14. Love, Birth, Physiology and Oxytocin

This hour, we will be looking at the power and potential of physiology around pregnancy, birth, and postnatal periods. This includes a look at how we can support normal physiology and enhance the birth experience, the golden hour, and the early life of the baby. This includes discussion around Oxytocin (that love hormone), the labour and birth environment, skin to skin with mothers, partners, and babies, and how that can enhance the new-born physiology, infant feeding, and long-term wellbeing. Episode 14 of Season 5 of the Maternity & Midwifery Hour Hosted by: Sue Macdonald, Midwifery Expert, Mayes Midwifery Contributions from: Dr Anna Byrom CEO and Creative Director of All4Maternity Niamh Cassidy, Antenatal Instructor with Cuidiú Antenatal Ireland and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant More about our speakers: Dr Anna Byrom I have been working with The Practising Midwife for the last three years. During that time I have supported the development of the editorial content for each journal issue and helped to create a series of associated online content. I passionate about support everyday students, midwives and maternity workers to access evidence to inform practice and care. In 2017 I became the proud new owner of The Practising Midwife. Alongside my mummy midwife, Sheena Byrom and our partners Creativeworld, we are delighted to be the first midwifery publishers of this important practice-focused journal. Beyond The Practising Midwife and All4Maternity I work as a Senior Midwifery Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). I am also currently completing my doctorate exploring the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative with Professor Fiona Dykes at the Maternal & Infant Nutrition and Nurture research unit at UCLan. I am also a busy mummy, with three children: Seamus, Betsy and William. Outside of work I love nothing better than sharing time with my family, relaxing in hot baths, reading and, when the weather holds, cycling the hills of the Ribble Valley, Lancashire. You can find out more about me via my website - Visit my Website Niamh Cassidy As a Cuidiú Antenatal Ireland Antenatal Instructor & International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) I am passionate about providing evidence-based information and ensuring the families I work with are the centre of their own care. In addition to my Dip. in Antenatal Education and IBCLC qualification I am also a trained Social Care Worker. I have vast experience of working with women and families through these roles and also in my role as a volunteer breastfeeding counsellor. I believe in the power of informed decision making in pregnancy, birth, parenting and infant feeding. This means that I support parents with the information and tools that they need to make confident decisions for themselves and their babies. I have two children and live in Baldoyle, by the sea, in North Dublin. I am FEDANT (Federation of Antenatal Educators) Registered and a member of ALCI (Association of Lactation Consultants in Ireland). Supported by MATFLIX: https://matflix.co.uk Register to watch the next episode LIVE or attend a Maternity & Midwifery Festival: https://mmf.eventbrite.com Watch the live stream instead: https://facebook.com/midwiferyforum/live