Supporting your journey, pregnancy, birth, baby & Beyond

Clair Turner
My Birth Story

My Birth Story

30 years ago I first became a mother. One of the hardest and most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I know that it was this experience that shaped me into the midwife that I later became.  My pregnancy was uneventful until a week of stop start, (false, latent phase labour) at 39+ weeks when I started to bleed. Doctors decided to induce me which was not in my birth plan at all.   I'd done lots of reading and planning about what I wanted for my labour and my wishes were documented in my birth plan.  It stated I wanted freedom to move and...

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Clair Turner
How to perform perineal massage when 34 weeks pregnancy.

PERINEAL CARE - BEFORE AND AFTER CHILDBIRTH

As a midwife I’ve spent my career supporting women and teaching them the importance of on-going self care to underpin physical and emotional well-being and sexual health.  I’m sure you've heard how important maintaining your pelvic floor is and that performing pelvic floor exercises are vital; not only during pregnancy and after birth but a life long routine to continue in order to help prevent bladder leakage when you cough, sneeze or run.  Perhaps until you were pregnant or reading this you never knew you had a perineum, let alone why it's there or how to care for it during...

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Clair Turner
How to perform perineal massage in preparation for childbirth

How to perform perineal massage in preparation for childbirth

Preparing your perineum for childbirth. From 34 weeks pregnant, start a 5-10 minute perineal massage session 3-4 times a week. Best performed after a warm bath or shower.  Before you start: Make sure your bladder is empty. Use clean washed hands with short trimmed nails. Get comfortable, prop yourself upright with pillow to support your back. With your legs bent and feet apart. Place a soft towel under your bottom. Have a mirror at hand if you want to see better (optional) Use a warm compress (a soft warmed washcloth) on your perineum or alternatively have a warm bath to...

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Clair Turner
Baby Massage: How and why you should do it !

Baby Massage: How and why you should do it !

For many, massage is a way to relax and relieve stress and tension. One of its many benefits is that it enhances your overall sense of emotional and physical well-being.  It's no different for your baby.  Research has proven that massaging your baby at least once a day improves their health and development.  This natural affinity with touch begins during pregnancy, when many mums stroke their bellies instinctively to connect with their baby, or to soothe the first cry at birth. Massage is not only a wonderful opportunity for you and your partner to bond with your baby but it...

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