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Opinion poll: Can stories on the social media cause fear of childbirth?

2nd October 2018
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| Categories: Surveys

Tocophobia is a common condition affecting about 14% women. Some recent media articles are discussing whether birth stories available on the social media can lead to a fear of childbirth.     Please take part in this short survey and let us know what do you think? There is only one question in the survey and takes only a few seconds to complete. This is entirely anonymous and no need to enter your personal details.   Create your own user feedback survey

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Pregnancy and Wellbeing: 10 interesting stories on the web

30th September 2018
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| Categories: News/ Research

We are going to post a blog regularly based on 10 recent stories published in different websites related to pregnancy and parenting. Please let us know your thoughts and comments.     1)  'Mums-to-be get just FIVE hours' sleep at night during pregnancy' This interesting article published in The Sun reported a recent survey of 2000 parents. The results showed the common occurrence of sleep deprivation during pregnancy affecting 9 out of 10 pregnant women. Partners were affected too. One-third of the partners reported that they slept on the sofa or spare rooms so that their partners could sleep better.   Read...

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Linos Muhvu joins IFWIP Board of Advisers

27th September 2018
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| Categories: Webinars

We are delighted to announce that Linos Muvhu from Zimbabwe is joining us as a member of the Board of Advisors. He is a very passionate and committed Maternal Mental Health advocate in Zimbabwe and beyond. He has sent us this brief overview of his journey: "I was born in Ndanga area in Masvingo Province, Zaka District in Zimbabwe. My upbringing was in a typical Shona village, with typical Shona values, morals, norms, standards, cultural practices, and entertainment. It was a culture I fully assimilated and was to use effectively to reach my destiny. In the process of soaking myself in my people’s way of life,...

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Pregnancy in Prison: The effect on mental wellbeing

23rd September 2018
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| Categories: Inspiring stories

We are honoured to publish this thought-provoking blog by Dr. Laura Abbott. Dr. Abbott is a Senior Lecturer in Midwifery at the University of Hertfordshire, UK. She completed the Doctorate in Health Research entitled "The Incarcerated Pregnancy: An Ethnographic Study of Perinatal Women in English prisons."       “I'm aware that when you're pregnant and you're stressed, stress can transfer to the baby. So, I don't like getting upset, because I don't like that negative energy going to him”. - Anonymous It is understood that many women in prison come from a background of disadvantage. Indeed, it is reported...

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Yoga poses you shouldn’t do whilst pregnant

18th August 2018
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| Categories: Pregnancy Yoga

Exercise during pregnancy improves general health, vitality, and wellbeing, and reduces stress. However, some safety precautions are necessary for the exercise during the pregnancy period. Yoga is a popular form of exercise among pregnant women. We are delighted to publish this guest blog written by Anja Brierley Lange. In this article, Anja provides very useful information on some yoga poses pregnant women should avoid. About the author Anja is the founder of Yoga Embodied and Soma Aroma. Here she shares her passion for holistic health and wellbeing. Her approach is elective having qualifications and experience in Ayurvedic medicine (BSc, PGDip), yoga, clinical aromatherapy, flower essences amongst others....

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Relationships during pregnancy: exploring the realities

27th July 2018
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| Categories: Relationship

Sarah Wheatley, from Birth and Beyond, has written this useful information on relationships during pregnancy. Sarah is a renowned BACP-registered Counsellor from the United Kingdom, with a background in social research and psychology. She has appeared in many TV and radio interviews, talking about a number of topics including Perinatal Mental Health and ways to improve the parent-infant bond. For further information about her work, please visit Birth and Beyond website Everyone is happy for you when you’re pregnant – right? Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as that. Pregnancy has a habit of changing your relationships, not just with your partner, if you have one, but...

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Neural Tube Defect – Emotional impact on Parents

5th June 2018
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| Categories: Birth defects

Neural Tube Defect, such as Spina Bifida, is the second most common birth defect in the world. This article gives a comprehensive overview of NTDs and the emotional impact on parents. Neural Tube Defect Emotional impact on parents upon the diagnosis during pregnancy & beyond Neural Tube defect (NTD) is a type of birth defects. NTDs develops when the baby’s neural tube does not close completely during early stages of pregnancy. This is the second most common birth defect after the congenital heart defects. About 300,000 babies are diagnosed with NTDs each year. (Ref) With the help of global public...

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Beyond Birth Trauma and PTSD – How we can support families and make a difference

28th May 2018
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| Categories: Inspiring stories

We are honoured to publish this wonderful blog written by Emma Jane Sasaru  who is doing an inspirational work in supporting mothers and families. Emma is from United Kingdom (UK) and working tirelessly in 'raising awareness of perinatal PTSD, anxiety, panic disorder, and birth trauma by talking at conferences, campaigning, blogging and helping with the setting up of strategic pathways in local Trusts and helping develop education for healthcare professionals'.      Beyond Birth Trauma and PTSD – How we can support families and make a difference - Emma Jane Sasaru We sometimes go through things in life that completely change us....

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Pilates during pregnancy and beyond…

28th May 2018
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| Categories: Pilates in pregnancy

We are delighted to publish an interview with Nikki Williams-Quamina from Devolin-Mai Pilates (UK) regarding the practice of Pilates during pregnancy and perinatal period. Nikki is a Midwife and an experienced Pilates instructor and trains women both during pregnancy and post-childbirth period. Please find the interview below: IFWIP: What is Pilates? Nikki: Pilates is a group of low-impact exercise and breathing techniques which aims to strengthen the body, with particular emphasis on core strength to improve general fitness and wellbeing.  Regular Pilates practice can help improve posture, muscle tone, balance and joint mobility, as well as relieve stress and tension. Pilates was developed by German-born...

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Websites for perinatal anxiety – what do the women want?

24th May 2018
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| Categories: News/ Research

We are delighted to publish this guest blog by Dr. Donna Moore from the United Kingdon. Dr. Moore is a lecturer and research consultant at The Open University. She has been researching perinatal mental illness and internet use for the last 9 years and has presented her findings at several international conferences. Donna’s background is in counselling and she has enjoyed helping many women and their families with perinatal anxiety, not least because she went through it herself with both of her children. Her current work with Dr. Gini Harrison involves researching perinatal anxiety websites and how they may be...

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