Special maternity clinic leads to hike in natural births at Norfolk trust

14 September, 2011 | By Jo Stephenson

A specialist clinic at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has led to a big increase in the number of women choosing natural childbirth having previously had a caesarean section.

The Birth After Caesarean clinic was set up at the Norwich-based hospital by consultant obstetrician Fran Harlow with two specialist midwives.

The number of women opting for a normal delivery after a C section has gone up from 40% to 68% since the clinic launched in May 2010.

The percentage who went on to have a natural birth has also increased from 64% to 73%.

Ms Harlow said often women were not aware that normal birth was possible after a C section.

“It is important the women are allowed to make informed individual choices and if a woman does want to have another caesarean section then that’s fine,” she said.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Victoria Secret model Miranda Kerr uses Hypnobirthing to have son naturally

Written by Heather VanNest

Victoria Secret model Miranda Kerr used Hypnobirthing techniques to give birth to her son. She says the daily, relaxation breathing exercises and guided imagery she used while she was pregnant had a lot to do with the calm demeanor of her baby boy.

Hypnobirthing classes don't actually involve traditional hypnosis. Women use specific breathing exercises to relax enough so that they don't need epidurals or medications which are usually given to speed up labor (and can intensify contractions).

Kerr joins actress Jessica Alba who also talked about taking these classes to have a medication-free natural birth. The specific training exercises allow for a more peaceful birthing process.

While natural, medication-free births are common in other countries, it is less likely a woman in the United States would have a natural birth.

To read the rest of this article click here.

311's Nick Hexum Delivers Daughter Maxine

A note from Carri: WOW! What an amazing story! It was amazing how he was able to stay calm and think clearly, and have a healthy baby and wife. Way to go Nick Hexum!



He’s a star on stage as the frontman of 311, but Nick Hexum has proven his talent out of the spotlight as well.

Despite having planned a midwife-assisted homebirth to deliver their second child — daughter Maxine — the singer was forced to step in himself when wife Nikki suddenly went into labor.

However, things took a turn for the worse when the baby girl became lodged in the birth canal.

“After Max’s head popped out, the delivery stalled for the next couple of contractions. The baby’s head was blue and the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck,” he tells PEOPLE of the May 1 birth. ”I was worried the cord was choking her, keeping blood from getting to her brain.”

To read the rest of this awesome birth story click here.

Supporting role in making birth a positive experience

Concerns over a shortage of midwives and NHS cuts means more women are paying a doula for reassurance in the maternity suite. Nicky Solloway investigates.

Lesley Hilton is getting prepared for what could be a long night. One of her clients is in the early stages of labour and she could be summoned to the hospital at any minute. But Lesley isn’t a midwife, she is a doula.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Mom defies doctor, has baby her way

Mom defies doctor, has baby her way

By Elizabeth Cohen, Senior Medical Correspondent

December 16, 2010 1:28 p.m. EST

Aneka gave birth to a healthy boy this month at home, after she had given birth to three children through Cesarean section.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Aneka decided to give birth vaginally after having C-sections
• She was told her actions were irresponsible and that she could die
• Vaginal births after cesarean sections pose some risk, but so does having another cesarean

(CNN) -- On Thursday, December 2, as Aneka sat at home nine months pregnant, the phone rang.

It was her obstetrician wanting to know where the heck she was. Did Aneka forget that today was the day for her cesarean section? How could she have forgotten?

No, Aneka hadn't forgotten. She hadn't shown up intentionally.

"She told me, 'You're being irresponsible. Your baby could die. You could die,'" Aneka recalls. Then the doctor hung up.

To read the entire article please click here: http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/12/16/ep.vbac.birth.at.home/index.html?hpt=C1

Happy Friday!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! I will try to post a favorite picture of mine every Friday to show the beauty and love of birth.