it is so important that you are aware that you have the right to make decisions about your bodies during pregnancy & labour. 

Earlier this year, I took part in an informative ‘Birthrights in Maternity Rights’ workshop with https://www.birthrights.org.uk in which we discussed human rights in birth and maternity. 

In the UK, according to the Human Rights Act 1998, an unborn baby has no rights until it is born. Therefore, YOU make your decisions for yourself AND your unborn baby.

However, there are occasions (albeit very rare) when a woman may be pregnant and it has been legally proven that she doesn’t  have “capacity” to make a specific decision. But this case has to have been proven and determined in court and it’s not something that can be decided or “diagnosed” by an HCP; be it a midwife, Dr or Consultant.

Social Services may become involved if there is solid evidence that you may harm your baby after birth. 

If an HCP thinks/feels that there’s a significant chance that your baby may be at risk of harm after birth, they may be obliged to report this to Social Services.  

But the decisions that you make during your pregnancy & birth are different to the aforementioned case. You have every right to decline all or part of the care that maternity services offer. *see AIMS https://www.aims.org.uk/information/item/freebirth#post-heading-5

It is not acceptable or correct for HCPs to use the threat of a referral to Social Services as a means to get you to comply with their requests or wishes.

If this happens to you, this is an example of coercion and any decision made under coercion is not consent. In fact, unless you give consent, any action they take upon your body may well result in legal consequences. 

We know very well how Muslim sisters can be threatened with a referral to Social Services when they don’t comply with a test, procedure or intervention etc. 

If this is the case for you and you are currently facing a referral, you can reach out to:

Birthrights: info@birthrights.org.uk

AIMS via the helpline: helpline@aims.org.uk

or call: +44 (0) 300 365 0663

Further resources:

https://www.aims.org.uk/journal/item/handling-threats-of-social-services

I am also available for support but kindly note that I cannot provide legal advice, however, the Birthrights website can signpost to legal support in shaa Allah. 

As part of my doula services, I offer breastfeeding support to sisters. 

Whether you’ve just started on your breastfeeding journey or you’re a pro, blocked ducts, engorged breasts and mastitis can occur. 

Some things to consider at the start of your BF journey and during:

Are you drinking enough water?

• Hydration is key and can help the milk flowing. Top tip: drink water while baby is drinking on you!

Have you invested in a nursing bra and one that is the RIGHT size?

• Having the wrong sized bra can essentially squash your breasts and therefore compress the flow to the ducts. This is particularly crucial around the first 6 weeks when the milk is changing from colostrum to the more fluid milk and is usually the most common time for mastitis to occur. 

Are you sleeping enough?

• the milk supply “comes in” during the early hours of the morning, with a surge in prolactin, the primary lactation hormone, between the 1am – 3am window. Sleep and rest is key for milk production! 

How’s your baby’s latch and positioning?

• Ensuring baby’s latch and positioning are optimal makes for effective and comfortable feeding. If you find you need additional support then seek it from someone trained; preferably an IBCLC. 

Is your baby teething?

• the mouth is central to feeding and during breastfeeding, suction primarily depends on the orofacial muscles –the masseter, temporalis, medial and lateral petrigoideos and suprahyoid muscles–working together in the extraction of breast milk. With all that hard work they do, it makes sense that their mouth maybe sensitive and could therefore have an effect on how often/how they feed. 

Breastfeeding issues and not being discharged from hospital as a first time mum.

Concerns around feeding and baby gaining weight occur in hospital and/or amidst health visitor appointments in the first few weeks after birth. There are many reasons baby may not be gaining weight. 

Is baby breast/bottle fed? 

If breastfeeding:

Baby could potentially have a tongue tie which could affect the latch and breastfeeding

Is mum feeding on demand? 

Has mum had her latch checked? 

And if she is breastfeeding, it’s important to ensure baby can draw out the milk sufficiently. 

If she’s in hospital and breastfeeding, she should ask to be referred to a Lactation Consultant (LC). 

Otherwise, the midwives should be the ones informing her of what the problem may be and should offer the help and support for baby to get on track.

Regarding a lactation consultant (LC), the midwives should be able to help her get in touch with someone so that they can observe a feed and help her make any adjustments  إن شاء الله‎ 

She can also ask to be referred to a tongue tie specialist so that they can also assess a feed and check if baby may have a tongue tie which is affecting the way he/she feeds. 

Further reading and useful resources:

https://www.laleche.org.uk

https://www.aims.org.uk/journal/item/breastfeeding

For some time, I have debated about whether or not to share this but I have been asked by a number of sisters to share any information that I have on the matter. And here it is. So, first things first, this is not a vitamin!

There is no Vitamin K in the Vit K shot. This synthetic Vit K injection does not include any of the natural forms of Vitamin K found in leafy greens and other foods. Instead, the synthetic ‘Vitamin’ in this shot is called Phytonadione and includes:

–       Phenol (carbolic acid, a poisonous acid in coal tar)

–       Benzyl alcohol (preservative)

–       Propylene Glycol (also known as ‘edible’ antifreeze)

–       Acetic acid (an agent that stops or kills microorganisms)

–       Hydrochloric acid

–       Lecithin

–       Castor oil

Q1. What is the Vit K injection?

The Vitamin K injection is said to protect against hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). HDN is rare, it occurs in only 0.25-1.7% of cases, yet, even the trials and studies show that Vit K could do more harm than good! Injecting our newborns with Vit K can actually significantly increase our children’s chances of developing childhood cancer. 

In a study of two hospitals, researchers found almost a two-fold risk of leukemia for children who had received intramuscular Vit K given universally at one hospital compared to the other hospital that did not promote the jab.

Q2. How is Vit K absorbed into the body?

In order for Vit K to be absorbed, the body has to have a functioning biliary and pancreas system. A baby’s digestive system isn’t fully developed at birth which is why babies are given breast milk (and solids are delayed) until they are at least 6 months old. It is also why breast milk only contains a small amount of highly absorbable Vit K. Excessive amounts of Vit K could tax the liver and cause brain damage (amongst other things).

Q3. What’s the relation between the Vit K injection the umbilical cord and placenta?

Cord blood contains stem cells, which protect a baby against bleeding and perform various necessary repairs inside an infants body. In order for a baby to get this boost of stem cells, cord cutting needs to be delayed and the blood needs to remain thin so that stem cells can easily travel and perform their functions. Delaying cord clamping until the cord has stopped pulsating and is white/grey in colour is highly recommended for optimum benefits.

Q4. How does Vit K affect a newborn?

A newborn has low levels of Vit K because its intestines are not yet colonised with the bacteria required to synthesise it and the ‘Vit K cycle’ isn’t fully functional yet. Does it make sense to then bypass the gut and inject Vit K into a muscle considering a newborn’s kidneys aren’t fully functioning yet either?!

As it happens, babies are born with low levels of Vit K compared to adults, but this is still sufficient to prevent problems; Vit K Prophylaxis isn’t needed.

Q5. What are the side effects of the Vit K injection?

Potential side effects from the Vit K injection are:

–       Death 

–       Cancer

–       Seizures

–       Shortness of breath

–       Anaphylaxis 

–       Hyperbilirubinemia

–       Kidney failure

–       Gut issues 

–       Digestive issues

–       Inflammation 

Furthermore, if you were to read the boxed label on your newborn’s Vit K injection, it would read:

“Severe reactions, including fatalities, have occurred during and immediately after intravenous injection of Phytonadione, even when precautions have been taken to dilute the Phytonadione and to avoid rapid infusion. Severe reactions, including fatalities, have also been reported following intramuscular administration. Some patients have exhibited these severe reactions on receiving Phytonadione for the first time”

[Nobody is telling anyone what to do. Evidence based information is crucial in not only birthwork but also in life. Informed decisions and informed consent are paramount in order for us to truly be responsible for the choices and decisions that we make about ourselves and for/on behalf of our children]

May Allah guide us to what’s good for us and our offspring, aameen.

**Disclaimer: The information herein has been acquired via research. The author makes no claims to be a medical professional nor purports to be a medical professional. Individuals are strongly urged to do their own independent research.

Further resources:

https://www.aims.org.uk/information/item/vitamin-k

https://www.aims.org.uk/journal/item/vitamin-k-an-alternative-perspective

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/after-the-birth/what-happens-straight-after/

Postpartum bleeding

Just as no two pregnancies are the same, no two postpartum bleeds are the same. 

While some sisters may find that their bleeding eases off within a couple of weeks postpartum, others may find that the bleeding continues (almost intermittently) for up to 60 days.

What to expect in the postpartum bleed?! 

The bleeding may be heavy initially, with some occasional clots and dark to bright red in colour (this is fresh blood). The flow may gradually begin to decrease over the following days after childbirth but may suddenly increase when: 

1. Breastfeeding – when the baby feeds and suckles on the nipple, it naturally causes the uterus to contract and begin its journey on returning to its original size. This may cause cramping sensations and some pain, that mixed with the general afterpains that come after childbirth and particularly subsequent pregnancies/births. When the uterus contracts, it can also cause a gush or increase in the flow of the postpartum bleed so you may well notice this increase after your baby has been feeding. All perfectly natural and reflective of the hikmah of Allah, subhan’Allah.

2. Exercise – if you decide to go for a walk or on a trip out in your postpartum days (within the 40 days), you may find that you experience an increase in postpartum bleed and/or an increase in the flow. There have been times when sisters (me being one) have thought that the bleed is coming to a close and then we do some sort of slightly exertive activity and suddenly it’s like we are back to the beginning again. 

When it comes to Islamic evidence, there is a difference of opinion amongst the religious scholars regarding the longest period of nifaas (the post-natal bleeding period). 

While some scholars say it is forty (40) days, others say it is sixty (60) days and some say there is no limit to the maximum number of days a woman can be a in a state of nifaas. 

The most predominate opinion is that the maximum period is forty (40) days according to what is narrated by Umm Salama. 

Umm Salama said: “The nufasaa’ (a woman in a state of birth blood discharge) used to continue to be in childbed for forty days at the time of the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him.”

[The same hadeeth is also reported by Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah and Al-Daraami and is classified as hasan by Al-Albaani in Irwaa’ Al-Ghaleel # 201.]

Al-Albaani has supported this narration by another hadeeth reported by Abu Dawood narrated by Umm Salama who said; “A Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) wife used to remain in (a state of) nifaas for forty nights and the Prophet would not ask her to make up the prayers she missed during the period of nifaas”.

Ibn Majah also reported that Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that; “The Prophet had specified a period of forty days for the nufasaa’ unless she achieves tuhr before that.” [Irwaa’ Al Ghaleel # 223-222/1.]

Therefore, if a sister has been experiencing post-childbirth bleeding for forty days and she still sees blood, then it is considered that this blood as istihaadha (womb bleeding between periods) which does not stop the sister from performing prayer (salaat) nor fasting (siyaam), unless the end of the forty days coincides with the regular menstrual period (dawrah); in this case she would consider this blood as menstrual blood.

It is a sister’s choice whether she chooses to stay home for the entire period of the 40 days or not. In some countries, the traditional 40 day period is still honoured and women and their babies are kept nurtured and nourished throughout the entire 40 day period. 

And Allahu a’lam (Allah knows best)

The study around postnatal mental health by Stern and Kruckman, 1983 showed a distinct postpartum period and a need for rest, recovery, time for feeding to be established and a social recognition of this role and status. There is also emphasis on the value of respecting that role so when there is a societal role and value then everyone respects it. Once we uphold the importance, necessity and value of the postpartum period and truly honour it, only then can we expect society to respect and in turn, honour that role.

ACOG’s 2018 report showed that:
Japan – women go for 3 weeks to their mother’s home for peace and quiet and pampering.

China – women practise ‘sitting the month’ – keeping the mother warm while she loses blood.

Korea – (21 days) rest and eating seaweed.

Vietnam – women wait weeks before introducing their baby to strangers to protect them from too much attention.

India – women return to their mother’s home with soft and nourishing and nurturing food to replenish her.

Malaysia – pampering the mother with her new body and baby.

South America – wrapping ‘Robozo’, special foods etc.

Africa – family with female members gathering, no work in the home and forbidden to work until baby’s umbilical cord falls off. 

In all of the above practices, we see a pattern of similarities:
rest, bodywork, peace, quiet, restoration, seclusion, protection, love, timelessness, health and well-being prioritised, soft and nourishing and nurturing foods, maternal support/community support, body wrapping.

Look out for my next blog in shaa Allah and in the meantime, why not check this out!

The importance of Dates in Islam

Dates are mentioned multiple times in the Quran and Sunnah (ahadith), and by the scholar Ibn Al Qayyim Al-Jawziyya. The references are made to all the parts associated with the date fruit, such as the tree itself and even we, as Muslims, use the date seed powder, particularly that of the Ajwa Date. 

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “He who eats seven ‘Ajwa dates every morning, will not be affected by poison or magic on the day he eats them.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 5445. In-book reference : Book 70, Hadith 7]

Ibn al-Qayyim said that fresh dates were nourishing and enriching for the body, and referred to the Prophetic hadith in which the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi Wasallam) used to break his fast with some fresh dates, before he prayed, and if there were none, then with dried dates (tamarat). If there were none of these then he would take a drink of water. [Ibn Hanbal, Musnad III. 164]

Dates are a good source of fibre and naturally occurring sugars like glucose, fructose and sucrose. Dates are also one of the best natural sources of potassium. 

Potassium is an essential mineral needed to maintain muscle contractions, including the vital heart muscle, and to maintain a healthy nervous system and to balance the body’s metabolism. Since potassium is not stored in the body, and much is lost in perspiration, it must be continually replenished.

Dates also contain a variety of B-complex vitamins – thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). These vitamins have a variety of functions that help maintain a healthy body – to metabolize carbohydrates and maintain blood glucose levels, fatty acids for energy, and they help make hemoglobin, the red and white blood cells.

At the time of Ibn Az-Zubair, we were struck with famine, and he provided us with dates for our food. `Abdullah bin `Umar used to pass by us while we were eating, and say, “Do not eat two dates together at a time, for the Prophet (ﷺ) forbade the taking of two dates together at a time (in a gathering).” Ibn `Umar used to add, “Unless one takes the permission of one’s companions.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 5446. In-book reference:  Book 70, Hadith 7]

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “There is a tree among the trees which is similar to a Muslim (in goodness), and that is the date palm tree.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 5448. In-book reference: Book 70, Hadith 77]

Giving the date at birth

Over 1400 years ago, when a child was born, the Prophet ‎ﷺ made it his Sunnah to take a small part of a date and place it in their mouth. He would then chew it until it was soft and then rub it onto the palate of the new born baby. 

This is called ‘Tahneek’ which means putting something sweet, such as dates or honey, in the child’s mouth when they are first born.

In recent years, BBC News has reported that “experts” have said – “A dose of sugar given as a gel rubbed into the inside of the cheek is a cheap and effective way to protect premature babies against brain damage.” 

[source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24224206] 

This is why Muslims follow the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ‎ﷺ without questioning it. Science is only now discovering a tradition that was introduced 1400 years ago because Islam was and still is the forefront of development.

The evidence from Islam is this: 

• It was reported that Abu Moosa said: “I had a baby boy, and I brought him to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). He named him Ibraaheem, did Tahneek with some dates and prayed for Allaah to bless him, then he gave him back to me.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5150; Muslim, 2145). 

Dates during pregnancy 

It is not only right after the birth of the baby that the dates are recommended, but also during the entire pregnancy and particularly during the postpartum period.

The Prophet Muhammad recommended eating dates and we now know some of the medicinal benefits of doing so! Dates are beneficial during pregnancy, labour, childbirth and during the postnatal period. 

Studies have shown that dates contain “stimulants which strengthen the muscles of the uterus in the last few months of pregnancy”. [Omar-Muhammad, R. (2003, Dates: The Crown of Sweets, The Muslim Woman, 4 (7):26]

Dates are additionally a great source of energy and a quick one at that! So not only do they help to support and activate the delivery process, they also provide you with that added boost of energy, which is exactly what is required during the last stages of pregnancy and labour. 

During the postpartum period, dates can help in the restorative process and as they are a high energy food, can benefit the nursing mother. Dates contain potassium, glycine and threonine, all of which help to stimulate the milk hormone prolactin. Al Shahib and Marshall state: “Dates may be considered as an almost ideal food, providing a wide range of essential nutrients and potential health benefits.” [Al-Shahib, W. & Marshall, R. J. (1993), International Journal of Food and Science Nutrition, 54 (4):247-259]

Cultural competency plays a big part here and it is not possible to generalise with regards to religion and belief.

However, for Muslim women and/or faith-based birthing people, who might find themselves facing challenges during labour, being in remembrance of Allah and Maryam (may Allah be pleased with her) may help to boost confidence, morale and self-belief.

Who is Maryam?

The chapter of the Quran called; Surat Maryam. Surat means chapter so therefore this is the chapter of Mary – describing the birth of Eesa Alaiyi Salam (Jesus, peace be upon him). Eesa is the Arabic name for Jesus and alaiyi salam means ‘peace be upon Him’ 

After the Angel Jibril (Angel Gabriel) had told Maryam (Mary) that she was going to be with child and she did not tell anyone that she was pregnant. The chapter recites how she went into labour next to a date tree and held onto it during the contractions, eating the dates to ease her pains. How she gave birth to Eesa (Jesus) all alone, with no support from anyone, only Allah and the date tree which she leaned on for support.

How once she had swaddled Eesa in her arms, she was worried about how she was going to walk back through the town, past the people who knew her but also knew her to not be married nor with a man.

They also had not known of her pregnancy and she anticipated that they would judge her and worse still maybe punish her or stone her for what would be seeming like an illegitimate pregnancy.

Who is ‘Eesa/Isa?

“(Remember) when the angels said: ‘O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word [“Be!” — and he was! i.e. ‘Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary)] from Him, his name will be the Messiah ‘Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah. He will speak to the people, in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous.’ She said: ‘O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me.’ He said: ‘So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: “Be!” and it is’” [Al ‘Imran 3:45-47] 

“And mention in the Book (the Quran, O Muhammad, the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east.

She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Rooh [angel Jibril (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.

She said: ‘Verily, I seek refuge with the Most Gracious (Allah) from you, if you do fear Allah.’

(The angel) said: ‘I am only a messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son.’

She said: ‘How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?’

He said: ‘So (it will be), your Lord said: ‘That is easy for Me (Allah). And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed (by Allah)’ [Maryam 19:16-21]   

When Jibril told her that, she submitted to the will and decree of Allah, and Jibril breathed into the sleeves of her garment: 

“So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem).

And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date palm. She said: ‘Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!’”[Maryam 19:22-23] 

Then Allah provided Maryam with water and food, and commanded her not to speak to anyone.

“Then [the babe ‘Isa (Jesus) or Jibril (Gabriel)] cried unto her from below her, saying: ‘Grieve not: your Lord has provided a water stream under you.

And shake the trunk of the date palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon you.

So eat and drink and be glad. And if you see any human being, say: “Verily, I have vowed a fast unto the Most Gracious (Allah) so I shall not speak to any human being this day”’” [Maryam 19:24-26] 

Then Maryam came to her people, carrying her child ‘Isa. When they saw her, they thought that she had done a terrible thing and they denounced it, but she did not respond to them. She indicated that they should ask this infant. Then she pointed to him.

They said: “How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?’” [Maryam 19:27-29] 

 ‘Isa replied to them straight away, even though he was a child in the cradle. He [‘Isa (Jesus)] said: ‘Verily, I am a slave of Allah, He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet; and He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salah (prayer), and Zakah, as long as I live. And Salam (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!’” [Maryam 19:30-33] 

Through this reference, we can see how, with faith, Maryam surpassed this test/hardship and that she trusted in Allah’s divine plan.

She, on her own, gave birth to an important messenger of Allah, a prophet! 

You can have a listen of Surah Maryam here: https://youtu.be/2F8puRkwWWw