Guest blog: Ali Mills on the trials and tribulations of pregnancy
Guest blog: Ali Mills on the trials and tribulations of pregnancy 2017
Hi everyone, a quick intro before I launch into pregnancy stuff ... I'm Ali a full-time mum to Jasmine a very cheeky but awesome two and a half-year-old, a part-time massage therapist and a wife to Andy, my very patient, and loving husband.
I can wholeheartedly say even though I've been through one pregnancy already this time it's completely different! Both conceptions have been through fertility treatment which in itself brought challenges not to mention a rollercoaster of emotions. So worth it though.
Second time around, when we found out we were pregnant I think both myself and my husband were amazed. I'd been umming and arguing about whether it was gonna be successful as my physical feelings, not to mention emotional ones, were all over the place. Then when we actually got the results, I couldn't believe it. My husband, on the other hand, was over the moon. Even though the blood test was accurate I still had to scurry home and do a home test myself!
We didn't tell Jasmine straight away as we wanted to get to the 12-week marker first. Now she knows, she likes to rest her head on my tummy and tell me that the baby's heart is going boom, boom, boom! Our next thing to tackle will be telling her if it's a girl or boy. She's adamant she's going to have a sister, and my inklings are it's gonna be a brother (watch this space). Why do I think that?
Well, it's mainly down to the way I've been feeling. My first pregnancy was hunky dory. Yeah, I felt tired but carried on as normal, working full time, no sickness, no cravings, no sore boobs, no heartburn, nothing. This time I've had nausea running throughout the day for three months, afternoon exhaustion, a heightened sense of smell to the point I couldn't wear perfume, sore boobs, no appetite for food unless it was carb based and difficulty in drinking unless it was icy cold! I felt pretty glum and sympathise with all you ladies out there who've gone through it or are going through it now. It really tests your sanity, wellbeing, and relationships with those close to you.
My husband has been a rock and I'm glad to say, 18 weeks on I'm just about over nausea and am ready for baby number two. Yoga, swimming and online shopping here I come!
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Ali's next blog will be after they have been for her 20-week scan - eeek!
Thanks Ali :)
What is the Positive Birth Movement? Norfolk - Guest blog
What is the Positive Birth Movement Norfolk - Guest blog 2017
Happy New Year everyone! Thank you, Jess, for inviting me to let you all know about the Positive Birth Movement.
In 2012 the founder (amazing writer and campaigner Milli Hill) had a free meet up in her living room to chat about pregnancy and birth. This has now become a global network of over 400 groups!400 groups!
We believe that every woman deserves a positive birth in which:
· Women are where they want to be · Choices are informed by reality not fear · Mothers are empowered and enriched · Memories are warm and proud
We aim to:
· Challenge the culture of negativity and fear that exists around birth · Share positive birth experiences · Share information about choices and rights in childbirth · Encourage women to raise their expectations of childbirth
I’m Chloe, I run the Norwich group at Silver Road Community Centre, which is a lovely space with a relaxed atmosphere, toys and a cafe area. There is also a second monthly meet up in NR12 at the home of Joanna Collins.
I'm also the pbm regional representative for the East of England you can read a bit more about me and team pbm here http://www.positivebirthmovement.org/team-pbm.html
Meetups are free and informal. A safe space to chat about birth and share stories. It’s ideal if you are pregnant or have given birth, like the sound of our aims and want to surround yourself with positivity and support 
♥
You can also hire great quality maternity clothes from the 'waddling wardrobe' for just £1-3 per item. There are lots of great quality jeans and work clothes, saving you the expense as you bloom! We also have x2 birth pools which you can hire for free! (Just a security deposit needed).
Hope you can make it to our next meet up: Sunday 15th January at 3.30pm. Our topic will be ‘Choice in Birth’. There is free parking too! Really looking forward to meeting some of you soon,
Chloe xx
Contact: chloe-willis@thedaisyfoundation.com or 07905 936 960
More info/ where to find us online:
The Norwich and Norfolk Positive Birth Movement is on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/pbmnorfolk/
I'm also a birth and baby mentor for the Daisy Foundation, running pregnancy and baby classes from the same venue.
The Norfolk Bump, Baby and Toddler show 2016 - win tickets
The Norfolk Bump, Baby and Toddler show 2016 - win tickets:
India is the lady behind The Norfolk Bump, Baby and Toddler show 2016 - please read her guest blog below, and find out how you can win a pair of tickets to this years show!
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Hello There!
For those who are not aware, I run the Norfolk Bump, Baby and Toddler show. This year will see the show going into its fifth year and it’s looking set to be bigger and better than before!
How did I get into Event Planning? Well, it turned out to be a wonderful accident! I’m little obsessed with organising other people and being a bossy older sister probably also helped! I started out by working with the lovely Lucy who previously ran The Norfolk Bump, Baby and Toddler Show as it was going into its third year. She decided to sell it and how could I refuse, it was such a fantastic opportunity!
Now after my baptism of fire last year and running such a successful event, I couldn’t wait to get started on this year’s show. With so many fantastic businesses and services in Norfolk, here are a few of this year’s show highlights
- The Harmummies, a local singing group will be opening the show with their beautiful vocals.
- Fantastic FREE taster areas where children can take part in activities on the day, including Tinytalk, Baby sensory and Toddler Sense, all showcasing the best of their business.
- A FREE of charge Disco dome!! (I know, so exciting!!) Supplied by the lovely people at Cribs and Bibs, children will be able to have a bounce on this wonderful new addition to the show.
- The super duper Dave Doughnut will also be in attendance, entertaining your little ones with fantastic balloon creations. He is a very popular, so be sure to make time to find him throughout show day.
- Information and advice sessions are back for the second year after a very successful launch last year. The timetable for these includes a wide range of experts from local businesses talking about what they know best. These include the Orange Grove Clinic and also the Norwich Sling Library, a must visit for any parent. Best of all, these sessions are FREE of charge to enter, just make sure you show a valid ticket upon entry.
- A large soft play area with FREE sessions run by Mini Monkey Gym, limited spaces so please get there early!
- A performance from everyone’s favourite princess in the afternoon, including a meet and greet! Imagine the face on your little one when they get to meet her!
- There is also a dedicated feeding and changing room.
- And of course lots of wonderful local businesses showcasing their products and services all aimed at those expectant parents or those with under fives!
So just a few reasons to attend Norfolk’s Largest and Longest running baby and parenting show and I know that as a mother to a 19 month old I will be certainly trying my best to take a look around!!
For more information on all the fantastic exhibitors and how to purchase tickets please visit www.norfolkbump.co.uk
India :)
If you fancy winning a pair of tickets all you have to do is tag a friend who you think would also like to enter this giveaway, on the pinned status on Jess Wilkins Photography page here , if you are not on Facebook please comment your name below.
I will pick a winner at random on Sunday 28th February you have until 7 pm that night to enter- please get sharing and tagging this is going to be a great show with lots of local businesses. Please check out the Show's page for updates to information.
Jess xx book a shoot with me here!
Back pain and pelvic floor pre & post pregnancy guest blog
Back pain and pelvic floor pre & post pregnancy 2016
Guest blog by Emma from Stay Active Physiotherapy based in Norwich on pre & post pregnancy she welcomes babies & children to appointments, perfect if you struggle to sort childcare.
Pregnancy and giving birth puts tremendous stress on a woman’s body. Many elements are affected, due to the changes in posture, biomechanics (the way we move), hormones and of course increased weight. The back, pelvis, hips and pelvic floor take a huge amount of strain which can cause problems well after the baby is born. This article mainly focuses on pelvic floor problems, the pelvis, and the lower back.
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is put under considerable strain in the antenatal and postpartum periods of pregnancy. Contrary to popular relief, most damage is done during the antenatal period. Hormones and the gradual weight gain from the growing baby, uterus, and fluid retention stretch muscle fibers, making them weak. The pelvic floor is an important group of muscles that acts as a kind of sling to prevent prolapse. It is an essential muscle group that helps to avoid leakage from the bladder and bowel, whilst also being an important part of your sex life and of course, helping to assist the delivery of your baby during childbirth. It can experience damage no matter what type of delivery you have. Even ladies who have delivered through cesarean section are likely to have difficulties postpartum. The pelvic floor is still a subject that most ladies are reluctant to talk about however problems with it are more common than we think. It is estimated that following childbirth, a staggering 50% of women suffer from symptoms of bladder and bowel dysfunction, resulting in incontinence and prolapse.
What can be done to help?
Many of these problems are preventable if basic exercises are done during pregnancy. The most common type of incontinence is urinary, this falls into many categories however the most common are stress (leaking when you cough, sneeze or jump) and urge incontinence (when you are unable to control the urge to go to the toilet). There are two different types of exercises to prevent or help these problems; one set is fast contractions of your pelvic floor muscles and the other are slow holds of your pelvic floor. These are too specific to cover in this article and you should get a Chartered Physiotherapist to talk you through them. I cannot stress enough how important it is to do pelvic floor exercises during pregnancy; some easy and basic exercises can prevent problems that will affect your body and quality of life later on in pregnancy, following the birth of your child and in your future life.
Back pain.
The pelvic floor muscles also help to prevent back pain ante and postnatally. All the pelvic floor muscles work to control the pelvis and work with the lower back and abdominal muscles to support the spine. Back, pelvic and hip pain is common during pregnancy and can range from a mild ache to debilitating pain. If not treated during pregnancy, it can continue well after giving birth and may re-occur with future pregnancies. In brief, a woman’s posture changes considerably during pregnancy. The increase in weight around the abdomen shifts the lower body forwards, causing the lower back to arch. Changes at the pelvis also take place, particularly depending on how the baby lies and how well the woman’s body can cope with the weight of the baby and uterus. Growing breasts will cause the upper back to lean forwards and this may become sore and stiff.
What can I do to help my back?
It is important that you keep a check on your posture and try to do some form of low impact exercise-walking, swimming, yoga, and Pilates are all excellent and safe activities. Try and look for antenatal yoga and Pilates. There are even some antenatal aquafit classes about which are also very good. If the pain is severe, you may need to see a Physiotherapist for more specific exercises and manual treatment. Many elements of being a Mum, such as picking up a heavy and wriggling baby/toddler, lifting car seats and pushing a buggy, can put extra strain on your back, pelvis and pelvic floor, even if you had no symptoms during pregnancy. It is important to look after yourself and keep yourself strong and fit so you can enjoy your new bundle of joy to the maximum and pain-free. May I say congratulations on your pregnancy or birth of your baby.
Emma
HCPC, MCSP, ACPSM, APCP.
BSc. (Hons) Physiotherapy.
Tel:
E-mail: physioem@hotmail.com
Web: www.stayactivephysiotherapy.com
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StayActivePhysiotherapy
Twitter: @stayactivephys
To read some other blogs find lots of topics here.
The year through your kids eyes : guest blog
The year through your kids eyes: guest blog by Sam James Coaching 2015
As a mum of two children, and having worked on family programs in previous roles. I think it is really important to introduce ideas from a young age about positive thinking and well being. It can be great fun to do , some activities involving your kids about looking back over the year and planning the next one.
Two of my favourite ones, that we've been busy doing in our house (and are still a work in progress!) have been:
Celebrating the great bits of the year.
We have done this in a few ways:
- looking through our happy jar entries. We decorated a jar a few years ago, and we write out happy memories/achievements on little cards and then place them in the jar throughout the year
- looking through our photos/videos of the year
- looking through my diary at the column I use to note down memories, the gratitude list, and the monthly achievements.
All of these acted as great prompts for laughter and 'awww' moments! We now each have our own 'great things of 2015' list and a family one! We are now working on a photo collage to go with it.
What do we all want the next year to look like?
- I showed the family one of my vision boards and talked it through, and then just asked what they wanted lots of in our year together....our list includes things like family hugs, nature, sea, film nights, swimming.
- Once we had a list started we collected images to represent them, so that we can make our family vision board for 2016! I did have to stop my eldest including a picture of a shark eating someone - 'I don't think we really want that happening do we?!' To which lots of giggles followed.
- You can either stick, cut, draw, paint etc or I've found an app success vision board for iPad and it's simple to use.
These can be great fun to do together, as well as doing for yourself. Kids have a great simplicity about their dreams. And it is so refreshing to plan the year with them at the heart of it. The 1st January has been and gone but don't let it stop you getting started now. Go and create a brilliant year, and start great habits in your kids.
Have a brilliant, healthy, happy year,
Sam x
Please head over to Sam's Facebook page & hit like and check out her website too !
For all things photography related contact me!
The ins and outs of Waxing
The ins and outs of Waxing, Faye at Sage Therapies 2015 guest blog
Intimate waxing, whether it's a Hollywood, Brazilian, Back, sack and crack or bikini, the same applies to all of them. Discretion, professionalism, a sense of humour, specialist training, a good wax and care and consideration are all qualities a specialist intimate waxer needs. Of course it’s not just intimate areas that can be waxed, any area of the body can be, with eyebrow shaping being another very popular and time saving treatment. There just has to be enough hair length for the wax to grab on to, with two weeks’ worth of hair growth being fine for most people. Step away from the razor, tweezers or hair removal cream and let it grow, saving you both time and money in the long run.
There are two different types of wax, strip wax and peelable (also known as hard, or hot) wax. Strip wax is used for large areas such as backs and legs. Peelable wax doesn’t stick to the skin, but grabs tightly to the hairs so it’s perfect for intimate areas, facial waxing, underarm etc. It’s strong on hairs, but gentle on even sensitive skin types. The brand I use is full of botanical ingredients and isn’t perfumed so it’s great for men, women and sensitive skin.
Most clients get waxed 3-6 weekly with the majority coming at about 4 weeks. When first getting a wax you’ll find that some hairs “appear” to come back quicker, because hairs grow in different cycles. After around 4 regular waxes the hairs will be growing at the same time and so can be removed all together. You then get smoother skin for longer. First time waxing can feel uncomfortable as the wax is removed, but it doesn’t take long, and with the right technique, professional wax and plenty of chatting its over very quickly.
Pretty much anyone can be waxed, whether your pregnant, have your period, male, or at any age from 16-75 and beyond! Come with clean, well moisturised, hairy skin and leave feeling smooth, clean, hair free and having spent a few well deserved minutes to yourself. The amount of hair removal can be tailored to suit you; from all pubic hair being removed, to just a tidy up around the knicker line. Lots of women have a wax just before their due date, a reminder that if you’re not a regular waxer hormones in your body can make it slightly more uncomfortable at this time.
It’s nearly impossible to give a thorough intimate wax with knickers or pants on (ever had a haircut with a hat on?) So leave any embarrassment behind and let me do the best job I can. By the time you’ve had your first wax you’ll find we are chatting away and you’re actually look forward to the next appointment; there’s not many points in the day when you get to lay back and do nothing!
With more than 8 years waxing experience, you’re in safe hands.
For Waxing in Norwich visit Faye at Sage Therapies.
For more information visit www.sagetherapies.co.uk, my business page on Facebook is www.facebook.com/1sage.therapies or telephone 01603 486538. I’m always happy to have a chat about your requirements with waxing so just get in touch. With easy parking and late evening and early morning appointments I usually have a time to suit you.
Shhhhhhhhhh do you want to know a secret? Guest blog by Ann from About Birth and Babies Antenatal Norwich
Shhhh do you want to know a secret? Guest blog by Ann from Birth and Babies Antenatal Norwich - 2015
Guest blog by Ann from Birth and Babies Antenatal Norwich, did you know that if you look on any parenting forum you may find people are asking questions about their baby and sleep. Some have discovered through experimentation that their baby will sleep on his side or tummy – but not for long on his back – and are worried about whether this is ok. Other concerns relate to wind, colic, reflux and head moulding.
Mothers know that newborn babies like to sleep curled up, often in a foetal position, and preferably in someone’s arms or very close to them. The breastfeeding mother knows that her baby sleeps really well next to her in bed, often on his side or back, and she curls around him in a protective C position. Fathers know that their babies sleep really well on their tummies, on his chest.
After 40 years as a mother and grandmother, and 25 years as an antenatal teacher, I have my own thoughts and beliefs about what babies like.
However, it is difficult to express them when current advice on sleep position is completely inflexible. I believe many midwives and health visitors have the same problem, they have clear instruction on what can be said. Please read lullaby for more information.
So, what am I to do when parents ask for my thoughts on the fact that the only sleep they’ve had in the weeks since their baby’s birth, is when they sleep propped up with him on their chests? The obvious suggestion is to try the baby on his side or tummy, in his crib, feet to foot with appropriate bedding. They are already doing something that is NOT recommended, so would these alternatives be any more or less risky?
I find myself hesitant in recommending this, and a Health Visitor almost definitely will not. However, if the parents consult parenting forums they may find a whole bunch of parents are saying “it’s fine actually – that’s what we do – just don’t tell”. Is this satisfactory?
SIDS Risk Factors
There are many risk factors associated with SIDS but we still don’t understand exactly what causes it– sleeping position is the easiest message to give in a catchy phrase, I believe that is what makes it seem to be most important, but in fact, it may not be.
Lots of research (click here for a link ) shows the top of the risk list is exposure to smoking before and/or after birth. Others relate to the baby's general health and well being and the sleeping environment.
Baby’s Sleeping Position
The question parents would like answered is "does the prone (tummy lying) position, in the absence of other risk factors, present such a problem?" It is pretty much impossible to say because we are so entrenched in the “Back to Sleep” philosophy that nobody will discuss this, and because research is often unable to separate out all the above.
A little bit of history
It is difficult to find older baby books which give much guidance on how to lie a baby down. Backs, sides and tummies are all variously recommended for different reasons over the years
From the 1950s, one paragraph in The Care of Young Babies by Dr John Gibbens:
“Warm and snug as he was in the womb, he responds best for the first week or two to the snug fit of swaddling clothes, to being wrapped up cosily in a shawl, and tucked up on his side with his fists clenched and his knees drawn well up.”
From 1968 “The Baby Book”, an early version of the Bounty Book, every other page has an advert for formula milk or bottles and breastfeeding is not promoted.
“Quite a number of babies prefer sleeping on their stomachs, and this position often helps when baby has colic pains. It’s also rather safer than sleeping on the back, because a young baby may vomit and choke on it in that position”.
By 1996 NCT’s Becoming a Family gives the topic only one line but still allows side sleeping:
“Place your baby on her back, or her side, to sleep” but does also say “Don’t smoke near her and don’t let anyone smoke in the house”.
So – hang on a minute – in the 60s breastfeeding was not thought important and formulas were not as well modified as now, and we were advising putting babies on their tummies? Also, many people smoked in the house, polyester bedding and central heating arrived, more premature babies survived; one cannot help wondering whether there was an increase in SIDS at this time and whether the dramatic decline from 1992 was due to multiple changes.
Tracy Hogg (Secrets of the Baby Whisperer) in 2001 was obviously giving a nod to the current “safe sleep” advice; however, her Tip in the sleep chapter says:
“I usually suggest putting a baby down on her back. However, you can also put her to sleep on her side by wedging her with two rolled-up towels . . .” she later adds “If she sleeps on her side, make sure it’s not always the same side”
She doesn’t say why, but I assume this was because babies settle better like this and to avoid plagiocephaly (head moulding) which was becoming a real issue since sleeping on backs was introduced.
Side sleeping has since been ruled out after a study indicated it resulted in more infant deaths, perhaps babies were rolling onto their tummies? Dr Sears discusses this sleep problem, but is still happy to recommend parents are not put off using this position to help babies sleep.
What now?
In the past mothers and fathers probably had more confidence to experiment and find the position in which their baby slept best. When side and tummy positions were allowed they were said to help with ‘3 month colic’ which was considered normal, with advice on winding and gripe water; however we had never heard of reflux or plagiocephaly. (I need another blog for these two!)
Current advice is detailed and specific, meaning that informed decision making is very difficult for parents; because there is no discussion of alternatives. Anecdotal information from other parents contradicts what the health professionals tell us.
So - what are parents to do?
I might just point them to an article I stumbled upon last week and which prompted this blog; it tries to put the risk of prone sleeping into perspective: Sorting out SIDS and sleep position
My comment was that he should have mentioned side sleeping as that is always going to be my position of preference!!
Ann Roberts -from Birth and Babies Antenatal Norwich
www.aboutbirthandbabies.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/aboutbirthandbabies?ref=ts&fref=ts
About Birth & Babies offer antenatal courses in Norfolk and Suffolk at a variety of locations.
Excellent and affordable preparation for giving birth, and feeding and parenting your baby.
Free Early Pregnancy Classes can be attended earlier in your pregnancy.
All venues, formats and prices for courses are on our website.