Group B Streptococcus is a bacteria which can be found in our bodies, most commonly in the vagina and rectum. To us it is completely harmless however it can cause problems for a baby during a vaginal delivery.
Most women will have Group B Strep bacteria present in their bodies at one time or another and around 25% of pregnant women in the UK have it. It can dissappear before labour but if still present at the point of labour and delivery and not properly managed it can lead to early …

Giving birth is easy right? Just pop that baby out and get on with it. A C-Section? Even easier - no pushing or pain just a quick cut and hello baby!
Not so. Any form of giving birth can be incredibly traumatic to your body and, just like any traumatic physical event or injury, it takes time to recover. With child birth there is the added stress to your body that you do not get to just lie there and relax but suddenly have a little human to look after too.
With …

Spinals: Spinals are an injection of local anesthetic into your spine. They can be used to numb the pain of pushing or assisted deliveries and also numb the pain of contractions.
Pros: Quick, simple, effective pain relief
Cons: Only lasts a couple of hours, you can’t feel your legs, you may get a headache, feel itchy or shivery or have difficulty passing urine, you can only have one so when it wears off will need to have a different style of pain relief

TENS: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is administered via a TENS machine, a small box which is attached to parts of the body with wires and pads. Electrical impulses are sent through the wires to nerve endings to prevent the pain messages which are being sent by your womb and cervix from reaching your brain. You put a pad on either side of your spine at bra level and one at either side of the base of your spine just above your buttocks. You can then control the stength of the pulses. …

Mobile Epidurals: A mobile epidural is similar to an epidural but with lower dosage. This means that the legs are less likely to be numbed allowing you to walk around. You can opt for a mobile epidural in early labour.
Pros: A high level of pain relief but maintained mobility, more able to push and less likely to need an assisted delivery than with an epidural
Cons: There may still be reduced movement, you may be itchy and have difficulty passing urine, you may still need an assisted delivery, you may still have …

Epidurals: Epidurals are administered via a thin tube which is inserted (through a needle which is then removed) between the vertebrae in your spine. It numbs the lower half of the body (often including your legs) and stops all contraction pains. Although you can have an epidural at any time most midwives advise not to bother in the final stages of labour as baby will usually be out by the time the epidural has been arranged and taken effect.
Pros: It is a complete pain blocker, you stay alert and are …