The Birth Healing Collective

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The Birth Healing Collective

Founded by Perinatal Clinical Psychologist Dr Rosanna Pajak, The Birth Healing Collective brings women together.

Join us to discover how to overcome your distressing birth experience and move forward feeling lighter.

14/11/2024

This is me at sunrise a couple of weeks ago. This was actually taken by my seven year old, who joined me down at the beach very early on a pretty cold morning.

Self-care and self-compassion have continuously evolved for me, in motherhood, as I have continued to learn how to meet my own needs alongside my children.

Seven years ago, I had no idea how I would ever balance what I needed alongside this tiny human who needed so much from me.

But on this day, as I paddled offshore in the morning light, he danced and whirled around on the sand.

Motherhood is an ever-evolving dance between our own needs and our children's. Learning to meet their needs is one thing - but learning to meet our own is just as important.

How might you do this today?

12/11/2024

Why include a psychologist in your birth prep?

After a traumatic or difficult birth experience, birthing again brings up a whole range of feelings - often a lot of fear and worry.

It’s harder to trust in yourself, your body and professionals.

If you get the chance, working with a psychologist during this time means you can access support to prepare emotionally as well as practically.

You can address trauma, learn tools to manage anxiety and work through your fears. You can prepare to advocate for yourself if needed, having had the time and space to really focus on your emotional experience and identify what you need to feel safe this time around.

When I work with families in this way, I see how preparing on all these levels helps parents go into the birth in the best possible headspace to navigate the challenges of birth, and meet their baby.

If you have worked with a psychologist to prepare for your birth, I'd love to know - what did you find most valuable?

08/11/2024

Here are some ways to practice self-compassion if you are feeling worried about your pregnancy or the upcoming birth...

Make sense of your worries - take some time to reflect on the fears that are coming up and remind yourself that they are valid. Your feelings make sense, even if your thoughts reflect the worst case scenarios.

Ask yourself what you need - this might be practical or emotional. What would help today, this week or this month?

Remember you aren't alone - think about the many other mamas who have walked this path before you, and those who are sharing your struggles today.

Speak to yourself like you would a friend - what would you tell your closest friend if she told you she was feeling like this? What tone and words would you use to help? See if you can speak those exactly the same to yourself today.

Soothe your body - anxieties activate our nervous system so see if you can balance this out with some long slow breaths, a warm shower, some gentle yoga stretches or a short walk.

Which of these feels the most helpful for you? Let me know in the comments...

06/11/2024

Birth prep can be totally overwhelming if your last birth really didn't go to plan.

How do. you know which fears to listen to and which to ignore?

Which info is correct and who to listen to?

My Better Birth program was designed to make this EASY, providing the info you need to prepare (both practically and emotionally) for a MUCH better birth experience.

I developed Better Birth specifically for women who have had a previous experience of birth that was distressing or traumatic.

Let us take away the stress so you can enjoy more of your pregnancy!

At the moment, Better Birth is available to start whenever YOU need to, and you can watch and listen to everything in your own time - and you get me on hand to answer your questions as needed for the rest of your pregnancy.

Sounds interesting? Send me a DM for more info 😍

01/11/2024

Just a little reminder to be gentle with yourself today.

If there is a part of you that is struggling... with literally anything at all, can you place a hand on the place in your body where you feel that the most and just take one long, deep breath into that place?

Can you soften slightly around that part of you?

Can you send that part some kindness?

Some recognition for all you've been through, and how hard you are trying?

Some reassurance that you are doing okay, actually - probably better than okay, if you were being fair to yourself.

27/10/2024

I'm going live this morning, and it's a special one... doors to The Birth Healing Program close THIS THURSDAY so today is your chance to hear exactly how the program works and ask me all your questions :-)

Join me on Instagram at 10.30am WA time (1.30pm Sydney/Melbourne) to learn more about:

- what it feels like to be part of this group
- exactly what we cover each week and how it all comes together to help you heal
- how the program helps you revisit your birth in a safe and effective way
- the powerful coping tools I'll be teaching you to help you move forward.

See you soon!!

21/10/2024

There are usually three key elements that come together when parents tell me they feel ready for another baby (and another birth):

💫 Feeling able to hold and respond to the emotions that another pregnancy bring
💫 Knowing that they aren't carrying unresolved trauma into their next birth
💫 Taking practical steps to set up a different experience.

From choosing a different provider or model of care, seeking out therapy, diving into birth education or writing a positive c-section birth plan, this might look different for everyone BUT it's the combination of emotional and practical preparation that is important.

In this week's blog post I explain more about readiness to have another baby after a traumatic or difficult experience, including how to know if you really are ready AND what can help you get there.

You can read in full via the link in bio.

16/10/2024

I'm delighted to announce new dates for my Birth Healing Program!

Join me in November inside this incredibly special online group.

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to take some time to address any thoughts and feelings that have lingered on after your birth, so you can move forward feeling lighter.

As a perinatal clinical psychologist, I've designed this six-week program to provide you with a safe, non-judgemental space to work through difficult emotions connected to your birth experience.

The program is evidence-based, which means it draws on established psychological principles and research on recovery from birth-trauma. This is more than just talking! I'll guide you through a range of exercises that can help you to revisit your birth in a reflective way, address unhelpful thoughts and feelings that have stayed with you, and unlock greater self-compassion and confidence moving forward.

Whether you are a relatively new mum or some years have passed since giving birth, this program can provide you with the knowledge and tools to heal.

Places are limited to keep group size small so save your spot today!

And if you'd like to chat to me first about how it works or whether it might be right for you, just send me a DM 😊

See you in November!

https://thebirthhealingcollective.com/birth-healing-program/

14/10/2024

Have a question for me?

As a perinatal psychologist, I work with families from pre-conception through to the first few years of parenthood (and sometimes we continue working together for many years after as well!).

My particular passion is birth - not only supporting parents to recover after difficult or traumatic experiences, but also sharing what I know so more families can go on to have the empowered, connected birth experiences they deserve.

Want to know more about me, or the way I work?

Have a question about mental health or wellbeing?

Want to pick my brain about birth?

I've got some time to answer all your questions today, so don't be shy, throw them my way!

11/10/2024

Self-care looks different for all of us.

It could be a simple act of sitting in the sunshine for ten minutes on a busy day.

It might be a subtle shift in how you are talking to yourself.

It might be speaking up with someone, or saying no, or giving yourself permission to change your mind.

It could be carving out time for yourself away from the kids, or simply throwing on a tune and having an impromptu dance-party with your toddler during dinner.

From the big to the tiny, how have you been kind to yourself this week? You might just inspire another mum to do the same...

09/10/2024

You should be the ultimate decision maker when it comes to your birth.

There's so much more to informed consent than staff getting your signature or a brief verbal 'okay':

✨ If a complication arises, or staff are concerned, this should be explained clearly and calmly;

✨ Any interventions should be described clearly, using non-technical language so you can understand exactly what they mean!

✨ The reasons why this is being suggested to you now should be clearly explained, so you understand how this would benefit you and your baby.

✨The risks of that step should also be fully explained - both to you and your baby.

✨You should be given information about the alternatives, including doing nothing for a little longer.

These things are crucial for the 'informed' element of consent - because the experience of any intervention can be totally different if it is your choice and you can know clearly why you are choosing it for yourself in that moment.

If you'd like a copy of our factsheet on informed consent (specifically designed for those birthing again after a previous traumatic or difficult birth experience), comment CONSENT and I will send it across to you.

06/10/2024

I'm going live this morning, so grab a cup of coffee and join me as we are going to be chatting about birth debriefs...

I often hear from mums whose experience of debriefing their birth wasn't all that helpful - or maybe made them feel worse. But for some women, it is a deeply helpful experience.

So what makes a birth debrief good?

Join me at 9.30am AWST (12.30pm AEDT) as we discuss:

- The evidence behind birth debriefing

- When it might be useful to organise a debrief

- Who you can debrief with (hint: this really matters!)

See you soon!!

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http://www.thebirthhealingcollective.com/

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