Bits + Boobs
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Sickness and pregnancy. What can I do?
Read more →3 minute read Feeling nauseous in pregnancy is very common as there are lots of changes, especially hormonal changes, occurring in your body. Up to 80% of women experience some nausea and/or vomiting during their pregnancy, with 1-2% developing hyperemesis gravidarum, which can cause severe dehydration and hospitalisation. Nausea can occur at any time during your pregnancy and although it was often called “morning sickness”, it can happen at any time of the day or night. A few women may feel nauseous for their entire pregnancy, but the good news is that it usually disappears around 12-16 weeks of pregnancy. Feeling nauseous during pregnancy is not your fault and there is...
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Essential oils
Read more →What are they? Essential oils are the compounds from individual plants, which are extracted by a distillation (steaming) process or by pressing the stem, leaves, flowers or roots. Each plant has unique characteristics and aromas which are reflective within each individual essential oil. In effect they are representing the ‘essence’ of what that particular plant can offer. How do they work? Essential oils work by inhalation as they are said to stimulate the limbic part of our brain which can influence behaviours and emotions. The limbic system is responsible for our hormone secretions, emotional reactions and how we perceive our mood to be. Essential oils can be several times stronger than dried herbs and should be used with care and diluted, as recommended, with a carrier...
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What’s size got to do with things?
Read more →3 minute read Bump shaming has been in the news recently, so we thought we would discuss some of the issues it raises within a blog. Whilst the size of your bump is, naturally, a physical issue, it goes hand in hand with the inevitable psychological fallout which happens when others judge the size and shape of your bump. Comments can range from “Oh my! I’ve never seen a pregnant woman as big as you are” (yes, someone did actually say this to my face when I was approaching 42 weeks of pregnancy), to “Are you sure you’re even pregnant?”....
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Placentas- how will you birth yours?
Read more →3 minute read Most people may not have given much thought to how they will give birth to their placenta during pregnancy, as the focus is on the birth of their baby. It is good to have an idea of what to expect and to know which choices are available. There are two main options for delivering your placenta, (you may hear it referred to as the third stage of labour). Option one is to birth it yourself, this is called a physiological third stage, option two is to have a managed third stage where an injection is given and your placenta is delivered by your midwife or doctor, by applying traction to the cord to ease it out. Physiological third stage This means that...
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What is a doula?
Read more →A doula is a person you employ to support you during pregnancy, childbirth or the postnatal period. Most families have a doula throughout all these stages as you can develop a rapport and a trusting relationship when you meet up regularly. A doula does not have medical training and is not qualified to give any medical care during pregnancy, birth or postnatally, but most doulas have been through training programmes and may be registered with organisations such as Doula UK. Their experiences and personalities may vary considerably, so it is good to meet a few before deciding on which doula...
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First Aid for Babies and Young Children
Read more →Mum of 6 (including 2 sets of twins!) and founder of Mini First Aid, Kate shares her first aid tips for new parents:- When we get ready for baby to arrive, we often focus on the softer side; the nursery, the change bag, the pram, the first outfit. Why not? Having a baby is an exciting time. We then start to think about the birth, how we want things to go and how we plan to feed our baby. It is hard not to feel nervous as a new parent. Everything is unknown. At Mini First Aid we cannot give you all the magic answers about getting your baby to sleep through the night, but we...
