Home
Phone 0429 308 851 or Socialise with me via...
  • Home
  • Antenatal Classes
    • Group Classes
    • Private Antenatal Classes
  • Massage
  • Packages
    • Belly Binding
    • Postnatal Massage
    • Placenta Services
    • Postnatal Support
  • Contact Me
  • More
    • About Me
    • Blog
    • Lismore Pregnancy & Birth Services
    • The Birth House

A little help from a friend

8/31/2014

0 Comments

 

What do post-natal doula's actually do?

An interview with Laura Trantino (by Kirrah Holborn)

KH: Why do you think people would be interested in hiring a post natal doula?

LT: Straight after birth is a very special time for the mother to bond with her baby. I think that having some extra help around the house (cooking, cleaning and looking after little ones) is very nurturing. It helps the mother to relax and take time to bond with her baby without worrying about everyday tasks.

KH: Would other family members help out too?

LT: Yes, some do. But there are a lot of people that have family living in other states or have some difficulty getting along. Sometimes it's nice to have some nurturing help without judgment or pressure. This is the advantage of having a doula come and help.

KH: How come you're drawn to this kind of work?

LT: I'm a nurturing person who loves to help. I'm friendly and caring and I love to cook! I grew up in an Italian family so cooking is everything! Being in an Italian family- you're thinking of food constantly! I cook from the heart so it's really nurturing and so beneficial for new families.
Laura and baby James
KH: What other things do you help with?

LT: I come in and ask the mother what she actually wants done. I can tailor my help to what needs to be done. I can run errands, I can look after her newborn while she showers or has a bath and I can help with washing/hanging clothes or cleaning the house.

KH: When is a good time to hire a postnatal doula?
LT: I would say that it would be different for each woman. Some have family members in the first week so tend to hire a post natal doula when their partner needs to return to work or help drops off. Other people don't have close family so they want extra help straight away within the first or second day.

KH: Did I hear you have some discounts at the moment?
LT: Yes! From now until mid september you can enjoy a discounted rate. The price for 2 hours is $70 (normally $80) and 3 hours is $85 (Normally $100) and for 4 hours it's $100 (Normally $120). I can be contacted on 0405 730 933 or laurauratrantino@yahoo.com.au

Thanks for the interview Laura! I hope more people can realise the amazing benefits of having a post natal doula come and help out!
0 Comments

4 common questions about birth

10/13/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
1. Is it like the movies?

Most of us probably know by now that what’s on the TV or in the movies is usually a dramatized version of real life. Action and drama sell! It still affects us though. Especially for the children... many ideas about birth are formed early on and it’s not until adulthood that some of these beliefs are explored. I always like to ask people; where did you first hear about birth? How does this affect you today?

2. How will I cope?

Every woman is different, every baby is different and therefore every experience of birth is different. Everyone has a different way of preparing for birth. Some women have an unwavering belief that it will all be ok and go with the flow. Many women are motivated to learn about birth so that they have some tools to work with when the time comes to make the journey into ‘labour-land’. Asking yourself “What do I need to know to give birth?” can help you find some answers. Is it related to confidence? If so... ask yourself how are you nurturing confidence in yourself now, today? Start to foster the positive qualities within yourself so that when your big day comes, you will feel calmer and more confident in your ability.


3. Who can help me birth?

Just as there are many places to give birth, there are a many options for who can help you through pregnancy, birth and beyond. Obviously, having someone close to you like your partner or mother can be a blessing. Birth runs more smoothly when you feel safe and secure. Knowing your care providers and birth supporters will make a big difference to how relaxed you feel when you are birthing. Many healthy women choose to have a midwife support them during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal time. There are options called ‘case load’ or ‘continuity of care’ where the woman can have the same midwife care for her through her pregnancy and birth. When complications arise or surgery is required, then obstetricians are the specialists. 

There is a growing trend for women to also hire a doula. A doula provides emotional, physical and practical support as well as providing information/education (during pregnancy and birth). Each doula is different, but I like to address any fears/worries, help the woman discover her choices and options for birth, provide pregnancy massage and teach breath awareness (plus more!). I then support the woman for as long as she needs during early/active labour and birth. Having continual support from a trained doula can make labour shorter and easier whilst decreasing the likelihood of interventions.

Whoever you choose to support you, it’s important to discuss what it is that you are wanting and make sure your supporters are ‘on the same page’ as you. If you are not happy with your care, or don’t feel comfortable, try to find someone that you connect with.


4. Are there classes I can take?

Yes! If you would like holistic antenatal classes that help you and your partner feel more confident about birth, then I can help. I hold regular classes

0 Comments

How emotional preparation helps you birth

1/5/2013

0 Comments

 
How do you prepare for something like giving birth? Some women feel comfort in reading lots of books or searching online, some delve into it by watching movies or films and others hear stories from friends and family.

It's a pretty important day in the life of a woman and her baby (and her partner if she has one). Birth is something that will affect you for the rest of your life (not just you, but your baby and those people around you too).

I've heard of the amount of time, energy and money that women can spend on planning their weddings. Compared to this, birth preparation probably looks easy!

So, what are some options to help you emotionally prepare for birth?

Picture
Find a pregnancy group!

Look in your local newspaper or search online to see what pregnancy groups are meeting in your town. Connect with other pregnant women (ideally with a facilitator that knows about birth) and start to hear how others are preparing for their births.

This may give you some ideas for what you would like for your birth, for example; having a water-birth, using a birth photographer or therapeutic use for your placenta. These prenatal groups can help you make new friends that may continue into parenthood (where more choices and options will arise that require discussion!).

In Nimbin, Birth & Beyond meets on Fridays 11am-12.30pm and in Lismore a new Birth & Beyond group is meeting on Tuesdays 9.30am-11.30am at Nurture.
Picture
Hire a doula!
Having a doula is a fantastic way to help you prepare for birth. Many offer several prenatal sessions to help you discover what it is you want for your birth, what options are available and generally helping you to feel better about birthing your baby.

And, of course, they are advocates for you during the birth process. Whether you are planning to birth at home, birth center or hospital; they can be an incredible ally for you.
Picture
Join an independent antenatal class!
These can be an incredible eye-opening experience that can help you understand your options and prepare for how your birth may look. We can never know the details of how a birth will unfold but having some tools to help you along the way will make you feel a lot better about your experience. Women who take an active role in the decision making process generally feel better about their birth outcomes (even if this is different to what they envisioned).

I hold regular Birthing From Within prenatal classes. In these workshops there is a greater focus on emotional and spiritual preparation. There is also some focus on the physiology of labour (like how your hormones help you labour and exercises that will assist your body to open). The personal exploration gives you a wider perspective and helps you gain confidence in your birthing abilities. It can also give your partner (or birth companion) more confidence to know what to do in the midst of labour.

Picture
Let's face it, who wouldn't want to do all they can to make this journey as smooth as possible? Birth preparation is an essential part of being a responsible pregnant woman. You owe it to yourself and your baby!
0 Comments

Home births: Alive and Well!

12/12/2012

1 Comment

 
Picture
I feel blessed to have supported at two home-births in the last few weeks. The love that permeates through our homes can create a very sacred birthing space to welcome new life.

I feel that the line between normal life and a miracle unfolding becomes almost transparent in a home-birth. The progression from pregnant woman to birthing woman to mother seems so natural, yet is a divine rite of passage. And of course, not having to go anywhere, but instead friends and family coming to you can ease the transition to postpartum life.

The process of surrender that takes place in birth allows a woman to transition from maiden to mother. Through this process women can more easily embrace the ups and downs of motherhood. The strength that she discovers through birthing her baby will help empower her in times of difficulty.

“Birth helps prepare a woman for the surrendering she will do in mothering”
In the Northern Rivers, we are lucky to have some very dedicated and passionate midwives serving the needs of pregnant and birthing women. There are options of where to birth, how to birth and who to birth with. We even have some government funded home-births starting to happen through the Mullumbimby birthing centre. My hope is that this will help normalise home-births in the eye of the public and by providing financial assistance, will make it available to more people.

If you’re experiencing a healthy pregnancy, would feel more comfortable birthing in your own home and want to birth naturally (without drugs), then home-birth is a great option! A doula and midwife team can provide the perfect support to help you achieve your goals. Costs vary depending on the midwife and many offer payment plans.

If you are considering a home-birth & want to meet a dedicated home-birth midwife, get in touch with me and I can pass on their details.

Picture
Also, you may be interested to know that as well as being a Doula, I am a Birthing From Within Mentor and I hold regular prenatal classes.

These workshops cover everything you need to know about birth and the early postnatal time. You will learn; how to use your breath to cope with intense sensations, exercises to open your mind and body, your birthing options, natural remedies for birth and postnatal, labour support skills and preparing for life with a baby. Next course will be held over 2 saturdays on the 5th and 19th January. For more information check out www.traditionalwisdom.com.au

Birth & Beyond will be having a break from 14th dec-28th dec. We will resume with gentle yoga for mums n bubs on the 4th January.

Nimbin Birth & Beyond meets every Friday from 11am-12.30pm. Sessions are run by donation. For more info (or to hold a session), make contact here. To be added to the mailing list just send an email or text.
1 Comment

7 tips on how to look forward to giving birth (even if you're afraid)

10/12/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture


Have you heard horror birth stories or seen too many dramatic TV births? It's not very confidence boosting is it? In this article, you will discover 7 tips for how to look forward to giving birth (even if you're afraid).

1. Use Birth Stories to Your Advantage
People often see pregnancy as a ticket to tell you birth stories they've experienced or heard. Everyone wants to share! Unfortunately, not all stories are positive and many can perpetuate the feelings of uncertainty or fear. One of the best tips that I can share that can help you turn these stories into something you can benefit from, is to ask the people; "What helped you cope in labour"?

This brings the focus onto the useful information and may give you tools to learn how you too can cope if unexpected or unwanted surprises pop up in your birthing journey. It reframes the story from one of negativity to one of hope and encouragement. It also helps the 'story teller' to see the positive light. Often people are telling their stories because they need to work through some aspects of it. So, quickly diverting the story to the positive or helpful information such as useful things that helped the person to cope or how they knew they could get through, can benefit all involved!  

2. Stop watching dramatic TV shows!
Instead watch positive birth films showing real people birthing. Hearing how others have conquered their fears and faced obstacles can help you build confidence in your abilities. It also helps you raise awareness about the birthing process and allows you to see solutions to questions. Some good films to check out are 'Birth as we know it', 'The Big Stretch' and 'The Business of Being Born'. 

Picture
3. Don't overwhelm yourself with too many books!
There are many pregnancy and birth books out there (but not all are useful). A beautiful book filled with inspiring birth stories is 'Spiritual Midwifery'; written by birth expert Ina May Gaskin. This was the first 'birthy' book I ever read and I could not put it down!

An Australian book published just last year entitled 'Birth Journeys' has positive birth stories to encourage and inspire readers to look forward to birth as a rite of passage. I also highly recommend 'Birthing From Within' as an excellent guide to intuitive and emotional birth preparation.
Picture
4. Practice Breath Awareness  
There is something so fantastic about building confidence in your ability to cope that resonates with birth preparation and self confidence. Discovering what practices help you in pregnancy, will allow you to feel better about the challenges of birth. 

The Birthing From Within childbirth preparation classes use ice-cubes to simulate an uncomfortable feeling. This gives you a gauge and sets the foundation for comparing which practices help you to cope. Try it now, hold ice for 60 seconds and see what it feels like. After you have given this a try. The next time, before holding ice, bring your awareness to your breath, focussing on your exhalation. Try focussing only on your out breath, bringing your full attention to this and then pick up the ice again, for another 60 seconds and notice any changes.
Picture
5. Get educated; Use your brain!
Broaden your mind, expand your horizons and learn about birth. We can often fear the unknown. Knowing what your options are for birth can help you feel more in control and confident about navigating decision making.

Joining in independent prenatal classes can give you more tools to use during your pregnancy, birth and beyond. Sarah Buckley uses the acronym BRAN to help you to make an informed decision. This looks at the Benefits, Risks, Alternatives and doing Nothing (waiting longer to make a decision). Birthing From Within goes one step further and adds the letter I (for Intuition) to make the acronym BRAIN. Use your brain to discover your options and learn to navigate your unique birthing journey!
Picture
6. Dig deep and uncover your fears
How many times have you tried NOT to think about something and that is exactly what you end up thinking about? If I was to say; do NOT think about a pineapple; what do you immediately think of? Most of you would have immediately got an image of a pineapple. 

If you are deliberately trying to avoid thinking about birth or trying NOT to think about medical intervention, then you may still be giving these things energy. An excellent way to allow fears to dissolve is to write them down, explore them and then release them. What does it say about you as a person if these fears did materialise? What steps can you take to minimise these fears from happening? What have you previously done when faced with difficult scenarios?
Picture
7. Find Support  
Know that this is not a solo journey. Although there is a lot of self discovery and ultimately, you will be the one birthing your baby, there is still a lot of support that others can give you. Like any other big event, you will have others that you can call on to help, love and support you. Have you considered having a doula provide care during your pregnancy, birth and postnatal time?

So, to wrap up... listen to positive birth stories, ask other women what helped them cope during labour, practice breath awareness to build confidence in your abilities, get educated on your options for birth, examine your fears and find nurturing support to help you on your journey to motherhood.
Picture
Kirrah Holborn is a doula, pregnancy masseuse, Birthing From Within childbirth educator and placenta encapsulation specialist in Northern NSW,  Australia.

She has a passion for using natural remedies and therapies to support women during pregnancy, birth and beyond. For more information see traditionalwisdom.com.au

0 Comments

To Doula or not to Doula?

10/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Imagine having a servant to help you with all your needs. Now imagine that this servant is a caring friend who will journey beside you through the rite of passage of becoming a mother. She may give massages, help provide resources, be a listening ear and become a friend. 

Just like people can hire tour guides for their trekking adventures, coaches for their sporting events and teachers for their studies, Doula's are the mentors and advocates of the birthing journey.


What are Doula’s?
Coming from a Greek word, Doula (pronounced doo-la) translates as ‘woman servant’ or ‘woman caregiver’. In ancient times, women always attended other women through their labour’s. This phenomenon is not new at all. Today, it is gaining popularity to seek assistance of doula's to help pregnant women (and their partner or families) during pregnancy, birth and beyond. 

Doula’s are non-medical people (often women), who understand the physical and emotional aspects of pregnancy and birth but do not have any clinical responsibilities. They are childbirth assistants that provide the woman and her partner with both emotional and physical support during the entire labour and birth and immediate postpartum period.

Picture
What do Doula's do?
 Given that there are many hopes and fears surrounding birth, all mothers and fathers can benefit from extra emotional support and help during pregnancy and labour. Having a nurturing and experienced doula can be a calming presence in the intensity of labour. Doula’s complement the support given by husbands, partners or midwives. They are experienced in providing birth support and can focus on your emotional and physical needs (without being distracted by clinical duties). Doula’s provide a precious and unique presence for women and families, in what ever setting they choose to birth.

Doula’s believe it is the woman’s right to birth where, how and with whom she wishes. 


What are the benefits of having a doula?
Research done by Klaus et al (1993) and Hodnett et al (2011) concluded that support from a Doula enhances wellbeing of mothers and babies and leads to better outcomes.


References:
Hodnett, E. D.; Gates, S.; Hofmeyr, G. J.; Sakala, C.; Weston, J. (2011). Continuous support for women during childbirth. In Hodnett, Ellen D. "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews". Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online)

Klaus, M; Kennel, J; Klaus, P (1993). “Mothering the Mother; How a Doula can help you have a shorter, easier and healthier birth”. A Merloyd Lawrence Book, USA.

Picture
0 Comments
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Birth And Beyond
    Birth Art
    Birth Fear
    Birth Preparation
    Doula
    Home Birth
    Mums And Bubs
    Mums And Bubs Yoga
    Natural Birth Remedies
    Placenta Encapsulation
    Pregnancy Nutrition
    Prenatal Classes

    RSS Feed

About Me | Contact Me | Pregnancy Massage | Blog