I have assisted many dads-to-be who have passed out or been sick in the past when having a blood test or seeing someone else have a blood test. If this is you, please do not attempt to wing-it for your birthing partner!

During this triage your midwife may ask if you would like to have an internal, vaginal examination to check how dilated you currently are…

…and here we sometimes hit a problem.

Should you choose to birth at hospital you will at some point during your labour need to transfer in.

I remember hearing this from a client a long time ago and it popped back into my head again today when another teacher asked for some advice on Tokophobia - the dread & fear of pregnancy and childbirth that some women may experience.

I read an interesting bit of research the other day that said it is more effective to switch from 'I' when creating affirmations to 'you'.

Empirical evidence shows that women want and benefit from continuity of carer. The Cochrane review (2016) found that women who received midwife-led continuity of care were less likely to experience preterm births or lose their baby in pregnancy or in the first month following birth.

Something strange is going on. I've been struggling for a while to put my finger on it though.

Here are my thoughts...

I say again and again to all of the lovely women I teach - Your body knows how to birth a baby & your baby knows how to be born.

There is so much I want to tell you. So much that fills my head that I want to spill onto the page for you.

About birth. About parenting. About feeling invincible...or a bit broken.

When you are calm and confident you can truly listen to your body. Without fear or concern move the way your baby and body wishes you to.

Just breathe. Just breathe.

Through stress or anxiety. Through pain. Through loss. Through love so great it takes the breath from you.

We are selling everyone, including our children, a fake Valhalla. A place or state that can be achieved if you just try hard enough.

Well, here's the deal. Some days are just going to be rubbish.

You've heard about others taking these classes. You may have perused a book in Waterstones once. You may even have been told about hypnobirthing by your midwife.

But why on earth should you book?

A birth plan (or proposal if you prefer) stops you from going in blind, or at the whim of others. It doesn't need to be set in stone but can act as a learning experience, a guide or a steel beam to your beliefs and hopes around the birth you wish to have.

Pregnant ladies and new mums. Listen up - this is important.

It's funny that we spend so much time talking about the surges. As if that is all that will be happening.

You know that depression lies to you. You know it tells you untruths, half-truths and embellishes fear & worry.

It is reported now that 1 in 10 adults has a fear of needles or blood. You do not need to be one of them.

This time is all about growth and you will marvel as your stomach swells..

Somewhere between 11-13 weeks you will be invited to have a scan of your baby.