Suffolk Independent Midwives

23/05/2026

❤️ this!!

11/05/2026

We have one space for a September birth, either at hospital or planned home birth. Email [email protected] or call 07754538701 and leave a message xx

29/04/2026

Please share

21/03/2026

www.suffolkmidwives.com

👩‍⚕️ Is it better to see the same midwife or a small team of midwives throughout pregnancy and labour?

Evidence from 17 studies involving 18,533 randomized women was included in this updated systematic review.

Women or their babies who received midwife continuity of care models (seeing the same midwife or team of midwives) were:

⚕️ Less likely to experience a caesarean section or instrumental birth with forceps or a ventouse suction cup.

⚕️May be less likely to experience an episiotomy (a cut made by a healthcare professional into the perineum and vaginal wall).

⚕️More likely to experience spontaneous vaginal birth.

⚕️Reported more positive experiences during pregnancy, labour, and postpartum.

⚕️Additionally, there were cost savings in the antenatal (care during pregnancy) and intrapartum (care during labour and birth) period.

Further evidence may change our results, and future research should focus on the impact on women with social risk factors and those with medical complications, and understanding the implementation and scaling up of midwife continuity of care models, with emphasis on low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Read the full Cochrane review: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004667.pub6/full

12/03/2026

Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles introduced Belgium’s first walking epidurals, allowing women to remain upright and mobile during labor rather than confined to bed. The technique provides pain relief while preserving movement in the legs, meaning women can sit, stand, or walk during childbirth.

Research from the Cleveland Clinic suggests that mobility during labor can help shorten delivery time and improve the overall birth experience. A Cochrane review also found that upright positions during labor can reduce the first stage of labor by more than an hour on average and may lower the likelihood of certain medical interventions. The ability to move freely during labor can give women greater dignity and control.

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

"In all cultures, the midwife's place is on the threshold of life, where intense human emotions — fear, hope, longing, triumph, and incredible physical power — enable a new human being to emerge. Her vocation is unique." — Sheila Kitzinger, The Midwife Challenge (1988)

Kitzinger spent five decades researching and writing about women's experiences of birth. She founded the Birth Crisis Network, campaigned for homebirth, and challenged the medicalisation of childbirth at a time when few others would.

ARM has been doing the same work since 1976: campaigning for homebirth access, challenging medicalisation, and fighting for the right of every woman to choose how and where she gives birth with a midwife she knows and trusts.

On 20 June, ARM's 50th Anniversary Conference at UCL London brings together midwives and experts who are also doing this work. Early bird tickets on sale until 27 March.

Comment CONFERENCE to be sent the booking link.
Link in bio: www.midwifery.org.uk/conference/

Because Midwifery Matters.

06/03/2026

Let's discuss silver nursing cups. The benefits of using silver cups are due to its mechanical cover effect, and creating a moist hypoxic environment. Silver nursing cups have been embraced by women worldwide, and research has confirmed they speed the healing of ni**le wounds. One study found using silver cups during late pregnancy reduced ni**le trauma in that group. However, Lactation Consultants are seeing adverse effects from misuse of silver ni**le cups if use instructions are not followed. Eg. if the cups are filled with breast milk the ni**le and ar**la can become over-moist, causing maceration/breakdown of the skin. The makers recommend taking breaks from wearing them to reduce the risk of skin maceration.
The silver cups can also cause tissue compression around the mother’s ar**la, which occurs as the breast refills and enlarges prior to each breastfeed. The compression ring can lead to inflammation and blocked ducts in the surrounding zone, potentially resulting in mastitis. Avoiding tight fitting nursing bras and removing the cups an hour or so before breastfeeds can reduce the incidence of ar**la compression.
The maker’s advice about cleaning the cups frequently needs to be followed to ensure their safety. After each breastfeed the cups should be rinsed with warm water to remove milk residue. Apart from breastmilk rubbed gently into the ni**le, other ni**le skin treatments should not be used with the silver cups. A mild soap such as handwash liquid can be used to clean the cups. They should not be put in the dishwasher, scrubbed with scourers or exposed to bleach sterilisers. Tarnishing of the silver surface is normal and can be treated with baking soda and water, rinsed and gently dried.
A Board Certified Lactation Consultant can guide mothers to avoid ni**le trauma by teaching positioning and attachment techniques which suit their unique breast and baby.

01/10/2024

There is still space in the Saturday October 12th class. Partners welcome but not required.
Be Informed 💚 Be Prepared 💚 Be Empowered

17/03/2024

Successful Baby Fair for midwife Jo 💕 lovely to see you all there www.suffolkmidwives.com