Bridge to Birth | Womens health clinic

Bridge to Birth

Phone: +61 431 901 076

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24.01.2022 Pregnancy yoga is something all families benefit from, but not all families can afford. What a wonderful & generous idea, to provide this service by barter or donation!! https://www.facebook.com/399782247530928/posts/403133123862507/

22.01.2022 3 babies. 1 breech. Home birth. Wouldn't it be amazing if Australian women had the opportunity to choose this birth, when they trust their body and babies & want to?

21.01.2022 https://www.facebook.com/1556297637976741/posts/2288209738118857/

20.01.2022 Incredible! Just being in the same room as your partner can help you feel more comfortable during birthing, & holding hands & showing empathy can strengthen your comfort! The power of your love is amazing!! Birth partners take note of this gift you can give to your loved ones. Note for hypno families: this post has hypno-unfriendly language. X https://www.whattoexpect.com//study-scientific-proof-hol/

20.01.2022 If you're pregnant with your first or TTC, you may want to look away now

20.01.2022 When we recommend taking things slow in the 4th trimester, it's not just because this happens https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1997446510559647&id=1410985989205705

20.01.2022 Synthetic oxytocin (called pitocin in the US, syntocinon in Australia), used for induction, augmentation & third stage management, has been linked with post partum depression: "For women with a history of depression or anxiety prior to pregnancy, receiving Pitocin increased the risk of postpartum depression or anxiety by 36%. "For women with no prior history of depression or anxiety, receiving Pitocin increased their risk of postpartum depression or anxiety by 32%."... And the study actually hypothesized that synthetic oxytocin would *decrease the risk, which shows a severe lack of understanding between how differently it affects the body compared to natural oxytocin. Personally I'm not sure if it's the synthetic oxytocin itself that increases the risk, or the interventions that generally come with it. But it's certainly something families should be aware of, to ensure mama can make an informed choice, & has enough support post partum. 30%+ is a significant increased risk!! https://www.motherrisingbirth.com//pitocin-is-linked-to-po

19.01.2022 The goal is not just to survive, but to thrive! Birth is a life changing experience for both mama & baby, what can you do to help ensure it's life changing in the best way possible? Educate yourself about your options, maintain your autonomy, embrace whichever direction birth takes you. And surround yourself with caring supportive people!

19.01.2022 There was a post doing the rounds a little while ago about a mum who didn't get to sit down with her family in a restaurant because her baby needed her, and the writer didnt want to seem "weird" by offering help holding the baby. This post is the balm of that one. if your instincts are telling you "this person needs me", then there's a very good chance that they do. The worst case scenario, they say "No I'm fine thanks", and you walk away. It takes a village. So be sure to help your village.

19.01.2022 In January this year, Dr Bernadette White of RANZCOG was quoted by the Age as saying vaginal breech birth was a "dying art" & regarding of a lack of experienced care providers we have to accept its a skill that is not going to be maintained". So basically nothing we can do. Breech = CS.... Meanwhile, a year ago in Canada , "the SOGC will launch a nationwide training program to ensure that doctors will be adequately prepared to offer vaginal breech births." It'd be nice to imagine that RANZCOG was investigating all options , including how this issue is responded elsewhere . But apparently that's too much to ask. https://www.theglobeandmail.com//c-section-/article597103/ https://www.theage.com.au//public-patients-forced-into-cae

17.01.2022 Prenatal parenting.This isn't something our society really encourages us to think about. Even our language discourages it: when you're pregnant, you're "expecting" parents, or "parents-to-be". When the truth is, you are already a parent. I'm not sure why this is. Maybe it's because some pregnancies don't result in a birth of a baby (you're still a parent). Maybe it's because parenting seems pretty different before birth and after. Or maybe it's because our fast-paced lifest...yle encourages families to keep going like nothing is different, until baby starts knocking on the cervix. But the fact is, baby exists, and you are making decisions daily that affect his health and wellbeing, & that may affect him for the rest of his life. Belly babies require nutrition, as much as their earthside companions do, and you are feeding them. Your dietary choices (including cravings) are parenting choices. Belly babies gain hormonal feedback about what type of world they're being born into, a safe or scary one, and start hard-wiring themselves to adapt to their anticipated environment. Whether you're stressed or relaxed , you're parenting your child. Well before they're born, babies can see, smell, taste, smile and cry. They can recognize their parent's voice, kick their feet in time to music, & are already showing some of their personality. They are emotional human beings who crave connection. What did / do you do, to help be a better prenatal parent? This might be for baby's physical health, sense of safety, or emotional wellbeing?

16.01.2022 **breaking news** insurance exemption for homebirth midwives extended to December 2021 https://www.coaghealthcouncil.gov.au/A/Meeting-Communiques1

16.01.2022 https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1634525010014996&id=1126541044146731

15.01.2022 Shared by someone who regularly enjoys cow breastmilk. (And regularly tries to quit)

14.01.2022 The power of Hypnobabies - it's not just for an easier, more comfortable childbirth!

14.01.2022 "... Realistically, it just was easier to wear her. We knew the mass was going to be at least 45 minutes and was smack in the middle of naptime. She was going to need Momma, and I didn't want to be worried about her. She actually fell asleep about 20 minutes in." https://www.popsugar.com//Photos-Bride-Wears-Toddler-Durin

14.01.2022 Intending on a home water birth? A beautiful book for older siblings (& you) to help visualise what birth will look like https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692937587

13.01.2022 Placenta encapsulation and infection When a newborn baby has a suspected virus, some care providers may automatically advise against placenta encapsulation. Is this really necessary, though? As we know, during pregnancy our immune systems are not in full working order, which is why we're recommended not to eat raw meat like sushi, or eggs that aren't fully cooked through. We're still recommended to eat these things once they've been cooked, because almost all viruses & bacter...ia are neutralized at high temperatures. E.g. influenza A becomes deactivated at 56C within 10 minutes, Hepatitis C at 65C. In recent years, there was a case in America about a baby who became re-infected with Group Strep B, after having just finished treatment for a birth infection 5 days earlier. The CDC confirmed that, while it was impossible to rule out alternative sources of this second infection (or even if it *was a second exposure, or the same infection coming back), it officially considered the mother's placenta capsules to blame. As Group Strep B is deactivated at 56C for 30 minutes, the only way the capsules could have contained live Group Strep B, is if the provider hadn't practiced proper health & safety procedures: either they hadn't heated the placenta long enough, or had cross contaminated the placenta after heat treatment. To ensure your placenta capsules are the safe and healthy choice, there's a few things every family should do: - Check with your intended placenta encapsulator who they trained with (I'm IPEN certified), & what health & safety procedures they follow. A number of questions should be asked both pre- & post-natally, and certain sterilisation processes followed, to ensure safe & healthy capsules. - If your care provider advises of a potential virus, depending on how you feel, you can choose to have a sample of the placenta sent for testing, while the whole placenta is refrigerated / frozen, to confirm the diagnosis before making any decisions. - If you choose not to encapsulate, you do have other options. You can choose a keepsake, such as a photo (this photo is one I took for a mama who wasn't encapsulating), a Tree of Life print, an umbilical cord keepsake, or placenta jewellery. You can choose to take your placenta home and bury it (there are companies that will prepare the placenta with a Tree seedling for you). It is not necessary for the hospital to discard it as a waste product. Feeling into these options during pregnancy will help you make informed choices in those busy hours & days after giving birth.

13.01.2022 When breastfeeding stops, it means mum experiences some hormonal shifts, which might happen over days, weeks or months. And sometimes, these shifts might affect her mood, potentially to the degree of Post Weaning Depression. Being aware of this phenomenon can help navigate your experiences with saying goodbye to your breastfeeding relationship.

13.01.2022 Cesarean. The WHO recommend 10-15% of births may medically require one. My midwife's stats were 7%. And across Australia, 32% of all women experience birth via c-section. For some women, a cesarean was medically necessary & life saving. For some women it wasn't necessary at all, or was only necessary because of how she was cared for during her birthing. Some women learn after baby is born, about how their experience was influenced by the Cascade of Intervention, or how the re...ason given to them was not a true medical indicator for c-s, or how their private hospital had significantly higher rates of c-s than their local public one. No matter which path birth took, your experience was the right one at that time, based on who your care providers were and the knowledge you had. When we know better we do better, and knowledge is power! Understanding when a cesarean should or shouldn't be considered, and methods to improve the likelihood of a vaginal birth, gives us comfort & reassurance regarding this awesome birthing tool. Every birth can be beautiful.

12.01.2022 Basically, if a homebirth is not the right fit for you, your baby might benefit from some homely touches in hospital, like your own bed set and baby blankets. It might help you feel more comfortable, too. "Compared to the babies born at home, the findings reveal that hospital-born infants had a lower diversity of gut flora, and this change persisted for the entire month (following birth)." "The reasons for the differences between infants born at home versus in hospitals are... not known, but we speculate that common hospital interventions like early infant bathing or environmental factors - like the aseptic environment of the hospital - may be involved," "Studies have shown that if the microbiome doesn't develop correctly, it can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, asthma and gut inflammatory disorders later on in life." "More research is clearly needed, but the new study suggests that revamping the hospital environment so that it resembles home conditions may be beneficial." https://www.sciencealert.com/babies-born-at-home-have-more-

11.01.2022 A beautiful read from a beautiful person. Thank you Bec for the honour of bearing witness to the birth of your beautiful little one https://m.facebook.com/1865644820371173/posts/2431138407155142/?notif_id=1567148115621206¬if_t=page_highlights&ref=notif

11.01.2022 "Some first-time mothers had their cervix expand from 4 to 5 centimeters within two hours; for others, it took up to seven hours... As long as the vital signs of the mother and baby are fine and the babys head is descending, a dilation rate of less than 1 centimeter per hour is not a sufficient reason to intervene" During childbirth,we all dilate from 1cm to cm at our own pace. Eg, childbirth hypnosis can slow down the first stage of birth (1-7cm), and speed up the seco...nd stage (7cm-). 'Failure to progress' should never be based purely on how dilated someone is . If you choose to decline a physical examination , then no one can try to persuade you to birth by numbers, because they don't *know your numbers . If an exam feels right for you, just remember: your cervix is not a crystal ball. https://www.sciencenews.org//evidence-grows-normal-childbi

10.01.2022 Another common "I wish I knew earlier" point is extended rear facing car seats. I personally didn't know and regretted my purchase. In the event of a car crash, a front facing child is safer from leg injuries. A rear facing child is safer from neck injuries. Which safety aspect is more important for your family? When looking into which car seat is right for you, consider extended rear facing seats. You can always turn them around earlier, if that's what turns out to be right for your family.

10.01.2022 "At Hillcrest [hospital] where DiCioccio works, most babies had been bathed within two hours of birth, she said. Thats how weve always done it, she said, but she and others at the hospital could find no good rationale for the practice. We finally got to the point of saying why? The Clinic study was prompted by an increasing number of mothers requesting delayed bathing.... Moms were coming into the hospital with this request [to delay bathing] as part of their written birth plan, she said. They were reading it on the internet on mom blogs, and their friends were telling them about it. " I love this, because not only is it clearly showing that some hospital policies are *not evidence-based; not only is an informed family able to make better choices than hospital policy may recommend, but it shows how public opinion can influence research and policy! Your Birth Plan can have greater influence than just your baby's birth! https://www.cleveland.com//breastfeeding-rates-rise-if-new

10.01.2022 liquid gold has been discovered to be even more valuable! "Breastmilk actually contains stem cells, which are not only undifferentiated (i.e., not committed to turn into any specific cell type), but also are capable of becoming any cell of the human body... "milk stem cells as well as immune cells survive the neonatal gut, migrate into the blood, and from there travel and integrate into various organs of the suckling (babies), including the thymus, liver, pancreas, spleen,... kidneys and the brain. There, they actually seem to turn into specialized cells of each specific organ. TRIGGER WARNING: animal rights http://milkgenomics.org//even-to-the-brain-yes-breastmilk/

09.01.2022 Such an important point regarding why & how women benefit from a non-medical care person during pregnancy & birth. Whether that's a doula or childbirth educator. "The latest data suggests around 1 in 3 women in Australia have a caesarean section and around 50% have their labour induced and/or augmented (sped up with synthetic hormones).... [A study on the short & long term health outcomes following intervention] adds to the mounting scientific evidence which suggests that chi...ldren born by spontaneous vaginal birth, without commonly used medical and surgical interventions, have fewer short and long-term health problems even when you control for risk factors that might pre-empt the intervention. We intend to undertake even longer term follow up studies to confirm these findings." Our birthing culture is over-medicalised. Childbirth education independent from a hospital is important. https://croakey.org/are-we-now-at-a-point-in-maternity-car/

06.01.2022 Out of the ashes rises the phoenix. Love the community that can grow when the Powers That Be try to mess with women's rights Individuals like Kim step up & into gentle revolt Because something has to be done. Our body. Our choice. And when they try to take our choice... https://www.facebook.com/1648967276/posts/10216780566540367/

06.01.2022 In a bit of a reversal of the normal trend, Melbourne has GAINED a homebirth midwife. Who just also happens to be a Hypnobirthing instructor. Amazing! https://www.melbournemidwiferycollective.com/erin

06.01.2022 When it comes to birthing, let gravity be your friend! The reason your care providers suggest lying on your back on a bed is because it's easier for them, not because it's easier for you. Don't push your baby uphill! If you're recommended continuous fetal monitoring, you can ask for a mobile device. If there's none available, you might want to agree to intermittent monitoring (20 minutes on / 40 minutes off the machine). This is something I encourage every pregnant family to have a Google & then discuss with your care provider before the Big Day. There is no documented improved outcome related to continuous fetal monitoring.

06.01.2022 Some babies need special care when they're born. In many situations, even for premie babies, Kangaroo Care may be beneficial for both baby & mama. During pregnancy , it's a good idea for parents to familiarise themselves with what kangaroo care is (link one). After birth, if relevant, families can refer to the Royal Children's Hospital guidelines, to ensure this wonderful option for care has been sufficiently considered (link 2). This applies both to families who haven't... been offered kangaroo care, or who have been told it isn't appropriate for their situation. Remember, hospital policy does not dictate what kind of care your baby receives. You are the key decision-maker for your baby's care. https://lifeslittletreasures.org.au//surviv/kangaroo-care/ https://www.rch.org.au//hospital_clinical_guideline_index/

06.01.2022 Remember the Ten Moons surprise twins mama? This image shows her two pregnancies: her first singleton pregnancy @ 37w, & twin pregnancy @ estimated 37w (actual 35w). Much of a muchness? Thank you Brooke for sharing these beautiful photos, you gorgeous mama!!

06.01.2022 "Pumped milk had higher levels of potential pathogens... Pumping also was linked to lower levels of Bifidobacteria, which are generally considered beneficial to the infant gut microbiome, in the breast milk." www.gizmodo.com.au//pumping-breast-milk-changes-its-microb

04.01.2022 Australian babies are generally born on a weekday, and rarely on a public holiday. Maybe this seems funny, like this ABC article says, "few Australians seem to think giving birth is a fun way to spend a holiday." Ha ha ha. Maybe it seems commonsense, I mean, doctors need days off too, right? To me, this is scary. There are only two scenarios where these statistics make sense: 1. Women are being put at risk, by having care delayed until the weekend / holiday is over, or (more ...likely) 2. Women are being put at risk, by having unnecessary intervention performed so that they will birth at a more convenient time. So, if you are told you need to be induced / receive an "emergency" cesarean, & it's a Friday or it's Xmas Eve, ask yourself: whose best interest is at the core of this recommendation? Mine? Baby's? Or the doctor's? It is ok to say "I will wait until Monday, thanks". It's ok to say "are you refusing to provide me care on the weekend / holiday?". Your & baby's health is more important than their convenience. https://mobile.abc.net.au//australias-most-and-lea/9241978

03.01.2022 It is illegal to discriminate against breastfeeding, wherever it occurs. If baby is welcome, breastfeeding is legally required to be welcome. Some people feel breastfeeding shouldn't occur in certain places. These people can feel that way all they like, but imposing such a requirement on a mama is illegal. Breastmilk does not fall into the category of "no food or drink allowed".

03.01.2022 2 years old but still fresh. Must see TV. https://www.facebook.com/hannah.dahlen/videos/1526075024100035/

02.01.2022 This is something all women should be aware of while receiving care during pregnancy and birthing. If something doesnt feel right, speak out - if not at the time, then afterwards, once you've had time to process, by notifying the hospital. There is only one way to stop things like this happening, and it's not silence. https://www.upworthy.com/sarah-silverman-slams-doctor-for-g

01.01.2022 Have you heard about the OB who mocked Meghan Markle's homebirth? Here's one response: "you have to see normal birth to believe it. We live in a society that has portrayed birth as a scary, medicalised, dangerous event. If you never have the life-changing experience of seeing birth happen physiologically, then its no wonder you dont believe it can happen. You were brought up in a society that almost denies its very existence and judging obstetricians for the very same thing... is unfair and unprogressive." What do you think? If an OB can judge something he has never seen & doesn't understand, then can we judge him for that? The full response article can be seen @ https://doitlikeamother.co.uk/should-we-be-angry-at-obstet/

01.01.2022 My friend posted an American article about vaginal examinations performed without consent on unconscious patients, so I had a look for Australia and found this... How do you feel about this? https://www.adelaidenow.com.au//story-e6frea8c-12259962222