Thinking about your due date

Hi, I'm Karenna from Hope and Honey - offering HypnoBirthing, Childbirth Classes, Birth Pool Hire and much more in Perth, Western Australia. Here's my latest blog about due dates:

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?'

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?

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 estimated 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.

So how are we best to look at this special day? In HypnoBirthing, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

So the best advice for looking at your due date - dont! xxx

Put your feet up and relax!

For more advice and information, why not sign up to Hope and Honey's childbirth education classes or HypnoBirthing classes?

Baby's First Hours: The key to successful breastfeeding

Hi, I'm Karenna from Hope and Honey - offering HypnoBirthing, Childbirth Classes, Birth Pool Hire and much more in Perth, Western Australia. Here's my latest blog about starting breastfeeding:

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

It's amazing to watch but your baby will naturally exhibit this behaviour if you let it happen:

• 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
• 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
• He will probably start clenching his fists and bringing his hand to his mouth
• 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
• 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. 

Watch this amazing film of a baby doing the 'breast crawl

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. 

Just relax and enjoy xxx

For more information and advice, why not sign up to Hope and Honey's childbirth education classes or HypnoBirthing classes? 

Epi-No or Yes? Regardless, let's talk about perineal massage

Hi, I'm Karenna from Hope and Honey - offering childbirth education classes, HypnoBirthing, birth pool hire and much more in Perth, Western Australia. Here's my latest blog about perineal massage:

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.

When preparing your body for birth, many midwives and in HypnoBirthing 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.

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.

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.

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.

You can also talk to your midwife or OB about how they care for the perineum during birth.

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.

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.

So tell your friends and don't be shy to talk about it.

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.

Much love xxx

For more information and advice, why not sign up to Hope and Honey's childbirth education classes or HypnoBirthing classes?

Benefits of delayed cord clamping

Hi, I'm Karenna from Hope and Honey - offering childbirth education classes, HypnoBirthing, birth pool hire and much more in Perth, Western Australia. Here's my latest blog about delayed cord clamping:

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 growing number of studies are proving the benefits of waiting one to two minutes until the cord has stopped pulsating.

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.

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.

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.

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 natural childbirth classes or HypnoBirthing classes.

The Babymoon Boom

Hi I'm Karenna from Hope and Honey - offering HypnoBirthing classes, natural childbirth classes, birth pool hire and much more in Perth, Western Australia. Here's my latest blog about babymoons:

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.

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.

Our Bali Babymoon x

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. 

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!

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.

With love xx

For more information and advice, why not sign up to Hope and Honey's childbirth classes or HypnoBirthing classes? 

Choosing where to give birth in Perth

Hi, I'm Karenna from Hope and Honey offering HypnoBirthing, childbirth classes, birth pool hire and much more in Perth, Western Australia. Here's my latest blog on birth options in Perth:

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. 

But do you know all the options available in Perth? There's probably more than you think. Here's a link to a list of the options in Perth from my friend at Birth Savvy. 

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. 

Caesarean Section Rates in Perth and Around the World

It does however give us some food for thought. Often a hospital with high c-section and induction rates (if not high-risk like KEMH) 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. 

Hope & Honey 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 contact me. 

What Hope and Honey 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.

Much love xxx

For more information and advice, why not sign up to Hope and Honey's HypnoBirthing or childbirth education classes? 

Hope and Honey: The Personal Story

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the Hope & Honey blog.

Hi, I'm Karenna from Hope and Honey offering HypnoBirthing, childbirth classes, birth pool hire and much more in Perth, Western Australia. 

The home water birth of my daughter Isla

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 Hope & Honey. I will also share bits of my journey, my stories and my views so you can get to know me a bit better.

H&T and baby Leo - HypnoBirthing Clients

So first of all I thought I'd tell you the personal story behind Hope & Honey. 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.

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.

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 Hope & Honey. 

Becky and Baby Bella - HypnoBirthing Client

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! 

Big cyber hugs xxx 

Karenna

For more information and advice, why not sign up to Hope and Honey's childbirth classes or HypnoBirthing classes?