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25.01.2022 The umbilical cord is amazing! It contains two arteries and a vein which are protected and insulated by a gelatinous substance called Whartons jelly. The vein delivers oxygen-rich blood to the baby, while the arteries take deoxygenated blood back to the placenta where it becomes infused with oxygen once more. Did you know that upon the birth of your baby, health care professionals can assess their heart rate by gently holding the umbilical cord and feeling it pulsate? Thats... because when a baby is first born, up to a third of their blood volume is outside their body, in the placenta and the umbilical cord. Delaying the clamping of the cord until it stops pulsating (usually around five minutes), allows that blood to make its way into the baby. This gives your baby the best chance at healthy adaptation to life outside the womb in the following ways: It increases the babys oxygen carrying capacity Boosts their vital iron stores Improves brain function Boosts their immune system by increasing their stores of white blood cells and antibodies Increases stem cell count to help repair the body Babies have, on average, only 300-400ml of blood. Every. Drop. Counts. So what is optimum cord clamping? Well, that depends who you ask. There is research that shows waiting five minutes or until the cord stops pulsating delivers the best health outcomes for babies. At Wollongong Hospital, there is currently no policy on optimum cord clamping. That means if you want to delay the clamping and cutting of your babys umbilical cord, you need to make it known. Write it in your birth plan and tell your attending care provider during labour. --> Can you have delayed cord clamping if youre having a managed third stage, or syntocinon injection to help birth the placenta? Yes! --> Can you have delayed cord clamping if your baby is born pre-term? Yes! Discuss this with the pediatrician, who will factor in gestational age and the babys condition. --> Can you have delayed cord clamping if you give birth by caesarean section? Yes! Make your wishes known, loud and clear. Your baby, your birth, your choice. Monet Nicole - Birthing Stories

24.01.2022 How are you going mamas? Are you newly pregnant or well onto your third trimester? How are you feeling about being pregnant, birthing and mothering in these uncertain times? I spoke to a couple of mamas last Friday and the windy weather was a bit unsettling and their instinct to stay inside was strong. Questions and concerns about who to invite into their newborn bubble in the early days. Excitement about trusting their bodies. ... Trying to find the time to rest whilst looking after toddlers. Questions around why inductions are being offered when they are feeling fine and baby seems happy How are you feeling mamas of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven? Sharing hopes and fears is something women have done for ages and can help us move closer towards feeling ready for birth and mothering x #pregnancy #positivebirth #ittakesavillage #birthstories #betterbirthsillawarra #maternalmentalhealth #wollongongmums #illawarrabirthstories #prenatalsupport #birthwithoutfear

24.01.2022 If you are being told uterine rupture is a probable risk if you (rightly) want a vaginal birth after multiple caesarian sections then you definitely need to know this... Be in control of your birth choice! #Repost @melaniethemidwife A history of multiple cesarean births is not associated with an increased rate of uterine rupture in women attempting vaginal birth compared with those with a single prior caesarean, from the 2006 research article by Landon et al c...alled risk of uterine rupture with a trial of Labor in women with multiple and single prior caesarean delivery. Landon found that uterine rupture occurred for 9 out of 975 (0.9%) women who had multiple previous cesareans and 115 out of 16 915 (0.7%) women who had one prior cesarean birth. So whether youve experienced one or more prior births by cesarean, your chances of uterine rupture while attempting a VBAC is less than 1%. Landon et al concluded that maternal morbidity is increased with trial of labour after multiple cesareans, compared with elective repeat cesareans, but the absolute risk for complications is small. Landon et al were also able to report the success rates of VBAC in a hospital setting and found that women with a single prior cesarean had a success rate of 74%, 67% success rate if they had two prior cesareans, 63% for three prior and 55% for four prior cesarean births. Risk factors for uterine rupture identified in this study were oxytocin augmentation, induction of labour, epidural and less than a 2 year interval from previous cesarean. Both prior vaginal birth and prior successful VBAC were associated with lower risk for this complication... Landon et al conclude by stating, vaginal birth after multiple cesarean deliveries (births) should remain an option for eligible women. #vbac #vbacsuccess #vbacwithoutfear #vba2c #vba3c #hbac #nextbirthafterceasarean #transformativebirthwork See more

23.01.2022 First look at the refurbished birth unit at Wollongong Public

20.01.2022 At Better Births, we know every woman comes to pregnancy and birth differently. No way is the "right" way in how to feel informed and inspired. Some of us devour books, listen to an occasional birth story podcast, ask friends and family their experience or trust their inner wisdom. Whatever your style, youre doing it the right way for you Check out the list of resources we have put together for many of your research needs at www.betterbirths.org.au/resources including podcasts, websites, articles, blogs, Facebook pages and more Aaaand, tell us, what made you feel prepared for pregnancy, birth and postpartum?

18.01.2022 #Repost to #amplofymelanatedvoices @tiddas4tiddas @nitv_au Award-winning documantary #MaboLifeOfAnIslandMan is streaming on #SBSOnDemand. ... June 3rd is Mabo Day, an annual event where we reflect on the achievements and life of one of our greatest ever leaders. In 1981, Uncle Eddie Koiki Mabo of Mer Island in the Torres Strait, launched a case that would challenge terra nullius, the legal doctrine which claimed that Australia was unoccupied at the time of invasion. This ignited a decade-long saga that would ultimately change the nation. In 1991, soon after final arguments were delivered before the high court, he was diagnosed with cancer. He died in January 1992, just five months before the court handed down its decision. The Mabo decision fundamentally altered land ownership in Australia. For the first time in 200 years, legal recognition was afforded to traditional owners. The court found that Australia had not been legally unoccupied in 1788 when Governor Arthur Phillip landed and claimed the country on behalf of the British Crown. This achievement can not be understated and in this frightening and uncertain time, the lessons of resilience and strength he gives us, need to be remembered more than ever - happy Mabo day to you all but especially our Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters Portrait for TIME Magazine, by Olaf Hajek . . . #nrw2020 #tiddas4tiddas #eddiemabo #maboday #torresstraitislander #culture #pride #leader #rolemodel #positive #achievement #inspiring #advocacy

17.01.2022 "For many women, the hospital birth environment is foreign and provokes fear and anxiety. Fear and anxiety can interrupt the delicate neuro-hormonal influences that drive labour and birth, making intervention more likely. Intervention, in turn, is associated with greater risk of a dissatisfying birth experience, trauma and postnatal mood disorders with potentially life-long consequences for the wellbeing of women, babies and families. There is growing evidence that birth spac...es can be designed to feel safe and calming, and that these are associated with reduced intervention rates, good clinical outcomes and positive birthing experiences for women." -BirthSpace: An evidence-based guide to birth environment design, by Bec Jenkinson, Natalie Josey & Sue Kruske From the moment you walk through the door of the refurbished Wollongong Hospital Birth Unit, the design is warm, welcoming and comfortable - a huge improvement on the pre-renovation space. As well as looking great, this design is aimed at keeping that wonderful oxytocin flowing, which in turn keeps labour progressing. #betterbirthsillawarra #wollongonghospital

15.01.2022 Wollongong Hospitals refurbished birth suite has been officially opened, with the first women accessing the space since July 14th, 2020. For a look at each of the features that will better support women and babies and to have a look inside the fabulous new Wollongong Hospital Birth Suite following its $2.2 million, six-month renovation project by going to: https://www.betterbirthsillawarra.org.au//inside-the-refur... Better Births Illawarra believe women and babies in the Illawarra deserve a functional, modern and fit-for-purpose birth space in which to meet each other for the first time. And now theyve got it! Which features do you love most? #normalbirth #womancentereddesign #evidencebasedbirth #birthspace #birthenvironment #betterbirthsillawarra #consumervoice #participatorydesign

15.01.2022 UPDATE: EDITED TO INCLUDE QUESTIONS ANSWERED: Q: Does this change appmy to the neonatal ward? YES Q: Do these changes apply to Shoalhavem and Nowra hospital? YES THE CHANGES ARE DISTRICT WIDE. Q: Are children under 16 years allowed to visit ie siblings? YES. Children under 16 can visit as long as they form part of the 2 visitors and must be in the care of another adult. So this would be 1 child under 16 with an adult only during the general visiting times.END OF EDIT. He...res the news all pregnant mamas, their families and doulas have been waiting for! We are very happy to finally share that as of Monday June 15, women are to be supported by up to TWO people during labour and birth. During the postnatal period, the partner is able to visit for unrestricted periods between 8am-8pm. Additionally up to 2 visitors at any one time are able to be present during the general hospital visiting hours from 10am-1pm and 3-7pm. The hospital will continue to screen and temperature take at the hospital and all visitors will be required to provide their name and contact number due to Infection Management requirement. Thanks for all your messages and queries mamas and to the BBI team, we feel we did our advocacy as well as we could Please tag your pregnant friends so they know whats going on!! #covid19pregnancy #wollongonghospital #shoalhavenhospital #birthrights #womancenteredbirth #maternityrights #justice #betterbirthsillawarra #betterbirths #doulas #maternityconsumer #maternityadvocacy

14.01.2022 As pregnant or newborn mothers, we are not always given ALL, the BEST or OBJECTIVE information Its common to get different information from different care providers or fear-based opinions that are packaged to sound like factual information Below is a bloody excellent, clear set of questions to ask yourself and whoever is your care provider to get the BEST information. Use your B.R.A.I.N...and your heart and your gut of course!... B.R.A.I.N BENEFITS: What are the benefits to me? What are the benefits to my baby? RISKS: How will these pose a risk to me? How will this pose a risk to my baby? ALTERNATIVES: What are other options for me in the short-term? What are other options for me in the long-term? INTUITION: What is my gut instinct?? What are my thoughts and feelings about all the options and information? NEXT STEPS: What will I do next? Do I need to press pause? Do I need a second opinion? #womancenteredbirth #mamainstinct #trustyourself #pregnancyquestions #postpartumquestions #powerfulmother #selfadvocacy #evidencebasedbirth #informedbirth #driverseat #mybirthnotyours #normalbirth #showmethestats #sendmethelink #factsnotfear #betterbirthsillawarra

14.01.2022 No-filter Friday! Thats right, no filter could sweep away the tired looks off the faces of the BBI team in last nights Zoom meeting. We are brewing ideas on how to improve the birthing experience and birthing outcomes in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven / Dharawal for ALL the mothers, birthing parents, families and babies. Well be sharing ways for how you can be more involved to help brew ideas and turn them into action.... Those tired, pissed off, determined, optimistic faces you see, live and breathe the dream that every woman and birthing person experience a beautiful, sacred, powerful birth and are fully respected and trusted by their caregivers. Stay tuned over the next couple of weeks for more news! #betterbirths #birthadvocacy #birthadvocates #mothersdeservebetter #betterbirthsillawarra #zoomlyfe #volunteer

14.01.2022 Rainy day activity friends! Please take a minute to sign this last push to make homebirth affordable for families. We know homebirth with a known midwife is the gold standard so lets make it affordable.

14.01.2022 The refurbished Wollongong Hospital Birth Unit has double-headed showers in every room! The shower is a favourite place to labour and birth for many women, with hot water serving as a powerful natural pain reliever. Women birthing at Wollongong Hospital will now have access to double-headed showers in every room. That means simultaneous front and back pain relief! Evidence shows that using the shower in labour and birth has a number of benefits:... Safe, non-medical pain relief Gravity works on your side to help progress labour A sense of comfort and wellbeing Continuous caregiver support Can be used in conjunction with a chair or birth stool Mamas reflect on the birth with greater satisfaction Pic credit: @exist_images #betterbirthsillawarra #wollongonghospital #normalbirth #naturalpainrelief #physiologicalbirth #activelabour

13.01.2022 Exciting news!! The refurbished Wollongong Hospital Birth Unit will be open for women to use from around 4pm tomorrow afternoon. #betterbirthsillawarra #wollongonghospital

12.01.2022 BBI have received questions from parents on whether the tighter restrictions at Wollongong hospital applies to the birth unit, maternity ward and neonatal unit. We contacted and received confirmation from Wollongong Public Hospital that there are currently NO FURTHER restrictions. Two people are still able to support and visit new mother/parent and baby. Well done to the Illawarra and Shoalhaven Local Health service for understanding womens needs and valuing the health and wellbeing of mothers/parents and babies Go to betterbirthsillawarra.org.au/NEWS and check our COVID-19 updates. #covid19 #wollongonghospital #shoalhavenhospital #womancentered #betterbirthsillawarra

12.01.2022 We must continue to stand up in support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. One way of doing this is to listen to the wisdom, experience & stories. Listen to this podcast, details below Podcast https://player.whooshkaa.com/shows/indigenous-health-medtalk... #Repost @drdaniellearabena descendant of the Meriam Mer peoples of the Torres Strait interviews Professor Gregory Phillips from the Waanyi & Jaru Aboriginal Australian peoples talking Unconscious bias, cultural safety and racism "Ive got to say this is a pretty amazing podcast episode I recorded a couple of weeks ago. I have rushed it through to be released now. This is such an important podcast particularly for all the white allies who are listening to black voices. The information in this podcast goes beyond the health system and shines a spotlight on horrible events the last couple of weeks. How they came to be.. In this special edition episode, Dr Danielle Arabena talks with Professor Gregory Phillips from the Waanyi and Jaru Aboriginal Australian peoples. He is a leading change maker, thought leader and medical anthropologist. He has lived, worked and studied with Indigenous peoples globally for the last twenty-five years. Unconscious bias, cultural safety and racism in health: How can we heal a broken system There is so much going on in the world right now. So much pain. There is an emerging realisation we as a general populace can do better. How can we heal the heartache ? In this interview with Professor Gregory Philips he talks about unconscious bias, racism and cultural safety. And this is something everyone of us needs to understand. We have systems in place to maintain the status quo and unfortunately this is no different in health. The white health paradigm and white science is universal. The big question is how do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people navigate a system when inherent barriers are embedded making difficult to access? Tune in to find out. Also available on Spotify, iTunes or anywhere else you listen to podcasts." Share. Share. Share this information needs to get out #blacklivesmatter #indigenous #racism #whiteprivilege #aboriginalhealth #betterbirths

12.01.2022 Watch this Sunday on ABC at 6.30pm ~~Waminda the South Coast Womens health and well-being centre. Who are providing culturally safe and holistic health service including Birthing on Country maternity service #Repost @wamindasthcoast #TruthTelling #Strong #AboriginalHealth #AboriginalWomen #AboriginalLed #WomenLed #OldestStrongestProudest #ACCHO #StrongWomenStrongCommunityStrongCulture #DeadOrDeadly #Nabu #BulwulBalaang #StrongYawa #ABC #Compass #LittleStoryFilms #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #WeWillNoLongerBeSilenced Link: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/compass

11.01.2022 EDITED TO ADD: BIRTH SUITES WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPERATIONAL FROM TUESDAY 14th JULY 2020 (as advised by the ISLHD) We are ready and waiting for the official unveiling!! We are excited to be able to live stream some footage of the refurbished birth suites at Wollongong hospital! Join us within the hour!!

11.01.2022 And the winner is... Kate Fisher Congratulations Kate! We're looking forward to seeing you and your birth support partner this Saturday! Your ticket will be waiting there. And a big thank you to all the others for taking the time to enter x A couple of tickets are still available, link in our bio #thistimearound #planyourbirth #wollongongbirths... #wollongongmums #wollongongmumsandbubs #bbi #betterbirthsillawarra See more

11.01.2022 Oucchhhh . The Perineum is the area between the vulva and anus and if the thought of it tearing or being cut makes you want to cringe, youre not alone. But what do we really know about the perineum, tears and episiotomies? Are we informed enough to give or not give consent for interventions? And importantly, how can we best protect our perineum? ... This must-listen podcast by Birthful interviewing Dr Rachel Reed is an excellent source of information to help answer these questions. www.birthful.com/podcast-protecting-perineum-tear/ Birthful Podcast summarises the conversation as: Perineal massage: might help, might hurt, may increase your confidence. Episiotomies: a thing of the past (hopefully!) During pregnancy, what may increase your risk of tearing in the pushing stage of labor? What may reduce it? During birth, what may increase your risk of tearing? What may reduce it? What really happens down there when you push in a hospital: the (useless?) management of second stage of labor. Things to include in your birth plan that can lessen your chances of tearing Why you should let your body do the pushing Are tears really all that bad? If you like to read up on these things, Dr Rachel Reed has more great in-depth information at: https://midwifethinking.com/2016/01/13/perineal-protectors https://midwifethinking.com//the-perineal-bundle-and-midwi

11.01.2022 Lets get straight to the point. If you want to use a shower or bath to birth in or for pain relief during COVID-19, you are making a SAFE CHOICE. @ranzcog has made a recommendation based on no evidence which means that women birthing in hospitals in Covid hotspots are being denied this choice. Wollongong and Shoalhaven are supporting women to labour and birth using water . BBI stand in support of women and their families in those hospitals wrongly denying this choice for w...omen. There is zero evidence that water immersion increases risk of transmission to mothers, babies or midwives and health workers. Whats with that @ranzcog ? Swipe Right to see @midwives_acm statement that provides current research surrounding #COVID19 and water in labour and birth or go to our website www.betterbirthsillawarra.org.au/news Thank you ACM for standing up in support of birthing women babies and healthcare staff. Enough scaremongering. More evidence-based care. More respect for the sacred rite of passage that birth is. #Enough #COVID19 #waterimmersion #waterbirths #betterbirths #womensrights #birthrights #birthrites #evidencebasedbirth #nomorefear #

11.01.2022 Listening to the stories & experience of mothers is essential for birth to heal. This pandemic of racism, this crisis of valuing that #blacklifematters needs affirmative action to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait mothers and babies. Repost: @indigenousbirthcollective and @earth.blended Our generation have found our voices and we will not be silenced, our ancestors are watching over us and giving us guidance and strength to use our voices, be herd and our stories share...d. May we give hope to our children to pave the way for a future that is kinder and suffering isnt the normal. My name is Jame, proud Gumbaynggiyrr Miimi. These are my words and having the strength to voice them might just be the change for my children and yours. . Image of one of the beautiful custom silhouettes Im working on .

11.01.2022 What do you think, mamas? Is enough being done to support womens physical and psychological rehabilitation in the postpartum period? Did you feel you had adequate access to care?

10.01.2022 A tiny person entering the world is a magical experience. First breaths, and new eyes and a tiny combination of two people. Tiny people are magical, but sometimes their entry into the world is fraught with fear and distress. Sometimes this distress lingers, dampens our maternal instincts and leaves us grieving for the birth we had hoped for and deserved. A rite of passage ripped from us. ... Loved ones, meaning well, may remark that at least you and baby are alive, however this only deepens the often unseen wounds of birth trauma. If it felt traumatic, it was. Birth trauma is defined by the birthing person. If the memories linger, and rear their head, and steal moments that otherwise would have been joyful then your experience of childbirth is valid. Allow yourself time to grieve what could have been, while equally allowing yourself to love the baby you have before you. These two experiences can exist together, you do not love your baby less if you are sad about their birth. If your childbirth experience is overwhelming, impacting your functioning and stealing joy from your life, please seek the support of a mental health professional. #birthtrauma #selfcare #maternalmentalhealth #maternalemotionalhealth #posttraumaticstress #youarenotalone #reachout #betterbirths #riteofpassage #birthsupport

09.01.2022 Tag a friend in this post for your chance to WIN two tickets to 'This Time Around' workshop on Saturday. This workshop is a small, intimate event to help you plan the birth you want. Our facilitators, Fiona Reid and Alysha Fameli have created the content with care and wisdom and will cover common moments in labour and birth where the choices we make and the options we are given can significantly impact what happens next in our birth experience and beyond.... Knowledge is Power. Birth is Sacred. Loving Support is essential. You can tag more than one friend in separate comments. The tickets can be used by you and your tagged friend OR you and your support person OR your tagged friend and their support person. The winner will be announced tomorrow evening! Oh, a reminder that babes in arms are welcome! #thistimearound #rewritethescript #birthplan #BBIworkshop #antenataleducation #illawarrabirthclass #empoweredbirth #positivebirth #VBAC #VBACAustralia #wollongongmums #wollongongmumsandbubs #coalcoastbaby #BBI #birthchoices

09.01.2022 The refurbished Wollongong Hospital Birth Unit is equipped with two beautiful, custom-designed birth baths for use during labour and birth. The baths are deep to facilitate upright birth positions, with multiple grab rails to allow for different positions in the tub. They are also heated to keep water at the optimum temperature for birthing mamas. Water immersion during labour and birth is supported by a huge amount of evidence, which shows the following significant benefits:... Higher rates of normal vaginal birth Lower rates of C-section Lower rates of episiotomy Higher rates of intact perineum Less medication used for pain relief Lower rates of epidural Less use of synthetic oxytocin Shorter active labour Ease of movement and repositioning as the womans body weight is supported by the water A greater sense of privacy and personal space for the birthing woman An English study showed that women who experienced water immersion in labour and birth used words like: relaxation, relief, pain relief, warmth, buoyancy, control, and calming. The jury is in: water immersion in labour and birth feels amazing and leads to less medical intervention. BBI is thrilled that women of the Illawarra will now have improved access to water immersion during labour and birth. In addition to the two birth baths there will be a third standard bathtub and, excitingly, double headed showers in every room. But more on that in our next post.... stay tuned! @kalinorton #betterbirthsillawarra #waterbirth #wollongonghospital

07.01.2022 Feel good Fridays! Say hello to mama Lucy Farrier from Austinmer, 2nd time mama and like many mamas and parents, her beautiful pregnancy glow comes from feeling the support of her people, her community. Here are her words Its been a challenging pregnancy 2nd time around in so many ways but Ive been lucky to have had support, warmth and love surrounding me even in these challenging times.... Support from my friends, family, and a beautiful Zoom pregnancy womens circle instigated by the wonderful @Therachaelrose and the one and only @LouiseDavid who is my private homebirth midwife. I am so excited to welcome this little being into the world - weve already been through so much together and his/her big sister is so in tune, all- knowing and excited to have her sibling earthside. This third photo is of me yesterday at almost 38wks - baggy jumper is kind of hiding the bump but it is definitely there! Thanks Lucy for sharing with the Better Births Illawarra community xx #illawarrabirthstories #homebirth #birthsupport #empoweredpregnancy ##privatemidwife #continuityofcare #betterbirthsillawarra #38weeks

07.01.2022 1 in 5 women experience post-natal depression. The number 1 cause of maternal death in the first 12 months after birth is suicide. Too many women wear the physical and emotional scars of birth trauma. Too many women carry PTSD with them in their journey into motherhood. This is not good enough!! We can and MUST do so much better for birthing women. Thats why well be tuning into Maternal Mental Health Matters Australias Facebook page this week as they feature a spectrum o...f voices discussing birth trauma. It all culminates on Friday with a live panel discussion, which will be recorded and available on FB after the event. We invite you to tune in, too.

07.01.2022 Have you birthed at the upgraded Wollongong Public Hospital birth suite? Wed love to hear from you! DM us if youd like to share your birth story with us. #betterbirthsillawarra

06.01.2022 "The smoking ceremony was magical, so special, you dont really expect children to be able to understand or process a big ceremony like that and when it is happening all the babies were silent. They were paying attention, you could really feel the energy." South Coast mamas accessing culturally safe birth support via Wamindas Birthing on Country program is giving us the Friday feels. https://www.abc.net.au//birthing-on-country-succe/12593534

06.01.2022 Skin to skin contact between mama and baby is body, mind and soul connection, a feeling of deep love Whether a baby is born vaginally or via Caesarian, preterm, sick or healthy, the benefits for baby & mamabare not to be underestimated. Many women birthing in Australia have reported being routinely separated after birthing via Caesarian, denying them and their baby of the important health benefits and connection in the period straight after birth. See this link https://ev...idencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-skin-to-ski for an article by @evidencebasedbirth on skin to skin after Caesarian section. A characteristic of homebirthed babies is they mostly go straight on to mamas bare chest, either by the mama, midwife or partner. The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) Skin-to-Skin Policy states "SKIN TO SKIN BENEFITS BOTH MOTHER AND BABY IRRESPECTIVE OF FEEDING INTENTION." Write in your vour birth plan and speak with your midwife or OV about ensuring skin to skin regardless how you birth. Use your voice and do not assume your baby will be put on your bare chest straight away or in the time after birth. Benefits of skin to skin include Temperature regulation Regulates the heart rate, Respiratory and blood sugar stabilisation Behaviour stabilisation Calming effect for mother and baby Transfer of family bacteria from skin of mother (or parent) to baby Benefitting IMMUNE RESPONSES and assisting in the establishment of the infants microbiome Bonding and connection Hormone responses in mother and baby Better breastfeeding outcomes both short and long term The ISLHD Skin to Skin policy (DOCUMENT #: MAT POST CLIN GL 04) states "Skin to Skin at birth is viewed within ISLHD facilities as part of the normal process after birth. Skin to Skin is based on evidence-based and best practise guideline". #evidencebasedbirth #skintoskin #caesarianbirth #breastfeedingaus #womancentered #babycentered #birthplan #selfadvocacy

06.01.2022 Taumatic childbirth experiences are deeply personal. The perception that you or your baby are at risk of serious harm or death during labour, birth and postpartum can result in your experience of childbirth as a traumatic event, regardless of how you birth or whether you and baby are alive. You are not alone. ... This past week has been Birth Trauma Awareness Week and many important supprts,resources, stories and evidence have been shared. Traumatic childbirth experiences can result in difficulties with early parenting (like feeding and bonding), extreme worry about the wellbeing of yourself or your baby, feeling edgy or panicked, or struggling to feel any joy at all, difficulties with interpersonal relationships and symptoms of depression and anxiety. In some women, reminders of their birth experience whether drivibg past the hospital or hearing someone elses birth story for example, can spark fear and physical reaction and we may do all we can to avoid reminders of the birth. We may also experience gaps in our memory relating to birth and labour. Often well meaning loved ones will tell you this is all normal, and the symptoms of post traumatic stress in early post partum can be masked by fatigue. If you are concerned that your experience of birth and labour has deeply effected you in an unhelpful, debriefing with a trusted mental health professional or midwife with experience in traumatic childbirth may be helpful. BBI are not mental health professionals and sharing these posts and resources are to acknowledge, support and inform women and their families. Additional resources include: Book: How to heal from a bad birth by Melissa Brujin and Debbie Gould @pbb_media have produced a week of stories, interviews and resources #riteofpassage #birthtrauma #postnataldepression #posttraumaticstress #maternalmentalhealth #healingbirth #betterbirthsillawarra #Enough

04.01.2022 NEW RESEARCH project with Dr Deb Fox and Dr Bec Coddington! They are looking to talk to women who: Are currently pregnant or have been pregnant within the past 3 years AND Have attended regular foetal monitoring at a hospital or obstetrics clinic after developing complications in late pregnancy. They would like to know:... How would you hypothetically feel about being able to do the foetal monitoring at home with support from the hospital via phone (known as Telehealth). To take part in research that will benefit mothers in the future or if you have questions please email Dr Bec at [email protected] Or DM us your email and she will get in touch. The research is part of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Centre of Midwifery, Child and Family Health. #maternityresearch #uts #evidencebasedbirth #foetalmonitoring #bbi #betterbirthsillawarra See more

03.01.2022 Words from local mama Stacie who birthed her sleeping baby in April. Her compassionate, powerful gesture of fundraising for a cuddlecot bore fruit and today the new cuddlecot was presented to Wollongong Public Hospital. These are her words... How amazing would life be if no one needed to use a cuddle cot again, unfortunately this isnt the case. To be able to provide Wollongong Hospital with a new cuddle cot in honour of our baby girl brings a shimmer of light and pride to... us through this tough journey. Today we should be nearing your delivery date with 2 very excited kids at home, instead they have quickly learnt about grief and seen their mummy and daddy beyond broken. We are so thankful to everyone who helped us reach our target and be able to do this for Marni. The amount of support we have received from our family, friends and even strangers is overwhelming. Marni, you will always be our favourite what if. Fly high baby girl we love you endlessly. Thank you for generously sharing your journey with us and for making things better gor families in the future. Words cant express our gratitude x For more information on infant loss and stillbirth please go to wwwwstillaware.org Thank you for generously sharing your story and making birth more beautiful for families in the future. #cuddlecot #stillbirth #infantloss #bearsofhope #wollongongbirthstories #stillaware

02.01.2022 BBI want to say SORRY and acknowledge the pain and injustice for all the Aboriginal children who were taken away from their mothers, families, culture and kinship known as the Stolen Generation. Today is National Sorry Day. Bombaderry in the Shoalhaven is considered the birthplace of the Stolen Generation in NSW. Something not many of us know. In this article from 2018, Uncle Willie Dixon says of the Healing centre opened in the former Aboriginal Childrens Home;... "When we were little children here, we didnt know who we were, what we were, who our parents were," Uncle Willie said. "We all grew up as brothers and sisters in this mission." As a mother, the thought of my children being taken from me is utterly heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with the mamas who bear this grief and the generations since, who feel this grief deeply. To the kids who are still taken away from their mothers, from their families, from the culture and kinship, we also say Sorry.

01.01.2022 The wait is almost over! Wollongong Hospital is set to unveil its new birth suite, renovated to the tune of $2.2 million. The beautiful new birthing space will have custom-designed birth baths, rebozos suspended from the ceiling, doubled-headed showers for front and back pain relief and more, all designed to better facilitate physiological birth. Final opening date is TBC, but its looking like the first babies will be born in the new birth suite by mid-July. Read the full st...ory at www.betterbirthsillawarra.org.au//wollongong-hospital-set- #wollongonghospital #betterbirthsillawarra #betterbirths #evidencebasedbirth

01.01.2022 Repost: @midwives_acm