Birth: realise your inner strength

The Pregnancy Brewer Diet (Australian conversion)

2011-12-01T15:02:00.000+10:30

I highly recommend pregnant and breastfeeding mothers follow this diet - please find the original information at http://www.drbrewerpregnancydiet.com

As the highly acclaimed Gloria Lemay sites: The two most important ways we can improve the health of mothers and babies is:
1. Nutritional education (improve diet)
2. Increase social support

Good wholesome and plentiful nutrition in pregnancy is essential to keep the mother and baby healthy and prevent complications. It has long term repercussions for the health of our children.

"The specifics of the diet have been compiled by Dr. Tom Brewer, an obstetrician, after years of studying the research and information available since 1929, on the effects of nutrition in pregnancy.[2] He has been able to see his philosophy used to prevent or treat various complications of pregnancy, including PIH (elevated blood pressure), edema (swelling), pre-eclampsia, eclampsia (toxemia), "gestational diabetes", premature labor, anemias, abruption of the placenta, IUGR (intra-uterine growth retardation), and low birth weight (which can cause babies to be infection-prone). All of these problems have a common source--food deficiency and low blood volume.[3]" http://www.drbrewerpregnancydiet.com/id11.html

I have started regularly referring women to the diet as I feel is is SUPER SUPER important and a fantastic guide. However, it is confusing for Australian's as we use the metric system and so have no context for oz ???? SO, I will provide a copy of the Brewer diet with gm references so we can more easily follow it. Please also refer to the fridge WEEKLY RECORD to keep motivated.

THE DIET (minimum nutrition intake) - not a diet in the traditional restriction sense.
The following is reprinted and adapted from The Brewer Medical Diet for Normal and High-Risk Pregnancy, by Gail Sforza Brewer (Krebs) with Thomas Brewer, M.D., 1983 (p. 11).

"You must have, every day, at least the amounts of food and types of food on the following diet lists (minimum daily food intake). These foods are the best sources of key nutrients essential to healthy pregnancy. It is not healthful for you to go more than twelve hours without good food. Eat a complete breakfast every morning and snack midmorning, midafternoon, before bed, and at least once during the night to maintain a steady supply of nutrition to your developing baby. Consult your doctor, midwife, or nutritionist immediately if you start to fall behind on your diet for any reason. Inability to follow the diet is a medical emergency requiring prompt attention."
http://www.drbrewerpregnancydiet.com/id96.html

You must have everyday, at least:

1. Milk and milk products--4 choices
1 cup milk: whole, skim,1%, buttermilk
1/2 cup canned evaporated milk: whole or skim
1/3 cup powdered milk:whole or skim
1 cup yogurt
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup cottage cheese: creamed, uncreamed, pot style
1 large slice cheese (35gms): cheddar, Swiss, other hard cheese
1 cup ice milk
1 1/2 cup soy milk
1 piece tofu, 3"x3"x 1/2" (115gms)

2. Calcium replacements--as needed (2 per soy exchange from group 1)
36 almonds
1/3 cup bok choy, cooked
12 Brazil nuts
1 cup broccoli, cooked
1/3 cup collard greens
1/2 cup kale
2 teaspoons blackstrap molasses
4 oz black olives
1 oz sardines

3. Eggs--2 any style

4. Protein Combinations--6 to 8 choices
Each food you eat may be counted for one group only (in other words, count 1/4 cup cottage cheese as either 1 milk choice or 1 protein combination choice, not both).

30gms lean beef, lamb, pork, liver, or kidney
30gms chicken or turkey
30gms fish or shell fish***
1/4 cup canned salmon or tuna
3 sardines
100gms oz tofu
1/4 cup peanuts or peanut butter****
1/8 cup beans + 1/4 cup rice or wheat
(measured before cooking)
beans: soy beans, peas, black beans, kidney beans, garbanzos
rice: preferably brown
wheat: preferably bulgar
1/8 cup brewer's yeast + 1/4 cup rice
1/8 cup sesame or sunflower seeds + 1/2 cup cup rice
1/4 cup rice + 1/3 cup milk
15gms cheese + 2 slices whole wheat bread or 1/3 cup macaroni (dry) or noodles or 1/8 cup beans
1/8 cup beans + 1/2 cup cornmeal
1/8 cup beans + 1/6 cup seeds (sesame, sunflower)
1/2 large potato + 1/4 cups milk or 8gms cheese
30gms cheese: cheddar, Swiss, other hard cheese
1/4 cup cottage cheese: creamed, uncreamed, pot style

5. Fresh, dark green vegetables--2 choices
1 cup broccoli
1 cup brussels sprouts
2/3 cup spinach
2/3 cup greens
collard, turnip, beet, mustard, dandelion, kale
1/2 cup lettuce (preferable romaine)
1/2 cup endive
1/2 cup asparagus
1/2 cup sprouts: bean, alfalfa

6. Whole grains - 5 choices
1 waffle or pancake made from whole grain
1 slice bread
whole wheat, rye, bran, other whole grain (e.g spelt, kamut, ancient grains)
1/2 roll, muffin or bagel made from whole grain
1 cup tortilla
1/2 cup oatmeal or Wheatena
1/2 cup brown rice or bulgar wheat
1 shredded wheat biscuit
1/2 cup bran flakes or granola
1/4 cup wheat germ

7. Vitamin C foods--2 choices
1/2 grapefruit
2/3 cup grapefruit juice
1 orange
1/2 cup orange juice
1 large tomato
1 cup tomato juice
1/2 cantaloupe
1 lemon or lime
1/2 cup papaya
1/2 cup strawberries
1 large green pepper
1 large potato, any style

8. Fats and oils--3 choices
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 tablespoon mayonaise
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 avocado
1 tablespoon peanut butter++

9. Vitamin A foods--1 choice
3 apricots
1/2 cantaloupe
1/2 cup carrots (1 large)
1/2 cup pumpkin
1/2 cup winter squash
1 sweet potato

10. Liver--at least once a week (optional)
120gms liver
beef, calf, chicken, pork, turkey, liverwurst

11. Salt and other sodium sources--unlimited (use generously to taste)
table salt, iodized--to taste
sea salt--to taste
kelp powder--to taste
soy sauce--to taste

12. Water--unlimited
Drink to quench thirst, but do not force fluids
Real juice or milk might make better use of limited stomach space.

13. Snacks and additional menu choices--unlimited
More foods from groups 1-11

14. Optional supplements--as needed
Vitamin pills, powders, herbs, yeast, oils, molasses, wheat germ, etc.
"Note: Vitamin supplements are in routine use in prenatal care; they do not take the place of a sound, balanced diet of nutritious foods." (The Pregnancy After 30 Workbook, ed. Gail Brewer, 1978)

Liquid Floradix or Blooms organic iron - for iron supplemenation

Avoid supplements which contain nettle, dandelion, alfalfa, bilberry, or celery (they have diuretic properties).

The Basic Twin Plan

For each additional baby add
30 grams protein
and
500 calories
every day

For further information please consult the original source
www.drbrewerpregnancydiet.com
The diet is reprinted and adapted from The Brewer Medical Diet for Normal and High-Risk Pregnancy, by Gail Sforza Brewer (Krebs) with Thomas Brewer, M.D., 1983 (p. 11).

Media Backlash

2011-10-15T14:02:00.002+10:30

Please email tiser@adv.newsltd.com.au with your homebirth pictures/story as a backlash to the unfair and ridiculous reporting. Let's flood them!

Where's the reporting of all the hospital deaths?

???

This is my letter:

I write to you regarding the unfair and inflammatory reporting about homebirth deaths. Can I please remind you that MOST baby deaths occur in hospital. The latest SA statistics show '189 perinatal deaths in 2009 in South Australia - 3 of these were planned homebirths so 186 were at the HOSPITAL'

http://www.health.sa.gov.au/pehs/pregnancyoutcome.htm

The SA planned home and hospital births study showed the perinatal death rate over 15 years (1991 - 2006): "planned home birth group - a rate of 7.9 per 1000 births, compared with 8.2 per 1000 births for planned hospital births - with no trend over time." The hospital death rate was actually higher. http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/192_02_180110/ken10465_fm.html#0_CHDDCHEB

Homebirth is a woman's right as we are talking about bodily autonomy. The freedom to have control over our own body.

Birth and life carry a risk - there are risks in ANY location - be it in the hospital or at home. It is up to the individual to decide which risk they wish to carry.

I personally gave birth to my daughter in 2009 at home without intervention. I was the only person to touch Lucy during the entire process - I caught her myself. I believe it was the best way for both myself and Lucy to go through the process - as nature intended - and we are both healthy and strong. I have attached photos.

Thank you, Kat Williams – Aldinga Beach

BABYWEARING WORKSHOP

2011-10-11T10:44:00.001+10:30

Sunday 23rd October, from 2pm

at The Birth Place, 308a Glen Osmond Rd, Fullarton

cost $100 including a free stretch wrap worth $50

Booking essential. Please contact Rose: rose-brooke@hotmail.com

or phone 0432 514 772

I can highly recommend this workshop for anybody that is pregnant or has a baby. Baby wearing is super handy and great for babies - but best if it's done correctly and there are loads of different ways to learn. So get along and get informed about Babywearing. If/when I have another baby, I'll be going along to enhance my knowledge. Kat x

Personal Advocate

2011-10-10T15:09:00.000+10:30

I am based in southern Adelaide. I am a mother and women's rights advocate. I provide full personal advocacy - see below - or individual consultations (in person, skype or phone).

IN THE PAST

I finished my Bachelor of Midwifery in 2004 and then moved to New Zealand to work as an Independent midwife. I started my homebirth career there and my passion just keeps growing. I returned to Adelaide in 2007 and until mid 2011 worked as a homebirth midwife in Adelaide with some part time work at the Women's and Children's hospital also.

NOW

My role is to believe in women; to trust the process and help women trust birth. I feel I am like a guide: helping women along the way as they learn and blossom into wonderful confident mothers. I provide support and education.

First and foremost – Birth is a normal life event! Women are designed to give birth naturally, without intervention and home birth provides the best possibility of achieving a physiological birth without interference. Home birth is empowering and amazing. Currently options for homebirth in Australia include hiring a Registered Midwife or Freebirth (birthing without medical assistance):

http://www.unassistedchildbirth.com/uc/whatisuc.html

http://www.joyousbirth.info/printouts/uc.html

I birthed at home in July 2009. Lucy is our first baby and our greatest achievement! I truly believe birth at home is safe – I would never intentionally put my baby at risk. Birth at home and becoming a mother has been the most intense, special and trans formative stage of my life.

I choose to no longer work as a midwife. I have a natural health philosophy and want to work towards empowering women to own their own birth experience. I therefore work with women providing education and support rather than clinical care.

My work is by no means 'exclusive' and you are free to access any other health, natural or medical care as you wish.

I will work with up to 2 families a month as a women's rights advocate therefore offering:

- Unlimited pregnancy and 'baby moon' visits (until 6 weeks)

- Birth debriefing

- Birth planning

- Education and support

- On call support via phone or email

- Free birth pool hire

- Belly casting

- Potentially attendance at birth as a support person only (for free)

I’m happy to talk with you about your specific needs.

This package is one total cost of $3000. This can be paid in installments - please discuss your individual circumstance with me.

HIRE ME

2011-10-08T11:55:00.002+10:30

I am available for phone, skype or personal consultations about birth:

* Birth Debriefing

* Birth Planning

* Birth Education

and above all TRUTH! Want someone to tell you - "YOU CAN" ?

I now work as a Women's Rights Advocate - spreading truth and empowerment to women all over the world.

I have a Bachelor of Midwifery and worked as a midwife in home and hospital settings for 6 years finally coming to the conclusion that WOMEN NEED TO OWN THEIR OWN BIRTHS! My work is now focused on providing information and support so that women have knowledge, power and strength.

I specialise in natural physiological birth: undisturbed birth, intervention free.

If this is your aim - I can provide information, support and positive encouragement to help you on your way.

Is this the kind of birth you want?
This is Amy's first birth of Carsten Ochre
Intervention free
He weighed 4.6kg

Please contact me to book a consult:

Yours in Beautiful Birth,

Kat Williams

birthworker@gmail.com

0885578647

0420458770

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A BIRTHWORKER

2011-09-25T09:04:00.000+09:30

Carla Hartley has written this about midwives but I see it could be transferred to any birthworker.
This is the second half of the article: the start talks about educating parents in what a good birthworker would be to slowly but surely 'weed out' any bad practitioners rather than extra licensing requirements (as these are always scrutinized under a medical model and have a huge potential for bias).
I have copied the 'what to look for' part for your benefit. Kat :)

Written By Carla Hartley

A safe midwife is one who knows her place....that is she knows that the mamma owns the birth and she does not. She has no illusions of grandeur about saving women or babies from birth. She is comfortable in her role as consultant, rather than authority.

A safe midwife knows that privilege and responsibility are not two separate issues, and that most of her work, in today's world, is to help women embrace both. That means that a midwife's job is to help the women find the information she needs and help her believe that she is capable of understanding and applying all of it.

A safe midwife wants to serve women who don't automatically default to the midwife's opinion. She hopes that women would question her and ask for sources and logic. The safe midwife wants to serve strong smart women who make the investment in preparation and feel good about their choices.

A safe midwife knows everything there is about normal birth so that she can recognize any subtle change and make appropriate recommendations the minute there is a deviation. That is, if the deviation starts to become a complication, which most deviations never do, so she would mostly just stay quiet.

A safe midwife is teachable. and humble. She is open to the possibility that she may have been basing her beliefs and practices on flawed information. She is willing to admit anything that she has been doing could be and have been wrong — and CHANGE IT.

A safe midwife is more likely to be one who views birth from the mother's point of view rather than her own, so that she never forgets that she has the potential to impact the mother and baby in ways that will last their lifetime.

A safe midwife keeps the calling in mind so that attending birth doesn't ever just become a job, as my friend Ashley reminded me a few days ago. If a midwife doesn't LOVE what she does, she is less likely to be a safe midwife.

A safe midwife recognizes the inherent safety in the natural biological function we call birth. She doesn't expect a complication to be lurking around every corner, but she is prepared for the very very rare times one is.

A safe midwife would not panic if her gadgets and gizmos didn't make it to a birth with her. She could still do her job without them.

A safe midwife looks to the science of birth rather than what the community standard of practice is. She holds every trick or procedure that her peers are using up to the scrutiny of physiology.

A safe midwife desires something for the mother and baby that goes beyond safety. If she desires THAT, she will be less likely to interfere in the name of safety.

VBA2C Triumph - By Kim Renton

2011-09-15T08:45:00.000+09:30

My journey to a VBAC began 10 years ago, after the birth of my first daughter. She was born at 31 weeks gestation via emergency c section for a queried placental abruption. I had no labour, no warning signs that anything was wrong, and in fact was in hospital for something else at the time. They took my baby out of me, and left me feeling empty and at fault for the early delivery. When I became pregnant the second time, I knew I wanted a vaginal delivery. I went through the Flinders medical centre, and saw a different midwife every visit, had my blood pressure taken and was sent on my way. I was so worried my baby would come early again,and was especially anxious around the 31 week mark. I didn’t feel supported by the medical system whatsoever. At my 40 week appointment the midwife said to me“You could still have this baby naturally, your body is just not doing what it is supposed to.” This was followed by informing me that if I was still pregnant 10 days after my due date, my baby would once again be taken from me, and so,ten days later after trying every single thing I could think of to induce labour, I was once again in the operating theatre without having even felt one second of the birth process.
I went home after my second c section feeling like I had failed. I had two beautiful children, yet I had never actually given birth. Adding to my feelings were the fact I had been told by the hospital that having had 2 caesareans already that any subsequent pregnancies would also be delivered via c section. It wasn’t until my youngest daughter was 4 years old I heard about one of my friends who was planning to have a home birth, and she had already had a c section! She had hired an independent midwife and they were planning a water birth at home. I knew right away that was how I had wanted my daughters to enter the world, and I knew if I was ever going to have another baby, that was how I was going to do it.

When I fell pregnant again, I immediately started looking for the perfect midwife. Someone who would understand that I wanted to be an active participant in my baby’s birth and who understood that having 2 C-sectionsin the past wasn’t going to stop me giving birth naturally this time. It wasn’t long before I found her. Kat came highly recommended to me, and after our first meeting it was apparent she would be delivering my baby. Throughout the pregnancy she built up a friendship not only with my partner and me, but also with my two older children. They would look forward to her visits and would ask her questions about the birth. Kat was always patient and willing to answer all my questions, day or night.

My little man kept us on our toes, with me experiencing increased intense Braxton hicks from 34weeks; however it wasn’t until 41+3 thatmy birth process began. At 5.50am, I woke up feeling a pop, followed by a rush of fluid. Could this be it? My waters had broken. I woke my partner, and we sent Kat a message letting her know what had happened, and then we waited! I made a plate of sandwiches, and waited for my daughters to wake up, and for my partners’eldest daughter to get to our place. Then we waited! I didn’t have very intense waves, in fact if I didn’t have to have a towel between my legs I wouldn’t have believed it was really happening.

By 3pm, the waves were slowly starting to happen more often and get stronger, and I was needing to use the birth ball and stress balls to get through them. My partner was getting anxious, so we messaged Kat to let her know she could come anytime! She said she would be here within an hour, and by the time she got here things just weren’t funny anymore! She helped to fill the birth pool, and showed my partner where to apply pressure to my back during the contractions. The lights were turned off, and the candles lit, music was being played and everything felt amazing. I was actually doing it! I’m not sure how much time passed, but as soon as I got into the pool it really eased the pain.The waves were coming really regularly and were really intense. Having my partner to hold onto during these waves was amazing.

My whole birth space felt amazing, I felt such intense love and happiness and felt really comfortable. I had lost all concept of time, at one point I was vomiting and started to get tired. Kat suggested I get out of the pool for a bit and try a few waves in different positions. The waves were so intense, and I kept telling the baby to move down, I was so desperate to meet my little boy. After a few waves on the lounge, in the bath room and the shower I got back into the pool. All of a sudden things felt different. It didn’t feel as intense as it had. Kat checked the baby with the Doppler, and asked me to get out of the pool again and change positions. She also let me know she had called Lisa to come as an extra support person. While I was lying on the bed it became obvious that the baby was in distress, and Kat told me we needed to go to the hospital.

All the way there, I was looking at the panic on my partners face, so I kept telling everyone it was ok, if I needed another C-section then at least I had known what the birth process felt like. It was almost as if I had given up, yet at some point during the car ride the waves suddenly became so intense again! Kat had phoned Lisa (who was only a street away from my house!) to let her know we were at the hospital. I was taken into an emergency room where they put a fetal monitor on me and told me if the baby was still in trouble I would be given a C-section then and there. Amazingly my little guy was fine. The nurses were still sticking needles into me, and I was taken to a delivery room where Lisa was waiting. It was during this transfer with me on the bed that the waves changed, and I was sub consciously pushing at the end of each wave. The Dr started telling me she had concerns about my baby, that seeing as how I had had two previous c sections, she wanted to do another one. I looked over to Kat and Lisa (who had been bustled out of the way by pushy hospital staff) and they reassured me the baby was fine. The Dr did an internal and stated I was only 5-6cms, and continued to push for surgery. The waves were almost unbearable, and after me vocalising these thoughts, the hospital MWs tried to give me the gas to help me! It was thrown back at them soon after! Lisa came over, and was lifting my hips and applying pressure during each wave, which helped immensely. Finally the impatient Dr came back in, got right in my face and stood between myself and Kat and Lisa so I could no longer see them.She told me she had grave fears for my baby, that she wanted to do the csection and she had a theatre ready now, telling me if I didn’t agree to do it then and there, then she may not have a theatre available when I needed it. I finally agreed, and then heard Lisa ask them to do another internal to check my progress, as her and Kat had noticed me pushing. The Dr agreed, but I wanted Kat to do it. I had no trust in this Dr, and felt safer with Kat! I was told this was not possible, and the Dr proceeded to do the most painful internal examination ever. She informed us I was now 9cms (pretty impressive seeing as how I had only been there for an hour or so!) She told us she still wanted the c section though, and they started getting everything ready. I asked if Kat could come in with me, and was told only one person allowed even for a spinal block c section, so I had to choose between my partner and my MW. I heard the amazing Lisa trying to talk them into letting Kat come, however this Dr just would not budge. I had my own condition for the surgery! I told her I wantedher to check my progress again before she cut me, and I did NOT want to stay in the hospital for 5 days!

I was wheeled into the theatre with my partner close behind,and I was still pushing. Once in there, they asked me to climb from the bed onto the table. I got up on all fours on the table and started pushing! They asked me to sit on the edge of the table so they could put in the spinal block.I turned around, put my legs up and started pushing. My backside was hurting,and I let EVERY person in that room know! No one was listening to me, they were too busy getting ready to cut me, so I addressed each person with “Excuse me,my bum hurts” No one listened, and it was burning/hurting, so I put my hand between my legs and could feel my baby’s head. “He’s right there” I shouted,but they weren’t listening. They ended up trying more than once to insert the spinal and at one point had a male nurse hold my shoulders forward and the Dr was holding my legs, forcing me to sit on the edge of the table during a pushing wave, and I felt my baby being pushed into my tailbone! In the end the spinal worked way better on one side than the other, so I was still pushing and had a bit of sensation. I was still trying to tell the doctor and nurses that his head was right there, There was a nurse behind me who said she couldn’t see anything, but one of the MW in front of my agreed that she could see his head. Finally they had me all ready, and I demanded again that the Dr check where he was. That was when she realised he was actually right there...just like I had told them all along. I asked them to go and get Kat, and was told one of the nurses had gone looking for her but had been unable to find her! (She and Lisa were exactly where we had left them!)

The doctor told me to put my hand between my legs as I pushed, and I felt my baby come out, and he was put straight on my chest. Noah David was born at 1.19am on the 1st of June weighing 3945gms, 8lbs11ozs, and my partner had been able to be there and watch the whole thing! He was blue and not crying, but he was looking at me. We hadn’t wanted to cut the cord until it had stopped pulsing, but the Dr had already done it. Apparently the cord was wrapped around Noah’s neck so tight the Dr couldn’t even get her fingers under it, and Noah was all tangled in it, and holding onto it as well!!

I couldn’t believe it, I had done it. Despite everything, I had my VBAC!!! I couldn’t wait to get in and tell Kat and Lisa!! I did have to wait, however, as apparently after the birth, the Dr was pulling on the cord toget the placenta out and snapped the cord so she had to put her hand in and manually remove the placenta! She also decided that my two small tears needed stitching, and rather than put one stitch in each like she said she would, she stitched continuously between them, giving me 10 stitches!!
As soon as she was done, we were taken to another room where Kat and Lisa were waiting ready to share in our excitement, and 5 hours later we were home, introducing Noah to his big sisters!!

I honestly believe the only reason I felt empowered enough once I got into the theatre was because I had the support of Kat and Lisa. They gave me the strength to get the birth I wanted. I knew my baby was ok, and had faith in myself because of these two amazing women, because of the trust and love I have for them!

The Birth Story of Carsten Ochre First baby, born at home.

2011-08-11T19:44:00.001+09:30

By Amy Elfenbein

Beautiful Birth montage - Amy has kindly offered to share via an email link. Please email Kat birthworker@gmail.com if you are interested.

I loved the idea of having a natural home birth, it was always what I pictured my birth to be like but I didn’t really consider it a serious possibility for my first child, especially in Adelaide where no help or support is offered by insurance or the government; however after missing out on a spot at the Flinders Birthing Centre, my husband Roger and I decided that home birth was the way to go.

I had been doing a lot of research on home birth in Adelaide and came across the Homebirth Network website which contained useful information, wonderful birth stories and a list of independent midwives and doulas in South Australia. After contacting a couple of the local midwives with some basic enquiries, we decided to meet with one of the midwives, Kat for a more in-depth discussion. Kat answered all our questions and ticked all our boxes making it clear that she supports women 100% in their desire to birth naturally in their own home, their own way so we hired Kat and that began our home birth journey.

I started to feel it at 40 weeks and 5 days, the feeling that I had never thought I’d feel, OVERDUE. I thoroughly enjoyed the pregnancy overall, thankfully absent of any kind of morning sickness or discomfort apart from mild back pain in the last couple of months which stopped when I finished work at 37 weeks. I wasn’t in a hurry to have the baby and didn’t understand this fed-up feeling that most women seemed to get towards the end of their pregnancies, I figured that once the baby was out, it was out and there was no putting it back where it came from, so I continued to enjoy spending time by myself knowing the days of me-time were numbered.

On my guess-date, June 29th, my Mum and 11 year old sister Ellie arrived from Perth for the impending birth which lined up conveniently with school holidays. It took me 5 days into their stay to start to feel the desire to birth this baby. I felt like time was being wasted as each day ticked by and ate into Mum’s three week stay, three weeks which should have been spent with the new baby. I can’t say the thought of downing a few tablespoons of castor oil didn’t cross my mind.

I told my midwife Kat how I was feeling and she showed me some acupressure points on my ankles that I could try, so before bed on the 5th of July, Roger had a go at pressing the points Kat had shown me. Sure enough at 3:30 the next morning I woke with a rock hard stomach. I had never felt any Braxton Hicks the entire pregnancy so was a bit unsure of what I was feeling; I went to the toilet and noticed more mucus than usual but nothing that looked like a show, Roger woke when I got back into bed knowing that something was happening so I let him know what I was feeling and said he should try and get some more sleep (he was going to need it). Not wanting to jump to conclusions too early, I lay in bed for the next 3 hours timing each tightening at 10 minutes apart before I sent Kat a text message letting her know what was happening; I also messaged mum and two sisters in law, Sarah and Charlie who we wanted to be at the birth and they made their way over (Charlie hopped on the next flight over from Sydney to be here for the birth).

I noticed the show at about 9:30am, we got up had breakfast and Roger began inflating the birth pool. When Mum, Sarah and Ellie arrived, my sensations were about 6 minutes apart and so we decided to go to the shops so that I could stay upright and mobile to help the birth process along so we spent the next few hours walking around the stores, slowing and sometimes stopping to experience each sensation. Ellie had been keeping busy by writing down the time of each ‘squeeze’ as she called it, and at about 3 minutes apart we headed home to have some lunch.

Charlie arrived from Sydney at around 3pm when the sensations were becoming slightly more intense, it was so amazing to have my mum and sisters there to support me and witness the birth.

Everyone busied themselves setting up the room with candles, playing soothing music, giving me food and drink. I had a route around the living area that I paced, stopping and leaning over the kitchen bench every few minutes and whoever was closest rubbed my lower back with almond oil or massaged my head.
I absolutely loved being in my own home, familiar and safe surroundings with people I loved to share the experience with. The candles and music helped relax me and my necklace of beads and pendants which was made for me at my Blessingway hung around my neck so that I could recall the prayers and well wishes of each woman who threaded a bead for me.

We had been keeping Kat informed with my progress throughout the day and at 7:45pm she arrived. I was still able to hold a conversation and join the others watching Master Chef between sensations until about 8:30 when Kat noted “Amy appears in established birth process – regular, strong sensations”. Kat listened to the baby’s heartbeat and said all sounded fine.

As the sensations became stronger and more regular I was amazed that the birth of my baby didn’t feel closer; it helped to remember what my mum had said, that with each sensation my uterus was smaller and the baby was always one step closer to being born, but it didn’t stop the few tears I had as I told Kat how I felt.

The sensations were getting so strong but I still didn’t feel like the baby was near. I went to the toilet hoping the position change would speed things up and I checked to see if I could feel the baby but couldn’t so that was disheartening. Before I got into the pool I tried lying down on my side for two sensations but this was absolute agony.

The pool had been filled with all the hot water we had so pots were on the stove slowly heating for when we needed top ups. At 9pm I got into the pool, the warm water was amazing and helped relax me a lot but after an hour in the pool I still felt there was a long way to go and it was hurting more as I got more tired. I tried sitting on the toilet again where my waters finally released. I was coping with the sensations as best as I could but it was frustrating feeling like the baby wasn’t moving down so when the waters released it reminded me that we were making progress. It helped immensely having pressure on my hips and lower back during the sensations so when I signalled, everyone took turns in pressing as hard as they could.

I became so exhausted and the sensations were so intense, between them all I could do was lay back against the wall of the pool and zone out. I had no recollection of what was happening around me, where anyone was, what they were doing, I needed to save every ounce of energy. I remember saying to Kat that I didn’t want to do the last part; thinking about the hours to come was a definite morale killer.

At midnight I got out of the pool for half an hour; Kat suggested I try a few different positions so over the next few sensations I tried kneeling with one leg up, squatting and leaning over a chair. By now the sensations were really painful and I just wanted to get back in the pool where I remember saying “this is ridiculous” and “don’t do it Charlie”. Sometimes I felt like I was going to be sick but thankfully I never was; I kept a bucket nearby just in case.

I knew my baby wasn’t far away when I got back in the pool at 12:30am because I could feel the head just a few centimetres higher; this was such a relief knowing that I had been making progress and that all the pain wasn’t in vain. I felt really hot so Roger, Sarah and Charlie washed my face and neck with ice cold cloths and fed me ice blocks which felt so good!

Since I had been back in the pool, the most comfortable position was up on my knees leaning over the side of the pool and during the last few tightenings I held on around Roger’s neck to push. I don’t know why, but pushing was such a different feeling to the sensations just on their own, the change was a welcome relief and the first few pushes until the head crowned seemed to hurt less and almost gave me a break.

One of my fears in pregnancy was that I would tear while giving birth and when the baby’s head was crowning I felt sure I would. The burning sensations I felt while the skin stretched convinced me to keep baby inside for a while longer and maybe wait until the next contraction to get it out. “It hurts too much” I cried and was reassured by Kat that it was almost over. It took me a couple more contractions though to finally resolve to push the head out; I remember thinking “OK, I don’t care what happens to me anymore I’m going to push with all my might and get this baby out” and so when I next felt the urge to push I went for it! Once the head came out, I used the next push to finish the job. The baby came out in front of me so I reached down and picked him up out of the water. He immediately grabbed hold of the hair either side of my face and held on before letting out a little cry. It was an amazing feeling, not only having the pain stop immediately but to have this little baby in my arms.

Roger and I just stared at this little miracle, I was so proud of myself for accomplishing such an amazing thing and having this beautiful baby to show for it; I felt so relieved. After a little while Roger and I decided it was time to introduce our little boy Carsten Ochre to everyone there. He was born at 1:06am on 7-7-11, a pretty cool birthday.

About half an hour later, I got out of the pool and sat on the couch which Kat had prepared with towels. When I next felt some cramps I stood up and Kat caught the placenta in a container and sat it next to us until we were ready to cut the cord. Carsten happily started feeding while we were on the couch and I was surprised by how natural and easy it felt. The hours flew by as we all sat around admiring this amazing baby and Kat helped clean me up with a warm cloth. We all joined hands and said a prayer of thankfulness that all had gone so well. A few hours later, after we were sure the cord had stopped pulsing, Kat tied the cord and Roger cut through it.

Once Carsten had been separated from the placenta Kat was then able to measure and weigh him. We were all surprised when he tipped the scale at 4.65 kilos (10 pounds 4 ounces) and measured 54 centimetres long with a 38.5 centimetre head – no wonder he took a long time coming down!

We all looked on as Kat inspected the placenta and showed us how it would have been positioned inside the womb – fascinating!

It was time for Carsten to put some clothes on and have a cuddle with Roger while I got settled in bed and Kat checked me to make sure everything was ok. I was thrilled to hear that I didn’t tear even though I felt like I was going to split in half when I was birthing his head. Once everything was all cleaned up and the pool was emptied onto the garden Kat headed home and we all went to bed.

It was an amazing and intense experience, not one I want to do again in a hurry but we’re so happy everything went the way we wanted thanks to the amazing expertise and support of Kat our midwife and my wonderful mum and sisters who were so hard working and supportive throughout the whole birth process and beyond!

Natural Birth Classes - poster and brochure

2011-07-17T19:01:00.000+09:30

BROCHURE

Placenta Prints

2011-07-13T20:36:00.000+09:30

I was first introduced to placenta prints when I came onto the homebirth scene in Adelaide.

They are really easy and a great way to include older children in honouring the placenta.

1. All you need is some paper, card or one of my client's used a proper art canvas

(normal a4 printer paper works).

2. Lay out the placenta - I have started to use a garbage bag to view placentas on - as they're readily available - biodegradable preferred. This contains the blood.

*Ice cream containers are a good size for placenta storage - fridge for a few days, freezer for any

longer before burying. Bury deep or in a pot and leave for 4-6 months before planting directly over the placenta. This allows time for breakdown as apparently the chemicals/nutrients released initially

can be toxic to plants.

'Baby's side' of the placenta - the side baby would have been looking at if he could see
Umbilical cord at top/left of the shot

3. Use paper to press down gently on the placenta - the first few are very wet so it takes a few repetitions to get a good print.

3. Flip the placenta to do the other side - lying out the cord to include that looks good too

Maternal Side - this was connected to the uterine wall

4. You can use paint on the placenta also to get a different coloured effect

5. Let them dry

6. Frame or store in a special place

These photos were brought to you by baby Noah David (Mum Kim Renton) - thank you for sharing your beautiful placenta with us. *Staring Big Sister Elizabeth

Noah David

Risks of Induction and Cesarean

2011-06-09T11:30:00.002+09:30

I have had a break from blogging recently and just want to share the links to articles below about two common interventions in maternity care: cesarean and induction or augmentation.

1:3 women are having cesareans.

In 2008 in South Australia only 54.2 % of women started labour spontaneously (not an induction or elective cesarean) and of these women 22.1% had an augmentation (intervention to expedite birth) so our rates of letting birth start on its own are despicable. Whilst walking out your front door during the birth process is risky, walking out your front door before starting the birth process - to give birth - is even worse!

"The First Intervention in birth, that a healthy woman takes,
is when she walks out the front door of her home, in labour.
From that first Intervention, all others will follow". Michael Rosenthal-Obstetrician

We have over 40% of women not even in the birth process when they walk out their front door to have a baby.

We have an intervention EPIDEMIC!

Below I have links to two articles about two common interventions - the risks of cesareans - a must read for every pregnant woman - know the risks. I also have a link to new research about the effects of pitocin (called syntocinon here) which is an artificial version of the hormone oxytocin - the hormone which works to produce sensations (contractions) during the birth process. This is an example of the far reaching, long term consequences of intervention during birth.

I bet in 100 years it will be clear that natural birth is far superior and creates long term ever present benefits to humans. When I say natural birth, I mean birth without any interventions, medicine or interference: true unhindered natural birth.

RISKS OF CESAREAN

RISKS OF INDUCTION AND/OR AUGMENTATION

Natural Birth Classes

2011-04-28T08:13:00.006+09:30

Natural Birth Classes will start on June 2nd at The Black Cockatoo at 1 Park St, Mclaren Vale. They will run over 4 Thursday evenings and then we will organise a morning tea to 'meet the babies' later in the year.

Cost = only $150 for all 5 sessions

cost includes partner and/or support person

The sessions will be dynamic, interesting and interactive and focus on empowering you to have a natural and fulfilling pregnancy, birth and post baby experience.

Suitable for ANYONE wanting a Natural Birth.

Presenters include a Registered Midwife, Mums, Doula, Movement Practitioner and Nutrition expert.

Please Register now as Spaces Are Filling....

Scroll down - below poster - for mission statement

Please phone Kat for further information 08 85578647

MISSION STATEMENT:

For women, couples and support people attending to have the information and resources needed to have the best natural birth possible.

To share knowledge about women's well designed body and how to optimise your own power to birth naturally.

For our participants to be empowered, stronger, wiser and enjoy the learning process.

To also bring together a group of women and their partners/support people to enable them to support and learn from each other.

Slangevar (good health, cheers) Strong Women,
Kat Williams

Resignation

2011-04-14T12:08:00.001+09:30

"Slangevar (cheers, good health) Strong Women"

For the past few years I have worked as a Homebirth Midwife and have also been employed part-time in the hospital system. I have taken 'leave-without pay' from the hospital in the past 4 months as I felt I could no longer continue to work in this way.
I am officially resigning from my position and choose my principals, ethics and integrity over a steady income, holiday/maternity/sick pay and a good super scheme.

I know this will pay in time as I live my authentic and honest life.

If you are planning to birth in a hospital:
1. Consider home birth
2. If this is not possible for you - be aware of the medical and policy-based approach in hospital (even in birthing units) and be armed with support, education and a healthy/strong mind and body.
3. COME TO OUR NATURAL BIRTH CLASSES www.regonline.com.au/naturalbirthclasses

Please read below my resignation letter - which briefly outlines my problem with the maternity system.

LETTER:

I write to inform you of my resignation.

I cannot continue working in an institution which upholds practices I strongly disagree with.
I believe women and babies are well designed for birth.
This design is only successful when women are given ownership of birth.
This is not possible in a fear-based, policy driven, ‘factory-style’ environment.

I believe the indiscriminate use of interventions is dangerous and can cause insurmountable and long lasting harm to women, babies and families.
I have witnessed such interventions in every shift I have worked at this institution.
Some examples are:
- Excessive and unnecessary inductions
- Routine vaginal examinations
- ‘Prophylactic’ antibiotics in pregnancy, birth and for newborns (without an actual infection)
- Routine artificial rupture of membranes
- Routine anaesthesia for birth plus the denial of use of water for birth
- Hepatitis B vaccination for newborns without any risk of contact with this disease
(This list is by no means exhaustive)

I can no longer condone the medical domination of birth as an employee of ‘the system.’

I thank you for my employment and recent period of ‘leave without pay’ but I’m afraid I cannot ethically continue to practice in this way.

Yours Sincerely,

Kathryn Williams

Natural Birth Classes

2011-02-28T15:25:00.005+10:30

Learn about pregnancy, birth and babies - the natural way
with experienced mums and midwives

MCLAREN VALE - Southern Adelaide, South Australia
4 evening sessions plus 'meet the babies' catch up

Starting June 2011

LEARN ABOUT:

- Pregnancy
- Birth Preparation

- Understanding the Birth Process

- Getting the Birth You Want, including Natural Pain Relief

- Breastfeeding, Baby and The Early Days

4 Evenings 7-9pm plus Morning Tea catch up after all the babies are born to share stories and debrief

First session starting June 2011

Cost $150 per woman/couple

REGISTER AT https://regonline.activeeurope.com/naturalbirthclasses

Please Contact Kat Williams 85578647 or 0420458770

birthworker@gmail.com

Kimberley Porter

0416238591

WORKSHOP - "Getting The Birth You Want"

2010-11-09T19:57:00.006+10:30

EMPOWER, DISCOVER, CREATE

Have you thought about the type of birth you want? How to get it?

The workshop includes a short guided meditation and then focuses on you and your birth. How to get the birth you want and fear releasing. I'm also happy to cover specific requests. Facilitated by Home birth Midwife Kathryn Williams

Suitable for all women planning a birth - home or hospital

$50/woman, partner and/or support person free
Nibbles and drinks provided

Thursday 27th January 7 - 9.30pm

at The Singing Gallery: 33 Main Rd, Mclaren Vale

Email or Call Kat to book - katndale@gmail.com
or 85563630 / 0420458770

2010-11-01T23:19:00.002+10:30

What it means to be a midwife

2010-08-26T21:51:00.000+09:30

when I walk into a birthing space my heart flutters, tears well in my eyes, I get that 'prickly skin' feeling. I feel at home, safe and a guardian of normal. Watching a
women in her most powerful yet most vulnerable moments is such a
privilege, it makes my soul sing of the strength and beauty of women. Kat Williams

Sia - Breathe Me, LOVE IT!!!

2010-08-08T20:54:00.001+09:30

Please support this cause. Lisa is an amazing women's rights advocate

2010-07-24T09:14:00.000+09:30

Slowing down the pace

2010-06-16T18:15:00.001+09:30

My url is isupportwomen. In order to do this I used to think I had to be in the community working with as many homebirth families as possible, attending as many births as possible. I have changed my mind. I now plan to support women by example.

Since Lucy's birth I have been doing too much. In the first couple of weeks I went out of the house and walked around way too much - leading to a prolonged pain and healing of my tear (that is just the beginning). NB - I strongly encourage anyone that has recently given birth to rest rest rest and allow time to heal before trying to rush around - there's plenty of time later for that! Recently I have been scrambling to get to every meeting related to homebirth and Independent midwifery possible plus local mothers groups and family/social occasions - this is great but not so good for a settled lifestyle. It is time to slow down. So my example to all the women out there is - put yourself first! It is the hardest thing to do and I'm struggling but it is so important as a Mum.

I recently went to a workshop with Jenny Blyth and Gloria Lemay about Fear and Birth - it was a wonderful weekend and I can highly recommend going to the beautiful property north of Gympie, QLD. http://www.birthwork.com.au/

I went to spend time with other amazing midwives to learn about "fear and birth" but what I learnt was completely different. I learnt about acceptance. Gloria spoke about resistance vs acceptance and how acceptance is often what is needed to move through a situation. My situation is being a Mum of a young baby (almost one now OMG) and wanting to do everything RIGHT NOW! This is just not possible and acceptance of this time in my life and being 'with Lucy' and just working my way around being a Mum is enough for now. It is time to accept this and get on with it.

So my advice on being a Mum is KEEP IT SIMPLE! Keep your diary free from too many commitments. I have been way over committing myself and have run myself ragged trying to please everyone else without really thinking about what is best for me and Lucy. Having said that I find a whole day at home is a struggle too - so finding a good balance is a constant challenge.

So whilst I plan to continue to support women - I will firstly 'support' myself and support others through example! That's my plan, wish me luck. Thank you for your inspiration Gloria

2010-04-27T20:21:00.001+09:30

MAY MARKETS FOR GREEN KIDS ADELAIDE

SPECIAL MARKET PRICES - NAPPY AND INSERT $30
(OVER 10% OFF)
EVERYTHING DISCOUNTED

Modern Cloth Nappies, accessories and huggalugs (baby leg warmers)

Baby and Kids Market
Sunday 2nd May
Marion Leisure and Fitness Centre
9am till 12 midday
Oaklands Rd. corner of Rosedale Av. Morphettville
(opposite Warradale Military Camp)

Mums and Bubs Market
Goodwood Community Centre
Sunday 16th May
10am till 1pm
Rosa St, Goodwood

www.greenkids.com.au

There will also be some beautiful hand knitted baby jumpers for sale at my stall

Looking forward to seeing you there,

Kathryn Williams

Italian Pea and Basil Soup

2010-04-23T10:20:00.001+09:30

From "The practical Encyclopedia of Whole Foods" by Nicola Graimes

Ingredients
75mls olive oil
2 large onions chopped
1 celery stick chopped
1 carrot chopped
1 garlic clove chopped
400g frozen peas
900mls vege stock
1 cup basil leaves torn
salt and pepper
fresh Parmesan to serve

1. heat oil in large saucepan and add the onions, celery, carrot and garlic. Cover pan and cook over low heat for 45 minutes or until veg soft, stirring occasionally.

2. Add the peas and stock to the pan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, add the basil and seasoning then simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Spoon the soup into a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Ladle into warm bowls, sprinkle with grated Parmesan and basil.
(I used bar mix straight into pot)

YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY - also recommended by Rose Pride and Lisa Barrett - other SA home birth midwives :)

The real cost of having a baby in a private hospital - handing your body to medicine

2010-04-18T15:42:00.001+09:30

I would like to respond to the terrible article published in The Advertiser today - Sunday 18th May 2010.
Also printed in the Daily Telegraph - The real cost of having a baby

It tells blatant lies and completely misleads consumers of maternity care. I think Lisa Mayoh must have been coerced into writing such a one-sided article which also completely misses the option of private home birth midwifery - the gold standard of maternity care.  Maybe a high powered group such as the AMA or private health funds could have funded this article? I ask Lisa Mayoh, where did you get your inaccurate information? Why would you make the interventionist private maternity hospital system look good?

Firstly, an obstetrician is a totally inappropriate care provider for the majority of pregnant women.  These specialist doctors are trained in high-risk care. They are an appropriate care provider in the uncommon scenario when a true emergency occurs - such as a complete placenta previa (placenta covering the cervix) when a caesarean is truly necessary. It is obvious that if you have a medical person specifically looking for a problem and totally comfortable with intervention in childbirth that rates of interference are going to increase: birth trauma increases, induction rates increase, use of drugs in labour increases, forceps, ventouse and surgical birth increases. How many women truly want these outcomes? Please let me know if you want your baby pulled out with big metal blades, a scar on your belly and/or to be separated from your baby for the first precious hours of his/her life? This is the all too common outcome of obstetric-lead care.

Mayoh claims ""In the public system, a team of midwives will see you for appointments and the on-call doctor will perform your delivery when you go into labour." Some women may have a team of midwives care for them in pregnancy but in birth unless intervention is deemed 'necessary,' then midwives will 'catch' your baby - making her statement totally false. I hate the word 'delivery' and so use catch or birth. Delivery is a medical term and I find it derogatory and old-fashioned. A women births her baby herself and in most cases in home birth, the midwife provides support and watches as often the labouring Mama catches her own baby - as I did. This is the most empowering act as a new mother and sets a powerful precedent in the days, weeks, months and years of parenting ahead.

Mayoh makes the private obstetric maternity system seem preferable to the public. This is not the case at all unless you want a surgical birth with all the risks - increased morbidity and mortality - for Mum and Baby included. She writes: ""Do you want to take the risk of your case falling through the cracks or becoming a public hospital horror-story statistic?" What? I would much rather fall through the cracks and free birth my baby without professional help than be victim to the socially-acceptable scalpel births occurring with a smile in our private hospitals. I am no fan of the public maternity system either but they do have lower rates of intervention and some forms of midwifery-lead care (much preferable to doctor-lead maternity care).

The care myself and my private independent home birth midwives provide is WOMAN-LEAD CARE. This involves truly putting the woman at the centre of her own care. She is more important than anything else: my statistics, my registration, my reputation and what anyone in the main-stream maternity system thinks of me. I would be doing something seriously wrong if I had any shred of respect from main stream maternity system.

When a woman experiences woman-lead care she feels in control of her experience. She calls all the shots. She looks to her midwife for support and guidance only. The midwife has done her job when the woman knows she can birth her baby and she doesn't really need a midwife there at all. She trusts her instincts, her knowledge and her power as a birthing woman. She knows her inner strength and calls on the billions of women before her that birthed their babies intuitively and safely without medical intervention. Our bodies were perfectly designed for this; yes it is hard but all good things in life don't come to us easily. The recent SA home birth study shows that despite all the medical interference in birth performed daily in our hospitals and causing insurmountable amounts of trauma, home birth: "had a perinatal mortality rate similar to that for planned hospital births (7.9 v 8.2 per 1000 births) Full article"

The constant lie about birth perpetrated by medicine is beyond comprehension. It would be bad for business if women realised their innate ability to birth and trusted their bodies. So the all too familiar story of 'I had to have an emergency caesarean' continues: even though that was commonly caused by an unnecessary induction which lead to stressing the baby, which leads to a surgical birth, all could have been avoided if the woman just waited and let nature take it's cause. Those that play god and fiddle with nature will see the full fury of mother nature when she turns her back and strikes down in the most traumatic way. Please, please, please women - realise YOU CAN DO IT! YOU DON'T NEED MEDICINE, a vast majority of women can birth without intervention. Let's make medical interference the exception and not the rule.

I once saw a sign that said: "Women of earth, take back your birth." At the time, I thought it sounded a bit 'out there' and hippie but it is so so true.  Our society has handed over birth to a system that is hurting us - it's not too late, let's take back our basic human right to autonomy over our reproductive bodies.

The real cost of having a baby is a hospital - is much more than just financial, I encourage you to truly investigate your choices

TRY: http://www.joyousbirth.info/, http://www.sabirthmatters.org.au/

The 2008 pregnancy outcome stats are out and I plan to summarise the findings ASAP. Stay tuned.

Colic

2010-04-14T20:24:00.004+09:30

Firstly, when I say colic - I am talking about a baby crying for no apparent reason and is inconsolable. There is nothing 'wrong' with the baby, it is not a disease, it is just a common part of being a baby and most often occurs in the evenings.

Things to try…

First Week

Firstly – You are doing a good job! There is no one right way to help a crying baby and sometimes time is the only healer – the most important thing is getting good support for yourself and prioritizing baby’s requirements and your needs during this time.

Basics first – Good nutrition, water intake and rest

Probiotics in powder form – put on the breast before a feed and

taken by Mum orally – as per instructions

Increasing your intake of good fats – this may make the breastmilk more dense and less irritating for baby’s gut e.g full cream milk, avocado, olive oil and nuts
Brauer Colic Relief for baby – dose as per instructions. Homeopathics may make symptoms worse initially and then improve so after initial dose watch for ANY change – if you see change, discontinue doses. If no change occurs, give up to 3 doses.
Warm bath with a few drops of lavender oil
Baby massage – especially on belly with plain oil (such as almond or olive) with a few drops of lavender oil
Carrying baby in a sling – any type so baby is close and cocooned
Avoiding caffeine for Mum – chamomile tea instead
Rescue remedy for Mum or on baby’s head in times of distress
Australian Breastfeeding Association for Breastfeeding Support

www.breastfeeding.asn.au

1800 mum 2 mum 1800 686 686

Exclusive breastfeeding on demand whenever possible unless chronic low supply as diagnosed by a lactation consultant

Chiropractor or Osteopath experienced with babies

Options if still occurring

No Dairy – cut out dairy for a week – after this wheat-free diet could also be tried (2 of the most allergenic food groups)
Seeing a Homeopath and/or Naturopath

Books that might help

· Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering – Sarah Buckley

· Well adjusted babies – Dr Jennifer Barham-Floreani

http://welladjusted.me

· No Cry Sleep Solution – Elizabeth Pantley

· 100 ways to calm the crying - Pinky McKay

· Buddhism for Mothers – Sarah Napthali

Safety of Home birth

2010-04-09T10:29:00.002+09:30

A question that is often asked - mostly by Dads - about home birth is: "IS IT SAFE?"

This is understandable in a society that fears birth and has a culture of trust in the hospital system, particularly around maternity care. However, in my view when someone tells me they are birthing in a hospital, I think: "IS IT SAFE?"

Is it safe to birth somewhere that you have a 1 in 3 chance of having major abdominal surgery?
Is it safe to birth in a place that does not trust the woman nor baby to survive a normal process?
Is it safe to birth with strangers around you?
Is it safe to birth in an unfamiliar environment?
Is it safe to birth in a place that has a fascination with putting fingers inside your vagina? - when you arrive, at least every four hours, at any time 'progress' is in question.
Is it safe to birth in a place that works like a factory and has the goal of emptying beds as fast as possible?
Is it safe to birth with the very real threat of your baby being taken from you in the crucial first hours of life?
Is it safe to birth in a place that does not respect woman's intuition and innate knowing of her body and her baby?
Is it safe to birth in a place when you must fight for your basic rights? - autonomy, right to choices about your body and baby, right to decline the many injections, observations and procedures that are expected when you walk into a maternity facility.

My answer is NO, this is not safe.

So is home birth safe? It is simply doing what your body was designed to do, in a place most conducive to doing this. A place women feel respected and FEEL SAFE... What is achieved, must first be conceived and dreamed: where we feel safe, we are safe. Birth where you feel safe, not where every other man and his dog says you should.

The recent research from SA that was used against home birth actually proves the exact opposite. The figures show "They (home birth) had a perinatal mortality rate similar to that for planned hospital births (7.9 v 8.2 per 1000 births (Planned home and hospital births in South Australia, 1991–2006: differences in outcomes Kennare, Keirse, Tucker and Chan), further to this Melissa Sweet reports in her article Don't believe the home-birth horror headlines that: "Once the babies with birth defects were excluded from the calculations, the perinatal mortality rate for planned home births was 4.5 per 1000 births versus 6.7 per 1000 for hospitals" thus favouring home birth.

The media and medical fraternity sensationalised the intrapartum figures which were completely unreliable as Sweet points out: "over the period of the study, there were 247 intrapartum deaths among the planned hospital births and two among the planned home births (one of which occurred in a baby who ended up being born in hospital)".

Please read Melissa's full article as it really shows how ridiculous it is that they somehow made home birth look bad!!! Don't believe the home-birth horror headlines

Below is another look at research around home birth - there is plenty of research to show its safety but it is impossible to fight the weight of the Australian Medical Association's anti-competitive tactics. It would be bad for business if women started to realise they really don't need a Doctor to give birth!

SOME RESEARCH EVIDENCE
ON THE SAFETY OF HOMEBIRTH

BMJ study Outcomes of planned home births

FOLLOWING COPIED FROM the Homebirth network SA
Some significant research articles which myth-bust on the risks of homebirth are discussed in
the recently published book “Better Birth: The Definitive Guide to Childbirth” (2006) by Lareen
Newman & Heather Hancock from South Australia (New Holland Publishers, Sydney
Australia; available throughout Australia at Dymocks - see www.dymocks.com.au or for
posting anywhere in the world from www.capersbookstore.com.au or
www.birthinternational.com)
Page 135:
“In the past the “risky” image of home birth was perpetuated by government encouragement
for hospital births, 26 but British government reports conclude that there is very little evidence
to show that encouraging all women to birth in hospital is the best policy 27, 28 In comparison,
there is now much research from Australia, Europe and North America showing that for low
risk women a planned home birth with a professional and experienced midwife is as safe as, if
not safer than, a hospital birth – at home there is less risk of infection, less risk of intervention
such as unnecessary episiotomies or caesareans, less risk of bleeding after the birth, and
less postnatal depression; the likelihood of the mother or baby being injured or dying at a
planned homebirth are usually the same (if not lower) than if they were in hospital. 29-33
Continuing on page 136:
A 1993 British government report concluded that: There is no convincing or compelling
evidence that hospitals give a better guarantee of the safety of the majority of mothers and
babies. It is possible, but not proven, that the contrary may be the case [ie homebirth may be
the safer option].
The associated references for this extract are:
26 R Campbell & A MacFarlane (1994). Where To Be Born: The Debate and The Evidence. National
Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Oxford, 2nd edition
27 Department of Health Expert Maternity Group (1993). Changing Childbirth 1. The Cumberledge
Report. HMSO, London.
28 G Young, E Hey, A MacFarlane, R McCandlish, R Campbell & G Chamberlain (2000),
‘Choosing between home and hospital delivery’, British Medical Journal, 320 (March), p798.
29 TA Wiegers, MJ Keirse, J van der Zee & GAH Berghs (1996), ‘Outcome of planned home and
planned hospital births in low risk pregnancies: prospective study in midwifery practices in the
Netherlands’, British Medical Journal, 313, pp1309-1313.
30 L Mehl (1976), ‘Home birth versus hospital birth: comparisons of outcomes of matched
populations’, Report presented before the 104th annual meeting of the American Public
Health Association, 20 October 1976.
31 L Mehl, G Peterson, N S Shaw & D Creavy (1978), ‘Outcomes of 1146 elective home births: a
series of 1146 cases’, Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 19, pp281-90.
32 KC Johnson & B Daviss (2005), ‘Outcomes of planned home births with certified professional
midwives: large prospective study in North America’, British Medical Journal, 330: 1416 [online]
at bmj.com.
33 HC Woodcock et al (1990), ‘An epidemiological study of planned homebirths in Western Australia
1981-1987’, Department of Health, Perth.
Extract used with permission of the authors.

2010-03-30T16:39:00.001+10:30

EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER

Exclusive offer for the month of April

Only available directly through Kathryn Williams - Adelaide Green Kids Consultant

BUY 2 NAPPIES AND GET THE 3RD HALF PRICE*

FREE HOME DEMONSTRATION WHEN BOOKED IN APRIL

FREE LOCAL DELIVERY OF MY CURRENT STOCK

Discount nappy packages

also available as per website

Examples - buy 12 nappies get 13, buy 18 nappies get 20

Please feel free to email or call me to place an order or if you would like to know which colours and prints I have in my current stock.

I use Green Kids full time with my daughter Lucy - I can highly recommend them through my own experience. My success has led me to share my experience with others. Please ask if you have any specific questions.

Looking forward to hearing from you

Kat

Kathryn Williams
kat4greenkids@gmail.com
08 85563630 or 0420458770

www.greenkids.com.au
www.isupportwomen.blogspot.com

* Inserts sold separately, limit to one half price nappy/customer, only available until April 30th 2010

Rage against the shopping centre and plastic wrapping

2010-03-23T20:33:00.000+10:30

The past week I have become conscious of all the plastic wrapping on SO many of the things I buy. I have thought of challenging myself to NOT buy anything wrapped in plastic. This would be difficult because lots of the things I buy are useful and I often buy the cheaper version of things. For example - I purchased a new manual breast pump at the Babies Expo: it was in a cardboard box but when I opened it was all wrapped in thin plastic! I didn't even know! Not sure if I will succeed in my plan of being thin plastic free but hey, I can try!

My other beef this week is supermarkets! They are great for Mums as it's all in the one spot and I only have to bundle Lucy (8 months) out of the car seat once BUT I don't want my money going to multinational companies. I'd much rather support local people SO - I am now having my fruit and veg delivered by a local organic business: The Organic Loop: bonus of avoiding chemicals also. I have ordered my laundry liquid, dishwash liquid and hand wash through my friend that does ENJO (at least my friend gets commission) and I'm planning to go to my local pet food store for Dog and Cat's dinner. I also want to buy a bread maker and will get the flour for this at the Health Food Store I imagine. I'm sure there are others out there doing a much better job of being anti-supermarket but this is my start.

I love my frozen berries for morning smoothies - affordable and convenient: BUT these come in plastic and only come from the supermarket! OH NO!!!! Maybe an occasional buy from Coles is ok!

I do think of things other than birth, babies and cloth nappies LOL

WOMEN ARE SO POWERFUL

2010-03-17T17:41:00.001+10:30

I have had a busy week and have been thrust back into midwifery with Lisa Barrett being away and helping with some of her clients.

I just have to comment on how truly amazing and powerful women are. Most women seem to hit a 'brick wall' that is hard to get over during labour: for some it's at the start or during pushing, most often it's during what is called 'transition - around 8-10cm dilation.' Most will come to a point when they say and believe -
"I can't do this". It is a horrible feeling and it is awesome to see women get through this with good support and a inner belief in themselves. This is the point in hospital when pethidine or epidurals are commonly reached for, often unnecessarily as all that is required is belief in the woman: she has all she needs to get over her 'brick wall.' Homebirth gives the best opportunity - and forces us - to get over the brick wall under our own steam.

Women are all different and so strong. I am so blessed to witness such extraordinary feats in my job. Kudos to all the women out there feeling the full fury of labour and overcoming it. You are all powerful and beautiful birthing goddesses.

Much love

Kat x

My Birth Story

2010-03-08T19:53:00.003+10:30

I would like to share my joy at the arrival of my daughter Lucy Robin 7lb 6oz born 20th July 2009 0810. She is my first baby and was born at home with the help of a wonderful Registered Midwife, Lisa Barrett! It was the most intense, difficult, amazing experience I have ever had. Quotes of the day "This is a stupid f#!%ing idea," and "That was ridiculous." One thing that I found very useful was thinking of every contraction as just one and just getting through that one, I vocalised and used my breath a lot and some of the time chanted "one." I learnt this from Gloria Lemay at the home birth retreat and I'm forever grateful.

THANK YOU SO VERY VERY MUCH TO OUR WONDERFUL BIRTH TEAM - Husband Dale, Lisa Barrett, Rose Pride and Nanna Robin.

The story

I had my mother blessing on Sunday at 38+1 weeks and had an emotional, lovely day. I We took pregnancy pics, did a last belly cast and was then blessed by my close family and friends with meals for the freezer, beads for a birthing necklace and special wishes. At 0130 that night I woke up with cramps and wondered if this could be it. By 0200 I was up and made up the basinet (havn’t actually used it) and muddled around, seeing if they were regular. By 0230 I wanted constant support from my husband and while there was still some joviality at this time it was definitely happening. At 0300 we warned midwife Lisa and rang Mum so she could come and set up the birth pool, not long after our other support person Rose and Lisa were summoned too - it was quite intense right away. I tried the tens machine but after one contraction asked Dale to take it off saying - "that's f*!&ing useless!" 65 bucks well spent!

Addit – when we called my Mum she said “but I haven’t made the lasagna yet” (thinking she would have a couple more weeks and wanting to bring it when I was in labour!)

By 0500 or so I felt transitional already and had thoughts of how good an epidural would be - except there was no way I wanted to go in the car or be 'assessed' at the hospital! Thank god for my wonderful support and hypnotherapy or whatever it was that helped me to stay with my voice and breath. I felt like I was being very noisy. I swore a reasonable amount too. At some point I got in the shower and found this great - I was demanding no one used the hot water as we only have limited supply with an electric system. I planned not to use it so I could shower after but in labour I didn't care about using it all up! Normal logic and planning was out the window.

At one point when I got out the shower I was lying on my bed - thinking my body must be trying to slow it down - I shouted at Rose - 'can you get me something out of that f*&%ing homeopathic kit." I'm sure Rose laughed when I wasn't watching and replied - "I will but I can't perform miracles." She got me some chamomilla and it may have helped??

By 0700 the pool was ready after much hard work and lots of pots of boiling water - thanks to my Mum. The water was excellent although I was struggling with the intense pain in my lower abdomen and begged that the pain would go from my tummy. I asked my baby to move down and she did. I SROMed (water’s broke) and thankfully my team didn't tell me about the meconium (baby poo)... and after this at the end of the contraction I started to push.

When I got in the pool Rose had lit the candles from my mother blessing as I had asked her but in labour I said I was so hot, please blow out the candles they are not helping. Earlier Rose had put on the music - again as I had asked - but I yelled - turn that f!#%ing music off! Such a polite person in labour! I also told Mum I couldn't deal with the video camera - thankfully she partly ignored me and we have some good labour and 4th stage footage - unfortunately the birth was missed as I turned around and shot Lucy out too fast!

Pushing was challenging and the internal pressure was full on. I could feel her head inside my vagina and was thankful to feel no cervix but remember thinking - there's still so far to go. Luckily with the mindset that I may as well push as hard as I could and that it was just like a big poo, Lucy came down reasonably quickly. When she started to crown it felt like I was going to tear to pieces and getting through this feeling to get her out was really hard. Lisa told me to feel her head and let her out slowly as I had done for lots of other women. I felt her - but she came out very quickly! Still in the water she was born in one big contraction - very quick restitution (turning to get out) and I picked her up. I unwrapped her cord from around her body like I have for lots of other babies. She was pink and perfect and I still didn't notice the mec! I was amazed she was a girl - all through the pregnancy I had felt male energy. I was so relieved she was out and I had caught her myself, at home, all perfect!

I got out the pool soon after as it was cooling down. We went to our own bed and I pushed out my placenta - thinking, can't you just pull it out! Lucy fed well for about 2 hours. I only had a small 2nd degree tear that we didn't suture and no grazes - very thankful for that whilst peeing!

Everything was perfect. We did it!

The support and care I recieved from my Registered Midwife Lisa was so crucial to me. The fact that she is registered doesn't matter to me but the fact that her practicing could be illegal is crazy! She is an amazing woman and her dedication to her clients is incredible. She went straight from my birth to another labour and 32 hours later she is still with that woman! What other profession would work under those conditions and keep going??? I thank her from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you for those that took the time to read our story. Kathryn x

NB I wrote this the day after Lucy was born when it was a very fresh memory.

Vaccination Debate Comment

2010-02-27T23:24:00.003+10:30

Comment from original Vaccination post written in January

Full Comment By Anonymous
1. Since millions of children died from preventable diseases. When vaccination rates go down, outbreaks occur -- these diseases have not been eradicated. Maybe you should move to Nigeria, where nobody vaccinates:

http://irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75883

The death toll in that outbreak exceeded 200, and "Apart from causing death, measles is a major cause of blindness among children in Africa and has the potential to damage the brain, leading to deafness and paralysis."

2. What evidence do you have to support this claim? Vaccination isn't like other pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics. It's not taking over or even assisting your body's defenses, or modifying it in any way. It's simply exposing it to the recognizable parts of a virus so that the body produces antibodies. Whether these recognizable parts are on a dead virus or a live virus that may kill the infected person makes no difference. The immune response is the same. One carries a high risk of death and complications, the other does not. Think of vaccines as a workout for the immune system. You get it to respond to stress in a safe situation so that it's ready for battle when the pressure is on.

3. Again, any evidence would be appreciated.

4. I don't think you investigated anything here. You bought a DVD from an organization with an agenda and which backed up your current world view. Remember that naturopathic and homeopathic remedies are also multi-billion dollar industries who will do anything to get your money, just like pharmaceutical companies -- only the natural health companies are completely unregulated and refuse to do proper studies on their products. Realize that they are just as capable as any other company when it comes to buying scientists or funding organizations that disseminate misinformation. Follow the money... and apply reason to everything that comes your way. If the extreme dilutions of homeopathic medicine really worked, ordinary tap water would be the most powerful cure-all known to humanity. Unfortunately that's just not the case.

Also note that the article you linked to here ("What to do if you decide not to vaccinate?") includes a section on polio in which the author dismisses the 1 in 100 risk of paralysis as insignificant. If you consider that reasonable, then you should also consider the risks associated with vaccines as insignificant. They are far less than 1 in 100.

I do not know of anyone personally in my entire life, nor do I know anyone who knows anyone who has been injured by vaccines. I do, however, know people whose parents contracted polio and walk with a cane. I do know that several of my grandfather's siblings died of the Spanish Flu. I do know that in the 50's, entire wards of hospitals were filled with iron lungs artificially ventilating polio victims. Your misinformation will bring this world back, as it has in Africa and to a lesser degree with the periodic outbreaks in North America and Europe when vaccination rates fall. If your child is healthy, it will be because of herd immunity. The low prevalence of the disease will be the only thing stopping he or she from contracting the diseases. Expose your child to these diseases through travel and he or she will pick it up.

Vaccines are amazing. A vaccinated person can literally walk into a room filled with people dying of measles with little risk of getting sick. If you are certain that your methods will be as effective, send your child on a tour of Africa when he or she is old enough.

I hope that you do allow this comment do be posted, though I have a feeling that you will not. I also sincerely hope that you vaccinate your child. You are putting he or she at risk if you don't.

MY RESPONSE

Dear Anonymous

Why is it that you cannot name yourself? I have openly written how I feel about this controversial topic and I am in the minority of our society and although you sit with popular opinion you will not name yourself. I find this cowardly and offensive as you accuse me of putting my daughter at risk - which I would never intentionally do.

I find it fascinating that you seem threatened by my post. If vaccination is so effective and provides protection - as you say: "Vaccines are amazing. A vaccinated person can literally walk into a room filled with people dying of measles with little risk of getting sick" - why are you so concerned about a small percentage of people that choose not to?

I too am very concerned about the morbidity and mortality in third world countries. However, I believe that vaccination campaigns and spending millions on vaccines is NOT the answer. If these people all had clean water, fresh healthy food and appropriate shelter - would they still be suffering to the same degree? I think not, regardless of pumping pharmaceuticals into their systems.

Evidence! I'd love for you to provide me with any evidence that is
a) in no way funded by drug companies
b) includes proper long term follow up - look at the swine flu vaccine for example, because it didn't kill anyone instantly the government automatically had 20 million doses made. This has been rolled out so quickly, how could there be any true guarantee of safety and it is now recommended to pregnant women; is that because the first couple of babies born seemed ok? Is this another thalidomide type disaster?

You write: If the extreme dilutions of homeopathic medicine really worked, ordinary tap water would be the most powerful cure-all known to humanity. Unfortunately that's just not the case.

You clearly don't have a good understanding and have not used homeopathics. I have used them with my daughter and she stopped crying instantly (when I was treating colic); tap water does not have this effect. Not everything in this world can be explained by science - maybe this is why vaccinations don't need independent rigorous long term testing?

You write: Also note that the article you linked to here ("What to do if you decide not to vaccinate?") includes a section on polio in which the author dismisses the 1 in 100 risk of paralysis as insignificant. If you consider that reasonable, then you should also consider the risks associated with vaccines as insignificant. They are far less than 1 in 100.

From "What to do if and when you decide not to immunise."
Dr Peter Baratosy MB BS PhD http:/www.visainfo.org.au
"The majority of cases of polio is not more that a ʻflu like illness Out
of a 100 people who become infected with polio, 90% are asymptomatic, 9%
show signs of viral like illness, sore throat, neck stiffness, weakness,
etc. 1% get paralysis. Out of that 1% who get paralysis approx 10% are left
with residual paralysis. (Leon Chaitow Vaccination and Immunisation. Dangers,
Delusions and Alternatives C.W.Daniel 1987 pg 45)

If an individual was to contract polio then he/she has 1 in 1000 chance of having lasting paralysis not the 1 in 100 you quote.

Parents and humans are just trying to do their best and make decisions with the resources available. I have a natural health philosophy and see health in a completely different way to the medical model. I truly believe vaccination attacks and overloads the immune system thereby making it weaker, not stronger. Would I be a good parent if I vaccinated when I have this genuine belief? It may be shown in future that I am right or maybe I am wrong? For now, I will make decisions for my family based on my belief system and the information I have available to me. I encourage everyone to make informed choices about their children's health. My initial post was just sharing my own decision making and reasoning in a brief manner - it obviously struck a cord with you Messes Anonymous. I am in no way trying to sway others to make the same decision I made, it is an individual choice. Thank you for your comment - it voices the pro vaccination opinion well.

Birth: a woman's right to decide?

2010-02-16T12:45:00.000+10:30

As published on Essential Baby

BY JUSTINE CAINES
February 16, 2010 - 12:45PM

What Women Want's Founder Justine Caines shares her views on the proposed maternity reforms.

Soon after the 2007 election, Nicola Roxon announced maternity reform that would enable women to choose a midwife to care for them for their pregnancy, labour, birth and for up to six weeks post-natally. This was to be funded under Medicare. The fantastic part was that it would be one midwife, enabling a woman to form a relationship, knowing who would share her birth experience with her and also provide home based post-natal care. Maternity reform advocates were excited and heralded this as ‘landmark’.

Over the last year, however, we've seen intense lobbying from the Australian Medical Association (AMA). Late last year, the proposed reform was altered. Medicare funded midwifery would not go ahead unless a doctor ‘signed off’ the practices of the midwife, giving an individual doctor veto power over a midwife’s practice and woman’s decision making.

Some women will take full advice of their doctor, they are happy with this care. Other women may be clear about their needs. These needs may not fit with a particular doctor views or philosophies. The woman may want to use deep water for pain relief and even birth. She may not want vaginal examinations. She may not want to be hooked up to a CTG for monitoring, rather agree to intermittent monitoring with a Doppler. She may decide that she does not want to be induced when ‘post-dates’ as long as both she and the baby are fine. She may want a vaginal birth after a caesarean, she may want to give birth in the comfort of her own home.

These are all valid decisions that a woman needs to be able to make. When a woman makes a decision contrary to medical opinion it is often deemed as ‘unsafe’ or that she is putting her own experience ahead of her baby’s safety. Yet it is clear that across the world, and the country, there are varying philosophies and medical models that deem what is and isn't safe.

The vast majority of maternity reform advocates strongly support a ‘networked approach’ whereby the woman receives the care she needs by the most appropriate provider. This is possible without removing a woman’s right to make decisions about her body and her baby.

Whilst the Australian Medical Association is a powerful lobby group, women on the other hand have no lobby; consumer advocates are unpaid in unfunded community groups. There is a huge power imbalance and the Rudd Government is seemingly willing to erode women’s rights to avoid a smear campaign from the AMA.

The Medicare reform to fund midwives has the ability to establish midwifery care as a mainstream choice for Australian women. Pregnant women could ‘hire’ a midwife just like they do a GP or Obstetrician. For women in rural areas this could mean care in their local community, it could also enable antenatal and post natal care in a woman’s home (if she wishes) or in more convenient locations like community centres.

The reforms had the ability to place women as the focus of care, rather than the current practice of meeting the needs of organisations and practitioners first. Currently many women wait hours for basic care, or experience fragmented care from several providers, often providing conflicting advice and poor outcomes.

The approaches and advice in maternity care are nearly as different as the health professionals themselves. This means in one circumstance a woman’s needs may be met, not however in another, we don’t believe this is a safe way to provide such important care. The interaction between health professionals and women is a two way street, their are ‘rights’ and ‘responsibilities’ for each party.

A woman is responsible to demonstrate that she is informed and understands her body and the implications of particular options. A care provider has the right to provide full and open information. They are responsible to be satisfied that a woman understands this information and that it is delivered in a non-threatening way. The woman then has the right to make a decision and be provided with healthcare of her choosing. This right has been well established in law.

A group of mums from across Australia decided that every woman should have the same decision making rights, together they came up with the idea of a direct message to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, while in Ballarat on February 18. My Body, My baby MY RIGHT to decide was born. It seems many other women agree The Facebook page has taken off with over 3500 members. Organisers then received messages from across Australia from women wanting to host local events. There are now 12 other events planned, taking place outside the offices of local federal MPs. The response has been extraordinary. The needs and rights of women are shaping up to be a recurring election theme.

Do you think Australian women should make decisions about their own healthcare?

To find about more about the MyBirth events on Thursday 18 February click here.

Coffee Morning

2010-02-13T13:00:00.003+10:30

Southern Coffee Morning

3rd TUESDAY of the Month at The Green Room, Willunga
10am till noon

21st September 2010
19th October 2010
16th November 2010

Come along to chat about bellies, birth and babies

ALL WELCOME - we will be out the back, weather permitting.
Contact me with any queries 0420458770 or katndale@gmail.com

Founders of British obstetrics 'were callous murderers'

2010-02-11T15:02:00.000+10:30

William Hunter and William Smellie commissioned a regular supply of corpses so they could study the physical effects of pregnancy, argues a respected historian

Written by Denis Campbell, health correspondent
The Observer, Sunday 7 February 2010
Article history

They are giants of medicine, pioneers of the care that women receive during childbirth and were the founding fathers of obstetrics. The names of William Hunter and William Smellie still inspire respect among today's doctors, more than 250 years since they made their contributions to healthcare. Such were the duo's reputations as outstanding physicians that the clienteles of their private practices included the rich and famous of mid-18th-century London.
But were they also serial killers? New research published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (JRSM) claims that they were. A detailed historical study accuses the doctors of soliciting the killing of dozens of women, many in the latter stages of pregnancy, to dissect their corpses.
"Smellie and Hunter were responsible for a series of 18th-century 'burking' murders of pregnant women, with a death total greater than the combined murders committed by Burke and Hare and Jack the Ripper," writes Don Shelton, a historian. "Burking" involved murdering people to order, usually for medical research.
According to Shelton, the two men were between them responsible for the murders of 35-40 pregnant women and their unborn children. Acting separately, and using henchmen to deliver their supply, they organised a killing spree in London between 1749 and 1755 and, after a period of inactivity enforced by mounting suspicion about the source of their corpses, resumed between 1764 and 1774. Motivated by ego, personal rivalry and a shared desire to benefit from being acclaimed as the foremost childbirth doctors of their time, Hunter and Smellie sacrificed life after life in their quests to study pregnancy's physical effects and to develop new techniques, the author says. "Although it sounds absolutely incredible, the circumstantial literary evidence suggests they were most likely competing with each other in experimenting with secret caesarean sections on unconscious, or freshly murdered, victims, with a view to extracting and reviving the babies," Shelton told the Observer.
Shelton examined the men's anatomical atlases, containing detailed images of pregnant women who had been opened up, and medical literature and the causes of death in London at the time. Glasgow's Hunterian museum and gallery is named after Scottish-born Hunter, who in 1762 became physician to Queen Charlotte, wife of George III. He helped her to deliver the future king, George IV.
Smellie, a fellow Scot, is no less distinguished. From Witchcraft to Wisdom, a textbook on the history of obstetric and gynaecological medicine, hails him as "the greatest obstetrician in the history of British obstetrics". He has also been called "the father of British midwifery".
Shelton, though, regards the duo as on a par with Burke and Hare, who murdered 17 citizens of Edinburgh in 1827 and 1828, selling their remains to a local anatomist. The London of Hunter and Smellie's time was unhealthy and semi-anarchic, and early death from disease was widespread, as was grave robbing. In his JRSM paper, Shelton claims to prove that the rival doctors could not have obtained their supply of corpses by any other means than murder. It was rare for mothers-to-be to die or be murdered soon before they were due to give birth, says the historian. People from poorhouses who died were usually old, unwell or children. Thus the grave robbers of the time could not have fulfilled the obstetricians' need for such a specific type of female, concludes Shelton.
Each used an assistant to commission killers, he says, naming Dr Colin Mackenzie as Smellie's accomplice and John Hunter – William's brother, who was a celebrated anatomist – as his helper. Young women from the countryside were apparently favourite targets in a city where plenty of people "disappeared".
"There is great suspicion about the abundance of undelivered ninth-month corpses procured, dissected and depicted in the anatomical atlases of Smellie and Hunter," writes Shelton. "The impossibility of supply from random resurrections, taken with a careful analysis of events, and of 18th-century medical literature, shows compelling evidence for burking."
By 1755 rumours were circulating that the women in Smellie's journal had been murdered, and associates began pressing him on their origins. "As a result Smellie and Hunter both halted their research, both presumably fearing trial and execution," although Hunter – who used his links to powerful families to ensure no investigation was ever undertaken – resumed ordering murders, about once a year, in 1764, Shelton adds.
Anthony Kenny, a gynaecologist in London for 40 years until his retirement in 2007, said: "These two guys are my heroes. The idea that they could have been involved in the murder of subjects is absolutely staggering." Kenny is now the curator of the museum of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. "They were the first proper obstetricians in the country because of their pioneering work practising what was then still a new branch of medicine."
While Kenny describes Shelton's paper as "extremely impressive" in its research, he cannot believe that his heroes were guilty of such terrible crimes. The trade in corpses was very lucrative and probably attracted unsavoury, unscrupulous characters, he pointed out. "And it could be that they didn't make proper inquiries as to the origins of the bodies, and so may not have known that the women were murdered."
Ludmilla Jordanova, a professor of modern history at King's College London who specialises in the history of medicine, says Shelton's assertion that Hunter and Smellie could not have come across so many dead pregnant women from any other source as "a striking claim. Important research… is revealing the complexities of anatomical activities in 18th-century London. This is an exciting and controversial area of historical investigation, and it invites more meticulous research and judicious research."
Shelton says his research "turned out to be a bit like a thinking person's Da Vinci Code, but in this case involving facts, not fiction. Although the conclusion of burking is shocking, to quote Sherlock Holmes, 'When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, is the truth.'"

Midwifery Services

2010-02-11T14:52:00.005+10:30

Midwife translates in latin to ‘with woman,’ therefore women are central to my practice: I am a midwife to serve women. I have chosen to work as an independent midwife to enable me to fully embrace this philosophy.

I am based in southern Adelaide. I am a mother and midwife. I finished my Bachelor of Midwifery in 2004 and then moved to New Zealand to work as an Independent midwife. I started my homebirth career there and my passion just keeps growing. My role as a midwife is to believe in women; to trust the process and trust birth. I feel I am like a guide: helping women along the way as they learn and blossom into wonderful confident mothers.

I will work with up to 2 homebirth families a month, offer back-up for other midwives and I’m happy to provide support or education for women free birthing or birthing in hospital. I’m happy to talk with you about your specific needs.

National Day of Action

2010-02-09T15:28:00.002+10:30

It is important to let the community know that none of the exemptions, amendments, draft laws etc on offer so far have changed the situation for consumers. From July this year, Australian women that wish to lawfully access a private midwife as their primary carer (for birth at home or hospital) will still have their ability to access a private midwife, choice of midwife and their maternity care decisions controlled by doctors. This will make basically make homebirth illegal and underground as we know that the AMA (Australian Medical Association) is publicly against homebirth. If women are required to have their homebirth 'agreed to' by a Doctor, it will be the end of homebirth as we know it! We need to fight this to the end and make our voices heard. Below are the details to the protest in Adelaide: if at all possible please come.

The details of the day of action are:

Host:	My Body, My Baby, My Right to Decide. National Day of Action.

Date:	Thursday, February 18, 2010
Time:	10:00am - 11:00am
Location:	Local Federal Member of Parliament Kate Ellis’ Office 161a Main North Road NAILSWORTH SA 5083

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:

http://www.mybirth.com.au/

Facebook Page

THE HON NICOLA ROXON MP

Minister for Health and Ageing
MEDIA RELEASE

4 February 2010

Landmark Reforms for Mothers, Midwives and Nurses

The Government welcomes the recommendation of the Community Affairs Committee that the Midwives and Nurse Practitioners Bills be passed.

If enacted, this landmark legislation will deliver more choice and options for Australian mothers than ever before.

However, the fate of these changes rest with Liberal Party in the Senate.

The Rudd Governments’ $120 million maternity services package gives families greater choice in maternity care, and recognises the important role played by qualified midwives in the birthing experience of many Australian women.

The reforms will be a great step forward for mothers - giving them greater freedom, flexibility and support in how they choose to have their baby.

Importantly, the reforms will also recognise and enhance the capacity of our highly skilled nurse practitioner and midwifery workforce.

For more information contact the Minister’s office on 02 6277 7220.

Health and Disease

2010-01-31T21:04:00.000+10:30

Just came across "Health The only Immunity" by Ian Sinclair - which makes sooooo much sense to me.

To quote from it: "to believe that sickness results solely from the visitation of some inherent germs or virus and to accept treatment by some poisonous drug is to be guilty of the most naive superstition. This form of exorcism cannot remedy the problem because it bears no relation to the real cause"

AND

"Illness or disease is only Nature's warning that filth has accumulated in some portion or other of the body, and it would be surely part of wisdom to allow Nature to remove the filth, instead of covering it up with the help of medicine. Those, therefore who take medicine only render the task of Nature more difficult." Mahatma Gandhi

Vitamin K for Newborns

2010-01-27T11:30:00.002+10:30

Vitamin K is routinely administered intramuscular to a majority of newborn babies in Australia. Is this practice necessary and as simple as it is made out to be?

Vitamin K at Birth: To Inject or Not

This article (Vitamin K at birth: to inject or not) explains the reason vitamin K is given and also explores the options of maternal supplementation to boost the amount of vitamin K coming through the breastmilk.

I personally can't understand why we would have been designed without vitamin K if we truly need it at birth? Did our creator forget it? 1.8 out of 100,000 risk of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn is the reason it is given.

Below I have pasted another article refuting the need for vitamin K in the newborn at all.

Vitamin K

Is this really safe and necessary?

Bronwyn Hancock October 2003

The reason given for administration of Vitamin K is to prevent haemorrhagic disease in newborns. However consider the following points:

The form of Vitamin K injected

· The body does not readily utilise synthetic vitamins and minerals. The vitamin K administered by hospitals to newborns is the synthetic phytonadione. The natural forms of vitamin K that are found in many foods, particularly in vegetables such as collard greens, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, brussels sprouts and salad greens, are a different form – they are called phylloquinone or menaquinone. Certain bacteria in the intestinal tract also produce menaquinones.

· Apart from its synthetic nature, it is based on plant Vitamin K and injected. The body utilises vitamins and minerals that are found in plants and creates the human form it needs, but this is after they go through the digestion process, which obviously does not occur with injections.

· "Little is known about the metabolic fate of vitamin K. Almost no free unmetabolised vitamin K appears in bile or urine," states both the 1988 and 1998 Physician's Desk Reference (PDR). "This is especially important due to the fact that it is a fat-soluble vitamin and therefore can accumulate in the body," wrote Vitamin K Resources (VKR) in the extremely well-documented and footnoted 1999 article, Intramuscular Vitamin K Injection: Is K OK?he amount of Vitamin K administered

Toxic ingredients accompanying the Vitamin K

· The vitamin K injections administered by hospitals and manufactured by Merck and Roche and Abbott contain benzyl alcohol as a preservative. The 1989 PDR states that, "there is no evidence to suggest that the small amount of benzyl alcohol contained in AquaMEPHYTON (Merck's vitamin K injection product), when used as recommended, is associated with toxicity." Interestingly, in November 1988, the French medical journal, Dev Pharmacol Ther, published a paper regarding benzyl alcohol metabolism and elimination in babies. The report stated that "...we cannot directly answer the issue of safety of 'low doses' of benzyl alcohol as found in some medications administered to neonates. This study confirms the immaturity of the benzoic acid detoxification process in premature newborns."

· Roche's vitamin K product KONAKION contains ingredients such as phenol (carbolic acid-a poisonous substance distilled from coal tar), propylene glycol (derived from petroleum and used as an antifreeze and in hydraulic brake fluid) and acetic acid (an astringent antimicrobial agent that may drastically reduce the amount of natural vitamin K that would have otherwise been produced in the digestive tract). As reported in the PDR and as published in the IM vitamin K packet inserts for Merck, Roche and Abbott, "Studies of carcinogenicity, mutagenesis or impairment of fertility have not been conducted with Vitamin K1 Injection (Phytonadione Injection, USP)."

· The Vitamin K injection can be in a base of polyethoxylated castor oil.

· Vitamin K injections also contain hydrochloric acid and lecithin.

Effects of Vitamin K administration

· The manufacturers warn on the product insert: "Severe reactions, including fatalities, have occurred during and immediately after intravenous injection of phytonadione even when precautions have been taken to dilute the vitamin and avoid rapid infusion..."

· The Vitamin K shot has been linked to leukaemia, including acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, which is characterized by an increased number of white corpuscles in the blood, and accounts for about 85 percent of childhood leukaemia. Research carried out by Dr. Louise Parker, of the Sir James Spence Institute of Child Health in Newcastle upon Tyne, produced the most startling results. Dr. Louise Parker was quoted in the British Medical Journal in 1998 as stating, "It is not possible, on the basis of currently published evidence, to refute the suggestion that neonatal IM vitamin K administration increases the risk of early childhood leukemia.".

The British Journal of Cancer published "Factors associated with childhood cancer" by J. Golding, et al, in 1990. The report indicated that universally administered IM vitamin K injections significantly increase our children's chances of developing childhood cancer. A follow-up study published two years later in the British Medical Journal (Golding J, Paterson K, Greenwood R, Mott M. Intramuscular vitamin K and childhood cancer. BMJ 1992; 305:341-346.) reinforced the findings of the previous study. The authors' comments, in keeping with scientific style, are conservatively stated, but parents who are concerned about the health of their babies will read "danger" between the following lines: "The only two studies so far to have examined the relation between childhood cancer and intramuscular vitamin K have shown similar results and the relation is biologically plausible. The prophylactic benefits against haemorrhagic disease are unlikely to exceed the potential adverse effects from intramuscular vitamin K..."

The chance of your child developing leukaemia from the Vitamin K shot is estimated to be about one in 500 (MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, Vol 2 #3, September 1992)

· Animal studies have linked large doses of vitamin K to a variety of conditions that include anaemia, liver damage, kidney damage and death.

· Interestingly the common problem that occurs these days of jaundice in newborns has only been reported since the introduction of Vitamin K administration.

· According to the product insert, adverse reactions include haemolysis (or hemolysis - American spelling) (meaning breakdown of red blood cells), haemolytic anaemia (a disorder characterised by chronic premature destruction of red blood cells), hyperbilirubinemia (too much bilirubin in blood) and jaundice (yellow skin and eyes resulting from hyperbilirubinemia), and allergic reactions include face flushing, gastrointestinal upset, rash, redness, pain or swelling at injection site and itching skin. It also warns that large enough doses can cause brain damage in infants and/or impairment to liver function. Hypoxia has also been published as having occurred in infants after Vitamin K administration.

The necessity (or lack of necessity) for administration of Vitamin K

· The bleeding condition the Vitamin K shot is supposed to prevent occurs at a rate that is far lower (in a non-Vitamin K injected child) than the rate of occurrence of leukaemia. The haemorrhaging condition may occur in approximately 1 in 10,000 live births

· The condition also will not necessarily be prevented by Vitamin K because it can be caused by other factors than a lack of Vitamin K (e.g. See Arch Dis Child 1999; 81:278 (September)). In fact vaccination is a major cause of haemorrhaging.

· The bacteria that should quickly colonise the gut (in a baby who is breastfed and not given antibiotics directly or as one of the ingredients in vaccines, including most likely the Hepatitis B vaccine) produces Vitamin K anyway, as mentioned above.

· As early as April 17, 1977, an article in one of the world's most esteemed medical journals, the Lancet, discredited the policy of routine vitamin K injections. "We conclude that healthy babies, contrary to current beliefs, are not likely to have a vitamin K deficiency... the administration of vitamin K is not supported by our findings..." Van Doorm et al stated in the Lancet article. VKR cited 21 peer-reviewed reports that had been published in prominent medical journals. All of them concur that policies that mandate the universal injection of newborn babies are not based on sound science. There has been much peer-reviewed evidence generated which questions the efficacy of routine vitamin K injections as sound public health policy.

· Naturopathic physicians and others who successfully adhere to a more natural approach to healthcare advocate that high-risk mothers should increase the amount of vitamin K available to the foetus, and then the breastfeeding infant, by eating adequate amounts of green leafy vegetables and other foods high in Vitamin K, such as alfalfa, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, turnip greens, asparagus, oats and green tea.

· Commonsensically, VKR poses the question, "...how could God (or nature) have erred so badly as to give all newborn babies only an infinitesimal fraction of their required vitamin K? Surely the human race could not have survived to this point if all newborns were born with this deficiency and none being administered at birth until very recently." So ironically, when a Vitamin K deficiency does occur the probable cause(s) would be some other artificial, unnecessary interference, which just so happens to be something that one might say is fairly characteristic of modern medical treatments.

Vaccination

2010-01-27T10:31:00.003+10:30

Vaccination is a massive health campaign in Australia. I have chosen not to vaccinate my daughter: this was a difficult and big decision but I now feel very comfortable with it. I found the INVESTIGATE BEFORE YOU VACCINATE DVD from Visa (link below) was very informative and summarised the anti-vaccination debate.

In brief my decision came down to the following:

1. When did it become normal to inject various strains of disease into our children?
2. I believe injecting multiple virus's directly into a child's body in a completely unnatural way is dangerous and will ultimately attack the immune system and make it weaker.
3. Natural immunity when disease is processed through the mucous membranes and processed - normally one virus at a time - is the safe and natural way to build immunity.
4. A healthy diet and lifestyle, natural remedies - such as constitutional homeopathic use and avoidance of chemicals and pharmaceutical drugs (begginning in pregnancy and birth) will build strong, healthy immune systems.

For further information please utilise the Vaccination Information South Australia website and resources.
Visa Website

What to do if you decide not to vaccinate?

Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage

2010-01-20T20:01:00.002+10:30

By Michel Odent
Excerpted from "Putting an End to Women's Global Slaughter: Bleeding to
Death," Midwifery Today, Issue 74

Over the years I have come to the conclusion that postpartum haemorrhages
are almost always related to inappropriate interference. Postpartum
haemorrhage would be extremely rare if a small number of simple rules was
understood and observed..

During the hour following birth, I remain as silent as possible and keep a
low profile. I either sit down in a corner behind mother and baby or
disappear, if there is an experienced doula present who has had a personal
experience of this situation. Minutes after birth many mothers are no longer
comfortable in an upright position. This is most likely the time when the
level of adrenaline is decreasing and when the mother feels the contractions
associated with the separation of the placenta. Then the birth attendant may
have to hold the baby for some seconds, in order for the mother to find a
comfortable position, almost always lying down on one side. After that there
is no excuse to interfere with the interaction between mother and baby.

I don't approach the cord and placenta for an hour. Clamping and cutting the
cord before the delivery of the placenta is a dangerous distraction.
Suggesting a position to the mother is another unneeded distraction. Her
position is the consequence of her level of adrenaline. When the level of
adrenaline is low and the mother feels the need to lie down, it would be
unkind and unphysiological to suggest an upright position.

It is only when an hour has passed after the birth-if the placenta is not
yet delivered-that I dare to disturb the mother in order to check that the
placenta is at least separated from the uterus. With the mother on her back,
I press the abdominal wall just above the pubic bone with my fingertips: if
the cord does not move, it means the placenta has separated. In practice,
the placenta is always either delivered or separated an hour after birth,
and bleeding is minimal, if the third stage has not been "managed." I have
never had to inject a uterotonic drug to control the bleeding.

More Homebirth study

2010-01-20T19:54:00.001+10:30

4. Don’t believe the home-birth horror headlines

Melissa Sweet writes:

AMA, HOME BIRTHS, MEDIA WATCH, MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA

If you’ve been half awake in recent days, you might have heard of a new study showing that "babies are seven times more likely to die during home births".

It’s worth having a close look at what the study actually found (the full article is available here in the Medical Journal of Australia), and also considering some of the broader context that has been sadly lacking from most of the coverage I’ve seen and heard.

Please bear with me -- I’m about to hit you with a stack of figures -- but it is worth taking the time to examine them in some depth. You may end up with a different impression from what the headlines have been saying.

The researchers compared the outcomes for 287,192 planned hospital births that took place in SA between 1991 and 2006 with those of 1141 planned home births. Note that this latter group was defined as any birth intended to occur at home at the time of antenatal booking, but about 30% actually ended up occurring in hospital (the researchers were unable to say how many women went to hospital before or during labour).

During those 16 years, there were nine perinatal deaths in the planned home birth group (seven of which actually occurred in babies born in hospital), and 2440 deaths in the group with a planned hospital birth. Two deaths occurred among the 792 infants born at home, one of whom had congenital abnormalities.

Once the babies with birth defects were excluded from the calculations, the perinatal mortality rate for planned home births was 4.5 per 1000 births versus 6.7 per 1000 for hospitals -- the difference was not statistically significant.

As you might expect, the rates of caesarean sections and other interventions were significantly lower in the home-birth group. Nine per cent of women who’d planned a home birth ended up having a caesarean, versus 27% of the hospital birth group.

The home-birth babies were more likely to die during labour and delivery (intrapartum death) but the numbers were so small, there is a wide range of uncertainty surrounding the estimates of how their risk compared with the hospital group’s.. (And remember that the overall perinatal death rate for the two groups was the same).

Where the media generally reported home-birth babies being seven times more likely to die during delivery, the estimate ranges from them being anywhere between 1.5 and 36 times more likely to have this happen. Such a wide-ranging estimate means, as the authors themselves state, "small numbers with large confidence intervals limit interpretation of these data".

To go back to the actual numbers, over the period of the study, there were 247 intrapartum deaths among the planned hospital births and two among the planned home births (one of which occurred in a baby who ended up being born in hospital).

A similar caution surrounds the widely reported finding that home-birth babies were 27 times more likely to die from lack of oxygen during delivery. Again, this finding had wide confidence intervals, with the estimate ranging from eight to 89 times greater -- clearly, another one to take with caution.

Looking at the raw data, 87 babies in the hospital group died due to lack of oxygen during the delivery, compared with three in the planned home-birth group (two of whom ended up being born in hospital).

The researchers note that during the 16 years of the study in relation to the home births, "there were only three perinatal deaths for which one can reasonably assume that a different choice of care provider, location of birth or timing of transfer to hospital might have made a difference to the outcome."

It is also worth noting that one of these three deaths occurred in a twin. The reason the parents persisted in a home birth despite being advised against it was that they "had had unsatisfactory hospital experiences during previous pregnancies".

The researchers also said "it is reassuring that the rate of postpartum haemorrhage, which had been of concern in earlier Australian studies, was not higher for planned home births than planned hospital births".

In other words, there is quite a lot of good news for home-birth advocates in this study. Given the health system’s historic lack of support for those who choose home birth and their carers, you could argue that one of the main inferences from the study is that it is quite amazing that more adverse outcomes were not reported.

Another inference I take is that rather than damming home birth, the health system and health professionals should be doing more to improve support and integration of care.

So why did we end up with headlines emphasising the shock horror out of all context?

One factor has to be the MJA’s decision to have Dr Andrew Pesce, an obstetrician and gynaecologist who is the president of the AMA, which is opposed to home birth in Australia, write the editorial accompanying the study.

Given the intense politicking that has surrounded home-birth policy in the context of maternity services reform, it might have been more useful to have an editorialist from outside the political fray, or even the country.

The editorial gave the AMA another platform for directing the media coverage, and its press release accompanying the journal also was geared towards producing the headlines we got.

I’m not surprised that the Australian College of Midwives has sent its take on the whole sorry saga to Media Watch, where it deserves some serious attention. One home-birth advocate told me that of the several journalists who interviewed her, none had actually read the study and all just swallowed the AMA line.

Meanwhile, it seems more pertinent than ever to borrow the final words of the study’s authors:

Although it is not anticipated that large numbers of women will opt for home birth, women’s autonomy in choosing reproductive behaviour is a fundamental human right enshrined in Australian law.

Respecting their choices and achieving the best outcome for all concerned is likely to remain a challenge that will require more light and less heat than it has received thus far.

What we’ve learnt in recent days is that we can’t rely on the media -- or medical organisations -- to contribute much light to this debate.

SA homebirth study

2010-01-19T18:44:00.001+10:30

The SA Homebirth Study (Robyn M Kennare, Marc J N C Keirse, Graeme R Tucker and Annabelle C Chan, 2010)

If you look at the details in the study it actually shows planned homebirth to be very safe with much less intervention when compared to planned hospital birth.

Perinatal Deaths (Perinatal deaths were defined according to Australian definitions as the sum of stillbirths and neonatal deaths within 28 days of birth(Kennare et al, 2010))

"There were nine deaths in the planned home birth group — a rate of 7.9 per 1000 births, compared with 8.2 per 1000 births for planned hospital births (Box 1) — with no trend over time. Two were among the 792 infants born at home (2.5 per 1000 births). One of these two infants had congenital anomalies suspected on ultrasound; the parents declined further investigation, and the infant had palliative care and died from lethal anomalies. The other was a fresh stillbirth from a water birth. Although birth under water was thought not to have contributed to the death, closer monitoring during labour may have changed the outcome.(Kennare et al, 2010)"

The authors state "in the 16-year study period there were only three perinatal deaths for which one can reasonably assume that a different choice of care provider, location of birth, or timing of transfer to hospital might have made a difference to the outcome." Take note of the word might!

The instrumental delivery(forceps and suction cap), episiotomy rate(cutting the perineum at birth), perineal trauma (large tears) and post partum hemorrhage rates were all less in the planned homebirth group.

I feel the statistics in the study really heavily favour homebirth and the authors have picked out the reason of intrapartum asphyxia (labour and birth deficiency of blood supply to baby) in only 3 cases (2 which were born in hospital) to provide ammunition for the medical argument against homebirth. What were the other specific reasons for deaths? Why did more babies die in hospital?

Lisa's Review
Another Good Review - this explains all reasons for perinatal deaths in planned home birth group.

Vaginal infections

2010-01-13T19:39:00.002+10:30

How to treat them with garlic!

Worth a try

Cord around the Neck - Gloria Lemay

2010-01-10T17:35:00.003+10:30

Link to Cord Around the Neck - Gloria Lemay

This is a blatent, truthful explanation of a common misconception about birth.

It is normal for a baby's cord to be around their neck. It is not normal to be induced, have an epidural and be in a hospital to give birth.

Gloria is an amazing women and I invite you to search her blog for loads of interesting reading x

Frank Breech Video | Homebirth: Midwife Mutiny in South Australia#links#links

2010-01-10T17:05:00.000+10:30

Frank Breech Video Homebirth: Midwife Mutiny in South Australia#links#links

This is a truly amazing video of a frank breech birth. Thank you so much to the amazing mum who shared it and Lisa for continuing her brilliant work

Breaking News

2009-12-15T13:38:00.003+10:30

Government Backflips on Midwives

Good work everyone, those submissions must have been heard...

I'm "eternally optimistic" (quote, Lisa Barrett) that home birth will remain a safe and valid option. Oh, it's always been safe - just some people in positions of power don't think it's valid. Those of us in the 'loop' know the truth :)

North American Home Birth Study

2009-12-15T13:35:00.001+10:30

BMJ 2005;330:1416 (18 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7505.1416

LINK TO FULL TEXT OF ARTICLE

Paper

Outcomes of planned home births with certified professional midwives: large prospective study in North America

Kenneth C Johnson, senior epidemiologist¹, Betty-Anne Daviss, project manager²

¹ Surveillance and Risk Assessment Division, Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Public Health Agency of Canada, PL 6702A, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A OK9, ² Safe Motherhood/Newborn Initiative, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ottawa, Canada

Correspondence to: K C Johnson ken_lcdc_johnson@phac-aspc.gc.ca

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the safety of home births in North Americainvolving direct entry midwives, in jurisdictions where thepractice is not well integrated into the healthcare system.

Design Prospective cohort study.

Setting All home births involving certified professional midwivesacross the United States (98% of cohort) and Canada, 2000.

Participants All 5418 women expecting to deliver in 2000 supportedby midwives with a common certification and who planned to deliverat home when labour began.

Main outcome measures Intrapartum and neonatal mortality, perinataltransfer to hospital care, medical intervention during labour,breast feeding, and maternal satisfaction.

Results 655 (12.1%) women who intended to deliver at home whenlabour began were transferred to hospital. Medical interventionrates included epidural (4.7%), episiotomy (2.1%), forceps (1.0%),vacuum extraction (0.6%), and caesarean section (3.7%); theserates were substantially lower than for low risk US women havinghospital births. The intrapartum and neonatal mortality amongwomen considered at low risk at start of labour, excluding deathsconcerning life threatening congenital anomalies, was 1.7 deathsper 1000 planned home births, similar to risks in other studiesof low risk home and hospital births in North America. No mothersdied. No discrepancies were found for perinatal outcomes independentlyvalidated.

Conclusions Planned home birth for low risk women in North Americausing certified professional midwives was associated with lowerrates of medical intervention but similar intrapartum and neonatalmortality to that of low risk hospital births in the UnitedStates.

Older Mums

2009-12-14T10:25:00.004+10:30

Older Mums and Home Birth

The above link gives a well rounded summary of possible risks of being an 'older mum.' I believe whatever your age, your best chance of having a normal joyous birth is to birth at home - but hey, I'm biased! For those wanting information the above link can give you some info and research surrounding this issue that Obs love to use as an excuse for unnecessary intervention. Nothing like saying destroying a woman's confidence to make sure she 'needs help' during labour and birth.

Third stage of labour and Post Partum Haemorrhage

2009-12-13T09:47:00.009+10:30

The current global effort to prevent post partum haemorrhage: how likely is it to be effective? Guilliland, K. (2007). New Zealand College of Midwives Journal, 36, 28-31

In New Zealand about 30% of all women, with a midwife lead maternity carer (LMC) who is a member of the New Zealand College of Midwives' Maternity Provider Organisation (MMPO), have physiological management of third stage of labour (NZCOM, 2007). The women choose this option as a result of the informed consent culture in New Zealand. This allows them to assess their own risk and make their own decisions about care.

Out of a total cohort of 12,061 women cared for by 369 midwives in 2004, the rate of PPH in those 30% of healthy women (who chose physiological management) was lower than that of the healthy women who chose active management (ibid).

In NZ most women start their pregnancy with an LMC and some 78% in 2003 had a midwife LMC. (Ministry of Health, 2006). It is common therefore for midwife LMCs to have a mixed caseload of low to moderate risk women. They either provide care for these women on their own responsibility or they work in consultation with specialists.

The incidence overall of PPH following vaginal birth in the MMPO 2004 cohort of mixed low to moderate risk status women was 8.3%. Of the women who chose an actively managed third stage, some 6% had a PPH of between 500 and 999mls, compared to 3% of women who chose a physiologically managed third stage. Some 1% of women in the actively managed group had a PPH over 1000mls. No women in the physiologically managed group had a PPH over 1000mls. Manual removal of the placenta was required for 0.4% of the women, and this was the same rate in both groups.

The main incidence of PPH inthis cohort, and in New Zealand in general, was not following spontaneous vaginal birth but was predominantly associated with operative birth both forceps and caesarean section (Women's Hospitals Australasia, 2005)."

The Real Birth Wars Montage

2009-12-03T18:48:00.002+10:30

The Real Birth Wars Montage

Some beautiful and disturbing pictures of birth. A very obvious and realistic depiction of birth in home and hospital settings. Worth a look.

Have your say by writing a submission to the senate inquiry. We don't have much time as submissions close on Dec 11th.
The Committee prefers to receive submissions electronically as an attached document - email: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au - otherwise by fax (02) 6277 5829.

Meet Mr 3am - if you're game

2009-11-29T22:32:00.003+10:30

I would like to respond to the appalling article "Meet Mr 3am: the nation's dynamic top doctor." by Jill Stark 29th November 2009.
I am deeply disturbed that The Age has condoned Dr Pesce's 'greatest achievement' of limiting women's choice and giving medical veto over our bodies. If this is the AMA President's greatest achievement in the past 8 months he is seriously underachieving. This is the epitome of misogyny. International evidence strongly supports Homebirth as a safe option and more importantly it is a basic human right. By the way, we are not putting our babies at risk by gifting them with a gentle physiological birth - as nature intended.

MEET MR 3AM: The nation's dynamic top doctor

The wonderful Lisa Barrett's response

Siblings at birth

2009-11-16T13:09:00.004+10:30

I have booked my first post baby homebirth of a return client! EXCITING!!! She asked me today about siblings at birth and after a short search I found this lovely article. I feel that having siblings at birth is a normal and wonderful part of being a big brother or sister. It makes sense for the child to transition naturally into sharing their mum with a new baby. If you are interested in this topic I'd recommend having a read - it's lovely. See below:

Found at Natural-birth
Article by Su Foster

Siblings at Birth
By Su Foster

In the not too distant past, birth was a family affair, taking place in the home. Also, families were often larger, meaning that births were a regular occurrence in the lives of many children.

In “civilised” times where modesty prevailed, the children might not have actually witnessed babies being born, but they were often in the vicinity and helped out with whatever needed to be done. As well as being present to celebrate the arrival of the baby, the older children would also share in the care of mother and baby after the birth.

Then came an era where women were packed off to hospital and not even their husbands saw them give birth, let alone anyone else. Childbirth had entered the medical domain, and there was no space for any non-professionals to contribute.

Fortunately, there has been a swing toward less medicalised models of care in birth. Along with the evolution of more gentle birthing practices and mother-centred care over the last couple of decades, families are seeking more home-like settings for birth and more flexibility from hospitals.

Although there is still much work to be done in this area, mothers are already making more choices about what they want for their births, and these choices include the participation of partners, support people and other family members.

Thus we are slowly returning to the concept of birth as a family event. These days many parents are considering including their other children in the births of their siblings.

There are some very positive benefits for children who attend their siblings’ births.

When everyone can share in a special experience, it is a lovely bond for the whole family. In addition to participating in a significant family event, these children are also gaining an early life education in a perfectly natural way.

Some children have difficulty with the transition when mum comes home with a new baby after several days away. This is not usually an issue for children who have been present at the birth, as remaining with their parents during the birth negates any separation anxiety or feelings of exclusion.

Witnessing the arrival of the baby also usually diminishes potential sibling rivalry or jealousy and fosters sibling love and bonding. The children really understand that the new baby is a part of their family and they tend to feel pride more than jealousy.

Having a baby at home is a good way for children to participate in the birth of their siblings. In their own familiar surroundings where they can come and go with ease, the birth of a baby can seem like a natural part of family life.

Of course, many children also attend births that are taking place in hospital or birthing centres, and staff are accustomed to this happening more and more frequently.

Deciding whether to include children at a birth is an extremely personal decision. The age and personality of the child have to be taken into consideration, and also whether or not they actually desire to be there.

Mum also needs to ask herself if she may feel distracted by the presence of the children, and if she is comfortable with the children seeing her during labour and birth.

Once the decision has been made to include a child, a lot of energy needs to be put into preparing the child in an age appropriate way.

I hadn’t really given much thought to this topic until one night five years ago when my friend Elissa rang to say her waters had broken. She was having a homebirth (her third) and it was a really cold night - could I bring down a heater?

I grabbed the heater and a few other things I thought might be useful and dashed off, expecting only to make a quick drop-off. However, when I arrived I was handed a camera and invited to stay and document the event.

The labour lasted through the night, with the baby arriving at dawn. I found myself spending most of the night in the company of Elissa’s five year old daughter Summer, who stayed awake for the entire time. We chatted, read stories together, and mixed massage oil “potions” that she could rub onto her mother’s belly.

Summer was extremely interested in what was happening but was also able to wander off and do her own thing. Their second daughter Eden, aged three, slept right up until the birth.

When the birth was imminent, Eden was gently woken by another friend present. She was brought into the lounge room where she watched with wide shining eyes as her baby sister entered the world.

Immediately after the baby was born the whole family gathered around her to admire and welcome her. As I managed to take some lovely photos of those first precious minutes I was struck by the feeling of wholeness. It seemed so right that the family was united in those moments.

Birth is a normal occurrence in the life of a family. What better way for our children to develop their understanding of life than to witness their brothers and sisters enter the world?

Suddenly I knew that when it came to the birth of my second child, I would most certainly involve my son.

Keegan was nearly five when it was finally time for my second child to be born, so he was already at an age where we could have quite in-depth discussions and his comprehension was very good.

From the time my belly started to show, we talked about how the baby was growing and what was happening. We also talked about the birth and where the baby would came out, how it might feel and what might happen.

I wanted him to have a good understanding of all the potential scenarios, as labour can be so unpredictable. We even practiced making birth noises together, a worthwhile exercise which we both found very amusing!

Keegan was involved in helping prepare the space and the things that we needed for the birth. The making of a birthing cushion* was one family activity Keegan really loved, as it involved a lounge room full of shredded newspaper.

We also had an art session where Keegan helped me make colourful cue cards to put on the walls to remind me in labour to be “calm”, “open” and “gentle” etc.

When it came to the birth of Jorey, we were taken completely by surprise. It was one of those lightning births that you read about.

I had taken a walk down the driveway with a sore back and before I could get back to the house I felt the baby crowning. I had completely skipped the labour altogether!

“The baby’s coming NOW!” I exclaimed, as I held his head in my hand. I was literally pressing the pause button as Ande rushed into the house to get Keegan.

A moment later, they both came flying out the front with the birth cushion. As the baby was born I could hear Keegan’s matter-of-fact commentary as he described what he saw.

We wrapped the baby up in Ande’s shirt and scrambled back into the house while the adrenalin was still high.

Keegan was actually the one who noted the time of birth. He was so cool about the whole thing. To him, it just seemed like the most normal thing in the world to walk down the front steps and see your baby brother being born under the she oak tree.

Afterwards, Keegan kept bringing me drinks and little toys for the baby, and he enjoyed heating up the hot packs for the severe after contractions I was experiencing.

He was also very interested in the placenta, and continually surprised relatives on the phone by reporting that the baby had a “very healthy placenta”.

I had not expected a quick birth as I’d had a long first birth. Having such a rapid birth really made me reflect on how shocking it can be for some families.

Fortunately we were prepared for a homebirth anyway, so we weren’t concerned about the baby being born in our paddock. Also, our son had been fully prepared for the event and so there was no drama there either.

But such a birth could be traumatic, especially for children. So I feel it is definitely worthwhile being ready for any such eventuality, including preparing the children, just in case.

When it came to our third birth, Keegan was nearly six and Jorey was only 14 months, so obviously there was a lot of difference in how I prepared them for the birth. My expectations for Jorey were also very different.

While I knew Keegan would want to be fully present once again, I planned to be flexible with Jorey. It was not so important to me to have him witness the birth, as he wouldn’t consciously remember it anyway. Although it might be lovely, it also might be tricky.

So I invited my friend Elissa, and she was going to look after Jorey through the labour (if there was one). I also had another friend on standby in case Elissa couldn’t get there in time (we no longer live close by).

As it turned out, I had a pretty textbook labour for my third birth, lasting about five hours. It had really started at 4.45am, so by the time the kids were up and having breakfast it was in full swing.

It was really lovely walking around our house in labour while the kids were going about the morning activities. There was something very grounding about it.

Jorey seemed to know what was happening and contributed in his own way. He didn’t ask for a breastfeed like he usually would. He came up to me occasionally giving me cuddles or offering me a toy or a balloon. He even rubbed my belly and patted me as I tried out various labour positions.

After a while the kids were getting a bit crazy, so Ande started drumming and they danced out their wild energy on the deck, so I was able to continue with the focus off me for a bit.

As it turned out, Jorey fortuitously went down for a nap just before the baby was born, which freed up Elissa to film the birth.

We had a birth pool and Ande and Keegan were both in water with me. When things really intensified, I asked Keegan to get out, and he quickly obliged.

As the baby was being born into his father’s hands, Keegan was on the edge of his seat next to the pool, watching with keen interest. A moment after the birth, he was saying excitedly “The baby’s here, the baby’s here!”.

It was interesting that Jorey happened to sleep just long enough for me to give birth. When he awoke soon after the birth, I was still in the pool with the baby.

He was brought to the pool and was all smiles as he met his baby sister, Zahlia. Then he began chanting “Bubba! Bubba!” over and over again.

Throughout the rest of that magical day our daughter came into the world, both our boys were bouncing balls of happiness. They loved their sister instantly and were immediately quiet and reverent when they got close to her.

I often wonder if we give children enough credit for what they can understand and what they can cope with. Although Jorey, still a baby himself, did not see the actual birth, he saw most of the labour and afterwards. There was a lot of “messy stuff”, but he was never worried for a moment.

Most young children have not yet inherited the fears and insecurities of the adult world. Indeed, they are far closer to nature than we are. They are usually not bothered by things like blood or nakedness.

And after all, it’s not that long ago that they were being born themselves. Perhaps in some subconscious place they have retained the memory of that event. (I’ve seen evidence of this, but that is another story…)

As for me, I’m glad that one of my children has witnessed human birth and I feel it’s the best life education we could give him. As one young girl said, “If you are not going to learn from your parents about having babies, who is going to teach you?”**

I like the idea of my children growing up with the knowledge of where babies come from, rather than learning it in the playground or having it revealed to them suddenly when they are ten or so.

I’m almost tempted to have another baby, just so my little girl can have the opportunity to see a birth. Well, OK, maybe we’ll have to settle for watching calves or kittens!

Happy birthing.

*Birthing Cushion – an eco-friendly way to clean up after the birth. Use an old cotton sheet to make a cushion cover about 1 metre square, then stuff it with heaps of shredded newspaper. Give birth on it (if you can), then compost the whole thing in the garden afterwards. You don’t have to do any washing and your plants reap the benefits!

** Sue Hathaway, age 15. NAPSAC, 21ST Century Obstetrics Now! Vol 3, Chapter 65, pages 857-863

PLANNING FOR SIBLING ATTENDANCE AT BIRTH

BEFORE THE BIRTH
• Prepare children about the birth process as much as possible through discussion, books and videos.
• Younger children may respond best to fictional picture books about babies, while older children may be interested in the scientific realities.
• Keep conversations about birth positive. Carefully explain what might happen in labour, for example:
“It might take a very long time, so we can take some books to read or you can have a sleep if you want.”
“It might hurt mama, but she will be OK.”
“It’s very hard work to have a baby.”
“Mum might need us to be quiet.”
“She might have to make some loud noises to help the baby out.”
“There might be blood coming out, but that is OK too.”
• Make sure children are aware of the plan for their care during the birth:
“Aunty Jo will be looking after you, so you can have lots of cuddles with her.”
“If you are not feeling OK, you can go out with Aunty Jo if you want to.”
“Let’s pack your backpack with some toys and books for you to take.”
• Talk about how children may help during the labour, if they wish to.
• Practice touching mummy in a comforting way (explaining that she may not want to be touched at all!)
• Make birth noises together and show them positions you might use in labour.
• Involve them with plans for things you’ll be using for the birth, for example:
“We might use this massage oil to rub mama’s tummy or back”.
“Mum might like this music playing for the baby.”
“Let’s pick out some clothes for the baby to wear after it’s born.”
• Allow your children to get to know your caregivers and involve them in pre-natal appointments to familiarise them with routine observations – listening to baby’s heart, taking blood pressure and so on.
• Create some birth art – have the kids draw pictures of the baby being born or in mum’s belly, or make pictures or cards to welcome the baby.
• No-one can predict how they might feel in labour, so be prepared to ask anyone to leave your birthing space if you need to, and this includes children. Communicate beforehand that this might happen.

DURING THE BIRTH
• Have a dedicated carer for the children. If they are very young, a carer for each child is a good idea.
• Be sure the children’s carer understands your wishes, will remain calm and positive for the children and is committed to staying or leaving according to their needs.
• Continually reassure children that everything is fine.
If the attending adults remain calm at all times, the children will feel that everything is OK.
• Have some activities ready for the kids to help pass the time – books, colouring in, a new toy etc.
• If you’re at home, they can help bake a birthday cake for baby.
If going to hospital, make sure you’ve got food and drinks prepared for the kids.
• Older children can have a special job to do such as note the time of birth or get drinks for mum.
• Only a familiar face should wake a sleeping child!
• Give the kids a disposable camera – they may enjoy documenting the birth and it might help lessen the intensity for them.
• Have a plan B for the kids, if something unexpected happens and you or baby need serious medical attention.

AFTER THE BIRTH
• Make a fuss of the “big” brother or sister – a good thing to do whether the child has been present or not.
• Debrief your child – talk to them about what they saw and how they felt.
• Thank them for their help/attendance etc.
• Allow the child to tell other people the birth story.
• Have them draw pictures or write stories about the birth.

RESOURCES

Books:

My Brother Jimi Jazz
by Chrissy Butler
Delightful picture book written from the perspective of a young girl about the homebirth of her brother Jimi Jazz.
Available from www.chrissybutler.com

Welcome with Love (original title “Hello Baby” – out of print)
by Jenny Overend & Julie Vivas
Another beautiful homebirth book, where the whole family is involved in the birth. My children love this book and read it so much they know it by heart!
Available from www.capersbookstore.com.au

Runa’s Birth: The day my sister was born.
by Uwe Spillman & Inga Kamieth
A thoroughly enjoyable storybook to help children prepare for the birth of a sibling or for children in general.
Available from www.birthinternational.com

A Child is Born
by Lennart Nilsson
Quite an amazing photographic journey of a baby developing in utero. Children are fascinated by it. Highly recommended, although children may need your guidance with this one.
Available from www.amazon.com or try Australian bookstores (ISBN: 0385302371)

DVD: The Big Stretch
This is an hour length birth DVD really aimed at mum and dad, but my six year old was totally engaged by it. There are some lovely bits with siblings talking about babies in it and some labour and birth footage.
Available from: www.birthwork.com

Journey to VBAC

2009-11-13T22:09:00.003+10:30

My Journey to VBAC

This is a lovely video brought to my attention by the wonderful Gloria Lemay on facebook.

The VBAC journey is an amazing one and it is unfortunately often a horrific birth experience (often cesarean) in hospital leads to the discovery of homebirth. Light and love to all the inspiring women that HBAC - homebirth after cesarean.

VBAC INFO - Lisa has kindly blogged about VBAC and in her first post about it on the 3rd April 2008 you will find stats etc.
CARES (cesarean awareness recovery education support) is a great support group and offers excellent information on their website

One in three of our Aussie babies are born by cesarean so it is a massive issue for our society and future generations. Will our children know where babies come from?

Breastfeeding

2009-11-12T16:52:00.004+10:30

FOR BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT CONTACT ABA www.breastfeeding.asn.au
1800 686 2 686 You are not alone

Breastfeeding is best for baby - obvious and well known now but I still find women are not supported in the ways they need to be to continue breastfeeding. This deeply saddens me and does not reflect the failure of women but comes back to my dream of all women realising their inner strength and I also think ability to trust their body. There are a very small number of women that literally cannot breastfeed and it will never work and I guess back in the day they would have had very sick babies that may have survived on donated milk or animal milk?? However, a vast majority are given misinformation and are generally not trusted by the health professionals that are supposed to be supportive!!!! It's crazy!

Birth and breastfeeding are intrinsically linked and so an empowered ecstatic birth will lead to an empowered wonderful breastfeeding relationship - most of the time - there are always exceptions to the rule. It is little wonder then that our interventionist, non trusting maternity system results in low breastfeeding rates of 32% at 6 months (ABA, 2001). The rate may have changed since then but my suspicion is that it will be a very similar scenario now.

It is so obvious to me that we need to go back to basics and promote a healthy life style and health prevention. The government is doing this but at the same time continuing to spend millions on a medical model of health care. It's ridiculous. GP clinics are legal drug dealers. My husband's cousin went to a clinic today with a massive gash down his leg that obviously required stitches and was bleeding and they would not help him. Too busy giving out valium and viagra!

Our government is bizzare - don't get me started on the crushing of Homebirth, it's insanity!

My Dream

2009-11-11T20:06:00.001+10:30

I have a dream... As said by Martin Luther King on August 28, 1963

My dream is for women of Australia - and the world!
My dream is for women to trust their bodies, their instincts and their dreams.
My dream is for women to birth in the way they want to with the support they choose.
My dream is for the potential of women to birth the way nature intended to be realised.
My dream is for homebirth to be the norm as it is common knowledge that women were designed to give birth vaginally, physiologically where they feel safe.

The world in my dream saves hospitals for the sick and real homebirth midwives are utilised to support women to birth under their own steam. There is no fear around birth as "birth is as safe as life gets" (Harriette Hartigan). We don't get worried every time we get in the car because we might have a car accident and die even though this is a possibility, so why do we have so much fear surrounding birth? The most realistic fear during birth is not the physiological process but the potential interference most likely to be caused in a hospital. This is why my dream is centered around homebirth.

The current state of maternity reform in Australia is leading to a very scary reality for homebirth women and midwives. All I know is that I want to stand by women through this and as a woman I will stand by other homebirth midwives.

As Martin Luther King spoke of his dream of freedom, I too have a dream of freedom. The freedom to practice as a homebirth midwife in the full scope of midwifery practice, working with women to birth in the way they choose.

"Within your heart keep one still spot where dreams may go." Louise Driscoll

This blog is the expression of my heart where my dreams will be recorded.