Read more at: http://www.barbarakatzrothman.com/ When it comes to making decisions about how and where you want to birth your baby, the information can often be overwhelming. Words like ‘private’, ‘public’ and ‘semi-private’ take on an entirely new meaning…. Read More

1. Physical: Breastfeeding is the normal way of feeding and nourishing your baby. Newborn babies need warmth nutrition and love and breastfeeding satisfies all three. 2. Physical: Your baby is designed to breastfeed. When your baby is born… Read More

When we think about birth choices we rarely think about the effects that these can have on breastfeeding outcomes or on long-term breastfeeding success. In general our choices surrounding birth tend to be made in order to get us… Read More

Lots of people (all of whom have never had a home birth or attended one) are very fond of telling the world that women are not “allowed” have their first baby at home. Has someone said this to… Read More

Electronic Foetal Monitoring Electronic foetal monitoring is a commonly used practice in Irish maternity units. Electronic foetal monitoring (EFM or CTG) measures your baby’s heartbeat in frequency and strength and measures your contractions. Electronic Foetal Monitoring can be… Read More

Your experience of labour and birth should be just that — yours. Every birth is unique as each woman will approach childbirth in her own way. It is important that you have the information you need to decide… Read More

Dispelling Myths: Birth Experience Doesn’t Matter (All that Matters is a Healthy Baby) From the moment you get a positive pregnancy test, your mind begins racing. These early hours and days are spent trying to organise where you will… Read More

What is an episiotomy? An episiotomy is the surgical procedure that enlarges the opening of the vagina through the cutting of the perineum, the skin and the muscles between the vulva and the anus. How did this procedure… Read More

As you approach the end of your pregnancy, it is normal to think about and even worry about giving birth. It is normal to have some apprehension in these last few days, even if you have given birth before or… Read More

“The HSE welcomes comments, compliments and complaints from patients, service users, carers, visitors and the community about the services provided by the HSE. Any comment or complaint will be viewed as an opportunity to inform service provision to… Read More