Birthing By Heart

Often touted as something to be feared, perineal tears are a common, and sometimes unavoidable hazard of giving birth. However, tears do heal, and they are something you can actively minimise.
The routine use of episiotomy, is unncessary, especially when it is performed in the name of protecting the perineum. A natural tear, will go through [...]

Chiropractic works on the principle that if the spine is functioning optimally, the body will function optimally. By removing nerve interference, chirpractic makes way for optimum health.
So it stands to reason, that a pregnant woman recieving regular chiropractic adjustments, will have a healthier body, to grow and birth her baby with.
Women assume that the “ailments [...]

Pregnancy induced hypertension is often cited as a reason to induce labour,  in medicalised birth. It can be argued that the occurence of a gentle rise in maternal blood pressure, is a naturally occurring and necessary function of the body in order to birth.
However, maintaining a healthy blood pressure, and a healthy pregnancy are a [...]

Birth without Trauma, Dr Frederik Leboyer’s book, outlines his principles for a gentle birth.  He believed that babies born into calm surroundings were more content.
Some of the principles involve birthing the baby into a room of hushed voices, dimmed lights, and a warm bath. Placing the baby on the mother’s chest, allowing the cord to [...]

The Lamaze Method, was established in 1951 by Dr Fernand Lamaze. It is a childbirth philosophy, that centres around the idea that birth is normal and natural.
The Lamaze Philosphy is:
Birth is normal, natural and healthy.
The experience of birth profoundly affects women and their families.
Women’s inner wisdom guides them through birth.
Women’s confidence and ability to give [...]

 
A Rebozo, is a traditional Mexican Shawl or Scarfe, used in pregnancy, and labour by traditional Mexican midwives, to massage the pregnant woman.
Rebozo Massage can be used to turn a posterior baby, at term, or throughout pregnancy to encourage optimum foetal positioning.
Post birth, the Rebozo shawl can be used as a baby carrier that you can [...]

Some ideas for natural pain relief in labour, that you’ll most likely have at your disposal, even in an unplanned birth!
Water
Warm water is a muscle relaxant, and can take the edge off contractions. Some ideas for utilising water are:

Directed spray from the shower, to where it provides the most relief
Use a birth pool.
Use the bath
Have [...]

Labour Massage Oil
This massage oil is good for assisting your contractions throughout labour:

10 drops Jasmine 3%
5 drops Clary Sage
25mL Almond Oil

Massage over your back and abomen during labour.
Caution: do not use, until your baby is due, as Clary Sage Oil and Jasmine Oil, bring on uterine contractions.

What are flower essences?
Flower essences, are a homoepathic method of healing. Discovered by Dr Edmumd Bach, a British physician, who approached healing by seeing the disease as the “final symptom” or the manifestation of stress, anxiety and worry. Flower essences address individual symptoms, and alleviate them before the body translates them to physical disease.
Bach flower [...]

Easy to digest, nutritious and high energy foods, can help you keep up your stamina throughout your labour. Some delicious and easy to have on hand labour foods are:

Frozen grapes
Herbal tea with honey
Fruit juice, frozen or fresh.
Bliss Balls (take a variant on this recipe, and shape them into balls, rather than bars. If you whizz [...]