I recently read a widely publicised Norwegian study (Adams et al. 2012) which found that the fear of childbirth can prolong labour. It concluded that fearful women labour for about an hour and a half longer than other women (about eight hours compared to six and a half hours). My first thought was “Great, this is a really important […]
Birth Resources
Do you have an equal relationship with your obstetrician? Are you a ‘good patient’ or capable intelligent woman?
Why should choosing a private obstetrician mean you have an increased chance of intervention during your labour and birth? Why, because you choose the luxury and comforts of a private hospital, are you now more likely than not to have intervention with your first birth here in Australia? Probably because most women don’t fully realise […]
Breathe your way to a healthier pregnancy and better birth
Good breathing -the key to a snore-free pregnancy, comfortable birth and optimal oxygenation for mother and baby. by Tess Graham It’s common for mothers-to-be to seek out the best nutritional, exercise and birth preparation advice. However, one of the best things a woman can do to increase her chances of a healthy pregnancy is often […]
Life As a Doula
“All forms of birth—physical, intellectual, spiritual, or emotional—bring one to the depths. The power to give birth originates in the creative life spirit birthing all, the seen and the unseen. According to Joseph Campbell, the source of life is beyond gender and the duality of male and female. However, when symbolizing the power that creates, […]
Protecting the Pelvic Floor During Childbirth
Protecting your pelvic floor during childbirth Vaginal birth is currently considered the safest way to birth for low risk mums. Reducing vaginal and pelvic floor muscle injury begins in pregnancy with maintaining strong pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and after 35 weeks preparing the pelvic floor with massage for the journey ahead. When labour is under […]
Pregnancy Loss is still a Birthday
Millions of families around the globe are crying for a desperately needed paradigm change in birth. Hundreds of thousands more families join them each year. What is this desperately needed paradigm change?It is honoring birth in any trimester. Spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, heavy period, stillbirth, these words do not do justice to what so many families endure. […]