The speculation over Harry and Meghan moving to Africa shortly after the birth of their baby has prompted another article in the press to which I provided a contribution.

As with many of the suggestions around future plans, it is important to focus on the needs of the baby and its mother. The bond between them is the key focus during the first few weeks and is the same advice no matter what your circumstances.

Read the article here.

I was delighted to be invited to the home of Ella and her husband Matt, respectively founder and CEO of Deliciously Ella, to run private sessions of the full 12-hour KGHypnobirthing parents’ course. Deliciously Ella is a brand which is known for healthy eating, with a focus on promoting plant-based living. It therefore comes as no surprise that Ella would like a pregnancy and birth which is as natural and as comfortable as it can be. Of course, this doesn’t just happen, it is like the recipes and products which Ella has created, it is all about planning, preparation and practice.

I was recently interviewed with Liz Halliday, deputy head of midwifery at Private Midwives, by netdoctor.co.uk on the subject of postnatal depression (PND). With one in every 10 women experiencing some level of depression within a year of giving birth, it’s important to identify if it’s the baby blues, postnatal depression or simply plain exhaustion. When you have a baby you can feel like you are a totally new person, and nothing can prepare you for that.  It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed in the early days however if these feelings persist for over a week then it may be a sign something more serious is going on.

The article identifies the symptoms of PND and offers some simple yet effective coping strategies to help alleviate the feelings a new mother may be experiencing. Read the full article here.

There is lots of interest in the Meghan and her impending birth in the press. I was happy to talk to The Sun about the things that Meghan could use to support her in a natural birth.

Drinking rasberry leaf tea is thought to help, with a small amount of science that supports the idea that raspberry leaf tea is a uterine toner which can be beneficial post-natally in terms of regaining muscle tone down below.  Eating dates is another recommendation, as the protein released from eating them mimics the natural protein released by the baby, and there is evidence that eating them from week 36 can help women go into labour slightly sooner and slightly more dilated.

You can read the full article in The Sun here.