Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile
Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺

@serenebirthsaus

Mel Howells - former NHS midwife providing tailored pregnancy, birth and postpartum support in Perth, Western Australia. I also offer private birth classes!

ID: 1614536044854276098

linkhttp://www.serenebirths.com.au calendar_today15-01-2023 08:13:24

49 Tweet

12 Followers

56 Following

BirthSmallTalk (@birthsmalltalk) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Informed #consent is a critical principle in healthcare. Only 35% of Australian women reported being asked for consent for fetal monitoring. This highlights a significant issue in #maternity care, and it is well past time it was addressed. birthsmalltalk.com/2024/12/04/fet… #EFM #CTG

Informed #consent is a critical principle in healthcare. Only 35% of Australian women reported being asked for consent for fetal monitoring. This highlights a significant issue in #maternity care, and it is well past time it was addressed.

birthsmalltalk.com/2024/12/04/fet…

#EFM #CTG
Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Home fetal dopplers sold for personal use are deeply unethical. They prey on vulnerable parents, offering false reassurance or creating unnecessary panic. Without clinical training, they can do more harm than good. Ditch the doppler and focus on your baby’s movements.

Home fetal dopplers sold for personal use are deeply unethical. They prey on vulnerable parents, offering false reassurance or creating unnecessary panic. Without clinical training, they can do more harm than good. Ditch the doppler and focus on your baby’s movements.
Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

The way we talk about #birth needs to change. First up - “failure to progress”. Let’s stop laying blame at women’s feet and recognise that every labour has its own unique rhythm.

Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Labour and birth only make up a few hours or days of our lives; postpartum is forever. When you’re researching birth education programmes, choose one that helps you prepare for BOTH. #practicalbirthpreparation #ComingSoon

Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Feeling anxious about birth? Two birth partners can make all the difference! From handling travel logistics to sharing the load & ensuring constant care, a strong birth team means more love, less stress & unwavering support when it matters most. #BirthSupport #BirthPartner

Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

We need to stop coercing women with outdated and frankly dangerous hospital policies and guidelines. They’re not in place to protect women and babies. Phrases like “it’s our policy that…” does not reflect autonomy or individualised care.

Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Giving birth is nothing like pooping out a watermelon. The vagina is designed to expand (and return to size!), while the anus… isn’t. So, let’s retire this bizarre fruit analogy and give your amazing body the credit it deserves!

Giving birth is nothing like pooping out a watermelon. The vagina is designed to expand (and return to size!), while the anus… isn’t. So, let’s retire this bizarre fruit analogy and give your amazing body the credit it deserves!
Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

A positive birth experience is personal and unique. It’s about feeling informed, supported, and in control, no matter how your birth unfolds. In my classes, we explore what makes birth positive for you. Book today! #PositiveBirth #BirthEducation #BirthingChoices #BirthYourWay

A positive birth experience is personal and unique. It’s about feeling informed, supported, and in control, no matter how your birth unfolds. In my classes, we explore what makes birth positive for you. Book today! #PositiveBirth #BirthEducation #BirthingChoices #BirthYourWay
Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Birth playlists don’t have to consist of just spa music - mix in your fav jams (#Beyonce is a must - she’s 👑 for a reason!). Calm beats for early labour, power tracks for the final push. Let your music fuel your strength & celebrate YOU! #BirthPlaylist

Birth playlists don’t have to consist of just spa music - mix in your fav jams (#Beyonce is a must - she’s 👑 for a reason!). Calm beats for early labour, power tracks for the final push. Let your music fuel your strength & celebrate YOU! #BirthPlaylist
Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

We have an abundance of clinical research outlining the advantages of upright positions for labour and birth, so why are women still being encouraged to lie on the bed? It’s certainly NOT for women’s benefit.

Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Looking for a birth class that fits you? My private sessions are tailored to your needs, with a flexible schedule, a comprehensive resource pack, and email support until birth. Get the knowledge and confidence you deserve - let’s chat! #BirthPreparation #Pregnancy #BirthEducation

Looking for a birth class that fits you? My private sessions are tailored to your needs, with a flexible schedule, a comprehensive resource pack, and email support until birth. Get the knowledge and confidence you deserve - let’s chat! #BirthPreparation #Pregnancy #BirthEducation
Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Birth is just the beginning. We spend so much time getting ready for birth, but what about postpartum? It’s more than just healing & newborn care—it’s a huge emotional & mental shift. My classes go beyond the basics to help you navigate the highs & lows no one warns you about.

Birth is just the beginning. We spend so much time getting ready for birth, but what about postpartum? It’s more than just healing & newborn care—it’s a huge emotional & mental shift. My classes go beyond the basics to help you navigate the highs & lows no one warns you about.
Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Did you know your uterus expands over 500 times its size during pregnancy? After birth, it gradually returns to its pre-pregnancy size, which takes around 6-8 weeks. Your body is incredible — trust the process and give yourself grace. #birth #postpartum”

Did you know your uterus expands over 500 times its size during pregnancy? After birth, it gradually returns to its pre-pregnancy size, which takes around 6-8 weeks. Your body is incredible — trust the process and give yourself grace. #birth #postpartum”
Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Pregnancy comes with a lot of advice - some helpful, some overwhelming. For research-based info, look to experts like Rachel Reed & Sara Wickham, not just hospital policy. Trust yourself, explore the evidence, & make the choices that feel right for you. #Pregnancy #InformedChoice

Pregnancy comes with a lot of advice - some helpful, some overwhelming. For research-based info, look to experts like Rachel Reed & Sara Wickham, not just hospital policy. Trust yourself, explore the evidence, & make the choices that feel right for you. #Pregnancy #InformedChoice
Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Coached pushing (holding your breath & pushing as hard as you can) is still the norm in many hospitals, but it’s not best practice. Women’s bodies are hardwired to birth. We need to trust in women’s instincts rather than always acting as “experts” & taking over unnecessarily.

Coached pushing (holding your breath & pushing as hard as you can) is still the norm in many hospitals, but it’s not best practice. Women’s bodies are hardwired to birth. We need to trust in women’s instincts rather than always acting as “experts” & taking over unnecessarily.
Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

“Healthy mum, healthy baby” has been used to silence women for too long. Survival is just the baseline. #Birth should uplift you, not undo you. It’s time to change this outdated narrative. Women deserve better.

“Healthy mum, healthy baby” has been used to silence women for too long. Survival is just the baseline. #Birth should uplift you, not undo you. It’s time to change this outdated narrative. Women deserve better.
Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

You don’t need a degree to spot shaky science. 🧐 Here are 5 quick tips for reading #ResearchPapers on #pregnancy & #birth: 1.Decent sample size? 2.Published after 2015? 3.Reviews vs single studies 4.Watch for cherry-picking 5.Peer-reviewed = ✅

You don’t need a degree to spot shaky science. 🧐 Here are 5 quick tips for reading #ResearchPapers on #pregnancy & #birth:
1.Decent sample size?
2.Published after 2015?
3.Reviews vs single studies
4.Watch for cherry-picking
5.Peer-reviewed = ✅
Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Hospital birth classes are free — but they’re just the beginning. Private sessions go deeper, are tailored to you, and give you real tools for informed, confident birth. Want to know what that looks like? Let’s chat. #BirthEducation #PregnantInPerth #AntenatalClasses

Hospital birth classes are free — but they’re just the beginning. Private sessions go deeper, are tailored to you, and give you real tools for informed, confident birth. Want to know what that looks like? Let’s chat. #BirthEducation #PregnantInPerth #AntenatalClasses
Mel Howells - Perth Doula and Birth Educator 🇦🇺 (@serenebirthsaus) 's Twitter Profile Photo

That #vbac calculator percentage? It’s a guess. A tool. A conversation starter. Not a rule. Not a limit. Not the whole story. You don’t owe it your decision. You’re more than a number.

That #vbac calculator percentage?
It’s a guess. A tool. A conversation starter.

Not a rule. Not a limit. Not the whole story.

You don’t owe it your decision.

You’re more than a number.