Glow Your Family

21/03/2022

Happy World Hypnobirthing Day 🤍⁠
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We passionately believe that it is a woman’s birthright to have a positive birth experience; which will have far-reaching effects on parenting, relationships and self-esteem. Knowledge is power!⁠
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We feel so honoured to have taught thousands of Hypno parents not only across Australia but across the world for the past 12 years spreading the awareness far and wide on how birth can be positive and empowering. ⁠
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We also have hundreds of Certified Hypnobirthing Australia and Hypnobubs Practitioners across the world teaching our positive birth program making a positive impact in many women's lives. ⁠
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📸 Photographer .birthphotography⁠

09/02/2022

Transition is the final phase of the first stage of labour, following early & active labour. At this point, a woman progresses from roughly 7/8 to 10 centimetres (this is often the shortest phase of labour – often only minutes!). The word transition means that the body is making the shift from opening the cervix to the beginning of the baby's descent.

Naming this phase has caused so much unnecessary fear in birthing women – it is simply the final part of your body opening up (doing what it is designed to do), ready for baby to come through the birth path. Transition is a good thing!!

Our surges are meant to increase in intensity during labour in order for the uterine muscles to build up & help our baby down, so it’s a good thing that this final stage increases in intensity – because that means baby is almost here! It’s meant to happen!

It’s during this stage of labour women tend to become very vulnerable to suggestions because of the influx of hormones (adrenaline) & the final transition the body is going through. Look out for the ‘signs of transition’ & know it’s a good thing, the end is near. Your surges can’t be bigger than you, because they are you!

Like other stages of labour, every woman’s experience of transition will be different. For some, the shift from active labour to bearing down/pushing is unremarkable. Other women experience any number of signs. What you focus on is what you get… if you keep thinking about how you’ll struggle during this part, you likely will! Instead, if you trust your body & roll with however you’re feeling in the moment, you’re likely to get through much more calmly. Hypnobirthing mothers who use the tools and techniques learned are often a lot more subtle with the signs of transition as they are able to identify what they’re experiencing (or at least the birth partner is able to recognise what’s happening!).

During transition, birthing mothers need that extra level of support & encouragement. If they say “I can’t do this”, tell her “you already are doing this”. Keep using your toolkit during this phase: breathing, acupressure points, affirmations, deep relaxation tools, relaxed jaw/relaxed pelvis, visualisations, movement, light touch…literally anything that works for you to help you get through this last part & finally meet your baby!

⭐️What was your experience of transition? Share below 👇

03/02/2022

The “wow, your baby is measuring quite big” & “oh, babies head is already in the 98th percentile” & “let’s book an induction; I’m not going to let you go past 38weeks since baby is so big” comments from care providers reallyyyy get to me. It’s just not ok to put these detrimental thoughts into women’s heads without providing any actual evidence-based information to support them.

Here is just a little bit of the evidence surrounding big babies (info complied from Dr Rachel Reed-Midwife Thinking & R.Dekker-Evidence Based Birth):
⭐Ultrasound measurements are right about half the time & wrong about half the time - results are usually anywhere between 15% above or 15% below baby’s actual weight. Eg,if baby’s actual weight was 8lbs(3629g), the ultrasound could estimate the weight to be anywhere between 6lbs13oz(3090g) & 9lbs3oz(4450g). BIG difference!!
💫Many studies indicate that when a care provider “suspected” a big baby (compared to not knowing if it was going to be big), this more than tripled the Caesarean & induction rates & made mothers more likely to experience complications, without affecting the rate of shoulder dystocia. Therefore, when a baby is suspected of being big, a woman has an increased chance of interventions & experiencing complications caused by those interventions, even if the baby is not actually big.
💭Outcomes/recommendations for women with uncontrolled gestational diabetes/abnormal blood glucose levels do not follow this same evidence so further care provider info regarding specific circumstances to ensure well informed decision making is important
💥Due to measurement inaccuracies, for uncomplicated (low risk) pregnancies, suspicion of ‘big baby’ is not a sole medical indication for induction or for primary caesarean delivery according to International guidelines

Clearly, the perception of a baby’s size influences outcomes more than the actual size of the baby! As stated by Dr Reed, women need to be given this information before agreeing to a scan aimed at estimating baby's size since once the 'big baby' label is applied it cannot be removed. The only way to accurately assess the weight of a baby is to weigh them after birth!! 🙌

28/01/2022

Let's talk about eating date fruit to help start labor! Date fruit is considered a sacred fruit and is recommended during pregnancy and postpartum in Islamic literature and traditions.

Dates are very nutritious. They contain a high percentage of carbohydrates, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. In fact, they have 15 types of salts and minerals, proteins, and vitamins. They also have fat. The efficacy of date fruit consumption in late pregnancy and during labor is attributed to its nutritional and biochemical properties. It’s assumed that if you eat date fruits during labor, that this can be helpful in supplying energy due to the high proportion of carbohydrates, which is mostly fructose and glucose (perhaps pack some in your labour bag as a good snack). Researchers also think that date fruits affect oxytocin receptors and help the uterine muscles respond better to your own oxytocin, resulting in more effective uterine contractions.

Researchers have found beneficial effects when people start eating date fruits by at least 36 to 37 weeks of pregnancy, about 6 a day depending on the size of the dates.

You should talk with your care provider before eating dates, particularly if you have any concerns about your blood sugar levels.

*Caption information from Evidence Based Birth (R.Dekker). More info and research articles can be found at
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-128-inducing-labor-with-castor-oil-and-dates/

Have you been eating dates to help your labour or have you done this before and found it beneficial? Comment below 👇

27/01/2022

No matter where you are in your pregnancy or postpartum journey, just a quick reminder that you've got this! Even through the challenges, keep riding each wave knowing that this part doesn't last forever. Trust your body, trust your baby, find a rhythm that works for you and reach out for support if you need it! You are not alone on this truly transformational journey 💛

22/01/2022

How incredible is it that our bodies are designed to have the perfect release & combination of hormones for pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding & parenting!
 
⭐ENDORPHINS (pleasure hormone) – Your bodies natural pain relief (20-40 times more powerful than morphine)! Released during massage and positive touch. Encouraged by laughter, love and promotes oxytocin.
 
❤ OXYTOCIN (love hormone) – Stimulates uterine surges & helps birth the placenta. Released when you feel loved & nurtured, during breastfeeding & bonding with baby. Thrives in privacy & creates the euphoric feeling after birth. You will experience the biggest rush of oxytocin ever as you birth your baby! During an induced labour, a synthetic version of this is used which can have different impacts.  
 
🌒 MELATONIN (dark hormone) – Released in dark & quiet environment & helps to boost oxytocin production. It’s inhibited by observation & blue light.
 
⚡ADRENALINE – Released when feel fearful & scared, triggering fight/flight/freeze response and fear-tension-pain cycle. Higher levels in early labour can inhibit oxytocin production, therefore slowing labour. Purposeful burst of adrenaline during transition to give you an extra burst of energy to birth your baby!
 
🌌RELAXIN (relaxing hormone) – Released during pregnancy to soften all ligaments and cartilage of your pelvis, in preparation for childbirth. Helps soften & loosen cervix, & helps perineum become more flexible & stretchy (making it easier for baby to pass through). Relaxin isn’t picky though as it causes all ligaments, joints & muscles in your body to relax & stretch during pregnancy which can sometimes cause odd sensations or pelvic discomfort.
 
🤱PROLACTIN (parenting hormone) – Major hormone of breastmilk synthesis. Production peaks at birth & encourages your milk supply. Goes hand in hand with oxytocin which helps your let down reflex.
 
What an incredible cocktail of hormones our bodies give us to birth our baby – perfectly designed for birth! These work even better the more calm & relaxed you are! Childbirth education will help you understand your body, feel informed & confident, & also learn tools to work with your body, rather than against it!

21/01/2022

Ok 2022...it's go time!!

Now more than ever before it is so important to prepare for your birth so you can feel confident as you approach your birthing day and make informed decisions best for you and your baby!

I say again and again that it's not about the type of birth you have, it's about how you FEEL! This course is definitely not just for one 'type' of birth...this course is designed to arm you and your birth partner with the knowledge, tools and techniques to be the driver of your own journey and be able to make informed decisions allowing you to embrace whatever path your birthing may take.

Hands up if you loved your birth, no matter the path it took? 🙌🙌
I want everyone to feel loved, supported and listened to, and be able to confidently shout their positive birth story from the rooftops, no matter the type of birth you had! Your birth, your body, your baby!

Book your childbirth education course today! I have options to suit everyone, no matter your circumstances or location...face-to-face, live online or private sessions. Get in touch so I can help you discover what a positive birth means for you!

*Limited private session availability:
January - BOOKED OUT
February- BOOKED OUT
March - 1 space available
April - 2 spaces available

20/01/2022

Now more than ever it is just so important to be informed and prepared so you can approach your birthing day feeling calm and confident! Your body, your baby, your birth!!

Group classes held at Spring Acupuncture, Fertility and Pregnancy Clinic. Live online and private sessions also available. Get in touch today...let's do this!

07/12/2021

Research has shown that upright labour positions can make labour itself shorter and make giving birth easier, as well as reduce the risks of common complications and interventions during birth caused by restricting natural movement. ⁠
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By staying upright during labour:⁠
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✨ Gravity will help your baby move down the birth path⁠
your womb tilts forward during surges which means strong, efficient surges and less intensity⁠
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✨ The lower part of your spine can move better when upright which means the birth path can widen and make room for the baby’s head⁠
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✨ Pelvic joints can expand and move, which means less pressure on nerves⁠
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✨ May also help shorten the early phase of labour. ⁠
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Some ways to stay upright during labour include standing, sitting leaning forward over the back of a chair, leaning over a pillow, sitting or leaning over a birth ball, kneeling, squatting, on all fours, and the ‘slow dance’ position.⁠

07/12/2021

Repost from
Some women are offered induction of labour because their due date falls around the festive period.

Induction of labour may be offered (and sometimes requested) around high days and holidays, but it has pros and cons and implications, which makes it a big decision that is worth thinking about carefully.

Please get lots of information before you decide what’s right for you and your baby.

When I was writing both my ‘Inducing Labour’ book and 'In Your Own Time,' I received so many messages from women who wished they had done more research before they made their decision.

Different decisions are right for different people and neither I nor any of the lovely people who will share this post are against induction. We are FOR everybody making the decision that’s right for them.

If you’d like more information, I have a whole page of resources and a book on this topic. You can find details of both at www.sarawickham.com/iol

And if you're not already aware, I have just published a brand new book about induction of labour. It's called "In Your own Time: how western medicine controls the start of labour and why this needs to stop.

You can find out more at www.sarawickham.com/time

28/11/2021

This is a lovely visual of why holding your baby helps them adjust to life on the outside. The message it contains is not limited to the fourth trimester either. The same still applies afterwards too, babies love to be held and thrive with high levels of contact.
Carrying Matters - Dr Rosie Knowles

Carrying Matters - Dr Rosie Knowles

🌸💕🌸 For support in your gentle parenting journey, pick up a copy of our gorgeous spring issue - with beautiful FREE pregnancy journal - from supermarkets throughout NZ and newsagents throughout Australia! To find your local stockist, or to subscribe, visit https://linktr.ee/TheNaturalParentMagazine 🌸💕🌸

28/11/2021

Our bodies are amazing 🙌🤯💛

Amazing!

🌸💕🌸 For support in your gentle parenting journey, pick up a copy of our gorgeous spring issue - with beautiful FREE pregnancy journal - from supermarkets throughout NZ and newsagents throughout Australia! To find your local stockist, or to subscribe, visit https://linktr.ee/TheNaturalParentMagazine 🌸💕🌸