"It is a kind of privilege to
stand so close to such an
incredible miracle" - Simone
News....News....News
January 2012
- As a result of our incredibly successful First Aid class, we are holding our next one on March 10th at The Haelan Centre. If you would like to join us please email as soon as possible as space is limited. The class is suitable for anyone who is pregnant, has a child or baby or who would like to learn valuable skills.
November 2011
- 'Pregnant women advised to get flu jab'
September 2011
- An online petition calling for the government to recruit 5000 more midwives has been signed by 8312 people in its first month.
The petition was set up by RCM general secretary Cathy Warwick and demands ‘urgent action’ from the Department of Health.
It got off to a ‘roaring start’ and was ranked the 37th most popular out of the 5738 petitions on the government’s e-petition website.
That means it was getting more signatures than 99% of petitions on the site.
But, if people continue signing-up at the current rate, the target of 100,000 signatures will be missed by just 256 by the closing date in August 2012.
Stuart Bonar, RCM public affairs officer, said: ‘After its first month the RCM’s petition is almost on track to reach 100,000 signatures within a year.
‘That’s the deadline, and it’s looking really tight. We have to keep up the pressure.
‘If you haven’t signed then please do, and tell your friends, family and colleagues.
‘It’s going to be hard work to get to 100,000, but it will be worth it when we get there.’
Those who sign are being urged to use social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, to spread the word about the petition.
It states that more babies were born in England in 2010 than in any year since 1972, whilst births to women aged 30 or older were at their highest since 1946. It continues: ‘The NHS is desperately short of midwives, and the shortage affects every region of England. We need urgent action from the government, including a target to recruit the equivalent of 5000 more full-time midwives. Care for women but especially babies at the very start of life should be shielded from the cuts.’ The petition is open until 22 August 2012 and can be signed here.
August 2011
- Petition for more midwives
An online petition has been set-up calling on the government to recruit 5000 more full-time midwives in England. It has been lodged on the government’s e-petition website by RCM general secretary Cathy Warwick and calls for ‘urgent action’ from the Department of Health.
It has been signed by more than 2100 people and was today (26 August) the 37th most popular petition out of 5,738. This means it has garnered more supported than 99% of the petitions on the site.
- A newly published book, "The Heart in the Womb" by Dr Amali Lokugamage, discusses ways in which every woman can aim to give birth in the most natural, supportive way possible and looks at the wider implications for society at large. And BirthingMatters gets a mention !
July 2011
- 1st July. Happy Birthday BirthingMatters - 5 years old today
May 2011
- The 5th May is International Day of the Midwife. The theme for this day, each year until 2015, is "The World Needs Midwives Now More Than Ever".
January 2011
- New Breastfeeding Information on weaning breastfed babies before six months.
A paper emerged in the news on Friday 14th January stating that breastfed babies should be weaned before six months.
The Royal College of Midwives's professional policy adviser, Janet Fyle, said "It plays into the hands of the baby-food industry which has failed to support the six-month exclusive breastfeeding policy in the UK".
The paper itself acknowledges that three of the four authors "have performed consultancy work and/or received research funding from companies manufacturing infant formulas and baby foods within the past three years".
Our advice remains with the World Health Organisation's advice of exclusively breastfeeding for six months. Breastmilk contains all the nutrition that a baby requires for the first six months of life.
- A Very Happy New Year to all you expectant Mums and Dads.
December 2010
- H1N1 Influenza - Flu jab. The RCM has issued updated guidance on the swine flu vaccination for pregnant women and is recommending that midwives advise all expectant mothers to be vaccinated. If a pregnant woman experiences flu-like symptoms, they should contact their GP immediately for antiviral treatment.
- Keep Well everyone and have a Very Happy Christmas.
November 2010
- Members of the European Parliament have voted in favour of a new EU law extending maternity leave to 20 weeks on full pay. But the UK voted against the reforms, which could cost the economy an extra £2.5bn a year, according to a European Parliament impact assessment.
In the UK, women are entitled to only six weeks' maternity leave on 90% of full pay, but can take up to a year off work with 33 weeks' statutory maternity pay. Minimum maternity leave in the EU is currently 14 weeks.
The draft bill was voted through on its first reading and will now be debated by member state governments in the European Council. The proposal will need to gain a decisive majority in the Council to reach a second reading in the European Parliament.
July 2010
- 1st July. Happy Birthday BirthingMatters - 4 years old today
- BirthingMatters has joined Facebook
June 2010
- We now run our classes over three weekends. This is to allow time to discuss breastfeeding in more detail.
- 21st-27th June is national breastfeeding week. Please see www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk for more information.
February 2010
- We have classes running on 13th and 21st February at The Haelan Centre...one couple space available. Please email for details.
- We are happy to announce that our chosen charity until June will be FSID (The Foundation For the Study of Infant Deaths).
January 2010
- BirthingMatters are pleased to announce that we are Named Fatherhood Champions with The Fatherhood Institute.
December 2009
-Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from Birthingmatters.
May 2009
-May 5th is the 'International Day of the Midwife', an idea established by the International Confederation of Midwives. The aim of the day is to celebrate midwifery and to bring awareness of the importance of midwives' work to as many people as possible. This is done in many different ways according to what works best in each country. See the ICM website for more details.
March 2009
-There's a reunion on Wednesday 25th March at Priory Park cafe, Crouch End from 12.30 onwards. All welcome!
January 2009
- A Very Happy New Year to all you expectant Mums and Dads.
August 2008
- Louise and Jacqueline are members of Foresight Preconception...the association for the promotion of preconceptual care. If anyone would like more information about the work of Foresight, please email us and we will pass their contact details onto you.
February 2008
- We are pleased to announce our first reunion event at All-Bar-One, Crouch End on Wednesday 27th February from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A chance to meet old friends again.
January 2008
- A Very Happy New Year to all you expectant Mums and Dads.
August 2007
- In collaboration with PUSH, we will in the near future be holding an advice session on their premises in Islington, London.
July 2007
- We are pleased to announce the introduction of "Body and Soul Parenting", a one day workshop which will cover:
Bonding, Attachment and Emotional Well-Being - this session is run by an Accredited Counsellor with over 30 years in the Psychology field and over 15 years in Family Therapy.
Paediatric First Aid and Basic Life Support - this session is run by a Paediatric Sister in Children's A. & E. and is suitable for anyone who has had their baby or who is still pregnant.
June 2007
- Postnatal Care Service - We are now able to offer an independent midwifery service to give specialist care and support in those early days after your baby is born.
February 2007
- We are now running a breastfeeding workshop. This is a 2-hour session, covering all aspects of breastfeeding, from the physiology of lactation to practical advice and tips.
- One-to-one sessions for antenatal classes are available by arrangement.
January 2007
- A Very Happy New Year to all you expectant Mums and Dads.
December 2006
- Our antenatal classes are now held in St. Albans, Herts. as well as the Haelan Centre, Crouch End, London N8.
November 2006
- BirthingMatters has recently been employed by JHP Training to provide antenatal classes to the "Young Mums-To-Be" project. This involves educating 16-18 year old mums-to-be on what to expect in labour, methods of pain relief and post-natal advice.
- We will be starting a separate breastfeeding workshop in January. This will be a 2-hour session, covering all aspects of breastfeeding, from the physiology of lactation to practical advice and tips.
- As a result of our incredibly successful First Aid class, we are holding our next one on March 10th at The Haelan Centre. If you would like to join us please email as soon as possible as space is limited. The class is suitable for anyone who is pregnant, has a child or baby or who would like to learn valuable skills.
November 2011
- 'Pregnant women advised to get flu jab'
September 2011
- An online petition calling for the government to recruit 5000 more midwives has been signed by 8312 people in its first month.
The petition was set up by RCM general secretary Cathy Warwick and demands ‘urgent action’ from the Department of Health.
It got off to a ‘roaring start’ and was ranked the 37th most popular out of the 5738 petitions on the government’s e-petition website.
That means it was getting more signatures than 99% of petitions on the site.
But, if people continue signing-up at the current rate, the target of 100,000 signatures will be missed by just 256 by the closing date in August 2012.
Stuart Bonar, RCM public affairs officer, said: ‘After its first month the RCM’s petition is almost on track to reach 100,000 signatures within a year.
‘That’s the deadline, and it’s looking really tight. We have to keep up the pressure.
‘If you haven’t signed then please do, and tell your friends, family and colleagues.
‘It’s going to be hard work to get to 100,000, but it will be worth it when we get there.’
Those who sign are being urged to use social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, to spread the word about the petition.
It states that more babies were born in England in 2010 than in any year since 1972, whilst births to women aged 30 or older were at their highest since 1946. It continues: ‘The NHS is desperately short of midwives, and the shortage affects every region of England. We need urgent action from the government, including a target to recruit the equivalent of 5000 more full-time midwives. Care for women but especially babies at the very start of life should be shielded from the cuts.’ The petition is open until 22 August 2012 and can be signed here.
August 2011
- Petition for more midwives
An online petition has been set-up calling on the government to recruit 5000 more full-time midwives in England. It has been lodged on the government’s e-petition website by RCM general secretary Cathy Warwick and calls for ‘urgent action’ from the Department of Health.
It has been signed by more than 2100 people and was today (26 August) the 37th most popular petition out of 5,738. This means it has garnered more supported than 99% of the petitions on the site.
- A newly published book, "The Heart in the Womb" by Dr Amali Lokugamage, discusses ways in which every woman can aim to give birth in the most natural, supportive way possible and looks at the wider implications for society at large. And BirthingMatters gets a mention !
July 2011
- 1st July. Happy Birthday BirthingMatters - 5 years old today
May 2011
- The 5th May is International Day of the Midwife. The theme for this day, each year until 2015, is "The World Needs Midwives Now More Than Ever".
January 2011
- New Breastfeeding Information on weaning breastfed babies before six months.
A paper emerged in the news on Friday 14th January stating that breastfed babies should be weaned before six months.
The Royal College of Midwives's professional policy adviser, Janet Fyle, said "It plays into the hands of the baby-food industry which has failed to support the six-month exclusive breastfeeding policy in the UK".
The paper itself acknowledges that three of the four authors "have performed consultancy work and/or received research funding from companies manufacturing infant formulas and baby foods within the past three years".
Our advice remains with the World Health Organisation's advice of exclusively breastfeeding for six months. Breastmilk contains all the nutrition that a baby requires for the first six months of life.
- A Very Happy New Year to all you expectant Mums and Dads.
December 2010
- H1N1 Influenza - Flu jab. The RCM has issued updated guidance on the swine flu vaccination for pregnant women and is recommending that midwives advise all expectant mothers to be vaccinated. If a pregnant woman experiences flu-like symptoms, they should contact their GP immediately for antiviral treatment.
- Keep Well everyone and have a Very Happy Christmas.
November 2010
- Members of the European Parliament have voted in favour of a new EU law extending maternity leave to 20 weeks on full pay. But the UK voted against the reforms, which could cost the economy an extra £2.5bn a year, according to a European Parliament impact assessment.
In the UK, women are entitled to only six weeks' maternity leave on 90% of full pay, but can take up to a year off work with 33 weeks' statutory maternity pay. Minimum maternity leave in the EU is currently 14 weeks.
The draft bill was voted through on its first reading and will now be debated by member state governments in the European Council. The proposal will need to gain a decisive majority in the Council to reach a second reading in the European Parliament.
July 2010
- 1st July. Happy Birthday BirthingMatters - 4 years old today
- BirthingMatters has joined Facebook
June 2010
- We now run our classes over three weekends. This is to allow time to discuss breastfeeding in more detail.
- 21st-27th June is national breastfeeding week. Please see www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk for more information.
February 2010
- We have classes running on 13th and 21st February at The Haelan Centre...one couple space available. Please email for details.
- We are happy to announce that our chosen charity until June will be FSID (The Foundation For the Study of Infant Deaths).
January 2010
- BirthingMatters are pleased to announce that we are Named Fatherhood Champions with The Fatherhood Institute.
December 2009
-Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from Birthingmatters.
May 2009
-May 5th is the 'International Day of the Midwife', an idea established by the International Confederation of Midwives. The aim of the day is to celebrate midwifery and to bring awareness of the importance of midwives' work to as many people as possible. This is done in many different ways according to what works best in each country. See the ICM website for more details.
March 2009
-There's a reunion on Wednesday 25th March at Priory Park cafe, Crouch End from 12.30 onwards. All welcome!
January 2009
- A Very Happy New Year to all you expectant Mums and Dads.
August 2008
- Louise and Jacqueline are members of Foresight Preconception...the association for the promotion of preconceptual care. If anyone would like more information about the work of Foresight, please email us and we will pass their contact details onto you.
February 2008
- We are pleased to announce our first reunion event at All-Bar-One, Crouch End on Wednesday 27th February from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A chance to meet old friends again.
January 2008
- A Very Happy New Year to all you expectant Mums and Dads.
August 2007
- In collaboration with PUSH, we will in the near future be holding an advice session on their premises in Islington, London.
July 2007
- We are pleased to announce the introduction of "Body and Soul Parenting", a one day workshop which will cover:
Bonding, Attachment and Emotional Well-Being - this session is run by an Accredited Counsellor with over 30 years in the Psychology field and over 15 years in Family Therapy.
Paediatric First Aid and Basic Life Support - this session is run by a Paediatric Sister in Children's A. & E. and is suitable for anyone who has had their baby or who is still pregnant.
June 2007
- Postnatal Care Service - We are now able to offer an independent midwifery service to give specialist care and support in those early days after your baby is born.
February 2007
- We are now running a breastfeeding workshop. This is a 2-hour session, covering all aspects of breastfeeding, from the physiology of lactation to practical advice and tips.
- One-to-one sessions for antenatal classes are available by arrangement.
January 2007
- A Very Happy New Year to all you expectant Mums and Dads.
December 2006
- Our antenatal classes are now held in St. Albans, Herts. as well as the Haelan Centre, Crouch End, London N8.
November 2006
- BirthingMatters has recently been employed by JHP Training to provide antenatal classes to the "Young Mums-To-Be" project. This involves educating 16-18 year old mums-to-be on what to expect in labour, methods of pain relief and post-natal advice.
- We will be starting a separate breastfeeding workshop in January. This will be a 2-hour session, covering all aspects of breastfeeding, from the physiology of lactation to practical advice and tips.
Copyright © 2006 BirthingMatters. All rights reserved.