Pregnancy & Childbirth Articles

Supporting you during pregnancy, birth and motherhood

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Pregnancy Massage

Joyful Childbirth Articles

ARTICLES BY SAMANTHA THURLBY-BROOKS

Understanding Your Pregnant Body Now you are pregnant, your body will be making many changes to accomodate your growing guest. Some changes you will notice such as the growth of your breasts and belly, but other changes are more subtle. The cocktail of hormones that are being released especially for your pregnancy will make... Read more...

Using Water During Birth Ever had a hard day where your muscles ache and you've had enough of the world? How's about having a nice warm bath to soothe away your troubles? Well, that's exactly what a... Read more...

How to Protect Your Perineum During Birth The main benefits of the perineal massage are psychological. It's great to get your mind understanding that your body is changing. It's not the same as it was nine months ago. To birth a baby nine months ago wouldn't be nice, but now, at the end of your pregnancy, your body has changed and adapted to open up easily for your baby to be born. What will protect your perieum while giving birth is... Read more...

Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the rate of Caesarean sections should not exceed 15% in any country. Unfortunately because of the large number of repeat cesareans, because care givers mistakenly believe it is the best option, we are faced with a cesarean rate of more than double the recommended amount. Click on the links... Read more...

How & Why to Relax During Labour Relax... your body knows what it's doing so you don't need to do a thing! You don't need to think about what comes next or what position you should or shouldn't be in, or whether you've left the iron on! You're having a baby and your body loves it... Read more...

Nutrition During Pregnancy & Preparing For Labour There are many, many books published on healthy eating during pregnancy. So all I shall do here is make some suggestions and by no means give a comprehensive account... Read more...

Optimum Foetal Positioning The easiest way for your baby to come down through your pelvis during birth is with their chin on their chest and facing your bum. Not all babies will do this which, according to... Read more...

Movement During Birth The 'Active Birth' movement started in the 1980's as a result of the common hospital practise of forcing a woman to labour lying flat on her back with her legs in stirrups. This creates a passive birthing experience and leaves a woman feeling attacked, helpless and will make the birthing far more painful, dangerous and damaging than nature intended. Active Birthing means... Read more...

Information About Doulas for Midwives & Obstetricians New Zealand is quite a unique country in its maternity health care system; the independent midwifery system is wonderful for women to choose a person they would like to support them throughout pregnancy and birth giving them the continuous support that has proven to bring great benefit. I think it is for this reason that birth doulas have previously not been thought of as necessary within the New Zealand system of care. However .... Read more...

Safe & Effective Pregnancy Massage Massaging a woman from 13 weeks onwards during her pregnancy is a fantastic way to keep a mum-to-be relaxed and comfortable as her growing body accommodates the new weight. The main benefits of regular safe and effective mama massages are ... Read more...

How to Easily Make Birth Easier & Safer Over the past few millions of years, humans and mamals have been giving birth without the use of hospitals, doctors or epidurals, for the most part, very effectively. The female body is designed to give birth very successfully and efficiently without the need for ... Read more...

Differences Between Midwives & Doulas Below are just some of the differences between our Joyful Childbirth doulas and your midwife. All births in New Zealand will be attended by a midwife even if you are under the care of an obstetrician. If you have an obstetrician... Read more...

Pelvis Is Too Small To Birth Naturally? I have far to many clients visit me who have been told their pelvis isn't big enough for their baby to be born naturally. It's as though there's something strange happening to the women of Auckland that some how nature forgot to make them right.... Read more...

A Great Birth Plan A good birth plan needs to be simple and easy to read. Midwives and obstetricians look after so many different people that to write too much will just get forgotten. Below is an example of a great birth plan for you to use and adapt as you see fit ... Read more...

Suggestions on How To Be A Great Birthing Partner You'll often find in antenatal classes that the teacher will be very confident in telling you that "the role of the birthing partner is very important". And that's where they often stop; no tips, no advice, just the statement that you are very important! So if you are so important, how do you know if you're doing your 'job' correctly or if there is in fact a 'job' for you to do as your partner breathes deeply and focuses on her contractions? Read more...

How Doulas Can Support Partners Our birthing doulas will help a father/partner to support the labouring woman in the best way they can. Giving reasurrance and guidance, the father/partner will be given the opportunity to feel empowered ... Read More...

Breathing For Pain Relief During Childbirth It does sound a little strange to say "remember to breathe" during labour, but you'll be surprised how often we hold our breath in day-to-day activities, let alone while giving birth. Read more...