The BBC reported last week that NICE (National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence) has changed its guidance so that all pregnant women who want a caesarean birth should be allowed one – regardless of medical need.

NICE do also state that women should be offered counselling and have the risks of a c-section explained to them before they go under the knife.

New guidlines are about reducing c-sections

The intention of the guidelines is to reduce the number of c-sections through offering more women counselling and empowering them to look forward to their birth positively.  This will also be cheaper for the NHS as a c-section is £704 more expensive than a vaginal birth.

Local midwife Lisa Bragg, who teaches Offsprings antenatal classes, says: “I think the  NICE guideline will reduce the number of LSCS (Lower Segment Caesarean Sections) not increase it, because it acknowledges that some women need extra support to acheive a normal birth. I come across a significant amount of women who are worried about giving birth and some who request a LSCS for this reason. In the past, some have been granted this request and in these individual circumstances this has been the right decision. A lot of this often boils down to a fear of loss of control and this is where midwifery support and antenatal classes play an important role.  The key is to empowering women to believe in their bodies.”

Normal birth should still be preferable

Holly from Airedale mums says: “Broadly speaking, I agree with the choice offered by these new guidelines. However, I think the pertinent point we need to address is why women fear birth so much that they would rather risk major abdominal surgery. We know that normal birth is the safest option for the vast majority of women (by normal I mean free of intervention, not just all vaginal births). The revised guidelines don’t lead us toward support for normal birth.”

Making the right choice

MoorMums has spoken to local mum and author Leigh East about making the decision between a vaginal birth and a c-section, especially if you have previously had a c-section, to bring you a special feature.

Further comment

If you would like to comment on this new story, please contact us.

A new frozen food store has opened in Ilkley.  COOK opened its doors in October 2011 in the The Moors Shopping Centre (adjacent Spec Savers, fronting the main car park).

The shop is the second franchise for husband and wife team Jonathan & Helen, the first being in Harrogate which was opened in February 2010.

The shop is a family friendly shop, with easy access for prams and pushchairs.

Jonathan (who is a father of 2) from COOK says: “We know from experience that the twilight zone ahead of meal times can bring out the hungry little monster in even the most angelic offspring. To give you a helping hand, we’ve created our new COOK for Kids range using exactly the same ingredients and techniques you would at home. There is plenty of veg (cunningly disguised for fussy ones), and no added salt (although other ingredients may contain some), so you can rustle up something quick and nutritious that tastes freshly made.”

COOK prepares dishes by hand at its Kitchen in Kent, using the same ingredients and techniques that a good COOK would use at home, so everything looks and tastes homemade.

Tasters and events

They do tasters every day in store so you can sample the food.  On Saturday 26th November, they are holding a special ‘Puds and Fizz‘ tasting day.

Special offer

Exclusively for MoorMums, COOK in Ilkley offer a 15% discount on their Kids and baby range.  Terms and conditions apply.

Love the great outdoors?  This group is a great way to get some fresh air and learn new skills at the same time.

Amy Hield and Ben Oram began Come Play in the woods just over a year ago.  After Ben went to visit forest schools in Denmark with his wife and son, he teamed up with Amy, who was delivering outdoor community arts projects with schools. Having learnt something about the value of forest schools Amy and Ben wanted their own children to benefit from the learning experiences the woods have to offer.In September 2010 they began meeting regularly at Griff woods with their own children, while they gained level 3 forest school qualifications, and began inviting other families to join them from November that year.

Since then children and adults have been squelching in the mud, sliding on the ice, moving stones, climbing things, cooking, singing, drinking tea, making bird tables, talking and playing every week (during term time). There are usually between 10 and 30 people at a session and people come from as far and wide as Barnolswick and Addingham, as well as from just around the corner. Ben’s 4 week old Baby now also comes along, to sample the smells and sensations of the weather and the woods.

Amy and Ben have gone on to found a Community Interest Company, attracting a board of early years and special needs teachers, mountaineers and ground works specialists. They are called Aspyrian Outdoor Learning C.I.C and they work to provide high quality outdoor learning experiences for children and young people who may not otherwise get the opportunity to develop through play in a natural environment. Amy says “Aspyrian in an old english word, it means – to track, trace out, seek and discover – and that is exactly what we aim for children to do, to undertake a process of discovery about themselves and the world they live in.”  Their website is www.aspyrian.org.uk .

Come and play in Griff woods in Oakworth every Monday afternoon in term-time and enjoy a cup of tea on the campfire whilst the little ones get dirty investigating nature.  For more details, visit our listing page.

Wednesday 16^th November sees the beautiful Winter Gardens in Ilkley, play host to Ilkley Pre-School Playgroup’s ‘Ladies Night’.  Back by popular demand, the evening provides our guests with the opportunity to indulge in some retail therapy and pampering, courtesy of a number of local businesses and beauty therapists.

Whilst enjoying complimentary tea and cake, ladies are welcome to browse the stalls, which will feature everything from clothes and shoes to toys, books, gifts and yummy treats.  There will be something for everyone, from grandmothers to teenage girls, the perfect opportunity to get some Christmas shopping done, or maybe just to treat yourself!

Alternatively you can take the opportunity to relax and unwind with a complementary manicure or massage treatment from one of the many therapists who have kindly donated their time to support Ilkley pre-school playgroup.

The evening will be rounded off with a Grand Raffle featuring a number of generous prizes, again donated by local businesses and tourist attractions.

All proceeds from the evening will be put to excellent use by Ilkley Pre-School Playgroup, a charitable organisation which has been successfully educating and caring for children aged 2 ½ to 5 years old at the Friends’ Meeting House on Queen’s Road in Ilkley for over 40 years.

Tickets are now on sale at just £5.00 each.  For further information, or to buy your ticket please contact Leonie on 07525 029986 or Beth on 07815 704961.

Stalls confirmed to date include:

• Angels & Nightingales                   LB Toys and Gifts
• Attic                                                    Lemon Tree Massage
• Auburn                                               My Secret Kitchen
• Bluebell Gifts                                     Nora’s Gifts
• Cakewalk                                            Pheonix Cards
• Emma Gary Fabrics                          Retail Therapy
• Fresh ‘n’ Fruity                                 Sophie Caygill Costume Jewellery
• Humbug                                             The Book People
• Ilkley Healing Centre                      The Sewing Shed
• Jamie at home                                    Touch Beauty
• Joy Impressions

Ilkley Pre-School Playgroup would like to thank all of the above businesses for their kind support.

Being told in early pregnancy that you are ‘over-weight’ can be very shocking and upsetting.  Unfortunately, this is now happening to more and more local mums.

The consequences for your health can be severe.  They include an increased risk of miscarriage and an increased risk of maternal death either in pregnancy or labour.  This is not an issue you can simply ignore and hope it will go away.

Local midwife Lisa Brag tells MoorMums exclusively what the key risks are and importantly, what you can do to safely watch your weight in pregnancy in our special feature.

The key message is – ask for help.  Wanting a healthy life for you and your baby is nothing to be embarrased about.

RING NOW!!!  To book your place on the new mum and baby yoga class in Ilkley – 01943 436264.  The class is run by Yogamum and is on Wednesday afternoons at the Children’s Centre.  But crucially, it is only £12 for the 6 week course plus £1 per week refreshments!

The classes are suitable for babies from 6 weeks to crawling.  They are a great way to relax, bond with your baby and strengthen your body too.  Places are limited, so don’t delay.

There are also other new classes starting up – Musical minis in Otley and a weight loss class in Ilkley.

Visit our events calendar to keep up-to-date with what is going on this month -

• nearly new sales in Horsforth and Guiseley,
• a new Rhythm Time class in Silsden and
• Christmas shopping evenings in Menston (Mums Mulled Wine Mooch) and in Guiseley.

If you know of a local event we could add to the calendar, send us the details.

We’ve been lucky enough to get not 1 but 2 new pregnancy features this week!  Local mum-of-2 and registered dietitian Jean Sullivan has shared with us her top tips for eating well in pregnancy.  She covers what foods to avoid (and why!) and how a healthy diet is important to both yours and your baby’s well-being.

Local community midwife Lisa has also contributed a feature about ‘normal birth‘.  This is all about de-medicalising birth and empowering women to trust their bodies.  Lisa has 7 easy to follow steps to give yourself the best chance of a normal birth.