tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8155706944050561892024-03-13T14:35:10.683-07:00Hope and HoneyHope and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443087690844313661noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815570694405056189.post-28725834767049009742015-07-05T00:37:00.001-07:002015-07-05T20:18:40.437-07:00The home HypnoBirth of Ellie Wood - mindset, preparation and a bit of a surprise!Hi I'm Karenna and I run <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a> - offering <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">Childbirth Classes</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/fertility-coaching" target="_blank">Fertility Coaching</a> and <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/birth-pool-hire-perth" target="_blank">Birth Pool Hire</a> in Perth, Western Australia.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_F6PFdlMMqvYoAzQD612Y4DVc3yzJzGmuZG9LHYGjq64ychxYRs09ptKV7_joHib4FOj5ckHFAte31r-XgXQ_85kHvtsIOlojHA9__Odc73zZPZnw_sjtm2wLu803cbhrqstQIg5g2WlH/s1600/IMG_5217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_F6PFdlMMqvYoAzQD612Y4DVc3yzJzGmuZG9LHYGjq64ychxYRs09ptKV7_joHib4FOj5ckHFAte31r-XgXQ_85kHvtsIOlojHA9__Odc73zZPZnw_sjtm2wLu803cbhrqstQIg5g2WlH/s320/IMG_5217.JPG" width="320" /></a>I recently gave birth to my beautiful daughter - Ellie and here's our birth story.<br />
<br />
The birth of my first daughter, Isla, was pretty long (27 hours!) and you can read the <a href="http://thelatestfromhopeandhoney.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/the-birth-of-isla-wood-hope-honey.html" target="_blank">full story here</a>. It was a really positive home water birth, but at times I struggled mentally to keep strong which I think resulted in the long labour. So this time, I was determined that this labour would be shorter and that I wouldn't let any fears or doubts into my mind.<br />
<br />
I prepared for the labour using the <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a> hypnosis and affirmation tracks - listening to them regularly and even more so in the final weeks. This relaxation time was also really important in preparing for life with 2 under 2! The repetition of the affirmations was especially good and there were 3 in particular that really resonated with me so I printed these out and stuck them around the house. Every time I went to the fridge or my daughter's room, I read the affirmations and the words and meanings really stuck in my mind and came to me during the birth. (<a href="http://thelatestfromhopeandhoney.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/how-can-positive-birth-affirmations.html" target="_blank">Read more about how effective positive affirmations can be</a>)<br />
<br />
I also prepared for the birth doing perineal massage and using the Epi-No (<a href="http://thelatestfromhopeandhoney.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/epi-no-or-yes-regardless-lets-talk.html" target="_blank">more information here</a>) This is a great practical way that you can prepare for birth and I did this at the same time as my relaxation. For me, this was really important for my home birth as I didn't want to have any post-birth complications due to tearing and have to be transferred to hospital after a successful home birth. Of course, if you have a great, relaxed natural birth you are less likely to tear anyway but for me it was helpful for my mindset to know that I had prepared my perineal muscles for birth. This may seem a slightly alien concept to some but it's something I always ask my clients to consider doing as research shows perineal massage in the lead up to labour reduces tearing and other related complications.<br />
<br />
Another thing that I always 'preach' is patience when waiting for baby to arrive - viewing your <a href="http://thelatestfromhopeandhoney.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/thinking-about-your-due-date.html" target="_blank">due date as a relaxed estimate</a> and not putting pressure on yourself. As I approached and went past my due date, it felt pretty hard to practice what I preach! I was torn between my rational side - knowing that baby will come when baby is ready and irrational impatience. My husband had joked that he wanted out of something at work on a certain date and for some reason this date got stuck in my head and I felt frustrated when this date also passed.<br />
<br />
On the day my labour started, I remember finally finding peace - truly believing in what I 'preach' and finding patience. After waving off friends after dinner at our house, I started to feel a few twinges. As I'd been experiencing these for a couple of weeks I wasn't expecting them to turn into anything. Our other daughter Isla must have known however that this was it. Normally very good at going to bed, we tried for nearly 2 hours to get her happily into her cot. All the while, I was getting surges and starting to think this could possibly be it but keeping that to myself in case it wasn't.<br />
<br />
At 9pm, Isla finally went to sleep and instantly my surges came on much stronger. I finally said to my husband, Lee, I think this is it - time to get set up. So we set to work, changing beds, getting out towels and preparing the birth pool. I must say changing sheets on the bed was a lot of fun whilst getting strong surges but it was probably good for me - keeping active in early labour is a great way to get things going.<br />
<br />
Finally we felt all prepared and I got onto all fours, leaning on the birth ball, in front of the fire. It was a lovely stormy night with the rain hammering down and it felt so cosy to be in front of a roaring fire. The fire was something I'd actually pictured as part of my labour as well as it being at nighttime. I desperately wanted to birth overnight with our other daughter Isla managing to stay asleep so we didn't need to call on friends to help out. So I felt lucky that this was what was happening so far.<br />
<br />
By this point, my surges were coming every 2 minutes and we rang our midwife Wendy to let her know I was definitely in labour. We decided to just keep going ourselves and call her in half an hour to update her. I was using a contraction timing app to get an idea of how frequent and how long my surges were. Although this was a bit of a distraction - it did make me laugh when it kept flashing up 'Go to hospital or call an Ambulance IMMEDIATELY!'<br />
<br />
The living room was cosy with the fire, candles and my favourite tunes playing. Time didn't really seem a factor and it was actually over an hour before we called midwife Wendy again. At this point, I was starting to feel a little nauseous at the end of each surge and was using low moaning noises to help me through each surge. As soon as Wendy heard this, she was at the house within 5 minutes. I remember Wendy arriving, taking my blood pressure and then saying she was going to start her notes and set up. This was about midnight I think. My surges were becoming pretty intense and I kept asking if I could get into the birth pool - I now needed something to assist me. Lee and Wendy were still fine-tuning the temperature and level of the pool so asked me to wait. At one point, when changing over between the hot and cold taps (and the resulting pressure difference) the hose fired out of the pool snaking across the living room and soaking me during a particularly strong surge. We had to laugh - the water was dripping down the walls and I was also dripping wet! Poor Lee was running around towelling down the walls and furniture whilst trying to fill the pool and trying to help me through my surges!<br />
<br />
As mentioned, I was determined with this labour to keep focused and not let any fears or doubts creep into my mind. For me, birth is a bit of a solitary exercise - no one can do the surges for you and you can only rely on your own mind and body to guide you through. I know this will be different for others but this is an area I struggled with during Isla's birth - expecting others to be able to help in more ways than just being supportive and present with me. Birth is a journey that within my mind I have to walk alone. The only points where I found my focus dropping was when Lee was trying to help me with massage or words of support as I almost wanted to reach out to him and ask him to bear some of the load. His support was paramount but actually I needed to be completely inside myself - I couldn't let myself reach out to him.<br />
<br />
After a particularly strong surge, I was almost begging for the relief of the pool. Wendy asked me to go to the toilet for a wee before I got in as a full bladder can actually inhibit labour / the descent of the baby. I knew getting to the toilet was going to be tough. I'd spent all of the surges leaning over the fit ball on my knees and when I had moved upright the surges were much stronger. So with some trepidation I set off down the corridor. A surge came on strong half way there - Lee held me up and told me I had to keep quiet not to wake little Isla - a tough moment!<br />
<br />
I made it to the toilet and had a couple more strong surges there. Wendy and Lee were still tinkering with the birth pool. All of a sudden, I felt this monumental movement within me - I could feel the baby descending and twisting. I shouted for Wendy and Lee and said "it's happening, she's coming right now." It all happened so quickly - I felt her moving downwards and then the head coming out. I didn't push, or in fact do anything at all. It was like an unstoppable force I was witness too and almost not a part of. The head came out after a few seconds and then there was even more unbelievable movement as she twisted and turned (360 degrees apparently!) and literally twisted her way out. It's only at this point as her shoulders and body emerged that my waters broke. Her head came out completely in the membrane (something called <a href="http://www.babymed.com/en-caul-delivery" target="_blank">'en caul'</a> which is quite rare and many midwives believe to be lucky). I remember Wendy holding the membrane up wondering what to do with it!<br />
<br />
The birth happened at 00.40 - so the labour was only 4.5 hours - amazing!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMbQ_uKtA_VUZeNlncDx57b72mOYBk-bHcKrG8B79T6VUnOqtwWpwrfmx6_nMuxT0Q1jN-01d-pSISuDQbLDIm-x9HpgR1ASrxwXGmnzUd50XSijjtbjo3x3Jr5P8l0A-JfR7QbymiBs-/s1600/IMG_5208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMbQ_uKtA_VUZeNlncDx57b72mOYBk-bHcKrG8B79T6VUnOqtwWpwrfmx6_nMuxT0Q1jN-01d-pSISuDQbLDIm-x9HpgR1ASrxwXGmnzUd50XSijjtbjo3x3Jr5P8l0A-JfR7QbymiBs-/s320/IMG_5208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
So here we were all squashed into our tiny toilet - Ellie was straight up on to my chest and latched on to feed almost immediately and I couldn't believe it was all over. Even with the last strong surges, I still had no idea how far along I was into my labour and after a long labour the first time had expected it to be much longer. I think Lee and I were both in a bit of shock at how quickly it had happened by comparison to last time.<br />
<br />
At this point, our two student midwives arrived in time for the third stage. I was still chewing on my pulsatilla tablet (homeopathic remedy which can assist the placenta to come out) when I felt the placenta coming. Only ten minutes after birth, the placenta was out, Ellie was feeding well and I was still sat on the toilet in awe of what my body had just done.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizf-iOREwnURWrS9uHR6BY6R3ug0-Pb9X3d700reRBKc7yhxYvupcrmPKUtMZ7xXioUKmyQAwcFIdU-WAHYPMm25V1wRzQhYDNUXrQMruTGLbaKhjHQ_GeaJxUEV6K4FlDDE388es42Jb/s1600/IMG_5191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizf-iOREwnURWrS9uHR6BY6R3ug0-Pb9X3d700reRBKc7yhxYvupcrmPKUtMZ7xXioUKmyQAwcFIdU-WAHYPMm25V1wRzQhYDNUXrQMruTGLbaKhjHQ_GeaJxUEV6K4FlDDE388es42Jb/s400/IMG_5191.JPG" width="300" /></a>We moved into our bedroom, Lee cut the cord (<a href="http://thelatestfromhopeandhoney.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/benefits-of-delayed-cord-clamping.html" target="_blank">read more about the benefits of delayed cord clamping here</a>) and Ellie continued to feed for at least another hour. It gave the midwives a chance to recoup, write notes and have some chocolate cake and tea! So it was a couple of hours after the birth that Ellie was weighed (7 lb 9 oz) and checked (perfect!).<br />
<br />
One of the best things about home births is afterwards - you are in your own bed, in your own home and no one has to go anywhere. It felt amazing that Ellie was here with us, we'd had our perfect birth with no interventions or examinations, no talk or knowledge of 'how many centimetres dilated' I was and no tearing. It was just as I'd visualised and hoped for - short, overnight and Isla woke up in the morning to meet her new baby sister!<br />
<br />
I am ever grateful and amazed by the <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a> techniques for helping me achieve the birth we wanted. My mindset never wavered and I put that down to the preparation beforehand using the relaxation, affirmations and visualisations. That and also my absolute determination! Also a huge thanks to the <a href="http://cmp.thebumpwa.org.au/" target="_blank">Community Midwifery Program</a> here in Perth who make home birth possible.<br />
<br />
If you'd like more information on HypnoBirthing and how you can achieve the birth you want, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/contact" target="_blank">contact Karenna from Hope and Honey</a>.Hope and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443087690844313661noreply@blogger.comPerth WA, Australia-31.9535132 115.85704710000005-33.6775717 113.27526010000004 -30.229454699999998 118.43883410000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815570694405056189.post-25162390605492115462015-06-08T18:34:00.000-07:002015-06-08T18:35:40.990-07:00How can positive birth affirmations help me have an easy, comfortable birth?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FOfFn074-AZ1dk7HbG6J4y4uAJZhyAmud-SVUHkGkv1KzKFwsKkhj40D6_6dfnMPQdKJPVVXSAYCzIphO8NXyII2kRu03e-KQO1jl5OFuGRlvw6s10YS4LxQubobrWLYReZ09Uq1OCF3/s1600/Positive+Birth+Affirmation+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FOfFn074-AZ1dk7HbG6J4y4uAJZhyAmud-SVUHkGkv1KzKFwsKkhj40D6_6dfnMPQdKJPVVXSAYCzIphO8NXyII2kRu03e-KQO1jl5OFuGRlvw6s10YS4LxQubobrWLYReZ09Uq1OCF3/s320/Positive+Birth+Affirmation+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My birth will be easy because I'm so relaxed and confident - my favourite positive birth affirmation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hi I'm Karenna and I run <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/">Hope & Honey</a> offering <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing">HypnoBirthing</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/fertility-coaching">Fertility Coaching</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes">Childbirth Classes </a>and <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/birth-pool-hire-perth">Birth Pool Hire </a>in Perth, Western Australia.<br />
<br />
One of my favourite things about working with clients is seeing their confidence grow and see the change from fear of birth to being excited about their labour.<br />
<br />
So how does that happen and how can you make that change and be truly looking forward to the birth of your little one?<br />
<br />
Partly it's about education - learning about the natural process of birth and how our body responds to relaxation and reacts to fear. Another part of the transformation is 'changing your mindset' - sounds a bit tricky eh? Well it doesn't have to be!<br />
<br />
Our minds work through pathways. When we develop a habit our brain trundles down the same old pathways. When we want to create a new habit or train of thought - we have to create new pathways and that can be hard at first. It's almost like trampling down a new path in a meadow - it's hard at first and you have to consciously do it, but after several times it becomes easier and soon you can walk down that path easily and without much thought.<br />
<br />
A great way of creating new positive thoughts about birth is to use positive birth affirmations. An affirmation is:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>a positively phrased statement to yourself</li>
<li>phrased in the present tense</li>
<li>simple and short</li>
<li>a statement that starts with the word 'I/My/...'</li>
</ul>
<div>
E.g. - I am choosing healthy food that makes me feel good. The practice of doing affirmations allows you to begin replacing some of your stale, worn-out or negative mind chatter with more positive ideas and concepts. It is a powerful technique, one that can in a short time completely transform your attitudes and expectations about life, and thereby totally change what you experience. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm preparing for the birth of my second baby at the moment. Here are my top 3 birth affirmations - the ones that really resonate with me:</div>
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>My birth will be easy because I'm so relaxed and confident</li>
<li>I release my birth over to my body and baby</li>
<li>My baby is perfectly positioned for an easy, comfortable birth</li>
</ol>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigT3Y5A9tSqPmeuSD1XgnsH-H2XxiT93QHJJyGt5B7Swc0PilVOHpuKv528XffgB9ztvmmQgjoCndNkOGPQGR4ElnZIMQPLHHXqEf4jg5brkYQw6hDwv0FeZrjgaj0EaWO9LLyeBitskr4/s1600/Positive+Birth+Affirmation+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigT3Y5A9tSqPmeuSD1XgnsH-H2XxiT93QHJJyGt5B7Swc0PilVOHpuKv528XffgB9ztvmmQgjoCndNkOGPQGR4ElnZIMQPLHHXqEf4jg5brkYQw6hDwv0FeZrjgaj0EaWO9LLyeBitskr4/s320/Positive+Birth+Affirmation+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imagining your baby is perfectly positioned for birth - a good positive birth affirmation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But there are many more to choose from...<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I am focused on a smooth, easy birth</li>
<li>I am prepared to meet whatever turn my birthing takes</li>
<li>I put all fear aside and welcome my baby with happiness and joy</li>
<li>I deepen my relaxation as I move further into labour</li>
<li>My mind is relaxed, my body is relaxed</li>
</ul>
<br />
So why not try using some affirmations when preparing for your birth? You can say them out loud, listen to some recorded affirmations or my favourite - print them out and stick them around your house. I find this really helpful as you see these statements and images regularly - helping your mind take in these statements repeatedly.<br />
<br />
It's natural to be apprehensive about an upcoming birth and that's okay, but if you're feeling fearful or negative - try using affirmations to help you change your mindset and be able to get excited about your labour. For more information or to book <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing">HypnoBirthing</a> or <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes">antenatal classes</a>, visit <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/">Hope & Honey.</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7ymBzqnZ14F8fHc8_gaaRbyR1-aQNIpDvkFFDQ2j-O1MFyj_cnvhpp9UCupTj9vI9kmOKYJlCIwmhyphenhyphenFQIgm9BXUByhrHyCs4ka_EBpng8rCScfSWVAxy13tMtSGL1ndpoVwlQuPJQkDk/s1600/Positive+Birth+Affirmation+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7ymBzqnZ14F8fHc8_gaaRbyR1-aQNIpDvkFFDQ2j-O1MFyj_cnvhpp9UCupTj9vI9kmOKYJlCIwmhyphenhyphenFQIgm9BXUByhrHyCs4ka_EBpng8rCScfSWVAxy13tMtSGL1ndpoVwlQuPJQkDk/s400/Positive+Birth+Affirmation+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Positive Birth Affirmation Example</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Hope and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443087690844313661noreply@blogger.comPerth WA, Australia-31.9535132 115.85704710000005-33.6775717 113.27526010000004 -30.229454699999998 118.43883410000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815570694405056189.post-67192624246787091412015-05-09T17:00:00.000-07:002015-05-09T17:01:31.383-07:00Does HypnoBirthing Work? A Hope and Honey client shares how it helped her birth quickly, gently and easily<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a> offer <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/fertility-coaching">Fertility Coaching</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes">Private Antenatal Classes</a> and <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/birth-pool-hire-perth">Birth Pool Hire</a> in Perth, Western Australia. Here is a birth story from a <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a> client, a 2nd time mum who benefited hugely from the whole journey of <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing">HypnoBirthing.</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">"I was 40
weeks + 5 days it was Saturday the 7<sup>th</sup> February. I was relaxed and
not at all anxious about the +5days I was very keen to let labour start
naturally without any intervention. I had been swimming everyday and walking as
much as possible to support this. I went to bed the night before after eating a
vindaloo curry and slept as usual with no signs of anything happening. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpnWubrybHQw1N2x94jan9-NiDWptjd6OUSigu_WT0QJSBdUoCaIIkNjHUXTvHSubmgREy9gDuYtkdw76MbNyZDWJb06mUInd3xa0QneKAuJn7duJ1TIetYrxF16UpNcGNKkT03MTytNI/s1600/HypnoBirthing_gentle_birth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpnWubrybHQw1N2x94jan9-NiDWptjd6OUSigu_WT0QJSBdUoCaIIkNjHUXTvHSubmgREy9gDuYtkdw76MbNyZDWJb06mUInd3xa0QneKAuJn7duJ1TIetYrxF16UpNcGNKkT03MTytNI/s400/HypnoBirthing_gentle_birth.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K & Baby B after their gentle, calm HypnoBirth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">I woke up at 0730hrs and was planning on swimming again with my husband and
daughter, I felt some tightening shortly after I ate breakfast at around 8am, I
wasn’t sure that it was a contraction so I carried on getting ready for the
pool. I felt a few more tightening sensations and began to think that it was
contractions. I used an app on my phone to time them and had 3more in very
close succession, I realised at this point that I probably wouldn’t go swimming
however I didn’t rush to ring the hospital or anything like that as I was keen
to stay home as long as possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I put on my
affirmations and had a shower and got dressed my surges continued every 2
minutes and were getting more intense. I did my relaxation breathing and
continued with the affirmations whilst walking around the house. I called a
neighbour to look after my daughter and I just felt really calm about it all at
this point. At 1010am, all of a sudden with the next contraction I felt a real
sense of pressure and I was very nauseous. I instantly knew the head was
bearing down, I felt scared at this point and called the hospital. I was very
uncomfortable and anxious. We arrived at the hospital at 1040am, I knew the baby
was well on its way to being born my contractions were further apart but
lasting for longer. I stood at the side of the bed trying to restore my inner
calm and just trying to do my surge breaths.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The midwife
attached some monitoring and then examined me confirming I was fully dilated
but membranes were intact. I was instructed to begin pushing whenever I felt
the surges, I was asked to lie on the bed at this point which I really found
uncomfortable but my obstetrician needed to rupture my membranes because she
saw that baby looked tired from the monitoring and was suspecting meconium in
the waters. Once the membranes were ruptured there was indeed meconium present
and so a paediatrician was called, I was putting lots of energy into my
breathing but fear had defiantly taken over at this point. I was experiencing a
lot of pain and wanted it to be over.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39YAaXVxIl44sBNqSOeVbFibWVvQK4sHti_2yL9Nxd9n3oRSz_X75OS9QBekEt8LqF9ihyphenhyphenP7tFJbdpRuqcWdccmzMNLtjXKhIPmJit_lKf1Dd4ZXnfTeNTEgn26nhmMpX15-nz1eSn9Tz/s1600/image-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39YAaXVxIl44sBNqSOeVbFibWVvQK4sHti_2yL9Nxd9n3oRSz_X75OS9QBekEt8LqF9ihyphenhyphenP7tFJbdpRuqcWdccmzMNLtjXKhIPmJit_lKf1Dd4ZXnfTeNTEgn26nhmMpX15-nz1eSn9Tz/s320/image-32.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen, Baby B and Big Sister M</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri;">Luckily I
didn’t have to wait long as my beautiful baby girl was born exactly 1 hour
after arrival at the hospital at 1140hrs, only 3.5 hours after the onset of
labour. I did have an episiotomy because Beatrice had her hand up on her face
during delivery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing">Hypnobirthing</a> was a real journey for me, it
helped me plan out and make decisions about how I wanted my birth to be. I
planned it, I visualised it and it happened. My <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing">hypnobirthing practitioner</a>
really opened my mind and introduced me to techniques and therapies I hadn't
known before. It was about more than just the labour itself and I feel I
benefited hugely, I will and have recommended it."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Karenna from <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a> says - "K had a very quick first birth with her first daughter nine years previously. In some ways because it was so quick, there was a bit of fear still there from this birth even though overall the experience had been positive. So through <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing">HypnoBirthing</a>, we worked on reducing that fear and by the end of the classes, K was really looking forward to the birth and had planned out everything she wanted. I'm so pleased for them both that their journey was as they wanted, loved working with them and love keeping in touch with them and seeing pictures of Baby B growing up already!"</span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>464</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2645</o:Characters>
<o:Company>hope and Honey</o:Company>
<o:Lines>22</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3103</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Hope and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443087690844313661noreply@blogger.com0Perth WA, Australia-31.9535132 115.85704710000005-33.6775717 113.27526010000004 -30.229454699999998 118.43883410000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815570694405056189.post-29362030003887738992014-12-03T01:25:00.000-08:002014-12-03T01:25:04.272-08:00Baby Leo's HypnoBirth - Client tells all...<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Here is a lovely hypnobirthing story from clients H & T who
welcomed little Leo into the world recently. I think it’s so important to share
real, positive birth stories so thank you to H&T for sharing this with us x </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(For more information on <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing, visit Hope & Honey</a>)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXiJssTFgdaY0JBeoGNQrBoeZoN58oNRBTRmjKmwTkHyyJNO-MJIbpKrFKzA4T43x_U0ekjgPTx3usQ94711FcwtFKnEj3AuP2wOFGJGWMWmI_nsnAtLvWan7xIbZqzXT5cgOThuM_tUh/s1600/image-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXiJssTFgdaY0JBeoGNQrBoeZoN58oNRBTRmjKmwTkHyyJNO-MJIbpKrFKzA4T43x_U0ekjgPTx3usQ94711FcwtFKnEj3AuP2wOFGJGWMWmI_nsnAtLvWan7xIbZqzXT5cgOThuM_tUh/s1600/image-28.jpg" height="400" width="371" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">H writes “On Sunday I just wasn't feeling very well...that evening I
woke to cramps at 3am coming pretty consistently every 9mins lasting about a
minute. I kept trying to sleep listening to affirmations until 7am when T woke
up...by now they were 5mins apart and I was doing my surge breathes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">We continued the surge breathing and I tried to listen to my
affirmations etc this continued until 12pm and we were umming and ahhing about
whether to go into the birth centre or not...the 'pressure' was so bad, I felt
I wanted to go in as I needed a bit of reassurance..so we did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">We kept going for an hour or so after our arrival and then I wanted
a VE (vaginal examination) to see where I was at. I wanted the bath so bad for
relief...unfortunately I was only 2cms. This was disheartening for me as I was
struggling with the pain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The midwives knew my plan and we're very supportive. They offered me
morphine with finergin to take the edge off and I was happy to try. Five minutes
later my waters broke and it had thick green meconium. T and the midwife stayed
very calm but we all immediately knew I had to be transferred to King Edwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Off we went and they explained that if I didn't dilate to at least
4cm by next exam them I would need Pitocin (artificial induction). They also
advised that this would increase the pain significantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I was ready for an epidural anyway by this stage. So that's what we
did. Immediately I felt huge relief and was able to get some much-needed sleep.
With my body now relaxed at my next VE I was 6cm (avoiding induction..yay!),
then not long 9cm, then it was time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I was able walk around with no catheter and I wanted to squat as I
breathed the baby down. We kept going for 1.5hr and then baby got a bit distressed.
They called the doctor in. At this point I was like right...I'm gonna get this
baby out...all I could think of was forceps for some reason! </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Unfortunately by now the epi numbed me just a little too much down
my thighs and I couldn't use my legs the way I wanted to. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Onto the table and we discussed everything with the doc...delayed
clamping and physiological placenta delivery...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">I was helped on the type of pushing we needed, he was coming but the
doctor said she could see my perineum looking to tear in a not ideal place and
so she asked to snip..and just small snip and he was out!!! Skin to
skin...delayed cord clamping...i did start bleeding a bit, so after about
10mins they injected me to get placenta out. Leo weighed 8.1lb /3.66kg and was
51cm long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-mdpzt2TPj2Ul6u4WdtfTN22rwhOZju6S5Y51_OBmzBwytqcm2fUv8NJggUeu7MEoACRgVQPaKOfUDa6p8V7Iz2eJWNKjU-l5U0hQvbTqHfTbwPAEVAXaQnXIJ1l0NmA2SuJa-SR-DxQ/s1600/image-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-mdpzt2TPj2Ul6u4WdtfTN22rwhOZju6S5Y51_OBmzBwytqcm2fUv8NJggUeu7MEoACRgVQPaKOfUDa6p8V7Iz2eJWNKjU-l5U0hQvbTqHfTbwPAEVAXaQnXIJ1l0NmA2SuJa-SR-DxQ/s1600/image-29.jpg" height="320" width="285" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">All in all...our 'plan' changed a lot....but I have absolutely no
regrets what so ever and if anything, I feel really proud of myself and T with
how we handled everything. Toby was totally my rock. Holding it
together...doing everything right, despite me pushing him away sometimes and me
telling him to push my knee up harder right at the end...bless him...he was my
outlet. I felt comfortable yelling at him vs anyone else. He handled me so
well. I love him to bits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Overall, we felt really informed, confident to speak up and just
went with what felt right for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">T and I are so grateful for your hypnobirthing sessions as it was so
pivotal to our birthing day and beyond. Thank you!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>589</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3360</o:Characters>
<o:Company>hope and Honey</o:Company>
<o:Lines>28</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3942</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Karenna from <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a> says </b>– “I love this birth story as it
shows how plans can change but you can still feel happy with how the birth went. Much of this is to do with being informed and confident about all your
choices and about your important involvement in all decisions throughout the birth. <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a> and
<a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">antenatal classes</a> are invaluable in preparing you for birth, helping you be
confident together, know about your options and to have a voice. Thank you so
much for sharing your story H&T and for our lovely fun classes together!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Hope and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443087690844313661noreply@blogger.comPerth WA, Australia-31.9535132 115.85704710000005-33.6775717 113.27526010000004 -30.229454699999998 118.43883410000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815570694405056189.post-53119700964664014432014-03-24T07:05:00.000-07:002015-01-04T19:22:08.433-08:00Baby Bella's HypnoBirth - A client's birth story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBCPmI4X5EpNxpf_RfVWq-fkSn5L2wxGhFAjgXZ_N9diNHWruKBbM48UbourdyfX2uTeGUc9NmvbemulZZbSCG1d6CBQomo0iUEdAq7dJg86h98t1VomKpIYHd4hf1cC-1HOSqsBdtco9/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBCPmI4X5EpNxpf_RfVWq-fkSn5L2wxGhFAjgXZ_N9diNHWruKBbM48UbourdyfX2uTeGUc9NmvbemulZZbSCG1d6CBQomo0iUEdAq7dJg86h98t1VomKpIYHd4hf1cC-1HOSqsBdtco9/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I had been really focused about our <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">hypnobirth</a> following our sessions
with Karenna from <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope & Honey</a>. I wanted to get into the zone so I arranged
a fear release session with a local <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">hypnobirth</a> practitioner here in Esperance
as we had moved here 6 weeks earlier from Perth. It was great to feel that deep
relaxation I had with Karenna during our<a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank"> classes in Perth</a> and made me feel
empowered to have the birth we wanted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was three days before our due date and I had been feeling
niggly all day, I had been productive making a garden junk art piece on my
hands and knees with power tools though so keeping the theme of an active
pregnancy! Pete was working a late shift, about 9.30 pm I went to the bathroom
and thought I saw the mucus plug so called my sister to check, I then sat on
the fit ball watching TV. My sister, who is a nurse, thought it was the plug
and said it could be a week before anything else happened. Pete called about 10
pm to check on me and while I was sat there chatting to him my membranes
released! He came running home and I put on my positive affirmations and sat
relaxing in the living room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As the hospital is so small here we rang about 10.30 pm to tell
them about the membranes releasing, they said to come back in when the surges
became closer together, I had some surges but nothing too strong, my lower back
was aching so I hopped in the bath. About 12.30 the hospital called me and
asked me to come in to check I actually was in labour. We went in and met the
midwife Sandy who was lovely, she respected all our birthing choices and made
me feel really at ease. After a quick examination she let us go home. We
stopped at the servo to get milk and I had a huge surge, I breathed through it
visualising my blue balloon, the staff at the servo were somewhat alarmed at
this lady in labour buying milk at 1.30 am! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When we got home the surges got really strong. I got in the shower
on all fours and breathed through them, over the next hour they got
increasingly strong and I lost focus to breathe through them. I woke Pete and
got him to take me back to the hospital. Pete kept counting my breathing,
reminding me of the affirmations, and rubbed my back. We arrived back at about
2.30 am Sandy examined me and I was 7cm dilated, I felt lost in the intensity
of the surges and a failure I couldn't breathe through them, I used the gas and
air as I felt I could no longer cope. Over the next 3 hours I crawled around
the floor during surges and did relaxation breathing between them. I then
remember feeling really scared the baby was too big to birth, Pete kept
repeating "you will birth a baby the right size for your body" he was
amazing, he kept me calm, used light touch massage, gave me ice and water and
never left my side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Although I felt I had cheated by using gas and air, I kept
thinking about the affirmation "I will calmly meet whatever turn my
birthing takes" knowing every surge was closer to meeting my baby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I seemed to go into a primeval head space and made a lot of noises
during the surges, so much so the day after the birth I still had a sore
throat!! When I hit transition Pete recognised it immediately, I was begging
for morphine and feeling I couldn't go on, I rang my sister who was a gentle
encouragement for not only me but also Pete. The midwife got the morphine
together and Pete told her not to give it to me and that I could do this
without it. I am so glad he had the strength to do that and I think
<a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">hypnobirthing</a> gave him the confidence to stay true as much as was possible to
our birth plan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The birthing room had an amazing birth chair and Sandy suggested I
use it. I then stopped using the gas and air and breathed down as far as was
possible for the next hour. It got really intense though after the hour and I
knew the doctor had been called in. After a further 20 minutes Sandy told Pete
that I had 10 mins or they would need to intervene as they were worried about
the baby. Pete gave me huge encouragement to let go and meet our baby so for 10
mins I put all my energy and focus into meeting our baby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcn5WNNMhvi0jafDyggzvwEA1WCOR8xjxzKdOIwJhgzCKWUisb6VPF5-l70OYTucDczxbGn6eA-LuiBs6eNjO0Cs0GXdB6FtFXULEbppMNyD9-JOLpRKhw3OSYd1VtuyQcUKk5iPECFZ7n/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcn5WNNMhvi0jafDyggzvwEA1WCOR8xjxzKdOIwJhgzCKWUisb6VPF5-l70OYTucDczxbGn6eA-LuiBs6eNjO0Cs0GXdB6FtFXULEbppMNyD9-JOLpRKhw3OSYd1VtuyQcUKk5iPECFZ7n/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At 7.30 am Bella came sliding into the world, Sandy put her straight
onto my chest! I then got into the bed and with the cord intact had skin-to-skin
for an hour. She was alert and crawled up to my breast and latched on straight
away. It was an amazing feeling to know I had done it!! We delayed the cord
clamping until it stopped pulsating and I then birthed the placenta. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I did have a second degree tear that had to be repaired and a very
sore throat but apart from that I felt elated. I then had a shower and Pete had
skin-to-skin with Bella for another hour before she was dressed and wrapped.
For the next 48 hours she was the most chilled out baby, I didn't let them
measure her at birth and we waited 3 days to bath and measure her. She knew who
Pete and I were straight away and the beauty of being down here in Esperance is
all the uninterrupted time we have had to bond with our little girl. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Although I wasn't as true to the <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">hypnobirthing</a> principals as I
would like I felt it gave me confidence to meet my birthing day without fear.
It also helped Pete make informed choices for our family during the birth.
Having done the classes with him I felt unconditionally supported and loved
throughout the whole experience, I know Bella is a happy settled little girl
who was birthed in the best way possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thanks for all your knowledge, help and encouragement. Without the
classes I think our birth would have been far more medicalised, so I know Pete,
Bella and I have a lot to be thankful for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Becky
– you are amazing and you did such a fabulous job. In no way were you untrue to
the <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a> principles and you were absolutely not a failure for using
gas and air. There is no failure in birth. <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a> is all about being
informed, being relaxed and creating a good birth environment. You did all that
so well and I’m so proud of both you and the journey we took together. Sending
big hugs to you and Baby Bella!” Karenna, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope & Honey</a><o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">For more information on HypnoBirthing or to book a class with Karenna, click here. </a></span></i></div>
<br />Hope and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443087690844313661noreply@blogger.com0Perth WA, Australia-31.9535132 115.85704710000005-33.6775717 113.27526010000004 -30.229454699999998 118.43883410000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815570694405056189.post-17665226550353759612014-02-13T19:36:00.004-08:002015-01-04T19:25:59.992-08:00Getting the support you need, but not too much...! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XyGzRnjH9ZMCHxAuIBqy0JNf9fmOxCwA-yX1_9woQF-h4xoDPCFDjfrSDYK9pN25CUszAe_YNm3V7YGC5ye_CgkwtquMkoKL4X49c0eTodsh0W_scpUpHyUdyGquph7zRuVC84YZK0_2/s1600/1621858_838585812834779_246021769_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XyGzRnjH9ZMCHxAuIBqy0JNf9fmOxCwA-yX1_9woQF-h4xoDPCFDjfrSDYK9pN25CUszAe_YNm3V7YGC5ye_CgkwtquMkoKL4X49c0eTodsh0W_scpUpHyUdyGquph7zRuVC84YZK0_2/s1600/1621858_838585812834779_246021769_n.jpg" height="400" width="304" /></a></div>
The last few weeks of pregnancy are a funny old time - unfortunately for many of us the glow of the second trimester has transitioned into more of a hot, flustered, uncomfortable kind of look and that glow is normally a sheen of perspiration if you're battling through an Australian summer and fielding a million phone calls!<br />
<br />
It's also a time when you can feel at your most vulnerable - every twinge gets you on edge thinking 'Is this it?' and you're spending more time at medical appointments and sometimes it can all get a bit stressful with test results and the possibility of plans changing. Plus it's difficult to get comfortable with the <i>baby mountain</i> making sleeping and resting not as easy as it used to be.<br />
<br />
So you've got a lot going on! How do you get the support you need but not too much?<br />
<br />
Only you can decide what is right for you, but my advice is to speak up and set some guidelines about what you would like now and especially around the birth. Only yesterday I was speaking to several new mums who were bemoaning the myriad of badly timed visitors to hospital just after the birth or the annoyances of people 'popping in unannounced' to the house. It was something they found quite upsetting or are still angry about.<br />
<br />
Let me just say, I'm not being a grinch here - so much love and support is needed at this time but think about it ahead of time and you can get the best support you need without having horrible stories to tell afterwards of being exhausted, boobs out, desperate for a shower and finally getting down to a nap when Uncle Fred calls unannounced!<br />
<br />
One idea is to have a buffer - either your partner, family member or good friend - whose job it is to field all the calls, texts and facebook messages and let everyone know when they can and can't visit. Some people also pop a sign on their door when they don't want to be disturbed. You can also tell the midwife on duty if you don't want any visitors at certain times. Everyone wants the best for you so will respect your wishes and right to privacy.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjau3enhepRmKCx_Ts5e8iKqER1C9X2jqV45bXcqockaAeLh1uXlnzXWq1ESy7bUE5M9blzr7jY3_ZMTfsI2uFT2I91V77V_q72kiEGfuIhcKOeZTw2RMysJJ8IcF5SFyxCDI1NP1GL7Doe/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjau3enhepRmKCx_Ts5e8iKqER1C9X2jqV45bXcqockaAeLh1uXlnzXWq1ESy7bUE5M9blzr7jY3_ZMTfsI2uFT2I91V77V_q72kiEGfuIhcKOeZTw2RMysJJ8IcF5SFyxCDI1NP1GL7Doe/s1600/images.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Those first few hours and days with you and your baby are so precious - spend a bit of time upfront thinking about what you would like, telling everyone and you can get the best support you need without Uncle Fred syndrome!<br />
<br />
xxx<br />
<br />
For more advice and information, why not sign up for <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a>'s <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">childbirth education classes</a> or <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a>?<br />
<br />
<br />Hope and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443087690844313661noreply@blogger.com0Perth WA, Australia-31.9535132 115.85704710000005-33.6775717 113.27526010000004 -30.229454699999998 118.43883410000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815570694405056189.post-36729391890423582872013-12-24T06:04:00.000-08:002015-01-04T20:04:19.889-08:00The Birth of Isla Wood: Hope & Honey Personal<div class="MsoNormal">
Hi, I'm Karenna and I run <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a> - offering <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">Childbirth Classes</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/birth-pool-hire-perth" target="_blank">Birth Pool Hire</a> and much more in Perth, Western Australia. Every birth
is a journey. Here is my journey through the home, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">hypnobirth</a> of my first child –
Isla.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL6VW21X50DwAqSqV2Hs8d0nYXPrS8i7RRcvOjk3OZ7JvB6IJQ1M141XPwHsEsbFhj5GoIgghyphenhyphenIFlLdEjNmnblJEkWdYHniEIsZ4sRfHYiAGFR7KZ3BK8T23550PfsZlip3jH9bi_FaX-/s1600/580575_10151805808276811_1670690920_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL6VW21X50DwAqSqV2Hs8d0nYXPrS8i7RRcvOjk3OZ7JvB6IJQ1M141XPwHsEsbFhj5GoIgghyphenhyphenIFlLdEjNmnblJEkWdYHniEIsZ4sRfHYiAGFR7KZ3BK8T23550PfsZlip3jH9bi_FaX-/s320/580575_10151805808276811_1670690920_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Every birth
is completely individual. I’m sharing my story as I am passionate about birth,
not because I believe this is how birth should be for everyone. This is what
was right and what worked for me. It’s important that we celebrate birth
regardless of the <i>‘who, what, where and
how’</i> and it’s important that we celebrate each other’s births even if we
wouldn’t make the same choices ourselves. I hope this story may help just even
one person to believe in their body’s ability to birth naturally and to promote
home birth as an option for those that want it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So this is
my story. It’s a bit long, so you may want to grab a cuppa first! (Please note
as per the <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a> philosophy contractions are referred to as ‘surges’
throughout)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I had been
niggling for days, gasping at each little sensation and saying to myself – Is
this it? Am I in labour? The day after my estimated due date, I had a fabulous
day out doing all the things I love. Somehow I think I knew it was coming. That
evening I started feeling more cramps. I woke up at midnight experiencing
tightening sensations and couldn’t sleep, so I got up and spoke to my family
abroad whilst monitoring to see if these potential surges were coming
regularly. By 3am, they definitely were and so I woke up my husband Lee. The
sensations were like period pain and I could happily talk through them but did
start using my some deep breathing at this time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I tried to
use a clock and an I-Phone app to monitor my surges as I knew we had to keep an
eye on timings to be able to report to the midwives. In the end I actually
found this incredibly off-putting as when a surge was starting I had to come
out of my focus to check the time or press a button and the same at the end.
Eventually I stopped doing this as I was finding it counterproductive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As the
surges were coming every 5 minutes, we called the midwife who came about
4.30am. She confirmed I was in labour and after a few checks (see below) asked
us to keep in touch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">One option
I always discuss with my clients is vaginal examinations – whether you would
like to have them and if you do - if you want to find out how many cm dilated
you are. It’s so easy to get hung up on those numbers when in labour and it can
be incredibly demoralising if, for example, you have been labouring for a long time
and then find out you haven’t made much progress. Personally I didn’t have a strong opinion over
it and knew it wouldn’t affect my mindset at that stage so was happy to find
out. I was 3cm dilated and the head was SO low, the midwife thought things
might happen quite fast…..Nope!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Lee and I
spent the next few hours relaxing together. We went for a couple of walks
around the neighbourhood, watered the garden, dozed a bit and tried lots of different
positions and techniques to get comfortable. Walking and moving around was
great, it really moved the surges forward. I also found I was comfiest on all
fours. As they thought Isla was in the posterior position, being on all fours
is the best position to assist the baby to turn into the easier anterior
position. I somehow must have instinctively known this and naturally got into
this position the most.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Lee
continually reminded me to eat and drink, just small sips and small snacks. He
was constantly there with a straw near my mouth without being asked. I wasn’t
hungry, so in some ways I had to force a little bit of food down but man was I
thirsty!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Surges were
coming every 3-4 minutes at times and Lee was asking if we should fill the
birth pool…Nope!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As it
turned out both my named midwife and back up midwife from the <a href="http://cmp.thebumpwa.org.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CommunityMidwifery Program</a> were on leave that day. So Angela came to check up on us
next. I definitely think this was meant to be. Angela, like myself, is a
trained <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a> Practitioner and we just bonded straight away. My labour
hadn’t really progressed much and so she worked with Lee to use a <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a>
script to relax me. Unfortunately it was a little too effective as my surges
slowed considerably. She thought it was time for a rest so sent us off to bed
for a few hours with surges only coming every 6-10 minutes now or even
disappearing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Refreshed
from a nap, I found I was almost controlling the timing of the surges by how
much I moved around or how relaxed I was. I needed to keep active and present
to keep labour on track. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">One of the
most effective things for me during labour was kissing Lee and nipple
stimulation. This is something people can be a bit funny about and I understand
that. I can also imagine that I would feel more inhibited using this technique
if I wasn’t at home. The hormone (oxytocin) that controls surges is the same
hormone released through kissing, nipple stimulation and sex. It’s the hormone
of love. By harnessing it and using it for my labour, the surges became much
stronger and more frequent. I know it’s not for everyone, but I would strongly
advocate giving it a go as it really moved me forwards. Whenever labour seemed
to slow, the midwives would start making jokes about needing some ‘private time’!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">By now my
breath was my main focus. As I felt a surge coming I would inhale deeply and
use several breaths to carry me through each surge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Both Angela
and I started to sense I had some sort of mental block that was stopping me
progressing. I was using visualisation, especially going to my favourite
Scottish island in my mind, and this assisted me through the surges but there
was something more. I couldn’t for some reason visualise Isla – the end goal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My mum
suggested that instead of seeing my blockage as a large immoveable object, to
think of it as something fluid. I started to visualise a long, flowing piece of
fabric and on each surge was pulling myself along this fabric like a tug of
war. My only opponent was myself however. I just wasn’t completely releasing,
letting go and surrendering to my body and I wasn’t sure why. I knew the theory
but couldn’t move it into practice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Also I had
always visualised giving birth at night, in the dark. The pool was set up in
the back room with large windows overlooking the garden. I felt almost exposed
being in there during the day, but knew at night it would be cosy and
welcoming. That in itself could have slowed me down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I’m not
sure exactly what changed, I wish I could put my finger on it – but soon I
started to will on each surge. Moving my hips around to bring them on, bringing
my baby closer. I remember saying to myself and others – Bring it on! I was in
the zone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I spent a
lot of time on all fours with my head planted into a pillow. By now, I
instinctively felt that I needed to use noise to move through each surge so
with each exhale I made a low moaning sound and found this incredibly helpful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Angela
asked if she could check progress as we needed to decide when to call for the
second midwife. Again, I had no strong opinion about a vaginal examination and
was happy to know how we were getting on. I remember knowing that regardless of
how well progressed I was – this was my journey and the speed of progress would
be what it was meant to be. Therefore I consented, knowing that it wasn’t going
to affect my mindset, and was happily told I was 7cm, very stretchy and Isla
was very low. Angela wouldn’t explicitly say what position Isla was in, so I
took this to mean she could still be posterior. Knowing that this can in some
cases cause longer and more painful labours, I was probably best making light
assumptions than knowing for sure as that information could have set me back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Our back up
midwife, Katherine, and our student midwife, Dani, were here now – I was aware
of their arrivals but needed to keep under, keep in my zone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Again, I’m
not sure what changed. I think I was tired and running out of energy but I
started to doubt myself. It wasn’t fear of the surges as such – it’s hard to
explain. In some ways I was thinking – I can do this now, but how much more
intense will it get and can I handle that? But on the other hand, deep down I
knew I could handle it so that wasn’t the blockage – I think it was just
tiredness as I had been laboring for nearly 24 hours by this point. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The
<a href="http://cmp.thebumpwa.org.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Community Midwifery Program</a> midwives are typically more hands-off than you
would find in a hospital. However, they of course have parameters in which they
must work and with not much progress I was starting to get close to the ‘action
line’. I was getting very tired and we needed to move things on so we chatted
and decided to break my waters. I found this to be a horrible but yet fantastic
release of pressure. Apparently tough as old boots, this would have been hard
to break naturally and it did the trick – we got moving. Angela said she was
sad that we had had to intervene – again I felt no disappointment; just that
this was my journey and it was much more important to be able to keep labouring
at home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">At this
point, Lee filled the pool. I actually resisted getting in it for quite a while
(preferring to plant my face in my pillow still!) as I knew it could slow me
down by relaxing me too much. Eventually with the beautiful darkness making my birthing
room cosy and inviting and by the flickering light of candles, I took a dip in
the pool. Heaven! But I promptly started falling asleep in between surges! For
the next hour or so we moved through lots of different positions – walking outside
in the garden, sitting on the toilet, kissing Lee, on all fours and in the
pool. The surges were intense but manageable and I was bringing them on through
movement and slowing them down by relaxing in the pool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Soon
however I just couldn’t cope with the surges out of the pool, I had to stay
immersed and this is when the heat and buoyancy of the water really come into
their own. In the final stages of dilation, the pool was like a cocoon, giving
me that layer of support and the darkness was that extra layer of privacy and
comfort which I instinctively needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">These last
few hours are a bit of a blur – I was definitely in labour-land. I had my
favourite music on but only remember hearing one song (tuning into the lyrics
of a John Mayer song saying <i>you can’t
stop this train </i>and smiling at that!) I had all the team around me but
really could only tune into Lee and Angela’s voices. I moved positions in the
pool, again sitting resuming the all fours position mainly and just enjoyed the
warmth of the water and how effective it was making low moaning noises through
each surge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I can’t
quite remember whether I felt a strong downwards urge, but I remember sensing a
change. I refused to believe the midwives that Isla was there and ready so they
made me check myself. I was astounded to feel the wrinkles of skin on her head
and the ridge of her skulls as they were moulded ready for birth – it just didn’t
feel real. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The next
stage I remember is ‘getting Isla round the U-bend’- which is the best
description of how it felt. It was incredibly frustrating – with each surge I
would direct so much energy and feel her moving down, using several breaths for
each surge – only for her to slip back. After a while, I started to panic and
was saying to everyone – I’m failing, I can’t get her round. They reassured me
this was completely normal and it is in fact a positive as each time she comes
forward, she is gradually stretching the tissues. However mentally, this
was incredibly difficult. I was using <b>SO MUCH</b> energy and felt like I was
getting nowhere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">By now, I
had been labouring for nearly 27 hours. I was aware of the midwives talking to
Lee in the kitchen next door about progress – god knows how as I couldn’t tune
into much but was hyper aware of this conversation. I remember Lee coming back
into the room and being much tougher with me, not explicitly saying the ‘H’
word (hospital) but I knew this threat was looming. He said ‘you have to do
this now’ and I remember feeling panicked as I just didn’t know how. Well he
actually said – “Aisle 14, Bag of Concrete, Toughen the f**k up” – much to
everyone’s shock and laughter. Cheeky sod!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My energy
levels were so low by this point and I was flabbergasted by the amount of
energy I needed during each surge to move her down. By now, noise and my breath
were my absolute everything. As I felt each surge coming, I would breathe in
and then exhale using all my energy and voice to move her downwards. I
definitely wasn’t screaming – the noise was part of the energy and
Angela could really tell how much progress I was making by the tone of my
noises. It was primal – I needed that noise but afterwards I was so surprised and
now joke I must be the loudest ‘<a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">Hypnobirth</a>er’ ever!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Originally
I thought I would labour on all fours as I had done throughout, but I found
myself almost horizontal in the pool with lee holding me under my shoulders and
my legs pushing against the other edge of the pool. I also had an anchor strap –
two handles attached to the birth pool, almost like water skiing, which were
absolutely amazing and just what I needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">With each
movement, everyone could see the head except me. I started to feel like I was
tearing but not where I expected to around the perineum, but up at the top and
this was surprising and stung a lot (I actually didn't tear and just had a couple of grazes). In the end I had to just not care about
that and once I decided that she came round the ‘u-bend’ for the final time and
stayed there. It was time and I couldn’t believe it. I literally had to go past
common sense, reason, what felt right and shut everything out. With lots of
encouragement and one huge, monumental downward surge, the head was out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Now this
was one of the strangest parts of the labour for me. I remember looking up at
Angela and saying <i>‘stop pushing her back in, what’s happening’</i> as there was
this phenomenal amount of movement and pressure as little Isla turned her head
from side to side. I honestly can’t fully describe that feeling of her moving
like that – but nature is a wonderful thing as she positioned herself ready for
the next surge. I will never forget that crazy feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">With the
next surge, her whole body emerged and Dani lifted her up onto my chest. Looking
down on this pink, wriggly, little thing – I couldn’t connect the last 27 hours
and the last 9 months with that moment, it was surreal. Immediately alert,
pink, moving and healthy – we all cooed and stared at her for about 20 minutes. I think I was in a little bit of shock – only
maybe 15 minutes before I was battling with myself thinking I couldn’t do it but
here she was. Dani helped me to test whether her cord was still pulsating which
was more difficult than I thought and our natural third stage unfolded really
naturally. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Once the
cord had stopped giving Isla all her blood from the placenta, Lee cut the cord
and taking his shirt off had some skin-to-skin time with his new daughter. After the birth, I had taken a small
homeopathic remedy from my little childbirth kit. I’m not sure whether this did
assist but I got out the pool and within a minute my placenta was out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The
midwives kindly set up our bedroom for us so we could take Isla straight to
bed. For the next couple of hours, they checked on Isla and I and also assisted
us with the <a href="http://thelatestfromhopeandhoney.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/babys-first-hours-key-to-successful.html" target="_blank">first breastfeed</a>. It was important for me to try get Isla to
<a href="http://thelatestfromhopeandhoney.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/babys-first-hours-key-to-successful.html" target="_blank">self-latch</a> if possible. Lying in bed, we put Isla on my chest and within
minutes her little head was bobbing up and down and she made her way to the
breast. Hand expressing a drop of colostrum to help her find her way, with no
assistance at all she latched on. I was ecstatic – this was just what I wanted.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">After a
quick shower and a gorgeous cup of tea, with all observations complete, we
waved the midwives off and had a glorious six hours of sleep in our own bed.
Waking up to the snuffles of our new daughter and our new life as parents, we
felt so lucky to be at home and healthy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Looking
back on the experience now two weeks later, there are a few things that took me
by surprise and that will alter my view and possibly my teaching about birth.
As a <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">birth professional</a>, I knew the theory but until knowing this experience
for myself there was always going to be a gap in knowledge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I think the
two main take-away learnings for me are the sheer importance of the <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">power of the mind</a> and the energy I needed during the second stage. I couldn’t believe how much I could ‘control’ the
surges through relaxation, movement and my state of mind. When I wasn’t in the
zone, my labour slowed, and it was sometimes hard to keep in that zone. I felt
so lucky to have been at home and been supported by such a great team. I can
only imagine how much harder it would be to keep my mind on track in an unfamiliar
setting and with the additional pressure of hospital policies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">For me the
other main learning was about the second stage or pushing stage of labour. In
<a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a>, we teach people to breathe their babies</span> down. I definitely did
use my breath as my main tool in this phase, but it took me by surprise how
much energy I needed with that breath. It was quite simply the hardest thing I
have ever done. Speaking to Angela about this, she said that every woman and
every labour is different but that some women need a huge amount of energy
whereas others can more easily and quietly move their babies down. I will definitely bring this
range of experiences into my practice from now on.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiI3TTW8FnCl9-kJHfWWBe4zZJBUGL0FI5cNq9iWj0oKigDBwcO_m4Wm8nkHef9ehV0c6Oo5Ado9LYnl5jj7KhLjRb_X1H6Ae0xi19gnIrXzrOBHVMdZkuQAU7hG56nf4978RPHCX6iXC/s1600/1425433_10151805807156811_737016203_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiI3TTW8FnCl9-kJHfWWBe4zZJBUGL0FI5cNq9iWj0oKigDBwcO_m4Wm8nkHef9ehV0c6Oo5Ado9LYnl5jj7KhLjRb_X1H6Ae0xi19gnIrXzrOBHVMdZkuQAU7hG56nf4978RPHCX6iXC/s320/1425433_10151805807156811_737016203_o.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">To sum up –
a phenomenal experience. I’m so glad I had the support to do this at home and
am eternally grateful to the midwives and the <a href="http://cmp.thebumpwa.org.au/" target="_blank">Community Midwifery Program</a>, but
mainly my husband Lee who was incredibly supportive of all the theory and plans
leading up to the birth and was like a blanket of support, comfort and love
throughout the birth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Much love
xxx<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US">Visit the <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey website</a> for more information on <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">Childbirth Classes</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/birth-pool-hire-perth" target="_blank">Birth Pool Hire</a> and much more.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Hope and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443087690844313661noreply@blogger.com0Perth WA, Australia-31.9535132 115.85704710000005-33.6775717 113.27526010000004 -30.229454699999998 118.43883410000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815570694405056189.post-2537319564942640392013-12-09T14:06:00.002-08:002015-01-04T20:15:59.228-08:00Thinking about your due dateHi, I'm Karenna from <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a> - offering <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">Childbirth Classes</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/birth-pool-hire-perth" target="_blank">Birth Pool Hire</a> and much more in Perth, Western Australia. Here's my latest blog about due dates:<br />
<br />
It's a big red cross on the calendar, it's ingrained in our minds and it's the main question you get asked by everyone - 'When are you due?'<br />
<br />
But it's interesting to note that only 5% of people actually give birth on their due date and that full term is anywhere between 37 - 42 weeks so why so much focus on one day?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBydPSuiqQDNgoomp1byaDTy-S3Yz2tLIhyQV5TdNCpQfdprIeySciNvxD9V3cwKYnXukjQSP0zSuPTnOfcy6k2wCQkm5MHK2LBkfd3zTXb_ZNmGL9JFhboPv217kfNLl_2P4GBAjNBmz/s1600/dd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBydPSuiqQDNgoomp1byaDTy-S3Yz2tLIhyQV5TdNCpQfdprIeySciNvxD9V3cwKYnXukjQSP0zSuPTnOfcy6k2wCQkm5MHK2LBkfd3zTXb_ZNmGL9JFhboPv217kfNLl_2P4GBAjNBmz/s200/dd.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
Your due date is normally calculated by your menstrual dates and or a dating scan. Both of these can be significantly out and it's worth remembering that they call it your <i>estimated</i> due date for a reason. Your menstrual dates and calculating forward from them is based on a set of assumptions about the length of your cycle, your likely fertile and conception time, the calendar months involved etc. Ultrasound, although an amazing technique which allows us to see into the world of our little ones, also has varying success rates in predicting due dates, baby's sizes etc and can often vary due to sonographer / obstetrician. Ultrasound is also only accurate at estimating baby's size / due date up to 12 weeks. On top of that, as with all natural processes, people vary on their length of gestation and babies vary on their stage and speed of development.<br />
<br />
So how are we best to look at this special day? In <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a>, I suggest to clients that they think of a birth time or birth month e.g. Mid December, and that this is what they tell people. You can often feel under a lot of unnecessary pressure around your due date and it can help if you don't have lots of well-meaning friends and family checking in on you - so give them an estimated timeframe rather than the date.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd576soGR6JlbC5lsx-M44tYzU6NCktFyJyZkfdv-p97rZy8POvnsvnh3MtK24aYpi1jaG6Ym2wFAi9JtjEQK-e1MsonE5WrMswvZ6Ta1oOZcpAANSW7iHg0Sp6dagqo6xR_G2eE6VSpdk/s1600/Eternal_clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd576soGR6JlbC5lsx-M44tYzU6NCktFyJyZkfdv-p97rZy8POvnsvnh3MtK24aYpi1jaG6Ym2wFAi9JtjEQK-e1MsonE5WrMswvZ6Ta1oOZcpAANSW7iHg0Sp6dagqo6xR_G2eE6VSpdk/s200/Eternal_clock.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>For yourself, try to remember that your body and your baby don't work to timetables and you will go into labour naturally at the perfect point for you and your baby. It's actually your baby that kickstarts labour so just as we have trusted our bodies to grow and develop these precious little bundles, it's best to trust your body to know when the baby is ready to be born.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong - this isn't always easy. You may be under pressure from those around you, have important dates coming up or be under pressure from your caregiver. There's a whole host of 'natural induction methods' (e.g. curries, long walks, castor oil...and the list goes on) and there's also some medical procedures that you could be offered to induce you (e.g. stretch and sweep, rupture of your membranes, chemical induction). I'll do a future blog about induction as it's a big topic, but in terms of your due date - regardless of whether you try natural or medical induction methods the success will depend on how ready your body is to go into labour.<br />
<br />
For a small minority medical induction is a necessary, for most of us it isn't. In Australia, the medical induction rate is nearly 30% which is three times higher than the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommended rate of 10%. The WHO rate is a valid and useful rate and many studies show that once intervention is introduced to the birthing process, it can often change the direction of that path (commonly referred to as the 'Cascade of Interventions'). Some studies have also showed the rise in babies being born who are actually premature but nearing or around their due date.<br />
<br />
Perhaps the safest way is to relax and let nature take it's course. After all, we've trusted mother nature all the way through our pregnancy to grow little ears, fingers and toes - so let's give her a chance to start labour naturally when she's ready. Remember you are not 'post-date' until after 42 weeks, so enjoy your last few days of pregnancy as best you can, deflect any pressure you may be getting and tune in to your body's natural signs.<br />
<br />
So the best advice for looking at your due date - dont! xxx<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKagOALPUSWe4tJSlUHWIbbvU8g0YAdrfWKnvjYI9YB31urg8h33qyBwnxNzZv32Mjo6ByPsYlhc8qs94SZthgxYqme0pVp2R7ToS1DKU9kwPHd3R0LxXxDZAv6-5zlb6NuiJwxEF2Kebz/s1600/feet+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKagOALPUSWe4tJSlUHWIbbvU8g0YAdrfWKnvjYI9YB31urg8h33qyBwnxNzZv32Mjo6ByPsYlhc8qs94SZthgxYqme0pVp2R7ToS1DKU9kwPHd3R0LxXxDZAv6-5zlb6NuiJwxEF2Kebz/s320/feet+up.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Put your feet up and relax!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For more advice and information, why not sign up to <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a>'s <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">childbirth education classes</a> or <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing classes</a>?<br />
<br />Hope and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443087690844313661noreply@blogger.com0Perth WA, Australia-31.9535132 115.85704710000005-33.6775717 113.27526010000004 -30.229454699999998 118.43883410000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815570694405056189.post-32414626056360043342013-11-17T22:04:00.003-08:002015-01-04T20:29:35.820-08:00Baby's First Hours: The key to successful breastfeedingHi, I'm Karenna from <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a> - offering <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">Childbirth Classes</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/birth-pool-hire-perth" target="_blank">Birth Pool Hire</a> and much more in Perth, Western Australia. Here's my latest blog about starting breastfeeding:<br />
<br />
Most people are encouraged to have skin-to-skin contact (or Kangaroo Care) with their baby in those precious few moments after birth. But did you know that by creating that special time and allowing your baby to find the breast naturally - this can be the key to successful breastfeeding?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdZkZHmMau1SpPfPnSdecAbAoqzMurSy0fHMVj2LLLZzN2rpUzKozDqK4HvdrabO2FL06MgRCQIh2YsFwAWCv2iatb0HPMNr62qIo3VjJeP3DllcmqU7XpxFmPhMBIaztMvjilOuP-uaF/s1600/skin-to-skin-baby-momma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdZkZHmMau1SpPfPnSdecAbAoqzMurSy0fHMVj2LLLZzN2rpUzKozDqK4HvdrabO2FL06MgRCQIh2YsFwAWCv2iatb0HPMNr62qIo3VjJeP3DllcmqU7XpxFmPhMBIaztMvjilOuP-uaF/s320/skin-to-skin-baby-momma.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
More and more hospitals and caregivers are promoting the benefits of placing the baby straight onto mum's chest after birth. This allows your baby to look at you, listen to you, smell you, taste your colostrum and begin to love your gentle touch. By not rubbing off too much of the amniotic fluid and the white vernix from your baby's skin and transferring this to your chest - your baby will feel even more at home here. Skin-to-skin can help the baby regulate it's heartbeat and temperature and your body responds to this too. If bub is too hot, you will automatically cool your temperature by one degree and similarly if your baby is too cold you can raise your temperature by up to two degrees to heat up your baby. Make sure you cover your baby's back with a cloth or blanket to keep in warmth.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiee9lnapIOIOkZ5FQN8OtVryrbh35IAEpBx9dUUxnhec_ELXFKPwLI8-txiSmPu-0TVilfNxW1FBfhUqqg0dXUjYVtfnuqC9xeATnyMXMObviP27G_m9anxY0-KXSIjeVqWlRJNg0yaiX/s1600/dad+skin+to+skin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiee9lnapIOIOkZ5FQN8OtVryrbh35IAEpBx9dUUxnhec_ELXFKPwLI8-txiSmPu-0TVilfNxW1FBfhUqqg0dXUjYVtfnuqC9xeATnyMXMObviP27G_m9anxY0-KXSIjeVqWlRJNg0yaiX/s320/dad+skin+to+skin.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>At this point, if you can, it's best to ask if you can delay weighing and measuring as this time is so much more important. If mum needs to go to the bathroom or move for a procedure - pass baby to Dad for some skin-to-skin time with him. This is incredibly bonding for both baby and dad, however for the first 24 hours it's best if baby can be kept on mum's chest as much as possible.<br />
<br />
Also in the first 24 hours (as hard as this is!) shower carefully and try not to wash your hair and chest. Your baby will really benefit from being able to continue smelling amniotic fluid on your chest and will know this is home. Baby also doesn't need a bath in the first 24 hours either. Don't wear deodorant and definitely not perfume. This also goes for visitors too - ideally you shouldn't pass your baby around too much in the first 24 hours as it's vital they get to know Mum, first and foremost, and Dad when Mum is unavailable. Smell is really important in the first hours so ask visitors not to wear perfume and to cuddle mum and baby together rather than separating you.<br />
<br />
These little tips can really help establish breastfeeding. Within minutes of being born, babies will feed but it's really great if you let them find your nipple and latch for the first time all by themselves. Actively placing them to the breast disturbs the natural process and can mean your baby misses out learning a vital step e.g. putting their tongue forward. You're helping them learn the skill for themselves so they'll then be able to repeat it.<br />
<br />
It's amazing to watch but your baby will naturally exhibit this behaviour if you let it happen:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Firstly he will start moving his head from side to side, possibly with his mouth open or rooting. Bobbing of the head is turning on all the neurons in your baby's brain</li>
<li>He will then choose to move to one breast and will actively crawl up and over. Don't help - just watch in amazement as he know exactly what he's doing. His little feet will be rubbing your uterus which not only stimulates your milk but also helps your uterus contract to expel your placenta</li>
<li>He will probably start clenching his fists and bringing his hand to his mouth</li>
<li>Eventually his chin will touch your breast and when his mouth is wide open he will start licking the area around your nipple - it's important he learns to bring his tongue forward</li>
<li>Finally he will latch (this is called self-latch). This is one of the best ways to establish breastfeeding as your baby is learning the skill for himself. Have patience - some babies will do this quickly whereas others may take longer. Ask for patience from those around you - delay any unnecessary procedures as this will assist your third stage (birth of the placenta), develop early bonding and establish good breastfeeding from the beginning. </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Watch this amazing film of a baby doing the 'breast crawl</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/e9WtH4dq-cw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
Speak to your partner and caregiver about giving you this precious time just after birth. The first 24 hours are like a key unlocking the neurons in your baby's brain and in developing your bond and ongoing relationship. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Just relax and enjoy xxx<br />
<br />
For more information and advice, why not sign up to<a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank"> Hope and Honey</a>'s <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">childbirth education classes </a>or <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing classes</a>? </div>
Hope and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443087690844313661noreply@blogger.com0Perth WA, Australia-31.9535132 115.85704710000005-31.9535132 115.85704710000005 -31.9535132 115.85704710000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815570694405056189.post-74772270158858466072013-11-07T17:21:00.002-08:002015-01-04T21:12:26.891-08:00Epi-No or Yes? Regardless, let's talk about perineal massageHi, I'm Karenna from <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a> - offering <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">childbirth education classes</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/birth-pool-hire-perth" target="_blank">birth pool hire</a> and much more in Perth, Western Australia. Here's my latest blog about perineal massage:<br />
<br />
Ok don't get embarrassed, we're going to talk about something a little bit private but oh so important and something that should be more public.<br />
<br />
When preparing your body for birth, many midwives and in <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a> we advocate you to practise perineal massage. Now this is a part of your body that you will probably never have paid any attention to before. It's the section of muscle inbetween your vagina and your anus.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxelnpv_mNFb5FW1raMiBfOh7oPuUbqP5ylZlrJj69yuCaXp60wXdpmH_m3zIJX2uNQy6CMXr67JJvOcCYhCcdhlmV4Z-_VY7wBT7NtEsF2iitQegX9p95osuO9xlgaUdgcB-q9LYi-Bh/s1600/Perineum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxelnpv_mNFb5FW1raMiBfOh7oPuUbqP5ylZlrJj69yuCaXp60wXdpmH_m3zIJX2uNQy6CMXr67JJvOcCYhCcdhlmV4Z-_VY7wBT7NtEsF2iitQegX9p95osuO9xlgaUdgcB-q9LYi-Bh/s1600/Perineum.jpg" /></a></div>
During the birthing and crowning phase of labour this section of muscle is stretched to allow the baby's head through. Your perineum, with the correct preparation and care, will stretch and allow the baby through with no tearing or need for an episiotomy (medical cut). Just like preparing for exercise, we would stretch a muscle - we can also prepare our perineums for birth through gentle stretching.<br />
<br />
Some women liken this phase of birth to have a stretching / stinging / burning sensation - but remember that every woman experiences this differently. At the time of birth, your perineum can be assisted in stretching through slow birthing / crowning, hot compresses and water births. Before birth (from approximately 34 weeks) you can also prepare this area by using your fingers to stretch the area. Inserting your or your partner's thumbs into the vagina at the bottom and stretching apart until you can feel the stretch, then holding it for a minute or two.<br />
<br />
This has two benefits - firstly it will give you an idea what this sensation feels like and secondly regular massage in the later weeks will prepare the area to stretch easily and naturally. You can use natural oils such as sesame oil or vitamin e oil, but I wouldn't recommend synthetic or petroleum-based oils.<br />
<br />
You can also talk to your midwife or OB about how they care for the perineum during birth.<br />
<br />
Now there is also a product on the market to help you stretch your perineum - the Epi-No. As with anything there are supporters and opponents. The product uses a balloon and a pressure pump to facilitate stretching of the perineum up to 10cm (full dilation). The Epi-No can also be used as a pelvic floor trainer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ozt_dE1_3J1sOBdHfIo_4-J7cm5DREppyAcfaFB7kKdcJGahT3M7BCTC8s1fVrpoOVepdqOOohi5ydHOaJQvroV2GGwsEA7xo1mH_V3YP6b73jU8IMmEt6_KouxdpmhrnBTuuxwdwhaC/s1600/epi-no-delphine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ozt_dE1_3J1sOBdHfIo_4-J7cm5DREppyAcfaFB7kKdcJGahT3M7BCTC8s1fVrpoOVepdqOOohi5ydHOaJQvroV2GGwsEA7xo1mH_V3YP6b73jU8IMmEt6_KouxdpmhrnBTuuxwdwhaC/s320/epi-no-delphine.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Opponents of the device say that you shouldn't really be stretching your perineum to this degree without all the accompanying natural labour hormones and lubrication that are present during birth. Supporters say it can reduce tearing and the need for episiotomies. Whatever your stance on the Epi-No, it's important to prepare your perineum.<br />
<br />
So tell your friends and don't be shy to talk about it.<br />
<br />
Feel confident in your body's natural ability to birth a baby and use your pregnancy to become informed, confident and practiced in the art of active and involved birthing.<br />
<br />
Much love xxx<br />
<br />
For more information and advice, why not sign up to <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a>'s <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">childbirth education classes</a> or <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing classes</a>?Hope and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443087690844313661noreply@blogger.com0Perth WA, Australia-31.9535132 115.85704710000005-31.9535132 115.85704710000005 -31.9535132 115.85704710000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815570694405056189.post-16508093986347787362013-10-27T05:56:00.001-07:002015-01-04T21:16:33.315-08:00Benefits of delayed cord clampingHi, I'm Karenna from <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a> - offering <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">childbirth education classes</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/birth-pool-hire-perth" target="_blank">birth pool hire</a> and much more in Perth, Western Australia. Here's my latest blog about delayed cord clamping:<br />
<br />
It's often the first task a new Daddy is asked to do - cut the cord. In most Western countries this is most likely performed straight after birth but <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/health/study-endorses-later-severing-of-umbilical-cord.html?_r=0" target="_blank">a growing number of studies</a> are proving the benefits of waiting one to two minutes until the cord has stopped pulsating.<br />
<br />
So what's all the fuss and what does it mean for us? Delayed or Optimal cord clamping is always something I mention to clients as it's not widely known about, but helps deliver approximately 40% more blood to the baby. During a vaginal birth, babies naturally mold themselves to fit down the birth canal - the plates in their skulls are flexible and move, the hormone relaxin loosens all the ligaments and muscles in their joints, they squeeze the amniotic fluid out of their lungs and they push some of their blood back into the placenta - all natural little ways to make themselves smaller. So when they are born, the cord continues to pulse and deliver this blood back to the baby. At the same time, when air hits the baby's skin they start to bring air into their lungs for the first time.<br />
<br />
Allowing the cord to finish pulsating and finish delivering blood to the baby is shown to increase haemoglobin levels in newborns and iron levels in infants at 3-6 months. For me, it also makes sense to give your baby a helping hand in those first few moments when they are learning to breathe for the first time.<br />
<br />
In most cases, it's as simple as just stating this as a preference. It's becoming more and more well-known and often I say to dads it's something they can remind caregivers of just after birth if this is something they want. Of course there are some situations where it's just not possible but in a 'normal' birth it may be something you might like to consider. If you are researching into cord blood banking, you may find that these practices can't be combined so it's a case of weighing up the benefits of both.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This is one of many choices parents have around birth and can be something to include in a birth plan or talk to your caregiver about. As with all choices, it's very individual - so get the facts, listen to the opinions and make up your own mind. For more information, check out this Ted Film or why not sign up to my <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">natural childbirth classes</a> or <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing classes</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cw53X98EvLQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Hope and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443087690844313661noreply@blogger.com0Perth WA, Australia-31.9535132 115.85704710000005-31.9535132 115.85704710000005 -31.9535132 115.85704710000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815570694405056189.post-35492805872086405512013-10-02T01:37:00.000-07:002015-01-04T21:22:45.556-08:00The Babymoon Boom<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hi I'm Karenna from Hope and Honey - offering <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing classes</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">natural childbirth classes</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/birth-pool-hire-perth" target="_blank">birth pool hire</a> and much more in Perth, Western Australia. Here's my latest blog about </span>babymoons:<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We did it, most of my friends did it - there's even a term for it! Yes the babymoon is high on the 'To Do' list of many parents-to-be. Defined as a vacation taken by a couple that is expecting a baby in order to enjoy a final trip together before the demands of a newborn baby come along - it's become big news.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We recently took 10 days out for a trip to Bali and I must say I'm really glad we did. Like most expecting couples we were on the treadmill of trying to squeeze everything in before bub - so we'd just moved house, I was officially launching Hope & Honey, studying, setting up the baby's room....etc. So even though it felt like an expense we could do without, it was a good move. We relaxed, went for massages, long dinners, reading, swimming, lounging by the pool - it was pure heaven. Not normally ones to sit still on holiday (we're normally changing trains, changing currency and changing hotels more times than hot dinners!) it was a bit of a revelation. Now we are on the home straight to meeting our little one in a few weeks, I know that we will both look back on that time as really precious.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv3dD2gwr-i1JF3mmpyGNfVvJUlrAg2I01JJaa4Sj3laAoVv_w3K9cJorq5W9nnutSy5QzzmLkT0Si5Pt6jc1FzYQUNAC-LpQ670cj0BxbV2JL_QWsgLyMylI3hVelBTDtTemFLoTh5ah/s1600/Bali+Babymoon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv3dD2gwr-i1JF3mmpyGNfVvJUlrAg2I01JJaa4Sj3laAoVv_w3K9cJorq5W9nnutSy5QzzmLkT0Si5Pt6jc1FzYQUNAC-LpQ670cj0BxbV2JL_QWsgLyMylI3hVelBTDtTemFLoTh5ah/s320/Bali+Babymoon.png" height="238" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our Bali Babymoon x</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But did you know that the term 'babymoon' was officially coined by Sheila Kitzinger to mean a private time at home for the parents and their newborn to enjoy some time together and bond. Arguably, this type of babymoon is just as, if not more, important than pre-baby chill out time. With the introduction of paternity leave and more companies being flexible about time off around the birth; many families are able to get this precious time together. It can be a crazy time, particularly for first-time parents, where new skills are being learnt, sleep is a bit hit-and-miss and family and friends often descend for visits. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
My advice is to plan yourself a post-baby Babymoon too. Be strict with visitors - if they're just there to coo over the baby and don't offer to take the washing out or vacuum your floors - ask them to wait a few weeks before coming round. You don't want to spend the baby's best hours of the day wishing your visitors would nip off so you can have a sleep or just enjoy that time yourself. Also people can wait a few weeks - it's important that both of you and the baby are happy and settled before inviting the hoards round and yes you do have a choice!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Be kind to yourself and kind to each other - it's a period of adjustment for all of you, baby included! So don't be hard on yourself about what you're doing right or wrong, take advice on board and then make your own decision, don't be afraid to ask for support if you need it and if you can - snatch some time just Mum, Dad & Bub to just be together. Your baby has been bonding with you all the way through pregnancy, listening to your voices & feeling your emotions, but it's a very special time just after birth and one you can't get back. So let's bring back the good old-fashioned meaning of the Babymoon - not worrying about the housework, those pesky tasks and other people; take some time just for you and your new family member.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With love xx<br />
<br />
For more information and advice, why not sign up to Hope and Honey's <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">childbirth classes</a> or <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing classes</a>? </div>
Hope and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443087690844313661noreply@blogger.com0Perth WA, Australia-31.9535132 115.85704710000005-31.9535132 115.85704710000005 -31.9535132 115.85704710000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815570694405056189.post-71317664626734725952013-08-26T05:15:00.000-07:002015-01-04T21:53:57.758-08:00Choosing where to give birth in Perth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi, I'm Karenna from <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a> offering <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">childbirth classes</a>, <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/birth-pool-hire-perth" target="_blank">birth pool hire</a> and much more in Perth, Western Australia. Here's my latest blog on birth options in Perth:</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a tough decision - some people don't think much about it, they just look at what's available in their local area. Other people prefer to do some research on all the options. Whatever end of the spectrum, choosing where to give birth in Perth is a big decision, is really individual and one not to be taken lightly or to be rushed. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But do you know all the options available in Perth? There's probably more than you think. <a href="http://www.birthsavvy.com.au/birth-options-perth/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here's a link to a list of the options in Perth from my friend at Birth Savvy.</a> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are so many opinions out there and many people turn to friends and family and good old 'word-of-mouth' to help inform their decision. There's also a place for some hard statistics but these are really hard to find. Below are some statistics on caesarean rates in this graphs below. It's not often we get the opportunity to compare the various hospitals across Perth so this is really useful, but remember c-section rates are only one part of a much bigger story. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jGdBcgy2dXZUljswf8GWJKy2HM-DwA3LoLumxDbxxKU9mF-ltmVSIhfLGz6AeaJA9uBdWZSfcXPiXuK_RuOVS0s62DZzr1UEeu1pXVp0n1DdMRzeL1AxFlhggtzM0RDi3fTRgRQ8R194/s1600/caesarean-rates-in-perth.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jGdBcgy2dXZUljswf8GWJKy2HM-DwA3LoLumxDbxxKU9mF-ltmVSIhfLGz6AeaJA9uBdWZSfcXPiXuK_RuOVS0s62DZzr1UEeu1pXVp0n1DdMRzeL1AxFlhggtzM0RDi3fTRgRQ8R194/s320/caesarean-rates-in-perth.png" height="182" width="320" /></a></div>
<h2 style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Caesarean Section Rates in Perth and Around the World</h2>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #555555; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; margin-bottom: 1.2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.birthsavvy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/cs-rates-2013.png" style="border: 0px; color: #ff4800; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="cs rates 2013" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1140" height="577" src="http://www.birthsavvy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/cs-rates-2013.png" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.701961); border: 1px solid rgb(230, 230, 230); float: left; height: auto; margin: 5px 15px 15px 0px; max-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 3px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="430" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It does however give us some food for thought. Often a hospital with high c-section and induction rates </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(if not high-risk like KEMH) </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">shows their policies are to intervene in birth so if you're looking for a natural birth - perhaps you could explore other options such as midwifery care, the family birth centre or an independent midwife. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope & Honey</a> don't advocate any particular hospital or way of birthing because the only thing that matters is that you and your family are comfortable and happy with your selection. It saddens me when I meet or hear about families who are getting increasingly dissatisfied with their care or feel that their caregiver isn't supportive of their choices. It takes a huge leap to step away from care that you're planning or have paid for but remember that getting the birth you want and being on the same page as your doctor is much more important. If you want to chat through your options, please feel free to <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/contact" target="_blank">contact me</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a> do advocate is doing a bit of research, deciding which is best suited for you and working hard to develop a good relationship with your chosen caregiver. Feeling informed, supported and comfortable with your birthing decisions is the best way to ensure you get the birth experience you want and deserve.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much love xxx</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For more information and advice, why not sign up to <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a>'s <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a> or <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">childbirth education classes</a>? </span>Hope and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443087690844313661noreply@blogger.com0Perth WA, Australia-31.9535132 115.85704710000005-31.9535132 115.85704710000005 -31.9535132 115.85704710000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815570694405056189.post-1667290763533299102013-08-18T03:25:00.001-07:002015-01-04T22:05:42.559-08:00Hope and Honey: The Personal StoryHi everyone,<br />
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Welcome to the <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope & Honey</a> blog.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi, I'm Karenna from </span><a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> offering </span><a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">childbirth classes</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, </span><a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/birth-pool-hire-perth" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">birth pool hire</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and much more in Perth, Western Australia. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRbiRNuz4LaNoUG6ErugSij8rJStBVjBeg7lDppUoEbQtdkK2TS2sXxcVG76QaIR3YEr4nirXBa3rR8JpjlREEF5Sd66VkMlUSntbyYK8eL8ohz6p2df8xlaVKKw_xblGlo86mGernFuO/s1600/580575_10151805808276811_1670690920_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRbiRNuz4LaNoUG6ErugSij8rJStBVjBeg7lDppUoEbQtdkK2TS2sXxcVG76QaIR3YEr4nirXBa3rR8JpjlREEF5Sd66VkMlUSntbyYK8eL8ohz6p2df8xlaVKKw_xblGlo86mGernFuO/s1600/580575_10151805808276811_1670690920_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The home water birth of my daughter Isla</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The blog aims to share the latest news and views from the world of fertility, pregnancy, birth and beyond and be a place to chat and share personal news and stories of your journeys. Hopefully it will be a bit fun, a bit serious when needed, but mainly be bits and pieces you should find interesting and give you a glimpse into the work of <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope & Honey</a>. I will also share bits of my journey, my stories and my views so you can get to know me a bit better.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibC_bC2h4LgRvewpAKTZygGhKKNiNSt4PsgCPI1ijGZQrW_gdm1D59XUSruBG-6Pv5IjuS63iWtVawyCoEWW-PWbIfdSehKJLQwPURHCNOohyphenhyphen453yipznHJ_clrlZ0Ya4s1NAfObldHqKh/s1600/image-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibC_bC2h4LgRvewpAKTZygGhKKNiNSt4PsgCPI1ijGZQrW_gdm1D59XUSruBG-6Pv5IjuS63iWtVawyCoEWW-PWbIfdSehKJLQwPURHCNOohyphenhyphen453yipznHJ_clrlZ0Ya4s1NAfObldHqKh/s1600/image-28.jpg" height="320" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">H&T and baby Leo - HypnoBirthing Clients</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So first of all I thought I'd tell you the personal story behind <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope & Honey</a>. Supporting and educating women and families at this amazing time in their lives has always been my major passion in life. I think the whole process of conception, pregnancy and birth are nothing short of a magic, a little miracle. I'm also fascinated by the mind, coaching and facilitating change in people and am continually dumb-founded by the evidence of the power of the mind over the body.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I feel that, in general, modern society doesn't allow a lot of time for us to really listen to our bodies, to connect our mind and bodies and to relax and nurture ourselves the way we should. Often many of us just need a bit of support and coaching to tune back into our bodies and what we need.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So after many years of volunteering in hospitals, sitting on maternity advocacy groups, doing an honours degree specialising in the transformation to motherhood, supporting women and lots of training and reading along the way - I decided to make the jump into running <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope & Honey</a>. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh107-rY9ktK09bbLRBCM6Zx41Ags4p6Qm0hdbkgA1egYLGm85B497kOcpA1EpYPBpnxcHurYDC1uMRO1FOTnczkdXoiBetDlQmd_qIPDzu-rnVkHGEwgA1OWfs7TXwF5h-tZFWe1ky-ZaH/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh107-rY9ktK09bbLRBCM6Zx41Ags4p6Qm0hdbkgA1egYLGm85B497kOcpA1EpYPBpnxcHurYDC1uMRO1FOTnczkdXoiBetDlQmd_qIPDzu-rnVkHGEwgA1OWfs7TXwF5h-tZFWe1ky-ZaH/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Becky and Baby Bella - HypnoBirthing Client</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And I LOVE IT! Working with all of you gives me the greatest buzz, seeing clients transform before my eyes, reach their goals and create bonded, happy families is like a dream come true for me. So thanks for being part of this and making my dreams come true! Lets keep working together so yours can come true as well! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Big cyber hugs xxx </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Karenna<br />
<br />
For more information and advice, why not sign up to <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/" target="_blank">Hope and Honey</a>'s <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/antenatal-childbirth-classes" target="_blank">childbirth classes</a> or <a href="http://www.hopeandhoney.com.au/hypnobirthing" target="_blank">HypnoBirthing classes</a>? </div>
Hope and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443087690844313661noreply@blogger.com0Perth WA, Australia-31.9535132 115.85704710000005-31.9535132 115.85704710000005 -31.9535132 115.85704710000005