Birth Prep ClaActive Birth Pre-classes
“You are only going to give birth to this baby once, so take your time to enjoy the discoveries of pregnancy and the richness that birth can bring to your life as a woman.” (Andrea Robertson - 1999)
Session 1. Explore your body – prepare for birth
Nutrition and dietary supplements
Anatomy and physiology
- pelvis (relaxin) – pelvic pain
- pelvic mapping
- perineal massage / epi-no
- pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises
- optimal fetal positioning
- Belly mapping
Breast changes
- 28 weeks colostrum production – leaking
- change in sensitivity
- fitting for bra – no under wire
- inverted nipples
What’s normal in pregnancy and what’s not?
- how you can monitor your baby
- braxton hicks
- negative blood groups
- warning signs
- pregnancy blood pressure (toxaemia)
- pain / bleeding – where is the placenta
- ruptured membranes (broken waters)
- premature labour – causes
- breech position
Use of complementary therapies
- bach flower remedies – emotions
- depression / anxiety
- worry is the work of pregnancy
Session 2. The emotional rollercoaster
Natural induction methods / being ‘overdue’
- nipple stimulation
- natural prostaglandin
- acupuncture
- homeopathy
- reflexology
- castor oil
Stages of labour
- pre-labour Vs active labour
First Stage – opening of the cervix, rotation of the baby and descent through the birth canal, positions in labour, nutrition and hydration, importance of focus and support
Second stage – transistion, Urge to push, rush of hormones, directed pushing Vs natural urge, positioning for pushing baby out and minimizing perineal trauma
Third stage – delayed cord clamping and physiological management Vs active management
Hormones
- oxytocin natural / synthetic
- endorphins
- adrenaline
- relaxin
- prostaglandin natural / synthetic
- ‘pain and the power of birth’
Pain and the perception of pain
- breathing techniques
- water immersion / birth
- positions changes
- visualization
- massage / reflexology
- aromatherapy
- homeopathy
Importance of support people and their roles
Drugs – entonox (gas), pethidine, epidural
Session 3. Making a plan for the big day
Hospital
- public Vs private
- when to go to hospital
- what happens when you arrive in hospital
- what to bring to hospital
- birth plans / wish list
Getting off track
- induction of labour / augmentation
- cascade of intervention
- fetal scalp Ph
- fetal scalp electrodes
- instrumental – forceps / vacuum
- episiotomy Vs tearing
- special care nursery
- how to retain active decision making
- how to be able to make peace with the
Session 4. Now the fun begins
Newborn Care
- Bonding – importance of skin to skin until baby had its first feed
- Hepatitis B
- vitamin K
- weight gain and weight loss for the baby
- sleep / wake cycles
- changing day to night
- settling techniques
- jaundice
- newborn screen blood test
- SIDS
Breastfeeding
- anatomy & physiology of the breast
- breast milk Vs formula
- nipple trauma / blocked ducts / mastitis
- first week of life – then what??
- colostrum – what is it, and why is it so important?
- engorgement – how do I handle it?
- expressing & storing / Breast pumps
- introducing Solids
- weening
Community based support groups
- ABA
- CPEA
- Child Health – triple P program
- circumcision, prevention of SIDS, buying for baby.
Post natal woman
- post natal depression
- post natal recovery
- contraception
- social support
- post natal exercises – pelvic floor
- resuming intercourse
The importance of birth debrief
** Classes are for couples and any member of your support team. They’re held on week-ends in small groups maximum 4 couples. Individual classes available on request.
** Rebates through some private health funds available. Please check with your fund.