Category Archives: Home Page

HOW EPIDURALS IMPACT ON BREASTFEEDING

Did you have an epidural, and did it impact on breastfeeding? Having an epidural can impact on bf in different ways. E.g. Baby's brain can become 'disorganised', leading to latching difficulties. Or the disruption of Mum's hormones during the birth process can delay her milk coming in.
Dr Sarah Buckley explains... "Epidurals may affect the experience and success of breastfeeding through several mechanisms. First, the epidural-exposed baby may have neurobehavioral abnormalities caused by drug exposure that are likely to be maximal in the hours following birth—a critical time for the initiation of breastfeeding... Second, epidurals may affect the new mother, making breastfeeding is more difficult. This is likely if she has experienced a long labor, an instrumental delivery, or separation from her baby, all of which are more likely following an epidural. Hormonal disruptions may also contribute, as oxytocin is a major hormone of breastfeeding."
So what to do now? Keep bf, keep doing skin to skin, and if need be access all the beautiful bf support that is out there just waiting for you, so you can have a wonderful bf journey Epidurals: Risks and concerns for mother and baby

FacebookTwitterGoogle+PinterestShare
Posted on by

SELF ESTEEM IN BIRTH: It matters

“Remember this, for it is as true as true gets: Your body is not a lemon. You are not a machine. The Creator is not a careless mechanic. Human female bodies have the same potential to give birth well as aardvarks, lions, rhinoceri, elephants, moose, and water buffalo. Even if it has not been your habit throughout your life so far, I recommend that you learn to think positively about your body.” ― Ina May Gaskin (seebabyblog.org)

Posted on by

PREVENTING SHOULDER DYSTOCIA

Can many shoulder dystocias (aka a stuck baby) actually be prevented through movement and setting the birth environment right? "Birthing in a semi-recumbant position increases the chance of shoulder dystocia because the pelvis is unable to open ie. sacrum move back and coccyx uncurl. This is often the default position for women with epidurals." FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF HAVE EVERY CHANCE OF THIS NOT HAPPENING IN YOUR BIRTH. Midwifery Thinking: Shoulder dystocia; The real story.

Posted on by

National Postnatal Depression (PND) Awareness Week 2014

Did you know the most likely time in a woman's life to be mentally unwell is after having a baby? The National Postnatal Depression (PND) Awareness Week is held between the 1 - 9 November 2014. There are incredible supports available around the country. If you are trying to tell someone that you are not ok, and you don't feel they are listening -KEEP TRYING. Tell your partner, family, midwife, GP, plunket etc. until your voice is listened too. YOU AND YOUR BABY ARE WORTH IT! Mothers Matter Support Resource

Posted on by

The Birthing Room Antenatal Classes Begin in North Canterbury

I am very excited to announce that as of 2015 The Birthing Room's Antenatal Classes will also be offered in North Canterbury! Mothers and Fathers-to-be in Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Woodend, Pegasus, Leithfield, Amberley, Ohoka, Oxford and surrounding areas now have the opportunity to be part of our world-leading antenatal education.

Our boutique antenatal classes are compromised of two parts:
-BirthWorks: A special journey helping women (and their partners) have more trust and faith in their innate ability to give birth. Teaches pelvic bodywork and optimal foetal positioning, helping baby to be in a great position for birth. Provides an opportunity for expectant parents who have had previous birth trauma to grieve and begin healing, helping facilitate a positive birth experience next time around.
-BabyCalm: A three hour session empowering parents-to-be with information and skills to begin their parenting journey with confidence.

The Birthing Room's first North Canterbury Antenatal Class will begin in Pegasus, on Tuesday February 3rd 2015.
Christchurch City Antenatal Classes will continue as per usual, with the first class for 2015 beginning on Saturday February 21st.

For more information CONTACT US

Posted on by

BIRTHWORKS COMES TO OTAGO!

BIRTHWORKS has arrived in Dunedin! As a special introductory offer, Birth Circle is offering a huge $100 off their first BirthWorks Antenatal Classes. Please share on your facebook page and with your friends about Birth Circle, and give Otago Mums the opportunity to be part of the BirthWorks journey, helping them develop more trust and faith in their body's ability to give birth. Birth Circle BirthWorks Antenatal Classes

Posted on by

POSTNATAL EXERCISE

Postnatal exercise -What should you be doing? Remember, it is really important to work from the bottom up. i.e. Get your pelvic floor strong BEFORE you work on your tummy. If you work on your "6 pack" first, you risk pushing everything down and creating a prolapse (Mums n Tums). About to head up the hill for a walk with a postnatal walking group... Wish me luck, I think it's about to pour!!!

Posted on by

INSTINCTIVE BIRTH

Women are born with the knowledge of how to give birth. Birth is instinctive; A primal event that one cannot be 'taught' how to do (BirthWorks). Unfortunately, we humans have become specialised in taking a natural event and adding in the un-natural, inhibiting the birthing woman from accessing her primal brain (the part of her that contains the knowledge of how to give birth). Could you imagine any other mammal seeking out an anti-gravity posture in a flood lit, busy place to birth their baby?... I think not...

Posted on by