wombs-blog

Colour Therapy for Pregnancy, Labour, Birth and Beyond

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:01:20 +0100

Colour Therapy has been used since time began
"In the beginning was Darkness then there was light"

As long as our bodies cells are filled with Light/Lifeforce we feel vital and alive.
Disease, tension, external pollution interferes with this lifeforce.

Our bodies are made up of elements mirroring Nature
Earth             Red (volcanic lava)
Water            Orange(muddy soil)   Blue(sea, river, lakes)
Fire               Yellow (Sun)
Air                 Green (trees, grass)   Blue (sky)
Ether(Spirit)    Violet

A Rainbow forms in the Sky where Light from the Sun is reflected through the water in clouds.
Our body is 70% water and as Light shines into our bodies a rainbow is created
Violet            Crown of head
Indigo            Brow Brain
Blue              Throat
Green            Heart
Yellow           Solar Plexus
Orange          Belly
Red              Hips/Legs
Pink             Heart All Healing Pain

Colours you need can be used through visualizing/breathing ,aroma,wearing, eating foods, flowers, crystals from earth, colours in work/home space.

During Pregnancy
Use Orange breathing to enhance the Belly where Baba is growing
its complementary colour Blue for peace in mind as Baba forms in your Body.

During Labour
Use Violet, Pink and Blue, Green in latent and early active phase to stay calm and for pain,
as labour intensifies into transition visualize/breath deeper more earth colours like orange and yellow for energy
when ready to push think Red for strength and as Baba is born to Earth it.

Post Birth
Use violet, pink while breastfeeding and holding Baba for calmness and safety
Breath Orange into womb, uterus, ovaries to fill the emptiness and heal those areas

Use White if unsure as all Colours are in White

Can go to www.sunshinecolouracademy.com for more info
Also have Colour CD to learn how to visualize colour

How does oxytocin work?

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:48:46 +0100

Oxytocin is a shy hormone….

Oxytocin needs to feel comfortable before being released. Since it is the love hormone this makes sense. When we are feeling in love we feel safe. Love is not something that is easy to feel when we are in danger.

Oxytocin is a fussy hormone. Everything needs to be just right for this hormone to want to make an entrance. The more comfortable the environment and the more relaxed the labouring woman, the more her oxytocin will be able to flow.

A sense of security
The labouring woman needs to feel secure and safe. Mammals will find a secure place to give birth. A wonderful example is female elephants who will form a circle around the labouring mother elephant with their backs turned to her.

If a labouring mammal feels threatened her labour will stop until she is in a safe place again. Human beings are not that different physiologically. We also are mammals after all. While many women choose to give birth in hospitals because they feel it is their safest option, they may find that when they arrive at the hospital their bodies react in a way which tells us that they are not feeling safe in that environment. The bright lights, the talking, the signing of papers, the questions, having to interact with strangers, the ticking clock, the cold sterile rooms, the high beds, the lack of privacy, the fetal heart monitors…these can all contribute to a feeling of being unsafe. This may make it difficult for oxytocin, the shy hormone, to makes its appearance. One can then anticipate a longer and more difficult labour.

How do other mammals prepare for birth? They will find a quiet, dark place, far away from anyone, somewhere where they will feel safe and secure and know that they will be undisturbed.

A woman at the end of her pregnancy is much the same. We joke about the ‘nesting instinct’ when a woman at the end of her pregnancy frantically cleans her home in preparation for the birth. Some women cannot rest until the curtains are hung just right or the floors are scrubbed or all her affairs are put to rest. Doing this makes it possible for them to feel ready to have their baby

The Thinking Brain needs to switch off
One of the prime ingredients for shy oxytocin to take effect is that the thinking brain needs to switch off. So we need to make sure that the labouring woman’s thinking brain (called the neo-cortex) is not stimulated.

We stimulate the neo-cortex during labour by talking to the labouring woman about logical things, such as telling her how many centimetres dilated she is, or asking her to remember when her waters broke. We stimulate her neo-cortex with these observations and questions, and as a result we slow down her release of oxytocin.

A woman needs to be able to fall into her labour (like falling asleep) and not be ‘woken up’ by the outside world. If she can be given the space to switch off her neo-cortex, oxytocin will be able to do its job.

No observers
Feeling observed also stimulates the neo-cortex, so it is important that the mother does not feel watched. Observers and unnecessary people make the mother feel observed. Cameras can also slow labour down because they can make a mother may feel observed which will “wake her up.”

Darkness
It is important that there are no bright lights around a labouring woman. Drawn curtains, candles and other dim lighting will help to supress the thinking brain and aid in the stimulation of oxytocin.

Warmth
The labouring woman needs to be warm. A fire or a heater or warm water is helpful in relaxing her body and her neo-cortex. In fact, immersing herself in warm water at the right time (when she is in established active labour) can relax the mother so much that her cervix will dilate completely.

Oxytocin/adrenaline antagonism
Adrenaline prevents oxytocin from being released. Adrenaline is the hormone we produce when we are frightened, anxious, stressed or cold. It is known as the ‘fight or fright’ hormone. Adrenaline supresses oxytocin. It can completely stop labour or make the labour longer and more painful.

Anyone who is present at a birth needs to very aware of his or her levels of adrenaline. This is because adrenaline is contagious, which means that if you are feeling anxious or scared or nervous, everyone else in the room will soon start feeling that way too. If you are at a birth and you are feeling tense or nervous or scared, try to calm yourself down. If you can’t, it will serve the mother better if you leave the room until you are feeling better.

Have a look around and see how the other people in the room are behaving. If you can see that someone is feeling uncomfortable, you can gently let that person know that it is okay for him or her to take a break and perhaps leave the room, or go for a walk, or try to have a sleep. This must be done in a gentle and non-aggressive way because if you get angry or make someone else angry you will create more adrenaline.

Sometimes people are relieved to be told that they can take a break from the birth. A birth is a very intense experience, which can be very overwhelming.

The Basic Needs of a Woman in Labour Are:

•   To feel safe
•   To leave the neo-cortex (the thinking brain) switched off
•   Silence
•   Darkness or low lights
•   Warmth
•   Not feeling observed
•   No adrenaline

Ruth Ehrhardt
http://www.homebirth.org.za

Ruth Ehrhardt’s talk on ‘The Basic Needs of a Woman in Labour’

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:39:02 +0100

In 2010 I was lucky enough to attend Dr. Michel Odent and Liliana Lammer’s Paramana Doula course in London.

Dr. Michel Odent is a well known surgeon turned obstetrician turned home birth midwife who for 50 years has attended over 15000 births and as a true scientist, has observed the basic needs of women in labour. Now in his 80s he is a strong advocate for those needs to be upheld and he speaks and lectures worldwide on the subject. He is also the founder of the Primal Health Research Centre in London, a database of studies which looks at the Primal period (from conception to the first year of life) and its effects on the rest of life.

Liliana is a mother of four and a doula of many years experience who has worked closely with Dr.Odent.

I will be sharing some of what I learned at this course at the WOMBS AGM on Tuesday the 14^th of February (Valentine’s Day which I guess is apt since we will be talking about oxytocin, the hormone of love!).

I have also written a little hand booklet based on Dr. Michel Odent’s work called The Basic Needs of a Woman in Labour. These will be for sale at R30 each.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Doula Graduation - 6 Feb 2012

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:55:18 +0100

We are pleased to announce that another wonderful group of ladies have completed the WOMBS Doula Training that was run during the second semester of 2011.

The new members are

Harriet Came
Nicolette Hadden
Judy Tobler
Aneesa Rasool
Diana Siccardi
Pat Bronner
Shamim Allie
Heidi Padoa
Jill Bergman

Joining us at the graduation ceremony was Sr Irene Bourquin (Doula Trainer), Sr Lorna Morrissey (WOMBS Chairman) and Nomsa Nkata from Johnson & Johnson who kindly sponsored the ceremony and gifts for the graduates.

We are especially grateful to Nomsa and all those at Johnson & Johnson who continue to provide a great deal of support to WOMBS.

It was also wonderful to have Nils Bergman (Pictured above with Sr Lorna Morrissey) at the graduation as he supported his wife, Jill Bergman, who has just completed her training with WOMBS. Dr Nils Bergman was the first to institute 6 permanent Doula positions at Mowbray Maternity Hospital while he was their Senior Medical Superindentent. Today he continues his work researching and promoting Kangaroo Mothercare.

Doula FAQ - What does a Doula do?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:48:18 +0100

In short, a doula is a woman who provides non-medical support through out the perinatal period. All doulas trained by WOMBS are also mothers themselves and have firsthand experience of many of the challenges that pregnancy, birth and post-partum bring.

The care and support a doula provides can be broken down into three aspects:

Informational
Emotional
Physical

Informational Support means that she has a wealth of knowledge and experience to give you advice on pregnancy niggles, making choices about where, how and with whom to give birth, and all the various issues that can arrise around recovering from the birth, breastfeeding and caring for your newborn. During pregnancy there are often things that happen with your body that may be small and may concern you, but you don't want to bother your doctor in case it is something normal. A Doula can provide you with the reassurance you need, or let you know if it's something you should phone your doctor about. The same is true for dealing with breastfeeding or newborn issues where if it's something she can't help you with herself, she will immediately refer you to the right professional.

When in labour, your doula is also your guide for making decisions. She will never speak on your behalf to staff, or make decisions for you because she understands that you are the person who needs to live with the outcome of any decision that you make. A Doula's role is simply to offer suggestions of alternatives, or to explain procedures you may be unsure about and to help make sure you fully understand the risks and benefits of any medical intervention you opt to have.

A doula will always support your choice, no matter what it is, as she knows that what a mother needs most during childbirth is to be loved, supported and feel she has control over her body and her baby. All of these things help ensure that the birth of your baby is not only safe but a good experience as well.

Emotional Support is something that Doulas can provide that is invaluable to the mother and also her partner. In a culture that seems to determined to tell women only the worst stories about birth, a doula can provide a positive perspective. This can help the mother to reduce her anxiety around birth and build up her confidence in herself and her body’s ability to give birth. The doula also takes the pressure off the father or birth partner who will be dealing with their own emotions while still needing to provide calm, loving support for the mother. The birth partner can feel free to do something as simple as take a bathroom break without leaving the mother unsupported. After the birth the mother may find it quite an emotional process as she adjusts to caring for a newborn and a doula can help support her through this. A Doula is also careful to look for warning signs of Post-natal depression and ensure that the right help is received as soon as possible.

Physical Support is mostly limited to the labour and birth. A Doula can recommend different positions that help relieve the intensity of labour and also help ensure a smooth birth. She can also offer comfort measures such as massage, aromatherapy, homeopathy or something as simple as holding a hand and whispering words of encouragement in your ear. She will also be able to make suggestions for a c-section birth and help with breastfeeding afterwards, which often can prove quite challenging with the discomfort from surgery.

What a doula does NOT do

Perform medical tasks, such as checking blood pressure, fetal heart tones, or cervical dilation. I do not have the training or the license to perform any medical procedures.
Make decisions for you. I will help you get the information you need, and make sure you have the opportunity to make an informed decision. I may suggest questions to ask, or ask you if you would like time alone to discuss issues before making a decision. I will also remind you if a departure from your birth plan is suggested.
Speak to the staff on your behalf. I will discuss concerns with you and suggest options, but only you / or your partner can inform the staff of your wishes.

Hire a Doula Here

Doula FAQ - What's the difference between a Doula and a Midwife?

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:41:19 +0100

Some people say a Midwife is from the waist down and a Doula is from the waist up! While this is not entirely true, it does help get the idea of how the roles differ. The meaning of "Midwife" is to be "With Woman" whereas the meaning of Doula is "in service of woman" which also gives you an idea of the differences between them. Here are some more questions that people often ask when it comes to the roles of a Doula and Midwife.

Can a Doula deliver my Baby?

No. A Doula my be very well educated about medical procedures but she is not a medical professional. She can guide and support your decisions around medical procedures but she will never perform them herself. A Midwife is a trained medical professional with both the knowledge and skill to safely deliver a baby. A Midwife is also very capable of offering gentle, motherly support during labour but she will need to be focused on your baby as well during the whole process. A Doula is devoted entirely to the support of both the mother and father (or other birth partner) during the whole process without needing to focus on the medical well being of mother and baby.

How do doctors and other medical professionals feel about Doulas?

When it comes to a doula trained by WOMBS we find that the majority of doctors and other staff find them to be an asset to the team and it is for this reason that some facilities will insist that your doula be registered with WOMBS. However, there have been cases (not just in South Africa) where untrained doulas have over-stepped their role in a birth and this has led to all doulas becoming banned from a facility. At WOMBS we devote a good proportion of our training to teaching doulas how to work well with other staff members so as to form part of a team. A WOMBS Doula will know that she may not do things like make decisions for you, speak to doctors or nurses on your behalf or refuse/give consent for procedures. Again this comes back to understanding the role of a doula as one who supports the mother & father/birth partner through the process, unlike a Midwife or Doctor who will make medical decisions or interventions.

What if my doctor or midwife doesn't work with Doulas?

If your doctor or midwife does not work with a Doula then it is important to find out why this is. If it is due to past experience that was negative, then please contact WOMBS and we would be more than happy to arrange for a representative to speak with your care provider or provide them with more information on how we operate. If your doctor/midwife simply does not wish to allow you to have additional support, then its important to ask yourself if this is really the right person to be delivering your baby. You need to think about what motivation this care provider might have to not want an experienced support person with you to help you explore your options and make informed decisions.

Breast is Best video

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:34:06 +0100

The video below is from Breast is Best and shows the importance of skin to skin contact, even after a c-section.

The younger the doctor, the more c-sections performed

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:27:21 +0100

In Canada, three recent studies on the attitudes of pregnant women and their care providers has revealed some interesting results in terms of their choices around childbirth – like the choice between and vaginal birth and a c-section, or the use of technology like epidural anesthesia.

The three studies were conducted by the University of British Columbia and Child & Family Research Institute (CFRI) which have linked a woman’s choice of care provider (Obstetrician or Midwife) to whether she will end up having a vaginal birth or a c-section, and also her use of epidural as a method of pain relief.

The first study looked at pregnant women whose pregnancy was considered “low risk”, which means that they had no complications such as raised blood pressure or anything that would point towards a more complicated pregnancy. The women included in the study were therefore young and healthy, with a healthy baby. Out of the 1318 women in the study, only 30% of them had gone for antenatal classes or received any kind of prenatal education! Like many women, their main sources of information was from books or the internet.

Antenatal education is imperative, no matter where you plan on a natural birth or an elective c-section. Many women have preconceived ideas about pregnancy and birth, so by attending classes you can address any misinformation you might have been given by well meaning friends or family. There are plenty of pregnancy myths that get spread around, like raising your arms above your head can cause the umbilical cord to wrap around the babies neck, or the myth that you need to prepare your nipples for breastfeeding by scrubbing them to “toughen them up”. Doulas play a vital role when people are unable to attend antenatal classes, as they can provide information during labour in order for parents to make informed choices.

The study also found that depending on a woman’s view on childbirth, she would be more likely to choose a specific type of care provider. They also found that outcomes were changed depending on the care provider chosen, with midwives having a much lower rate of interventions and births that ended with a c-section.

They found an even more surprising difference among Obstetricians – that the generation also played a role when it came to the use of c-section. Older obstetricians (+40 years of age) were less likely to perform a c-section, but younger Obstetricians (younger than 40) favoured c-sections citing issues following birth such as urinary incontinence and sexual issues, and also citing the mistaken belief that a c-section is safer than a vaginal birth.

They conclude by stating

“These three studies taken together show us that educational leaders and provincial policy-makers need to seriously examine the educational models and experiences that appear to teach the non-evidence-based view that vaginal childbirth is primarily a dangerous activity,” says Klein. “If C-section rates are to fall, we need more midwives, and family physicians who will attend births, while obstetricians in training will need to have more experience with normal birth, and in the future, restrict their role to that of consultants to midwives, family physicians and nurses. In this way they can maximize the appropriateness of their surgical training.”

The final sentence is probably the most important, and many parallels could be drawn to care in private facilities in South Africa. In Canada they are very worried about the c-section rate as it has passed 30%. In South Africa the rate is over 70% in private hospitals and it is only in the last year that we have started to hear murmuring in the media about this, and the fact that it is the cause of escalating medical aid premiums. One has to wonder how appropriately c-sections are being used as a life-saving technology in private hospitals when the rate is over 70%?

Read the original article here: Trio of studies reveals attitudes of women, obstetricians and family physicians on use of technology in childbirth

Doula Explains how to have a natural birth

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:24:37 +0100

The video below shows a doula, Ginny Phang, from Singapore explaining the role of a doula and how she can support natural birth. She also explains very well about the need to prepare for a natural birth, beyond just wanting to have one.

Stillbirth – the invisible earthquake

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:22:11 +0100

Cape Town writer Malika Ndlovu has returned from London where her own experience of stillbirth was shared with the public at the launch of a landmark edition of the international health publication, The Lancet.

Entitled the Lancet Stillbirth Series, it contains the first collection of global estimates on stillbirths, and Ndlovu’s voice has added to a groundswell of advocacy among international organisations to bring the topic out of the shadows.

The publication reports that at least 2.65 million stillbirths are estimated to happen every year, with more than half of those afflicting families in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia.

Ndlovu’s book, Invisible Earthquake, is quoted in the journal, while she was interviewed by media stables like al-Jazeera and BBC radio during the launch. “When I compare myself to other women in far less-resourced communities, I am humbled that my sharing of my story catalyses a process for other people who have never been able to speak about their tragedy. When I share my story at home in South Africa, it stands in stark contrast to the stories that come forward after I break the silence,” says Ndlovu.

Professor Sue Fawcus, head of obstetrics and gynaecology at Mowbray Maternity Hospital, was also at the launch, and shed light on local statistics.

“In South Africa every year, there are between 21 000 and 23 000 stillbirths.

“That amounts to 61 a day,” she says.

She says a global framework like the UN’s Millennium Development Goals talks about the mother and child in many ways, but that no reference to stillbirth is made.

In many countries, stillbirths are not included in national systems for vital registration.

She also says that among some South Africans, it is not recognised as an “event”, and that the health system needs to “develop better mechanisms for caring for women during their bereavement and acknowledging their grief, which is otherwise forced to be a silent grief”.

Says Ndlovu’s publisher, Colleen Higgs of Modjaji Books: “Personal stories make the research come alive and bring meaning so that people can really understand what the research and statistics mean.

“Malika’s writing down of her story and taking her own grief and loss seriously has meant that others can benefit from her experience and be comforted by it.”

Originally published in the Cape Times