One of the biggest challenges many women face in pregnancy is realising that the maternity system is not always set up to support them. Understandably, most assume maternity services exist to ensure the wellbeing of both mother and baby.

So it can feel deeply unsettling to learn that care pathways may sometimes reflect the priorities of healthcare professionals or institutions, rather than the true needs of the woman.

Why would a doctor recommend something that might cause harm? Surely all maternity services are women-centred?

The reality is more complex. By looking at the history and culture of childbirth, we can better understand how the maternity system evolved and why women today must learn to navigate it thoughtfully and carefully.

Is It Safe to Exercise in Pregnancy?

The short answer is yes. In most cases, staying active during pregnancy is both safe and beneficial.

When we talk about birth, it’s easy for the conversation to lean one way: the unmedicated, spontaneous, serene water birth. And while that can be a beautiful experience, it’s far from the only one.

Medical intervention in childbirth is a topic that sparks strong opinions. While many people associate hospital births with safety and necessary medical support, there is a growing body of individuals raising concerns about the rising rates of interventions such as caesarean sections and inductions.

The week we were finally allowed to go home

When we think about birth debriefs, they’re often associated with traumatic or emergency birth experiences. However, I firmly believe that all women should have the opportunity to reflect on and process their birth, regardless of whether it was traumatic or not.

Another Good Couple of Weeks for Benjamin Bunny

The past couple of weeks have been another step forward for Benjamin Bunny! The focus has remained on weaning him off the CPAP breathing support. He is now managing two 2-hour sessions per day, and he's tolerating it really well. Every 48 hours, the time increases by 15 minutes—though it sometimes feels painfully slow, we’re reassured that this is a tried and tested method by the respiratory team.

Pregnancy isn’t just about a baby growing—it’s also about how a mother’s lifestyle, diet, and environment can influence the baby’s genes. This is where epigenetics comes in, which is the study of how things outside of our DNA can turn genes on or off.

Benjamin Bunny is having a good week!

After a long stay in intensive care, he has now been moved to the High Dependency Unit (HDU), which is a step down from ICU. It’s a welcome change—his new room feels brighter and calmer. Maybe because we’ve been here for a while now, they’ve given us a lovely spot by the window, which makes a huge difference.

What if your high-risk pregnancy wasn’t just a challenge to endure but a life-altering journey of transformation?

The past couple of weeks have been anything but smooth for Benjamin as he continues his recovery in ICU. After contracting Rhinovirus, his progress has been non-linear, with much of the medical team’s focus on his lungs and breathing. It’s been a delicate balancing act, with Benjamin on various forms of breathing support and undergoing regular X-rays to monitor his condition.

Breathwork, or conscious breathing, is the intentional practice of controlling your breath. This simple act has profound effects on the body’s stress system, helping to shift from a state of tension to one of calm and relaxation.

A major set back in our NICU journey meant that what was looking like a 4 week stay suddenly turned into a much longer journey.

Discover how 'Friends' humorously reflects outdated birth culture through Rachel Green's childbirth journey and the missed opportunities for autonomy.

Graduations, mastitis and Dishoom

When we think of childbirth, a hospital setting with doctors and medical specialists standing by might feel like the safest option. So why would anyone choose to give birth somewhere else?

First cuddles and where you stay when your child is in hospital miles away from home.

Breastfeeding can be a deeply personal and emotional experience, and no two journeys are ever the same. For me, the contrast between my first and second experiences with breastfeeding was striking. Even though my son Benjamin never latched or fed directly from my breast, the journey was empowering and healing—a stark contrast to my first experience.

Surgery, establishing breast milk supply and a brave big sister.

In recent years, there has been a lot of noise encouraging women to advocate for themselves during childbirth. We’re told to know our options, speak up about our preferences, and make informed choices. But I wondered, is it really that simple—especially when you’re navigating a high-risk birth? Determined to try, I made a plan to advocate for myself. Some parts went well; others didn’t. Here’s my honest experience.