hatcheddesigns, Author at Nurtured Birth

Traditional care for the modern mother in her first forty days. By The Golden Month

Traditional care for the modern mother in her first forty days.

Around the world, in many traditional cultures, the first 4-6 weeks after giving birth is known as the golden month – the time for a mother to rest and replenish.

This is the postpartum or postnatal period, when her body recovers from pregnancy and birth and she adjusts to motherhood in all its rewarding and challenging phases.

The golden month is a time to make the new mother the focus, ensuring the key ingredients of care include rest, nourishment, treatments that promote healing, and strong support.

Nurtured Birth believes in the power of support and nourishment to aid a new mother’s transition into this new phase of her life. Which is why we are excited to team up with The Golden Month, who offer a holistic in-home postpartum service, as well as nourishing products to promote rest and healing for new mothers.

A mother is born

There is a saying: “The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.”

In today’s modern society, a new mother is overlooked as her newborn is the focus of everyone’s attention. She deals with the physical and emotional changes of new motherhood in the background, with little focus on her needs as she navigates the sleep deprivation, painful breasts and heightened emotions.

While family and friends swoop in to cuddle and admire this tiny perfect human, a new mother is on a very steep learning curve getting to know her baby and herself as a mama. There is little acknowledgement of what she has done – created and birthed this beautiful little miracle. And once everyone has had a cuddle, she’s left to navigate this transition to motherhood alone.

It takes a village to raise a child

In Africa, it’s believed the whole village or community of people must interact with children for them to grow in a healthy and safe environment. While it’s possible to raise children without having support, it’s definitely much easier when family and friends are there to help.

Humans evolved to live in groups or communities because it was safer, providing protection to old and young members. Babies and mothers were tended and supported by others who offered knowledge, guidance and wisdom.

Today’s modern family is a different experience and our villages are almost non-existent. Many new mums are left to cope with a new baby and the expectation that she can manage all the home and family responsibilities without blinking an eye. The village is spread across the country, or works full time, and so new mums have no one to lean on when support is needed. This is when postnatal depletion can really take hold, leaving mamas exhausted and feeling overwhelmed.

This is where postnatal support is so important, offering new mums a space for her to land gently, to be nourished and cherished while she finds her feet slowly. Recreating the village for each woman and honouring her journey to new ground as a mother.

The Golden Month provides holistic tradition care in the postpartum period, supporting mothers and families in the early days and weeks after childbirth.

About The Golden Month

We are mothers caring for mothers … We have a passion for caring for women at each stage of life’s journey.

Over time, in clinic we have both noticed that mothers are becoming more and more depleted, stressed and isolated.

This not only deeply impacts the mother, but her children, family & community. In countries all over the world, women are cared for in a unique way after childbirth.

Unfortunately in our country this care is not yet a part of our culture … So we are here to break the mould, shake things up & bring women the care that they really need. It takes a village to hold the mother.

We have created an in-home, postpartum service, based on Traditional Chinese Medicine & Ayurvedic practices. Tapping into nature, using all things natural to support new mums. We allow time for mother to bath & nap whilst we care for baby & stock the fridge with nourishing foods. Our meals are specifically made to heal mother, warm her body, and help with milk production.

We want to be remembered by all the women we are here to hold + nurture. We want to be the two Adelaide Mama’s who helped to re-shape the postpartum care in their community, for our daughters & their daughters to come.

Use our affiliate code ‘nurturedbirth1’ at check out at The Golden Month online store to receive 10% off any Golden Month purchase.

Visit The Golden Month's Website

Massage For Dads – 7 Amazing Benefits Of Massage For Dads

Massage is often something we associate with women or mums. But there are so many wonderful benefits of massage for dads too!

Becoming a parent is a huge transition and can really have an impact on both the physical and mental wellbeing of both mums and dads.

A massage is an opportunity to relax and be rejuvenated, supporting dads to get back into the parenting game re-energised and refreshed.

A dad is the first significant male role model a child has and helps to set the tone for all other relationships in their lifetime. Dads play, teach, coach and guide children from infancy through to adulthood, often while working hard outside the home.

It’s easy to forget that dads deserve some self-care time too.

A professional massage is the perfect way to gift a dad some space to unwind and recharge, with the extra benefit of boosting his health and wellbeing.

Need any more incentives to book a massage for a special dad? Here are 7 benefits of massage for dads:

#1: Boosts mood

Research has shown massage has a very positive mood boosting effect. It reduces levels of a stress hormone called cortisol, responsible for the fight-flight response in our nervous system. Lower levels of cortisol allows the mind to calm and reduces anxiety and depression. At the same time, massage therapy boosts levels of serotonin and dopamine, both hormones that make us feel good.

#2: Pain relief

Massage therapy is an ancient form of pain relief, used for centuries with varying other treatments such as oils and aromatherapy. The power of massage is the way it loosens muscles and addresses specific pain points causing tension, which the dad in your life might be experiencing due to his job, such as lifting or sitting for long periods.

#3: Relaxation

Parenting and working a full time job, plus sports or hobbies, can leave little time for switching off. Many dads would love a chance to experience an hour or more of quiet, calm relaxation as their muscles ease and release. When the mind is given the space to relax, so can the body.

#4: Boosts immunity

In these times of Covid, who doesn’t want an immune system functioning at its very best? Immune function depends on a healthy body and mind. The amazing thing about massage isn’t just its direct effect on the musculoskeletal system. It also works on the circulatory system, which transports blood (and white blood cells) around our body. White blood cells protect us against disease and illness and regular massage can help increase the numbers of these immune cells in our blood and reduce inflammation.

#5: Improves sleep

Massage has a wonderful holistic effect in being able to enhance our ability to relax, to quieten the busy mind and allow the body to release tension. Sleep is often something we all need more of, especially in the early days and weeks of parenting a newborn. When we’re overtired, true restful sleep can be something even harder to attain. Massage can provide restorative relaxation that continues on, especially if it is done regularly.

#6: Improves body flexibility

Being a dad involves lots of activity, whether that’s playing chasey, coaching a team sport or doing a parkrun with the family. Massage helps to improve our body’s flexibility and range of motion, and gets those muscle recovering faster. Injuries also heal better when attention is paid to specific areas that might be creating more problems.

#7: Future proof his heart

Lowering blood pressure and reducing stress has an incredibly powerful effect on cardiovascular health. Unfortunately cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for men (and women) and much of that is due to high blood pressure. Reducing stress, boosting the immune system and reducing blood pressure all improve overall health and wellbeing, now and into the future.

All too often dads tend to avoid or ignore things like self care, let alone seeing a health professional when they’re not feeling their best. Most dads spend long hours working and picking up the parenting baton when they are home – without taking time for themselves.

Massage for dads at Nurtured Birth

If you’re trying to come up with a unique and special way to show the dad in your life how much you value them, book him a relaxation massage or remedial massage therapy session.

Nurtured Birth’s massage therapists are highly trained and qualified who love treating dads as much as pregnant women and mums.

We offer gift vouchers as the perfect self-care gift for the special dad in your life. Please visit this page to purchase a gift voucher.

Making Informed Choices: Cesarean Birth

Most parents-to-be don’t go through pregnancy expecting to have a c-section birth when their baby is born.

In Australia, almost 35% of babies are born via c-section, despite leading international maternity health experts suggesting the ideal c-section rate worldwide should be around 10-15%.

Having a c-section can be challenging and confronting, especially if it’s unexpected. Being aware and informed about c-section birth can empower pregnant women to have a positive experience, whether her birth is planned or unplanned.

What is a c-section birth?

A caesarean or c-section is a surgical procedure that delivers a baby through a cut in the lower abdomen and uterus.

C-sections are considered major abdominal surgery and are performed by an obstetrician, who is a doctor, with specialist qualifications that include surgery.

During a c-section, most women are alert and awake, but under what’s called regional anaesthesia. This is usually an epidural or spinal block, allowing the mother to stay awake during the birth but not feel any pain. A general anaesthetic may be given, but this is reserved for extremely serious situations when time is of the essence.

The actual procedure usually takes between 25 minutes to an hour, from the first incision to being stitched back up.

In most cases, you can meet your baby immediately. Ask your midwife and care team for support in having immediate skin to skin and encouraging early breastfeeding. Your partner can be a part of this early bonding process as well.

Why have a c-section birth?

We know there are risks to both mothers and babies with c-section. Research shows these risks include:

Post surgical infection in uterus or incision site
Severe bleeding during or after birth
Reactions to medications, including anaesthetics
Blood clots
Injury to bowel or bladder, or to baby, during c-section incision
Increased risk of complications in future pregnancies, including another c-section
Breathing problems for babies, needing specialist nursing care.

Some c-sections are planned in advance, called elective c-sections.

When a c-section occurs after labour has begun, it’s generally referred to as unplanned or unscheduled.

However many people tend to use the term ‘emergency’ which isn’t always correct. There is a difference between an emergency and unplanned c-section, mostly in terms of urgency.

An unplanned c-section is when a vaginal birth was planned but for non urgent reasons, it’s safer for your baby to be born via c-section.

An emergency c-section will happen urgently to keep you and your baby safe.

Here are the most common reasons for either an elective or unplanned c-section.

Reasons for an elective c-section

Deciding to have an elective c-section isn’t something to do lightly. In most cases, it’s the safest way for your baby to be born.

Your obstetrician will discuss options with you, so you can make an informed choice.

Your baby is breech (bottom or feet down). Some care providers are experienced in delivering breech babies vaginally but not all.
Previous c-section and a vaginal birth is not safe or desired
Risk of uterine rupture, usually due to a uterine scar or previous uterine operation
Placenta previa, when the placenta is across the cervix, preventing the baby from being born or potentially causing severe bleeding
Health complications which mean labour and birth could be dangerous for the mother
Sexually transmitted diseases such as active genital herpes or HIV which could be passed onto the baby during vaginal birth
Pregnancy with multiples, particularly triplets or more.
Baby has a major birth defect that could be affected by a vaginal birth.

Some women will choose an elective or planned c-section because they have concerns or fears around vaginal birth. This is a non medical reason and while every woman has a right to birth how she chooses, it’s important to discuss the risks of major surgery for you and your baby before making this decision.

Unplanned c-section reasons

Usually when labour begins on its own, the expectation is the baby is born vaginally. This is the ideal outcome but in certain situations, it becomes more risky to allow labour to continue.

Here are the main reasons for an emergency C-section occurring after labor has already started:

Labour has stalled or isn’t progressing as expected (often this happens after induction of labour, particularly if epidural has been used)
Baby’s heart rate is indicating there’s distress (often a case if mama can’t move due to epidural or is restricted to the bed due to continuous fetal monitoring)
Prolapsed umbilical cord, when the cord slips through the cervix before the baby’s head and compromises your baby’s oxygen supply
The placenta begins to detach from the uterus before the birth and causes severe bleeding and potential complications for your baby
Your baby’s head is too large to fit through your pelvis; this is rare
Previous c-section scar begins to rupture or open.

Can I prevent having a c-section?

Statistically, 3 out of 5 c-sections are planned rather than unplanned in Australia. For women who want to avoid having an unplanned or emergency c-section, there are a number of things to consider.

Age and maternal health are big factors when it comes to c-section. While the age you are isn’t something you can change, being the healthiest version of yourself before conception and during pregnancy is something you can control.

Nurtured Birth’s naturopath can support you to achieve the ideal preconception and pregnancy nutrition and health that’s vital to help you avoid complications that might impact your baby’s health and your birth.

Wellbeing includes both the physical and emotional. Regular body therapy, with Nurtured Birth’s massage and osteopathic treatments, helps to align and attune you to your changing body’s needs. Our yoga and mindfulness workshops attend to the body and mind, bringing a mindful connection to both the inner and outer journey of pregnancy.

This attunement allows you to take the lead in determining your pathway of maternity care. Nurtured Birth offers birth education classes and workshops on choosing care providers who will best support you in avoiding unnecessary interventions, such as labour induction, restricted movement during labour, and epidurals that can lead to an unplanned c-section.

One of the best ways to ensure you are in the best position to avoid having interventions that could lead to a c-section is to seek the support of a birth doula. The presence of a doula during labour has been shown to reduce c-sections by up to 60%.

Nurtured Birth’s doula offers knowledge, emotional and physical support during pregnancy and birth, to support your pathway to motherhood.

To be at your best during preconception, pregnancy and birth, let Nurtured Birth support you in this journey. Please contact us to enquire about how we can nurture you.

How To Meditate When You’re Pregnant

Mamas-to-be don’t spend their entire pregnancy in a radiant glow as they await the arrival of their baby.

There’s many bumps in the road as you journey towards motherhood.

There’s the daily grind of work, chores and staying upright long enough to have meaningful conversations with your partner.

Coping with the fatigue of growing your baby and the endless lists of things to do.

The pressure of ‘doing it all’ can lead many pregnant women to feeling depressed or anxious.

Research suggests 18% of women are depressed during pregnancy and 21% have severe anxiety.

The good news is, there’s a very simple and accessible tool all pregnant mamas can use to help them cope and reduce their stress levels.

Meditation is a wonderful way to connect with your inner self, your incredible body and your baby.

Let’s look at the wonderful benefits of meditation and how to meditate during pregnancy.

What is meditation?

Meditation has been practiced in cultures around the world for thousands of years. Almost every religion on earth has some form of meditative practice which is used to achieve a calm, clear and open minded state.

Using one of a number of techniques, meditation is the practice of encouraging a heightened awareness and attention.

This can help you to gain a clear, calm and peaceful inner state.

Types of meditation

There are two main types of meditation you can use: concentrative meditation and mindfulness meditation.

Mindfulness is the art of bringing yourself into awareness of and involved in the present moment and making yourself open, aware, and accepting.

Concentrative meditation involves focusing your whole attention on an object while tuning out everything else around you. The aim is to achieve a higher state of being through experiencing what you’re focusing on, whether that’s your breath or a mantra, or even an object.

What are the benefits of meditation in pregnancy?

Being in a calm state of mind allows pregnant women to stay focused on the important job of growing their baby and preparing for birth.

Stress levels impact our emotional wellbeing, which in turn can create disharmony in our bodies.

Ways meditation can benefit you during pregnancy include:

Connecting to your amazing body
Better sleep and higher functioning
Relief from stress and anxiety
More positive preparation for labour and birth
Early bonding with your baby
Lower risk of postpartum depression.

These are all incredibly important benefits and show how linked our mind and body are.

High levels of stress and anxiety during pregnancy increases the risk of having a premature baby or a baby who is low birth weight.

Mothers of premature babies also face high rates of anxiety, stress and depression that often go unacknowledged as they cope with their babies’ needs.

Mindfulness allows you to work through complex feelings you may be having about your pregnancy or parenting, and creates space to better manage those emotions.

Being able to access an inner resource that brings you physically and emotionally into a state of calmness and self awareness is a must for pregnant women.

Creating a flow of awareness into your own body and connecting with your baby ensures you have trust your body can and will give birth in a positive way.

For more information be sure to read 7 Benefits Of Meditation During Pregnancy | Nurtured Birth

How does meditation benefit my baby?

As we’ve mentioned above, stress during pregnancy has a huge impact on your developing baby.

Research is still new in this area but it’s been shown ongoing levels of stress and anxiety can affect the emotional, physical and brain development of unborn babies, particularly if it occurs in the third trimester.

Babies who are born prematurely or are low birth weight face complications at birth such as breathing problems, vision and hearing issues, and developmental delays.

How to meditate during pregnancy?

So with all those wonderful benefits for you and your baby, what’s stopping you from starting?

Meditation might seem like one of those things you keep meaning to do but just never get into or around to. Or maybe you don’t know how to meditate?

And that’s the biggest challenge, because it’s a practice – one you have to consciously bring into your daily life to reap the rewards of.

Many people think of meditation as a means to solving their problems, instead of inviting the practice into their lives as a method of self care. It provides space and time to connect and be aware, to quietly problem solve while letting go.

If you’re daunted by the idea of starting meditation without guidance, Nurtured Birth offers these recordings of meditation sessions from Melbourne doula, childbirth educator, pregnancy massage specialist and meditation teacher Sarah Goldberg.

Meditations for Pregnancy - Series One

Introduction to Meditation- Connecting to Yourself and Your Baby

These recordings are easily downloadable and you can use them to bring mindfulness practice into your daily life to assist you during pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

How to meditate – 4 tips for meditating during pregnancy

Create the intention to practice meditation regularly, to bring those positive changes into your life as you journey towards birth and parenthood.

It can be overwhelming to start so here are our top 4 tips how to mediate to help you build that practice:

Start slowly: shorter sessions are often a good way to begin, building up to longer sessions over time
With intention: meditate at the same time each day so that it becomes a habit, similar to brushing your teeth after breakfast
Comfort is key: you need to be in a position where you can sit easily for long moments without being stiff or restless. Wear clothes that allow you to feel comfortable too
Feel: your mind will wander, it’s only natural … and you might have thoughts or feelings that are uncomfortable. Acknowledge these thoughts without judgement and gently guide yourself back to focus.

Eye Contact With Babies: Why It’s So Important

Eye contact with babies is one of the first amazing milestones of life after birth.

This is an especially exciting milestone because when parents and babies lock eyes, it forms the beginning of your bonding and emotional connection with one another.

Research shows eye gaze actually syncs your brain waves with your baby’s, the first step in improving communication later in your child’s life as an adult.

Eye contact is also a very important step toward newborn brain development. We take a look at what that means.

Is eye contact important for babies?

The development of eye contact is important for two reasons, both for brain development and for emotional connection.

Your baby making eye contact with you is vital in early attachment and bonding. The special relationship you’re forming with your baby increases their sense of security and allows their brain to grow and develop on track. The more connected and attuned you are as a parent to your baby’s communication, the more you encourage their emotional development.

You might like to read Aware Parenting 101 with Lael Stone for more information.

When your baby sees your eyes and face, they start to make connections between expressions and feelings (e.g. a smile means happiness). They learn how to respond and develop the ability to engage and relate to others, to regulate their own feelings, and communicate.

As your baby develops further and can follow your gaze, they will start to exchange information with you. This increases their ability to play and communicate, developing their language and vocabulary skills. This is seen when babies point to an object and their caregiver names it for them.

When should babies make eye contact?

The development of eye contact with babies occurs over time but starts quite soon after birth.

Within the first 7 hours, newborns can have an intense interest in their mothers’ face, even mimicking facial expressions
Around 6 – 10 weeks your baby will begin to direct their eyes intentionally, looking directly at you and holding your gaze with eyes widening
Usually around 3 months of age, your baby will follow your movements if you’re not too far away
It’s expected between 9 to 11 months, babies have developed the ability to follow your eye gaze, showing they understand that eyes are meant for seeing and looking.

In the first few months of life, babies actually can’t see very well or long distances. This is why interacting with your baby when holding them close helps as they’re innately attuned to recognise the human face. You might also notice their interest is captured by very bright colours or objects that are contrasting black and white.

At around 3 to 4 months of age, babies are able to recognise different objects such as toys and have better colour perception. They’ll start to deliberately reach for objects they recognise like a toy, and smile deliberately at you when you make eye contact. This is called a social smile, and is them responding to another smile or trying to get that person to smile at them.

Is it normal for babies to not make eye contact?

Young babies won’t always make eye contact all of the time. Remember, this is a development milestone that happens over time and will be something that increases as your baby gets older.

Usually babies will start to make very deliberate eye contact to engage with their caregivers, whether that’s to play or feel secure or be social.

However, sometimes babies get tired and simply don’t want to look or focus on you any more. Some babies become overstimulated by eye contact and the neural messages their brain is receiving! They might refuse to have eye contact for some time afterwards, even for weeks. Over time you will learn your baby’s particular personality and know their cues for when they’re keen to have eye contact.

When should I worry about baby eye contact?

Speak to your healthcare provider or a paediatrician if you’re worried about your baby’s eye contact. Some babies have vision impairment from birth or develop it due to a medical condition, injury or disease. This can impact their ability to make eye contact and be a sign there’s something that needs looking into.

Your GP or paediatrician may refer your child to a children’s eye specialist (paediatric ophthalmologist). The ophthalmologist will do some tests to work out if there is a problem and how to treat it.

How can I help my baby make eye contact?

Eye contact with your baby is a special moment. Each baby develops at their own pace, so you could be wondering when your baby will start gazing into your eyes! You can encourage your little one to make eye contact, with these tips:

Wait till baby is in a good mood, not hungry, tired or going through the witching hour! When you’re both calm and happy, eye contact is more likely to happen
Hold baby close, especially when feeding. This encourages bonding and keep you in their focus range. Alternate sides as well, so your baby
If your baby starts to make eye contact, take advantage and start talking, smiling or even singing. This encourages your baby to focus on you more and they will store these interactions and become integrated in future development
Don’t look away before your baby does, hold their gaze for as long as they’re interested
Once they look away, respect that might be it for the moment, as your baby could be tired or just had enough. Don’t force more eye contact
Eye contact is enhanced by touch or sound, when it is gentle and calm, to enhance the experience and bond
Newborns and young babies are still developing this skill so don’t expect them to hold long, intense eye contact.
Let your baby follow and track objects as they get older, and name things for them to store the knowledge and build on their communication skills.

Bonding and attachment are a big part of your parenting transition. To enhance this journey, a postnatal doula can support you to have the space and time as you get to know your newborn. To find out how Nurtured Birth can surround you with support, please contact us.

What Are The Benefits Of Home Birth?

When so many women give birth in hospitals, you might wonder what are the benefits of home birth over hospital care?

As the name suggests, a home birth is one that’s planned to happen in your home environment.

Every year, around 1000 women in Australia choose to give birth in their home rather than a hospital or birth centre.

If your pregnancy is low risk and a home birth sounds like something you’d like, you can choose to hire a private midwife, or access a public funded home birth program through your local public hospital.

Private midwives work for themselves and this option costs more than a funded home birth through the public system which is mostly covered by Medicare.

There are more criteria to meet with a public funded home birth and being risked out at any stage due to changes in your health or being overdue is possible.

Affording private midwives is often an obstacle for many women who want a home birth on their terms.

There’s a number of ways you can make this happen, such as part payment plans, asking friends and family to donate towards your birth instead of buying gifts for baby showers … even selling that unused cross trainer in the garage.

Why have a home birth?

Research shows more and more women are choosing to give birth at home to avoid the medicalised hospital environment and the risks of unnecessary interventions.

Many women look to home birth after having a previous traumatic birth experience. They want the care providers of their choosing and to have one to one or continuity of care throughout pregnancy, birth and into the postnatal time.

What are the benefits of home birth?

#1: Familiar environment and people

Where you give birth, and who cares for you during that time, has a massive impact on the way you give birth.

Choosing to birth in the familiar, comfortable space you live in ensures you have the privacy and support that allows your body to labour efficiently and without being disturbed.

You also choose your care providers when you hire private midwives. This allows you to build a mutually trusting relationship, one that honours your rights to birth how you wish.

In a public funded program, you’ll have the same midwives for pregnancy and birth care, harnessing the benefits of continuity of care.

A home birth means you can have your partner with you all the time, a doula or even choose to include your other children, family or friends in the birth of your child.

#2: Having control over your choices

Many women choose to have a second or subsequent baby at home because they’ve had a previous birth experience that resulted in trauma. Most often, they describe their birth as being out of their control, having to conform to what their care providers expected.

Sadly, the mainstream maternity system can’t provide the same emotional care that one to one midwifery care does. In all aspects of your pregnancy and birth care, the birthing woman is the key decision maker and her wishes are respected.

Home birth midwives are highly experienced and trained health professionals who are able to inform you of the risks and benefits of your choices and support you to make the best decisions for you and your baby.

You are free to move, eat and drink how you wish. There’s no rules as where you need to be to labour or birth – you can have a water birth if you wish and not have to worry about being told to get out.

#3: Fewer medical interventions

More women are choosing home birth for their first babies because they want to avoid the pressure of medical interventions. Often these interventions are based around time, when the baby should be born, how long a woman should be in labour for. Rhea Dempsey, author of Birth With Confidence, estimates up to 97% of women who give birth in hospital will have some form of intervention during labour.

Interventions include:

Induction of labor (including membrane sweeps, artificially breaking the sac, to medical induction methods)
Vaginal examinations
Continuous fetal monitoring
Epidural
Forceps or vacuum birth
C-section.

Often, one intervention leads to another. This is called the cascade of interventions. All interventions have risks to both mothers and babies and even the milder interventions can increase the risk of having a surgical birth.

One of the benefits of home birth is there’s no pressure to go into labor. Instead of hurrying baby out, the expectant mother is supported to allow her baby time to come when ready. There is less watching of the clock during labour and more focus on providing the right environment so mothers can labour efficiently and birth their babies.

Research shows women who plan to birth at home experience fewer interventions and more positive birth outcomes. There is also very good evidence to show planned home birth is as safe as hospital birth for low risk women

#4: Staying together after birth

One of the biggest challenges many women face after giving birth is their partner having to leave at some point. Or having to advocate for delayed cord clamping and having baby stay with you for skin to skin and the early breastfeed.

At home, this is just not an issue. Your midwives will observe you and your baby from the moment of birth until usually around two hours afterwards. They will ensure baby stays with you, supporting skin to skin and waiting for the placenta to arrive wherever you feel most comfortable.

Your partner can be as intimately involved in the birth of their child as they wish, and afterwards be encouraged to do whatever feels right for you both. Your older children can meet their new sibling in the familiar environment of their own home, encouraging early bonding.

#5: A more positive birth experience

Many women are told ‘at least the baby’s healthy’ as a sort of consolation for going through a traumatic, long or medicalised birth experience. It cements the idea that a woman’s experience during labour directly influences her birth and transition to motherhood.

A woman is at her most vulnerable during labour, both physically and emotionally. Her brain needs to feel safe so her body can function naturally and birth her baby.

With the dedicated support of known midwives, you are able to ‘let go’ and let birth unfold as it will. The sense of empowerment when your baby is born is hard to surpass.

The immediate time afterwards ensures new parents feel held and supported as they enter this new phase of life with their newborn. Women who give birth at home are more likely to rest and recover well, so they’re able to cope with the demands of a new baby.

Their midwives will come to them, ensuring breastfeeding is going well and offering reassurance new mamas often need.

More benefits of home birth

Choosing your own care provider is probably one of the key benefits of home birth. But it’s important you know whether it’s the right choice for you.

If you’re interested in having a home birth, you might like to consider Nurtured Birth’s workshop Choosing Maternity Care in Melbourne. This workshop explores the type of birth you want and how to find the right fit within the maternity system.

Another benefit is that you can choose the support people you want. Doulas are just as beneficial at a home birth as in hospital. Doulas complement your birth support team, and provide a welcome extra pair of hands and guidance to help with whatever is needed. Please contact us if you’re interested in having a doula at your home birth.

What Is A Doula? Benefits Of Birth And Postnatal Doulas

May was International Doula Month where birth and postpartum doulas are celebrated for the valuable support they provide to mamas, babies and families.

Nurtured Birth came into being after founding director Sarah realised there is a gap between what today’s birth culture offers and what women need for healthy, positive birth experiences. She was drawn to offer nurturing support that encompassed not just the birthing experience, but the before and after as well.

Doula and postpartum doula support has come a long way from being something only ‘crunchy mamas’ used.

Many women are starting to become aware the hospital maternity system doesn’t view them as unique and special – just another one of thousands of women giving birth. After their baby has arrived, many mothers are unprepared for the shock of parenting in today’s culture.

What is a doula?

Doulas are women who offer emotional and physical support to pregnant and birthing women. The word doula is said to come from ancient Greek, meaning “a woman who serves.”

Around the world in different cultures, doulas may be mothers, sisters or neighbours and friends.

Professional doulas are trained to provide non medical support throughout pregnancy, birth and in the postpartum period.

Doulas may decide to work only within the pregnancy/birth sphere, or they may purely care for women in the time after birth. Many doulas support all aspects of the parenthood journey, and this encompasses partners and family.

What does a doula actually do?

The main role of a doula is to provide knowledge, emotional and physical support without judgement.

Pregnancy support

A doula will meet with expectant parents a number of times during pregnancy. These meetings help parents prepare for birth and make informed decisions. They will discuss fears about birth, birth preferences and practical techniques for labor comfort. During these meetings, doulas build a relationship of trust and support before birth.

Labour and birth support

When labor begins, a doula may come to her at home or meet the expecting parents at their birth place. Doulas are like guides, accompanying the birthing woman and her partner, holding them up physically at times, suggesting different techniques or tips to make the journey smoother.

Doulas don’t act on behalf of their birthing clients, but can help communicate birth preferences to medical staff and translate suggested medical interventions so parents can make informed choices.

Emotional support

Their continuous presence during labour, encouraging and reassuring, is often the most important part of a doula’s role. Women who feel safe and supported will have a more positive birth experience, even if their birth plans needed to change.

Postnatal support

During the postpartum period, a doula can provide new parents a soft landing space as they

navigate this new transition. This allows new families to bond and have a supportive space to thrive.

Postnatal doulas provide emotional support and listen as new parents process the birth experience and reassurance about looking after their newborn, particularly if there are concerns about breastfeeding and sleeping.

They can provide practical support such as caring for baby while mama sleeps, cleaning or cooking.

What is the difference between a midwife and a doula?

It’s quite common for women to wonder if there’s a difference between doulas and midwives. After all, they both support women during pregnancy and birth.

Midwives and doulas work in the same arena but their roles are quite different.

A midwife is a health professional who cares for women during pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period. Most midwives work within the hospital system which doesn’t allow for the continuity of care and emotional support that is essential to the birthing experience.

Doulas on the other hand aren’t medical professionals and don’t provide medical advice or procedures. They are employed to focus solely on offering the sort of support midwives traditionally performed.

Do you need a doula?

It’s been said that the benefits of doulas are so positive that every birthing family should have one.

Research has shown women who have continuous support from the same person throughout labour will be less likely to request pain relief, have an instrumental or c-section birth, and have better birth outcomes.

There’s plenty of evidence showing doula care supports women to have more positive birth experiences, and ensures partners have valuable support too.

Doulas are also invaluable for parents having a high risk pregnancy. While doulas can’t replace the specialised medical care needed in this situation, they can offer much needed emotional support and help expectant parents navigate how to have a positive birth regardless of the need for medical intervention.

What does it mean to be a doula?

Those who choose the path of a doula as a profession often have a specific reason for doing so. We asked these doulas what does it mean to be a doula for them:

Sam:

Being a doula means having the privilege of being invited into a birth space and witnessing the incredible primal power of a birthing woman, holding space while she travels elsewhere to bring her baby into the world. My own experience of birth was so beautiful and positive, it inspired me to support other women to seek the same quality of care.

Jennifer, Doulas of Melbourne’s East:

I don’t consider my work work. They say that if you love your job you’ll never work another day, and I don’t, although often exhausting and challenging, it’s still a labour of love. Being a Doula, being part of a family’s most intimate and transforming experience is such an honour. Being able to guide them to dig within themselves, to uncover the power that lies (often hidden) within, is my calling. Supporting as new parents traverse the path of creation, amazing. Being a Doula is the best job in the world.

Claire, A Special Delivery:

My choice to be a Doula comes from a deep desire to support women through the life changing experience of childbirth. Women thrive when they are well supported, confident in their choices and ability to birth and nurture their babies. It thrills me to see their confidence growing with small wins and achievements, in finding their innate strength as they navigate life and raising their children.

If you want a supportive and nurturing birth and postnatal experience please contact Nurtured Birth to discuss how we can support you.

Birth Trauma – Why Is Giving Birth Becoming More Traumatic?

A recent story in the media highlights how serious birth trauma is for women and prompts us to ask: Why is this normal and natural event so troubling for so many women?

Every birth is unique. For many women, it’s one of the most profound and powerful experiences they will have in their life.

When supported to view birth as a normal process and to believe in their ability to give birth, most women will look back on the arrival of their baby as a positive one.

But for an increasing number of women, birth is traumatic. So much so, PANDA reports 1 in 3 women view their birth as a traumatic experience.

What is birth trauma?

First, let’s unpack what birth trauma means.

There is physical birth trauma, which relates to injury experienced at birth by either the mother or the baby.

In The Project interview, mum Kelly Hume divulges how an undiagnosed abscess after experiencing a severe tear giving birth caused her years of pain and ill health.

Then there is emotional or psychological trauma. As this is less visible to health professionals, in the past it hasn’t been acknowledged as much as physical birth trauma.

Today, more and more women are coming from their birth experiencing emotional trauma. This is more correctly known as post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, something we normally associate with military or refugees.

How does birth cause this extreme stress disorder?

Trauma can happen from what happens during labour and birth and how a woman feels about her experience.

She may witness or experience an event where she believes she or her baby was at risk of injury or death. But trauma can also result from feeling unheard, unsafe or helpless during the experience.

What are the symptoms of birth trauma?

For some women, trauma doesn’t begin to interfere in their lives for weeks even months after the birth. But for many women, immediately after the birth they are numb and feel disconnected from their lives.

The following list of symptoms of birth-related PTSD was complied from the Australian Health Direct website:

Repetitive memories/flashbacks that intrude into daily life
Nightmares
Extreme distress when reminded of the trauma
Avoiding situations, places, people (including partner) that trigger the trauma
Avoiding talking or thinking about the event
Being unable to remember the event
Extreme mood swings, including heightened fight or flight response
Becoming detached from others
Poor concentration
Difficulty sleeping
Feelings of hopelessness, detachment, numbness
Anxiety and depression.

What makes a birth traumatic?

The trauma that leads to birth-related PTSD is a very individual experience. Actual physical birth injury can lead to PTSD developing after.

Often a woman is told after birth she needed interventions to give birth safely, even though the interventions led to physical trauma – like forceps or episiotomy.

The story is then her body or baby was ‘wrong’, instead of looking at how she could’ve been better supported in pregnancy and labour to have a positive birth experience.

There are also many factors that increase the risk of a woman experiencing birth-related trauma, such as:

History of sexual abuse or rape
Domestic violence
Migration trauma
Previous traumatic birth experience.

How does environment make an impact on birth?

Giving birth is one of the most vulnerable states a woman experiences. To birth successfully, her neocortex (thinking brain) needs to quiet down, to allow her primitive brain to take over.

For this to happen, she needs to feel safe, supported and able to travel inwards to let her body do its work.

Mammals are designed to give birth in a way that allows labor to stop when there is a threat nearby. This an evolutionary process that hasn’t disappeared in humans simply because we no longer birth in the wild.

Being on ‘alert’ for possible threats or danger (whether real or imagined) is detrimental to the birth process. A woman’s body makes adrenaline hormones, which interrupt the production of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for contractions.

Our brains still need the sense of safety and privacy to allow our bodies to labour normally and positively.

Today, 98% of women give birth in bright, noisy spaces, filled with strangers and technology in every corner. Hospitals focus on the safety of mother and baby from the medical perspective – but there’s little room for the emotional and environmental support that’s also essential to the experience.

The sort of events that get in the way of a woman feeling safe include:

Not being prepared for labour being longer and more painful
Being unable to access the support, tools or environment you need
Labour and birth not going to plan or being very different from expectations
Not being aware alternatives or options for care
Feeling out of control, having no agency in what’s happening
Lack of information about what is happening, especially if the baby is taken away
Not being listened to or supported by staff or birth support people
Previous birth trauma
You or your baby needing interventions during labour or birth
Your baby suffering injury or needing medical attention after birth
Being afraid or very anxious about birth.

It’s very common for women to say their labour and birth was normal. But as time goes on, they’re left with a sense that something was wrong and experience confusing symptoms of trauma.

How does a traumatic birth affect the baby?

Many women who have birth-related PTSD aren’t aware of the impact it has on their transition to motherhood for some time. Breastfeeding and bonding are very entwined processes after birth.

Feeling disconnected or numb can lead to you feeling unsure about your ability to care for your baby. Some mothers with birth-related trauma have problems with breastfeeding, especially if stress or separation has interfered with the immediate bonding period.

They may feel numb and disconnected from their baby, feeling as though the baby isn’t theirs, or not wanting to care for the baby because it embodies the reason they experience trauma.

Some mothers are overwhelmed with a sense of anxiety about their baby’s health. They are hypervigilant, not allowing anyone else to care for the baby and become exhausted, unable to cope with other children or daily life.

This can be viewed as ‘normal’ by many people, especially if she had a difficult birth or interventions such as a c-section.

But it interrupts the normal and very important bonding that takes place in the first months of life. Breastfeeding might be challenging and without support, may not be continued.

How do you heal from birth trauma?

The first step to healing from birth-related trauma is having it recognised and acknowledged.

It’s very difficult for women to access the appropriate support for birth-related PTSD. It’s often seen as an unfortunate part of birth, rather than caused by a birth system that is medically focused.

Be mindful many women are misdiagnosed with postnatal depression (PND) which has a different set of symptoms to postnatal PTSD. If you’re having any problems finding support, there are organisations online that may be able to help, such as PANDA and the Australasian Birth Trauma Association.

Steps towards healing your traumatic birth include:

Seek help or support as soon as possible. You can recover from birth trauma with the help and support of professionals and your loved ones.
Process your experience by contacting support organisations or peer to peer support groups. Talking to someone who will validate your feelings about your experience. You may also choose to seek therapy with a counsellor who specialises in birth trauma.
Find out what you can about your experience, by obtaining your patient records. Seek the support of your doctor or midwife, or an independent support person such as a doula to help you understand the terminology and what happened during your labour. You may also need their support as you unpack the feelings you have about the event. This can also help you to make different choices about any future pregnancies.
Don’t put pressure on yourself to be the perfect mother and take time to get to know your baby. If you have a postnatal doula, you can enlist their support to promote more bonding such as skin to skin, breastfeeding. Having an experienced person nearby can ease your mind if you feel disconnected and unsure about how to care for your baby.
Acknowledge that birth is only the first step on your journey of a life-long relationship with your baby. Motherhood isn’t easy for everyone and is something many women grow into. A difficult birth can impact your relationship with your baby, but it doesn’t have to.

What about birth after trauma?

It can be frightening to think about having another baby after a traumatic birth experience. It’s important to remember no two births are the same. Whether you choose to have another baby or not is something only you and your partner can decide.

In the process of healing from the first experience, women may come to understand they don’t want to have more babies. This can have an impact on their relationship with their partner and is something that needs professional support to work through.

Other women might discover what they want to do differently the next time, and this often revolves around choosing different birth places and care providers.

Walking through the previous experience, safely supported by trusted people, can help you to unravel what happened and how you would plan for another birth in a different way to empower yourself.

Nurtured Birth offers both birth and postnatal doula support. To find out more, please visit this page.

We also offer a range of workshops and classes that can help you navigate your choice of care provider and become more informed about birth. Please visit this page for more information about Nurtured Birth’s workshops.

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For New Mamas

Mother’s Day has long been an important date on our calendar.

On the second Sunday of May, many of us will spend the day celebrating our mums, special women in our lives, or even being spoiled ourselves.

Some mums may be given flowers, cards or special handmade gifts. Others might have breakfast in bed or a special lunch with family.

However you spend the day, have you ever wondered where the tradition of honouring motherhood came from?

Today’s celebration of Mother’s Day originated from anti war campaigns after the American Civil War ended in 1865. But it wasn’t until after World War 1 that Mother’s Day was first acknowledged in Australia.

Janet Heyden started the tradition in 1924 after visiting a friend in Newington State Hospital and seeing the lonely aged mothers there. Janet campaigned for local schools and businesses to donate gifts to these forgotten women.

New mothers are often excited to celebrate their first Mother’s Day. Among all the flowers, chocolates and sleep-ins, why not gift her something she really needs.

Nurtured Birth offers wonderful products and services for women any stage of motherhood.

Mother’s Day Massage Gift Voucher

Self care is hard to squeeze into a busy mama’s life at the best of times. Massage therapy offers mamas the space to take care of their own needs, to be nourished and pampered. A gift voucher for self care is a beautiful way to say thank you for all you do.

Click here to purchase a Massage Therapy Gift Voucher.

Breastfeeding support

For the mama planning to breastfeed, Nurtured Birth has a luxurious range of products to support her choice.

From nipple cups, a 100% eco friendly breast pump, to breast pads, we have everything a breastfeeding mama needs.

Click on the links to go straight to our shop to purchase any of these products.

Pregnancy pillow

Sleep is so important during pregnancy but as the baby grows, the extra weight puts pressure on a pregnant mama’s spine. This can make it hard to get enough sleep and feel well rested.

Nurtured Birth stocks Dentons Pregnancy Pillow because it’s the best product available for supporting the back and spine.

Click here to purchase a Dentons Pregnancy Pillow.

Happy Mother’s Day!

MORE GIFT IDEAS - SHOP NOW

Delayed Cord Clamping And The Umbilical Cord

Today more parents are choosing delayed cord clamping to ensure their newborn baby has all the benefits of this slow introduction to life outside the womb.

Pausing before clamping and cutting the cord honours the connection and life-support the umbilical cord has provided your baby for the last nine months.

What is delayed cord clamping and is it possible in all situations?

What is the umbilical cord?

Within the first 3 weeks of conception, the connection between you and your baby begins to form. By week 7, the umbilical cord is fully formed.

Often referred to as your baby’s lifeline, the umbilical cord is that and more. It provides oxygen and nutrients to your baby, nourishing them throughout the next nine months.

On the outside, the umbilical cord looks like a tube. Inside the cord is one vein and two arteries. Wharton’s jelly surrounds these, a gelatinous substance that insulates and protects the umbilical vessels.

The vein carries oxygen and nutrients from the placenta
The arteries transports waste material from your baby to the kidneys via the placenta.

In the third trimester, antibodies pass through the placenta to your baby, priming the immune system for life outside the womb. By the time your baby is born, the umbilical cord is about 60cm long, but can be up to 100cm!

Umbilical cord conditions

Most of the time, the umbilical cord is in the right place and does its job perfectly. Occasionally, there are problems with the cord but these don’t cause you or your baby any issues. Very rarely there are more complex problems with the cord that can be serious.

If you choose to have an ultrasound at 18-20 weeks, the sonographer will check if there is three vessels in the umbilical cord. They will also check the cord is well connected to the placenta.

Complications with umbilical cords can include:

Single umbilical artery: when one artery in the umbilical cord is missing. This is rare, happening in 1% of pregnancies, and related to heart, kidney or digestion conditions.
Vasa previa: one or more blood vessels from the umbilical cord or placenta cross the cervix. The vessels can potentially tear, causing serious bleeding in babies.
Nuchal cord: when the umbilical cord is wrapped around a baby’s neck. Usually this causes no problems but it can affect the heart rate during labour, leading to a cascade of interventions.
Knotted cord: these often form early in pregnancy when the baby moves around. Knots frequently happen when the umbilical cord is very long and in pregnancies with identical twins who share the same amniotic sac.
Umbilical cord cysts: sacs of fluid in the umbilical cord. Less than 1% of pregnancies has an umbilical cord cyst.

If any of these cord complications is found or suspected, your care provider might suggest future ultrasounds or other prenatal tests.

What happens to the umbilical cord during labour?

The umbilical cord continues to play an important role in your baby’s well being during labour and birth.

As your uterus contracts, it temporarily compresses the blood vessels that take oxygen to your placenta. In response, your baby’s heart rate slows, to conserve energy and oxygen.As the contraction ends, your baby’s heart rate picks up again.

If there’s a problem with the umbilical cord, this can affect your baby’s heart rate picking up. It can be seen as a sign of distress and your care providers will want to check your baby is coping with labour.

What happens to the umbilical cord after birth?

As your baby is completely born, an incredible transformation takes place. The central nervous system registers the change in environment and temperature and your baby takes their first breath.

The transition your baby’s body makes from being dependent on the placenta (and you) for oxygen to breathing air can take some time. As this amazing transition happens, the umbilical cord pulsates, delivering oxygen rich blood to your baby.

The blood vessels in the umbilical cord will begin to close naturally when this transition is complete. The cord goes from being blue-purple and quite thick, to white and thin looking. This can take from a few minutes to as long as an hour!

When should the umbilical cord be clamped and cut?

In the past, clamping and cutting the umbilical cord happened before the placenta was expelled. Doctors believed a fast and large volume placental blood increased complications such as jaundice, respiratory distress and even a type of blood cancer called polycythemia.

Research over the past decade has shown there are benefits for babies in leaving the cord intact until it naturally finishes transferring blood from the placenta to the baby, including:

Increases haemoglobin in baby. This is a protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen to organs and tissues and transports carbon dioxide back to the lungs.
Increases iron stores in baby, particularly important for the first six months of life.
Increases blood volume by up to 30% in babies.
Premature babies are less likely to need a blood transfusion.
Babies, especially premature newborns, have a lower risk of intra-ventricular haemorrhage and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Delayed cord clamping versus optimal cord clamping

Sometimes different terms are used, such as delayed cord clamping, or optimal cord clamping.

Delayed cord clamping is waiting between 1-5 minutes before clamping and cutting the umbilical cord. Most hospitals have a policy to wait three minutes delayed cord clamping. Then the cord is clamped and cut, even if the cord is still pulsating.

Optimal cord clamping is the practice of waiting until the cord is white and the blood vessels in the umbilical cord begin to close naturally, clamping themselves shut. This usually takes much longer than five minutes. In this time, the circulating oxygen and iron/stem cell rich blood is transferring from the placenta to your baby.

While this is happening, your baby is making a gentle transition to breathing at birth. It also allows your baby to remain with you, enabling the benefits of skin to skin contact and early breastfeeding.

Can I have delayed cord clamping during a c-section?

It’s possible to have delayed cord clamping with a c-section birth. This depends on your care provider being aware of the benefits and supporting a gentle transition for your baby.

It also depends on the reason for your c-section. If your baby is in severe fetal distress, there is placental abruption, or placenta previa, delayed cord clamping might not be possible.

Ideally, discuss delayed or optimal cord clamping with your care provider during pregnancy. You can negotiate the different scenarios to ensure your wishes are respected.

Nurtured Birth offers birth doula services and childbirth education to best support you in navigating these decisions. To support you to have a positive birth experience, please contact us.