The perineal is the area between your vagina and anus. This is the part that is most commonly cut (episiotomy), torn or grazed during birth. By making sure this area is as soft and supple as possible it will stretch more. Most people moisturise their face because they want it to be soft and hydrated. … Continue reading Perineal massage
Category: skills
The Positive Birth Group thesaurus
Words are powerful. So powerful they have started wars. Words are more powerful than actions. Words can allow someone to take over your mind completely, while actions can only force you to do something out of fear. Being aware of language is such an important life tool. For example, in answer to the question “What … Continue reading The Positive Birth Group thesaurus
Hypnobirthing is NOT trendy
I hate it when people say, "Oh, you teach hypnobirthing? That's so trendy right now." Let's talk about societal trends for a minute. Unlike fashion trends, societal trends last a lot longer, around 50 - 100 years. The first humans on Earth date back to 2.5 million years ago. Since then humans have always given … Continue reading Hypnobirthing is NOT trendy
Delayed cord clamping
If you’re pregnant or thinking about having a baby you’ve probably heard of delayed cord clamping, but do you know why it is important? A baby and its placenta are attached from about one week after conception until the baby is born. The placenta is made from the fertilised embryo which means it has both … Continue reading Delayed cord clamping
Use your BRAIN
Sometimes when we’re dealing with people in a position of authority or someone who we class as more educated in a particular subject, we find it hard to question what they say. This is particularly the case with medical professionals. Doctors, midwives, obstetricians, nurses, and surgeons have all studied for years, not to mention having … Continue reading Use your BRAIN
Just like riding a bike.
It’s an analogy I use a lot when I’m teaching. We have to learn how to ride a bike and once we learn it we don't forget how to do it. It becomes natural to us. Birthing a baby is a natural act, but it’s not something we do often in life. Some people might … Continue reading Just like riding a bike.
Negative birth stories
Stop telling pregnant people negative birth stories Everyone who has given birth has a story to tell. And, unfortunately most of the time they tend to share the negative side of their story rather than the positive. I’m not saying pregnant people are fragile but, especially if it’s their first pregnancy, they’ll naturally be experiencing … Continue reading Negative birth stories
The SCOPE of a birth partner’s role during birth
The role of a birth partner is one of the most important roles during birth. This person should be continuously by the pregnant person’s side and on their side. Traditionally a birth partner is typically the baby’s daddy, but as we live in a very diverse world it can be a friend, a life partner, … Continue reading The SCOPE of a birth partner’s role during birth
Five Steps of Giving Birth
Birth can seem pretty complicated. So I’ve created a simplified version in five steps. There is: One BOSS! The pregnant person is in charge, closely followed by the birth partner. There are: Two ways to be born: vaginally and abdominally. Abdominal births are by cesarean section, where the baby is born by a small incision … Continue reading Five Steps of Giving Birth
Thank you boobies
My breastfeeding journey has come to an end for the third time. Breastfeeding is such a personal, intimate choice for people. I am so grateful I was able to breastfeed but I never put any pressure on myself or allowed anyone to put pressure on me when it came to feeding my babies, because feeding … Continue reading Thank you boobies