Iron is a component of the haemoglobin molecule in our red blood cells and is responsible for the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues & the transport of carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. It is also a component of several important enzymes responsible for energy production & metabolism including DNA synthesis.

Iron deficiency can lead to anaemia, excessive menstrual blood loss, learning disabilities, impaired immune function and decreased energy levels.
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia; however, anaemia is the last stage of iron deficiency. Anaemia occurs when the blood is deficient in red blood cells or haemoglobin. This can result in extreme fatigue because there is a lack of oxygen reaching the tissues.
Deficiency may be due to an increased iron requirement (such as pregnancy), inadequate dietary intake (particularly vegetarians or those eating too much ‘junk’ food), diminished iron absorption or utilisation (decreased hydrochloric acid secretion in stomach, chronic diarrhoea or malabsorption, antacid use commonly prescribed in pregnancy for reflux), blood loss or a combination of all of the above.

There are usually routine blood tests early in pregnancy & again at 28-30 weeks to test for iron levels. Serum ferritin is the best indicator of iron stores in the body. Often your midwife/GP/obstetrician will talk about haemoglobin & ferritin when discussing your results. The levels of both of these will determine the best iron supplement for you.

There are 2 forms of dietary iron:
‘Heme’or organic iron is bound to haemoglobin and myoglobin found in animal products & is most efficiently absorbed.
‘Nonheme’ or inorganic iron is found in plant foods & is poorly absorbed in comparison. Many iron supplements contain inorganic iron with ‘ferrous’ or ‘ferric’ forms which are poorly absorbed. Ferrous sulphate has less than 2% absorption! These forms are often associated with constipation too the last thing you want when you are pregnant!

If you have low ferritin or haemoglobin it is so important to get your supplements or dietary advice from a qualified health professional. They will know what form of iron to prescribe, as well as advising you when to take it as it can affect the absorption of other nutrients (especially zinc which is THE most important nutrient in pregnancy).

Jane is a qualified Herbalist, Nutritionist and Iridology practitioner with over ten years experience in clinical practice.  Jane is passionate about preconception and pregnancy care and empowering women to explore the choices available in the way they birth. Having completed her own extensive preconception care program(twice!), Jane has had two healthy, trouble-free pregnancies and natural home births. Her son Thomas is 5 years old & daughter Charlie is 2 both are happy & healthy. Having experienced such wonderful pregnancies and labours, Jane is enthusiastic about helping other women have a similar experience. For more information on Jane’s services please see the Birth Right website.

Utero Influences

Lotus Flower –  The unfolding flower embodies the endless ocean of creation.  Because it has buds, blossoms and seed pods simultaneously on the same plant, it represents the past, present and future.

Babies are affected by their environment as soon as they have an environment, and that means as soon as they are implanted in the womb. Women are conceiving, growing their babies and birthing under increasingly stressful conditions.  Stress that affects one generation will be played out in the next generation.  When we see dysfunction in people, we’re actually seeing the imprint of that stress.

Moving From ‘Outside In’ To ‘Inside Out’

Babies are conscious, intelligent and aware, and remember their birth experience.  They also feel pain.
Bonding and attachment begins at the beginning, well before birth.

The Past –  Our earliest experiences from in utero until 1yr age, determine an imprint for our mental, emotional models of the world.  So it is vital that women know how they were conceived and birthed and what ‘template’ they are operating under when they conceive.  This awareness is part of changing the pattern, to create an emotional healthy human being.
This imprint or pattern, is what we live out of, and it is our job to become aware of it, especially if it is filled with patterns that don’t serve us well as adults.

The Present – We must move to change the increasing mental health issues in our society.  We must teach pregnant women and their partners about the importance of creating a new little human, in a de-stressed environment, with love and awareness.
We must teach the importance of connectedness, of taking the stress out of daily life, of why this is important in changing the internal ‘pattern’ for a new person.
Pregnancy has changed for women over the past few decades.  Most pregnant women live busy lives, and many suffer (not too strong a word!) increased pressure in the workplace.  Pressure to keep up, to show they can still work just as hard, just as long hours, so they don’t miss out on that promotion or new project that could come their way.  They have many fears and anxieties about pregnancy, labour and birthing, mainly fed by the media (in all forms), because they just don’t have time to connect with themselves, their pregnancy and changing body, or their growing baby.  They do not see pregnancy and birthing as ‘normal’.  This is fuelled by an over-medicalised system.  What came first?  The stressed anxious woman? Or the over-medicalised system?  I’m not sure, but we must change this pattern.

The Future – Birth de-briefing is essential for all women who have birthed before, and planning another pregnancy, otherwise repeating the same ‘pattern’ is almost inevitable.  Changes in the ‘pattern’ are easily done with hypnosis.

Societal attitudes must change.  Our pregnant women should be revered and respected.  Held in high esteem.  They are growing our next generation.  Are we not interested in taking the time to shower her with love and respect and lots of wonderful positive stories about growing and birthing a baby.

Teaching women to connect and get to know and understand themselves, their partner and their growing baby forms the basis of our Inside Birth program.
This prenatal program is not prescriptive or demanding or expecting it is not telling there will be a ‘relaxed’ or ‘beautiful’ or ‘calm’ or ‘peaceful’ or ‘hypnotic’ birthing but simply going ‘Inside’.  Definition of ‘Inside’ –  within, on the inner side of, inside the circle, in or into the inner part.
Understanding what happens Inside the womb, the developing baby physically, emotionally and spiritually, and how patterns are laid down.  Understanding what happens Inside the mind of a pregnant woman and her partner.  What influences are present, and what impact that will create.  Understanding the ‘system’, hospital or homebirth, is vital to ensure an enjoyable, experience for Mum, Dad and baby.

How a baby enters the world is crucial to the long term health and well-being of that person and ultimately our society.
So if you want to get back to basics and tap into a natural, primal instinct that just needs a little prompting to return to the surface then check out our Inside Birth prenatal classes and if you want to learn to teach these empowering techniques then check out our Inside Birth Practitioner Training and let’s change the world one baby at a time.

INSIDE BIRTH®

WHAT IS INSIDE BIRTH®?

Childbirth Education goes under many different names all very confusing for consumers.  Inside Birth® is a prenatal class, also called ante-natal class, birthing class, pregnancy class, parenting class.  It is run by Birth Right, a business intent on empowering pregnant woman and their partners.
From Inside to Outside, Inside Birth® classes is about understanding the exquisite connection you can have with your baby, from conception to Outside.
Learn how to change your thoughts to create a beautiful birthing experience for you and baby.

This is easy and simple, just like birthing.  These are skills that you will use for the rest of your life and, best of all, you can teach to your baby, Inside and Outside.
These classes re-connect you to your primal birthing power, deep within, a power that is often submerged, from years of brain washing from television programs, books, magazines, radio, movies and all the ‘information’ that well-meaning friends work colleagues and family, choose to share – which is mainly NOT helpful.

You will feel so calm and at peace as the Inside Birth® Practitioner takes you to a deeply relaxed place where you will have the opportunity to focus on just what you want for your labour, birthing and baby.
These classes comprehensively cover all you need to know, going Inside the hospital/birthing system, Inside the mind of your developing baby, Inside your pregnancy, Inside your mind, Inside labour and birthing, Inside breastfeeding, Inside parenting.  Inside Birth® takes a unique look, empowering a pregnant woman and her partner to think outside the square and get back to a ‘real’ connection with birthing.

All women come with anxieties, fears, and many what-if’s and self doubts.  Inside Birth® will definitely delete all of these and set you on a path of insightful knowledge, leaving you looking forward to your labour and birth and meeting your baby on the Outside.
These classes will inspire and enlighten.  They are for everyone who is pregnant, no matter where you are birthing.

WHEN SHOULD I DO AN INSIDE BIRTH® CLASS
As early as possible in your pregnancy.  Alice and Ben came at 10wks pregnant because they wanted this information, to make well informed choices throughout pregnancy.  We offer a unique dip in/dip out package, which means you can attend as many times as you would like during pregnancy.

HOW TO HAVE A NORMAL BREECH BIRTH

Breech position accounts for approximately 3-4% of all pregnancies.
In an ideal situation a baby is in a head down, anterior position for birth.  This position allows for the easiest passage down the birth path for baby.  It is how nature intended and most babies naturally gravitate to the ideal position.

Some reasons a baby is in breech position at term:-

(a)  Anatomical this is rare but there may be an issue with Mum’s pelvis
(b) Multiple pregnancy twins, triplets
(c) Placenta praevia where the placenta presents first
(d) Amniotic fluid too much or too little
(e) Unknown

My observations, over many years, lead me to believe the main reason baby is breech is undiagnosed, unrecognised FEAR!  If a woman is increasingly fearful, this causes her uterine muscles to tighten and there is less space for baby.  Some theorise that the baby may also be wanting to get closer to Mum’s heart beat as he senses her fear.
The position of the baby is irrelevant until 37-38 wks. of pregnancy.  The midwife should be able to feel this at a routine visit and palpation.  It is also important to ask the woman how her baby is positioned?  Women know.  It can also be confirmed by ultrasound.
A baby in a breech position becomes an ‘issue’ for some hospitals/caregivers at around 37-38wks. as most babies have naturally corrected into  a head down position by this time.  However, it does not and should not be regarded as an ‘issue’.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Medical intervention for turning a breech baby involve an ECV (external cephalic version).  Not all obstetricians are skilled in this procedure.  Some older and more skilled obstetricians will attempt an ECV in clinic/rooms.  Others will attempt in a Delivery Suite, under ultrasound and often with drugs given to ‘relax’ Mum.  However I have successfully used hypnosis to relax a woman in this situation, therefore avoiding drugs for Mum and baby.

Natural interventions should include:

• doing nothing and trusting that this is the best position for this particular baby (for whatever reason), and knowing that some baby’s will turn in labour
• acupuncture has great results with turning baby
• encourage Mum to spend as much time in all-four’s position, crawling around floor etc. and less time lying on back
• reflexology
• chiropractic (webster technique)
• Homeopathic – Pulsatilla

Most effective method of turning a baby, and the least invasive is using hypnosis.  This is especially useful for those women who have hidden fears.  In some cases baby is in a breech position because of the tension that the mother holds in the lower area of her body.  It has been observed that anxious and fearful women have a higher incidence of breech presentation than do others, due to activating sympathetic mechanisms that result in tightening of the lower uterine segment. ( Ref.  Dr. Christiane Northrup, MD, her book ‘Women’s bodies, Women’s Wisdom’).
Hypnosis releases fears and anxieties from the sub-conscious mind.

Every woman should have the option of having an enjoyable, safe breech vaginal birth.  Unfortunately these days there are not many obstetricians who have the skills, knowledge or confidence in supporting this.  If baby is in a favourable breech position, i.e. frank breech where bottom presenting, this is the best option.  Some hospitals/caregivers call a normal vaginal breech birth an epidural and forceps to the aftercoming head.  This is not ‘normal’.

A doula can help a woman shop around for an obstetrician/midwife/hospital who will support ‘normal’ vaginal breech birthing.  I supported a woman recently who birthed beautifully on a mat on the floor, surrounded by candles, music and a wonderful belief from her support team that she would birth her breech baby, normally and she did!

Top 5 tips to ensure an enjoyable birth no matter the position of baby:

• Shop around for caregiver, place to birth, early in pregnancy.
• Employ a doula research shows having a doula will reduce the need for medical intervention by 70%
• Book into a prenatal course that empowers a birthing woman and her partner, e.g. Inside Birth® –  Inside to Outside – learn how to change your thoughts to create a beautiful birthing experience for you and baby.
• Hypnosis eliminates fears, anxieties and explores the mind/body/baby connection, and is a powerful tool throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and beyond.  So find a hypnotherapist who understands labour and birthing.
• If baby is breech, stay calm, talk to your baby and tell him to turn.  If other natural methods have not been successful, then accept the breech birth and find a caregiver/doula who will support you in what you want.

CONNECTION WITH YOUR NEWBORN BABY

There is much written about bonding and attachment, and the importance of Mum, baby and Dad all connecting as one, immediately at birth.  There is no doubt that this connection is vital to give a baby the best start in life, BUT not everyone has this opportunity.  Not everyone knows of its importance.  Not everyone has a doula to advocate and make sure this occurs, just the way Mum wants and not everyone has a beautiful birth, allowing this flow to happen quite naturally.

What is Birth debriefing?

Birth debriefing allows a woman/partner to safely talk about her birthing experience, to offload all the feelings that have built up over time, in a protected and independent environment.
Why is it important?
When a woman experiences a difficult or long labour and birth, which was not how she wanted her birth to be, then these deep emotional feelings, not only stay with her for the rest of her life, but can deeply affect the relationship she has with her baby/child.  The disappointments can be debilitating.  The guilt can be overwhelming guilty for feeling guilty about not having a normal birth, guilty because she has a healthy baby (and doesn’t everyone love to tell a woman this is the most important??), guilt because her birthing body ‘failed’ (failure to progress is common language used by staff in maternity hospitals), guilt about what her baby missed out on, especially if there was an emergency caesarean, and we could go on and on with guilt stuff!
Your birthing experience is deeply imprinted (embedded) into your subconscious mind.  It will stay there and haunts many women in a very negative way throughout life.
THESE FEELINGS ARE REAL AND NEED TO BE ADDRESSED SO A WOMAN CAN MOVE TO A PLACE WHERE SHE CAN BE AT PEACE WITH HER EXPERIENCE

What happens in a debriefing session at Birth Right?

• You will be given time to talk through your labour and birth (I encourage women to bring their medical records)
• Your birthing will be clarified and put into context, especially with time frames
• You will then have an introduction to hypnotherapy
• You will then experience a beautiful, relaxed, deep hypnotic state, where there will be open access to your subconscious mind and you will be given the opportunity to heal from the anxiety, trauma, or whatever you choose that needs healing
• You will then be given some wonderful ideas to assist your baby/child to heal from the traumatic imprint of birthing that is in his subconscious.
• The session lasts 90mins.-2hrs.

How old should my baby be when I do a debrief?

It is never too late.  Last 3 women I have seen, all with different aged children, 8yrs, 16yrs, and 19yrs.  I was at a social event last month and had a long chat with an older woman who told me briefly her birth story.  Her ‘child’ was now a 46yr old man and she thought a birth debrief is exactly what she needed! so it is never too late or too early.
‘I had been putting off doing a debrief because I thought it would be too painful to revisit.  I am so pleased I took this step.  It has changed my relationship with my child and my husband.  Susan is wonderful at guiding you to look at your birth in a different way.  I felt like a huge weight had been lifted and I have a new and clearer love and devotion for my little one and my husband.  Thank you so much’.  Lucy

BABY MAKING ON ICE

Growing numbers of women are choosing to freeze their eggs, thanks to a new and more successful technique called oocyte cryopreservation.

Some IVF clinics offer information evenings for women, “Eggs and the City”, others do “coffee and cake”!  EggBanxx is a company in the US that is offering “Egg Freezing Cocktail Parties. We welcome you to join EggBanxx in learning more about egg freezing!  Our events and egg freezing parties bring together fertility doctors, first person testimonials, Q&A sessions, financing information and cocktails!”

It is a fact that after the age of 35 a woman has a decline in fertility, and more markedly again after age 40.  But egg freezing does not offer a guarantee of a pregnancy, but is simply an option to consider, according to IVF specialists.
This relatively new technique is called vitrification, which includes a rapid freeze.  This technique has an almost 90% success rate of thawing the eggs.  IVF specialists can offer freeze now and come back in a few years with a partner or donor sperm.  For somewhere between $10,000-$20,000 can buy a woman peace of mindOr does it?

What has happened to the organic meeting across a crowded room and love at first sight?  Or the immediate connection at a work place of like minded souls? Or introductions from a well-meaning friend, who decides these two mutual friends would definitely like each other? Or the blind date, often organised by another well-meaning friend?

Of course women have careers, but women have had careers for many decades, and up until recently, still found time and opportunities to meet a partner.  It is a curious question about why men and women are not meeting the ‘right’ person, early enough, to become life partners and make babies naturally.  Are young women today looking for too much perfection in a partner? Or is it simply that technology (IVF), has advanced to the point where there is another, seemingly easier way, on offer.

There is also debate about what technique works best. Some of the chemicals used in the freezing process are toxic to embryos, and no one knows how much the eggs absorb. Moreover, there has been no systematic follow-up of children born from frozen eggs.
Oocyte cryopreservation was originally explored to help women with cancer, because treatments such as chemotherapy can cause sterility. But, according to Briana Rudick, a fertility specialist at Columbia University in New York, the biggest demand is now from women electing to delay motherhood and almost nothing is known about how well older eggs freeze and will thaw.

THE EMOTIONAL TOLL

The emotional toll associated with family-building failure can be devastating. The marketing of these fertility procedures as a lifestyle enhancer has overlooked the emotional responses of these medical procedures, which can lead to a different kind of health concern one involving mental health. Studies have shown that people coping with fertility failures are as distressed as cancer patients. Many others suffer depression and post traumatic disorders.

These negatives are conveniently overlooked by those selling services. You will not find failure rates or the harmful impacts highlighted in brochures or on clinic websites.
There is big money to be made in selling dreams of parenthood. A report by Allied Analytics LLP estimates that the net worth of the IVF market at the end of 2012 was US $9.3 billion, a figure that is estimated to increase to $21.6 billion by 2020.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Apart from all of the above, the very big consideration is what effect this has on the psychological development of the embryo/baby.  There is much evidence on the importance of how a baby is conceived, grown and birthed, and the imprinting that occurs from conception,  that sets a pattern forever in the child’s mind.  So in an ideal world, if we want to improve humanity on every level, we need to be creating our babies out of love and from a spiritual idea of inviting a new soul into our world.  Nature cannot be replicated.  It appears that no-one is looking at the long term psychological ramifications of a baby being conceived in this way.

The 2015 Federal Budget announced on 12th May 2015

Compared to past years the 2015 Federal Budget was quite light in content and posed no real hidden surprises.
For families the major change has been around the announcement of a new Child Care Subsidy which will replace the existing Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate.  Many families will be better off under this new Subsidy, but it also comes with the Government’s controversial “no jab no pay” policy which effectively compels child immunisation.
You should note that at this stage nothing announced in the Budget is certain.  Virtually all measures announced will still need legislation to be introduced, and will have to pass through Parliament.

Summary

It will no longer be possible to claim both the full Government and employer provided parental leave payments.
Many lower income young families will benefit from greater childcare subsidies.
Families choosing not to vaccinate their children will miss out on childcare subsidies and family benefits.

Parental Leave Pay

Currently individuals are able to access both Government Paid Parental Leave, as well as any employer provided parental leave entitlements. From 1 July 2016, the Government will remove the ability to claim the full amount of both the Government payment and employer benefits. If the payment from your employer is greater than the Government scheme, which is paid at the minimum wage for 18 weeks, no Government payment will be available. If your employer payment is less, you can receive a Government top up

Child care

The Government has announced a comprehensive package of reforms intended to provide a simpler, more affordable, flexible and accessible child care system.  The reforms include a new Child Care Subsidy that will replace the current Child Care Benefit, Child Care Rebate and Jobs, Education and Training Child Care Fee Assistance programs from 1 July 2017.
Eligibility for the new Child Care Subsidy will be based on an activity test and a means test. Families with incomes of up to $60,000 (in 2013/14 dollars) will be eligible for a Child Care Subsidy of 85 per cent of the lesser of the actual child care fees and a benchmark price per child. The subsidy rate will reduce to 50 per cent for families with income of $165,000 and above.  The subsidy amount will be capped at $10,000 per child for families with income of $180,000 and above. No cap will apply for family incomes of less than $180,000.  See table below which sets out the levels of support depending on family income:

Annual family income  Subsidy per child Cap

Up to $65,000 85% of fee paid n/a
$65,000 – $170,000 Will taper gradually from 85% down to 50% n/a
$170,000 – $185,000 50% of fee paid n/a
Over $185,000 50% of fee paid $10,000 per annum

A new activity test will be established (see table below), with what comprises an activity yet to be announced.
Activity
(hours per fortnight) Number of subsidised hours
(per fortnight)
8 16 Up to 36 hours
17 48 Up to 72 hours
49+ Up to 100 hours
Those families earning less than $65,000 per annum who do not meet the activity test will continue to be entitled to up to 24 subsidised hours per fortnight.
Hourly fee caps, indexed to CPI, will apply. Child care payments will be subject to stronger immunisation requirements.

Other measures include a two year pilot programme to extend subsidy support for home care services provided by nannies* and a **child care safety net for disadvantaged families.

*The Government will provide support to families who struggle to access affordable child care services when working, studying or looking for work by establishing a $246 million two year pilot programme to extend subsidy support to home care services provided by nannies.
Proposed date of effect: 1 January 2016
The programme will extend financial assistance to participating families who:
have difficulty obtaining child care due to irregular working hours (eg shift workers) are in rural or remote areas, or have other accessibility issues.
Support will be subject to a fee cap of $7.00 per child per hour.
Care will be provided for up to 50 hours per week, which is the same as the current child care benefit.  Families must meet the programme requirements and earn less than $250,000 per annum. The programme requirements are yet to be released.
Nannies will need to be attached to an approved service, be 18 years or older, have a current ‘Working with Children’ check and have first aid qualification. There will be no requirement to hold a minimum early childhood qualification

**The Government will also provide additional funding of $327.7 million over four years from 2015-16 to provide targeted support to disadvantaged or vulnerable families through a new Child Care Safety Net.

Our guest blog by Maria Dyson, Senior financial Planner, www.omniwealth.com.au

What exactly is hypnosis?

The doorway to success in hypnosis is the Subconscious Mind.
Your subconscious mind not only holds information that is outside your consciousness, but it also manages sensations and body functions.  It keeps your heart beating, your blood circulating, your digestion working and your lymph system operating, and makes your eyes blink without your conscious awareness.
Pioneering work from people like Dr. Deepak Chopra, and scientists, now realise the full extent of the Mind/Body connection.  Not only does information from the Mind affect the body, but there is now scientific evidence that your mental processes, mental states, and mental behaviours affect all the cells in your body, all the time.
TRANCE is the state in which hypnosis takes place.  It is also a state we frequently enter, in the normal course of a day.
Hypnosis allows us to begin reaching the subconscious mind and utilising the mind/body connection.

How Does Hypnosis Work?

While hypnosis is often described as a sleep-like trance state, it is better described as a state characterized by focused attention and heightened imagination.

The value of experiencing trance and being hypnotised lies in the power to heal our own bodies and the power to create changes in our lives.

It is most often compared to daydreaming, or the feeling of “losing yourself” in a book or movie. You are fully conscious, but you tune out most of the stimuli around you. You focus intently on the subject at hand, to the near exclusion of any other thought.

In this special mental state, people feel very  relaxed. This is because they tune out the worries and doubts that normally keep their actions in check. You might experience the same feeling while watching a movie: As you get engrossed in the plot, worries about your job, family, etc. fade away, until all you’re thinking about is what’s up on the screen.
In this state, you are also highly suggestible.

What Effects Does Hypnosis Have?

The experience of hypnosis can vary dramatically from one person to another. Some hypnotised individuals report feeling a sense of detachment or extreme relaxation during the hypnotic state, while others even feel that their actions seem to occur outside of their consciousness
Other individuals may remain fully aware and able to carry out conversations while under hypnosis.
Experiments by researcher Ernest Hilgard demonstrated how hypnosis can be used to dramatically alter perceptions. After instructing a hypnotised individual to not feel pain in his or her arm, the participant’s arm was then placed in ice water. While non-hypnotised individuals had to remove their arm from the water after a few seconds due to the pain, the hypnotised individuals were able to leave their arms in the ice water for several minutes without experiencing pain.

What Can Hypnosis Be Used For?

Hypnosis can be used for many different conditions, where there is pain, anxiety, stress, addictions and fears.
In particular, I specialise in preconception, infertility, pregnancy, labour, birthing and early parenting.  I use hypnosis very successfully in debriefing a traumatic birthing experience, allowing women and their babies to heal the trauma and an often difficult mother/child relationship.  There are many, many fears and anxieties associated with pregnancy and birthing and our Inside Birth® prenatal program is extremely effective in deleting fears and replacing with beautiful and positive imagery.

Can You Be Hypnotised?

While many people think that they cannot be hypnotised, research has shown that a large number of people are more hypnotisable than they believe.
Majority of people are very responsive to hypnosis.
Children tend to be more responsive to hypnosis.
Approximately ten percent of adults are considered difficult or impossible to hypnotise.
People who can become easily absorbed in fantasies are much more responsive to hypnosis.

Hypnosis Myths

Myth 1:   When you wake up from hypnosis, you won’t remember anything that happened when you were hypnotised.
While amnesia may occur in very rare cases, people generally remember everything that occurred while they were hypnotised.
Myth 2:   You can be hypnotised against your will.
Despite stories about people being hypnotised without their consent, hypnosis requires voluntary participation on the part of the patient.
Myth 3:   The hypnotist has complete control of your actions while you’re under hypnosis.
While people often feel that their actions under hypnosis seem to occur without the influence of their will, a hypnotist cannot make you perform actions that are against your values or morals.
Myth 4:  Hypnosis can make you super-strong, fast or athletically talented.
While hypnosis can be used to enhance performance, it cannot make people stronger or more athletic than their existing physical capabilities

What Lies Underneath

Hypnosis is a way to access a person’s subconscious mind directly. Normally, you are only aware of the thought processes in your conscious mind.
But in doing all these things, your conscious mind is working hand-in-hand with your subconscious mind, the unconscious part of your mind that does your “behind the scenes” thinking. Your subconscious mind accesses the vast reservoir of information that lets you solve problems, construct sentences or locate your keys. It puts together plans and ideas and runs them by your conscious mind. When a new idea comes to you out of the blue, it’s because you already thought through the process unconsciously.

Your subconscious also takes care of all the stuff you do automatically. You don’t actively work through the steps of breathing minute to minute — your subconscious mind does that. You don’t think through every little thing you do while driving a car — a lot of the small stuff is thought out in your subconscious mind. Your subconscious also processes the physical information your body receives.
In short, your subconscious mind is the real brains behind the operation — it does most of your thinking, and it decides a lot of what you do. When you’re awake, your conscious mind works to evaluate a lot of these thoughts, make decisions and put certain ideas into action. It also processes new information and relays it to the subconscious mind. But when you’re asleep, the conscious mind gets out of the way, and your subconscious has free reign.

Pregnancy and Birthing

The subconscious mind has absorbed and imprinted all the information a woman has received, throughout her life, about pregnancy and birthing.  Unfortunately, the majority of that information is very negative.  This is why so many women have so many fears about birthing.  Through hypnosis we can easily turn this around into an enjoyable, positive and empowering experience for a woman and her baby just as nature intended.

TATTOOS IN PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

Coffee shop scene

Very funny scene in the coffee shop this morning.  Woman breastfeeding her 9mth old baby, just beautiful.  Young guy comes into coffee shop, she obviously knows him, and whilst continuing with her feeding, asks young guy (now bright red, extremely embarrassed and not able to make eye contact) about a tattoo.  He awkwardly states it’s best to wait until after stopping breastfeeding.  Others in coffee shop, now taking an interest in conversation.  Young guy, clearly the local tattooist, now a deeper shade of red.  Baby still on/off breast (as they do at 9mths.)  Mother oblivious to general embarrassment and concern by coffee shop customers.  Finally young guy grabbed his take away coffee no doubt never to be seen again in that coffee shop.  Gotta love a breastfeeding Mum who has her head in the clouds of rushing hormones.

So Is It Safe?

Getting a tattoo in pregnancy is not a good idea. The skin changes and stretches as the pregnancy grows, and after pregnancy your tattoo will definitely look different.
If you want to get a tattoo during pregnancy, the recommendation is to wait three months after pregnancy due to the known risks the ink or dye could have on your unborn baby. Other risks could be infection, Hepatitis B or C or possibly HIV, if proper health and safety regulations are not followed correctly.
Natural henna is an alternative that is much safer. Although they are not permanent, henna tattoos can still have the same fun affect. Natural henna is “earthy” tones that stain the skin and can last for several weeks.
It is important to know when getting a henna tattoo that natural henna is not available in black.  Black henna is not natural nor is it safe for anyone to use. Black henna contains para-phenylendiamine (PPD), which is the chemical that is common in permanent hair dyes. PPD can cause burns and blister that can be difficult to diagnose and treatment could last for several months.
Same applies during breastfeeding.  The main risk, is infection.  So if you are really desperate to get some ink during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding, think carefully and maybe save it up for when you have finished breastfeeding.

FULL MOON ENERGY AND BIRTHING

Menstruation and ovulation more or less follow a 28-day lunar cycle, so why can’t childbirth be somehow part of this cycle as well?
It’s certainly a widely held belief. It goes back so far, it’s unclear where it first took hold, but there are many people around the world have a deep faith in the moon’s ability to affect human physiology. Giving birth is just one human behaviour said to be affected by the full moon. Conception and fertility have also been linked to moon phases; and then there are the entirely non-pregnancy related behaviours, like homicide rates, suicide rates, emergency room admissions and outbreaks of insanity. Supposedly, all of these things increase on a full moon. Oh, and don’t forget werewolf-ism.
It’s called the lunar effect, and, as far as births are concerned, the primary explanation for the effect focuses on the moon’s gravitational pull. It basically states that much the way the moon’s gravity controls the tides, it can control a woman’s body. After all, the human body is 80 percent water.

But does it have an effect on kick starting labour?

If you were to judge by word of mouth alone, it would seem as if the lunar effect was a sure thing. According to believers, one need only conduct a survey in a hospital to prove the connection between full moons and childbirth.

Research

Whilst there are some studies, like an analysis of 37 years of data in France, 1968-2005, (Arthur Charpentier, PhD)  which demonstrated a statistically significant influence of the lunar cycles on birthing, there are others which do not show a significant change.    From a research perspective, it surely must be very difficult to measure.  Sometimes the best research comes from consistent reports, on the ground, from midwives, doctors and doulas, who have many stories to tell about how busy birthing centres are on a full moon.
Having worked as a midwife and a doula for about 40yrs. I can definitely attest to the overwhelming busyness of a birthing unit on a full moon.

What’s unique about the Full Moon time?

Many people feel the energetic buzz of the Full Moon. What’s cool to note, is that it always means the Sun and Moon are in opposite Zodiac signs.  It’s a super charged time, but also one of balance. The solar yang and the lunar yin are in harmony.
The full moon is a time of positive opportunity if you use it correctly.  It can increase your positive energy or conversely, it can wreak havoc on your emotions.

Since the full moon pours down a tremendous amount of energy, you must be in a calm state of mind to receive a positive effect.  Remember that whatever is going on in your body, mind and spirit will be amplified.  So why not use this energy to your advantage.

4 simple tips for pregnant women due around a full moon

1.  WALK – Go for a long walk, in the moonlight, with your partner and ‘feel’ the full moon energy
2.  LIE ON GROUND – Weather permitting, lie on the ground, and enjoy the full moon rays absorbing into your pregnant body
3.  MEDITATION –  For all those meditators, this is an ideal time to sit quietly, in full view of your Full Moon and focus deeply on connecting with your unborn baby
4. VISUALISATION – If you are not used to meditating, then take time to visualise the gravitational pull, working on bring your baby down and out into the world.

 

PREGNANCY MASSAGE

Is pregnancy massage different?

Yes, it is different from a general massage when not pregnant.  Make sure you find a recommended pregnancy massage specialist, who knows which pressure points to avoid, during pregnancy.  The therapist must also be aware of the baby’s needs and reactions.
Book a couples massage and enjoy this emotional connection, taking time out to nurture the 3 of you!

But I can’t even lie on my tummy?

Body position during prenatal massage is important in order to maximise the effectiveness of the massage and to fully gain its benefits. Many health and massage professionals recommend a side-lying position for pregnant women during massage.

Current research supports the use of standard massage tables, rather than those which have a hole cut out to accommodate the pregnant belly. “Cut outs” can allow the abdomen to dangle unsupported and cause stretching of the uterine ligaments. However if cut out tables or pillows are used, these should not be utilised for extended periods of time e.g. 10-15 minutes is the maximum recommended timeframe.

Lying on your back is not recommended past the first trimester so your positioning will be restricted to side lying. The massage therapist should have a range of pillows and foam cut-outs to support your belly and avoid extra muscular strain.

Benefits of pregnancy massage:

• When done effectively, has been proven to reduce stress hormones within a pregnant woman’s body
• There is often an improvement in general mood following a massage.
• Pregnant women often find a massage rejuvenates their energy because it gives them an opportunity to rest and completely relax.
• For some, it may relieve nausea and heartburn.
• Relieves the everyday discomforts of pregnancy such as an aching neck, sore back, and heaviness in the pelvic bones, leg cramps, swelling of the ankles and feet and oedema (fluid retention).
• Leads to muscle relaxation and relief of joint pain. Pregnancy massage can be particularly helpful for women who experience sciatic nerve pain.
• Pregnancy massage can provide an opportunity for women to completely stop what they are doing and focus on the pleasure of having someone else do something just for them.
• Improved sleep due to feeling less muscle tension and generally less uncomfortable.

When to avoid having a pregnancy massage:

• If your midwife or doctor have advised against it.
• Some massage therapists have a policy of not doing pregnancy massages within the first trimester of a woman’s pregnancy. This is because of the increased risk for miscarriage in the first 12 weeks of gestation.
• If you are in a high risk pregnancy category or have previously had a premature labour.
• If you have PIH (pregnancy induced high blood pressure)
• If you have pre-eclampsia, or sudden swelling with retention of fluid. If you experience severe headaches.

Karen Hyams offers a mobile pregnancy massage service, where she will come to your home – very indulgent
Karen combines a variety of techniques which are both gentle and effective.
They are soothing and relaxing, whilst also working deep to
enhance your body’s natural ability to adjust and heal itself.

What is craniosacral therapy?

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle bodywork practice that employs a light touch to correct and harmonise the craniosacral system. The craniosacral system includes the
bones of the head (cranium), the dura mater (the connective tissue surrounding the brain), the spinal dura (the connective tissue surrounding the spinal cord) and the
sacrum.
The goal of craniosacral therapy is to release and correct restrictions in the craniosacral system, to promote functioning of the central nervous system and flow of the
cerebral spinal fluid.
It can be very effective in dealing with stress related headaches and lumbar pain or sacro iliac issues relating to posture, pregnancy or birth trauma.

Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy used to treat somatic dysfunction and accompanying pain and restriction of motion.
Gentle pressure is applied and stretching to the connective tissue of various parts of the body which, when inflammed over a long period, can thicken and cause pain, irritation and further inflammation.
Each client receives a combination of remedial or relaxation massage of these techniques and depends on what your body requires and what you enjoy.

Contact Karen:  0419 945 649

www.karencomestoyou.com.au

WOMB SCHOOLING
Parenting begins at conception, and ideally, BEFORE.   The womb school is arguably the most important education all BABIES receive.
Conception, growing in the womb, birthing, bonding and the beginning experiences for the baby, shapes its life in all areas including mental, physical, social, emotional and spiritual.
The study of prenatal and perinatal psychology is understanding what our earliest beginnings are and in what way they affect us.
Parents need to begin active parenting at conception as babies in the womb are developing more rapidly than previously thought possible.
From as early as the second month of pregnancy, experiments and observations reveal an active prenate with a rapidly developing sensory system permitting exquisite sensitivity and responsiveness. Long before the development of advanced brain structures, prenates are seen interacting with each other and learning from experience. They seem especially interested in the larger environment provided by their Mum and Dad, and react to individual voices, stories, music, and even simple interaction games with parents.
UTERINE ENVIRONMENT is determined mainly by parents. The opportunities for parents to form a relationship with the baby in the womb are significant and remarkable. Only a decade ago it was thought that prenates did not have the capacity to interact, remember, learn, or put meaning to their experiences.  Women were told that talking to their baby in utero was useless. Now there is mounting evidence for memory and learning in utero and for extraordinary communication before the stage of language.  There are also many personal stories shared by children and adults about their experiences before birth.
Memory is the quintessence of human experience without which we cannot make progress, cannot learn from experience, and cannot develop a personal identity. Learning and memory are interlocked: learning depends on memory, and learning is evidence of memory.
Psychology traditionally placed the beginnings of memory at about age three because few people have conscious recall of events before that time. However, an accumulating volume of research demonstrates memory in the first years of life and in the prenatal period as well. Some children spontaneously recall birth events (even secrets) but expression of these memories is delayed until they can speak. Before they use words they can express their memories non-verbally by drawing pictures, acting out scenes using pantomime, pointing to body locations, and by providing authentic sound effects for equipment (like suction devices) used at the birth. These children warn us that early memory and learning are real.
Babies can learn their mother’s emotional state. Experiments in Australia revealed that unborn babies were participating in the emotional upset of their mothers watching a disturbing 20-minute segment of a Hollywood movie. When briefly re-exposed to this film up to three months after birth, they still showed recognition of the earlier experience. Studies of a thousand babies whose mothers had experienced various degrees of depression during pregnancy themselves displayed depression at birth and in proportion to the depression scores of their mothers.
An important message of these diverse findings is that memory and learning seem to be a natural part of being human, including the first nine months in the womb and the years of infancy, defined as the time before speech. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that life in the womb is extremely active and interactive and the womb is, in fact, a classroom.
The 20th Century was a time of momentous change in childbirth. We must not overlook the lessons of this extraordinary period in the history of birth.
From the beginning of human birth until very recently–a span of millions of years–babies were born at home with the assistance of an experienced relative or midwife. Women supported other women in birthing. Suddenly, in the 20th century, the situation was reversed: birth away from home, without family, in hospitals, and under the supervision of men!
As a result, women lost intimate knowledge and confidence about giving birth, and the innate quality of birthing was radically changed.
The psychological problems created by this new way of birthing, have been dramatic. Babies born in hospitals found themselves in a high-tech environment that was too cold, too noisy, too bright, and too big for them. Handling of babies was efficient but aggressive, pain was inflicted routinely; babies were separated–or isolated–from their mothers, while caregivers introduced the babies to bottles instead of breasts! Medical priorities were different from, and often in conflict with those of mothers, fathers, and babies. The majority belief among medical professionals was that babies came into the world with no sense of pain, no real emotion, and no real mind to interpret anything happening to them. This tragic miscalculation still taints the rituals of obstetrical birth in many parts of the world today.
Pregnancy powerfully shapes families, attitudes, and self-esteem. In our technological culture, pregnancy is still treated as a disease rather than a natural experience of healthy women. This continued medicalization of birth has deep psychological consequences. Authorities–doctors, midwives, and childbirth educators–who exercise influence over birthing practices–can easily intimidate and undermine the natural authority of women to give birth in freedom, fully informed, in locations they choose, and with caregivers they prefer.
Those who work in the area of perinatal and prenatal psychology have acquired the conviction that any violence which greets a baby in the womb or around the time of birth will serve as a silent and unconscious form of conditioning which acts like a template for future relationships. This conditioning–depending upon its frequency and severity–can affect a person’s physical and mental health for decades to come.
Ironically, in modern hospital birth, violence and pain have become routine for babies! For most of the last hundred years, neither obstetricians nor psychologists regarded pain as a reality for newborns. Consequently, doctors working with babies have not hesitated to expose them to harsh environmental conditions which violated their senses and routinely upset them using painful instruments and protocols. Nor have they hesitated to use powerful chemicals in the form of drugs and anaesthetics. All these sharp departures from what normally happened at a home birth have profoundly altered the experience of birth for recent generations of babies. During this time period babies have never been silent. It is virtually universal for them to protest being jabbed with needles for blood samples or vitamin K shots, to react against abrupt manipulations like being held upside down by the feet, rushed through space, or handled by a series of strangers. Their skin is extremely sensitive (and, indeed, serves as a powerful form of communication) so it should be no surprise that they show their dislike for being roughly rubbed and “cleaned” and are known for their trademark screams and cries at birth! These so-called birth professionals have been making babies angry, afraid, defensive, sad, and disoriented–for the greater part of a century since medical management of birth became the “norm”.
Our Inside Birth® prenatal program offers solutions.  Go back to basics and get in touch with your true birthing power.  Look Inside and SEE you will be amazed about the beautiful connection you can have with your baby during pregnancy.  This early parenting relationship will show you how to enjoy your labour and birthing, working with your baby and connecting on a level that is beyond words.  You will feel so comfortable because you and baby will have a deep understanding of each other birth will flow, easily and gently to the very special meeting on the Outside.
Make it happen!  Book today classes in the Blue Mountains and Marrickville.
Ref:  ‘windows to the womb’ by David Chamberlain

8 TIPS FOR MEDITATION

Is it difficult to find the time and peace to meditate?

100 years ago, meditation was associated with religion, and for the most part, only monks and yogis practiced it.  Today, meditation has become a spiritual practice easily accessible to anyone.
You do not need to sit for many hours in lotus position.

Here are 8 cool tips you can use to enhance your meditation quickly and effectively.

1.  Meditation Apps –  these apps make it easy to find and enjoy a guided meditation, or just some soothing meditation music, anywhere, anytime.

2. Brainwave Entrainment –  getting into a meditative state can be frustrating, especially when your mind is racing with dramas and worries.  The brain naturally falls into rhythm with audio stimuli:  in this case, the same frequency generated by the brain in a meditative state.  Entrainment is not new.  Ancient civilizations used the hypnotic effects of rhythmic drumming and chanting to elicit a trance-like state.  Once you get into meditation with brainwave entrainment, you meditate effortlessly.  Brainwave entrainment does the work for you, letting you use meditation as a tool for relaxing and spiritual connection.

3. Meditation Audio Tracks  –  it’s often helpful to have someone guide you through a meditation, helping you create the right mental images and moods.  These days, we can have access to some of the best spiritual teachers in the world through their recordings.

4. Meditation Centres  –  most cities and regional centres offer meditation classes.  This is a great way to begin, or to enjoy the power of combined energies.

5. Catnap with a cool compress –  many talk about ‘blowing off steam’ in the physical sense, but it’s also important  to release emotional ‘steam’.  So set a timer for 10 or 15 mins., lie down with a cool, washcloth over your eyes.  Visualise the ‘heat’ dissolving and focus your thoughts on just one positive dream or intention, and visualise this positive thought in the shape of a cool breeze.   Great opportunity to reboot during the day.  Limit your time to no longer than 15mins. and you will wake refreshed and re-energised.

6. Walking mindfulness meditation  –  focus on the physical experience of walking and your surroundings.  Whenever your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the present moment.  Walking releases stress.

7. Walking mantra meditation  –  chant a mantra (a word or phrase or affirmation), as you walk, exercise or do household chores.

8. Singing meditation  –  do not underestimate the power of singing.  Singing in a choir has been scientifically proven to lower stress, relieve anxiety and elevate endorphins and oxytocin.  I can endorse this as I travel 35mins. each fortnight to sing in a fabulous choir.  Sometimes dragging myself there, with very little energy at the end of the day, because I know, that after 2 hrs. of singing, I feel relaxed, free and on top of the world.

THE SICK SALE
We are being SOLD SICKNESS.
The upcoming NSW state election, as in most elections, focuses on the health policy.  How much money will be spent on health?  What is the health policy?  How many new hospitals will be built, old ones improved and upgraded?  How much new equipment will be given?  How will staff patient ratio increases?  How can we decrease hospital surgical waiting times?
THIS SO CALLED HEALTH POLICY IS THE WRONG NAME.  IT SHOULD BE THE ‘SICK POLICY’.
Baird pledges to continue to vigorously take on the federal government to get a better deal on health.
“The biggest challenge facing this state and the nation is health funding”, states Mike Baird.
Luke Foley wants to spend more money on paramedics and both promise to increase hospital beds, decrease waiting times etc. etc. etc.  It’s the same old debate and promises with each election, state and federal.
But it is very odd that it is called a ‘health policy’ or ‘health budget’ as it has nothing to do with HEALTH and everything to do with the promotion of SICKNESS.
The debate is sold as nothing more than hospital waiting times, lists, and hospital bed capacity, each political party trying to outdo their opponent by promising more beds, less waiting time.  It is a government obsession, with the focus on each election about the health promises, because politicians believe, wrongly, that it will buy votes.
Then there are the advertisements on radio and television that sell the importance of private health insurance.  Others are much more blatant, promoting drugs for various forms of pain and suffering.  We now have add’s promoting the benefits of ‘natural’ products from ‘natural’ practitioners to cure most illnesses.
And don’t get me started on how ‘sickness’ and fears about what can go wrong, is sold to pregnant women.
According to a report from AIHW (Australian Instiitute & Welfare)  “In 201213, $55.9 billion was spent on hospitals in Australia, $52.9 billion on primary health care and $29.9 billion on other areas of health spending. A further $8.6 billion was spent on capital expenditure. All funders increased their expenditure on hospitals between 200203 and 201213; however, growth in state and territory government funding ($10.6 billion) was almost double that of the Australian Government ($5.4 billion). Primary health care spending is shared relatively evenly between Australian Government (about 43.0%) and non-government sources (about 41.0%), with the states and territories playing a relatively small role, over the same period.”  These are mind-boggling numbers!
“Demand  for health services is expected to grow rapidly as Australia’s ageing population increasingly relies on the health system for care. Between 2010 and 2050, the number of people aged 65 to 84 is expected to more than double and those aged 85 and over to more than quadruple. Given these pressures, Government spending on many health programmes will continue to grow at an unsustainable rate unless fundamental changes are made.”  According to government website
It is extraordinary statements like the one above, among many others, that make me cringe.  The very notion that we are all EXPECTED to become sick and use these services is quite unbelievable.
We are constantly being sold that it is a ‘given’ that we will all get sick and need help and services from hospitals, doctors, and other health professionals.
It seems to be a routine question on many forms, who is your GP?  Some, find that an extraordinary question, but most people think that it is essential to have a GP, because we are constantly sold the message that you will get sick at some time during your life and you must have a GP.
The health budget demands will continue to rise and become unsustainable unless we turn this around and learn to THINK differently:

• It is normal to be healthy and abnormal to be sick
• Living a healthy lifestyle is normal
• Eating healthy food is normal
• Exercise is normal
• Take responsibility for your own health and wellbeing.  Do you really want someone else to be in charge of your body and have to rely on that person to make you healthy?

So I want you to think outside the square, for just a moment and have a discussion with friends and family about the following:

• What would happen if we closed some hospitals?
• What would happen if we reduced the number of beds in some hospitals?
• What would happen if we reduced the number of G.P’s and their services?
• What would happen if we promoted that birth is a normal event and does not need expensive medical intervention?
• What would happen if we stopped drug companies funding much medical research?

Well, the world would not come to an end!
It would simply, over time, change people’s attitudes and way of thinking about health.  It is not normal to have so much sickness in a community, with so much conversation focused on medical stuff.  These specialised services should be reserved, for the very few, in the rare event, that they become sick.
If we want to reduce health spending, and we should, then we need to have a radical shift in our thinking about health.  The sick debate needs to be turned upside down.

The core matters for attention is an attitude change encouragement to take pride in a healthy body, rejoicing in increased emotional and physical well-being, and therefore enjoying increased productivity in all aspects of living.
Adults will have to work at this as they have had many years of brainwashing about sickness but the best place to start is with pregnancy.  In fact, beginning before conception, with good preconception care, to create the best quality sperm and egg, is ideal.  During pregnancy, attend as many of our Inside Birth® classes as possible to learn how to imprint many positive ideas and thoughts in your unborn baby, allowing them the privilege of being born in a healthy, positive and beautiful environment and to begin their life journey with physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual good health.
For preconception care contact:  Jane Ainsworth, Natural Therapist, 0418 450 921 or e: jane@trinityhealthandfitness.com.au
For all things pregnant and birthing contact:  Susan Ross, Birth Right, 0419 606 171 or e: susan@birthright.com.au

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2015
It is the 40th anniversary of International Women’s Day.
I want to pay particular attention to all women who are mothers.  Maybe you are currently pregnant, and just beginning the process of becoming a new mother, or perhaps you are birthing around this time, or have teenage or adult children and grandchildren.
Mothers are special women who deserve special attention for we are creating the future of this country.  We are bringing new people into a busy, crazy, challenging, exciting, and somewhat unsafe world.
What do we need to be saying to our children, both boys and girls about being a woman?
What does it mean in 2015 in Australia?
Women in the Workforce
‘Last year, under Australia’s leadership, G20 leaders committed to closing the workforce participation gap between men and women by 25% by 2025. This landmark commitment recognised the opportunity that women’s workforce participation presents around the world and the damage that continued underutilisation was having on global growth and the perpetuation of gender inequality.’
This really does seem extraordinary.  Surely history will look back on this with disbelief that in 2015 we don’t have equality in many work places.
‘Around the world, women and girls continue to be vulnerable, experiencing poverty at higher rates than men and boys. The International Labour Organisation estimates that the Asia and Pacific region is losing between $42 and $47 billion annually because of women’s limited access to employment opportunities. In Australia, women continue to earn less than men and are over-represented in low-paying sectors such as childcare and retail.’
Birthing in Australia in 2015
Are pregnant and birthing women being offered the best care?  Has it changed, for the better, for our mothers and babies?
Almost one-third of all births in Australia are now caesareans, according to the latest mothers and babies report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
The report states that the overall caesarean rate has reached 32.3% and 49% for women aged over 40 yrs.
If you were to look at individual caesarean rates, particularly by private obstetricians in private hospitals the statistics would be even more horrifying for Australia in 2015.  Some private hospitals have 50-60% caesarean rates, which is outrageous.
The caesarean section rate in Australia remains among the highest in the world, with the average rate for OECD countries at 25%.
Many thousands of women are having unnecessary medical interventions in private hospitals, with strong incentives for obstetricians to schedule elective caesarean’s and induction of labour, so they can better manage their workload.  They are also terrified of litigation, which, of course, is on the increase, being directly related to the increase in medical interventions.
So many studies, so many statistics, but it is much more than just the statistical increase in medical interventions.  It is about women and how they are treated.  I have been in this business for about 40yrs and think I can no longer be ‘surprised’ by what women are being told about birthing.  BUT I AM!
Case study:  Emily, visiting her private obstetrician and booked into a private hospital, was shocked at her 38wk check-up, when told that as her baby had not engaged in the pelvis at this late stage, and now unlikely to happen, he strongly suggested they just go straight to the elective caesarean (he happened to have a free spot on his theatre list for next week!)
Thankfully Emily discovered doulas, albeit at a late stage, and went into labour naturally at 40wks., laboured at home with the support of a doula, arrived at hospital fully dilated and birthed her baby, beautifully, on a mat on the floor, 1.5hrs. after arrival.
Emily was angry that she was “conned” potentially and blatantly lied to.  Her obstetrician informed her that she was just lucky!
Sarah at 32 wks. took her carefully worded birth plan to her obstetrician, who tossed it aside, informing her that he takes no notice of birth plans because she just needed to trust him, afterall “I’m the captain of this ship”.
I hear many, many stories such as these.  They are appalling.  They are bullying, of the worst kind.  They are diminishing.  But most of all, they are shocking examples of discrimination to women and their babies.  These women are intelligent, articulate and in any other aspect of their life are assertive, strong and have the ability to make sure they are on the right path.  But not so, it seems, with pregnancy and birthing,  such is the nature of the bullying tactics along with threatening language around putting baby at risk.
A WORD ABOUT DOCTORS AND BIRTHING
The definition of a doctor:  ‘A person who is qualified to treat people who are ill’
So if you are a doctor, and a pregnant woman presents to you, stating she wants a normal birth, without any medical interference, this inevitably becomes quite challenging for the doctor.  He is trained to ‘treat’ to intervene, to ‘fix’ to ‘make it better’.
I once had a private obstetrician in a private hospital confide in me that he felt the ‘need’ to medically intervene in a birth, to justify earning his fee!
I want all women to truly understand that being pregnant, birthing a baby and becoming a mother are NORMAL events.  As women, this is what we are designed to do.  There is nothing that needs ‘treatment’ or ‘fixing’.
So on International Women’s Day, in 2015, I want everyone to embrace supporting pregnant women in a positive way.
How?
Let’s start with changing the language.  I believe if more positive language is used to pregnant and birthing women, it is a good beginning to change community attitudes.
Many, don’t think about the impact of what they are saying, will have on a new mother.  If you have not had a wonderful birthing experience then own that, it is yours, and organise a birth debrief (details on our website).
Next time you are having a conversation with a pregnant woman, think about how truly amazing this woman is, for she is the most important person in the community, creating and growing a new person.
She is to be admired, congratulated and should be treated as a VSP (very special person)
Tell her that birthing a baby is the most wonderful and empowering time in her life.  Embrace and enjoy the experience.
High caesarean section rates will only change if we eliminate the medicalised fear that is ‘sold’ to women and support our pregnant community in a positive and respectful way.
I hope that on International Women’s Day, in the not too distant future, we are rejoicing at our ‘normal’ birthing rates.

 

CONTROLLED CRYING!
What an extraordinary term and label.  I encourage you to think about it for just a moment..
So a baby has been conceived with love and a unique and beautiful connection begins with his Mum particularly, as she is carrying him, and also his Dad  This baby responds to all his Mum’s emotions and feelings during pregnancy, he enjoys her touch, from the outside, falls in love with her and Dad’s voice, especially when it involves reading in a rhythmical tone, maybe a poem, or singing, and  playing music.
THE CONNECTION, the absolute physical, emotional and spiritual connection continues for at least 40 weeks with the laying down of important imprinting which will shape his future.
How he enters the world is very important, as he transitions from his calm, secure and supported world, in utero, to the outside environment.  This is why a waterbirth for a baby is a very gentle entry, from one water medium to another, easing him into this strange new world.  I encourage women to be the only one who touches baby, scoop him from the water into your arms, so that his gentle birth is not interrupted by a stranger.
It takes a newborn a very long time to integrate into our world.  It is a huge assault on all his senses different smells, sounds, lights, touch, – and baby needs to be given time, peace and quiet, to adapt, slowly and gently.  He needs to feel the closeness of his parents, particularly his mother, to feel safe and secure to help him adapt.
So how is it that in our western society, the expectation, so commonly prescribed, that a baby will immediately have the capacity to understand what is expected of him and to neatly fit into his parent’s routine.
The brain and nervous system is extremely immature at birth.  Human babies are the most immature of primates, with only 25% of their brain volume.

Professor James J. McKenna is recognized as the world’s leading authority on mother-infant co-sleeping, in relationship to breastfeeding and SIDS.  He states:
“Irrepressible (ancient) neurologically-based infant responses to maternal smells, movements and touch altogether reduce infant crying while positively regulating infant breathing, body temperature, absorption of calories, stress hormone levels, immune status, and oxygenation. In short, co-sleeping (whether on the same surface or not) facilitates positive clinical changes including more infant sleep and seems to make, well, babies happy. In other words, unless practiced dangerously, sleeping next to mother is good for infants.

This represents a uniquely human characteristic that could only develop biologically (indeed, is only possible) alongside mother’s continuous contact and proximityas mothers body proves still to be the only environment to which the infant is truly adapted, for which even modern western technology has yet to produce a substitute.” Given a choice, it seems human babies strongly prefer their mother’s body to solitary contact with inert cotton-lined mattresses. In turn, mothers seem to notice and succumb to their infant’s preferences”.

Having a baby is a lifestyle change!  That’s so easy to say, and not many prenatal classes delve into what this actually means, so it is understandable that many parents want to continue their ‘normal’ routine and expect a baby to ‘fit in’.  But what a baby needs is very different.  They need to feel secure and safe and the best way to grow a developmentally secure and independent adult, is to start in utero and continue the wonderful, close connection on the outside.

At our Inside Birth courses you will learn about connecting with your baby in utero, the importance of how he is born, and how to embrace the changes from Inside to Outside.  You will know why babies cry it is their only way of communicating and how to read those cues.
Where your baby sleeps is important.  I highly recommend Professor McKenna’s book “Sleeping with your baby” which will give the new parent wonderful insight into understanding the capacity of your baby’s brain and thinking.

Is it not crazy to believe that a baby who has grown in utero for 40 weeks, with such exquisite connection with his Mum, should then be suddenly separated, and placed in something called a cot?  Of course they will cry for they have lost their Mum.  How frightening this must be for a baby.
The proponents of ‘controlled crying’ have no knowledge or understanding of these facts.  Of course, nobody wants to be sleep deprived, BUT you must expect some sleep disturbances.  The low calorie composition of breastmilk, beautifully adjusted for the baby’s underdeveloped gut, requires frequent feeding, especially at night.

My recommendations:

• Get to know your baby on the Inside (suggest our Inside Birth course)
• Hire a doula, who can support you in having a beautiful birthing experience.
• Learn about why newborn’s cry and read McKenna’s book
• Understand that co-sleeping has many forms, e.g. it does not have to be in bed, but can be close to your bed.
• Sit down with your partner before the birth and sort out who will be doing what around the house once baby has arrived.  E.g. cooking, cleaning, walking the dog, washing, ironing, shopping etc.
• Plan to ideally have 30 days of mainly staying at home, all three of you, so that baby can slowly absorb his new environment, and you can fall in love on the Outside.  If 30 days is not manageable, then aim for as many days as possible.  You will find that baby will then integrate more easily, when you do take him out.  You are building a secure base for him.

Most importantly ENJOY this time.  You are a parent for the rest of your life, no matter how old your child is.  It is one of the most exciting and challenging roles, which will change you as a person, for the better!
My guarantee!  If you focus on all of the above, you will not have a crying baby, that feels out of control, and you will not suffer from sleep deprivation.

MEDITATION IN PREGNANCY

There are so many different types of meditation it can be confusing for anyone getting started.

EXCUSES FOR NOT MEDITATING

• Don’t have time
• My mind is way too busy to meditate
• I get restless if I sit and do ‘nothing’
• I’ve tried that and it doesn’t work!
• I’m not a hippy!

WHAT IS MEDITATION?

Meditation is simply a practice in which an individual trains the mind to be still and quiet, promoting relaxation, relieving anxiety, and encouraging an incredible clarity and awareness.  The word meditation has different meanings in different contexts.  It has been practiced since ancient times, often attached to numerous religious traditions and beliefs.  Meditation can refer to the state itself, as well as to practices or techniques to enhance the state.

3 SIMPLE WAYS OF MEDITATING

• May involve repeating a mantra and closing the eyes
• Sitting in a quiet, tranquil place for 15-30mins. per day, focussing on the breath and clearing the mind of all outside thoughts
• Guided meditations

Meditation has a calming effect and directs awareness inward until pure awareness is achieved, invoking a feeling of being alert ‘inside’ without being aware of any other thoughts.

WHAT IS MINDFULLNESS?

This is simply another, and currently very popular form of meditation, where the focus is directed to the breath only and observing the rise and fall of the breath.  It is quite normal for our attention to not stay focussed on the breath for very long and find ourselves thinking or worrying.  The practice of mindfulness is to be aware when our attention has wandered, and gently but firmly redirecting our attention back to the breath.  This takes practice.

WHAT IS VISUALISATION?

Visualisation is a technique involving focussing on positive mental images in order to achieve a particular goal.

WHAT IS RELAXATION?

Relaxation is simply any number of methods or activity that helps a person to relax and to reach a state of increased calmness, and decrease muscle tension.  This is a common method used at the end of many yoga classes.

BENEFITS OF MEDITATING IN PREGNANCY
PHYSICAL BENEFITS INCLUDE

• Increases blood flow and slows the heart rate
• Leads to a deeper level of relaxation
• Decreases muscle tension
• Enhances energy, strength and vigour
• Relaxes the nervous system
• Harmonises the endocrine system
• Provides wonderful connection for Mum and baby in utero
• Increases space for baby as the uterine muscle relaxes

PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS INCLUDE

• Builds self confidence
• Helps control thoughts
• Helps to focus and concentrate
• Develops intuition
• Increases awareness and connection with baby

SPIRITUAL BENEFITS INCLUDE

• Provides peace of mind and happiness
• Experience an inner sense of ‘knowingness’
• Releases fears and anxieties

Pregnant women are often very anxious about the upcoming birth.  There is an all pervasive fear based campaign in advertising, books, movies, and well-meaning friends.  It is challenging for pregnant women to escape these fears and truly connect with their growing baby and focus on having a beautiful, enjoyable birthing experience.
Meditation can achieve amazing results for all, particularly during pregnancy.  Your unborn baby will also love the benefits of your meditation during pregnancy and it will quickly develop into a life skill, which you can easily teach to your baby/child.

Our Inside Birth CD will get you started and follow this up with an Inside Birth weekend workshop.  This relaxation is a wonderful gift you give yourself and your baby and you will be amazed at the results, especially your birthing experience.

FACING FEARS

I took my 11yr old grandson to Jenolan Caves and we did the Plughole Adventure Cave. On their website, when I booked, I noticed 2 words ‘Adventure’ and ‘Fun’ so thought that sounded like a great idea! Why would one do any more research than that?

Fortunately there were only 4 of us on the tour, two, 20 ‘something’ young men, who looked very fit and healthy and myself and Blake, plus two very experienced guides. I was greeted in the office with a look that clearly said you are an ‘older’ woman and probably cannot manage this challenge! As the guide said ” do you know madam what this tour involves”? I, of course, still had those two words in my mind ‘adventure’ and ‘fun’, and as he explained in more detail, what exactly was involved, the idea of adventure and fun, were rapidly fading. As these four men eyed me up and down, and my 11yr old grandson was looking at me in that questioning way ‘what have you booked for us’??, there was no way I could or would, be opting out. I responded with, ‘sounds awesome’, as my stomach churned!

We began with an abseil slightly terrifying, but the ’20 something’ young men announced they were also a ‘little scared’ not reassuring at all.
Now, there are the caves, which Blake and I have done before, where you walk in with a large group, they are beautifully lit, and everyone stands around admiring the very pretty stalagmites and stalactites, whilst engaging in pleasant chit chat. The Plughole Cave is not one of those. We were in overalls, hard hat with light and spent about 90mins. crawling on our belly or sliding on our back to fit through what seemed impossibly small holes. Team work was essential. Once one person had squeezed their body through an unimaginable tight space, you were then required to guide the following person, usually by grabbing one of their feet and positioning it on the next rock. There were times when the only way to fit through was head first, sliding on your back, or belly. Sometimes feet first, with both arms stretched up.

A problem for anyone who may suffer from claustrophobia (and I think everyone does, to different degrees), there is no turning around and going back to the beginning. This is not an option as it is physically impossible. Good to know! So once you start, you have to finish. The Guides were wonderful, calm, reassuring and even ‘fun’! Lying on the ground, with the rock pressing firmly against your back and only centimetres to spare between hard hat and rock was indeed challenging.

Then came the last squeeze, around an S bend quite terrifying as it was such a tight fit you had to wriggle in the space to move forward, around and out, otherwise you were just stuck. I could feel the rock pressing hard up against my belly and back, very dry mouth, heart pounding and a feeling I was going to be stuck there forever. I needed coaching in the wriggling technique to work my body around that S bend.
I was out, I had done it! I am so proud of my grandson, who embraced this adventure with fear and excitement and the bravado that comes with being an 11yr old boy. We all admitted that it was very scary, but felt exhilarated by our achievement.

For seasoned abseiling and caving type people, this story will not interest you but for first timers, or anyone thinking about an ‘adventure’, I highly recommend it. If I had researched exactly what was involved, and had time to think about it, then I probably would have said NO WAY!

Overcoming fears is challenging, and it is so easy to be complacent and do activities which are comfortable and familiar, BUT, the rewards of facing fear and achieving a positive result, cannot be overestimated.
Fear defeats more people than any other thing in the world. To escape fear you need to go through it, not around it.

I am now ready for 2015 and all that it brings.

INSIDE BIRTH

Unprecedented choice is available for couples wanting to book prenatal classes, so how do you choose the right one for you?  Many women are pushed into booking the hospital class, without being given any other options.  So why is it so important and what are the differences?

Hospital classes

• Relatively inexpensive
• Start class around 30 weeks pregnancy
• Will focus on how you are to give birth in their facility
• Will focus on pain management
• Renowned for instilling even more fear!

Education

This is some of the most important education you will ever receive.  Think about how much time and effort you will be putting into choosing the right education for your child from preschool to high school and beyond.  You will agonise over what each school provides, what their results say, what your friends say, Government vs private vs alternative Steiner, Montessori etc.  These decisions will preoccupy your discussions over many years.  And then there is all the ‘other’ education, swimming lessons, violin, karate, sports, singing, ballet, hip hop, gymnastics, extra maths tuition, extra training for the selective high school exams and on and on it goes, never ending, and often driving you mad with worry, hoping you have made the right choice for your child, especially if he/she is not achieving as you had hoped.

The MOST important education is yours, during pregnancy.  We know the importance of creating the best environment in which your baby can grow, feeling loved and without fears about labour and birthing. (ref. “Windows to the womb” revealing the conscious baby from conception to birth’, by David Chamberlain, published by North Atlantic Books, 2013) , among many other references.

INSIDE BIRTH prenatal program has been written and designed with the backing of 40yrs experience.  What you will learn:

• You will learn ABOUT birth, not ‘HOW TO’!  you already know ‘how to’ and we focus on empowering you to connect with your innate self
• About your growing baby and what’s going on in their mind
• Connecting with your baby, in ways you would not have believed possible
• We will show you how to have a gentle and enjoyable birthing experience, connecting with your baby during labour and birth
• You will learn the value of ‘stepping into stillness’ through our amazing hypnosis skills
• You will leave with absolute confidence, feeling truly empowered and connected with your baby.

These skills are not just for labour and birthing, they are important life skills that you will be able to use as a new parent, in your work place and your relationships, skills that you can also teach to your child.
TRULY UNIQUE to Inside Birth is the opportunity to come to as many classes as you want.  It is way too late to begin this education at around 30 weeks of pregnancy, which is the suggested time for most other courses.
OUR OFFER TO YOU is a dip in/dip out package.  Having this information as early in pregnancy as possible (recently had a couple who were 8 wks pregnant, and 12 weeks pregnant in the same class), is essential to feeling confident and empowered from the very beginning.  Great for baby, great for parents it’s definitely a win-win situation.

HAPPY, HEALTHY CHILD

Bruce Lipton’s research is awe inspiring and did you know that by booking into our Inside Birth prenatal class, you too will learn how to begin educating your baby in utero.

You will learn imprinting techniques into baby’s subconscious mind.

Your parenting begins at conception and is a wonderful and amazing role for the rest of your life.

These classes will change you as a person, and change how you view your role as a new parent.

You will experience the benefits of wonderful and powerful hypnosis. Book now and don’t miss out – www.birthright.com.au

Happy birthing!

Susan

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