Afleveringen
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Noticing spotting or bleeding during pregnancy can feel terrifying and definitely unsettles pregnant mothers, but it isnât always a sign that something is wrong. Most moms who spot during pregnancy go on to birth a healthy baby.
My guest this week is midwife Natasha Stadler. She has been working as a midwife for over 30 years and holds a special place in my heart as she was my care provider with my first. Looking back at that day, in hindsight I now know if it wasnât for her extensive knowledge and amazing gift to bring calm, I definitely would have ended up having an unnecessary C-section. (Thank you Natasha!)
In this episode we cover:
· The difference between spotting & bleeding
· What causes it during:
o 1st trimester
o 2nd trimester
o 3rd trimester
· Is it ever under any circumstances ânormalâ?
· When should I see my doctor?
· What is the âbloody showâ that sometimes come out, right at the end of pregnancy? Is it clear red blood, or more mucus like with streaks of blood?
· Is this an indication that labour is starting?
Please let us know if there are any specific topics you want me to do an episode about. I would love to hear from you.
For comprehensive online hypnobirthing antenatal classes, go to https://birthserenity.com/antenatal-program-1/signup/
You'll have access to me, a pre- and postnatal nutritionist & trainer AND an IBCLC to help you get breastfeeding off to a great start ;)
Yours In Birth,
Carla -
âFailure to progressâ or âslow to progressâ â the most common given reason for C-sections. If you are hoping for a vaginal birth, chances are at some point doctors will tell you that things are not moving fast enough.
But is this alone enough reason to force mothers into having C-sections?
As always, Iâve looked at the research and have answers for you. This is so important to know, if you want to be informed and able to advocate for yourself in the birth room.
What Iâve covered in this episode:
· How often does failure to progress occur?
· Why should we be worried?
· Why do so many women have unplanned C-section for this reason?
· How long does it really take to dilate?
· Forcefully pushing during the 2nd stage of labour
· The Friedman curve
· What factors may lengthen labor?
· Is it harmful to have long first stage labors? What are the risks to mothers and babies?
· What can parents do, or rather how should you respond if a doctor tells you that labour is not progressing fast enough?
· What can we do to stop over-diagnoses of âFailure to Progressâ
Remember to join our antenatal class if you are hoping for an informed and empowered birth experience.
Go to: https://birthserenity.com/antenatal-program-1/signup/
We cannot wait to see you inside!
Yours In Birth,
Carla -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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We seldom hear of mothers having VBAC births. (Even though statistically proven to be safe.)
We rarely hear about vaginal breech births.
And birthing in the car on your way to the hospital is definitely not common...
Imagine having all 3 happen, in ONE birth!
That's Marilee's story and she wouldn't want it any other way!
Enjoy her story as she shares why she first had an unnecessary C-section 5 years ago. How she worked through trauma and in contrast preparing herself better to have the un-medicated birth she dreamed of.
She also shares her testimony & a message of hope to mothers around the world.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Birth Serenity Online Antenatal Program - https://birthserenity.com/antenatal-program-1/signup/
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A few weeks ago I messaged co-host, Ashley Pickett and asked her if she knows about a really good Prenatal Chiro that I can invite to record an episode with me. She sent me a few names, but said â ask Diane first!
So thatâs what I did â and Iâm so glad! Her knowledge and genuine care for her patients are so evident.
âThe skull, the spine and the pelvis are subject to respond and react to various different stressors. And when that happens they can shift in a way that distorts functioning of your central nervous system. Roughly 10% of the time thatâs a painful experience. 90% of the time it impacts the functioning of something. So you might not necessarily have pain, but there are functional aspects to your body that are struggling to function at optimal level. For example you may feel that you have low energy levels, constant bladder infections, constipation etc.â explains Dr Meyer.
In this episode we covered:
00:00 â Intro
01:34 - Welcome & about Dr Meyer
03:01 - What is Chiropractic care exactly and which pain relief can chiropractors help pregnant mothers with? Pain felt where can you help alleviate? So what are common issues that are warning signs that I should see a chiropractor?
07:12 - Can chiropractic care help with pregnancy nausea?
08:05 - What do I look for in a chiropractor to take great care of me during pregnancy?
09:50 - Why is it important to seek chiropractic care during pregnancy?
13:31 - How can chiropractic care help my baby to easily move down the birth path and increase my chances of having a natural birth, if that is what I hope for?
15:00 -When should you start seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy and how often should you get adjusted while pregnant?
17:05 - When should I NOT see a chiro during pregnancy?
18:30 - It is safe? Are there side effects? Is it painful?
21:30 - What can I expect in a care program?
22:43 - Do I need to continue after the birth?
24:13 - Can you maybe share any home care tips with our mothers listening? Your 3 top pregnancy tips.
Iâll be back next week with more amazing content.
Yours In Birth,
CarlaLinks mentioned in this episode:
Birth Serenity Antenatal Program - https://birthserenity.com/antenatal-program-1/signup/
Free Q&A Support Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/birthserenitynaturalbirth
Diane Contact Information - https://drdianemeyer.com/contact-us/
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In some antenatal classes the educators will actually tell you to not make any noise during labour, since that will distract you from focusing your energy in the right direction during birth. Iâve heard of many women being told by nurses in the hospital setting to keep quiet to not âfrighten the other womenâ.
The idea that there is a ârightâ way to behave or even worse, a âwrongâ way to behave is unhelpful, judgemental and in my opinion show a lack of basic knowledge about how birth works.
This is a short episode, but something every mother & birth educator should take to heart. Womenâs behaviour has been judged and controlled throughout history. We are supposed to be âgood girlsâ â do as we are told and not create any problems for anyone.
However, the act of giving birth is primal and âwildâ.
In this episode I cover:
Intro Why we are expected to behave a certain way The brain and its different parts & functions Being told how to behave The misperception that birthing loudly is a sign of losing control Apologizing about being loud Tips to mothers & caregivers to communicate this beforehandPlease get in touch if you have any questions and remember to look out for more episodes in the coming weeks.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel, follow us on Instagram & Facebook or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Yours In Birth,
CarlaGet in touch with Carla - https://birthserenity.com/contact/
Birth Serenity Antenatal Program - https://birthserenity.com/antenatal-program-1/signup/
Podcast with Dr Michel Odent - https://birthserenity.com/2021-07-001/ -
First of all, I do not want you to plan in great detail for a potential caesarean birth, if you are actually hoping for a vaginal birth. Where the mind goes, the body will follow. So put all your energy & enthusiasm into planning what you hope for⊠However, with the right preparation, you can be empowered, regardless of how your birth turns out. And that is what we always aim for here at Birth Serenity.
Fear of having a caesarean is a biggieâŠ
I hear this one a lot from women, whether planning a vaginal birth or pre-labor elective caesarean. There are many reasons women fear this. And with the fear there could possibly be the element of trauma if you did not go over this beforehand. I do believe birth is a normal & natural event, sometimes caesareans are necessary & lifesaving.
As always, this episode is based on research and evidence AND packed with practical things you can do, to help you overcome this fear (and hopefully avoid a C-section)
Hereâs what I covered:
· Reasons for an unplanned emergency caesarean birth. The term âemergency C-sectionâ is commonly used, but actually it is not a very common occurrence.
· How you can prepare for an unplanned caesarean.
· C-section Process explained (Know what to expect)âŠ
· What every mother should know if this is your storyâŠ
Please get in touch if you have any questions and remember to look out for more episodes in the coming weeks.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel, follow us on Instagram & Facebook or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Yours In Birth,
CarlaPS - Be sure to join our hypnobirthing antenatal class! We want to see YOU have the birth of your dreams.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Birth Serenity Antenatal Program â https://birthserenity.com/antenatal-program-1/signup/
Grab your free birth plan, affirmations & more! - https://birthserenity.com/
The fear of birthing a big baby and the risk of care provider fear â https://birthserenity.com/2021-08-005/
The fear of baby having a nuchal cord - https://birthserenity.com/2021-08-004/
The infant microbiome - https://birthserenity.com/2021-08-006/Resources:
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23743454/
https://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Obstetric-Care-Consensus-Series/Safe-Prevention-of-the-Primary-Cesarean-Delivery
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2947574/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21676079/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23090537/
https://evidencebasedbirth.com/fetal-monitoring/ -
This week's episode is about something messy, smelly but OH SO AMAZING!! Yes, we talk about pooping during labour & the birth of your baby. This is another "common fear" that many mothers face as they prepare for their babyâs birth.
"What if I accidentally make a mess all over the bed & my baby?"
"What will the doctors think?"
"Who will clean it?"
"How embarrassing!"
If any of these thoughts crossed your mind, Iâve got some good news for you (as always!) Pooping during birth is in fact a very clever mechanism. Perfectly designed this way by nature for a VERY GOOD reason.
My guest on this weekâs episode is Toni Harman. Last week she explained to us everything we need to know about the infant microbiome, and this week sheâs back with more great research and content.
If you havenât listened to last weekâs episode yet, be sure to do so!
In this episode we cover:
· Intro & Welcome.
· Briefly explain what the infant microbiome is (we explained this in detail in the previous episode.)
· Few mothers have courage to ask about this⊠The fear of pooping during the birth of your baby. Please help all our mothers understand that this is in fact nothing to be embarrassed about, but rather something to welcome. It is not only normal to happen, but really important as well.
· Why no one else in your birth room will mind you pooping during birth.
Also, if you havenât done so already, subscribe to the podcast or if you like the video format more, watch all episodes on YouTube, Facebook & IGTV. Iâm constantly adding new episodes to the feed and, if youâre not subscribed, thereâs a good chance youâll miss out. Subscribe now!
Yours In Birth,
CarlaLinks mentioned in this episode:
To download your FREE birth plan, affirmations and much more, go to â https://birthserenity.com
Birth Serenity Online Antenatal Class - https://birthserenity.com/antenatal-program-1/signup/
Microbirth movie & courses - https://microbirth.com/
The infant microbiome podcast episode - https://birthserenity.com/2021-08-006/
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Iâm sure in the midst of a pandemic, we are more aware of the unseen world of microorganisms than ever before. No⊠this episode is not about the Corona Virus, but rather about something magnificent & wonderful⊠and often overlooked. We talk about the trillions of bacteria that inhabit your gut and other bodily regions. They have a critical impact on your overall health. The same holds true for babies.
The microbiome is important for many aspects of health, from gut health to mental health to immune health, and research shows that the first couple of months of life is a really critical window for its development.
Recent studies suggest that babies whose microbiome development is disrupted via a C-section delivery, early antibiotic use, limited breastfeeding, or other factors are at greater risk for a host of health conditions. These include asthma and allergies, irritable bowel disease, respiratory infections, type 1 diabetes and obesity.
Fortunately, research also suggest that no matter how a baby is born, parents can take steps to get baby's bacterial ecosystem off to a good start.
My guest on this weekâs episode is Toni Harman. Producer & Director of the multi award-winning MICROBIRTH movie. She explains how science strongly supports vaginal birth (when possible), immediate skin-to-skin and exclusive breastfeeding.
Hereâs what we covered:
· Intro & Welcome
· Toni Harman
· Define microbiome and more specifically, the infant microbiome
· Where, when & how do babies acquire the microorganisms they need for optimal health
· Are there any studies that show the long-term effect it can have on the babyâs health, (also later in life as a toddler, child or as an adult), if the baby did not acquire that âperfectâ and âcompleteâ microbiome during and after birth
· What happens to the microbiome during a caesarean. Where everything, even the motherâs skin, is sterilized and free of microbes.
· What practical things can we do and include in our Caesarean birth plan, should a birth turn out that way, to ensure our baby still gets as much of the good microbes as possible
· The importance of exclusive breastfeeding & having the right support from the get-go
· Getting back to nature & why itâs important for our health
Please get in touch if you have any questions and remember to look out for more episodes in the coming weeks.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel, follow us on Instagram & Facebook or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Yours In Birth,
CarlaPS - Be sure to join our hypnobirthing antenatal class! We want to see YOU have the birth of your dreams. Youâll have access to an IBCLC and we help you setup your perfect birth plan, plus we teach you how to discuss this with your care provider⊠and SO MUCH MORE! Remember, preparing for a natural birth is key to achieving it.
Links Mentioned in this episode:
Birth Serenity Antenatal Class Sign-Up
Free Facebook Suport Group - Join Today!
Microbiome Courses & The Microbirth Movie
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As with everything else I share on this blog, it is SO VERY IMPORTANT that YOU as the mother have the right facts (based on research) when it comes to this. When a baby is suspected of being big, a woman has an increased chance of interventions during birth, and of experiencing complications caused by those interventions, even if the baby is not actually big. The complications associated with big babies may reflect care provider fear and practice. Notice I am using the term âassociatedâ not âcausedâ.
Healthy well nourished women grow healthy well nourished babies. Genetic factors also influence the size of babies (big babies run in families). However, the MOTHER alters the size of her baby. You're not gonna grow a baby that is too big for you to birth vaginally.
In this episode we will cover:
What factors influence the size of a baby Will the diagnoses of gestational diabetes make a mother grow a "too large" baby Is an ultrasound accurate when it comes to estimating the size of a baby during pregnancy Research suggests that the complications associated with big babies may be due to interventions carried out when a baby is suspected to be big and not actually by the size of the baby When a care provider tells a mother early in her pregnancy that he suspects her baby is big, is it better to ask to rather not know the size (or their perception of it) during follow-up visits. To keep your own mind at peace.. If a mother is focused on having a natural birth, but is then recommended to get an induction because the baby is getting "too big"... Is this a good idea/practice Is induction ever a good idea for healthy mothers carrying healthy babies SummaryPlease get in touch if you have any questions and remember to look out for more episodes in the coming weeks, where we'll bust all the common "fears" surrounding birth.
Be sure to join our hypnobirthing antenatal class! We want to see YOU have the birth of your dreams...
Yours In Birth,
Carla -
The presence of a nuchal cord is a very common occurrence during birth. Up to 30% of babies are born with their umbilical cord around their neck.
The nuchal cord has become the perfect scapegoat because it lays blame with the mother & the baby rather than the care provider & the system. This results in unnecessary fear & disproportionate concerns about nuchal cords within our culture.
In this episode we will cover:
What is a nuchal cord Why & how do babies end up wearing their cords around their neck Can ultrasound scanning identify the presence of a nuchal cord The absence of it during pregnancy does not mean it won't be present at birth Why has nuchal cord become such a perfect & versatile scapegoat Can umbilical cords be "too short" for vaginal birth Can the nuchal cord strangle the baby right after birth Are there more dangers or things to worry about if the cord is wrapped more than once around the baby's neck Can nuchal cords cause morbidity or even mortality during pregnancy Pulling & looping cords around baby's neck while they are being born - is it good practice SummaryLinks mentioned in this episode:
Interview with Dr Michel OdentPlease get in touch if you have any questions and be sure to look out for more episodes in the coming weeks, where we'll bust all the common "fears" surrounding birth.
For antenatal support and classes go to Birth Serenity.
Yours In Birth,
Carla -
Straight to the point with this one â you are a normal woman if youâre worried about how your vagina will feel and look after birth. It just doesnât seem natural that something so big can fit through something so small without destroying it. Hereâs the cool bit â remember I said in the fear of pain episode that your body can produce and use its own hormones to protect us from pain sensations? So we have the hormone oxytocin and the neuropeptide endorphins that help us with pain. Well your body can also adapt itself to birth a baby with minimal impact. Hereâs what you need to know:
00:00 - Intro
01:25 - Terminology to understand this episode
05:03 - What you can do during pregnancy to reduce your risk of tearing
09:50 - What you can do during labour & birth to reduce your risk of tearing
Links mentioned in this episode:
Birth Serenity Online Antenatal Class Overcoming your fear of pain during labourIf you have any questions or want to get on a FREE call/chat with me, go to https://birthserenity.com/
Remember to subscribe to get notified about new episodes.
Yours In Birth,
CarlaResources:
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mothers-babies/australias-mothers-babies-2016-in-brief/contents/table-of-contents
https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD005123.pub3/full
https://midwifethinking.com/2015/09/09/supporting-womens-instinctive-pushing-behaviour-during-birth/
https://www.cochrane.org/CD006672/PREG_perineal-techniques-during-second-stage-labour-reducing-perineal-trauma
https://www.cochrane.org/CD000081/PREG_selective-versus-routine-use-episiotomy-vaginal-birth
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg190
https://midwifethinking.com/2016/01/13/perineal-protectors/
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I often hear, âI have low pain tolerance, so I donât know how Iâll cope with labourâ. Believe it or not, labour is more about mental strength rather than physical strength.
In this episode we will cover:
Why the fear of pain during birth even exists. Why are women so scared of these normal, natural sensations? What happened in history that lead to this horrible fear? How we can dispel those "myths". In order to have a calm birth and not endure unnecessary, excruciating pain, we have to take action long before labour starts. Practical advice & tips you can use to make your birth experience less "painful". Education is KEY!Get in touch if you have any questions and be sure to look out for more episodes in the coming weeks, where we'll bust all the common "fears" surrounding birth.
To get in touch with me or to join our online antenatal program, go to: https://birthserenity.com/
Yours In Birth,
CarlaResources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6440938/
https://kbonikowsky.com/2016/09/20/teshuqa-turnings-genesis-316/
https://kbonikowsky.com/2016/09/14/esv-changes-genesis-316-a-brief-history-of-this-verses-transformation/ -
"Our primary objective should not be to "reduce the cesarean rate", but rather to rediscover the BASIC NEEDS of labouring women"...
This is just one of the many truths Dr Odent said in our interview. Here's what we talked about:
04:00 - Your thoughts on cesareans before natural labour starts?
09:35 - If you are told by week 40 "this now needs to be a cesarean", how will you as a mother know if that is truly necessary. Talking about healthy mothers, carrying healthy babies who had healthy pregnancies.
42:25 - Do babies who are born by "cesareans before labour starts" face any health risks later in life?
47:42 - One of the concerns about immediate cord clamping is the much lower iron levels in newborns. What are your thoughts on iron levels in newborns and their mothers? Is it really so important and also so easily thrown off balance?
53:18 - It is sad to hear that so many mothers are still being coached to forcefully push their baby's out during labour. What drives the Natural Expulsive Reflex and why is it so important to wait for it?
Let me and Dr Odent know if you have any questions. Also if there are certain topics you want us to talk about on this channel ;)
If you are pregnant and hoping for a natural birth, go to https://birthserenity.com/ to join our online antenatal program.
Yours In Birth,
Carla xx
