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Free Resource sheets

Thank you for showing an interest in our free resources. 

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We have picked through our favourite evidence based information and references so they are in one place for you to download, refer to and read at your convenience. With tips from Midwife Nadia and other practitioners in the Womb & Bloom collective and printable visuals for you to put up in your home, we hope you will find our free resources helpful in your pregnancy. We have even included some brilliant you tube videos to watch.

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Click on the article of choice and it will open into a printable PDF file or take you to the video link. If you have any further questions, please book a call through our website with one of the collective team and we can speak in the phone or zoom to decide how we can support you further.

The myth of the due date - "we live in a fast-paced world that runs on schedules and money. And with the ability to “control” birth via induction and surgery, this 40 week average date often turns into the day when your baby will be forced from your body" Alex & Jade @ Thebirthuprising.

Get to know your birth rights - Human rights laws mean you have the right to receive maternity care & make your own decisions about your care.

A must watch video on CONSENT - This video is powerful as part of your birth preparation in knowing your birth rights

What is oxytocin? The vital ingredient in your labour. The hormone of love, connection and calm.

Your birth environment - Your checklist for creating an oxytocin infused enviroment

Signs of early labour - what you might notice, how to cope when labour might be starting & when to go to hospital if you are planning a hospital birth

What is Active birth? - more than a matter of positions, a term coined by Janet Balaskas in the 1970's

What is B.R.A.I.N?-What are the benefits, risks, alternatives, intuitive thoughts and if I do nothing?

Breath & visualisation - Calming your nervous system down promotes oxytocin

Phases of labour - The path to birth is not linear. This is a colourful visual to print & put on your fridge!

Phases of labour a - Late pregnancy, time to rest & relax

Phases of labour b - pre labour - your body is warming up

Phases of labour c - early labour - opening, softening, expansion

Phases of labour d - Late labour - opening, cervix observed. Baby descending

Phases of labour e - completion birthing

Phases of labour f - 3rd stage, birthing your placenta

What is a stretch & sweep? - Question everything, is this right for you?

What is hypnobirthing? - A brilliant explanation from Jade & Alex @thebirthuprising 2022

The science of our mindset - understanding Polyvagal Theory

Affirmation Cards - to print & place around your home

A must watch video on the power of OXYTOCIN in your birth - The Performance Sex like Birth by Freedom for Birth, Rome Action Group

Homebirth - Fantastic stats from the Lancet report 2020 & reasons why homebirth might be right for you.

Colouring in sheets for mindful pregnancy - thanks to @thebirthuprising hypnobirthing course. We love these beautiful images to colour in at your leisure. 

Older mothers/ birthing people - Question everything, is this right for you?

Gestational diabetes - Do your research and lets talk about diet, nutrition and lifestyle.

Big Babies - "A suspected 'big' baby is often used as an excuse to induce labour. However, what is usually not discussed is that ultrasound cannot accurately estimate the size of a baby and guidelines do not recommend induction for a suspected large baby." Dct Rachel Reed. www.midwife thinking.com

Breech birth - Mary cronk wrote a great article on breech.

Waters breaking & Meconium in waters - What is this & what does it mean?

Group B Strep - Group B strep is a common and usually harmless bacterium, but it can very occasionally cause serious disease in newborn babies. 

What is a VBAC? - coming soon

Induction of labour - The facts & the process

Biomechanics of birth (a)- what is it & some things to consider in your pregnancy toolkit

Biomechanics of birth (b)- Positions to consider in your pregnancy toolkit

Videos on Biomechanics of birth - link to great videos from Molly O'briens - Biomechanics of birth positions to try. 

Copy of positions to consider for labour progress - link to Molly O'briens - Biomechanics of birth positions to try. 

Positions to consider in labour & birth - think UFO - Upright, Forward & Open. Images courtesy of Spiritysol

Alternative ways to assess labour without a VE - vaginal examination

The role of your birth partner - A great acronym to print out. Please also read LABOUR OF LOVE by Sally Ann Beresford.

Forms of pain relief - Natural forms of pain relief as well as medical forms.

Your birth bag- a checklist for you

Caesarean birth - stats & how to support a belly birth.

What is the Physiological third stage? - Birthing your placenta & delayed cord clamping

Postpartum healing - The 5 pillars of postpartum

Breastfeeding references - coming soon

Our favourite go to books, podcasts & videos to watch - All of us at the collective have added our favourites here

Birth Plan template for wishes A, B & C - A template to edit yourself and personalise with a focus on your birth your way

Can I eat in labour? - Yes, absolutely and here's the reasons why our hospitals try to tell you otherwise.

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