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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

One of the questions I get asked most often by families planning a home birth is simple but important: what does a transfer to hospital from a home birth actually look like? It is a completely reasonable thing to wonder about, and I think it deserves an honest, clear answer rather than reassurance for the sake of it. Planning a home birth does not mean ruling out hospital care. It means having a plan for every outcome, including the ones we hope we will not need. My job as yo

Pregnancy brings a lot of questions, and it's not always clear who to ask or what's normal. These antenatal care FAQs cover what I get asked most often, answered honestly so you know exactly what to expect. Antenatal Care FAQs: What's Included? Antenatal care covers your physical health, your baby's development, and your emotional wellbeing throughout pregnancy. That means regular check ups, monitoring you and baby, answering your questions as they come up, and helping you pl

If this isn't your first baby, you've probably heard some version of "well, you know what you're doing now." It's said kindly, usually. But it doesn't always land that way. That's exactly why continuity of care for second and third time mums matters just as much as it does the first time around. Every pregnancy is different. Every birth is different. And every baby brings a completely new set of questions, worries, and things you didn't expect to feel, even if you've done thi

This is written entirely from my own experience, over the last 3 years of supporting clients through hospital births. I can only speak of what I've seen and felt walking into maternity units as an independent midwife, but I've been asked a few times how an independent midwife is perceived by NHS midwives at a hospital birth, so I wanted to write it honestly, because I think it's a question people wonder about and don't always ask. How an Independent Midwife Is Perceived by NH

As you get closer to your due date, so many of the mums I work with across London, Essex, and Hertfordshire ask me about preparing for labour: is there anything I can actually do to help things along, or to make it a bit smoother when it starts? The honest answer is that nobody can force labour to happen before your body and baby are ready, but there are some lovely, gentle things you can try from around 37 weeks that may help you feel more prepared, both physically and menta

Choosing a midwife isn't always as straightforward as people expect. Every pregnancy is different, and what one family needs looks nothing like what another family needs. All midwives are different too. We're all different people, and we each bring something different in the way we offer support and in our approach to pregnancy and birth. I wanted to write this to help you think through what you're actually looking for, because that's really the first step in how to choose th