Body, Birth & Baby in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Womens health clinic

Body, Birth & Baby

Locality: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Address: St Georges Rd 3068 Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.bodybirthandbaby.com.au/

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• Medical and health
• Medical centre
• Pregnancy care centre
• Womens health clinic

25.01.2022 Every education session I do, I educate about The Breast Crawl Repost @2lifedoula This is a video of a fresh little babe performing the ‘breast crawl’ ... It involves the newborn babe being placed, skin to skin on mama’s abdomen just after birth, bub will use their senses, mainly smell to find their way to the nipple. Did you or will you try this? Repost @tinyheartseducation #newborn #baby #breastcrawl #firstfeed #skintoskin #breastfeeding #breastfeedingeducation

24.01.2022 For the final day of World Breastfeeding Week, I would like to share with you all my top tips to set you up for breastfeeding - Educate yourself in pregnancy it’s so essential, book in a class (DM or email to book) read & videos are a great way to prepare - Antenatal expressing from 37 weeks- always check with your care provider of this is right for you ... - Postpartum plans are essential knowing that your baby will be feeding frequently & you’re recovering from birth, learning to feed and catching sleep in between feeds so set up a plan to help you (think cooking meals in advance, supermarket delivery etc) - Immediate skin to skin at birth (or as soon as possible) and give your baby time to do the ‘breast crawl’- see my earlier post on this - Continue to do lots of skin to skin, not just at birth, but ideally every feed and in between feeds! When you’re wanting to have snuggles with your baby have your baby in just a nappy, have your baby on your bare chest, blanket around you both and your body will help regulate your baby and help with boosting your oxytocin (love hormone) to help with bonding and boosting milk supply (great for your partner to do skin to skin with your baby too! - Good positioning and Deep Attachment is key remember the Golden Rule count to 10 once your baby is attached, if it’s hurting/pinching then carefully detach your baby by inserting your little pinkie into your baby’s mouth and try to attach your baby deeper (do this with the midwives in hospital so they can help you) - Remember cluster feeding is normal, GO WITH IT this is your baby boosting your milk supply to make the right amount of milk for them - Control what you can control... in birthing and feeding babies things pop up that are out of our control, so if you are having struggles with breastfeeding, remember hurdles are normal- SEEK HELP, keep doing skin to skin and maintain your supply - Deep breaths, stay calm and have a good support team - Find a midwife/ LC you trust to work with if you’re having issues I hope that helps @bstereo

22.01.2022 We really liked the digital education, I was initially worried it would make things a bit hard digital vs in-person, but it worked super well, even better because it was personalised.- BBB client With another spike in COVID cases face to face education isn’t up and running just yet, but don’t let that get in your way of being educated as with more limited postpartum support services, antenatal education is more essential than ever Digital Education is:... A live one to one with a midwife (Amber ) Run on zoom Personalised education to you Runs over two x two hour sessions for First time parents (Firstimer package) Comes with a resource page with links, images, PDFs, books & podcasts etc to further your education So whilst we are all #stayinghome get your comfy clothes on, make yourself a cuppa, sit on your couch and get educated and empowered on all things labour, birth, baby and breastfeeding Tag a parent-to-be who would LOVE to be educated #holistic #digitaleducation #prenatalclass #childbirtheducation #midwife #zoom

21.01.2022 One of the many reasons I became a private midwife is because I want to be a resource for women! I want new parents to be able to call when they need help and support in the first 6 weeks postpartum and I can come and see them at home to help! I also want to be able to provide continuity for women! Now with the easing of restrictions, Postnatal Home Visiting is back! ... To help with continuity through these challenging times, I’m offering $20 off my home visiting services for all of my Digital package clients! Details: - For Melbourne based clients only - Cost- $140 originally $160, if eligible for Medicare you would be able to get a rebate of approximately $67.80, therefore out of pocket approx $72.20 - Travel fee may apply So if you’re a digital education client of mine and you need support at home in the first weeks with feeding, settling, if you want your baby weighed, have any questions or just want some extra support, get in touch #postnatalhomevisiting #supportingnewmums #support #education #postpartum #midwife #melbournemidwife #privatemidwife #medicarerebates

21.01.2022 That I did it moment #favouritemoment #superwomen #birthingwomen #oxytocin #womenareamazing @babybien_hypnobirthing #midwife #privatemidwives #melbourne #holistic #body #birth #baby #breastfeeding #thefourthtrimester #normalizebreastfeeding #education #support #childbirtheducation #homesupport #newbornbaby #health #empoweringwomen #midwives #wellness #healthandwellness #activebirth #activepregnancy #positivity #nourish

19.01.2022 There’s so much I love about this image That connection - partners, the best support you can give in labour is your presence and show her how much you love her Oxytocin is a powerful hormone- the more loved up and connected to you she feels, the more it will help her labour progress Shower- the shower is an amazing tool to use in labour, the warm water can help ease tension in your muscles and helps relax your body- you can be active- forward leaning, you can use... the bars to help you lunge and squat and if your legs tire you can use an exercise ball or a shower chair to sit and forward lean Upright forward leaning positioning- this is such a wonderful position to labour in as this labouring mama is doing- leaning forward holding on to your partner can help encourage your baby into an optimal position for birthing Nitrous Oxide- the nitrous oxide, commonly known as ‘laughing gas’ is a pain relief option that allows you to still be active, you can use it in the shower/ bath, and you have to breathe slowly and deeply for it to work, so can be a great option if you’re struggling to get your breathing right This mama has needed continuous CTG monitoring- yet she is still doing all of these things discussed above- using the shower, being active- if you require continuous monitoring in your labour ask for wireless monitoring and know you can still have an active labour @kayleighmcglynn via @hannahwillsmoremidwife Words @bodybirthandbaby

19.01.2022 Couldn’t agree more @themotherhoodprojectnz #midwife #postpartum #prepare #support #educate #mamas #breastfeeding #recovery #mentalhealthawareness

18.01.2022 New parents... how are you? How are you coping with adjusting to life with a newborn in lockdown? I’m thinking of you all ... What would help you feel more supported during this time? @wilsonandfrenchy @vannah.williams #newborn #parents #parenthood #motherhood #adjusting #postpartum #lifeinlockdown #support #midwife #privatemidwife #melbourne

15.01.2022 Support Person So much of my Firstimer Education is around educating and giving strategies to your labour support person, because it’s a fundamental part of helping you achieve a positive birth! For your support person to be educated and feel empowered, it means you don’t have to be worried about your partner and they will not feel helpless ... Strategies for your Support Person Your support person should be watching your breathing and body language, and if you are holding your breath- remind you to keep BREATHING If you are holding tension, if you like to be touched, your partner can jiggle your muscles to help your muscles release tension Remind you to RELAX YOUR SHOULDERS Be educated about optimal fetal positioning and encourage you to keep moving into different positions If you’re using a TENS machine, help you with putting it on and off if you’re getting in and out of the shower/bath Massage make a beautiful blend of coconut oil and essential oils with lavender and clary sage to use in labour Counterpressure on your hips can feel AMAZING in labour Offering you heat packs, cold face washers for when you’re getting hot in labour, offering you sips of water Timing your contractions (TIP: time for 10 minutes when you feel contractions have changed in intensity) Call your midwife/ call the hospital to be in contact with them Be CALM and give you the REASSURANCE when you need it Setting up your birth space particularly if you are going in to hospital- when you get there your support person can turn off the lights, put your playlist on, set up the LED candles etc Be your voice and advocate if needed I could go on forever... the role of your support person is so essential, which is why I hope they feel empowered and never feel ‘helpless’ What did you find most helpful of your support person? #support #supportperson #labour #birth #midwife #educationmatters

15.01.2022 Hello from Amber I’m Amber, the Midwife and Director of Body, Birth & Baby I’ve been a midwife for nearly 8 years now and after many years of working in a caseload model of care, being the primary midwife for women through their pregnancy, on call for their labour and birth and seeing them at home in the postnatal period, it created a drive in me to provide a wider community of support and education in pregnancy and postpartum.... If I could tell you one thing I love the most about being a private midwife... it would have to be having the luxury to spend time with women and their partner/family, educating and supporting them with no time pressures! I’m especially passionate about educating women about setting themselves up for successful breastfeeding antenatally and preparing them for postpartum! I do love following that up with a postnatal home visit to provide support and reassurance I feel so lucky to have found a career that I’m so passionate about! We have been through lots of changes since the beginning of Body, Birth & Baby, however essentially, we support and educate women antenatally and postnatally! Our services include: - Digital one to one holistic childbirth education (live with me on zoom) - Holistic Group Childbirth Education (currently on hold due to covid restrictions, fingers crossed we can be up and running soon ) - Postnatal home visiting for women in Melbourne within the first 6 weeks with Medicare rebates available! * I also collaborate with the wonderful @drscottshemer and see his clients for Antenatal Breastfeeding Education and do one Postnatal Home Visit as part of his services* When I’m not busy working as a midwife and running BBB, I love health and wellness- cooking nutritious, delicious meals (@lover.ofcooking) doing yoga, reformer pilates, gym workouts, going for fresh air walks listening to podcasts/ audio books, spending time with my family and friends! I also love indulging in Melbournes incredible cafes and restaurants I have such big plans for BBB... I can’t wait to continue to announce some exciting new things coming up over the coming months Amber #midwife #director #privatemidwife

15.01.2022 Love this "Breastfeeding reminds us of the universal truth of abundance; the more we give out, the more we are filled up and that divine nourishment - the source from which we all draw - is, like a mother's breast, ever full and ever flowing."... Repost @bestbirthco Image: @oxandclove #birth #mumtobe #pregnant #expecting #expectingbaby #pregnantbelly #hypnobirthing #hypnobirthingaustralia #calmbirth #calmbirthaustralia #birthwithoutfear #pregnancytips #birthaffirmations #birthaffirmationcards #positivebirthaffirmationcards #bestbirthco #homebirth #birthtools #waterbirth #doula #midwife #birthmeditations #pregnancylife #childbirth #childbirtheducation #naturalbirth #birthingthroughcovid19 #covid19 #breastfeeding

13.01.2022 Happy Mother’s Day mamas As a midwife, one of my biggest joys is watching the birth of mothers... watching them bond and fall in love with their babies and help them adjust to motherhood! What an honour it is #midwife #privatemidwives #melbourne #holistic #body #birth #baby #breastfeeding #thefourthtrimester #normalizebreastfeeding #education #support #childbirtheducation #homesupport #newbornbaby #health #empoweringwomen #midwives #wellness #healthandwellness #activebirth #activepregnancy #positivity #nourish

13.01.2022 TENS Machine A TENS machine is a small, portable, battery operated device (pictured), this Elle TENS machine is specifically designed for labour and birth. It includes sticky electrode pads that stick to your lower back and they transmit small electrical signals, which is thought to block pain messages! The stimulation may also release your natural endorphins (your natural pain killers ) and can also provide a distraction, to help you focus on the gentle tingling/ buzz...ing on your back as opposed to focusing on your uterine contractions! You can hire the TENS machine around 36 weeks, and have it there to use when labour begins! Golden rule put it on early- it works best if you put it on in early labour and you can build it up as your contractions intensify, there is a boost button to use during your contractions It is NOT compatible with water, so take it off when you’re using the shower or bath I am excited to have teamed up with the amazing midwife/ mama from @mamaanditens and all BBB education clients will receive 10% off the purchase hire with discount code The TENS is such a great option to have in your labour toolkit Did you use a TENS machine? @mamaanditens

12.01.2022 The energy that gets the baby in, gets the baby out. . Ina May Gaskin. . .... @lela_partohumanizado repost @bodywise_birthwise #midwife #labour #oxytoxin #lovehormone #love #education #support #childbirtheducation #empoweredbirth

12.01.2022 True We are all figuring things out as we go along... Digital Education for me has been a silver lining in this pandemic! ... To be able to stay home and be safe and for my pregnant clients to stay home and be safe and yet be able to educate them and excite them about labour, birth and their newborn baby, has been incredible It has been so lovely to connect with couples one to one over zoom in a time where connection is otherwise minimal The pandemic will eventually be over, I can’t wait for group classes to start again, but digital education is also here to stay @shopsundae #midwife #privatemidwives #melbourne #holistic #body #birth #baby #breastfeeding #thefourthtrimester #normalizebreastfeeding #education #support #childbirtheducation #homesupport #newbornbaby #health #empoweringwomen #midwives #wellness #healthandwellness #activebirth #activepregnancy #positivity #nourish

10.01.2022 R U OK? DAY Repost @themindfulbirthmovement Today is R U OK? Day and if your response is "What do you think - of course I'm not OK!" then you're not alone.... 2020 has been a challenging, painful year full of grief, stress, isolation and uncertainty - particularly for families in Victoria. We are giving birth with only one support person by our side. We are grieving the maternity leave we'd been dreaming of. We are FaceTiming grandparents instead of watching them hold and kiss and delight in our babies. We are learning how to be mothers and fathers, without our village. We are juggling newborns and homeschooling older siblings. We are logging on to antenatal classes online and wondering if we'll know what to do when the baby arrives. We are anxious, so, so, anxious and many of our usual coping mechanisms have been taken away. We are crying because we're burnt out and exhausted, tired to our bones and wondering when life will feel "normal" again. It's completely understandable to be struggling at the moment, to be feeling out of your depth and turned inside out and upside down. But you are not alone - and help is available. Please don't suffer in silence. Don't wait to seek support. You are not a burden. You are loved. You are needed. And there is hope. Over on our site we have detailed information about how to seek treatment. You can also contact us directly if you need help working out where to turn. Don’t forget, also, to check in on the new parents around you. Asking the question may just save a life. We are here for you today - and always. https://www.cope.org.au/getting-help/ Image by Spirit Y Sol Words by @cope.org.au #midwife #ruokday #perinatal #perinatalmentalhealth #support #education #childbirtheducatiob #midwifery

07.01.2022 Optimising an Induction of Labour In my experience, I have witnessed many women have a lot of FEAR around induction of labour! When an induction of labour is medically indicated and you have had discussions with your care provider and you are making an informed decision, it may not be how you wanted it to be... but there are many things you can do to optimise your labour! Environment- create your ‘oxytocin’ environment to help you relax, this may include a dark room, gen...tle music, LED candles, birth affirmations on the wall, a Himalayan salt lamp (if your hospital allows it), an electric diffuser to diffuse calming oils, your own pillow to lean into Be Active- even despite CTG monitoring and an IV pole you CAN still be active in your labour! Most hospitals will have wireless CTG monitoring so request that and you can use your IV pole to lean on, so keep active, use gravity and open up your pelvis TENS machine- a TENS machine is a great option, put it on at the start of your induction process as it’s more effective when you start early- it helps release your endorphins and as your labour progresses you can dial it up! Positive mindset- mindset is everything I see so many women go in to an induction with such a negative mindset and there’s nothing empowering about that, so go in knowing YOU CAN DO THIS Shower- the shower is still available to you in an induction, so long as the midwives can still trace your baby’s heart beat, standing under a hot shower is such a great way to help you relax Breathe- slow deep breathing, keep those shoulders down, release tension in your muscles with your breath Support people- ensure your support people are educated in knowing what you’re wanting and are educated to know HOW to support you in labour (post coming soon about this ) Be in control- know your options and tell your care providers if you’re wanting pain relief options YOU WILL ASK... because unless medically indicated it may be disempowering being offered something you weren’t thinking about What’s your best positive induction tip? @agratefulheartphotography via @illourabirth See more

06.01.2022 Education and Support from my home to yours Being pregnant and postpartum in a pandemic presents many challenges, and with a lack of support and face to face options... I truly believe antenatal education and support is key I have developed online Digital Education Packages, where I sit down with you one to one over zoom and aim to Educate and Empower you for all things body, birth and baby ... I can completely tailor these packages to you, however if you need some guidance, I offer the following packages: ‘Firstimer’- this is my full program for first time parents, I split this into two, approximately 2 hour sessions, covering preparing your body for labour, labour, birth, breastfeeding and setting yourself up for The Fourth Trimester ‘The Multi’- this is for those parents who have had a baby before but need a refresher, from debriefing your previous experience to preparing for your upcoming birth, this is an individualised approach to help you feel empowered to embark on your upcoming birth ‘Breastfeeding’- whether you’re expecting your first baby or have had a baby before, if you want to breastfeed, this is the package for you! I’m so passionate about antenatal breastfeeding education, it’s so ESSENTIAL ‘Customised Digital Education’- this is for anyone, whether you’re planning on a VBAC, expecting twins, having an elective caesarean, whatever your circumstances are... I want you to feel positive, educated and empowered so let’s design the perfect package for you Current COVID promo- all Digital Education Clients with Medicare are eligible for a bulk billed Postnatal Telehealth Zoom session Head to the website for more details and pricing! Email to book! Tag a pregnant friend I’m here for you Amber #midwife #privatemidwife #education #support #empoweringwomen

06.01.2022 I am very excited to have collaborated with the incredible Leah from @_bornonawednesday Leah is a documentary style photographer who specalises in maternity, newborn and family photography. I'm excited to support her mission to make sure mothers exist in photographs WITH their babies, and she makes it easy for people who don't like to be photographed! In years to come, you'll want to remember these fleeting days of growing a baby and nurturing your newborn baby.... Leah comes to you and photographs you as you are in your own home to document you in a simple, natural and relaxed way (no staged posing nessessary!), showing what your life was really like at this important time. Your baby will one day thank you for doing this, as they will LOVE looking at images of you before they were born and seeing the love you poured into you baby! All Body, Birth & Baby education clients will receive a discount of $50 off Leahs pregnancy or newborn photoshoot See her gorgeous photos over at @_bornonawednesday #collab #photography #newbornphotography #pregnancyphotoshoot #documentaryphotography #documentmemories

06.01.2022 Birth space goals Anyone who has done my education or even just knows me as a person, knows I talk a lot about the importance of setting up your birth environment Setting up your birth environment is essential, as you need to create a safe space to labour in, as Dr @sarahjbuckley would say private, safe and unobserved. ... The environment needs to be a calm place for you for your oxytocin (often known as your love hormone or labour hormone) to flourish. So what makes you relax? Is it candles? Fairy lights? (obsessed ), Himalayan salt lamp?, Essential oils? Massage? Relaxation music? Slow deep breathing? Affirmations on the wall? Write down all the things that makes you feel relaxed in your pregnancy, then set yourself up for early labour, and have a labour kit to take into the hospital if you’re birthing in hospital (note- no flammables allowed) you could bring in music, LED candles, electric diffusers, your own pillow, a salt lamp etc. It’s especially important to recreate this environment in hospital, as often you can have an increase in adrenaline when you arrive at hospital, which may slow labour down. So as you arrive, ensure your birth partner sets up your birth space, make it your own We talk a lot about setting up your environment for labour/birth, however oxytocin is a crucial hormone for breastfeeding also! Your milk supply, will be more abundant when you’re relaxed, and much more limited when you’re stressed. So ensure as part of your postnatal plan, write down the places at home where you will feed your baby and how you can optimise that environment to ensure you’re comfortable and ensure it creates a sense of calm @lindseymeehleis (This is definitely inspo for my future birth space) Note- check with your hospital of what they allow #midwife #privatemidwives #melbourne #holistic #body #birth #baby #breastfeeding #thefourthtrimester #normalizebreastfeeding #education #support #childbirtheducation #homesupport #newbornbaby #health #empoweringwomen #midwives #wellness #healthandwellness #activebirth #activepregnancy #positivity #nourish

05.01.2022 Are you wanting to Breastfeed? If I can A response I hear very often! ... In my years of working as a midwife with women, I used to find there was so much fear around birth, and whilst that still exists, I do feel as a community we are doing well at trying to change that and educating and empowering women to trust their bodies. However, in the past year, in my experience I’m finding so many women now have so much fear around breastfeeding! When I ask if they are wanting to breastfeed, majority say if I can. Yet, the majority of women physically CAN breastfeed... nature very rarely gets it wrong We know from the Australian Breastfeeding Statistics that 96% of mother’s initiate breastfeeding, yet less than half (39% ) of babies are still being exclusively breastfed at 3 months and 15% of mothers are exclusively breastfeeding at 5 months. This shows that women are wanting to breastfeed! Despite it being instinctual for babies, we know it can still be a very challenging and overwhelming experience for many. A study done by The Australian Breastfeeding Project (2016) showed only 55% of women felt they were given enough support and education to breastfeed! This is heartbreaking Whilst I’m so passionate about all things body, birth and baby, I have a burning passion to support, educate and set women up for successful breastfeeding, because we know that the majority of women want to breastfeed!! As a society, let’s drown out the fear around Breastfeeding, and educate and empower women to gain the trust in their bodies and support them through the hurdles Let’s educate and support women in PREGNANCY about breastfeeding the way we educate them about birth @mamavibe_danikaarmstrong #breastfeeding #support #education #midwife #melbourne #privatemidwife #empoweringwomen

03.01.2022 For any mama who needed this today Repost @mother.ly "Dear Mama,... I don’t remember if our house was big or small or if we rented or owned. I don’t remember if you had a fancy car, or if we had to take the bus. I don’t remember if the house was clean and tidy or if it was covered in washing piles and scattered toys. I don’t remember if my pram was new or second hand or if I had the latest new toy or designer clothes. I don’t remember if you were dressed up or if your face was bare, it always looked perfect to me. I don’t remember if you had a lot of money or whether you lived pay check to pay check. I don’t remember if we went out every day or went on expensive holidays. I don’t remember how sometimes you got angry or cried or had to walk out of the room to take a breath. I don’t remember a schedule, a checklist or any expectations other than just you. What I do remember is feeling safe. I remember your comfort and how you kept me warm. I remember your face above me when I cried for you. I remember you would feed me when I was hungry, or tired or in pain. I remember your smell and how it would send me off to sleep, sometimes at 2:00am, then again at 4:00am. I remember your smile, it was the first reason I smiled. I remember how you played with me and got down on the ground with me, before I could get up. I remember you taught me about love before anything else and how it was my constant. I remember knowing it was the only thing I ever really needed and you gave that to me, I never had to work for it, I relaxed in it. Thank you for teaching me that love has no limits, that it’s unconditional and honest. This is what I will remember Mama. Thank you for giving me the best memories of all." : @jessurlichs_writer