In the news: octuplets; surrogacy; www.BirthIndex.co.uk

Posted by: gommon on: January 27, 2009

• In: 3 Shires Midwife | bedford | Birth | BirthIndex.co.uk | Childbirth | complementary therapies | complementary therapists | complimentary therapies + pregnancy | egg donation | Health | Independent Midwifery | Midwife | midwifery | Milton Keynes | northampton | octuplets | Preconception | Preconceptual | pregnancy | Pregnancy ultrasound | Private midwife | surrogacy | www.3shiresmidwife.co.uk | www.bbc.co.uk | www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties | www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/local_radio/
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A woman in America has given birth to eight babies, and although born nine weeks prematurely, at present doctors say all of them are doing well.  The babies weighed between 1lb 8 ounces (820g) and 3lb 4oz (1.47kg) and will need to stay in Neonatal Intensive Care for some time.  It’s only the second time in the world that someone has given birth to eight babies at once, and doctors were only expecting her to have seven! www.news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7852623.stm

Also in the news is the story of surrogate mother Carol Horlock who has had eleven babies for other couples and also has two children of her own. www.news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7851838.stm I am sure surrogacy takes place in most cultures, often with the surrogate mother being a family member, of course this raises huge ethical issues not to mention the emotional issues for all concerned, but wow … this is something that I personally could never have considered, I couldn’t even have parted with my eggs, but I know many couples are eternally grateful for those that are able to help them have a family.

Today I was twice invited to speak on BBC 3 Counties Radio, partly in response to this news story and also to speak about my work as an Independent Midwife – www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/content/articles/2008/04/25/afternoon_show_feature.shtml

I had hoped to have the opportunity to discuss my new website www.BirthIndex.co.uk but the interviewer was keen to discuss my blog.

BirthIndex.co.uk was launched only three months ago has already proved popular.  The site currently covers Bedford, Milton Keynes and Northampton and aims to be THE information site for all things Pregnancy, Birth and Baby.  For example on the site you can find therapists who specialise in Pre-conceptual support, pregnancy ultrasound, swimming classes for babies and even photographers to photograph your little one!  The site has a comprehensive Links section and an interesting selection of articles and the opportunity to sign up for a regular newsletter.