Tag: birth

Food During Labour: How to Nourish Mama

Food during labour is an important way to nourish and support your body. But there are many things to take into consideration when deciding what food to bring to labour.

We asked Lindy Cook, Naturopath, Herbalist and Nutritionist all about the best food and drink options to have on hand during labour.

How do we prepare food during labour when we don’t know what to expect?

You might not be hungry at all. But you might be! The only way to move forward is to be prepared. A good guide is to have plenty of snacks or small meals to choose from, so you can pick what you feel like in the moment. 

When choosing foods, aim for light, nutritious snacks or meals that include complex carbohydrates, with protein and healthy fat to stabilise blood sugar and energy. This will provide your body with energy and nutrients, while eating and drinking small amounts more frequently is easier on digestion.

It’s a good idea to write your own list of what to eat during labour. I encourage you to go through the list of suggested foods below and write down a few things that really appeal to you. 

But if you have no idea what will sound good, use these tips to plan ahead what to eat during labour:

  • Bring a variety of foods to ensure you’re able to find something that sounds good when you need it. 
  • Have a variety of textures available: soft, crunchy, juicy. Pack it all.
  • Don’t forget your partner! Pack enough for them to eat too, without wiping out your snack supply.
  • Treat yourself. Choose items that are a little extravagant you don’t normally buy, like that premium organic juice or fancy European chocolate bar. 

Of course the most important thing of all is to listen to your body and not force yourself to eat something that doesn’t sit well with you. 

What food during labour do you suggest? 

Some hospitals will have a refrigerator you can store your drink and food in. If this isn’t possible, a small esky bag can be useful. The following list isn’t comprehensive but it covers a wide range of snacks and small meals to choose from:

  • Greek yoghurt – rich in good fats and protein. Try adding some berries for a little extra sweetness and energy, can also be frozen into cubes
  • Homemade bliss balls containing protein powder
  • Mini frittata with spinach, carrot and goats cheese
  • Green smoothie with a plant-based protein powder
  • Frozen berries, grapes or bananas, as these fruits are refreshing and remain soft when frozen
  • Quinoa with avocado, or brown rice and an organic egg. Both are light but substantial and well balanced
  • Banana or apple with nut butter
  • Dried fruit and nut mix (preferably without sulfur)
  • Granola bars 
  • Wholegrain toast or wholegrain crackers, with avocado or natural peanut butter or almond butter
  • A spoonful of raw honey, for a boost of energy
  • Peanut butter sandwich
  • Cheese cubes
  • 100% applesauce. The individual squeeze packs are great during active labour.

What are the best options when it comes to fluid intake?

Your body uses a lot of energy during labour and it’s very important you stay hydrated during this period. Aim to take a sip of fluids every 15 – 30 minutes. Another good option is to make ice cubes out of your favourite fruit juice or smoothie and suck on them.

Also, make sure to have a few straws on hand! You’ll probably find yourself in various positions during labour and you may not want to move much. Having your support person hold the straw to your lips will make it much easier to consume.

Here are some of my favourite options of what to drink in labour:

  • Coconut water – an excellent source of electrolytes and an ideal, healthy option for staying hydrated in early labour
  • Miso Soup.
  • Bone Broth – nutrient rich, can assist with nausea
  • Diluted cloudy apple juice .
  • Frozen red raspberry ice cubes with honey or natural raspberry popsicles.
  • Raspberry leaf tea is wonderful during labour and it can gently stimulate productive contractions.
  • Protein smoothie. 
  • Eating juicy fruits like watermelon and cucumbers will increase hydration. Frozen watermelon is very refreshing.
  • Sprinkle a little Celtic salt or other trace mineral salt into your water.
  • Lemon-lime labour aid provides electrolytes, required for muscle (uterine) contractions, particularly useful during active and later labour. 

Lemon-Lime Labour Aid

  • 2 cups coconut water
  • 1 cup water
  • juice from 1 lemon
  • juice from 1 lime
  • 2 tbsp organic honey
  • ¼ tsp unrefined Himalayan salt
  • 1 tsp good quality magnesium powder
  • A few drops of rescue remedy
  • optional: trace mineral/electrolyte drops

Mix all the ingredients together, refrigerate and sip on throughout labour. You could also try freezing it into ice popsicles or cubes in advance, which can be added to water or coconut water. 

When are the best times to eat food during labour?

Eating light snacks and staying hydrated during labour has been shown to significantly reduce the length of labour! Awesome, right? This is why you want to make sure you’re drinking enough fluid during early labour to avoid dehydration, as it can cause ineffective contractions. For food, you want to eat foods that give you lasting energy.

Early labour is a great opportunity to eat deeply nourishing foods to fuel you for several hours. Protein is so important for pregnancy nutrition, plus it helps balance your blood sugar so you don’t have crashes later. If you can stomach protein during labour, try to eat some.  

As labour progresses into the active stage, your appetite will naturally decrease. If you’re able to, eating small bites of easily digestible foods during pushing can help you to maintain your strength. 

It’s wise to have a few options available because you don’t know what might seem appealing, or if you’ll have an aversion to certain tastes or smells. 

Carbs are an excellent choice for that. If eating carbs feel too heavy for you, try having a smoothie, some fruit, a granola or protein bar. Avoid fried or greasy food in case you feel nauseous later in labour. 

What foods and drinks should be avoided during labour? 

It can be temping to just stock up on energy drinks for labour but it’s not a good idea as they’re high in sugar and caffeine. Some energy drinks have as much as 8 times the amount of caffeine as 1 cup of coffee.  It’s not recommended to drink more than one cup of coffee a day while pregnant. 

Other foods and drinks to avoid during labour include:

  • Oranges and orange juice. The acidity may cause an upset stomach or burning if vomiting occurs after consumption.
  • Protein and fat (late in labour). These slow the rate that your muscles use energy supplied from the sugar. Avoid foods like steak, fries or burgers. 
  • High sugar and fat foods. Foods high in sugar may give you that quick energy boost but will leave you feeling tired and nauseous once your energy peaks. Avoid foods like doughnuts, pastries or cakes. 
  • Try to avoid spicy food during early labour since it can cause you to have diarrhoea, which is no fun.
  • Avoid the sports drinks with artificial food dyes and high fructose corn syrup.
  • Energy drinks. These are high in caffeine which can affect you and your baby’s heart rate and blood pressure.

What should the partner or support person be eating throughout the labour?  

Make sure your partner has snacks packed as well! Avoid anything that will linger unpleasantly on their breath (garlicky pasta is out!).

Partners may like to have some easy to grab, quickly nutritious snacks like trail mix, granola bars, peanut butter, nuts, fruit. They will especially be thankful for preparing a sandwich or other simple meal ahead of time.

Your partner is going to need a lot of energy and support to prepare for the journey with you while you are going through the intense stages of labour. You will need a lot of attention, patience and support, so your partner needs to be prepared with nourishing food to stay focused on you. 

What are the best options for nausea during labour? 

The feeling of vomiting and nausea, also known as morning sickness, is fairly common during pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester. However, sometimes a woman may experience similar symptoms when she goes into labour. 

Most often, vomiting in labour happens around transition. This is near the end of the first stage, just before pushing begins.

Some women vomit throughout labour, which can cause dehydration and drain your much needed energy which may slow down contractions. So it’s important to have some tips on hand if you’re nauseous through labour:

  1. Don’t limit food intake: Pregnant women are likely to feel hungry and thirsty during the initial stages of labour. It is essential to eat during early labour to ensure you have plenty of fuel to get through labour. Restricting food intake can trigger ketosis, when your body burns fat reserves as fuel. This can increase acidity and cause you to feel nauseous.
  2. Avoid dehydration: Dehydration during labour can cause nausea and vomiting, as well as slowing down contractions and stalling labour.
  3. Food aversions: Sometimes, specific foods or drinks can bring about nausea during early labour. Some women may be adversely affected by foods like peanut butter or beverages like juice.
  4. Eat bland food: Eating bland food which is easier to digest, such as fresh fruit, rice, multigrain crackers, clear-based broths, yoghurt, bland multigrain cereals.
  5. Essential oils : Essential oils like lemon, lavender, peppermint can work well to stop vomiting at the time of labour. Sniffing the oils may ease the sensation of vomiting.
  6. Ginger: Ginger is known for its beneficial effect in controlling vomiting. You can use ginger tincture which may be an easy, effective and portable way to avert vomiting. You can add a few drops to your tea, broth, water or take it directly.
  7. Hydrotherapy: Some women may find hydrotherapy advantageous when dealing with the sensation of vomiting. Sitting in a tub of water or standing under a shower can ease nauseous feelings.
  8. Cold washcloth: Placing a cool piece of cloth on the face or back of neck can bring some respite from feeling nauseous. You may like to add a drop of essential oil like peppermint for a pleasing, cooling sensation. You can also put a frozen bag or ice cubes at the nape of the neck.

Nurtured Birth offers naturopathy support tailored to your pregnancy and birth needs. We’d love to nurture you on your journey, please contact us for more information or to book an appointment.

Comfort in Labour: 4 Ways to Nourish Mama

As you prepare for birth, take some time to think about what comfort in labour might look for you.

How will you meet the demands of labour, no matter how long it takes? What essentials will  you bring to the birth to keep up your energy and cope with contractions? How will you remain supported, focused and encouraged?  So many questions.

There is so much to think about, especially if it’s your first baby.  It’s exciting and overwhelming and nerve wracking all at the same time. 

There’s more to giving birth than packing a hospital bag and writing out a birth plan. Part of your preparation for birth should focus on one simple theme: nourishing mama during labour. 

When we think of nourishment what immediately comes to mind is food. But humans are complex beings and we need more than just food for our bodies. We rely on many things for our mental sustenance and emotional wellbeing. 

Here we have included 4 simple options to provide comfort in labour for mama: water, food, support and sensory. You can pick and choose the options that will work best for you and include these ideas for your baby’s birth.

#1: Water as comfort in labour

The source of life, the essential building block of life. Human bodies consist of up to 60% water so it’s no wonder we find it a source of nourishment.

During labour, your body works hard and uses up a lot of energy. It’s important to keep hydrated, to support your body’s efforts to give birth. 

Drink small amounts of water often. Sucking or chewing ice cubes prevents taking in too much too quickly, which can cause nausea or vomiting. Using straws to drink liquids is preferable.

Water can be used in the form of hot and cold packs to ease pain and discomfort. Cool face washers or a spray bottle with a fine mist can be refreshing.

Water also offers comfort in labour in the form of the bath or shower. This can make you feel refreshed, cleansed, warm or cool. Taking a bath or having a shower can be relaxing and a form of pain relief, easing tension and backache during labour. Birthing in water is a popular option for some women.

#2: Food as comfort in labour

Lindy Cook, Naturopath at Nurtured Birth, offers the following advice when it comes to the food we should eat during labour for the best nourishment.

“Your best bet is to make sure you have plenty of snacks on hand that are super hydrating, highly nutritious, high in protein and easy to digest. As with the rest of your pregnancy, it’s best to stick with healthy foods that will provide your body with the energy and nutrients needed while giving birth to your baby.”

Research shows restricting nutrition and fluids during labour can make them more painful and last longer. If you are having a c-section you will be given specific guidelines on food and fluid intake. 

In early labour, have regular snacks so you’re building your energy reserves. Eat foods that are easy to digest and give you a more consistent release of energy. Lindy suggests the following options for your labour:

  • Granola bars, protein balls, dried fruit and nut mix
  • Wholegrain toast or crackers with nut butter or avocado
  • Low fat yoghurt, add berries for sweetness
  • Apples or bananas, frozen grapes or berries
  • Smoothies – fruit or vegetable or green with added protein powder
  • Quinoa and avocado, or brown rice and an organic egg
  • Mini frittata with spinach, carrot and goats cheese
  • Drinks – coconut water, raspberry leaf tea, diluted cloudy apple juice, homemade labour aid. Sometimes other drinks are managed better than water. Avoid drinks high in sugar or caffeine
  • Clear soup such as bone broth or miso soup
  • If feeling like a sweet hit – spoonful of honey or piece of dark chocolate
  • Avoid fatty, rich or spicy foods, & strong smelling foods – this includes your support person too.

#3: Support in labour

Comfort in labour can come in the form of support, which might be emotional and physical. Who you have to support you during labour can impact your birth experience, either in a positive or negative sense. Studies show that women with good support have shorter, less painful labours, with less medical intervention. 

Think carefully about who could offer you the support you need to feel comfort in labour. There will be moments you will feel very vulnerable, afraid, or even lost. You may need someone to ask questions, draw out information and make sure your wishes are being heard and honoured.

Choose someone who nourishes you in your daily life. Your partner, your children, your mum, your sister, a friend. You could also choose an independent midwife or doula to guide you through the experience of childbirth.

Sarah Goldberg, founding Director of Nurtured Birth, is a doula and she has shared some tips for support as comfort in labour:

  • Touch – simple and firm, holding the space, calming and soothing you, holding your hands.
  • Massage – of the back, shoulders and neck, legs. Especially the lower back and sacral region to reduce muscle tension and distract from contractions.
  • Encouragement – emotional support is key. A labouring woman needs to stay focused as she works hard to birth her baby. At times it’s normal to feel really confronted and tired. Encouragement and attention help you feel held, cared for and safe. This promotes the production of oxytocin. Oxytocin is the love hormone and needed in peak levels to cause contractions which open the cervix and bringing the baby down and out. 
  • Environment – create a loving, relaxed space with the right team of people, where you can laugh and feel joy, and aim to make it a precious memorable life experience. 
  • Physical support – helps to make you physically comfortable, stay connected to your breath,  help you to stay active, perhaps even dancing, support in upright & active positions, encourage you to try new positions. 
  • Support people – let others take on practical tasks, like getting heat packs or cool washers, making sure you are sipping water and nibbling food that will keep you going. Running a bath, hanging out in the shower, making sure the lights are low, adjusting music or  applying tens machine.  

#4: Sensory comfort 

Our human spirit needs nourishment and encouragement, especially in challenging moments during labour. What lifts your spirit, affects you positively and fills up your cup? Bring those special elements into your birth space to provide comfort in labour.

Some sensory comfort in labour ideas you might like to explore:

  • Visual stimuli – pictures or photographs that evoke emotions, assist focus and meditation, affirmations practiced during pregnancy.
  • Breathing – practice deep breathing techniques during pregnancy to create a habit of using this in labour, to promote deep relaxation during labour.
  • Encouragement – appropriate encouragement in words or touch that is nurturing, supportive and strengthening.
  • Music – sound can be a good distraction and very relaxing, or uplifting to promote energy. 
  • Rest and sleep – allow your body and mind to rest in between contractions, especially in the first active stage of labour, to build up energy reserves.
  • Scents – essential oils can offer support and calm, assisting you through each stage of labour, providing nurture, strength and positivity. 
  • Pain management techniques – coping with contraction pain can be assisted with the use of a tens machine, acupuncture or acupressure.
  • Comfort items – these might be special to you, such as a blanket, clothes, warm socks, a favourite throw rug, your own pillow.

Make sure your time in labour is a positive experience by surrounding yourself with all forms of nourishment. Comfort in labour can be found with one or many of these 4 simple ways to nourish yourself.

If you need help in finding what are the right choices for you, consider some childbirth education classes. Nurtured Birth offers private birth education sessions in the comfort of your own home or via online conferencing. Please contact us for more information. 

Written by Sharon Clarke, Remedial Therapist at Nurtured Birth

Sore Nipples and Breastfeeding: What You Need To Know

Sore nipples are one of the more common concerns new mamas face when beginning their breastfeeding journey. 

Breastfeeding mum and baby sore nipples

Breastfeeding is a wonderful, natural way for a mother to bond with her baby, and breast milk is recommended as the only source of food for a baby’s first six months of life. 

Whilst the production of breast milk occurs naturally, the art of breastfeeding doesn’t always go smoothly.

For many mothers the experience is simple and straightforward, but for some it can become a painful ordeal. 

Breastfeeding is a learned skill for both mother and baby, and there are bound to be some hiccups at the beginning. Sore nipples are often dismissed as part of the process but pain definitely isn’t something new mamas should ‘put up with’. Sore nipples can be so painful that a mother gives up breastfeeding altogether.

Find out what you need to know about sore nipples and breastfeeding, and what we recommend for prevention and support. 

Pre-pregnancy breast soreness 

Breasts, areolas and nipples come in all shapes and sizes and will change throughout a woman’s life cycle, from adolescence through to menopause. We need to have an awareness of what is normal for our breasts by doing regular breast checks so we can spot any unusual changes quickly. 

Breast soreness is very common. It affects most women at some time in their lives, usually in the form of swelling, lumps, bumps, general aches and soreness. Commonly felt at varying times of the menstrual cycle, breast soreness is usually regarded as normal. The soreness will vary from woman to woman, so it is important to be aware of what is normal for you.

If there is any unusual pain, extreme pain, or changes in the breast tissues (with or without pain) it needs to be explored further. This could be due to other factors such as cysts, tumours or mastitis. Seek advice from a medical professional for further investigation into the source of pain and treatment.

Pregnancy breast soreness

During pregnancy, your breasts undergo many changes, influenced by hormonal fluctuations. 

During the first trimester your breasts may feel generally sore and tender. The breasts often increase in size and as the pregnancy moves forward the areola and nipples will usually darken and become larger. 

It is important to make sure to be fitted with the right style and size of bra during pregnancy, to prevent not just soreness but long-term damage to the breast tissue.

During the third trimester the breasts will begin to make colostrum in preparation for milk supply for the soon to be born baby. This can be seen as a shiny, clear discharge from the nipples. 

Some women may hand express this colostrum after consultation with their midwife, obstetrician or doctor. In certain situations babies need supplementation after birth and a supply of colostrum in the freezer can be used instead of formula. 

Breastfeeding soreness

Breastfeeding is biologically the normal way to feed mammal babies and the production of milk (lactation) occurs naturally after giving birth. Breast milk contains everything your baby needs for nutrition for the first six months of life. 

Breastfeeding begins soon after birth, often with mum bringing the baby to her breast within minutes after birth. Babies left on their mothers bellies after birth have an innate instinct to seek out the breast, and will crawl up to the nipple. 

In the first few days, your breasts will produce colostrum and this provides everything your baby needs. Within a few days, your milk ‘comes in’ and changes in volume and composition. This can cause some discomfort as breasts become full and engorged, and your baby is increasingly hungry and more demanding.

Breastfeeding shouldn’t be painful. But in the initial few weeks, at the beginning of a feed, there may be some discomfort when the baby first attaches to the breast. The sensation should subside within a short time and as the feed continues it should not be painful.

There can also be other issues such as engorgement, mastitis, nipple vasospasm, thrush and other infections. Nipples may appear bright pink or red in colour, bleeding, dry, flaky, or have a white rash (thrush). 

Causes of sore nipples when breastfeeding

Sore nipples most often occur if the baby doesn’t have the proper attachment or ‘latch’ to the breast.This can cause cracking, splitting and bleeding of the nipple. Sometimes these sores are obvious, but small cracks can be hard to see, even if very painful.

There can be other issues such as a baby with tongue tie, incorrect use of breast pumps, or medical conditions such as dermatitis or an infection. In these cases it is important to seek help from a qualified professional to properly diagnose the problem and offer the right course of treatment.

Even if breastfeeding is going well problems can still arise. Nipple soreness can occur if mum or baby become complacent about latch, the baby has a growth spurt causing a sudden increase in feeds, or baby begins teething.

What can be done to help breastfeeding and sore nipples?

Even if you have breastfed before, breastfeeding each baby is new and can take some adjusting to. Being prepared for breastfeeding before you have your baby is a good foundation to understanding what can go wrong and what to do about it. 

Nurtured Birth recommends Born To Breastfeed, a comprehensive and accessible breastfeeding guide for mothers, answering all your questions and providing support for challenges. You can purchase this through Nurtured Birth’s shop here. 

  1. Seek advice straight away! The best person to help is a lactation consultant. They will have specialist training and knowledge on breastfeeding issues. Your midwife, maternal & child health nurse, postnatal doula or paediatrician can also provide some support. 
  2. Consider attending breastfeeding classes during pregnancy to prepare yourself and your partner. You can also make contact with a lactation consultant so they will already be on hand to assist once the baby is born.
  3. Try to feed on the baby’s first cues of being hungry, not waiting until they are crying. You can try putting the baby to the breast more often, expressing some milk prior to feed and offering the less sore side first.
  4. Finding the proper positioning while feeding. Getting the right set up of chair, pillows, baby’s position to allow for correct attachment to the breast.
  5. Keep nipples dry between feeds. Make sure to change nursing pads frequently and use 100% cotton for best airflow, not plastic lined ones.
  6. After a feed leave some fresh breast milk on your sore nipples and keep them open to air for a few minutes. Pat dry gently. 
  7. Products like the BodyICE Breast Pads provide relief for sore nipples. You can purchase these cleverly designed pads that fit into your bra through Nurtured Birth’s website here. 
  8. Soothing products to assist with the pain and healing: after a feed apply a saltwater rinse to the nipple or try a warm cloth compress. A lanolin ointment that is 100% medical-grade is also safe to use on your nipples after a feed.
  9. Check your expressing technique – some electric pumps can be too harsh and may need to be adjusted. Sometimes a manual pump or hand expressing can be gentler on sore nipples.
  10. Nipple shields can be used for short periods of time to ease sore nipples. They often lead to future issues with poor attachment so need to be used with advice and careful consideration. 
  11. Some causes of sore nipples need medical intervention. Thrush can be treated with an ointment that is safe for baby, mastitis may need antibiotics so it does not become serious and lead to hospitalisation. Always seek out advice from a medical professional.

Where do I find help?

You can contact the following organisations for more information:

Lactation Consultants of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ) 

Australian Breastfeeding Association runs the National Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 686 268

Maternal and Child Health Line (24 hours) – 13 22 29

Nurtured Birth postnatal doula available for home visits in Melbourne, even during Covid-19 times. 

Written by Sharon Clarke, Remedial Therapist at Nurtured Birth

Essential Oils in Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond

The use of essential oils in pregnancy has a range of therapeutic effects, from easing tension, anxiety and aching muscles to generating a positive mood, calming or energising. 

Essential oils in pregnancy can be wonderful to support the changing body through each trimester, into labour and postnatally, but must be used safely and sparingly.

Jo Harris, founder of Soularoma shares her tips and guidelines for using essential oils in pregnancy.

What are the benefits of essential oils in pregnancy? 

I obviously love and deeply believe in the benefits of essential oils during pregnancy, it is a very special time and usually happens only once or twice in most women’s lives.

A pregnant woman’s wellbeing (physical & emotional)  is of utmost importance and thus it is a time to use essential oils for that extra boost if it is needed.

 It is important for women to have complementary approaches available during their pregnancy to cope with the physiological and emotional issues that can appear.  It is empowering for a woman to treat issues which don’t require medical intervention by herself with natural essential oils.

What are the considerations you apply when choosing essential oils for pregnant women?

Safety is always number one, but then also what the individual client likes and needs (emotionally, physically & spiritually) at that moment. 

Unfortunately there is a lot of contradicting information with essential oils in pregnancy. With pregnancy it is best to be on the safer side and act with caution. 

Why is it important to seek the advice of a trained aromatherapist? 

To be sure what you are using is safe for you and your baby. This is of utmost importance at all times with essential oils but especially so when during pregnancy. 

It is also important to use very little during pregnancy. So the dilution should always be half of a normal adult dose- a maximum of 1.5% dilution. 

What do you include in your Birth Surges oil and why? 

For establishment of labour – clary sage, a great uterotonic, helps relax (like a euphoria), and decreases anxiety, fear and panic. Clary sage also works to decrease irritability and strengthen the central nervous system. It also helps gain clarity. 

For active labour – rose oil, it is a great uterotonic, rose is calming, decreases anxiety, fear and panic and works to promote love (opening the heart), concentration, patience and decreasing irritability. It also protects from negativity. 

Birthing the placenta – jasmine helps promote confidence, helps to decrease anxiety and fear. Jasmine is also a great oil for gratitude & opening the heart. Jasmine also helps to reach a meditative state and to feel peace.

None of these oils should be used before 38 weeks of pregnancy. 

Essential oils in trimester one 

During the first 13 weeks of pregnancy a woman will undergo a variety of changes as her body begins to support her growing baby. These changes occur physically, emotionally and physiologically. 

Although not all pregnant women will experience all symptoms, there are many common changes and complaints that can be experienced, such as nausea, fatigue, headaches, emotional vulnerability, hormonal swings. There is also a mixture of excitement and anxiety about pregnancy and birth.

With these changes in mind we need to find essential oils that are soothing and relaxing but also uplifting and revitalising. It is really important to use essential oils only if really needed during the first trimester – less is more. Safety is really important in this trimester especially. 

  • For nausea – cardamom, mandarin, lemon, orange, ginger; and for headaches lavender or lemon.
  • For emotional health – lavender, patchouli, orange, vetiver, mandarin, bergamot, grapefruit, palmarosa, petitgrain, lime. These oils have soothing, refreshing, uplifting, tranquil qualities.
  • To counteract anxiety – petitgrain, bergamot, lavender, neroli, orange, grapefruit, mandarin., lemongrass (in low dosages), rosalina, vetiver, chamomile.

Essential oils in trimester two 

As the pregnant woman enters into the middle of her pregnancy, weeks 14 to 27, she may find pregnancy symptoms begin to ease. She will begin to feel her baby move and often embrace the joy of her pregnant body and her baby growing inside her.  

Common conditions that may arise in the second trimester include increased energy, sinus aggravation, less stable joints/muscles causing pain, spider/varicose veins, heartburn and constipation.

The oils that will offer the most benefit during this time will target the digestive system, balance and focus, easing pain.

  • For digestion or indigestion – ginger and lavender, sweet orange, coriander, mandarin, cardamom
  • Aching muscles – lemon, ginger, rosalina, myrtle, cardamom
  • Sinus – Rosalina, myrtle, lemon
  • Overall balancing – lavender, geranium (not for use in early pregnancy), mandarin, petitgrain, neroli.

Essential oils in trimester three

The last 13 weeks of pregnancy are known as trimester three. During this time the baby has grown so much it is having a significant impact on the pregnant woman’s physicality. 

The common changes and complaints that occur include a decrease in energy, anxiety for impending birth, oedema, leg cramps. 

  • For inspiration and to invigorate – geranium, lemon, ginger, lemongrass
  • To promote sleep – a citrus base such as orange, tangerine or bergamot blended with lavender
  • To unwind, destress, relax – a citrus base of orange, bergamot or lime blended with geranium, patchouli, ylang ylang, or petitgrain, lemongrass, lavender, chamomile, rose geranium.  

Essential oils during labour and birth

Essential oils can offer support and calmness to the birthing woman, assisting her through each stage of labour, providing nurture, strength and positivity.

  • Inner power – mandarin, frankincense, ginger, rose, patchouli
  • Meditation – a citrus base or tangerine or bergamot, with lavender, frankincense, vetiver
  • Feminine – orange, ylang ylang, lavender, geranium, jasmine
  • Promoting contractions – clary sage, sweet marjoram, ginger, rose.

The baby can be greeted at birth by a mild pleasant aroma. The use of essential oils should be stopped close to birth to provide a more aromatically neutral environment as babies are very sensitive to smells. It is best for the baby to smell mum’s own scent to help with bonding.

Essential oils for the postnatal period

Common changes and complaints that occur after pregnancy and birth include exhaustion, physical tiredness and pain, emotional adjustments, hormonal changes, healing, breastfeeding issues. 

  • Breast engorgement – geranium
  • Healing emotions – lavender, patchouli, mandarin
  • Emotional tension – neroli, palmarosa, mandarin, chamomile.

Postnatal application of essential oils to the skin:

  • To help reduce stretch marks, help the skin keep its suppleness and elasticity by deeply moisturising using rosehip oil, helichrysum, lavender.
  • To assist with healing the perineum (tears, fissures, etc.) a lavender compress or lavender in water in a spray bottle can be applied to the perineum after going to the toilet. 
  • Soothe the skin for calming and relaxing – lavender, rose, roman chamomile.

Oils should be blended with a base oil or cream, diluted.

Always remember:

  • No ingestion of essential oils
  • Essential oils should always be packaged in dark glass and be 100% pure
  • Discontinue use immediately on an allergic reaction and seek professional advice
  • Do not ingest oils or apply undiluted on the skin
  • Keep essential oils out of reach of children
  • Oils contraindicated in pregnancy are: angelica, basil, bay, clary sage, cedarwood, cypress, eucalyptus, fennel, jasmine, juniper berry, myrrh, marjoram, peppermint, rose, rosemary, spearmint, Spanish sage, sandalwood, thyme, yarrow.

If you would like to get in touch with Jo Harris and find out more about her products and journey as an aromatherapist, please contact her at:

web: soularoma.com.au

email: hello@soularoma.com.au

Phone: 0457 698 480

Pregnancy Support And Dads: Supporting Your Partner

Most information about pregnancy focuses on the mama-to-be, but what about pregnancy support and dads? What role do dads take in supporting their partner during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a time of celebration and excitement but there are also plenty of challenges. Dads play an important role in many ways during pregnancy, from conception all the way through to birth and beyond.

Believe it or not, dads supporting their pregnant partner is essential to her wellbeing, influences her birth experience and recovery afterwards. It also brings you together, strengthening your bond and creating a united team – your family.

How can you be the best support for your partner during pregnancy? Let’s focus on 5 important ways dads can offer support.

#1: Physical pregnancy support and dads

Pregnancy brings many physical changes, from morning sickness and tiredness to more physical effects such as sore joints and being unable to move easily. 

You can provide physical support to your pregnant partner to help her cope with these changes. It might she needs to make lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating, giving up unhealthy habits or taking up exercise. You can join her in the move to a healthier lifestyle, and offer encouragement and support. 

Pregnancy takes a physical toll on a woman’s body. Body aches and pains increase, she may get frustrated at not being able to do things easily, and feel generally uncomfortable all the time. Understand her physical limitations and be aware they will be constantly changing. Create opportunities for your partner to rest or provide caring support like a back massage or foot rub. 

Some women may feel self-conscious about how their body is changing. This can change their feelings towards sex. Talk to your partner about how she is feeling and be positive with responses. There are many ways to be intimate within your relationship. Cuddles, hugs and kisses may be the perfect support plan for now.

You can also support your pregnant partner by promoting a slower lifestyle, such as reduce busy schedules andcut back on socialising. If there are other children in the family, you can take on more of their daily care to give your partner  time to rest, meditate and prepare for birth, building a connection and bond with her baby.

#2: Emotional pregnancy support and dads

While often the attention is focused on the pregnant mama-to-be, dads can feel left out of the picture, a bit forgotten and ignored.  

Announcing your pregnancy news is a shared joy and any other celebrations  can involve you too. Pregnancy traditions such as baby showers or gender-reveal parties aren’t just for pregnant mamas – celebrating your new family together strengthens your bond as a couple.

Keep the lines of communication open. Often we wait until we’re asked to do something. Instead, specifically ask your partner to guide you in how to best support her. Make time to talk about how you’re both feeling about the birth and becoming parents. Ofter encouragement and reassurance and share your own concerns and worries, so you’re building a path of strength and resilience together. 

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make pregnant women emotional and teary one minute, but bubbly and vibrant the next. They can even seem completely irrational at times.

It is important to understand these hormonal changes are out of her control. They can cause mood swings, reduce her energy levels and increase her need for sleep. The best way to offer support is by being understanding, comforting and encouraging her to take breaks and naps. A show of affection by offering a simple hug can make her feel loved and supported.

#3: Practical pregnancy support and dads

Taking on the essential daily tasks is a great way for dads to take the pressure off their partner, especially if she is still working. 

Pregnant women are giving so much of themselves to the growing baby they are often left depleted. You can assist or take over things like preparing meals, cooking, cleaning and washing, bathing other children.

Helping in this way is especially important when your pregnant partner is feeling particularly worn out or if certain cooking smells make her feel ill. 

Brainstorm ways your partner is going to need support after the birth of your baby and plan ahead. Will you take on cleaning and cooking, or should you organise a cleaner and meal delivery? Go shopping with your partner for items like prams and car seats.

#4.  Pregnancy support and dads

Being there from the start and being engaged is so important for dads. You can support your partner by attending pregnancy appointments such as ultrasounds and antenatal care check ups, helping to discuss options for care and planning your birth options. 

Take a proactive interest in being informed about pregnancy, baby development and birth. There are many well researched blogs and websites for you to choose from. 

Talk about the roles you will take on in parenting, what it means to you to be a parent and how you can share parenting roles. This can be a good time to work through any concerns about how you were raised and the things you want to avoid as a parent yourself. 

Dads can talk to their unborn baby to begin building a connection. By the third trimester babies can recognise voices and love to hear talking and singing. You can talk to your baby in your partner’s belly, to help build a bond with the baby and start developing your family connection. 

#5:Birth preparation support 

Dads can be supportive by preparing themselves to be the birth partner their partner will  need during labour  and birth. Nurtured Birth offers a specific workshop for partners to encourage them to be the best birth partner.

You can read up on the process of labour, and the varied scenarios that can occur in labour. You can start to think about your role in the birthing process, making sure to ask questions during antenatal visits. This makes it clear to health professionals you’re involved and want to be included too.

Attend birth classes and be proactive in your involvement. Nurtured Birth offers tailored and in-depth private childbirth education sessions you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Having a doula support you and your partner through pregnancy can be a wonderful way to connect and work through your fears and expectations about birth. 

During labour, make sure you are the best support by being her advocate and stay engaged with her choices and preferences. You can have an active role in birth by catching the baby, cutting the cord, supporting your partner to have a golden hour after birth, and enjoying skin to skin with your baby.

And finally…

You need to support yourself too. You still need to have some breaks yourself, if that’s time for exercise or visit friends or focus on a hobby.  Make sure you self-care, whatever this might mean to you.

You can always reach out to other partners to share feelings, ideas and tips. This can be family and friends, or you can make connections through childbirth classes and parenting groups. There are lots of resources out there for expectant partners.

Need to talk to someone for more information and advice?

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 to speak with a maternal child health nurse.

Raising Children Network, supported by the Australian Government, has videos, information and more available, such as the ‘Dads Guide to Pregnancy’. Go to raising children.net.au 

Mensline Australia offers support and counselling services on 1300 78 99 78.

Beyond Blue offers support and advice for new dads on 1300 22 4636. You can download the book Emotional health and wellbeing: A guide for new dads, partners and other carers. There is a wealth of information and support on becoming a parent and what to expect.

PANDA National Helpline 300 726 306 for help for dads, parents and carers, specialising in prenatal and postnatal anxiety and depression.

Written by Sharon Clarke, Remedial Massage Therapist at Nurtured Birth

 

Osteopathic Treatment During Pregnancy

Women may seek osteopathic treatment during pregnancy for a variety of different reasons. 

From helping the body adjust and adapt with ease to the changes of pregnancy, managing pre-existing conditions, treatment of new aches and pains, to preparing the body to encourage positive labour and birth outcomes. 

Osteopathy is a manual treatment that embraces the link between body structure and wellness.

What to expect from your osteopathic appointment? 

It is advisable to arrive a little early for your first appointment, as you will need to fill out some paperwork. You will also be asked to sign a general consent form, but you will have the opportunity to consider and consent (or not) to specific treatment in the consultation. 

Your osteopath will initially take a comprehensive case history. This will b e followed by a full osteopathic assessment where motion tests are performed in addition to any necessary neurological or orthopedic testing.

Osteopathy takes a holistic approach to treatment, so your practitioner may look at other parts of your body, as well as the area that is troubling you during this assessment. We are also interested in what has worked for you previously, and whether you have any treatment preferences. 

Following this an osteopathic diagnosis will be made and discussed with you, allowing you to ask any questions you may have. We will explain how we would like to approach the treatment, as well as gain your consent before treatment.

You should let us know immediately, even during the treatment, if you would like to change or stop and discuss the treatment we are giving you. 

Every treatment is different and tailored to the individual’s needs and comfort levels. Osteopaths have a wide variety of manual techniques which they use to treat various complaints. Osteopathic treatment in pregnancy may include:

  • Soft tissue releases and/or massage
  • Gentle stretching
  • Gentle joint movements 
  • Muscle energy techniques (used to lengthen tight, contracted muscles)
  • Counterstain (releases tight muscles by positioning the affected muscle in a shortened position to stretch the opposing muscles)
  • Joint manipulation where appropriate and only when the patient is comfortable with the technique
  • Taping where necessary
  • At home exercise and/or stretching advice. 

Your position during treatment will vary with the technique being used as well as your stage of pregnancy.

Early in pregnancy you may be still comfortable lying on your abdomen. However as you progress through your pregnancy, most treatment is performed lying on your side, seated, or occasionally laying on your back with your right hip lifted slightly by a pillow.

At the end of the treatment, your osteopath will reassess the initial movements you performed so we can see how effective the treatment has been.

Your osteopath may organise a return consultation and may give you some stretches and exercises to do at home to help speed up your recovery or improve your body’s function. 

How many treatments will I need? 

The number of treatments needed depends on how long you have had the presenting problem, how severe it is, and how your body responds to treatment.

Through years of experience helping women through their pregnancy we have found women will often gain greater benefit from regular osteopathic treatment rather than seeking treatment with the sudden onset of pain.

This is usually every 4-6weeks during the early stages of the pregnancy and may be more frequent towards the end as your baby grows and as you start preparing your body for labour and birth. 

Is osteopathic treatment safe in pregnancy? 

Our osteopath has a passion for treating and supporting women through their pregnancy.

She combines her osteopathic skills with her knowledge and experience as a registered midwife, allowing her to compassionately and safely treat and support you through all the stages of pregnancy and the postnatal period. 

The techniques used during pregnancy are carefully selected to minimise risk. These techniques are gentle and the comfort of the mother is always taken into consideration and may be adapted to suit each patient. 

Please note, although osteopathic care is generally consider safe during pregnancy, if your pregnancy is considered high risk, we advise you check with your general practitioner, midwife or obstetrician before seeking care from any manual therapy modality.  

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

Comfortable clothes. Depending on the area of your body requiring examination some disrobing may be required, but at all times you will be draped with towels.

It is essential you feel comfortable, so you may want to bring or wear a pair of leggings or stretching gym shorts to the session. 

Medicare referral if applicable, private health insurance and any relevant imaging results (x-rays etc). 

Should I have a postnatal osteopathic treatment after the birth of my baby?

The weeks after birth can be challenging as you embrace your new normal and connect with the amazing changes pregnancy and birth have gifted you.

Osteopathic treatment can also help with pain and discomfort associated with breastfeeding posture, lifting car capsules and prams, carrying and settling your baby, and bending over the bassinet or cot.

Osteopathy helps restore balance, posture and release tension, improving your health, recovery and mindset as you look after your new baby. A happy and healthy mother is the centre of a functioning family.

This is the perfect time to seek treatment to restore alignment and prevent ongoing issues, such as back problems, stress incontinence, constipation and menstruation issues. Abdominal muscle separation and pelvic floor weakness are also common problems after pregnancy and birth.

Many women are unsure if they are able to have treatment before their six week postnatal check up with their doctor.

Unless you have any significant postnatal complications we consider treatment before this time safe, even after a caesarean section, and will tailor all treatments to suit the women and the presenting condition.

Written by Katie Wood, Osteopath at Nurtured Birth

Home Birth During Covid-19

Home birth during Covid-19 is a choice many women are considering as they search for safe and alternative birth options. 

Pregnancy is an amazing time as your baby grows inside your body and you prepare to welcome a new person into this world and into your family. 

As your due date draws nearer there can naturally be some apprehension and uncertainty of what is to come during the birth. 

This is even more so in 2020 as women seek support and care during pregnancy and birth during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Juliana Brennan is a private midwife, director of Mamatoto Midwives and a mother of three. She shares with us an amazing insight into the world of private midwifery and home birth during Covid-19.

How are you at this time? 

Well, a bit more settled now, but like everyone else there was so much upheaval and concern over the health of all our community, my family and especially my elderly parents.  

My biggest fear was not knowing much about the virus, the panic buying, children being taken out of school, social isolation and my son is in year 12…what is this going to mean for him?

I am glad we have had some restrictions lifted but I am still very much practicing social distancing to keep myself, my family and my clients safe. 

What is it like for you as a midwife at the moment? 

I’ve always been very busy and my practice is consistently booked out every month, however now I have been inundated with enquiries from women wanting home birth – even from women with very serious risk factors which normally excludes them from homebirth. 

These women have reached out because they were only allowed one support person in labour at the hospital and they really wanted that extra support person as well as their partner. 

Also they are fearful of contracting Covid-19 from the hospital setting…after all that’s where the really sick people will be…in hospital! So I have referred many women on to other midwives as I am already booked out until the end of October.

Many of my hospital shared care/hospital support clients who are experiencing an uncomplicated pregnancy have changed over to a homebirth. This is because they couldn’t have the support they wanted in the current hospital setting, but also they didn’t want themselves and their families possibly being exposed to Covid-19.

It’s a tricky situation as you really have to want to have a homebirth, and feel safe at home to be safe for a homebirth. Merely wanting to avoid a hospital for birth isn’t a good enough reason to have a homebirth.

I will still be careful in choosing my clients who are suitable for homebirth, both physically and emotionally.

What’s it like for prenatal clients who want to home birth during Covid-19? 

We have moved most of our education and appointments to an online format via Zoom.  Women we are meeting for the first time we would only see online. Our clients needing a check up we would see first online, then they would come into the clinic for a 10 minute visit for a check of blood pressure, baby’s growth and heartbeat. 

My clinic in Clifton Hill, where I work alongside natural therapists on the first floor, was closed down. Below us is a hairdresser that also closed down.

My sister came to the rescue and allowed me to use her clinic in Kew. She stopped seeing her clients face to face, so her offices were free for me to use. I must say, I really like the space. My colleague Danielle works out of one office and I work out of the other…so we are both doubly lucky to be able to say hello to one another’s clients and of course catch up in between clients! 

My new clinic room in Elwood at This is Life also closed down, so the lovely midwives from Mama allowed me to use their rooms…but now the Elwood clinic has reopened, so I am back there seeing my Bayside clients on a Saturday morning.  

My clinic room in Chirnside Park at Koru Natural Therapies has remained open, so I have still been able to see my clients there too.

Of course adhering to the strictest hygiene, washing down beds, tables and changing linen in between clients and of course lots of handwashing!

Overall my prenatal clients all decided to self isolate as much as possible. Especially from 37 weeks…this was my recommendation. Many women were anxious I may have to change their birth plans if they were planning a homebirth, but I reassured them if they were willing to self isolate and so was I, then we were at very low risk of contracting Covid-19.

What changed significantly for the hospital system was the decision to allow only one support person in hospital. This meant one of my clients wanting a vaginal birth after two c-sections (VBAC2C) chose me to support her in hospital instead of her husband! What a responsibility! 

For others it meant dropping women off at the emergency department and staying in close contact via phone or Zoom. Not ideal, but I completely understand the issues surrounding social distancing and protecting clients in hospitals and also hospital staff.

I do think two support people should be allowed in birth suites from now on…as Australia seems to have the infection under control much more so than other countries.

Have you adjusted your postnatal care? 

Home birth during Covid-19

Postnatally I am still happy to do face to face appointments, as long as clients and their families don’t have a cough, fever, or sore throat.

If they do, I arrange testing for them and wouldn’t visit if they had symptoms. This actually hasn’t happened…probably largely because my families all isolated fairly strictly prior to their births.

What is home birth during Covid-19 like? 

For my clients it is self isolation from 37 weeks of pregnancy then the birth at home is the same.  

My recommendation for women that have a fever in labour be transferred to hospital. Usually we would transfer anyway, after eliminating other reasons for fever such as dehydration. 

This guideline has been debated amongst my colleagues; some feel we should still keep women home if they have Covid-19 symptoms if they don’t seem too unwell.  My concern is leaving four hours after the birth and not being able to supervise all the time as well as the unknown effects of the virus on the unborn baby. In hospital the woman and baby would have constant supervision and care. 

It is definitely an issue for me if hospital transfer is required. I did have one first-time mother needing a hospital transfer in labour…and of course I had to hand her over to the hospital staff. I kept in very close contact with her partner and he called me regularly to ask for my advice. It still isn’t the same as being ‘with woman’ and it saddened me deeply…as I am her main care provider and I develop a strong bond with my clients.

How are you navigating any possible Covid-19 pregnant or birthing woman? 

The first thing to do is arrange testing and to self isolate until the results come back. If the woman presents with symptoms in labour I do have full PPE available.

So far none of my clients have had respiratory symptoms, so I haven’t had to worry about it. I think self isolating since 37 weeks has made all the difference.

What are the pros of a home birth during Covid-19? 

Well staying out of hospital is definitely a positive!

If hospital is needed, not being able to take your primary care provider with you due to the one person support policy is a real issue. Continuity of care leads to good outcomes in birth, but Covid-19 is a real threat and hospitals have to enforce the rules! 

What is birth like for healthy and well women at this time? 

They are being exposed to hospital environments, then discharged home very early, with NO follow up except phone calls from maternal and child health nurses (MCHN). Some MCHN refused to visit, some GP’s wouldn’t do contact appointments.

Thankfully one of my colleagues was able to offer postnatal face to face care to many of these women which meant breastfeeding could be fully supported and of course she could weigh babies and make sure they were thriving. My own clients had the same care as they would have had before Covid-19.

What are the main challenges birthing women are facing with these new protocols? 

Women who wanted two or more support people have had major issues adapting…many women choose to have private midwives at a hospital birth to advocate for them, and then facing this loss often meant changing to a home birth.

What are the main challenges for Independent Midwives in during this pandemic? 

Making sure we don’t contract the virus! Keeping our clients safe! Hospital protocols around one support person.

Nurtured Birth would like to thank Juliana for her contribution to our blog.

If you are considering an independent private midwife for your pregnancy and birth, Juliana Brennan is very experienced and deeply caring.

Home birth during Covid-19

Juliana can be contacted at Mamatoto Midwives for a comprehensive choice of maternity care options.  

Juliana Brennan

Mamatoto Midwives

juliana@mamatotomidwives.com.au

0419 253 778

At Nurtured Birth we love supporting independent midwives and working alongside them to enrich the continuity of care we know through research it results in better birth outcomes, improving mothers experience antenatally and postnatally.

We love it when our clients thrive therefore we have developed our practice to compliment maternity care by offering a range of pregnancy care options with pregnancy massage, osteopathy, doula support, childbirth education, naturopathy, pre & postnatal yoga, mothers groups too.

All this is our heartfelt vision to enrich, nurture, nourish and support a mama’s pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Written by Sharon Clarke, massage therapist at Nurtured Birth

Spectacular capture at the top by Bree Downes

Giving Birth During Covid-19

Many women in our community are worried about how their maternity care will be affected by practices put in place when giving birth during Covid-19. 

These protocols and procedures are due to hospitals and medical centres preparing for potentially large numbers of infected patients. Fortunately cases of Covid-19 have remained manageable in Australia. 

For the pregnant, birthing and postnatal women in our community, Covid-19 has thrown them a curve ball. Even a straightforward and healthy pregnancy and birth comes with some apprehension. Now, women are concerned about how the new protocols and procedures will affect them and their connection within the health system. 

So what does maternity care and birth during Covid-19 look like? 

We asked Dr Danielle Wilkins, obstetrician and Director of Maternity Services at Cabrini Health, to give us an insight into what it is like for the women in her care during this pandemic.

Dr Wilkins answers all of our questions with an open and honest frankness relaying the message that pregnancy, birthing and the postnatal period can still be a beautiful and calm experience amidst Covid-19.

For women who are concerned about how their maternity care and birth during Covid-19 will look, this information can be a starting point to research options and make an informed decision about maternity care providers.

How are you coping during Covid-19? 

What a roller coaster this year has been! The highs are seeing how optimistic, adaptable and focused pregnant women are when their lives are turned upside down.

The challenges are working with those who are finding these changes overwhelming and the lows are not knowing what is around the corner. 

What’s it like for you as a doctor in the current situation?

This is such an emotional time. I found myself, like so many Australians, watching the international news in abject horror, unable to look away as my colleagues around the world try to fight this virus without protection, without rest and without success. I was losing sleep thinking about them day after day and night after night. So I had to listen to the same advice I have been handing out and I had to stop watching.

What’s it like for your prenatal clients in this time?

I have approximately 90 women who I am actively caring for at the moment. Since the restrictions in Australia started I have been keeping in touch with them much more closely than usual via a fortnightly email update. Through this I have kept them abreast of all the work that Cabrini has done to keep them safe and to keep them informed, negating any surprises.

I have introduced telehealth into Obstetrics which previously we thought would be of little or no benefit, and this has been pleasantly well received by those that have chosen to use it. I have encouraged all of my clients to make the informed choice themselves and to use the telehealth system as the safest option but if they prefer they can still come in for a face to face appointment.

I believe that providing them with relevant local information and also giving them options is helping them to navigate the situation.

What is the experience of women giving birth during Covid-19?

Fortunately we have yet to have a Covid-19 positive pregnancy in Victoria, nor have we had a positive partner or support person. Our women are able to have their one support person with them throughout their labour and their postnatal stay.

We are continuing to provide them with one-on-one midwifery support. The big changes have been for those women planning to have more than one support person with them, and for some women this was a very sudden change. But women are resilient! 

We have received feedback about how comfortable it was just having the 4 people present for the birth.  They are reassured they still have all the pain relief options available as needed.

Many of my clients were emotional about the postnatal stay, when relatives and friends would normally come to the hospital to meet the newborn. What has been striking is how rested the mums are, how connected they become with their midwife who has less juggling to do around visitors and how much easier they are finding it to breastfeed on demand.

What are the procedures in place for Covid-19 positive cases? 

We have a statewide guideline for any Covid-19 positive pregnancy cases which we have adapted for Cabrini. 

We have modified our largest room in the birth suite to accommodate anyone who is positive or suspected to be positive during labour and we have a guideline for partners and support people as well. These guidelines ensure the full support of the couple as well as the safety of all of our staff.

The trickier situation is the symptomatic Covid-19 positive partner or support person – this person will not be able to enter the hospital if they are symptomatic. This is a huge incentive for self isolation close to term.

Would the new mother stay together with her baby to breastfeed?

There was a wonderful success story out of Brisbane last week relating to this. The couple would need to wear gloves and a surgical mask when handling their newborn whilst they were considered to be infectious, but as long as they are well their baby will stay with them and they will be assisted with breastfeeding and encouraged to do so if that is their desire.  We will encourage these families to return home as soon as it is safe to do so and provide them with telephone support once home.

What could a birthing woman expect during her time in hospital?

Women can expect one-on-one midwifery care, a large room to mobilise with an ensuite with shower.  They will not be able to use nitrous and air for pain relief as it may increase the viral load in the room and put other staff at an increased risk.

The staff who provide their care will all be wearing full PPE (personal protection equipment). Whenever the woman and her support person move through a public part of the hospital they will be escorted by staff, will be required to wear a surgical mask, and asked not to touch anything along the journey. 

We will discuss their wishes for pain relief and explain that there may be benefits to an epidural if they are considering one. This is because all procedures will take a little more time to be performed as safely as possible, and in the event of any emergency in obstetrics we like to be as prepared as possible.

A paediatrician will be present at the birth, as overseas data has suggested that the babies to Covid-19 positive women sometimes need some initial support to transition from inside to outside the uterus. This is only for a brief period in the vast majority of cases. 

What is giving birth during Covid-19 like for women who are healthy and well?

Unchanged!  We are wearing a little more PPE for births but that is not affecting our communication or support for women, nor our ability to provide one-on-one midwifery care.  You can expect us to be wearing a clear visor, a surgical mask and a gown during the pushing stage of labour.

What are the main challenges women face with these new protocols? How are you finding their adaptation?

Women are finding their strengths, they are finding their way. Those that had different plans for support through their birth are spending prenatal time telehealthing with their support team and working together to develop strategies and plans for the different stages of labour and birth. 

There is so much support for them already online and I have included a lot of this information in my newsletters to help support them. I am constantly impressed but not surprised by their determination and ability to adapt. 

What is it like for women after they give birth during Covid-19? 

This is a challenging time for first-time mums who are very nervous about not having the support of maternal and child health nurses, mother’s groups and in many cases their parents and families.

I am encouraging them prior to their labour and birth to make plans for accessing support, to be prepared and to know they can continue to link in via the phone and via telehealth.  We may soon see an easing in restrictions which will put our first-time mums at ease I think. 

Your final thoughts on what you believe it is important for people to know…?

Keep doing the right thing.  Read what is relevant and don’t get overwhelmed by what isn’t. It is really important to remember that we are all in this together and we are all getting through it together because we are doing what is best.  And remember to look up.

Giving Birth During Covid-19

About Dr Danielle Wilkins

Dr Danielle is an obstetrician and the Director of Maternity Services at Cabrini Health. Her practice rooms are located at Cabrini Mother and Baby Centre. She offers individualised care to the twelve women she sees each month through her boutique obstetric practice.

Danielle graduated with honours from Monash University, trained at Monash Health and gained twelve months of obstetrics and gynaecology experience working in a busy unit in Ireland.

She spent nine years as the Director of Women’s Health training at Monash Medical Centre, and six years as the Discipline Coordinator for Women’s Health for Monash University. She was the Head of the Multiple Pregnancy Unit at Monash Health before moving to her current role at Cabrini.

Danielle has extensive experience caring for twin pregnancies and supporting women wishing to have a normal birth after a caesarean birth.

Dr Danielle Wilkins can be found at Cabrini Mother and Baby Centre, Cabrini  Hospital Malvern,  Level 2, 183 Wattletree Rd, Malvern

 

Top 5 Benefits of Prenatal Yoga Online During Covid-19

Nurtured Birth is now offering our prenatal yoga classes online with Zoom so we can continue to support expectant families during the Covid-19 pandemic. To book your place in our online prenatal yoga class click the button below. 

WHEN: Every Tuesday  6:15pm till 7:30pm

COST: 15+gst

BOOK YOUR NEXT ONLINE PRENATAL YOGA CLASS HERE

 

2020 is shaping up to be a very different year for all of us. As Covid-19 sweeps through communities across the entire world, we are left feeling apprehensive and uncertain about what the future holds for us. 

These feelings are enhanced for expectant parents. Not only do they worry about keeping themselves safe, but also about their unborn baby and the uncertain future they are bringing a newborn into. 

During this time of the unknown and of isolation it is more important than ever pregnant women have avenues of support, comfort and safety.

It is essential to find ways to draw the focus towards themselves, their pregnancy and the joys it brings, rather than the confusion of the outside world.

Prenatal yoga is a wonderful way for pregnant women to care for themselves and their changing bodies.

There are a variety of changes a woman experiences during her pregnancy; changes to the body, the mind and energy levels. Prenatal yoga is a great way to listen to, cope with, find support and connect positively with these changes.

Top 5 Benefits of Prenatal Yoga Online During Covid-19

Pregnant women can practice yoga within the safety and comfort of their own home. Prenatal yoga online offers a calm and restorative therapy for the physical body and emotional state, supporting the flow towards a happy, healthy, pregnancy and birth. 

  1. Body & mind connection: improve your emotional state in these uncertain times

Taking stock of your current mental health is important when travelling through the trimesters of pregnancy. It helps you to understand what areas of your life are overwhelmed and when you might need support. 

Prenatal yoga brings about a mind-body connection as it includes working the physical body alongside the mental and emotional being. The deep breathing and mindfulness exercises used in prenatal yoga promote calmness and ease the emotional ups and downs pregnancy brings.

Attending regular online classes is a way of forming routines and this in turn helps us to feel in control of our own lives and destiny.

Prenatal yoga helps to release ‘feel good’ endorphins that lifts our mood and energy levels. This improves your state of mind during these uncertain times. 

  1. Physical fitness and strength: happy and healthy, prepared for birth and beyond

Prenatal yoga can not only enhance the mind-body connection but also supports your changing body. You learn how to listen to your body, work within your body limitations, and trust your body. 

We know exercise in general improves your physical fitness. During pregnancy you can continue your normal exercise regime, being guided by your body, your trainers and health professionals, making adjustments as your pregnancy moves forward.  

Even for those who don’t do regular exercise, prenatal yoga is a gentle way to allow you to strengthen your muscles to support your body during pregnancy, prepare for birth, and assist in recovery postnatally.

During pregnancy, changes in your body can happen quickly and your body can need help adjusting and accommodating. Prenatal yoga offers pregnant women optimal ways to stretch and strengthen their muscles to support their growing belly, improve circulation and flexibility.

Prenatal yoga eases common pregnancy complaints such as headaches, back and joint pain, shortness of breath and insomnia. It is important to keep core, abdominal and pelvic muscles strong during pregnancy. Keeping these areas toned and functioning helps support the body, as well as assisting the birth process and recovery after birth.

Even during Covid-19 isolation it is still important to focus on our health and fitness. Our society may be slowing down but pregnancy doesn’t stop or slow down so keeping yourself well is vital. Prenatal yoga is available online so you can continue with your exercise program.

  1. Breathing techniques: what you learn in pregnancy, carries through to birth

Prenatal yoga improves muscle tone and leads you to understand where tension is held in your body. Prenatal yoga teaches you to practice simple breathing techniques to release and let go of tension, especially on days when the current situation seems overwhelming.

Learning and practicing breathing techniques can help assist with reduced lung capacity during pregnancy and in lowering blood pressure.

Breathing techniques practiced during prenatal yoga can be carried through to birth. When in labour, focusing upon your breath cycle and using practiced techniques allow for a smoother and more positive birth experience.

  1. Mum and baby connection: build a bond and prepare to meet your little one

Regularly attending prenatal yoga classes is an act of self-care and a reminder to let go of the stresses of life and focus inward to bond with your developing baby.

Engaging your senses and developing an awareness of this little human living inside your body begins the connection. The pregnant woman can use techniques to visualise their baby and grow this connection.

This is important as the connection will continue between mother and baby during labour and bonding after birth. 

As your belly grows, prenatal yoga helps you learn and appreciate the amazing work your body is doing: growing and nurturing your baby.

  1. Connection with others: building community and support 

Although we are in isolation we do not need to feel isolated. A regular prenatal yoga class creates a sense of community and connects you socially with a support network that continues after your baby is born. 

Nurtured Birth’s prenatal yoga teacher Lanie shared:

I love that we are still able to offer something during this challenging time. It can be so isolating and I worry about expecting mums having to be without all the usual activities that support their growing pregnant bodies. Although it is not my preferred way of teaching, as I do love teaching in the studio and being with people in person getting to know each of the students, I do understand that we all have to be adaptive in this current unprecedented situation.

Prenatal yoga online is a wonderful opportunity to bond with other expectant mums, forming friendships and the beginning of a valuable support network.

To begin enriching your pregnancy journey with prenatal yoga online, please contact us or visit our prenatal yoga page for sign up for yoga classes. 

All prenatal yoga classes during Covid-19 will now be online using Zoom until further notice.

Author: Sharon Clarke, Remedial Massage Therapist at Nurtured Birth

Do You Have Postnatal Rage? What You Need To Know

Postnatal rage is a symptom of postnatal depression and anxiety (PNDA) many new mamas aren’t aware of.  

 New mamas are more informed than ever about signs of PNDA to look out for. PNDA has many traits, some of them include overwhelming sadness, changes to appetite, difficulties bonding with your baby, panic attacks or obsessive thoughts. 

In the first check up after giving birth, your doctor, midwife or maternal health nurse may ask if you’ve been experiencing any of these signs in the months after giving birth.  

But there is one symptom of postnatal mood disorders that no one is asking you about: postnatal rage. This is an overwhelming anger that is so intense it feels like more than anger. 

And the worst part? Women are suffering in silence because they don’t believe they should feel this way or are afraid of being judged as a bad parent. 

What is postnatal rage?

Around 1 in 7 new mums develop a mood disorder called postnatal depression and/or anxiety (PNDA) after they give birth. This condition is more serious and lasts longer than the baby blues that typically happen in the first few days after birth but disappear within a week. 

 New research shows women who experience PNDA are more likely to experience anger as well as the other expected symptoms. Yet anger as a symptom of PNDA isn’t included in standard screening tests for postnatal mood disorders. 

As a result, until now anger has been missed as a sign of postnatal mood disorders and mamas are left trying to deal with intense feelings of anger, betrayal and explosive rage. 

What causes postnatal rage?

When we think of new motherhood, being angry isn’t an emotion we associate with that picture of blissful baby snuggles. 

Unfortunately, few mothers are prepared for the challenges of becoming a parent. Many of us aren’t properly supported in this transition, with too many unrealistic expectations placed on us being able to ‘cope.’ 

Many women start motherhood feeling helpless or trapped as they take on the responsibilities of caring for a newborn, often at the expense of their own needs. New mamas might be mourning a pause in career, coping with the full demands of a household, without family or friends to offer support.  

Anger can be a response to feeling let down by partners, family or health care providers. It’s also common for new mothers to feel they’ve lost a part of themselves, especially if others are going on with life as before. 

If health issues have occurred after birth, the birth was traumatic, or if they can’t meet an expectation they had (such as breastfeeding), these feelings of failure or guilt can come up as anger.

Anger is more than just a feeling at that moment. It’s the visible red flag of what is going on underneath, masking deeper feelings such as fear, anxiety or grief. It might seem on the surface your anger is irrational but it is a distress signal—a red flag something else is going on that needs attention. 

What are the signs?

In the few months after giving birth to my third child, I found myself constantly on the edge of white-hot rage.  

My responses to anything even slightly negative were irrational, even frightening. A driver cutting me off on the road, a person walking slowly in front of me at the supermarket, even the sound of my partner’s breathing when he was sleeping. 

The anger I would feel was all consuming, overwhelming and something out of my control. Which was even more frightening. After the rage passed, I felt extreme shame, guilt and regret. I worried that I’d say or do something I’d regret and I was afraid of my children witnessing this frightening version of their mother. 

 How do I deal with postnatal rage?

If you’re constantly flying off the handle over big and small things after the birth of your baby, then a good place to start is whether you have other symptoms of postnatal depression or anxiety. 

PANDA has a checklist for new mums that can help you decide if you need further support. 

If you do have signs of PNDA, or you’re unsure, it’s important to reach out for help. Your doctor, midwife or maternal health nurse is a good place to start. While PNDA is common, if it’s not treated it can become severe, affecting your ability to care for yourself and your baby.  

It can help to keep track of your episodes of rage. Often what causes the rage to explode out of you is simply the tipping point. 

Think about:

  •     Where you were
  •     What was happening before
  •     Who is around you at the time or earlier
  •     How tired were you
  •     What time of day are the episodes most likely to happen?

If you notice particular triggers it can help you to identify the underlying issues that aren’t being dealt with and are contributing to your anger. 

Treatment for PNDA comes in many forms, such as counseling, support therapies, medication, etc. The path of treatment you choose will depend on your situation. 

Support from family and friends is vitally important. You may wish to find a postnatal doula to step in and provide respite from some of the things that triggering your deeper feelings. There are also natural treatments you can access to bring a deep and powerful connection back into your life, under the guidance of an experienced therapist.   

So if you’re a new mum and feeling angry, take a deep breath and know you’re not alone. Many women experience anger after giving birth. Seek support from your care provider.

Nurtured Birth offers support for new mamas having difficulty in the transition to motherhood, through postnatal doula support, massage therapy and naturopathy. Contact us for more information. 

If you or anyone you know needs help call the PANDA National Helpline (Mon to Fri, 9 am – 7.30pm AEST/AEDT) 1300 726 306.

Author: Sam McCulloch, Wordsmith at Nurtured Birth