Lithgow Birth & Beyond | Local business

Lithgow Birth & Beyond

Phone: +61 422 635 528

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Local business

24.01.2022 I wrote this last year for International Midwives Day and I’m posting it again because I don’t think I can sum it up much better this year! Between my own experiences and through being a doula I am often left in awe of these incredible people - and I’m looking forward to sharing another experience with them when I bring my bub into the world in the next couple of weeks https://lithgowbirth.com.au/bl/f/international-midwives-day

23.01.2022 This is not ok... let’s hope that common sense prevails and unnecessary restrictions are not placed on birthing mums

22.01.2022 Stories like this make me SO mad... as well as give Doula’s a bad rap. Any good Doula would NEVER support a free birth or encourage a woman to birth without a medical professional present. Yes birth is natural and often straightforward but there are also times that medical help is needed (and vital) - a mother and baby’s safety must ALWAYS come first. I can appreciate why some women are not wanting ‘traditional’ care but there are so many options and models of care open to mums these days... a Doula’s role is to help mum find the one that is right for her and then support and advocate, NOT encourage her to put her baby and herself at risk

21.01.2022 Hope that all of you have enjoyed a special day with your beautiful families. Wishing you a very Merry (and safe) Christmas from me and my little family

20.01.2022 Now this is much better than the standard charts Hope that everyone has had a wonderful Easter (even if it has been a bit different to normal this year)

19.01.2022 Some mums-to-be aren’t bothered at all, some are a little and just need a chat and a bit of support but for some mums-to-be, the current circumstances are triggering all sorts of fear and anxiety which is very real for them and shouldn’t be discounted. If that is you, get in touch with Susan to see how she can help

17.01.2022 ~COVID-19~ What a time to be pregnant or bringing new life into this world! At the moment there is an abundance of information and advice out there and I wanted to touch on a couple of important points:... * We should ALL be following the government recommendations of hygiene measures, social distancing and isolation to minimize the risk of exposure. Pregnant women with any concerns or questions should be guided by the advice of their caregiver. Now, more than ever, it is so important that women go into birth feeling educated, empowered and without fear. Unfortunately many hospitals/birth centers have had to cancel antenatal classes but there are still options out there such as private classes and online resources - check in with a doula who will often know what is available and in some cases they themselves may be trained to provide this. We need to take the fear out of childbirth so that women are still able to have a positive birth experience in these challenging times. I have also had mums worried that they will be made to birth alone, as is happening in some parts of the US. I have attached a statement from the International Confederation of Midwives that states their advice - which essentially confirms that all women should have access to a support person during their birth and I am fairly confident that this will be the case in Australia. Our hospitals are understaffed as it is, and not allowing a support person would only place more strain on our incredible midwives. Yes it may mean tighter restrictions, yes it may mean you can only have one person with you and yes it may mean that your ‘plans’ may need to change. In most hospitals it also means no visitors during your stay (including siblings of the new arrival) which can be disappointing, but all of this is being done to keep you, your baby, and those wonderful people on our front line safe. It would also be really smart to delay/limit visitors once you are home. Not only will it keep your baby from being exposed to all sorts of germs, it will also provide you with some pretty special bonding time. Please get in touch if you have any concerns or questions, we are all in this together

15.01.2022 I’m sure all you mums out there can relate to this

14.01.2022 ** ATTENTION LITHGOW MUMS ** The local group of ABA is running a Basic First Aid course for parents It is on 29th February First Aid Course for Parents & Carers... Would you know what to do if your child was in DANGER? Would you know how to respond? Would you know what to do? A 3-hour course that covers what to do in an emergency, CPR skills and how to respond to the most common kids' emergency situations such as: Choking Drowning Bites & Stings Fits & Fevers Poisoning Breathing Difficulties Burns Meningococcal Fractures/ Trauma Allergies *** BE PREPARED *** *** KNOWLEDGE IS POWER *** What you will get from the session: Knowledge to help you in an emergency Practical CPR experience Take home notes Summary poster Certificate of Attendance COST: $90pp (Min 8 person required) Next Course: Saturday 29 th February @ 10 am Where: 2 Roy St, Lithgow Organiser: Sheryl Hampson Mobile: 0437 151 127 Tea and Coffee provided Payment required with booking

13.01.2022 Cuddle cots... I almost hope that you don’t know what they are because it means you have not been in a position to want or use one Cuddle cots have a cooling system that allows a family more time to say goodbye, giving them precious moments that most of us could not even imagine. These cots are not funded by the government and rely on donations to the cuddle cot campaign - meaning that many hospitals don’t currently have one . At the moment the incredible @sarahkearnsofficial and @dadmumofficial are working with @bearsofhope to get as many of these as possible placed in hospitals in memory of their beautiful little boy, Buddy. If you can, please head over to @sarahkearnsofficial page, click the link in her bio and contribute to this heartbreaking but beautiful cause

09.01.2022 ~UPDATE~ As the countdown is on for our bub’s arrival I will be slowing down on doula work for a little while. Whilst I am not taking on any births until I feel the time is right, I will still be offering mum’s pregnancy and post natal support - and of course I can help you to find a birth doula if that is what you are after - so please feel free to get in touch with any questions (I may just be a bit slow replying!)

09.01.2022 Today is Pregnancy & Infant loss Remembrance Day and we send big love to all those out there with full hearts and empty arms...and the more we talk about this topic the more we realize just how many have a story to tell

08.01.2022 Love love LOVE this This is an article that captures what we do (and how we feel) so perfectly

08.01.2022 ~DOPPLERS~ I was talking to a lovely local midwife yesterday who mentioned that the rate of mums using dopplers at home is rapidly increasing. Ladies... this is NEVER a good idea for a number of reasons. Dopplers should only ever be used by medical professionals and using them at home is not going to give you an accurate check on your baby’s health.. in fact they are more than likely to either give false security or cause unnecessary fear.... I understand wanting the reassurance but there is only one way to get it... go and see your care provider/birthing unit. As a doula one of the first questions I ask a mum every time we chat is how are baby’s movements? and if there is any concern we encourage you to go straight in and see a midwife. I promise you that they genuinely don’t mind how many times a mum comes in wanting reassurance, they want healthy mums and healthy babies. And if there are concerns around baby’s health or movements, guess what they are unlikely to use... a doppler! They are much more likely to use a CTG machine which will show them uterine activity, a continuous trace on baby’s heart rate and they will want to see periods of rest and activity, how bub might be dealing with any stress, as well as number of movements etc - way more info than you (or they) will ever get with a doppler. So PLEASE don’t jeopardize your baby’s health (or waste your money) with a home-use doppler. Check in with your baby, know their normal movements and if you have any concerns, head in for a check by a professional. Chances are you’ve been busy and haven’t noticed the movement, you might be dehydrated, or the baby will move like crazy the minute you are hooked up to the trace, but it is never a waste of time to be sure

08.01.2022 This is trending on a number of baby sites at the moment and I couldn’t love it more... HEALTHY babies come in all shapes and sizes

07.01.2022 This hugely pregnant and hormonal mum is feeling a bit emotional... so many people say that you know when you are done but (apart from all the practical considerations) I just can’t imagine ever being ready to accept that it’s the ‘last time’, and I’ve tried really hard this pregnancy not to think about the fact that it very may well be... To think that you will never see those 2 lines again and experience the excitement of knowing there is new life growing, to never again he...ar that first heartbeat as you hold your breath in the ultrasound so desperate for that life to still be there, to never again feel that first flutter, to never again feel another roll or kick... To never again anticipate or experience birth and that moment when you meet your baby, hear it’s first cry, and look into it’s eyes to see the life you created. To never again fall in love with your partner all over again on a whole other level as you watch them fall in love with your baby and to never again see the love on a siblings face as you give them one of life’s greatest gifts... Let alone all the other ‘firsts’ that become ‘lasts’ as they grow and you get to discover this little person that you created who is now their own... Who knows if there are more babies out there for us but I just can’t imagine ever feeling ready to accept that at some stage all these experiences will be lasts - and when I put it in perspective (because I know I’m being a tad crazy) it breaks my heart even more that for some should-be mums they never get their firsts See more

05.01.2022 I cannot love this enough

02.01.2022 ~ Home Birth ~ Lithgow and Blue Mountains mums... For those of you who are interested in having a home birth, supported by a highly skilled midwife, or receiving private antenatal or postnatal midwife care, please check out Cara McDonald Midwifery I have had the pleasure of supporting a (long and complex) birth where this beautiful lady was the care provider and have been lucky enough to see her exceptional skill and women-centered care first hand

01.01.2022 19 years since September 11 when so many families were torn apart... Reading this got me straight in the heart because this year has certainly been a reminder to me that you never know what tomorrow might bring.... Mummas be kind to yourselves and remember to stop and take in the wonder of what you have created.. I’ll be over here holding my babies a moment longer, squeezing them a little tighter and soaking in the love

01.01.2022 For those of you who may be pregnant and concerned about the Corona virus... this article from Professor Hannah Dalen (midwife) is worth a read.

01.01.2022 World Breastfeeding Week Posting a photo of how we have spent a fair chunk of the last 12 weeks here...combining baby, boardroom and boobies I have now had 3 very different feeding experiences with each of my girls and one of the most important lessons I have learnt is that every mum’s journey to feeding their baby (however that may be) is completely unique to them and should only be supported, not judged - and quite often it truly is a journey, complete with trials, tears and triumphs! #wbw #wbw2020 #fedisbest