Blog List

Lives are being put at risk as half of maternity wards turn women in labour away because they are so busy. A report by the Royal College of Midwives say units are “bursting at the seams” and unable to cope with soaring demand. Britain’s birth rate is at an all-time high and midwives say there has also been an increase in complicated births because more mothers are older or obese. Despite the...

Have you heard of the latest birthing trend? A ‘lotus birth’ involves leaving the placenta attached to the baby until it falls off naturally and this practice has attracted a growing number of converts. While advocates of the method believe it has physical and emotional benefits for the newborn, obstetricians have expressed their concerns, warning that it could lead to infection and even death...

A New York hospital has decided to put antenatal classes online for expectant mothers. The move to create online tutorials came after the hospital noticed a drop in the number of women turning up to classes. A US parenting charity says the online tutorials will put parents at a disadvantage, while the hospital believes it will open up important information to more mothers-to-be. What do you think...

A pregnant woman has received heavy criticism after she posted pictures of herself lifting weights just two weeks before her due date. US bodybuilder Lea-Ann Ellison was determined to stay in shape during her pregnancy and continued her exercise regime. The 35-year-old said: ‘After the birth of my second child, I knew I needed to step it up big time. ‘I loved being a Mom but I wanted to be a...

Research in Scotland has found the health of pregnant women and their babies is put at risk when mothers are overweight or underweight. The analysis of 110,000 pregnancies between 2003 and 2010 showed the risk of complications increased in women with a higher BMI. These women also had an increased risk of hypertension and diabetes, which can affect the baby. While obese women were 45% more likely...

Freebirthing, giving birth at home without medical intervention, is on the rise in Britain. Approximately 20 to 30 freebirths occur each year. Most ‘freebirthers’ believe labour works better without interference, preferring to deliver on their own without a midwife on hand or going into hospital. Women who opt to go alone believe there are little risks if you have had a healthy pregnancy and...

There have been calls for a stronger focus on caring for the mental health of mum and baby during post-natal care. Obstetrician Dr Dan Poulter has said that Britain needs a new preventive approach from the earliest days of pregnancy to avoid mental and physical problems later in life. At the moment, focus is on the physical health of mothers and infants in basic areas such as weight gain, however...

A new study has found pregnant women in Ireland are drinking significantly more during pregnancy than women in other countries. While the research didn't look at the effect of alcohol on the developing baby’s brain, it did find that alcohol consumption hadn't adversely affected the baby’s weight or caused premature births. The research carried out in University College Cork found eight...

Pregnant? Have you thought about a babymoon?

In her new book, Expecting Better, economist Emily Oster has criticised common pregnancy advice after analysing health studies and journals. She claims that woman can drink plenty of coffee, dye their hair and even have a glass of wine a day. Oster began investigating the standard rules given to expecting mothers when she became pregnant herself three years ago. She claims that the research she...