Rosemary Scott

My youngest is 4, turning 5 in October. She'll be starting school next week and I'm freaking out a little bit! On the one hand she thrives on routine - not unlike her mum! - and is super social so I know she'll love school. Plus she has great writing skills and has shown an interest in reading. But on the other hand it just seems too soon. When I ask her how she's feeling about starting big school she says she's nervous. Which in itself shows a significant level of maturity and therefore...

When might this happen? When she first realises she’s in labour she may feel anxious. Suddenly this is real! Reassure her and support her through it. As things progress she may say it like she really means it... She might have been coping well during active labour but now she’s started to panic and doubt herself...why? During the Transition Phase of labour, contractions are their most intense and her system is given spikes of adrenaline. It’s the adrenaline that is talking. Why does this...

I want to share a simple but really powerful birth tip with you, something that can make a genuine difference to how you feel during labour and the decisions you make along the way. But don't dismiss it after birth - it could be really handy when looking after your baby especially if they become unwell or you have to consider childcare options etc. It’s called the BRAIN decision-making tool. It’s especially helpful when you’re offered choices during labour (which can sometimes feel a bit...