So, she’s having your baby? As romantic as the song makes it sound, the reality is a bit scarier and more intimidating. You watch your partner’s belly swell as the months pass; you feel the kicks and encourage the mom-to-be not to feel bad about her swollen ankles and constant need to pee. You guys put the nursery together, you decide on names. You go to birthing class, you go to her prenatal visits. However, through all of this, the fact that a baby is actually coming doesn’t “click”, until those first labour pains hit. Then, your gut clenches up and your head begins to spin, because it’s happening. What is your role in this whole process? What can you do to make it easier for her? Heck, to make it easier on you? Read more

With the soon to be arrival of your baby, there are so many things that you need to start preparing for.  Walking into a baby store for the first time can be a little overwhelming trying to decipher what you really need vs. all the cute stuff that you may want or even wonder what it is or what it does. Read more

The baby is coming! You’re about to go from pregalicious to momtastic and one will become two. It will be one of the most momentous occasions of your life but also one of the most exhausting. When that little angel finally arrives all you’ll want to think about is what to name her, how gorgeous she is and how much she looks like your Great-Uncle Carl! You won’t want to be distracted by things you’ve forgotten to bring to the hospital. Read more

Who’s delivering your baby? Your family doctor, an ob/gyn? How about a midwife?  With a university degree, evidence based practices and woman-centered care, the modern midwife isn’t the mystic woman she used to be. Today she has the respect of doctors and nurses and is delivering babies in the same hospitals.  For many of us midwifery care raises three red flags. The first being: do I have to deliver at home? Read more

Early labour is usually the longest phase of labour.

What’s happening in early labour?
The cervix softens (ripens), begins thinning (effacing) and dilates to 3 cm.
You may have show
10-12% of women have their bags of water break at the beginning of labour
Soft bowel movements increase

Often contractions are sporadic at the beginning of labour. Gradually they develop into a rhythm becoming longer, stronger, and closer together. Often they are quite short at the beginning (15 to 20 seconds) and they become longer as the labour progresses. The contractions begin, peak and end. They come like waves. The pain ebbs and flops with the contractions. Read more