

Resources
Here are a few resources you may find useful
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The Good Birth Practice Guide to being a Birth Partner
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Some information about the processes of birth
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Caesarean Birth Recovery - Top Tips from our Clients and Friends
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Birth films
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Want to chat to find out more? Get in touch and book an call by emailing me at: charlie@thegoodbirthpractice.co.uk
Having your baby at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
If you are having your baby under the care of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust you may want to take a look at their Maternity Pages, here. There's a wealth of useful information here, including how to self-refer to Midwifery care. You no longer need to see your GP to refer yourself to maternity care - you can also access that by following this link
Where do you want to have your baby? Under the care of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust you have four option;
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To find out more about birth planning sessions, hypnobirthing classes
and doula support, click HERE
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Maternity team with the Maternity Voices Partnership have undertaken a significant piece of work explaining the role of vaginal examinations (VE's) in late pregnancy and labour, and clarifying that it is up to you to decide whether or not you want one. Remember that this isn't a 'one time only' discussion. You can consent to one and then later choose to decline, and vice versa.
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This fact sheet about vaginal examinations was co-produced by MTW Maternity and the MTW Maternity Voices Partnership to give you more information about what vaginal examinations are, why they might be offered, and your options. I highly recommend that you have a conversation with your midwife, hynobirthing teacher or doula about what VE's are, why they are offered and potential outcomes as part of your birth planning. As with everything, it's more nuanced than writing 'consent/decline' in your birth plan and it will be important for you and your partner to have a clear plan so you can make informed decisions about VE's on the day.


The Good Birth Practice Guide to Being a Birth Partner
It’s quite an ask, being thrown into an unfamiliar room and told to be a ‘Good Birth Partner’ during a process you’re not closely familiar with. It’s a big responsibility to be supportive, to help ensure her birth goes smoothly and positively, when you’re not familiar with the room, the processes, the people and the language. It’s pretty daunting.
So, take some of the pressure off, here’s are my Top 10 Doula's Birth Partner Tips for you. Click on the image to download (for free, no email address required!). Then discuss these with your partner and build them into your birth planning. Keep this on your phone, or write your own guide based on what you and your partner want and need.
To find out more about birth planning sessions, hypnobirthing classes
and doula support, click HERE
Some information about the processes of birth
The important of the birth environment
A demonstration of how your cervix dilates
To find out more about birth planning sessions, hypnobirthing classes
and doula support, click HERE
The benefits of 'upright, forward and open'
The benefits of optimal (or delayed) cord clamping
(which is now standard practice)
Caesarean Birth Recovery hints and tips
Whether your caesarean is planned or unplanned, there's no getting away from the reality that it is a Big Deal and it may take you some time to recover. While some women heal more quickly than others, having some real life hints and tips from the caesarean Mothers is invaluable. There are some corkers here you may not hear elsewhere.
I'm super grateful to our clients and friends who have offered their Top Tips and allowed us to share them here. Click to download.
To find out more about birth planning sessions, hypnobirthing classes,
caesarean birth planning and doula support, click HERE
Birth Films
Settle in with a cup of tea and a box of tissues at the ready, here are some lovely birth stories to inspire and excite!
To find out more about birth planning sessions, hypnobirthing classes
and doula support, click HERE