Baba Me Blog

VBAC

2012-02-04T10:56:00.002Z

In the scale of old wives’ tales, the old saying that ‘once you have a caesarean birth you always have to have them’ is pretty much near the top of the list! Yet, as with so many old wives’ tales, it simply isn’t true.

Vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) is the term used when a woman gives birth vaginally after having had at least one baby born by caesarean section.

If you’ve already had a caesarean, then your chances of having your next baby vaginally are quite good, but it does depend on why you actually needed your first caesarean. It also depends on the progress of your current pregnancy.

If you needed your caesarean for a condition that hasn’t changed – such as a small pelvis – then the chances are that you’ll need to have a caesarean again. However, if you had your caesarean because of exceptional circumstances such as a breech baby, or a low-lying placenta, then your chances of having a VBAC are increased.

With the current media focus on the risks of repeated caesarean births, the advantages of a VBAC are obvious. Naturally, with a VBAC, you avoid such risks, but you’ll also have much less pain after the birth and a shorter stay in hospital. It’s also much better for baby, since s/he is less likely to have trouble breathing after s/he is born.

A VBAC differs from normal childbirth in that you will be probably be more closely monitored during your labour. Indeed, most women will be offered continuous electronic foetal monitoring; allowing both baby’s heart rate and your contractions to be measured at all times.

Most women will have a successful VBAC without any complications at all, but there is a small risk that a scar from a previous caesarean could tear. This is referred to as uterine rupture. Rupture affects only one in 200 women trying for a VBAC, but, although the risk is small, your medical team will want to watch out for it. If your baby's heart rate doesn't sound right, it could be an early sign that there is a problem with your scar.

If you’ve had a previous caesarean and have opted for a VBAC, bear in mind that all labours are unpredictable, so there’s always the chance that you might have to give up on your VBAC option. Indeed, a quarter of women, who try for a VBAC end up needing an emergency caesarean.

During a VBAC, you can have an epidural (RCOG 2007: 9; RCOG 2008) for pain relief if you want one. Some hospitals may support you using a birth pool to help you cope with your contractions.

If your doctor has ruled out the possibility of you having a VBAC, then your other option is a planned, repeat caesarean. This is usually booked for the seven days leading up to your due date, unless your baby needs to be born sooner for a medical reason. Overall, repeat caesareans and VBAC are both safe ways for you to have your baby (RCOG 2008).

As in most issues related to pregnancy, informed choice is the best way to make a decision regarding the type of birth that you want or need. During your pregnancy, you'll have plenty of time to talk to your consultant or midwife about your previous birth or births, and they will be able to help you come to a decision about how to have your baby this time around.

If you have had a VBAC, or are hoping to please share your experiences.

We Flip For You

2012-02-03T16:39:00.001Z

Every year Baba Me, who love cloth nappies, make it their job to share the love of cloth nappies for Valentines day. And this year is no different.

We flip for you, buy one flip cover, get one FREE. Offer is available until 19th Feb, or until stocks last. We are also giving away a free pack of flip disposable inserts with any purchase of flip day packs. On top of that, we are ALSO, giving a free pack of flip disposables inserts for any purchase over £50 in Feb. Phew. We really are flip'in mad at Baba Me!

And to share the love that little bit more, we are giving away a fantastic FLIP Stay Dry Day Pack, just enter below. A flip stay dry pack consists of 2 flip outers, and 6 flip stay dry inserts, and would be a great addition to any real nappy stash! For more information on flip nappies, check out our FLIP FAQS.

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Traumatic labours and coming to terms with them

2012-02-02T11:03:00.000Z

We have been focusing on labours recently and whilst some are fantastic experiences, like LAJ's homebirth, others are not. The aim of this post is NOT to scare pregnant moms, but to help moms who have had a terrible time and are struggling to deal with it.

From an early age, labour is generally portrayed in films and TV programmes in two different ways: the Waltons’ ‘ma, fetch the hot water and towels’ and the more graphic American TV ‘real life’ screaming labour programmes.

While some women will always find more traumatic than others, there will be women, who will experience events during childbirth that would traumatise any normal person. Such events can include:

a lengthy labour
a very painful labour
induction
poor pain relief
high levels of medical intervention
traumatic, emergency delivery

Some women who, for example, wished to have a normal labour with a low level of medical intervention, can find it very traumatic if they have to have an emergency caesarean or a high level of medical intervention. Afterwards, they can relive the delivery for days, weeks and even months at a time, failing like a complete failure for not having had a ‘natural’ delivery. If the baby’s life has been in danger during the delivery, these feelings of failure can be even more heightened.

For other women, it is not always the sensational or dramatic events that trigger childbirth trauma, but other factors such as loss of control, loss of dignity, the difficult attitudes of the people around them, the feelings of not being listened to, or the absence of informed consent to medical procedures.

These feelings of failure often can manifest themselves in actions such as constantly checking on baby while s/he is asleep or never allowing baby out of sight. Such women will suffer genuine and long-lasting distress and will often require medical help.

In other women, however, a traumatic labour and birth can lead to the more serious post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is the term for a set of normal reactions to a traumatic, scary or bad experience. It is a disorder that can usually occurs following the experience or the witnessing of life-threatening events.

While PTSD is generally associated with situations such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, or violent personal assaults, the term ‘a traumatic experience’ can also include any experience, which involves the threat of death or serious injury to an individual or another person close to them. In the case of traumatic labour, it is a mother’s fear for her baby and, for this reason, it is now accepted that PTSD can be a consequence of a traumatic birth.

Characteristic features of PTSD include:

An experience involving the threat of death or serious injury to an individual or another person close to them (eg, their baby)
A response of intense fear, helplessness or horror to that experience.
The persistent re-experiencing of the event by way of recurrent intrusive memories, flashbacks and nightmares. These memories and flashbacks will make women feel distressed, anxious or panicky when exposed to things that remind them of the event.

It is important to remember that PTSD is a normal response to a traumatic experience. The re-experiencing of the event with flashbacks accompanied by genuine anxiety and fear are beyond the sufferer's control and in most cases, medical intervention is required.

If you have suffered a traumatic labour, you may find this website on birth trauma ptsd helpful.

Overdue and what to do

2012-01-31T10:56:00.000Z

Of course, every pregnant woman is sure she is going to go early! Most are actually willing it to happen, mainly because they’re so big and uncomfortable that the old ‘get this out of me’ cliché can make an appearance!

So what happens if your EDD has come and gone? Well, first of all your healthcare professionals will give Mother Nature an opportunity to kick start the process herself. Different hospitals have different policies on this and some obstetricians will agree to leave women who go past their EDD for two to three weeks to see if they will go into labour by themselves.

Letting you go past your EDD leads to its own worries. Pre-eclampsia is, of course, a concern, as is foetal distress and a reduction of amniotic fluid. All of these are, however, quite unusual, and more often than not, baby will come when it’s good and ready.

Once you're past a week overdue, you start coming under real pressure from ‘those in the know’ with offers of membrane sweeps and induction. Most hospitals have 42 weeks as their upper limit before induction or caesarean are compulsory. It is reckoned that up to a third of pregnancies are induced at the moment, despite World Health Organisation recommendations that ‘no geographic region should have rates of induced labour over ten per cent.’

If you do go past your EDD, there are various tried and tested tips for helping Mother Nature along.

Walking is a very effective way to get the uterus contracting, the blood flowing and the baby’s head engaged in the pelvis. This can actually have another positive effect in that it can get you out of the house and take your mind off the fact that you are overdue!

Conversely, deep sleep is also very important! This is because the logical, rational side of our brain – the bit that we use for speaking, thinking and interacting – interferes with the primal part of the brain – the bit that activates labour. With this in mind, it’s maybe no coincidence that many labours begin in the nighttime hours.

You may not want to hear it at this stage, but sex is also a great starter. The contractions of the uterus during orgasm can start labour contractions and semen contains prostaglandins which can help to ripen the cervix. And don’t worry! Sex is perfectly safe at full-term, provided your waters haven't broken.

Hot, spicy food such as curries has been known to bring on labour, so tuck in!

No one knows why, or how, but castor oil has been safely used by indigenous peoples around the world to induce labour. Its laxative properties, which can have you rushing to the loo, can also stimulate labour, so pop a tablespoon into juice at breakfast time.

Were you late? Any tips to help nature on its way?

Home birth

2012-01-29T14:46:00.001Z

Following on from the lovely homebirth story by LAJ, who is also our baby carriering expert and runs the baby carrying classes in our shop, I decided to look more into homebirth.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, 99 per cent of British babies were born at home. Obviously that situation has somewhat changed over the last century, but would you risk having a baby at home? Or is hospital still the safest environment?

Arguments have raged for decades as to the safety of home births. The general assumption has always been that a hospital birth is safer for both mother and child, but in 1996 the British Medical Journal published several studies on home birth safety and concluded that home birth was ‘safe for normal, low-risk women, with adequate infrastructure and support’. Nevertheless, many health professionals are still wary about home births, believing that, in the event of anything going wrong, hospital is still the best place for both mum and baby.

The benefits of a home birth are obvious: you’re in comfortable, recognisable surroundings; you have total privacy and don’t have to queue for toilets, showers etc in the hospital and you can also (within reason) move around as you wish.

In 1994, the National Birthday Trust Fund’s study of home birth in the UK covered almost six thousand planned home births. The results were very interesting!

the home birth group had roughly half of the risk of ending up with a Caesarean section, compared with the hospital group (2 per cent v 4 per cent)
the home birth group had roughly half the risk of ending up with a ventouse or forceps delivery (2.4 per cent v 5.4 per cent)
mums who planned home births were less likely to suffer post-partum haemorrhage
babies in the planned home birth group were significantly less likely to suffer birth injuries

In today’s culture of ‘the blame game’ there is still - perhaps not surprisingly – a reticence within the medical world to sanction home births. Authorities and health boards worry about the consequences of anything going wrong and are many are therefore likely to encourage you to go to hospital.

If you’ve decided that you do want to have a home birth, then no one can force you to go to a hospital, but there are definite situations when home birth is not a good idea.

If, for example, you suffer from a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure then a home birth is not advisable. The same applies if you have a previous childbearing history which includes forceps delivery or post-partum haemorrhage.

If you experienced any form of special circumstances in your pregnancy, such as multiple births or pre-term labour or if you fall into the ‘older mother’ category, then, again, your midwife would be likely to advise against a home birth.

So, would you have a homebirth? If you have had one please tell us about your experiences.

Pink Lining Changing Bags

2012-01-27T16:23:00.001Z

Here at Baba me, we love Pink Lining Changing Bags. No we looooooooove them. So it appears do most of our customers as they are are best selling changing bag by far!

The red butterfly pattern is one of my all time favourite pink lining designs, an all time classic!

Baba Me recently had the great pleasure in meeting the husband and wife team behind Pink Lining, Charlotte and Rufus Pearl, and they are lovely people - just like their bags!

Pink Lining is the international family lifestyle label, famous for its signature “Yummy Mummy” changing bag that aims to put the smile and design into practicality by making the usually mundane paraphernalia of parenting covetable. There is nothing ostentatious on the outside but the distinctively designed fabrics immediately identify the brand. In fact the brand's label is the signature shocking pink interior lining.

The Yummy Mummy bag is their most popular changing bag and combines fashion with functionality. The exterior of the bag has two canvas elasticated side pockets with pretty PU bows and a front canvas pocket with Yummy Mummy slogan and cupcake patch. Inside the bag you will find two insulated bottle pockets, nappy pouches, a padded changing bag, wet zip bag, mobile pocket, key fob and pen holder. The bag comes with an adjustable detachable shoulder strap and is long enough to fit over the pram/buggy handle bars.

Whenever we ask our customers which changing bags they prefer, Pink Lining always come on top. So to celebrate this we are giving one away in this weeks giveaway - the beautiful bottom of the Garden Yummy Mummy, pictured below. On top of that, for the first 20 people who buys a pink lining bag this week from baba me - they will receive a FREE pink lining Bottom of the Garden Bottle Holder!

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Mrs Baba Me did not spend £6000!

2012-01-25T13:41:00.000Z

Recent reports by mumsmall estimate that it costs £10,500 for the cost of the first child.

Gemma Campbell, data analyst at mumsmall says:

Before baby arrives, parents typically shell out more than £1,500 on pre-natal expenses, such as maternity clothing and other pregnancy-related necessities, and essential newborn nursery furniture such as a cot. But spending jumps sharply once baby arrives. Buggies and strollers, car seats, health and safety items, personal care products, travel accessories and daily consumables, such as nappies, formula and weaning food, can easily add another £4,450

Estimated expenditure could be as much as £ 1,547 for pre-natal costs, £4,454 first year essentials, £ 4,500 child care, making £10,501 in all.

Excluding childcare, this is £6000. Yikes!

Whilst some parents do spend this, Mrs Baba Me did a quick calc on her last spend:

£200 maternity clothes {even this could be a Lot less, a recent post on our facebook page gave great tips from moms on how to cut this down}.

Cloth nappies & accessories £300. Again preloved cloth nappies could chop this figure in half.

A manduca baby carrier £89

Other essentials such as creams, toiletries, lansinoh etc £100

Recaro seat £110. We never recommend buying a 2nd hand car seat though, never.

Pram - nope we just used a carrier.

Cot - £0, we co slept.

Bouncy chair - £60

High Chair - £100

Baby Clothes - £200 {guessing!}

How much did you spend on raising baby no.1?

My Homebirth Journey by LAJ

2012-01-23T15:07:00.003Z

This month, January 2012, I am currently a whole 6 years either pregnant or breastfeeding. But six years ago, when I got my first pregnancy test, a future homebirth wasn’t something that had entered my head as even a vague possibility. Six years ago, in my mind, homebirths were for other women, risky women perhaps, and also women that were completely sure of their ability to birth naturally. I wasn’t one of those six years ago......so what changed??

Well, the changing point for me was giving birth to my son Evan. I didn’t have a traumatic birth, I am not particularly angry at the system, but I can say, that his birth wasn’t what I dreamed it would be. For a start I had a lot of intervention. I refused pethadine, and was then cajoled into having it. I had oxytocin to speed things up, an epidural for the pain, and to top it all I then laboured with three other women and then gave birth in a room that was also used for storage!!! Shell shocked after the birth, my husband, Eoin, was told to go home as it was late and I had to look after a newborn with no help and no support.

After educating myself about birth, preparing birth plans and thinking that I really could work the system to have the birth I wanted, I returned on my second pregnancy, to the Dublin hospital, only to repeat the same birth. The only difference was that when I requested the epidural, I was waiting 45 minutes for it, by which time I was ready to push. It was a blessing in disguise though as it meant that I had gone through the birth without pain relief and on discharge from the hospital I knew that I would never be back.

By the time my third pregnancy came around, I was well prepared and had my midwife in mind already on speed dial. On getting a positive test I told my husband the great news and immediately booked my midwife. By the time I went into labour we knew her really well, she knew the family, my kids loved her, and the whole family were involved in the pregnancy, including my mum who was going to be here/minding kids at birth.

So....here is the birth story.

On a Tuesday night in July, when I was a day overdue I had a show. Of course I was so excited then that I didn't sleep, and every mild twinge I was thinking, 'is this it'?? On Wednesday my sister in law Deirdre, took the kids for us, now aged 2 and 4, as I was having some mild contractions during the day. But they would come on for an hour or two and then go away so it wasn't really getting into a pattern. However myself and Eoin enjoyed the kid free time and decided to make the most of it. We went and did some shopping, had lunch out and picked up the last few bits and pieces we needed. The contractions continued like this until Thursday night when they ramped up, and when they were 5-7 minutes apart and I felt I needed some support, we called the midwife. She came over and my mum came to stay the night too. Eoin worked at getting the pool temperature just right. At the time, we were watching season 3 of Dexter so I told him to leave it on as it was a distraction for me and it focused everyone else in the room on the tv and not on me!!! I'm sure the midwife thought we were bonkers at this stage as I think a lot of people like candles burning and a calm environment, I wanted blood and murder and so I ordered the tv to be left on. Of course it had to be the few episodes with the most sex scenes in it and I think it just about made my mum, midwife and husband just a little uncomfortable. But hey, what did I care at that stage!!!

At around 3.30am my midwife was all set up. We thought birth would be soonish and we were all set up for an imminent birth. At 4am, I was 6cm, and when I just about couldn't take the pain anymore, my labour just stopped. It was bizarre, we tried to get it going again. I got out of pool, got dressed and myself and my midwife went on a midnight powerwalk around the block. But my contractions were just not going to get going again. So we discussed the possibility of maybe breaking the waters but decided against it. In a homebirth you are on the clock after the waters break and if I didn't deliver within 24 hours of my waters breaking, I would have had to transfer to hospital. So we decided to call it a day and for all of us to get some rest. My midwife said before leaving that she had a feeling that things would move quickly when my waters break so instead of completely packing up she arranged her things in a bag so that if we were in a hurry she would be ready. But she expected to be back within a few hours.

24 HEADWRECKING HOURS LATER!!!! I was so annoyed. Where was my labour gone??? I was having painful contractions every 15 minutes or so throughout Thursday and Friday night, but managed to sleep perfectly well with the tens machine on and I was annoyed that it just wasn't ramping up. Also, I was starting to worry that I would have to go through my painful Thursday night labour all over again to dilate and I was worried I wouldn't cope.

At 4.30am on Saturday morning I got up. Had a couple of painful contractions but at 15 minutes apart I thought that they weren't really being all that helpful. So I played around on facebook and read magicmum for a while and at 6am my waters went with a pop.

I still wasn't all that convinced that labour was starting up again but I had promised the midwife I’d call if my waters went, so I did. I told her I had no contractions to go with it (I was still very grumpy), so I would call her back in 30 minutes to see if anything had started. I also called my mum to come as I wanted someone here to mind kids when they woke up.

5 minutes later I got a whopper of a contraction, and just had a feeling this might be it. Thankfully my midwife had ignored my request not to come and when I called her back, she was already on her way. Another 10 minutes later I felt something like pressure and so we made another call to the midwife and my mother to get a move on. In a strange way I still wasn't convinced myself that this was it. The contractions were nowhere near as painful as what I had laboured through on the Thursday night. But another contraction came 5-6 mins later and this time I got a definite urge at the end to push. Holy Shit I thought. Midwife called us herself and said she was almost here. What I find so amazing about this is that she knew what stage I was at better than I did . Another contraction came and I roared at Eoin to take my pyjamas off. I was still not in a lot of pain and still I was getting a break between contractions but my body was definitely starting to evict this baby!! Thankfully a few minutes later, in ran the midwife. She checked me quickly, checked the pool temp, got me into the pool, and within another 3 pushes, baby Eabha was born. My mum walked in as the head was born. She was born at 6.49 am, and only really about 30 minutes after I realised that perhaps labour was starting up again!!!

So I sat in the pool for a little while longer holding baby Eabha. I just could not believe she was here, and how easy the delivery had been. Within a few minutes she latched on like a pro. Evan, my eldest woke up and came down to say hello to his new baby sister and a little while later Emma woke up too. My mum made everyone tea and I delivered placenta and got cleaned up. A little while later we all sat on the couch and midwife laughed that we did the labour on Thursday night and went straight to delivery 26 hours later!!! She said she never really had a birth like it!!!

So we weighed baby Eabha and she came in at 9lb 6oz, my biggest baby, but easiest birth and no stitches required (unlike the other two births).

By far this has been the best birth experience of the three and the fact that my midwife just fit into my family has made it all the more special. Being at home meant I could rest properly after birth with lots of support around me.

For more information on having a homebirth in the Republic of Ireland, then check out the info now published on the HSE website

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/maternity/homebirth.html

The Homebirth Association also provide help and support with a list of private midwives.

http://www.homebirth.ie/

BumGenius V4 vs BumGenius Freetime

2012-01-18T09:35:00.002Z

Following on from my previous blog on the freetime vs elemental, lots of people have asked me about freetime vs V4 onesize. Again there are lots of similarities between these cloth nappies and it might seem confusing and overwhelming to the new comer. The V4 onesize is known by a number of names, the bg v4, the v4 pocket, the bumGenius pocket, its official name is bumGenius 4.0 One-Size Cloth Nappy, but thats a bit of a mouthful so here at Baba Me we just call it the v4. I'm glad bumGenius have since started naming their nappies - so much easier! Thanks Jenn!

Similarities:

1. They are both onesize. Using bumGenius' patented 3 x 3 system they both go from 8-40lbs in the weight range.

2. They both come in the same fab range of colours.

3. They both have the stretchy side butterfly closure system, unique to bumGenius. These are the bits that make these cloth nappies oh so adjustable and fit a wide range of babies.

4. Both have the choice of popper or hook and loop closures giving you the perfect choice.

Differences:

1. The v4 pocket is a pocket cloth nappy, whilst the freetime is an all in one cloth nappy. This means that with the pocket, the stuffing is not sewn in, you stuff inserts into the pocket. The inserts comes out in the washing machine {you don't need to take out before hand, the washing machine will pull them apart}. They only come out to dry, not to wash so no need to pull out before washing!

The v.4 pocket comes apart for two reasons:

Quicker drying times. The v.4 pocket is probably the quickest drying nappy on the market.
Tailored absorbency. Every child is different and every child needs an different absorbency levels. Also, children change. A newborn does NOT need the same amount of absorbency as an older child. The beauty of the v.4 is that you just put the level of absorbency in for your child needs. For a newborn just start off with the newborn insert. At about 10lbs you will probably need to move to the larger insert. Then as they get older, or for overnight put in 2 inserts. Just mix and match the inserts to suit your childs needs. The v.4 cloth nappy comes with TWO inserts, but you can buy additional nappy inserts if needed.

Whereas the freetime is an all in one cloth nappy. This means no folding, stuffing, pinning or anything. Everything is contained, its all in one! The freetime is the easiest cloth nappy to use. Just open, put on baby and close. Thats it! It follows on from the original bumGenius all in one nappy, which was a sized nappy, but the freetime is onesize, meaning it goes from 8 to 35lbs+. Also, with the original all in one nappy, the insert was sewn in complete.

The freetime has 2 booster flaps sewn in at either end. This means you get much quicker drying times, compared to other all in one nappies, and also you can fold the absorbency to have the most where you need it. Each of the flaps have 2 sewn lines which can be used as fold lines so for girls, fold extra to the underneath, boys to the front. For breastfed babies fold extra to the back for the 'explosions'!

Both of these nappies are incredibly easy to use. However, the freetime being an all in one has the edge, as people keep telling me its manproof! Not having to stuff the pocket saves time and does make it easier {and off course finding all the inserts in the first place pre stuffing!}.

Although I do remember when the bg pocket was launched, SIX years ago {where did that time go?}, and it totally rocketed immediately to being the number 1. selling nappy worldwide because it was so easy to use, compared to everything else. I remember so many moms telling me this was the ONLY nappy their partners/nursery would use, and I think that is now going to go to freetime.

2. The v.4 pocket has the ability, with hook and loop options, to do the newborn fold taking this to a really slim nappy from 6.5lbs upwards. Whilst technically you can do the newborn nappy fold with the freetime, it would just be too bulky. So if you are expecting a tiddler I would suggest the v4 pocket or the bumGenius newborn, over the freetime.

3. Drying time. The v4 pocket is the quickest nappy on the market, the freetime is quick, but not as quick as the v4. Due to the unique patented flaps inside the freetime, it is the quickest all in one cloth nappy to dry, but it is still slower than the v.4 If you are really limited in drying time, I would go with the v.4

4. I think the way the freetime has been constructed means it is much easier to add additional absorbency. Whilst you can add numerous inserts into the pocket of the v4, if you overstuff you risk leg gape {where the nappy is too far from the leg and leaking will occur}. The flaps allow additional layers really easily so mean that this nappy could be much more suited to overnight than the v.4. Although personally for me, for overnight, I would recommend a flip stuffed with organic inserts.

Which is the better nappy? Well they are both superb nappies. The v4 has been the best selling nappy worldwide since its launch 6 years ago, for good reason. Will the freetime overtake it? Only time will tell.... Personally I think I still marginally prefer the v4 because it can be used from 6.5lbs upwards and it dries super super quick. That said, I totally see how the freetime is easier to use and just a perfect nappy.

Which nappy do you prefer?

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Quick Labours, how to prepare

2012-01-16T10:13:00.004Z

Quick labour – expected and how to prepare

After two long labours with her two sons, a friend of mine reckoned she was in for the long haul with her third delivery. Amazingly, however, her little girl literally ‘dropped out’ as Joanne was waiting for the bath to fill for her water birth!

So what effect does a quick labour have?

Well, first of all it’s important to consider what is classed as a ‘quick or fast labour’. Many women talk about an '18-hour labour' because it is reasonable to count from the first contractions you have. However, in the early stages of your contractions, you may even be able still to busy yourself with ironing, cooking or another activity to take your mind off the aches and pains you are feeling. To imagine that 'labour' is 18 hours of constant sweating, intense contraction pain, controlled breathing and pushing would, in many cases, be completely wrong.

Given the choice, many women would probably opt for the quicker option, but this is not always advantageous for either mum or baby. It is vital, for example, that baby doesn’t pass through the birth canal too quickly as this can cause oxygen deprivation. Also, in order to ensure that baby’s body doesn’t have to undergo any undue physical stress, the midwife managing the birth needs to be able to gently manoeuvre baby's head and shoulders out of the vagina.

There are disadvantages for mum too. A birth that happens too quickly can often cause unneccessary tearing to the vagina or perineum (the tissue between the vagina and anus). This can often require stitches and - in some cases - can take months to heal properly.

If you do feel that your labour is happening too quickly, don't panic! Simply call your midwife or healthcare professional. They can advise you as to whether or not you should head for the hospital or whether they should send someone for you. If you are planning a home birth, your midwife should also be contacted immediately, just to make sure the progress is being managed.

A really fast labour can mean going from nothing to fully dilated in ten or fifteen minutes. Think of what that entails.

You have no time to acclimatize to the fact that you are in labour.
You may have no one to look after other children.
You may have no time for the pain relief that you may have wanted.

You can, however, prepare yourself for this eventuality. For a start, make sure that all relevant phone numbers are prominently displayed near the phone. Ask someone – your mum, your friend – to be a substitute birthing partner in case you cannot get hold of your partner. Make sure your hospital bag is ready, packed and somewhere handy, if you are going to hospital.

Without sending you into warp drive six in the anxiety stakes, don’t go too far from home in the last few weeks of pregnancy – you just never know!

Some useful links

Homebirth Ireland

Homebirth UK

Birthchoice UK

BumGenius Freetime vs BumGenius Elemental/Organic

2012-01-14T15:43:00.001Z

So they look the same, and they are both bumGenius, they are both all in ones so what is the difference between the BumGenius Freetime and the bumGenius Elemental. The Elemental is the new name for bumGenius organic, no I can't get used to it either!

Similarities:

1. They are both onesize. Using bumGenius' patented 3 x 3 system they both go from 8-40lbs in the weight range.

2. They both come in the same fab range of colours, including the gorgeous new Albert and lovelace prints.

3. They both have the stretchy side butterfly tabs, unique to bumGenius. These are the bits that make these cloth nappies oh so adjustable and fit a wide range of babies.

4. They are both all in ones, so no stuffing! Just open, put on baby, close. Simple as. I can see the freetime taking over the title of dads favourite nappy from the bumGenius pocket very soon!

5. They both perform brilliantly!

6. Both can have additional stuffing layers placed under the flaps for those heavy wetter babies.

Differences:

1. Well the obvious one is that the bumGenius Elemental is made from organic cotton and the bumGenius Freetime is made from microfibre. Natural fibre fans will off course prefer the Elemental. But there are good reasons for going for microfibre as well - the stay dry layer will keep babies bums nice and dry and it is quicker drying.

2. The actual design internally is very different. The organic is one flap, sewn in at both ends whilst the freetime is 2 different flaps. This unique design means much quicker drying. Also it leads to much more flexibility as the flaps can be folded in any combination of ways to suit your little one!

3. That age old debate, popper vs hook and loop nappies is redundant with the bumGenius organic as it only comes in popper form. On that debate, personally I go hook and loop everytime - but thats another blog! bumGenius Freetime comes in both popper and hook and loop closure options.

4. The freetime just needs one prewash and you are good to go, whilst the bumGenius organic needs 5-10 prewashes to get the absorbency to full levels.

5.The organic has the edge in slimness, especially on newborn setting, but both are up there as the slimmest cloth nappies around.

So which do you prefer? Oh and off course, enter below to win a bumGenius Freetime nappy

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sweet, strange dreams in pregnancy

2012-01-12T12:58:00.003Z

Although they don’t often pop up in the list of ‘common pregnancy symptoms’, weird dreams are actually a very common occurrence at this time. Reasons for this vary: from profound emotional and physical upheavals to the hormones that are raging around your body.

Whatever the reason for them, bizarre pregnancy dreams are there to be enjoyed – not worried about! In the first trimester many women will dream about giving birth to a fully grown child! At this time, flowers, gardens or seeds can also make an appearance – the link to fertility is obvious. On the negative side, dreams of intruders breaking in or more fearful episodes are related to the fear or either motherhood in general or giving birth in particular.

In the second trimester, thoughts often turn to matters closer to home. Many women dream of their husband being unfaithful to them, or of their teeth falling out. Again, these dreams are totally related to anxiety, particularly in relation to body image.

In the final trimester dreams turn to the thought of labour. Hopes and fears are all released subconsciously in your twilight hours, but, as with all dreams, simply enjoy this quite literal dreamworld!

Here are just a few of the most common dreams and what they mean:

Aeroplanes: these indicate a desire to be in a new place, either physically or emotionally.

Babies: not premonitions, merely your way of dealing with pending responsibility of parenthood.

Houses: very common and totally understandable. Most will include thoughts of adding rooms to a house, indicating a metaphor for the change in the shape and size of your body.

Doors: opening a series of doors can refer to the imminent birth and the thought of opening up a new area of your life.

Oceans, lakes: water of any description represents fertility, motherhood and the flow of life. It is thought that women, who dream of water, are likely to be experiencing a deep connection with their pregnancy.

Flowers: if they’re in full bloom they’re a positive symbol of the life growing inside you. But don’t panic if they’re wilting! That’s just a sign that you need to drink more water.

Kitchen: all dreams relating to the central room of the house are an analogy for the preparation and nurturing that lie ahead.

To find out more about dreams and their interpretation, here is a good place to start!

Have you had any strange dreams in pregnancy? Let us know

Freetime Fun

2012-01-10T19:44:00.000Z

So there is a new cloth nappy on the block, or will be soon enough. The bumGenius Freetime which Baba Me should have in store in early Fab. How exciting.

But Baba Me have a number to give away to Fluffheads who need a new nappy, who really Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed to see this fantastic new cloth nappy and see how it works. For research purposes off course!

So if you are a true fluffhead, and want to be ahead of the pack in testing out the Freetime simply enter below, the more ways you enter the more chance of winning. We will randomly choose a winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Funday Sunday

2011-12-18T14:02:00.000Z

Funday Sunday is a tradition in the Baba Me household and as it is the week of Christmas, I have decided we should have some online Funday Sunday.

So just because its Christmas I will be giving little somethings away all day.

So for the first, just leave a comment letting us know what you would love to see in your Christmas stocking this year.

Win a trunki....

2011-12-03T17:13:00.003Z

On the third day of Christmas, Baba Me gave to me...

We have a winner!!!!!!!! Niomi said...
Courtney

the chance to win a fabulous trunki.

Simply guess the GIRLS name I have randomly generated for it.

Rules:

1. One guess only per hour. STRICTLY. Any more will be deleted/ignored.

2. First person to guess will win.

3. Only guesses listed below will count.
4. Tip - read the guesses before you guess so you don't waste your chance!

CLUE:
1. It contains a Y

Time for Tea..

2011-11-27T18:33:00.000Z

Following on from our last post on pretend kitchens and cooking, well now its time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of all that hard labour, tea time with your friends {or dolls!}.

Well first things first, we need the perfect pretend tea set and once again at Baba Me we have a superb choice. For all those pink fans, we have the gorgeous Tea time set from Branching out/Tidlo {Branching out toys have now become Tidlo toys}. This set comes complete with wooden tea spoons and is a huge hit in our shop! Nearly everyone who comes in is treated to a cup of tea from it!

For more neutral is one of our best selling toys, the 19 piece Fruity Tea set which has everything you need to make the perfect cuppa!

For little ladies who lunch, the Tableware Lucky Mushroom by Haba is just perfect!

For the teddies bear perfect picnic then look no further than this Picnic Tea set which comes complete with its own hamper and everything you need for those teddy bears!

Now for the food, well off course you need tea bags, and this tea bags in a tin set from Haba has remained one of our most popular toys for the last few years.

Off course you need the afternoon cakes to complete the collection, and we have cakes and buns off every variety to ensure everyone is catered for! A great budget selection is this Cakes and Buns wooden set which is just £15 for 21 pieces

Or for those cookie fans this Haba cookies set is just scrummy!

These petit fours from Haba also over great value with 9 cakes coming in for less than £12

Or for little darlings who cannot decide what cake they want, the new sweet cake from Haba is ideal as it allows for lots and lots of combinations in cake layers, so a different cake every time!

Hmmm, all this looking at gorgeous cakes has made me quite hungry now!

Lets Get Cooking

2011-11-26T16:49:00.000Z

Many of you know Mr. D but a little known fact about him is that he LOVES to cook. Every evening he runs a pretend restaurant where we order our dinner. Although Mr D does not run a great cafe, your first choice of food is invariably 'sold out' so you always need a second choice. He also helps with cooking in the home, but I must admit the pretend stuff is much easier to clean up!

This Christmas we have a huge wide range of fantastic pretend play toys which are guaranteed to fire up your littles ones imagination. So much more fun that plastic noisy toys! So lets have a look at all the brilliant cooking toys we have:

Well first things first, lets ensure your little one has all the right equipment with this fantastic cooking set. For only £15 itcontains all the familiar play pots and pans, apron, chef’s hat three cooking utensils and 2 pot holders but scaled down in size for small hands.

So that is the little one sorted. Now on to the pretend kitchen. This year at Baba Me we have really widened the choice of pretend kitchens so you are bound to find the perfect one for you.

For smaller rooms this Daisy Tabletop kitchen is just perfect as it folds away into itself for storage. It comes with utensils and pretend saucepans, all in pink - perfect for all those princesses who love to cook! At just £35 it won't break the budget either!

For a mid size kitchen the petite cuisine as been a top selling kitchen for the last two years. Comes in nice neutral colours and this is the one Mr D has and he LOVES it!

Or for full size kitchens this brand new kitchen station is just gorgeous. It comes complete with hob and sink for washing up!

Or for the more adventurous, this new barbeque set from Haba is just great fun

Once you have your kitchen, off course you need your saucepans and we have two gorgeous sets in either red or pink.

And no budding baker would be complete without this fantastic bakers set

And finally, to mix everything together the Haba Blender set is ideal

Black Friday Deals

2011-11-26T14:36:00.000Z

Its Black Friday weekend which culminates in cyber Monday on Monday so a super busy time online. Although traditionally an American custom which follows Thanksgiving, I see as we move more to online shopping its becoming customary in the UK as well.

So on trend as ever, Baba Me have not one but two fantastic Black Friday deals. The first is perfect for this time of year with 20% off ALL toys, with an additional 5% off if you buy in our fabulous baby shop in Newry. Just use code BLACKFRIDAY at the checkout and 20% off will be deducted any toys.

We have a fantastic array of toys, with the largest range of Haba toys in the UK we have something for everyone.

Our second deal is buy 2 get 1 free on flips in noodle and bubble. We have special packages already made up for you to buy the flip.

Both of these deals are from now until Nov 30th, so grab a bargain while you can!

8 years ago...

2011-10-12T16:56:00.001+01:00

I was pregnant on my third child. My first two were born in Birmingham and we had availed of a nappy laundering service there. Looking for the same, or for natural baby products in Ireland, I was dismayed at the lack of products. Nothing was available here.

I started a determined mission to find products for me, then for friends. Then through online forums more people were interested and on the 18th October 2003 I hosted my first nappuccino in a pub in Dublin. Yes people did think I was mad. Very mad!

But from very humble beginnings, and a mere £500 to get going, my kitchen table became my boardroom and Baba Me [then the natural baby resource] was born! 8 years later its been a rollercoaster ride, with my husband, my son and 15 other members of staff now involved in the business. Although, it has to be said my kitchen table is still the board room, but at least the stock is no longer piled on it!

When I moved into my first warehouse 7 years ago, it was 1000sq foot and I never thought I would fill it - in fact my parents pulled me aside to caution me on such wildness! My mother begged me not to give up my day job! This week we just signed the deal on a total of 12,000 sq foot of warehousing. Every year for the past 6 years I have had to go back to my landlord and ask for more space as we continue to grow. We are still with the same landlord, we just keep taking more and more of her units :-)

However, we still remain true to our core. We are still looking for products for me and my friends ~ my friends just now include all our very loyal customers who appreciate our ethics and ethos. Our principles are still that products have to be kind to mom, baby and environment. When families buy from us they do so safe in the knowledge that we very carefully select our ranges.

We have only grown for the last 8 years thanks to you guys, for your support throughout the years. For sticking with us in good times and bad. For telling your friends. And for this we thank you, from the very bottom of our hearts. Some people who first bought from me 8 years ago still pop in and see us, which I think is one of our greatest achievements. One of our long term customers {well now a long term friend!} recently reminded me how I sent her 5 A4 handwritten sheets on nappy advice!

And for this we say THANK YOU. THANK YOU for supporting our little business.

Off course we are thanking you Baba Me style :-) 8 Years. 8 Offers all ending in 8.88

On top of that we are having some Baba Me fun. Every night for the next 8 days at 8.00pm tune into facebook for some unmissable 88 minute deals. Thats right, on top of the 8 deals for 8 days, we are doing 8 UNMISSABLE 88 minute deals at 8.00pm every night {they will run for 88 minutes or less if stock runs out!}. At 9.29pm strictly they will revert to their original prices, so grab them whilst you can!!

Earlybird Toy Sale Competition

2011-10-08T19:00:00.008+01:00

We have a winner!!! Amanda Felton was first with 2521 - well done Amanda. Fill in this form to claim your trunki

Another Trunki giveaway from Baba Me. Tonight you can choose a Quinn Trunki, Trixie Trunki OR Terrance Trunki!

Just to celebrate our Toy Sale this weekend, we are having another fun Trunki Competition. Our Toy sale is running right up until Midnight on Sunday 9th October and you get 20% off all toys, just use code EARLYBIRD at checkout! So even if you don't win the trunki, its a great time to get one with 20% off!

All you have to do is guess the limited edition on the trunki we are giving away.

Rules:
1.Only 10 guesses per person per hour. If no one has guessed by 7pm you can have another 10 guesses.

Note, its only 10 per hour, so if you are a latecomer you can only guess 10 and not catch up for missed hours.

2. In the comments section please put your name and your 10 guesses in one comment.
3. The FIRST person to guess the number will win that trunki.
4. Remember the numbers ONLY go up to 5000 - so don't waste any guesses by going over 5000.
5. Please note: tonight I was unable to photograph a trunki so I have done a random number generator and saved it, we will be using that number.

Tonights CLUES:
1. It contains the no. 1.

9pm clue - it also contains a 5

Baba Me competition

2011-09-28T20:27:00.000+01:00

As many of you know, Mrs Baba Me has been off on her travels. The last week was spent at the ABC baby show in Kentucky - checking out many cool baby products.

So to win a £10 baba me voucher, just simply tell us what must have baby product baba me should have that we don't have already!

It can be anything for babies which we currently do not stock, but you think we should! You can enter as many times as you like! Will pick the best tomorrow at 12.

Have fun....

Christmas Club

2011-09-16T11:33:00.002+01:00

Baba Me are starting their christmas club now!!

We aim to make christmas shopping as easy and stress free as possible. Our Christmas Savers Club means that you can reserve your items with a 10% deposit now and pay as you can afford. This is the perfect way to prepare for christmas without breaking the bank.

Baba Me Christmas savers club helps you get organised in plenty of time by letting you...

1. Choose and reserve all your items.
2. When creating the club you need to pay a 10% deposit.
3. You can then pay off on your items as and when your able. In our shop or over the phone. 4. All items must be paid for in full by the 18th of December.
5. Club items are stored in the warehouse so please give 24hour notice of collection.
6. Payments can be made by cash or credit card. No cheques will be accepted and card payments can be made over the phone on 028 30256086.
7. All items must be collected before 23rd of December by 4pm.

Everyone at Baba Me HQ hopes you enjoy every minute of your christmas shopping.

Overdue and what to do

2011-09-15T11:25:00.003+01:00

As soon as we are told our due date we become almost fixated on it. The fact is, however, that only five per cent of babies actually arrive on their ‘due date’! The statistics show that first babies in particular are more likely to arrive later than the estimated delivery date (EDD) and women, who experience an overdue pregnancy, are more likely to continue that pattern in further pregnancies.

Of course, every pregnant woman is sure she is going to go early! Most are actually willing it to happen, mainly because they’re so big and uncomfortable that the old ‘get this out of me’ cliché can make an appearance!

So what happens if your EDD has come and gone? Well, first of all your healthcare professionals will give Mother Nature an opportunity to kick start the process herself. Different hospitals have different policies on this and some obstetricians will agree to leave women who go past their EDD for two to three weeks to see if they will go into labour by themselves.

Letting you go past your EDD leads to its own worries. Pre-eclampsia is, of course, a concern, as is foetal distress and a reduction of amniotic fluid. All of these are, however, quite unusual, and more often than not, baby will come when it’s good and ready.

Once you're past a week overdue, you start coming under real pressure from ‘those in the know’ with offers of membrane sweeps and induction. Most hospitals have 42 weeks as their upper limit before induction or caesarean are compulsory. It is reckoned that up to a third of pregnancies are induced at the moment, despite World Health Organisation recommendations that ‘no geographic region should have rates of induced labour over ten per cent.’

If you do go past your EDD, there are various tried and tested tips for helping Mother Nature along.

Walking is a very effective way to get the uterus contracting, the blood flowing and the baby’s head engaged in the pelvis. This can actually have another positive effect in that it can get you out of the house and take your mind off the fact that you are overdue!

Conversely, deep sleep is also very important! This is because the logical, rational side of our brain – the bit that we use for speaking, thinking and interacting – interferes with the primal part of the brain – the bit that activates labour. With this in mind, it’s maybe no coincidence that many labours begin in the nighttime hours.

You may not want to hear it at this stage, but sex is also a great starter. The contractions of the uterus during orgasm can start labour contractions and semen contains prostaglandins which can help to ripen the cervix. And don’t worry! Sex is perfectly safe at full-term, provided your waters haven't broken.

Hot, spicy food such as curries has been known to bring on labour, so tuck in!

Get this look!

2011-09-13T13:15:00.006+01:00

With the hurricane weather these days we need to start wrapping up warm! This is the ideal time to show off your winter wardobe!

Get this Look:
Natalie Portman was spotted in May this year sporting the timeless look, Perfect for all weathers but fantastic in the cold.

The new noppies collection includes must haves like the Noppies Parka Ambler

teamed perfectly with Noppies Trousers denim sli mfit Minsk!!

This timeless look will not only keep you and your bump warm but you will definately turn heads.

Get your latest winter wardrobe must haves here.

NEW bumGenius Freetime cloth nappy

2011-09-12T12:02:00.001+01:00

I don't actually know what I am MORE excited about. The brilliant new bumGenius Freetime nappy, or the LUSH new colours and prints they have just released. Oh and not forgetting the genius flip training pants. So much to talk about, help Cotton Babies, you are killing us with excitement!!!!
OK so first things, first, the new reusable nappy - bumGenius Freetime.

I am quite astounded that bumGenius have managed to come up with another perfect cloth nappy, but they have, and its a corker. The blurb from bumGenius on the new bumGenius Freetime nappy is

Cloth nappies have never been so easy! The bumGenius Freetime is a one-size, one-step cloth nappy. The simple design makes cloth nappies as easy as using disposables. No stuffing. No extra steps. More free time for you! Simply adjust the size and put on your baby.

So what is it? Quite simply a fantastic onesize, all in one cloth nappy. It has overlapping layers of microfibre to help drying time and absorbency. No more stuffing!

This is much more than just a onesize version of their recently retired all in one nappy, (still available in newborn size). The whole structure is much different, allowing for easy transition between sizes and absorbency levels.

A really simple easy to use all in one, once again bumGenius have proved themselves to be GENIUS when it comes to cloth nappies!

We expect to have our stock in the UK in Jan 2012, it will retail at £16.99 and will come in both hook and loop and snap closure and in the following THIRTEEN colours:

White	Noodle	Butternut	Clementine	Sassy

Twilight	Mirror	Moonbeam	Ribbit	Grasshopper

Dazzle	Zinnia	Blossom

Don't they look gorgeous! And also in these fabulous new bumgenius artist series prints, more about these later!

Albert Snap	Albert Hook	Lovelace Snap	Lovelace Hook

Once again, bumGenius have rocked the cloth nappy world!! Check out the launch video to find out more.