I love a podcast! I hadn't even thought about a pregnancy one!

Birthing Instincts Podcast
The Midwives Cauldron
The Hypnobirthing Podcast (honestly so worth listening to all episodes it's like a course in itself)

Instagram:
The Naked Doula
Kemi Johnson
Erin Fung betterbirthuk

O

Whoops meant to write my labour tips!

A hypnobirthing course (if you think it's needed after listening to the podcast!)

Using a birth pool - just bliss.

Really going in to the zone, don't let people disturb your flow. Keep the lights low.

Make sure your partner is fully briefed so that the midwives only really need to talk to you if it's absolutely necessary.

Keep moving as much as you find comfortable, just go with your body.

Everyone's labour is different but the more relaxed, least disturbed you are the better!

I never came close to needing an epidural, just gas&air at home in the pool. I loved it.

I agree with the above poster on having a water birth - mine was in hospital - however it was amazing and I felt the water really helped keep me calm! I also had gas and air (this was great in my opinion and took the edge off I thought)

Learn breathing techniques/positive affirmations and get a wooden comb for gripping onto if you’re still at home

Pregnant with baby #2 now and hoping I can have a similar birth! I did need a catheter though afterwards as I struggled to pee! I would recommend getting out of the pool if you’re taking a lot of water and trying to use the toilet as I didn’t feel the urge until afterwards…but I did have a super quick labour

Thank you, shall follow up on these recommendations

I probably should have said that this will be my 4th baby so hopefully all goes well and going to aim for a VBac. Previous 3 labours have been rather dramatic emergencies