Birth Matters

Can Pollution before and during pregnancy affect the long term health of your baby?

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:49:00 GMT

Medscape Today reports that toxicants can cross the placenta and expose the unborn child to chemical contamination leading to possible adverse health effects, and potentially bringing about alterations in the competency of the immune system. Investigations on the impact of maternal exposure to air pollution before, and during pregnancy on the new born's immune system showed that the cord blood when analyzed at birth increased the risk due to compromised immune competency to allergies and asthma.

Read the full report on : http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/755990_2

Birthing in Korea hosts Professional Certification Workshops

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:19:00 GMT

When something has great value, it goes by word of mouth as one person tells another, the Secret is out.

In 2006 I trained a new HypnoBirthing® Practitioner, who lived in Seoul. Her name, Patricia Cumming. Patricia developed a presence in Korea through her dedication and love for her work which resulted in an amazing birth by one of her parents, Amanda. Amanda's birth story was the catalyst for the start of a serious interest in natural childbirth, particularly using HypnoBirthing®,The Mongan Method, in Korea. In 2008 a group of practitioners at the invitation of Dr Chung ,who graciously offered his time and energy to HypnoBirthing®, were trained by the HypnoBirthing® Institute's Sherry Gilbert. Since that time, the word has got around. HypnoBirthing® is a childbirth education programme the birthing community in South Korea want as part of their birth journey.

Birthing in Korea's founder, Lisa Fincaryk is hosting Three Workshops for The Alternative Centre School of Hypnotherapy in January 2012.

HypnoBirthing® Practitioner, HypnoBirthing®Fertility Consultant, & Accelerated Hypnotherapy. These workshops are professional and accredited workshops that are recognized in many countries around the world and offer Healthcare professionals other pathways to explore other than medical. Please tell your friends and associates about this rare opportunity to be trained in Seoul , South Korea . Starting January 17th, 2012.

Registration Information and contact details please click on Birthing in Korea .

Neuroscientists Discover how pain is altered .

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 23:08:00 GMT

Meditation and hypnosis what is the difference and can they alter the perception of pain? In the Journal of NeuroScience , April 2011, a study Fadel Zeidan, Ph.D, the lead author of a research at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centre found there was a 40% reduction in pain intensity and a 57% reduction of pain unpleasantness through the use of daily meditation and this was a reduction greater by 25% than the use of morphine or other pain-relieving drugs. To read further check out how multiple areas of the brain are affected to enable the perception of pain to alter as the somatosensory cortex's activity is reduced.

http://www.wakehealth.edu/News-Releases/2011/Demystifying_Meditation_–_Brain_Imaging_Illustrates_How_Meditation_Reduces_Pain.htm

One World Birth Trailer

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 22:09:00 GMT

I want to share this trailer with every woman who is pregnant, every father who values his family and the future of our children.

Help share this message. Find out who the speakers are and why they are important people in helping save our species.

Let's Talk, Pre-Labour Warm Ups..

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:31:00 GMT

Lets Talk Pre-Labour Warm-Ups…

One of the most common questions I am asked in our HypnoBirthing Child Birth Education classes from first time mums, how do I know I am in labour?

No amount of explanations can give an accurate description for the woman to be truly aware of the feelings unless she has experienced it.

As the time nears to her due month many changes occur. Changes to the way she feels in general. Her abdomen seems to have dropped and may appear to be lower, giving her relief, the ability to breathe easier and be able to eat more comfortably without heartburn.

Signs, such as pressure in the pelvic region causing the need to visit the bathroom more regularly and for some women discomfort causing backache.

The abdomen is more pronounced as baby takes up an optimal birthing position.

During the last few weeks of pregnancy there is an increase in hormonal changes that include softening of the cervix, increase in secretion as the vagina prepares the baby’s pathway. Mood changes are common, listening to the Rainbow relaxation CD assists in time distortion, aid the passage of time and keep mother’s energy balanced.

Sensations across the abdomen likening to a tightening or tingling called Braxton Hicks contractions raises awareness that things are moving in the right direction . Sensations that are erratic and do not form any rhythm.

What actually causes labour to begin? Researchers continue to theorize but there is not conclusive evidence. It is agreed that the baby’s hypothalamus gland sends a hormone to its pituitary gland which causes its adrenal glands to increase the production of a chemical that the placenta turns into estrogen. This estrogen causes the placenta to produce hormones called prostaglandins , which causes the uterus to tighten.

Practised labour is felt more in the abdomen and do not increase in intensity or even in length although they many be strong and close. The use of Sleep Breathing followed by Slow Breathing during the surges will bring relief .

Practice labour changes when there is a change of activity, they may slow down or even stop.

There is no birth show or pink mucus. Pre-Labour contractions can occur over several weeks.

This is a wonderful time to spend with your partner, enjoying togetherness , building the foundations of love, security, trust, gratitude for a happy and healthy family future.

The Midwife's Role in Maternity Care

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 12:17:00 GMT

Have you ever thought what a Midwife's role in your maternity care is all about?

What is the difference between midwifery and medicine? They are two distinctly different disciplines based on different approaches to pregnancy and birth.

One recognises the normalcy and natural processes of pregnancy and birth where there is an intimate focus on the relationship between mother and child. The other , viewing pregnancy and birth on more a physical level where the care is likely to be identifing with a crisis . Where solutions are sort outside of the personal self reflection of the mother.  There is more recognition on the need to the administration and management of care. All this often without the benefit of a fully informed or  a consenting mother, instead the expectation is one where the mother is to obediently follow all the recommendations of the doctor or midwives that attend her.

How these two models of care become mixed and complicated is more to do with the litigative nature of society that has become our norm.   It is the matter of policy and risk management that is more prevalent than the acknowledgement of nature being unpredictable yet infinitely wise in the way in which the mysteries of life unfolds within the womb .

Look more closely to the model of midwifery and you will notice a variance in the type of midwifery care that is practised in different countries, different states, different cultures and a variety is dependant on whether the midwives are independent or part of a hospital system. The medical model is more focussed on the uterus and fetus, dealing with them from a technological perspective, charting, scanning, measuring, weighing, according to their latest stats. Is it not possible that these are widely out of sync with woman. Each woman being unique in every aspect yet must confirm to the 'hospital's norm' for the length of gestation.

There is a saying that goes: "midwives see birth as a miracle and only mess with it if there is trouble. Obstetricians see birth as trouble, and if they don't mess with it, it is a miracle". That being said, there are both sides of physicians and midwives who follow an approach that embraces nonintervention and conversely there are those who follow the code of active management of birth.

In Qld,Australia, Direct Entry Midwives must conform to a standard of where:
The scope of nursing and midwifery practice is that which nurses and midwives are educated, competent and authorised to perform. The actual scope of an individual nurse’s or midwife’s practice is influenced by the:

context in which they practice
clients’ health needs
level of competence, education and qualifications of the individual nurse or midwife
service providers’ policies

Find out where your Midwife is at, how she works with you and how she conforms to her working environment. Is your midwife using her intuition and trust in the birthing process as normal and natural and does she come from a place where her experience in evaluation is one that supports the mother's wishes. Is your midwife encouraging you to make your own choices and decision whilst acknowledging and recognising the many other factors that can affect the outcome of pregnancy and birth.
Midwives can also be skilled in other areas that may include complementary therapies, such as massage, herbalism, homeopathy, hypnobirthing, hypnosis, acupuncture , intergrating the balance of mind , body , emotions and spirit in childbirth. Even with these additional skills they may be prohibited in using them in a hospital where there is conflict with the providers policies.

Around the world especially in developing countries, empirically trained midwives attended 3/4 of all births but many of these women had no formal education and may have simply been women who have given birth themselves. Their familiarity with the process was experiential, and their customs told them that birth was natural. These women are usually called lay midwives. Lay midwifery in the US started as women were often disappointed with their birth experiences in hospital. The Lay midwifery movement in the 1970 came as couples chose to ignore their fears and the warnings of medical establishments and give birth at home themselves. Women who stepped into help created their own style of care but were not medically trained, nor were they limited by legislation or hospital restrictions. Once such woman is Ina May Gaskin, often referred to in the US, as ' mother of the midwifery movement'. In 1970 a pregnant Ina May set off for a life as a hippie, along with 250 other followers of a counter culture movement on a five month tour across the States , in what became known as the 'Caravan', helped a pregnant woman who went into labour birth the first of what would eventually be eleven births without obstetric care. To know more, Gaskin writes a colourful story in her book, Spiritual Midwifery.

Robbie Davis-Floyd and Ina May Gaskin are two inspirational women who advocate natural birthing, tapping into the inner knowledge for guidance as care givers, midwives, doula, to assist the birthing mother. Ina May Gaskin is the first person to have a medical procedure named after her, the Gaskin Maneouver. Both speakers will be attending the Home Birth Australia conference 19-21 Aug, 2011 in Newcastle, Australia.

Introduction via video to HypnoBirthing

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:39:00 GMT

A short explanation about HypnoBirthing from Scotland.

Marian Colville , Renee Buchanan with their parents shared a beautiful 8 minute video introducing the concepts of HypnoBirthing. This Scottish video is clear and concise . For too many mothers the thought of childbirth is painful and fear filled. This thought can be changed, there must be ways in which women sought to birth painlessly, learning to know their bodies, learning to ask the right questions, learning to trust that they can birth with calm and joy. Watch this video to help you make new choices about your birth.

Click on the youtube link: http://youtu.be/oYgL0ZlHaUo

HypnoBirthing knew that babies could hear the Rainbow Relaxation CD

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 05:44:00 GMT

March 10, Courier Mail reports... Babies in womb are into tunes.

Carolyn Granier-Deferre of Paris Descartes University , asked 50 heavily pregnant women to listen to a descending and an ascending piano melody twice a day. Research scientists discovered after the babies were one month old that the babies heart rates briefly slowed by 12 beats a minute with the familiar decending melody that were being played compared with only five or six beats to the ascending melody. These findings assist scientists in understanding effects of sounds that are heard in the womb including how babies learn to perceive speech. The indication shows new borns paid more attention to the melodic sounds of their mothers than those of other women.

HypnoBirthing has been giving their parents the Rainbow relaxation CD to listen to daily and often mothers report that the newborns recognise the sounds and are calm, they are more responsive and alert.

www.facebook.com/thealternativecentre.com.au

UK NHS launches HypnoBirthing in an 18 month trial

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 12:35:00 GMT

The efficacy of HypnoBirthing is undergoing an 18 month trial by the NHS in the UK. Research midwife Professor Soo Downe, of Central Lancaster University is leading the way for 800 first time mums to discover the power of their minds in learning the art of HypnoBirthing, The Mongan Method. The trial will take place in hospitals in Blackburn and Burnley.

With funding being stretched in the health system in the UK , it is one way of reducing the cost of drugs administered during childbirth. At present some 60% of mothers are reported to be using some form of drugs during their births, which are now being claimed as possible cause for concern to the health of the mother and the baby.

It is reported that Professor Downe has indicated that there is good evidence that hypnosis works well in other areas of health management and the idea is to give women the capacity to manage their labour themselves. If the results are promising they will do further trials with the intention of providing free Hypnobirthing training on the NHS.

There is currently around 250 HypnoBirthing Practitioners in the UK and some 95 practitioners in Australia.

To find out about becoming a Practitioner in Australia visit www.thealternativecentre.com.au/training.

Read more http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1356592/Mothers-taught-hypnotise-giving-birth-NHS-trial.html

HypnoBirthing Conclave 2011

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:05:00 GMT

First Australiasian and Asian HypnoBirthing Conclave . Dates 11th June - 12th June, 2011, Singapore.

7-8th June, 2011 Sherry Gilbert : HypnoBirthing Fertility Consultant Programme , open to qualified Hypnotherapists only.
7th - 10th June, 2011, Marie Mongan teaching HypnoBirthing Certification. Incorporating Birthing Basics, & Intro to hypnosis for birthing.

Contact details check HypnoBirthing.com for full programme. http://www.hypnobirthing.com

Alternatively register your interest via email to info@thealternativecentre.com.au ,Subject Line: Singapore Conclave and your name will be forwarded to the organisers.

Nuchal Cord

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:57:00 GMT

Nuchal Cord is the umbilical cord around baby's neck at birth, Gloria Lemay explains on this short video how a mother unwraps the cord from her baby's neck moments after birth.

During our HypnoBirthing classes , we discuss the common practise and suggestions given by hospitals in the event of the cord being wrapped round baby's neck at birth. Rachel Reid's blog on the subject gives a better understanding to allieviate the cultural fear that has grown with best practises in hospital , http://midwifethinking.com/2010/07/29/nuchal-cords/ . Thank you to Gloria and Rachel for their blogs.

HypnoBirthing, Calm Birth, Child Birth Education Classes.

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:20:00 GMT

Wishing All our Mums, Couples, Parents

HypnoBirthing® Practitioners

Midwives, Doulas and Friends

A Very Happy New Year

2010

2009 has been a more than interesting journey for HypnoBirthing® in Australia. In teaching practitioners and running classes for parents, I realized that women are making choices through hearing about the calm births other women are experiencing , by viewing downloads from UTube of beautiful, relaxed, natural births. Couples sharing their stories on blogs, facebook, twitter about HypnoBirthing®. Midwives interested in learning more about our courses so that they can compliment the many practitioners around Australia and support women in the way they choose to birth.

Classes are now available in ACT, NSW, QLD, WA, SA, Tasmania, & Victoria with over 90 practitioners, whose skills range from Hypnobirthing® mothers, fathers, hypnotherapists, midwives, nurses, doulas, naturopaths, psychologists, yoga instructors, pilates instructors , chiropractors, and too many more to mention.

Many of our couples have had life changing experiences from our classes.

HypnoBirthing® realises Birth Matters and so our classes are educational, instructional, with lots of discussions, thought provoking as it embraces every area of a mother’s unique journey with her child.

For the mothers with special circumstances, who have experienced intervention, who have had caesarean sections have benefitted greatly through the intimate relationship and bonding with their child during this special time and many have been spared PND.

Special thanks and acknowledgement to Marie Mongan, Founder of HypnoBirthing® for the work she tirelessly does in supporting the many women around the world , because Birth Matters.

Happy Birthing Day.