Pohutukawa Midwifery - Hamilton Midwives

03/10/2023

Cause helpful

29/08/2023

26/07/2023

What is a midwife

A midwife is a chameleon, a leopard with ever changing spots.
A reflection of all those we have cared for
Of who we’re with in the moment
We dress ourselves to match the room, to match you in whatever ways we need
We’re patched together in a quilt of mismatched remnants and wonky threads
A quilt we’re forever picking at, loose threads tied, unpicked, re patched, ironed, scrunched
Some bits destined for the bin, other bits tucked in corners folded just so.
A life long project that is never really finished
I’ve remade myself again and again and I will again

Midwives are a work of art, a work of heart
A strange mix of science, biology.
A vast amount of abstract knowledge that we don’t know we know, yet somehow we do.
We exist in the moment before that first breath
We look you in the eyes, for a moment it’s just us two.
‘Just one more,’ part of me in awe as you pull it from the depths
Then we’re suspended in that brief all consuming hitch of your breath, that seems to last forever
Before we all breathe again when cries ring out like church bells on wedding days.
Towels fall around you like celebratory confetti, wiping away the old as we welcome the new.

And when silence stretches fourth, we will wrap you up tight, stop the world as you prepare to say goodbye.
Drape you in kindness, smallest touch, our words feeling hollow.
A Lilly white blanket that should have seen you home
Nothing feels like it can ever be enough

We’re the hand in your photos, the touch you’ve forgotten
We’re the photographers, the faceless voice, that face you can’t quite place
That person in Tescos that looks familiar, but you’re not sure from where
We’re your advocates, your voice, the rudder in the storm

We’re the rushing feet, the jangling keys
We’re the laughers, the cryers, the jokers.
The back rub that hits just right
The chirpy cheerleader in the middle of the night
Seeing you at your best and worst
Eventually becoming a blue blurry smudge on the periphery of your memories as time passes

But just so you know, just so you’re aware
A midwife is made up of all of you

Copyright: Midwifosaurus
Photo credit: ‘yes, you did it.’ Kate Kennedy Birth Photgraphy (See comments)

25/03/2023

Definetly wouldn't say no to a trip to Bali..

One lucky midwife will win a trip to Bali!

In celebration of , is sending a midwife to Bali for an all-expenses-paid trip to the 33rd ICM Triennial Congress!

If you know a deserving of this trip of a lifetime, take part in the Instagram contest before May

Find the contest details here: https://bit.ly/41OSwUB

27/02/2023

"TRANSITION⠀
The third phase of the first stage of labor is called transition. This is the shortest, yet most intense phase of labor. On average, transition lasts less than one hour, but as with all things in birth, there are many variations of normal. A longer transition phase isn't cause for concern in the absence of fetal distress or complications with the mother.⠀
WHAT TO EXPECT⠀
The cervix will dilate from 7cm to 10cm with long, strong contractions lasting approximately 60-90 seconds, and very close together in frequency. It is not uncommon for contractions to occur back to back, with little or no break in between, or even overlapping one another. Hot flashes, chills, nausea, and vomiting are all normal during this phase of labor.⠀
WHAT YOU CAN DO⠀
If you have one, a doula can be instrumental in helping you stay grounded during transition. She will encourage you to breath through contractions, relax your tensing muscles, and remind you that your baby is close and to manage just one contraction at a time. Hip counter pressure, positional changes, and hydrotherapy can all be effective methods of managing the intensity of transition. If there is a break between contractions, use that space to rest, re-center, and hydrate. Vocalization and deep breathing will help keep your jaw relaxed and allow your cervix to open. Visualizing your body opening up and your baby coming down can be a powerful and effective exercise as well.⠀
This moment was captured precisely 10 minutes before her surprise baby girl was in her arms, ending what she called a "1 million year" long pregnancy. 😂😉 (41 weeks, 2 days)"⠀
Words and 📷: Kayla Grey
https://austinbirthphotos.com
https://instagram.com/austinbirthphotos

01/02/2023

Nurtured parenting comes from our new parent brains. As new parents we develop incredible abilities to hear, empathize and respond to our babies. These abilities become our intuition. When we spend lots of time holding, smelling and interacting with babies our parent brains change more and we strengthen our intuition.

Our intuition rooted in neurobiology drives us to play with our babies, respond to cries and distress and empathize.

A long time ago a bunch of male doctors created patriarchal parenting (based on their beliefs and nothing else) and decided that these beneficial parenting behaviors were weak, spoiling and wrong.

They said:
If you kiss too much you’re spoiling.
If you empathize you’re weak.
If you respond you’re being manipulated.
If you help babies sleep you should be ashamed.

They were saying that neurobiological mothering and fathering were wrong. They made parents feel like their normal behavior and intuition were shameful. And that babies normal behavior was shameful.

They put these insidious ideas into our culture and they are still here. They are disconnecting parents from themselves and their babies. They are shaping infant brains and bodies towards challenging lifelong health, relationships and joy.

I’ve heard countless stories about a baby crying alone. One parent is conflicted about going in to help - their body says run to your baby and these horrible ideas say you’re weak if you do it. Or one parent wants to go in and the other physically stops them firm in their outdated belief that they will spoil the baby.

I caught myself thinking several times while supporting my baby - worried that others were judging me as weak or doing it wrong or that there was something wrong with my baby. Even though I knew with every cell in my body that I’m following my intuition and building health for my family.

We have got to say NO MORE to this! We must reconnect to our mothering and fathering intuition for our babies futures, our own health and the health of the world.

Your nurturing is transformative, beautiful, joyful, life giving, brain shaping and healthy. 💜🧠💜

29/01/2023

04/12/2022

The Golden Hour🌸

The golden hour after birth refers to the first hour after your baby's birth. This is a crucial bonding time period between mom and her baby and has significant benefits for them both. Delaying procedures and exams and having that uninterrupted time will allow baby to adapt to being earth side at their own pace.

The skin-to-skin contact and stimulation that occurs during this time can provide benefits such as raising oxytocin levels (which can play a huge role in helping establish breastfeeding) and regulating baby's temperature, glucose levels, heart rate, and oxygen.

During the golden hour your baby goes through 9 stages:

Birth cry: the first cry after birth when the baby's lungs will first expand.

Relaxation: when that crying has stopped and baby has relaxed.

Awakening: usually within 3 minutes after birth where baby will open their eyes and may begin to move their head and mouth.

Activity: increased mouth and sucking movements will occur; usually around 8 minutes after birth.

Rest: this will happen throughout the entire first hour as baby begins adjusting to life outside the womb.

Crawling/breast crawl: when baby begins crawling towards mom's breast; usually around 35 minutes after birth.

Familiarization: the baby will begin licking and touching the ni**le and breast as they become familiar with their mom; usually begins around 45 minutes after birth and could last 20 minutes or more.

Suckling: baby's first latch and breastfeeding experience.

Sleep: this can occur 1-3 hours after birth.

04/12/2022

# .
tylerbirthhouse

23/11/2022

Once your baby arrives you may be surprised by how much time you spend thinking about your baby’s p*es and poops!

For more information, check out the LLLC article
https://www.lllc.ca/poops-and-p*es

*e

12/10/2022