https://www.thebraideddoula.co.uk/contact

The Braided Doula, Edinburgh (2025)

09/02/2022

Open communication between you and your partner with a young baby can be tough. You are both tired, a bit stressed, have no routine, and have a small human to look after without previous experience.
Often it can be hard to break down what might be frustrating you, what needs to be done in relation to the home and what both of your needs are. It's not about who is more tired or did the most, there are different roles you will each play in relation to the home, the baby and each other and it won't stay this way. For every leap or stage baby goes through, you and your partner will be making adjustments whether they are obvious and conscious, or subtle and you only realise when something comes to point.
Try and find time for each other and yourselves. It is easy to be caught up with what baby needs and rightly so, but your needs as an individual and as a couple are important too. Speak with each other about what you are feeling and needing, and see how those might fit in with your partners. You have have from individuals who have chosen partnership to a collective with a small human who you adore and as a result redirect all of your focus and energy. looking after yourselves IS looking after your baby as a happier parent is a calmer parent and that will always have a positive impact on baby.
If you ever want to chat about how you can open the communication between you and your partner I am here.

19/01/2022

Milk collection day always makes me feel happy. Today I was able to hand over 4.4L and it makes my heart full!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In order to donate breast milk you will have some blood tests run to check for any irregularity’s, after which you should receive a box with bottles, labels and a freezer record sheet.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The freezer record sheet is important as you will need to take note of the freezers temperature daily in order to ensure the frozen breast milk stays at a constant temperature until collection.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The breast milk goes through microbiology screening to check for any harmful bacteria before and after pasteurisation in order to ensure it is safe for consumption for premature and NICU baby’s.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you would like to find out more about donating breast milk you can visit the Milk Bank Scotland website:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/your-health/health-services/milk-bank-scotland/how-to-become-a-donor/⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

07/01/2022

Happy New Year everyone! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I have been quiet on here what with Christmas and then my family getting covid so I have been sleeping and resting as much as possible. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has been part of my page for the last year. It has been such a pleasure to get to know so many new and wonderful people, including those special couples and their baby’s that I have supported. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2021 has been a challenge for sure, but it has also been an absolute pleasure and I am grateful for every moment that I have had. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Here’s to a new year coming in, new memories to make and new families to meet! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

19/12/2021

Advanced Maternal Age is any mother who is over the age of 35 during her pregnancy. According to the medical system. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Now language plays a huge role in terms of how someone feels, and for women who are pregnant over the age of 35 they are often referred to as mature, geriatric, high risk, obstetrically old but chronologically young, or in their reproductive twilight years. This seems really silly considering many of those titles are actually quite inaccurate, case and point being an older mom does not automatically make you high risk.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The reality of this title means that you will be asked to undergo more tests such as Gestational Diabetes and extra scans throughout your pregnancy. It it completely up to you whether you choose to undergo these tests - ask your midwife for a full breakdown of what tests they want to carry out, why they want to carry them out and what benefits/risks are association with them. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Being an 'older' mom does not mean that you will have an unsafe or higher risk pregnancy. Each pregnancy is different and any risk that is mentioned should be discussed in terms of absolute risk and how it pertains directly to you. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

14/12/2021

Depending on how involved you are with the online birthing world, you will always see posts about your estimated due date (EDD) and how unrealistic that date really is. The reality is that baby's arrival is strongly anticipated anytime from 37 weeks - not to mention the long term waiting-game of pregnancy in general. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The last stretch of pregnancy is hard, not just because you are tired, possibly achey and a bit sore. It is hard because every day is a mental battle of whether today will be the day, will baby arrive, is it a cramp or is it just gas? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

While it may be both a physical and mental challenge, it is important to be gentle with yourself and give yourself the time and capacity to rest. With older siblings this is understandably hard, take time in the day when and where you can. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Having a toddler currently prone to meltdowns and achey hips has been a challenge for me. Baby is deep in my pelvis which can be uncomfortable while walking etc - I am trying to rest in the evenings, use my exercise ball and have a good soak in the bath before bed. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

How have you found the final stretch of pregnancy? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

12/12/2021

We often forget to process our own emotions with a small little baby to look after. this is just a gentle reminder that it does come together and you will find your new normal ❤️
Posted • This time of year can be really fun and full of festivities, but also we can feel a bit anxious and lost.

Rubbish weather, constant illnesses, possibly sleep deprived and learning to be a new parent …..

It will get easier, and it will be ok ### ❤️

09/12/2021

I harp on about this a lot I know, but birth really is an incredibly important milestone in a families life - particularly for the birthing person. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Mentally, you have a large amount of preparation to go through; this applies to the physical changes of pregnancy, the anticipation and planning for the actual labour and birth, and then for the physical and mental adjustment period of being a new parent. Its a big shift and should involved the utmost care and support from everyone in their community. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Support is a really important component of a positive birth journey, from all sides of a birthing persons experience. If you feel that you are not getting it from the right avenues, then reach out to me or anyone you feel comfortable with in order to back yourself during your journey. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The quote by Carla Hartley reads “Birth should not be a time in a woman’s life when she has to FIGHT for anything.” and this is something that really rings true. You have the complete right to decide how, when and where you want to birth your birth and that should include informed choice. You should not have to fight for your decisions to be heard or supported by those around you, including family and medical staff.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

30/11/2021

There are multiple different options for pain relief in birth, most of which have some form of pro/con list and possible side effects. TENS, which stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, is a great option as it has no long lasting effects on you physically while being an effective form of pain management. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A TENS Machine is often used as a form of pain relief in labour due to the fact that you do not have to ingest/inhale/receive any for of medication. The machine works by sending out small electrical pulses to your muscles during labour ie your stomach or back muscles during a contraction, and this essentially reduces the pain signals being sent to your brain. As a result, you will feel a tingling sensation more than the pain from the contraction, with control over when you feel the impulse as well as the strength of the signal. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Some people swear by a TENS machine as a form of pain relief in labour, while others really dislike the feeling. It is a good idea to try and give it a test run before you go into labour so that you know what to expect, as well as being familiar with how it works. This is particularly important if your birth partner will be controlling it for you. Having said this, people have also said that they did not enjoy the feeling while not in labour but really relied on it once they were having strong contractions so don't discount it if you are not a huge fan when trying it out for the first time. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You can either buy one (easily accessible online) or rent one for a period over your due date. Many birth centres and local groups have them available. If you need any help let me know!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

24/11/2021

Planning for the postnatal period is just as important as planning for the birth.
I have spoken about this before and will always discuss it with any parents that I support. The fact is, you will be sleep-deprived when baby arrives and everyone can be a bit grouchy when that happens. It is helpful to understand what triggers you when you are tired/stressed and how you can manage that within yourself, as well as with your partner.
Make the time to talk through who does which household chores, what you need to centre yourself and how you can connect as a couple in order to support yourselves, and each other.

22/11/2021

The amniotic fluid plays an important role in pregnancy as it cushions the baby and protects them, while allowing them space to move around and grow in the womb. There is generally an 'ideal' level of amniotic fluid in the womb, however, sometimes there can be too little or too much which is known as oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios respectively. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The amount of amniotic fluid within the womb changes over the gestational period of the pregnancy, with scans showing an estimate as they are not 100% accurate. Further, the way in which the amniotic fluid is usually based on the average of 2 or 3 pockets of the fluid around the baby. The amount of amniotic fluid peaks at about 1 L round 34-36 weeks and goes down to about 800 mL at 40 weeks. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Oligohydramnios is when there is too little amniotic fluid and has been associated with your waters breaking, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), baby having a kidney or urinary tract problems or placental abruption. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Polyhydramnios is when there is too much amniotic fluid and it usually identified in later pregnancy. Most women will be able to carry and birth without any major complications, however you may be advised to birth in the hospital. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you have been told that you have oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios and you are not sure what to do next, you can ask for another opinion/scan to be taken again in order to confirm the results. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Please remember that scans are not 100% and you should ask for all the risks and complications to be explained as they pertain to you. As always, it is completely up to you what you decide is best for you and your baby. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

21/11/2021

With my first daughter, I had postnatal anxiety and it took me months to realise that what I was feeling was normal and that it was something I could work through. It’s a hard place to be when you do not feel 100% within yourself.
Posted • Oxytocin is the natural ‘love’ hormone our bodies produce when in labour, while breastfeeding, when we feel good & when we are intimate with a loved partner. 💚

It is responsible for causing uterine contractions in labour and primes us for bonding with our baby. 🤱🏻

Syntocinon (Pitocin in the US) is a synthetic version of this hormone, used to induce or speed up labour. It is also used to prevent/stop excessive bleeding after birth.

Perinatal psychiatrist, Dr. Kristina Deligiannidis (Feinstein Institute, New York) originally thought that Pitocin might be linked to lower rates of postnatal mood disorders, as oxytocin is a feel-good hormone.

Her research team found the exact opposite.

‼️ Women with a history of pre-pregnancy depression or anxiety had a 36% increased risk of anxiety or depression if they received Pitocin just before or just after birth.

‼️ Women without a history of pre-pregnancy depression or anxiety had a 32% increased risk.

This was compared to women who did not receive any Pitocin just before or after birth.

🤔 Possible explanations for the link include: the interference of synthetic hormones with the bodies complex natural hormonal process during and after birth… it is also possible that induced labours may be experienced as more difficult/traumatic and this may lead to symptoms diagnosed as depression or anxiety…

❗️As always it is important you ask for the benefits and risks of any intervention in relation to your specific circumstances and make a decision you feel comfortable with

(An increased risk isn’t a guarantee you will experience postpartum depression or anxiety)

Sources:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/da.22599

19/11/2021

I often talk about female empowerment in birth and the deep wells of strength that we all store but don't always harness until the pregnancy and labour of our child.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Another part of that strength and shift is the way in which we, as birthing mothers can influence those around us. While we can all sympathise with a friend or loved one, having someone empathise with your emotions can be the balm to our burning soul we never realised we needed.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Birth is beautiful and raw and powerful, but for many women it can be stressful, traumatic and painful to recount in any way. It is important that those women feel heard, acknowledged and supported by those around them; it can be particularly healing to have someone who has been in a similar state to show that support. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Yes birth is beautiful, but if your experience didn't make you feel powerful and strong then that is ok too. Its important to normalise the harder parts of birth and working through any trauma or hard emotions you may have experienced in your pregnancy, labour and birth of your child. I am always available to talk through anything with you, otherwise reach out to the other women and moms in your community and support bubble. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The quote reads mother and baby.’” – Midwifery Today⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“The wisdom and compassion a woman can intuitively experience in childbirth can make her a source of healing and understanding for other women.” by Stephen Gaskin. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The Braided Doula

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