Lauren Campion - Doula

17/02/2022

ANNOUNCEMENT 🔊 🎉 I start my midwifery studies next week. It's been a long time coming!

This is a quick post to let you know that I am only working with a VERY VERY small number of doula clients in 2022-23 BUT am available to support 30 women through their pregnancy, labour/birth and postnatal period through the Continuity of Care Experience program.

I've added a page to my website which could be a good starting point if you're curious to know more. Feel free to get in touch with any questions.

https://laurencampion.com.au/student-midwife-support

05/11/2021

04/11/2021

Birth in all its glory 🙌

01/11/2021

Can't go wrong with prenatal yoga if you ask me 🧘‍♀️

A reminder that researchers looking at the effectiveness of prenatal yoga on delivery outcomes undertook a meta-analysis with interesting results.

They, "identified that yoga improved vaginal delivery, decreased premature delivery and birth weight of newborns, shorten the labor duration." (Rong et al 2020).

A note about the birth weight finding before anyone asks. This doesn't mean that the babies were compromised or didn't grow well. The average weight of the babies in the yoga and non-yoga groups was within normal limits and the researchers seem to be suggesting that this might mean that women who did yoga in these studies had babies who were less likely to be affected by gestational diabetes, but this needs more research.

The authors concluded that, "Prenatal yoga is an effective complementary medicine to improve delivery outcomes and not to increase the risk of fetus, which is worth recommending to pregnant women."

Not all of the studies involved in this meta-analysis were of high quality, but it's great that this gives us some evidence and a better idea of what we need to look at in future research.

You can see the original research at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1744388119308503

We share research for those who like to stay up-to-date with birth-related research and thinking. If you're a midwife, birth worker or pregnancy yoga teacher who would like to delve deeper into studies, get updated on what's new and become better at understanding research, join Dr Sara Wickham for an online course. Details at https://app.ruzuku.com/courses/69379/about

05/05/2021

Today is International Day of the Midwife. An extra big shout out to the amazing midwives I have worked alongside and of course those who have been by my side as I birthed my babes 🙏🙏🙏✨

08/04/2021

Hadley's Birth Story, Part 10/10

Eventually Paul tied a cord tie (made by Lou 🙏 HeartSwells Midwifery offering holistic pregnancy, birth and postnatal care) around the umbilical cord and cut the cord. Once Hadley had finished feeding, Paul had some skin to skin while I went for a shower. Norafiah and I checked for tearing and grazing in the shower. No tearing and no visible grazes.

After a quick shower we hung out on the couch, some checks of the baby and placenta were completed, and I enjoyed some Nepali rice pudding while Hadley fed some more.

We were in bed not long after midnight and Arlo came in around 5am for some milk and was introduced to his little sister 💛 and given his sibling band matching Hadley's cord tie (also made by Lou).

I really could not have wished for a better experience. Uninhibited. Supported. Intense. Blissful. Ecstatic. Instinctive. Beautiful.

📸 Sashi Hesson - Photographer

08/04/2021

Hadley's Birth Story, Part 9/10

"A little girl. I'm so lucky!"

"Oh that was so good."

Norafiah (The Art of Birth) came over, covered the baby with a towel and asked me to feel the cord to check it was pulsating which it was (and it continued to pulsate for at least 6 minutes) and she had started to move and cry too.

I stayed in the pool, drank some no bleed tincture and Hadley (still to be named at this point) had a feed. I started to get a bit uncomfortable in the water and thought standing up might help the placenta come along. Eventually I stood up (35 mins after birth), heading for either the toilet or shower but as soon as I left the birth space I knew I wouldn't make it. The placenta was birthed on the way.

I then sat down at the dining room table for a rest, where I stayed for quite some time, feeding, having more skin to skin, taking her in, still feeling completely blissed out 🥰

📸 Sashi Hesson - Photographer

08/04/2021

Hadley's Birth Story, Part 8/10

Another contraction. "Oh yeah, oh yeah." The head was coming.

The head was birthed, along with a hand (compound presentation) which I realised when I reached down to feel.

I was talking to baby as she arrived.

"That's it little one, come out. Yeah, you can come out, thats it, that's it."

"Nice and slow. Take your time. Oooh."

"Oooo a little hand? Hey little hand." 😆

I asked if someone had the no bleed tincture ready - my biggest concern was blood loss clearly, although despite her hand presenting, the possibility of tearing at this point could not have been further from my mind. I felt like everything was stretching beautifully.

I heard Norafiah's backup Lou arrive and said hello to her after she slipped quietly into the room. She said "Aren't you just amazing?" and I replied "I feel amazing. Oh this is so nice." 😆 I laugh about this because it could not be further from how I felt right before I gave birth to Arlo. I felt so completely blissed out this time. It was the best feeling ever!!!

While waiting for the next contraction (a couple of minutes later), the baby rotated and her elbow/arm/shoulder came out.

"Oh my god, this is so nice." It was so peaceful and gentle.

Then another wave came. More vocalising. Her torso started to come out. I didn't want to pull so I just waited for her to wriggle out. I looked down and thought she had lots of vernix but then realised she was still in the caul/sac. It felt silky soft.

One of my main wishes for the birth was for the room to be quiet once the baby was born and give me time to "breathe the baby in" and discover the gender when I was ready without being prompted. I thought this may take a while but I think because we really took our time at the end, I was thinking of the gender as she wriggled out. I removed the caul from her head, brought her to my chest and checked her gender.

📸 Sashi Hesson - Photographer

08/04/2021

Hadley's Birth Story, Part 7/10

I had another feel and could feel the baby's head lower this time, around my first knuckle. It was a great feeling.

I felt the head descending deeper for maybe two more contractions.

I felt a pop of the waters. It had just been leaking up until this point.

I made the comment I could feel the baby beginning to crown. This was definitely the most intense part for me - this labour and last. "I hate this part." 😆

It wasn't until reflecting later on that I realised I didn't push once the entire birth. No conscious pushing or effort or gently breathing my baby down. My body was having powerful, involuntary, expulsive contractions (aka Fetal Ejection Reflex) and I found myself vocalising - deep guttural type noises - along with them. This is not something I had experienced before. During my first birth as there was urgency to birth Arlo (due to fetal distress) I was coached to push. I felt like I wasn't doing it right or well enough. I was told not to make noise and to focus my energy down (rather than out) which made absolutely no sense to me at the time and still doesn't, particularly after this experience.

Norafiah (The Art of Birth) reminded me to slow things down as I had asked her to do the previous day as one of my main concerns was tearing (where I'd had the episiotomy with Arlo) and blood loss as a result. Turns out I didn't need reminding at all, it just happened instinctually. During the next contraction my vocalising became more like high pitched whimpering and then I began to pant, slowing the baby's head down.

"Oh faaaark. It's so freeeeeaking intense!"

I could feel the baby's head was going to come out. I straightened my right leg out to the side and reached down to hold my perineum.

"Oh yes, we're close." The baby's head was right there.

📸 Sashi Hesson - Photographer

08/04/2021

Hadley's Birth Story, Part 6/10

It was about 8.20pm and I wanted to see if I could see the baby. I placed the mirror board in the water but couldn't see anything so decided to see if I could feel my cervix or the baby. To my surprise I felt the baby's head at about two knuckles in, although I wasn't 100% sure because it also felt squishy which Norafiah (The Art of Birth) explained would be the fontanel. I asked her if she could feel to confirm and was grateful she helped me trust what I was feeling rather than checking herself 🙏 I absolutely loved how hands off she was, mostly silent, sitting on the floor close by. It was so nice to be the first one to touch my baby.

Sashi arrived around 8.25pm. I was so glad she made it in time.

"Oooooh far out ..... aaaaah ooooooh." Long deep moans with contractions.

"Oh, that escalated quickly." Then I looked at Sashi and Norafiah who were sitting near the pool and asked, "How much longer?" in a joking way, knowing it was an impossible question to answer.

Another wave was coming and I said out loud to myself, "Don't resist it."

By this point I had really started to feel the pressure of baby's head.

At 8.38pm I made the comment "Oooo, I've got the urge coming on I think."

Norafiah phoned her backup, Lou (HeartSwells Midwifery offering holistic pregnancy, birth and postnatal care)

📸 Sashi Hesson - Photographer

08/04/2021

Hadley's Birth Story, Part 5/10

The birth space felt calming and beautiful, lit just by a salt lamp. I was enjoying the stillness and quiet of the night. I got in the pool at 7.58pm and the warmth of the water felt "oh, so nice". The contractions spaced out a little. Paul added some more hot water as I wanted it to be above my achy lower back when I was leaning forward over the edge of the pool.

I was vocalising more and more. The sounds were just coming out of me. It wasn't a voluntary or conscious action. The remainder of the birth was the same - there was very little conscious thought attached to my actions, my body just did what it needed to do. The more I reflect on this, the more in awe I am of my body and what it is capable of.

During contractions I was very much in the zone, inward focused but once they eased I would talk, joke a little and felt very clear headed. I remember the intensity of one contraction not long after I got in the pool "ooooh ooooh", and then it eased and I leaned back against the pool edge and said "ah, and then you rest." 😊

Things ramped up a bit more.

"S**t."

"Faaark." I only swear when there is good reason and there were plenty of good reasons 😆

"Ooooooh." Long moans

I found myself tapping my hand rhythmically on the side of pool to cope with the intensity.

"Oh, I really would like to do a poo right now." The pressure.

All good signs 😆

Paul was a wonderful support the entire time, offering occasional words of encouragement. I wanted him close but didn't need him to be hands on this time which was nice for both of us I think 😊

📸 Sashi Hesson - Photographer

08/04/2021

Hadley's Birth Story, Part 4/10

While Norafiah (The Art of Birth) was on her way, we did the usual bedtime routine with Arlo. Thank goodness it didn't take too long for him to drift off to sleep. Feeding him was INTENSE and ramped things up even more.

I went straight to our bathroom after leaving his room and by this point I was very emotional and in tears, another good sign. I passed Paul on the way and he asked if he should call Sashi
(Birth Photgrapher) and through tears I hurriedly said "Yes, yes, call her."

As I was sobbing uncontrollably in the bathroom, I heard Norafiah arrive around 7.20pm. I managed to settle myself down a little and left the bathroom to see her. Norafiah listened to baby and took my blood pressure.

Things were intensifying. Norafiah and Paul suggested filling up the birth pool. Part of me was thinking maybe it was a bit early, but thinking it would take at least an hour, I agreed so Paul busied himself with that.

I used the end of the cot in our bedroom to hold onto / lean on during contractions and was pacing from our bedroom into the hallway in between. I remember hugging and swaying with Paul at one point and then as the contraction was coming on, moving back to the cot.

"First time I'm really enjoying this," I said.

I was enjoying the increase in intensity and true knowing this baby was going to be born by the morning. I'd had enough of contractions every 10 minutes or so. I was managing well, using my breath, focus and hot water bottles to get me through.

Paul gave me a hip squeeze. "First one you've given me," I said to Paul. Then to Norafiah, "Last time it was the only way I could get relief." I found myself comparing this labour to my last quite a lot throughout.

I felt the baby drop and started to feel pressure in my sacrum/bottom.

Then to my surprise, the pool was ready. I was a bit hesitant to get in, thinking maybe I'd wait until Sashi arrived. I decided to go to the toilet (referred to as the dilation station for a reason!), waited out a contraction there and then decided to it was a good time to get in the pool!

📸 Sashi Hesson - Photographer

08/04/2021

Hadley's Birth Story, Part 3/10

I started to have some doubts about whether I could actually do this again. Could I handle the intensity of it? What if I needed to transfer to hospital? All the worries! And not just about the birth but also no longer being a mother of one. I was feeling very emotional and had a good cry. Paul was helpful in easing and quieting my mind.

Paul went to get Arlo from daycare. I continued to stay active, moving around the living room with a heat pack strapped to my achy lower back and one held to my lower abdomen when needed.

I was becoming more vocal around Arlo's dinner/bath/bed time. He was asking "What are you doing Mum? Are you ok Mum?" and would copy me, holding a hot water bottle to his tummy and breathing deeply. Very cute! Contractions by this point were more intense, around 1 minute long every 3-4 minutes. I was leaning over the kitchen bench as the waves arrived and moving my body freely until they passed.

At about 6.40pm I phoned Norafiah (Midwife, The Art of Birth) and gave her an update. I told her I wasn't sure if she should come over or not as I'd have a pretty strong contraction, followed by a very short break, and then a much a weaker contraction. She suggested coming over and we could have a chat and try a few different things if needed which I thought was a good idea. At the time I was thinking she'd come over and then head back home again. WRONG. Now I'm thinking of course she wasn't going to be heading back home and why didn't I call Sashi earlier 🤦‍♀😆.

📸 Sashi Hesson - Photographer

08/04/2021

Hadley's Birth Story, Part 2/10

I was glad when Arlo came in around 5am (Thursday 11th March) giving me a reason to get out of bed. I'd really been hoping I'd have a newborn in my arms by this point though! I'd managed to get a couple of hours of broken sleep around contractions, which were still happening but quite spaced out and mild enough that I could stay in a side lying position.

Paul, my husband, decided to stay home from work just in case and Arlo reluctantly went to daycare. Once the house was quiet, I went back to bed for a sleep, showered, pottered around the house for a bit and then Paul and I headed out for lunch and a VERY SLOW WALK around the marina and beach. It felt like I had a bowling ball resting in my pelvis by this point.

Contractions had been coming around every 10 minutes since the previous evening. I was starting to wonder how much longer I could handle it. Was this labour going to go on for days like my previous labour? I didn't want to be exhausted giving birth like I had been last time.

I was grateful that I was experiencing the contractions in my lower abdominal area and felt them rising like a wave and then ebbing away. It was much more comfortable for me than experiencing the contractions in my back like I had labouring with Arlo.

We returned home. I tried to distract myself with some TV but wasn't enjoying that so spent some time walking around the house and backyard. It felt nice to be outside and the weather was perfect - overcast, not too hot, a cool breeze.

By 3.30pm I was feeling so much pressure that there was little relief or comfort between contractions. The blood tinged mucous seemed to become more watery (amniotic fluid leaking), contractions were becoming more intense but not much closer together and I was using heat packs on my back and lower abdomen which were helping a lot. I was so glad Paul had bought an extra hot water bottle that morning.

📸 Sashi Hesson - Photographer

08/04/2021

Hadley's Birth Story, Part 1/10

The first signs of prelabour (blood tinged mucous, achy lower back and the occasional tightening) began on Tuesday 9th March in the evening. It was exciting to see and feel my body preparing but I was aware the birth could be days away so tried not to give it too much attention.

I woke up Wednesday 10th March knowing I needed to get out of the house with my toddler Arlo or it would be a LONG day - waiting. I was still having the occasional very mild tightening. We spent the majority of the day out and about, having some quality one on one time, until my midwife Norafiah (The Art of Birth) was due to visit around 3.30pm.

During the visit, we spoke about my wishes should the pregnancy reach 42 weeks although given the tightenings I was having during the visit I said to her I'd be surprised if bub hadn't arrived by Sunday. I didn't feel like the birth was too far off.

That evening, the tightenings increased in intensity slightly and were closer together (every 4-7 mins). I called my birth photographer Sashi (Sashi Hesson - Photographer) and messaged Norafiah to give them the heads up, thinking things may ramp up even more. They were both about to head into Birth Time screenings so I was hoping things wouldn't ramp up too quickly. I'd made the right choice about not buying a ticket in advance for myself 😆

I helped Arlo to sleep as usual. Side lying breast feeding him through contractions was very uncomfortable but we got there! Once he was asleep I went into tidying and cleaning mode as you do when you think you're about to give birth 😆.

Norafiah phoned after the movie and things had just started slowing back down so she suggested going to bed and trying to get some sleep - contractions would either be intense enough to wake me up or prevent me from going to sleep. So reluctantly, off to bed I went.

06/04/2021

The oxytocin rush 🥰 This photo brings back all the feelings!

I'll be sharing Hadley's birth story tomorrow with some luck 🤞😊 It's going to take a committed reader 😆 It's a lengthy one.

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16/03/2021

Newborn Mama, second time around 🥰 Hadley made her beautiful entrance on Thu evening 11/3, at home, in water, into my hands.

I'll be sharing the birth story soon-ish 😊💛

04/03/2021

The Waiting Game. Feeling all the feelings! Savouring the final days of life as a family of three and Mama of one earthside. Embracing the uncertainty. Trusting the process. Slowing down and (mostly ☺️) switching off until the little one arrives. Until then x

📷 🙏🏻