Monthly Archives: July 2021

Could Gas and Air Make You More Open To Suggestion during labour?

The situation may arise during labour whereby gas & air may be required. Now you may have heard of gas and air (the official name is nitrous oxide) as it’s the most commonly used pain relief during labour in the UK. You will find that friends who talk about their birth experience will have a funny story to tell about the ‘laughing gas’.

Gas and air is a popular pain relief because it is easy to use and once you have stopped taking it, it leaves your body quickly. A lot of new mums do not stay in overnight after taking this form of pain management. But while it helps some people during birth, for others they don’t enjoy the experience (feeling sick or light-headed is a common side effect). For some mums-to-be, they find it a useful tool alongside other forms of pain relief such as moving around the room, hypnosis and massage.

But…

How could gas and air affect my decision making?

The thing about gas and air is that there hasn’t been much research into how it affects the mum-to-be’s ability to make clear decisions. Some studies on the form of pain management have shown mums might be more inclined to agree to ideas and be open to suggestion after gas and air. After all, the nitrous oxide leaves some birthing mothers feeling dazed and sleepy.

And if you are planning to use this form of pain relief during labour, you might not realise how powerful a suggestion can be during birth. It can lead you to make unplanned choices. Of course, I’m not saying suggestion can force you to do something you don’t want to do. But it can certainly affect our decision making and confuse us if it’s said with intention. And ultimately we want to keep our baby safe so we might follow a suggestion to achieve this

So who might make a suggestion? 

Now while health care providers such as doctors and midwives are there to protect and guide us during labour, they can offer suggestions that might cause us to have interventions that we did not research or agree to prior to the birth. And with gas and air in our system, it might sound appealing.

Direct and indirect are two types of suggestions they might make during labour. For instance, a midwife might suggest they break your waters as it’s very easy to do and the contractions will speed up. Without gas and air, you would be able to say clearly this is not what you want unless the baby is in harm’s way. But without a clear mind, this type of language might make you decide to go with this decision.

Also, an indirect comment such as women often decide to have their waters broken if labour slows down to get contractions going can make you think there is something to worry about. Referring to other labour stories could also affect your decision. While it might have worked in some circumstances, it’s always worth thinking about you and your own unique experience. With gas and air, you might not go through the full decision process.

Should I not listen to suggestions?

Of course, I’m not saying all suggestion is bad. I found that some gestures and suggestions during labour did help and guide me on my way to the birth of my baby while using helpful techniques learned from hypnobirthing classes in Surrey. And positive language does often lead a birthing mother to have an enjoyable experience. Compassion and kindness help during labour. A good form of direct suggestion would be that while it’s completely normal your contractions have slowed down, shall we talk about what choices you have now. And an indirect suggestion could also be that while some women choose to ask for further help, other mums choose to wait and some consider their options when contractions slow down. This type of language will help you to make a personal, informed decision.

 

So how do you ensure you aren’t led by suggestions?

 

It’s so important that you are ready to stop and think before going ahead with a suggestion. Take some time to plan how you might react in a particular situation. In my experience, I would stop and think for a few minutes about the decision and how it would affect my birth. Ensure an intervention is your decision, not something that you have been pushed into.

 

If you are going to use gas and air and are faced with a suggestion, do make sure you think about the benefits, risks and alternatives before making your decision. As we say in hypnobirthing, you need to use your BRAIN as a decision-making tool for the birth. And not just you; make sure your birthing partner is aware of what you want during labour. I made sure my partner knew that any decision needed to be discussed in a peaceful, stress-free environment. If you decide to take up a suggestion, it’s worth writing down why so that you are aware of what you are doing and what might happen next.

 

To use gas and air or not to use gas and air?

 

Of course, I see the benefits of using gas during labour. But when it comes to suggestion, if you are taking gas and air and do need to make a decision, it’s worth stopping for a short period so that you have a clear head to reconnect and decide on your birth experience. The two can work together; just make sure you plan ahead if gas and air is part of your journey.

 

I hope this helps you to make a decision on whether gas and air is right for you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reasons why a corner sofa might be the best choice for your home

A corner settee is a great choice for many reasons. They are not only functional but also stylish and come in a variety of styles and colors to suit your needs. There are several factors that make this type of sofa stand out from the rest. For example, it has an asymmetrical design which means that there is no right or wrong way to sit on it! It can be used as seating for four people with plenty of space left over for other activities such as eating at the breakfast bar or doing some work on your laptop computer. This article will go into detail about some more benefits you might not have known about before!

Maximise Space

The first and most obvious benefit is that it allows you to maximize available space. This is the perfect solution for a small living space or cramped bedroom since it allows you to have more seating without taking up any extra floor space!

Versatile

Another great thing about corner sofas is that they are very versatile and can be customized according to your needs – whether this means adding some pillows and side tables or changing out the color scheme, these sofas allow you to personalize your space.

Cost

The only downside is that corner sofas are more expensive than a traditional sofa; however, their high-quality materials and construction make them worth the price! They also come with warranty coverage for some of the most common problems such as loose screws or torn upholstery.

Good for apartments

A corner sofa is perfect for an apartment because it does not take up any extra space and maximizes available living areas.

Encourage social interactions

Some people like to use a corner sofa with an ottoman for two reasons. Firstly, it makes it easier and more comfortable to interact socially since there isn’t a table in the way! Secondly, because you are seated next to each other rather than across from one another (like on a traditional sofa), you can get up and walk around at any point without disrupting the conversation.

Make a style statement

There are many different styles of corner sofas, which means you can make a style statement in your home while still accommodating the needs of everyone.

Final Thoughts

The corner sofa is a perfect choice for any living space and can be customized to suit your needs. It’s versatile, functional, stylish, and encourages social interactions while also being good for apartments!

Cost-Effective Recipes for Special Family Occasions

Cost-Effective Recipes for Special Family Occasions

Whether you’re celebrating a child’s birthday party or getting together for Christmas dinner, it can be quite difficult to whip up meals for your loved ones & guests when you’re short on funds. That doesn’t mean you should forego the celebration altogether, however, as there are still ways you can entertain guests without necessarily breaking the bank.

When special occasions like Christmas, birthdays, and Halloween come around, you can buy wholesale seasonal occasions & gifts for the kids without thinking about the costs. But what about when you sit down for meals with your family or guests? 

Don’t worry as we’ve compiled a list of of sumptuous recipes that are easy on the budget:

1. Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Nobody can resist a slab of moist pork tenderloin, especially one that has been slowly and carefully grilled. The one thing that makes this dish special is its marinade, a special spice blend that consists of a blend of salt, chicken seasoning, onion power, garlic powder, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.

2. Puff Pastry Chicken Potpie

Chicken potpie is considered comfort food just as much as chicken soup, and it’s just as easy to make too! Because it’s meat-based, this dish is the type to “stick to your ribs,” so to speak. It also delivers a savoury flavour that’s satisfying to the soul.

3. Best Lasagna

You can never go wrong with lasagna! If you’re getting together with your close friends or family members for a casual holiday meal, this dish should be part of your menu. Here’s a tip when cooking this: make sure you drain your noodles properly before you layer them to avoid ending up with watery lasagna. Also, this dish is best enjoyed alongside a simple salad and some garlic bread. 

4. Buttery Grilled Shrimp

This dish is not only delicious but also quite easy to make! You can whip this up in under 30 minutes with just a few ingredients: butter, lemon juice, chili powder, ground ginger, salt, and shrimp. Combine the first five ingredients in a bowl into a mixture. Then, thread the shrimps first into wooden skewers and grill for a few minutes on each side, basting each side with the mixture you made. 

5. Butternut Squash Soup with Cinnamon

This thick, creamy soup is best enjoyed during the fall season as its warmth and tangy flavour is a wonderful contrast to the chilly weather. Your family can enjoy this soup together after your usual Halloween party traditions. The main ingredients for this dish are butternut squash, vegetable broth, ginger root, and cinnamon. 

6. Baked Parmesan Broccoli 

Who said it was impossible to make your kids eat their green leafy vegetables? This broccoli dish is all about making kids’ most commonly hated vegetable more appealing to their taste buds by adding a few other ingredients such as butter, milk, and Parmesan cheese. This requires a preparation time of 30 minutes and a baking time of 15 minutes.

7. Sunday Pot Roast

What’s a family get-together without a pot roast? This is quite easy to prepare; it just requires around 10 minutes to get all the ingredients together. However, it takes over 8 hours to cook, so you’ll have to prepare this dish at least 12 hours or so before the guests come over. After you’re done cooking it, don’t forget to serve it with lots of gravy and a side dish of vegetables.