How Hormones Work Their Magic During Pregnancy and Labour
Discover the incredible role hormones play in pregnancy and labor! From nurturing your baby's growth to preparing your body for birth, these natural chemical messengers are the ultimate support team. Learn how hormones like oxytocin, relaxin, and endorphins help you through the journey of labour, easing discomfort and guiding your body’s amazing abilities. Find out more…..
Embracing Fatherhood: The Realities of Becoming a Dad
Becoming a dad is a life-changing journey filled with joy, challenges, and growth. From late-night diaper changes to being your child's hero, fatherhood is as rewarding as it is demanding. Embrace the ups and downs, find your stride, and remember—it's okay not to have all the answers right away. This is your chance to shape a bond that lasts a lifetime, one loving moment at a time.
Navigating the Baby Blues: What You Need to Know
The baby blues, often called the "third-day blues," affect up to 80% of new parents in the early postpartum days. Caused by hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and the overwhelming adjustments of life with a newborn, the baby blues can bring mood swings, tearfulness, and anxiety. While these feelings are normal and usually fade within two weeks, support and self-care can make all the difference. Discover practical tips for managing the baby blues, when to seek help, and why it’s okay to ask for support as you navigate this emotional phase of parenthood. Read on …..
Why Dads Should Jump in the Bath with Their Baby: The Benefits of Bonding Time
Bath time is a wonderful opportunity for dads to bond with their baby in a relaxed and intimate way. Jumping in the bath with your little one not only fosters a strong emotional connection but also creates a playful and calming environment for both of you. It’s a perfect time to relax, have fun, and nurture your relationship, while also sharing in those precious moments that build trust and love. In this post, we’ll explore the many benefits of dads jumping into the bath with their baby, from strengthening the father-child bond to creating lasting memories.
Choosing the Best Way to Feed Your Baby: Important Considerations for New Parents
Deciding how to feed your baby is a deeply personal journey, whether it’s breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a combination of both. Each choice comes with its own benefits and challenges. This guide explores key factors to consider, helping you make an informed decision that supports your baby’s health and your family’s well-being
Midwives are Amazing!
Midwives are the heart of compassionate care, guiding families through pregnancy, birth, and beyond with expertise, support, and dedication. Discover the incredible role midwives play in empowering parents, ensuring safe births, and celebrating life's most precious moments.
Stronger Together: Building a Thriving Partnership and Parenting Team
Discover how to strengthen your relationship and work as a united team in parenting. From effective communication to shared responsibilities, learn practical tips to nurture your partnership while raising happy, healthy children.
Thriving as a Single Parent: Strength, Strategies, and Support
Discover practical tips, empowering strategies, and heartfelt advice for navigating life as a single parent. From balancing responsibilities to finding support, learn how to thrive and create a loving, stable environment for your child while embracing your unique parenting journey.
HELLP Syndrome: Recognising the Signs and Seeking Timely Treatment
HELLP Syndrome is a rare but serious pregnancy complication that can pose risks to both mother and baby. Learn about its symptoms, including high blood pressure, liver complications, and low platelet counts, and discover the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to ensure a safer pregnancy journey. Read more here….
Understanding Phantom Pregnancy: When the Body Believes, but There's No Baby
Some of us will have had moments where we thought we were pregnant when we actually weren’t. Maybe your period was a few days late, and you just had “that feeling” that pregnancy was underway. You may have even had some signs of early pregnancy, such as nausea or sore breasts.
Usually, though, your suspicions (or hopes) are easily answered by the coming of your period or a negative pregnancy test. This sort of thing is common for most women to experience a few times in their childbearing years: a hunch that they are pregnant—and maybe even a few light pregnancy symptoms—only to find out it wasn’t true.
Understanding Miscarriage: Breaking the Silence and Sharing Support
Experiencing a miscarriage is a deeply personal and emotional journey, and it's important to know you're not alone. This blog explores the causes, emotional impact, and ways to navigate the healing process after pregnancy loss. Discover practical advice, supportive resources, and heartfelt stories to help you honor your journey and find comfort. Whether you're seeking understanding or looking for a community, this space is here to support you through every step.
How can you, as her partner, be the support she needs?
We all know what Mum's job is during labour and birth, but by offering your support, you play a crucial role as well. Besides providing encouragement during labor and birth, you’ll be the point person for all sorts of duties — from distractor-in-chief to cord-cutter!!
So, how can you prepare for what’s bound to be a physically exhausting day for her and an emotional one for both of you? Check out these tips so you can proceed with patience and confidence during one of the most important days of your life.
4th Trimester Realities: How to Manage the Rollercoaster
The 4th trimester, the first 3-8 weeks of your baby’s life, can be a challenging and emotional time for new mums. With hormones fluctuating, sleep deprivation, and the pressures of caring for a newborn, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In this guide, we’ll help you navigate this transitional period with tips on managing postpartum recovery, understanding your baby’s needs, and seeking the support you need. Discover practical advice on what to expect during the 4th trimester, how to ask for help from partners and family, and how online support groups like Mum Huddle NZ can provide the community and reassurance you need to thrive.
Healing from PTSD: Tools, Treatments, and Hope for Recovery
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects millions worldwide, disrupting daily life and emotional well-being. Recognizing the symptoms of PTSD—such as flashbacks, heightened anxiety, and emotional numbness—is the first step toward recovery. With effective treatments like therapy, medication, and support networks, individuals can regain control and rebuild their lives. Discover more about the causes, signs, and healing strategies for PTSD in this guide.
Is Lotus Birth Right for You? Key Information for New Parents
Throughout the last couple of decades, western medicine has faced an increase in a variety of natural methods and labour and birth haven't been left out of these notions. Lotus birth has gained a lot of attention lately, as more and more are choosing to abandon the common practice of severing the umbilical cord soon after birth. Lotus birth is often endorsed as being more 'natural' and more 'peaceful' for both Mumma and baby, but, this birthing practice/placenta ritual isn’t without its share of controversy or risk. Let's shed light on this trend.
Is it normal for my c-section scar to itch?
There are several layers to heal after having a c-section. The obstetrician will cut through skin tissue, move aside muscles, and then make an incision through three layers of the uterus: the inner lining (endometrium); the middle muscular layer (myometrium); and the outer layer (perimetrium).
The skin or external incision will usually heal within the first two weeks of birth. The incision that was made into the uterus takes between 6 to 12 weeks to heal completely. It’s important to follow the instructions of your LMC to ensure your incision heals properly and minimise the chance of any complications. Find out if the itching is normal….
What is Fetal Growth Restriction?
Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR), also called intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a term that describes an unborn baby who isn’t growing at the normal rate inside the uterus. These babies usually have a low weight at birth. Find out more….
Fed Is Best: Supporting Your Baby’s Growth and Your Choices
This is not the big debate between breastmilk and formula, so if you're looking for my opinion, you're not going to find it here. Like all the knowledge and experience I share, it's just that, unbiased, giving you the information, facts, tools and references to make your own decision. It’s your right to choose how to feed your baby and you can change your mind along the way if you want. Find out more…
Conversations to have before your baby arrives!
In between getting your baby's nursery ready, purchasing all the items you feel you might need and all of the other to-dos that come with having a baby, one of the most important things that often gets pushed to the side is sitting down and talking with your partner about the life change that is about to unfold and prepping for the impact it’ll have on your relationship.
There’s so much focus in our culture on dreaming about pregnancy and dreaming about baby, but not any dreaming about what a family of three (or more) will be like. Find out here.