Latest news with #Tommy's
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
7 myths and truths about inducing labour, from dancing to spicy food
"Been pregnant for way too long." These lyrics, from the song Baby Mamma Dance, no doubt resonate with a lot of women in their third trimester – particularly if their baby is overdue or they're in the delivery room trying to induce labour. And although we can't be sure that that was the goal of those killer moves, Meghan Markle's video of her and Prince Harry twerking in the hospital to this song as they awaited the birth of their daughter Lilibet seems to speak to this. Of course, it's also quite possible that the pair were simply killing time and trying to lighten the mood before Meghan gave birth – or both. But dancing is, in fact, a good way to naturally encourage the baby along. Ruby Handley-Stone, midwife and professional advisor at the Royal College of Midwives, tells Yahoo UK: "Anything to help being upright and mobile is encouraged and will help with engagement of the baby's head and rotation. Equally, listening to music you love will help oxytocin and relaxation." Here, we take a look at seven myths and truths about inducing labour. A herbal tea high in vitamins, minerals and tannins, raspberry leaf tea is thought by some to help tone the muscles of the womb for when you go into labour. It can also help combat nausea. That said, health professionals don't suggest drinking the tea to induce labour, and it's unsure how safe it is in pregnancy. According to Tommy's pregnancy and baby charity, if you are going to consume it, it should be in the weeks leading up to your due date, starting with one cup a day and steadily increasing to three cups, spread throughout the day. They also advise speaking to your midwife or doctor before trying any herbal remedies, like raspberry leaf tea, as it may not be safe for everyone. The theory is that by eating spicy foods, you can stimulate your gut and in turn prompt contractions. But it can also bring on heartburn, so if you are prone to indigestion and acid reflux, it's probably best to avoid. Although the NCT says there's no evidence to suggest that spicy food can induce labour, there also isn't any harm in trying it. Whether you go for a stroll or rock on a birthing ball, gentle exercise has been linked to inducing labour. Being upright and moving about may help your baby settle into your pelvis. It is a common misconception that having sex while pregnant may hurt the baby. But, thanks to the amniotic sac, your child is protected from infection – plus a penis or sex toy cannot penetrate beyond the cervix. While having sex during pregnancy won't harm the baby and is perfectly safe for most people – unless a health professional advises against it – there isn't any evidence to suggest it can bring on labour. What may happen as a result of an orgasm in the later stages, though, is that you experience Braxton Hicks contractions (also referred to as "practice contractions"). This is perfectly normal, albeit uncomfortable, and you might want to lie down and relax until they pass. You can read the NCT's guide to sex during pregnancy for more information. Rich in fibre and antioxidants, dates are nutritious at the best of times, but there is also a theory they can help induce labour. A small study by the Jordan University of Science and Technology in 2008, for example, examined 69 women who ate six date fruits each day in the four weeks prior to their due date and compared them to 45 women who consumed none. The researchers found that spontaneous labour occurred in 96% of those who consumed dates, compared with 79% women in the non-date fruit consumers. Research suggests that breast stimulation increases the number of women in labour within 72 hours, as it encourages the body's production of oxytocin – the same hormone that prompts contractions in labour. Before trying any methods, though, it's always best to speak to your health team first. Previously, ingesting castor oil was recommended as a way to bring on labour, and there is some evidence to suggest it can work. That said, it is not advised you take castor oil while pregnant as it can lead to nausea, high blood pressure and digestive distress. Handley-Stone stresses: "There's very little safe evidence for midwives to recommend many of the 'old wives' tales', and techniques such as hot baths, castor oil and sexual intercourse aren't advised in official guidelines. "Similarly, there is little research that herbal teas influence the start of labour and some may actually be harmful – this is the same for essential oils. There is also some evidence to suggest that acupuncture may help the cervix to soften, but this is also limited." She continues: "Generally, although some methods may offer relaxation (which is the best thing to start labour!), it's always worth consulting your midwife before trying any complementary therapies to ensure they are safe and appropriate for you. Your baby will come when they're ready!" Read more about pregnancy and giving birth What Jamie Laing has said about parenthood as he announces pregnancy with Sophie Habboo (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read) How the most popular baby girl names in the UK compare with the US (Yahoo Life UK, 8-min read) Why it's not OK to speculate if someone's pregnant (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
The Guardian
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Delay in improving NHS maternity care costing lives of hundreds of babies a year
A delay in improving NHS maternity care is costing the lives of hundreds of babies a year, analysis shows. At least 2,500 fewer babies would have died since 2018 if hospitals had managed to reduce the number of of stillbirths and neonatal and maternal deaths in England, as the government falls behind on its commitment to halve the rate of those three events. That is according to a joint report being published on Wednesday by the baby charities Tommy's and Sands, which assesses NHS progress on meeting targets that were set in 2015. 'Hundreds of fewer babies a year would have died since 2018 if the government had met its ambition to halve the rates of stillbirths and neonatal deaths in England by 2025', said Dr Robert Wilson, head of the Sands and Tommy's joint policy unit. The 2,500 deaths are 'the equivalent of around 100 primary school classrooms', Wilson added. The stubbornly high rates of stillbirth and neonatal death, despite efforts to tackle them, show that ministers are doing too little to reduce the incidence of baby loss, Wilson claimed. 'The response from government and policymakers to the ongoing crisis in maternity and neonatal care and the scale of pregnancy and baby loss in the UK is simply not good enough. 'Too many people continue to suffer the heartbreak of losing a baby', he said. In 2015 Jeremy Hunt, the then health secretary, promised to halve the number of stillbirths and neonatal and maternal deaths that occurred in 2010 by 2030. These became known as the government's maternity safety ambitions. The deadline for delivery was later brought forward to 2025, amid acute concern about the poor and sometimes unsafe care many women receive from NHS maternity services. While the NHS has made significant progress since 2015, it looks likely to fail to deliver the much lower rates promised on time. For example, there were 5.1 stillbirths for every 1,000 births in 2010. But in 2023, the most recent year for which figures are available, that had fallen to 3.9 – still well above the 2.6 target – according to Office for National Statistics data cited by Tommy's and Sands. That meant that about 565 more stillbirths occurred in 2023 than would have done if hospitals had succeeded in getting the rate down as promised, the charities said. Similarly, there were two neonatal deaths per 1,000 births in 2010. But the rate was still 1.4 per 1,000 in 2023, again raising doubt that the target of one per 1,000 by 2025 would be achieved. 'Despite a decline in the rates of stillbirth and neonatal death since 2010, progress has stagnated more recently and is not on track to meet the ambitions', the report says. Clea Harmer, the chief executive of Sands, said: 'These are not simply numbers; these are babies who are loved and will never be forgotten by their parents and families.' The drive to reduce premature births is also failing, it adds. Although the target is to reduce the number of pre-term births to 6% by this year, 'there has been little progress to reduce the preterm birth rate, which has remained between 7.3% and 8.1% between 2010 and 2023'. The charities want ministers to bring in new targets, of two stillbirths and 0.5 neonatal deaths per 1,000 births by 2035, and ensure hospitals properly implement changes recommended in reports into lapses in maternity care. The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.
Buzz Feed
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Spice Lovers, Test Your Tolerance At This Sydney Chilli Eating Contest
Spice lovers in Sydney, you don't want to miss this event. It's a Chilli Eating Contest at SoCal in Neutral Bay – the seventh annual of its kind. Supplied Part of the venue's month-long Taco and Tequila Festival, the event on Thursday, May 15 sees competitors working their way from mild jalapenos to fiery Carolina Reapers, all in front of a cheering crowd. You'll be up against reigning champs, newbies and covert fire dragons, folks you'd never think could handle the heat. The winner will get a trophy they display on their mantlepiece at home or work desk, a $200 voucher to spend at SoCal, assorted merch and, of course, bragging rights. Supplied Because the event's on Thursday, May 15, it coincides with the Fiesta's Tommy's Thursdays where you can get a Tommy's margarita and enchiladas for only $40. So basically, dinner, drinks and a show for the same cost as a few Opal taps. If you can't make the Chilli Eating Contest, the Fiesta has heaps of other events on. Supplied There's a speed-eating contest on Thursday, May 22 where competitors will see who can finish off 10 signature tacos the fastest. That event's open for spectators too but if you want to join in, it's $30 entry that includes a Tommy's margarita on arrival. The annual Taco and Tequila Fiesta is now in its seventh year, running from Saturday, May 3 to Saturday, May 31. Supplied It features weekly specials, like Taco Tuesdays ($4 tacos and $15 margaritas), Wing Wednesdays ($10 for six wings) and Bottomless Fajita Fridays ($35 for bottomless fajitas). Mondays in May are Family Fiesta specials, which give kids free cheese quesadillas with an adult purchase. And on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, you can order a bottomless lunch or dinner package for only $99.
Daily Record
28-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Baby dies after just nine days as mum's womb 'divides into two halves'
A mother has been left heartbroken after her baby died at just nine days old after her womb was "divided in two" due to a rare condition. Charlie Hughes delivered Bryn at 27-weeks after her womb was split by a wall of muscle due to a condition known as 'septate uterus'. This caused complications which led to the 33-year-old undergoing a C-section. Bryn was born on April 27 2024 and his health began to improve until sepsis hit - and Charlie and her husband, Gareth, tragically had to say goodbye to their little boy after just nine days. Charlie, who works as an obstetrics and gynaecology doctor in Coventry, ran the London Marathon in honour of her son. She told the Mirror: "We promised Bryn on the night he died that we would carry on with all of life's adventures, and that we'd take him with us. The London Marathon is one of those adventures. He'll be with me every step of the way." Charlie ran the Marathon for pregnancy research charity Tommy's alongside her best friend Emily - and the pair have already raised over £6,000. She said: "I want people to know Bryn's name. I hope that by telling his story, it raises awareness of preterm birth and neonatal loss. "I also want more people to know about the amazing work Tommy's does and the difference it's making. They're at the cutting edge of preterm birth research. "Unfortunately there was nothing more that could be done for Bryn, but I do believe we're moving towards a place where things will be better." Charlie discovered early in her pregnancy that her womb was split into two halves by a wall of muscle, increasing her risk of premature birth. She received care from Professor Siobhan Quenby at the preterm prevention clinic at UHCW. Bryn was born via emergency Caesarean section at 27 weeks and three days after Charlie's waters broke and further complications arose. He received excellent care in the neonatal unit at UHCW, and despite a rocky start, his condition began to improve, giving his parents hope that he would soon be going home. However, Bryn tragically developed sepsis, which ultimately led to his passing at just nine days old. Charlie recalled: "We knew on the night he died that he wasn't going to make it. We were able to be with him, and our families got to meet him too." Charlie and her partner will always treasure the brief time they had with Bryn, saying: "We will always cherish those nine precious days with Bryn as his mum and dad." This experience has sparked a deep passion in Charlie to work towards saving the lives of babies like Bryn. She expressed her aspirations: "I'm extremely passionate about it. I'm hoping to do more myself in preterm birth research that's where I'm hoping my career will lead."
Daily Mirror
27-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Baby heartbreakingly dies just nine days old after mum's womb 'divides into two halves'
Charlie Hughes has spoken out about the loss of her son Bryn, who died after just nine days, and how she has been inspired to run the London Marathon in his memory A mother has spoken of the loss of her baby at nine days old after her womb was "divided in two" due to a rare condition. Charlie Hughes, 33, delivered Bryn at 27-weeks after her womb was split by a wall of muscle due to a condition known as 'septate uterus'. This caused complications which led to Charlie, who works as an obstetrics and gynaecology doctor at University Hospital Coventry, undergoing a c-section. Baby Bryn was born on April 27 2024 and his health began to improve until sepsis hit. Tragically, Charlie and her husband, Gareth, said goodbye to their little boy after just nine days. Charlie, who ran the London Marathon in honour of her son, said: "We promised Bryn on the night he died that we would carry on with all of life's adventures, and that we'd take him with us. "The London Marathon is one of those adventures. He'll be with me every step of the way." She ran the Marathon for pregnancy research charity Tommy's alongside her best friend Emily, and the pair have already raised more than £6,000. Charlie said: "I want people to know Bryn's name. I hope that by telling his story, it raises awareness of preterm birth and neonatal loss. "I also want more people to know about the amazing work Tommy's does and the difference it's making. They're at the cutting edge of preterm birth research. "Unfortunately there was nothing more that could be done for Bryn, but I do believe we're moving towards a place where things will be better." Early in her pregnancy, Charlie discovered that her womb was split into two halves by a wall of muscle, increasing her risk of premature birth. She received care from Professor Siobhan Quenby at the preterm prevention clinic at UHCW. Bryn was born via emergency Caesarean section at 27 weeks and three days after Charlie's waters broke and further complications arose. He received excellent care in the neonatal unit at UHCW, and despite a rocky start, his condition began to improve, giving his parents hope that he would soon be going home. Tragically, however, Bryn developed sepsis, which ultimately led to his passing at just nine days old. Charlie recalled: "We knew on the night he died that he wasn't going to make it. We were able to be with him, and our families got to meet him too." Charlie and her partner will always treasure the brief time they had with Bryn, saying: "We will always cherish those nine precious days with Bryn as his mum and dad." This experience has sparked a deep passion in Charlie to work towards saving the lives of babies like Bryn. She expressed her aspirations: "I'm extremely passionate about it. I'm hoping to do more myself in preterm birth research that's where I'm hoping my career will lead."
