Empowering births and new parents, through pregnancy, labour & birth and beyond.
Tracy shares her birth story... Listen to the podcast above, or watch her tell it below. https://youtu.be/W7_E-UyQWXc Dr Tracy Flowers (of Médecins Sans Frontières) shares her birth story. Here's an excerpt... ""As a doctor, I always imagined I would want a caesar, but then I fell pregnant and everything changed. There's no doubt that the Relax Into… Continue reading Podcast – Episode 2: Tracy and Ryan’s Birth Story
Just how easy is it to stimulate milk supply after stopping or induce lactation as an adoptive mother? Charlene Yared West explores the topic of relactation and induced lactation to find out more. Firstly, what is relactation? According to Leana Habeck, La Leche League Leader (llli.org/southafrica), there is a difference between relactation and induced lactation.… Continue reading Relactation: Can you breastfeed your weaned baby again?
The birth plan: a tool pioneered by childbirth activist and midwife, Sheila Kitzinger in the 1970s, who believed that women and not their caregivers, should be the focus of childbirth and be able to advocate for themselves with this document, which detailed their wishes for the delivery. In the wake of birth plans, the Better… Continue reading Own your birth: Why you need a birth plan
Hailing from New Zealand, I had never met Pip in person, but she was referred to the Relax Into Birth Hypnobirthing course by a dear South African friend of hers, who had also completed the course a few years earlier. She was so excited to share her story with me after she had given birth,… Continue reading Pip’s Birth Story
It was my honour to walk beside Aimee and Ryan for the birth of their baby girl Kenzy. Here is their story... When I think back on my “Birth Day” it was nowhere near what I expected, despite all my reading and “scenario-planning.” And to be honest, I wasn’t convinced I needed a doula in… Continue reading Aimee’s Birth Story
I was when I found out I was pregnant... I wanted a caesarean! I was so terrified of even the thought of birth. Then I educated myself, learnt the Hypnobirthing technique and then had a home waterbirth. I'm now a doula and teach Relax Into Birth and my whole life has changed since the birth… Continue reading Know your options dear mama!
https://youtu.be/IwNagdrdeNw It's essential you choose your birth team with utmost care, empowering yourself with information, educating yourself on the birth landscape you find yourself in. You don't get to do it all over again. You don't get a retake... You only get to do this birth once, so that even if it ends up in… Continue reading It’s your ONE BIRTH. Choose your birth team wisely!
The power of each surge Flows through me Like water. Washing off my skin, Taking my breath away, Bringing forth life... And Opening me up. Stripping away the layers and layers Of holding back I leave my body Surrendering and merging with my baby's soul Hovering around me. Come my love I say... It's time.… Continue reading Surrender
Pregnancy Awareness Week takes place annually and this year's theme was about empowering parents for their journey to birth. I was there representing Relax Into Birth, talking about doula care and relaxation techniques. Many thanks to Sister Lindsay Donnachie, Carline and Vaughanine for arranging such an inspiring event. Sister Donnachie reminded women about their invisible… Continue reading Pregnancy Awareness Week at one of the best hospitals in town, Life Vincent Pallotti!
It really is the parents who make this course what it is... One dad at the January course held at Birth Options in Plumstead, shared that one of the exercises we did made him feel more empathy and compassion for what his wife was going to face in labour. "It made me realise what she… Continue reading Doula dads for the win!