Bump & Beyond: The Blog

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by birth prep and unsure where to start, you’re not alone. This guide breaks down how to prepare for birth in a clear, simple way - so you can feel calm, informed and confident without the endless Google search.

Still don’t feel ready for birth? Here are 5 clear signs you’re ready to move beyond Googling and start preparing with real confidence.

You’ve probably heard people say there’s no point writing a birth plan because birth never goes to plan. As a midwife, I see this advice shared all the time and while it often comes from a good place, it misses something important. Birth preferences aren’t about controlling birth. They’re about understanding your options, communicating what matters to you and walking into labour feeling informed rather than overwhelmed. In this blog, I explain why preparing for birth still matters, how birth preferences can support a more positive experience and a simple way to create your own without the stress of starting from scratch.

Postpartum is one of the biggest transitions you’ll experience as a new parent, yet it’s often the part many families feel least prepared for. Looking back at my own experience as both a midwife and a mum, there are a few simple things I did during pregnancy that made those early weeks with a newborn feel far more manageable. They weren’t complicated, but they created a sense of support and calm during a time that can otherwise feel overwhelming. If you’re currently expecting and wondering how to prepare for postpartum, these are five things your future self will be incredibly grateful for.

At 36 weeks pregnant, I discovered my baby was breech and suddenly, the birth I had prepared for so intentionally felt uncertain. This isn’t a story about everything going to plan. It’s my honest and ultimately positive vaginal breech birth story - one shaped by informed choice, advocacy and deep trust in my body. If you’re navigating a breech diagnosis or facing unexpected decisions in pregnancy, I hope this story reminds you: you are allowed to ask questions, explore your options and choose what feels right for you.

Have you heard of antenatal expressing? This blog explains why expressing colostrum before birth can help with early feeding, newborn health, and postpartum confidence - especially if you’re navigating gestational diabetes, a small baby, or want to feel more prepared. Learn when to start, how to do it, and why it’s 100% okay if it’s not for you.

As a midwife, I’ve supported countless women through birth but becoming a mum myself changed everything. In this deeply personal birth story, I share what it was really like giving birth for the first time in the hospital system: the doubts, the intensity of transition, the moment I begged for an epidural… and the overwhelming pride I felt when I realised I could do it. This wasn’t a perfect birth. It was raw, powerful and transformative - and it reminded me that positive hospital births are absolutely possible when you feel informed, supported, and empowered.

Some people say "the mess can wait" but for many new mums, clutter adds to the overwhelm. I share why tidying helped me feel calmer in postpartum, how cleaning can look different during the newborn stage and how to reduce the mental load and bring more peace into your early motherhood journey.

Worried your bump looks too big or too small - or changes throughout the day? Here's why that's normal, what actually matters for baby's growth and how to trust your unique pregnancy journey.

When a contraction hits, your instinct might be to tense up and brace but that can actually make labour more intense. Learn how breathing, movement and relaxation can help you work with your body during labour and feel more confident and in control.

Wondering if your breastfed baby is getting enough milk? You're not alone. This guide will help you spot the signs of healthy feeding, ease your worries and build trust in your body and your baby.

"Just wait until..." is one of the most common phrases women hear in motherhood and one of the most disempowering. Let's explore why it's time to retire this phrase for good. From pregnancy to postpartum, discover how we can support mums with compassion, not caution - and flip the script to something more helpful.