The Fit Midwife

The Fit Midwife A health and wellness platform for women in pregnancy and beyond.

Did you know 10cm doesn’t mean we have to start pushing right away! Actually rushing to push is the surest way to set yo...
20/11/2025

Did you know 10cm doesn’t mean we have to start pushing right away!

Actually rushing to push is the surest way to set yourself up for a fall. Patience is a virtue!

If you are 10cm dilated then awesome, but we need to consider other factors before pushing:

❓What station is baby at? How low is their head?

❓What position is baby in? Do they need time to rotate?

❓Do you feel pressure or the urge to push?

❓Do you have an epidural and need a passive hour or two?

❓Are your contractions sufficient to aid active second stage or do you need more time?

❓Is baby coping? If so…. What’s the rush?

So as you can see we make so many other assessments when contemplating beginning active second stage (pushing).

If we are impatient and we ignore them it can lead to prolonged pushing and perhaps being labelled “failure to progress” (horrible term) and finding an instrument or caesarean birth being suggested!

Did you know that pregnant women live nearly at the limit of human endurance??⁣⁣⁣⁣Yep, researchers from Duke University ...
18/11/2025

Did you know that pregnant women live nearly at the limit of human endurance??⁣⁣
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Yep, researchers from Duke University studied athletes such as elite runners (we’re talking 3000km +…. not sure who those nutters are though) and cyclists in the Tour De France in a bid to identify the absolute limit of human endurance! ⁣⁣
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Their research showed that the human body can cope with a maximum energy expenditure of 2.5 times its’s resting metabolic rate (which is on average around 4000 cals). ⁣⁣
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What is so interesting about this is that when it comes to pregnant women, at their peak their energy expenditure is around 2.2 times their metabolic rate. ⁣⁣
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So in a nutshell, growing tiny humans means your body is pushing the boundaries of your human capabilities in a way only otherwise experienced by exceptionally elite athletes! ⁣⁣
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What’s that? Superheroes? Why yes, I do believe we are 😉 ⁣
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Do you change your baby’s nappy and think “OMG why does it look like that?”.⁣⁣Well you are not alone. If I could show yo...
13/11/2025

Do you change your baby’s nappy and think “OMG why does it look like that?”.⁣
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Well you are not alone. If I could show you my camera reel of the pictures mums have sent me to check if its normal or not.⁣
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So here is a quick reference guide for you (please don’t be ridiculously literal ok).
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During their first 6 weeks of life, both breast-fed and formula-fed babies will have generally have poo that is either yellow or green. Breast-fed babies tend to have softer, runnier poo while formula-fed baby poo is a little bit firmer.⁣
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Your baby’s first poo is called ‘meconium’. It is sticky and greenish black and a delight to clean off their skin!⁣
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After a few days the poo will change to a yellow or mustard colour. This is known as changing stool. ⁣
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In the next few weeks, you can expect the colour and shape, as well as how often they poo, to change.⁣
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Breastfeeding mums might find a bit more variety in the nappy because your diet and any medication you are taking can affect your baby’s poo.⁣
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As you begin to introduce solids you’ll slowly notice their poo becoming more like an adults. Don’t be alarmed if you see ornage or purple stained p**p - especially if you have been feeding them mushy carrots or beetroot. ⁣
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If you notice any of the following poo colours it is always best to get baby checked: ⁣
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RED: May be from constipation or blood from ni***es (if BF) but can also be something more serious. ⁣
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WHITE: This is abnormal. Is usually indicative of liver problems. ⁣
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BLACK: If this is in a baby that is not in the first week of life then it is abnormal and needs checked. ⁣
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Hope you find this helpful! If you are concerned then see your midwife or paediatrician! ⁣
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What made you take a pregnancy test? Was it a specific symptom or was it more just a feeling you had? Or were you trying...
12/11/2025

What made you take a pregnancy test?

Was it a specific symptom or was it more just a feeling you had? Or were you trying and testing from the earliest possible point?

There are so many early pregnancy symptoms but they can be a little confusing because so many of them are also the same as the things you experience prior to your period arriving!

Whilst a missed period is usually the most reliable sign, there are plenty more symptoms. Many women also experience a small implantation bleed (brownish/pinkish bleeding) that can be mistaken for a period.

If you suspect you are pregnant and you take a test which comes up positive then this is almost certainly correct (as long as you have followed the instructions properly).

A negative result is less reliable. If you get a negative result, don’t have your period and still have symptoms then you can always wait a week and try again.

Since everybody is so different, no one symptom fits any one person. Some women feel nothing at all. Some women feel all of the above.

What was it for you?

November babies are hands down the best 🙌🏽 (I may be biased)
01/11/2025

November babies are hands down the best 🙌🏽

(I may be biased)

Happy Halloween 🎃 How big is your baby on the Halloween scale?
31/10/2025

Happy Halloween 🎃

How big is your baby on the Halloween scale?

31/10/2025

Unruley women are always witches, no matter what century we are in - Roxanne Gay

Nothing makes me happier than providing education and support so women can advocate for themselves. In my opinion if you’re called “difficult” or “non-compliant” because your are challenging intervention or your plan of care then I have done my job!

Happy Halloween Witches 🧙🏻‍♀️💚

These are just a few of the most common myths I hear and I just wanted to let you know they are bull💩 so let’s break the...
24/10/2025

These are just a few of the most common myths I hear and I just wanted to let you know they are bull💩 so let’s break them down: ⁣
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𝟏. 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞:⁣
Despite having zero evidence to support the first myth it is still deeply engrained in many people. But let me be clear, exercise does not cause miscarriage. For some, like me, whose training is closely linked to their mental wellbeing, suggesting women stop training is absolutely crazy and can be detrimental mentally as well as unnecessary physically! If you have been told to rest for medical reasons please have the discussion with your doctor.
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𝟐. 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲: ⁣
No it won’t…..Not unless they are inside with a barbell trying to do a 1 rep max back squat or you drop a weight on their head after they are born. ⁣
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𝟑. 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫: ⁣
Squats don’t start labour or cause contractions. If they did my job would be easier than it is. Squats aid fetal positioning and can encourage contractions to continue or increase when labour has already started. ⁣
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𝟒. 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬:
Again, this is totally wrong. Some core exercises are not advised as they can be uncomfortable to perform or there is a better alternative but there are so many core exercises you can be doing that are recommended! ⁣
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𝟓. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤: ⁣
This is definitely something that has been taken out of context and now prenatal women everywhere are missing out on great exercises for fear of being flat. If you want to bench press or anything else that requires lying down then go for it. Lying flat is ok whilst exercising as it is short term. We lay on our side or sit up between reps. Doing 12 reps on a bench isn’t going to stop placental flow! It just may be uncomfortable, in which case elevate the back slightly! ⁣
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What stupid things have you heard about exercising in pregnancy? ⁣
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Do you know how to sit for an epidural/spinal insertion? Sitting in a good position is half the battle when it comes to ...
22/10/2025

Do you know how to sit for an epidural/spinal insertion?

Sitting in a good position is half the battle when it comes to placing an epidural.

We want you in the position that optimises the accessibility of the epidural space between your vertebrae!

The better the starting position usually the quicker we can site the epidural!

So here are some top tips for sitting for an epidural:

🔸 Sit curled over like a prawn🍤…. All that slouching your mother told you to stop, get that back for this!

🔸 Hug a pillow under your arms to help you curl around! It can also be useful to prop the entonox on without losing position.

🔸 Drop your chin down on to your chest.

🔸 Keep those shoulders down and relaxed!

🔸 Have knees bent and feet firmly on a chair/partners legs. Sitting like this can help encourage that posterior pelvic tilt to open up the lumbar spine.

🔸 Make sure you’re sitting straight and there are no dips in the bed, if you’re sitting in a lopsided position it can make the procedure difficult.

🔸 Tell the doctor when you have a contraction so they can pause what they are doing until it has passed (You can use the gas and air during the procedure too).

An epidural procedure takes around 20 minutes to insert and a further 20 (give or take) to start working fully!

Sometimes you may be asked to lie on your side but the position will be the same. Also if you have any curvature of the spine or spinal issues/surgeries etc it may be ideal to request a pre birth anaesthesia appointment to discuss any complications that may arise!

22/10/2025

There is some big green flag energy from this guy here but we need to set the record straight when it comes to the anatomy and physiology here!

Why are they not teaching this stuff at school? Why don’t women know where their uterus is? Why don’t the men in their lives know? Understanding our own body is vital.

And if you are a woman with a lower belly bump it’s more than likely just due to your body shape, it’s normal and just like the woman in the video we are are all beautiful because of our variety.

If any lumps and bumps in your lower abdomen are a recent development always go and see your doctor for a check up!

Postpartum s*x is a logistical issue as much as any other issue. When you both feel ready, the baby has gone down to sle...
20/10/2025

Postpartum s*x is a logistical issue as much as any other issue. When you both feel ready, the baby has gone down to sleep and you are getting down to it but, it doesn’t feel like it did.... or like you expected.
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So many things are not spoken about when it comes to returning to s*x postpartum. Maybe that is because it is still an uncomfortable subject for some. But considering that’s usually how you get a baby in there there is no need to be shy.⁣
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So here are 6 things you should know before getting down to it: ⁣
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💥 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 “𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞”: Some people return to s*x with their partner 4-6 weeks after birth, others longer. It isn’t just about being physically ready, but mentally ready too. When you feel the time is right, then go for it.⁣ Dr clearance doesn’t mean you are totally “ready”.
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💥 𝐈𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐰𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝/𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐝: You may not have had s*x for a good while, it may be awkward to have s*x with your postpartum body and you libido may be decreased. This is totally normal! ⁣
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💥 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐲: Vaginal dryness is very normal (especially in those breastfeeding) due to prolactin suppressing the oestrogen that lubricates the va**na. Invest in some l**e! Some l**e can cause irritation and potential further dryness so check out *x to learn about the ingredients to look for when buying!
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💥 𝐈𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: Not just physically but mentally too. If you haven’t had s*x in a while then it can be uncomfortable or even painful, especially with the dryness. Pain during s*x can also indicate pelvic floor issues (discuss these with a WH physio to rule it out). It can just be weird having something in there again! ⁣
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💥 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬: I know, terrible right. But you may have to get used to each others bodies again. Get to know your own again (and if needs be, DIY). It can take time to find your groove again and settle back in to it. ⁣
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Do you wish someone had told you more about postpartum s*x??⁣
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*x

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About The Fit Midwife....

Hi all, I’m Nikki.... I am a UK trained midwife living and working in Dubai. I have been here since 2016 and faced so many challenges in healthcare, as a woman and as a practitioner in my own right. These challenges gave rise to my blog ‘The Fit Midwife’.

It combines the two things that take up all of my time. Maternity care and fitness. And throughout all of the issues I cover I continuously reinforce informed choice, birth rights and the female voice!

I am a qualified level 3 PT and like to incorporate this in to my maternity work because fitness saved me in so many ways and has led me down a path in my life that, although not easy, is definitely the right one. I am a firm advocate that healthy women have healthy pregnancies and subsequently have healthy babies.

I have a no nonsense approach to maternity care. I do not sugar coat things and I do not hold back on saying what it is I really think on the lack of rights, choice and information in maternity care, especially in the UAE. I aim to educate and give women the tools to ask the questions and challenge what does not feel right when it comes to their care. To encourage them to empower themselves.