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Most women will have heard of forceps or ventouse, but unless you have experienced an assisted birth before, you may not really know what happens when one is recommended. It can sometimes feel as though things change quite quickly. You may have been pushing your baby down yourself and then suddenly an obstetrician is talking to you about giving your baby some additional help to be born. There may be more people in the room, different conversations taking place and decisions t

When we talk about birth planning, of course we're going to talk about the birth you want. I want to know your wishes, what's important to you, what you're hoping for and how you picture your birth. You might be planning a home birth or water birth. You might want to give birth on a midwifery-led unit, or you may already know that labour ward is the right place for you and your baby. Wherever you're planning to give birth, we'll plan positively for the birth you want. But goo

During pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period, you'll probably come across maternity guidelines more than once. You might be told: “Because you've had a previous caesarean, the guidance recommends…” “Because of your age, we would usually offer…” “Because of your BMI, our recommendation is…” “Our guideline is…” “Our policy says…” When you're sitting in an appointment, particularly if you're being told that something you had hoped for isn't recommended, it can sometimes soun

When you first find out you’re pregnant, the number of appointments, tests, decisions, advice and bits of information coming your way can feel overwhelming. You might also wonder what we’re actually going to talk about at all those appointments. The answer is quite a lot! Your antenatal care isn’t simply a series of clinical checks. As your pregnancy progresses, different conversations become relevant at different times. There are things I want you to know early on, things th

There’s a meaning behind the word midwife that I’ve always loved: with woman. For me, that is the heart of midwifery. Of course, there is the clinical side of what I do. The observations, the assessments, the knowledge and experience that keep care safe. But some of the most meaningful parts of my job are not things you can measure or write in a set of notes. They are in the relationships I build. I love getting to know the women and families I care for. Not just knowing thei

If you're considering private midwifery care in Essex, you may be wondering what support is actually available and whether you need private care throughout your whole pregnancy and birth. Private midwifery can be tailored around you. You may be looking for continuity throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period, planning a home birth, wanting additional support alongside NHS care, or simply needing some extra help at a particular stage. I'm Emma, an independent privat

One of the questions I get asked most often is about my second midwife, for both home births and hospital births, so I wanted to answer it properly here. For every home birth I attend, regardless of whether it's your first baby or your fourth, I always call in a second midwife for a home birth. I don't bring them along from the start. I call them when I feel it's the appropriate time, taking travel time into account so they arrive when they're needed. This isn't optional and

If you are searching for a recommended midwife in Hertfordshire, you are likely looking for one thing above all else: continuity. Someone who knows your history, your birth preferences and your family, and who is there with you from your first booking appointment through to your postnatal care. I am Emma, an independent midwife running Guided By You Midwifery, based in Waltham Abbey, Essex. I support families right across Hertfordshire, including Luton, Ware, Stevenage, Herti

If you are searching for a recommended midwife in Essex, you are likely looking for one thing above all else: continuity. Someone who knows your history, your birth preferences and your family, and who is there with you from your first booking appointment through to your postnatal care. I am Emma, an independent midwife running Guided By You Midwifery, based in Waltham Abbey. I support families right across Essex, including Loughton, Epping, Harlow, Ongar, Havering, Bishop's

One of the most common questions families ask when comparing private midwife vs NHS maternity care is which route is right for them. It is a fair question, and an important one, because both routes can lead to safe, well-supported births. The difference is mostly in how that care is delivered. Having spent years working within the NHS before moving into independent practice, I have seen both systems from the inside, so I want to lay this out honestly rather than simply making

If you are searching for a recommended private midwife in London, you are likely looking for one thing above all else: continuity. Someone who knows your history, your birth preferences and your family, and who is there with you from your first booking appointment through to your postnatal care. I am Emma, an independent midwife running Guided By You Midwifery. Although I am based in Waltham Abbey, Essex, I regularly support families giving birth across London, attending hosp

If you have never worked with a midwife before, it is easy to think of the role in narrow terms: someone who checks your bump and turns up for the birth. In reality, the role of a midwife during pregnancy and postnatal period is much broader than that, and understanding it can help you get more out of your care, whichever type of midwife you choose to work with. As an independent midwife supporting families across London, Essex and Hertfordshire, I want to walk you through wh

Breastfeeding is often described as natural, and biological, but that does not mean it comes easily. Many mothers find the first days and weeks genuinely difficult, whether that is pain, poor latch, low supply concerns, or simply not knowing if what they are experiencing is normal. If you are looking for breastfeeding support in London, Essex or Hertfordshire, here is what to expect and how the right support can make a real difference. Why Breastfeeding Support Matters The ea

The weeks after birth bring a lot of change, and the right support close to home can make all the difference. Here's what postnatal midwifery care and breastfeeding support look like across Hertfordshire, London, and Essex. Can I get postnatal support from a midwife in Hertfordshire? Yes. I provide postnatal support to families throughout Hertfordshire, including Hertford, Ware, Bishop's Stortford, Hoddesdon, Cheshunt, Broxbourne, and Welwyn Garden City. Visits take place in

If you've started researching your maternity options, you may have come across the term "personal midwifery care" and wondered exactly what it means, and where to find it. Unlike NHS care, where you're often seen by a rotating team of midwives, personal midwifery care means having one dedicated, NMC-registered midwife supporting you from your first appointment through to your postnatal visits. Where can I get personal midwifery care in the UK? Personal midwifery care is avail

Bringing a new baby home is a big adjustment for the whole family, and that includes your older child/children. One of the questions I get asked most often in antenatal appointments is how to prepare an older sibling for the change ahead. There's no single right way to do it, every child and every family is different, but there are some gentle, practical steps that tend to make the transition easier for everyone. When to Tell Your Child There's no fixed rule here, it depends

If you're planning your pregnancy and birth care, you've probably come across a lot of unfamiliar terms. Independent midwife, doula, birth worker. They sometimes get used interchangeably online, but they're actually quite different roles, with different training, different responsibilities, and different things they're legally allowed to do. I get asked about this often, so I wanted to put it all in one place. Here's a proper look at independent midwife vs doula care, what a

Every pregnancy and birth is different, and that's exactly why continuity of care matters so much. Rather than tell you what independent midwifery care looks like, I want to share it through the words of the families I've had the privilege of supporting. These are their independent midwife client stories, told in their own words. A Home Birth on Her Own Terms: Jemini's Story Jemini came on board later in her pregnancy, around 34 weeks, and in that time still built the kind of

Getting ready for life after birth can feel overwhelming, especially when every shop and website seems to sell something different. As part of my postnatal care, I always talk my families through a proper postnatal essentials checklist so they know exactly what's worth having in the house before baby arrives, and what can wait. Here's everything I recommend, broken down by category. Pain Relief and Recovery Essentials Paracetamol and Ibuprofen – Stock up before your due date.

If you're planning a home birth, birth pool and a TENS machine hire in London, Essex & Herts is one of the most common things I get asked about. Both can be hired rather than bought, and getting them organised in good time takes the pressure off later in your pregnancy. Here's a practical guide to birth pool and TENS machine hire in London, Essex and Hertfordshire, along with what each one offers. Why consider a birth pool for home birth Labouring or birthing in water can off