The Motherload Pregnancy and Postnatal Services

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The Motherload Pregnancy and Postnatal Services

We are Hayley and Alison and we are the Midwives behind The Motherload.

Whether you are a pregnant mumma, a soon to be dad or someone wanting to buy the most epic gift for a friend or family member who is expecting, you are in the right place.

11/10/2022

“I think I might be in labour” is a phone call we get multiple times a day in birth suite (understandably, it is our core job!)

Knowing what stage of labour you are in can be sometimes be difficult, especially for first time mums. This is because everyone’s experience of birth is so different!

So does it matter what stage you’re in?
It is good to know for a few reasons. For one, it will help you navigate when might be time to go into hospital. Additionally, it will help with pacing yourself both mentally and physically for the journey. It also helps you with decision making regarding what “ tools” you’ll use to help with labour.

If you think you might be in early labour, here’s some tips to try:

💫 Don’t panic! Remind yourself that this is what you’ve been waiting for.

💫 Distract and deny! Try to ignore it for as long as you can. Go for a walk, watch a movie, fold some clothes, make some food. You’ll know things are really starting to progress when you can’t distract yourself anymore.

💫Rest. It’s impossible to know how long the journey might take - so try to rest at every opportunity.

💫 Keep hydrated and eat light meals. Your body is working hard and needs fuel to do so!

💫 Call on your support people. You might be fine alone or you may feel more comfortable with people around you.

💫 When you feel you need too, or if you have concerns, call your midwife!

We are always happy to chat to you in birth suite whenever you feel you need. Our advice is always individualized based on your pregnancy, your preferences and what you are experiencing.

( It is important to note that this advice is not recommended for those

29/09/2022

💫Supporting your Support People

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that although your support people may not have the physical experience of birth, they are still witnessing all that birth brings, which can be very overwhelming, particular when things deviate from the norm.

Birth can be unpredictable, messy, loud, beautiful, scary, calm, overwhelming and intense, but it is always emotional for all involved.

We encourage support people, particularly partners, to debrief with their partners, friends, family or whoever they feel comfortable with to ensure they have processed all that they have experienced, the good and the bad.

We appreciate all that you do in birth to support us ❤️

28/09/2022

More so then ever, we see the importance of finding your tribe ; a group of your kind of people to support you, particularly through the highs and lows of pregnancy, birth and the fourth trimester.

As humans, we are social beings requiring a strong community of support to foster our emotional and physical health. We are not conditioned to be alone, especially when navigating the journey of motherhood.

Your tribe is a select group of people who you can rely on whole heartedly to hold space for you, judgement free. Your tribe will make you feel seen, feel heard and feel that you matter.

Surround yourself with these kinds of people. These relationships will be the ones that carry you through the rough times of motherhood and will be there to celebrate your wins too!

We are passionate about providing steps to ensure that women are supported, empowered and that they enjoy their journey through pregnancy and beyond ❤️

12/09/2022

Induction of labour may be indicated for a variety of reasons, but can be an overwhelming and daunting option for lots of women. It requires careful consideration of risk vs benefit, counseling and shared decision making in which you need to decide whether it is the right option for you and your baby.

If you have consented too, or requested an induction of labour, we believe it is essential that your expectations of induction are correct.

Therefore, knowing the right questions to ask your care provider will not only help your decision process, but will also prepare you with the knowledge and tools to approach induction, should you consent to one.

29/08/2022

💫What is The Motherload?

The Motherload represents the heavy load that is being a Mother- from the ups and downs of pregnancy, to the intensity of birth, to the highs and lows of postpartum and beyond, the weight of responsibility is unparalleled.
Mamas - we see you and we get it!

💫 Why did we start it?

As midwives, we are passionate about supporting women and families through their most life changing experience. We believe that pregnancy matters, that birth matters, and that caring and supporting each other through the fourth trimester and beyond is imperative.

We believe that empowering you through education and support can help facilitate positive experiences through birth and beyond, and help to reduce that load!

Stay tuned for more to come from The Motherload…..

08/08/2022

➡️Birthing terms explained

If you’re having a chat with your care provider, and they are speaking in what feels like another language, you’re not alone!
Sometimes, as midwives, we are guilty of getting caught up in medical jargon. Here are some of the common birthing terms explained for you.
Save this post for future reference!

05/08/2022

It’s World Breastfeeding Week and whilst we feel passionately about normalising and protecting breastfeeding, having both breastfed and still breastfeeding our own, we also whole heartedly understand why some woman may decide it is not for them.

The expectation that breastfeeding should never hurt, or that it’s easy because it is a natural process, can be detrimental to the majority of women who may face challenges along the way. They may feel that because it is hard, or uncomfortable, or unpredictable, that they have to stop.

Through our combined breastfeeding journeys, we have experienced lots of challenges of our own including ni**le thrush, ni**le vasospasm, breast abscess, mastitis, oversupply, ni**le trauma and engorgement.
We have sought the help of lactation consultants, not to mention regularly problem solving with eachother about our experiences.

To ensure that breastfeeding is protected, we must also draw attention to these experiences, so that women understand that they are not alone, that they are not failing, that they are not doing it wrong! And that with the right information and support, they too can achieve a positive, beautiful and rewarding journey.

Photography

03/07/2022

➡️ Acrocyanosis

One of the questions we get asked frequently is “why are my babies hands and feet blue?”

This is called Acrocyanosis and is generally considered a perfectly normal physiological response following birth.

The blood and oxygen redistributes to the vital organs of the body following birth, until the newborn has adjusted to life outside. This normally lasts 24-48 hours.

In the absence of any underlying conditions or symptoms, this is a very normal process and will resolve on its own.

Photography

22/06/2022

➡️ Sleep in pregnancy

💫 Sleep plays a vital role in your mood, your memory, your capacity for learning, your appetite and your immune system. In addition to this, there have been links to sleep deprivation and pregnancy complications.

💫Sleep can be interrupted by lots of different factors in pregnancy.

💫 From frequent toileting, pregnancy insomnia, discomfort, hunger, anxiety, stress, fluctuating hormones, reflux, leg cramps - it’s a wonder we get any sleep at all!!

💫 To promote sleep in pregnancy, ensure you create a comfortable, calm and quiet sleep environment.

💫 It is important to address the modifiable issues that are affecting your sleep - for example manage your reflux with natural remedies or medication, invest in a good pregnancy pillow, address and manage your anxiety/stress, ensure good sleep habits with early bedtimes and minimise screen time before bed.

💫Our Rest Easy Pregnancy Box is designed to promote sleep in pregnancy. It includes this specially formulated sleep blend essential oil roller. With a combination of Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Cedarwood and Lime, you will feel relaxed and rested. Australian made and hand poured.

21/06/2022

We believe that positive birth is so much more than how you birth, what pain relief you choose or where you choose to birth.

As midwives, we want you to have the birth you envisaged but we cannot promise you will - birth is inherently unpredictable!

You cannot control what journey your body and baby decide to take.

However, supporting you to have a positive birthing experience is our passion.

A positive birth is going to look different to each and every one of us. However, there are universal factors that can help you make your birth a positive experience.

💫 Informed decision making - understanding that you have the power over your body and your baby, if options are presented to you, you make the decisions

💫 Supportive birthing team - whoever you decide to share your birth with, know that they have got your back and love and support you!

💫 Realistic expectations surrounding birth - birth is unpredictable, understand that there is no such thing as failing!!

💫Stay present and take one contraction at a time - the moment you thing too far into the future is the moment things become too much!

💫 Be comfortable being yourself - understand that it’s ok to make noise, to swear, to move, to cry - whatever it is that you feel you need to do in the moment

💫 Let go of judgment; judgement of yourself and fear of judgement by others. There is no room for it in your birth space!

Did you have a positive experience? What made it positive?

Address

Sunshine Coast, QLD

Website

http://www.themotherloadpregnancy.com.au/

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