Can I still encapsulate if we choose a lotus birth?

I will begin by explaining what a Lotus birth is just for those who have not heard of it before.
Lotus birth is the practice of leaving the cord and placenta attached to the baby until it naturally breaks away. This happens usually within 3-10 days and can be practiced in many different birthing situations such as a hospital birth, home birth, water birth even a cesarean section.
The name Lotus birth comes from the first recorded human, Clair Lotus Day, to have a Lotus birth in 1974, a practice before then only commonly known for by Chimpanzees.

What benefits does a lotus birth have?
The baby will receive all of the placental blood from the cord
Baby is less likely to be passed around in those first few days (this also helps baby in being more protected from illness in those first few days)
Parents who have had a lotus birth claim their baby was much calmer compared to babies who had not had a lotus birth
Some believe this helps baby transition into the world

So can you encapsulate and have a lotus birth?
Generally no, unfortunately because the placenta can only be refrigerated for 72 hour max before needing freezing, encapsulation generally happens withing the first 24 hours after birth, the sooner the better. However there may be a solution, though this would depend on how long the cord took to separate, if practiced properly and can still be a gamble. The solution can be found at Wise women way of birth



If you would like to share your lotus birth experiences to be featured in an upcoming article and on our website please email Nicole@arainbowdoula.com.au

APRIL spectacular. Installment number one

To celebrate my precious daughter turning the big 1-0 I am having a few giveaways, competitions and special offers throughout the month.
This is an early bird offer.

Can I just say I cannot believe my baby girl is turning 10 - when did that happen?! She's starting puberty and turning into a woman, as beautiful as it is I wish they could stay babies forever!

Now back to this early bird special.
As a qualified childbirth educator I pride myself on giving couples the most up to date and honest information regarding pregnancy, birth, postpartum and breastfeeding.
If you'd like to know why an independent childbirth educator is more beneficial than your hospital classes please browse my blog.

Classes are usually $180 per couple.
If you book in for our July class in this week running up to April or within April then you attend for only $60! That's half price.
Classes are 3 hours long and run twice a week for 4 weeks.
If you can't make the scheduled times then you can book private classes that are held in the comfort of your own home.

These classes include information about:
What to expect during pregnancy
How to tell you're in labour
How to cope with pain
Natural pain relief vs medication
The best positions for birth
Your birthing options
Breastfeeding information
What to expect in the postpartum period
Settling your baby
Plus MUCH more.

Take advantage of half price classes!
If you would like more information please call me on 0417072129 or email nicole@arainbowdoula.com.au

Essential Oils in Labour

 Image source: doterra.com/au/

PEPPERMINT: This is great for when a mother is feeling nauseous, it is important to find an oil that can be ingested in this case because a drop under the tongue can work wonders, if you cannot find an oil that can be ingested then a spritz around the room will also be helpful.
It can also help pain in the back during labour by gently massaging the lower back.
Use with caution though as some people have reported a link to using peppermint oil and a lack of milk production though it never caused issues for me I cannot guarantee it for you.

NEROLI: Fantastic for use when mum is anxious or feeling fear, it can restore spirits is very calming and relaxing, it can be expensive however.

CLARY SAGE: If labour stalls or is going slow rubbing Clary sage into the ankles every 30-60 minutes can help speed things up.
Clary sage mixed with some rose oil can also be helpful during contractions to keep things natural if a drug free birth is desired, inhaling as a contraction starts and again after the contraction.

LAVENDER: A great relaxant, 3 drops with a tablespoon of milk in a bath before heading to the hospital has been beneficial for many mothers. Always take caution when using oils in a bath however because there is a chance on the oils reaching the baby, it is suggested by midwives to only do this before your waters break.
Lavender can also stimulate contractions and mixed with a carrier oil such as coconut oil is great for massage.

GERANIUM: This is another great one to spritz around the room, not only does it help balance emotions but it covers up any hospital smells that maybe causing anxiety or distress. Also it helps improve circulation to areas where it is rubbed.

BASIL: Another fantastic oil. Basil can help with discomfort in labour particularly back pain. Also during transition where many women feel they can no longer go on or hit that brick wall so to speak Basil is perfect diluted and rubbed onto the temples and even the belly to ease the mother and help her reconnect with her inner strength.

BLACK PEPPER OIL: Another oil that is great for discomfort in the back, mixed with a carrier oil such as coconut oil and massaged into the skin.

There are many more oils that can be helpful but so far these are the ones I am familiar with.

A friend introduced me to a massage blend that helped her in labour, here is what you need:
30mls carrier oil
2 drops neroli (or 3 drops petitgrain)
2 drops frankincense
3 drops lavender
1 drop bergamot

This was my favourite room spritz during my labours
 Lavender essential oil
Clary sage essential oil
Rose geranium essential oil
Peppermint essential oil
Frankincense essential oil
A few drops of each mixed in a bottle with purified water to spritz around the room.
The oils in this are known to relieve nausea and tension and also give a burst of energy, promote contractions and help focus mother.

 **Disclaimer** I am not a qualified aromatherapist, I am however enrolled in an aromatherapy for pregnancy and infancy course but as yet have not began my training. When I have finished my studies I will be able to add more to this from a professional stand point rather than a personal one.

Why independent childbirth education classes are better for your birth

The chances are you're looking at this because you or someone close to you are pregnant, congratulations! Bringing a new baby into the world also brings many emotions. Lots of decisions, to breastfeed or formula feed? Circumcise or not? Let me help you make one decision. 

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

A common reason people opt for the hospital run childbirth education classes is the cost difference. On average private hospitals classes are $200 a little cheaper if you are booked to birth there too, public hospitals are cheaper again, some even free of charge or very minimal cost. So why pay more? A childbirth educator depends on classes to put food on the table (many also have additional qualifications like as a birth doula and/or breastfeeding counsellor or more), an independent educator depends on a great class, she needs that word of mouth to survive. Birthing is her passion.

Hospital based childbirth education classes are ran by midwives many of whom don't want to do the childbirth education classes (it is often referred to as the short straw amongst my midwife friends)

THE QUALITY OF INFORMATION

Hospital based childbirth education classes can be vague compared to independent classes. Hospital classes tend to be biased towards medical interventions and medicated pain relief as opposed to natural methods. I recently heard from a birth client who attended her local hospitals childbirth education classes wanting to learn more about breathing during labour only to be told due to hospital policy they were no longer allowed to teach this. To me this is absurd, breathing can have a very powerful effect on labour. Many have also stated that hospital run classes are overwhelming as many go for 5-6 hours at a time over 3 sessions, independent classes tend to be 2-3 hours over 5-6 sessions. 

FLEXIBILITY 

Many independent childbirth educators also offer private or couples sessions, many can even set up additional group classes depending on demand, hospital times and dates are firm. 

UNBIASED INFORMATION

I briefly mentioned this before but I want elaborate here. Hospital information revolves around policies and restrictions. Time frames and let's be honest scare tactics. Extremely rarely will you find a hospital based childbirth education class willing to discuss homebirth. 

Hospitals focus so much on what they know and that is medicine, the information and DVDs even the pamphlets handed out are about epidurals and cesarean sections. Birth is natural, as medicine has progressed we have made birth a medical process rather than a natural one. Some parents choose to go down that path and that is absolutely fine, it's your birth, it's your choice. Hospital run classes leave us feeling like our choices are restricted or don't provide the information to allow us to learn about natural methods.

This is only a snippet about the benefits of an independent run class. As a trainee childbirth educator I do not feel I can provide all the information just yet only what I have learnt and experienced so far.

Not many people are even aware that there are independent educators out there, it's time to spread the word! Everybody deserves a better birth. 

It's my birthday and you're invited!

My birthday is this Wednesday (January 21st) I've been thinking of a way I'd like to celebrate and haven't come up with much since I'd love to celebrate as a family but my daughters are in Sydney. 

Next best thing my second love, my clients, being a doula.

So what am I offering to celebrate (yes I know me giving you things is a little opposite, usually the birthday person receives but giving is the greatest gift for me)

Birthday offer number 1: when dates are confirmed for our next childbirth education classes (approx April) you will pay only $40 for the entire course when usually the cost is $180, save a huge $140!

Birthday offer number 2: hire me as a doula and receive 3 hours of FREE Breastfeeding support valued at $60

Birthday offer number 3: get 15% off all birth and postpartum doula packages

Birthday offer number 4: hire me as a placenta encapsulation specialist for only $180 usually $245!

Birthday offer number 5: hire me for birth and postpartum care plus childbirth education classes and get a massive 30% off the total quoted cost!

Bookings must be made by January 31st and deposit paid by February 14th to be applicable. 

I'm having a cesarean, does that mean I can't use a doula? What is a gentle cesarean?

This is just a short one as my little man is not too well but if you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Myth: You cannot have a doula when you are having a cesarean
Fact: Yes you can!

A cesarean is still your birth! You still deserve a doula! A cesarean can even to some extent be a gentle experience. 
I never had a doula present at my cesarean births although I did have a fantastic doula due to it being very rushed (turned into an emergency) and I never got a chance to even call her (or my husband) before being whisked off - thankfully nurses at least called my husband and he made it in - just! Anyway back to topic. The point of the last section was that I cannot speak from my own experience in this article only from my experience as a doula.

Lets begin:
What is a gentle cesarean?
A gentle cesarean is a more natural approach to a c-section, we cannot change the fact that it is major surgery but we can make it a more pleasant experience, especially if this was something you were not originally hoping for.
What I love about a gentle c-section is that mirrors are placed so that mum can watch the baby be born and not feel seperated from her own birthing experience by the sheet they usually hang up.
Music is in the room, it is peaceful, it is different from your average operating theatre.
Delayed clamping! The clamp is not immediately cut if you do not wish for it to be.
With a gentle c-section everyone on your birthing team will try to make it as much of a natural birth as possible or immitate where possible such as not pulling baby out straight away, sometimes the head is born and then baby is allowed to rest for a minute before the body is born, much like a vaginal birth.
Mum actually gets skin to skin contact immediately after birth and is allowed to breastfeed as soon as she wants.

Why have a doula at a cesarean birth?The same reasons you would at a vaginal birth! For support, encouragement, guidance etc. Many doulas even take photos of the birth for you so that the birth partner can be right by your side.

Will my hospital allow it?This is where I would LOVE to say yes of course they will! But sadly not all do. This is something to be discussed with caregiver, doula and expectant parents. As hospitals and doulas are coming together more and the way we birth is changing having a doula present at a c-section is becoming less frowned upon and more accepted especially in a gentle cesearean setting.

Why is a postpartum doula valuable?

What is a postpartum doula?

A postpartum doula is usually hired to help the family adjust to life with a new baby, to help siblings adjust and make sure the family are coping well.

The last thing new parents want to do is the grocery shopping or cooking meals. A postpartum doula can do your errands and chores for you.

We can also provide breastfeeding support (I am also a breastfeeding counsellor), occupy siblings as you feed baby or bond with baby or even take a shower or a nap.

It is hard to say exactly what a postpartum doula does because it changes with every families needs.

What qualifications do I have to help your family?

I have a number of qualifications to assist with helping families.

I am a birth doula, breastfeeding counsellor, placenta encapsulation specialist, bereavement doula and also a trainee postpartum doula (with current working with children's check) and am only 1 client away from qualifying and I am also a trainee childbirth educator.

What can I offer your family?

I provide meals for families with new babies, I also do light housework and laundry.

I can run errands such as go the post office, pick up groceries and organise referrals to other health care providers.

I have knowledge on breastfeeding, babywearing, cloth nappies, multiples, circumcision, extended rear facing of car seats, natural parenting and remedies and much more.

Why do I believe a postpartum doula is important?

A postpartum doula is there to mother the mother, make sure she is well fed, relaxed and enjoying being a mother. It is also my job to make sure dad is not overwhelmed and feels involved and comfortable in his role. My job is also to educate families about things such as breastfeeding, baby care, helping a sibling cope with a new addition. Instead of mothering the mother however I like to refer to it as nurturing the family, I believe it is very important to include all family members.

I am there to look out for signs that mum may not be coping and help to make things easier and refer to a GP or health nurse is postpartum depression is suspected.

An entire difference to a families day can be made by knowing a healthy meal is made or prepared, mum has showered and rested and baby is fed and relaxed.

A postpartum doula is also fantastic because we provide in home care and one on one support.

Who might use a postpartum doula?

Absolutely ANY family with a new baby can use a postpartum doula, many people assume since I am also a breastfeeding counsellor and often mention breastfeeding support that only breastfeeding families can use my services, this is NOT true at all. Our services are more common with:

First time parents

Parents with other small children

Families with little or no other support

Families who have just had or expecting multiples (twins, triplets etc)

Families prone to depression

Families who want to learn more

Why dads love postpartum doulas

Dads have mentioned that they love postpartum doulas because:

• The pressure is taken off of them to do everything while mum recovers and bonds
• They too have time to bond with someone there to help out
• They can return to work guilt free knowing they aren't leaving mum alone to cope of with a family member she maybe uncomfortable with
  
  There are many more reasons but these are the most frequent responses.

So what are you waiting for? Book a postpartum doula for yourself or a friend today!