Birth Articles
When it comes to childbirth, there is so much to learn and know for such a short space in time - labour! Just like a wedding day, it requires much preparation for one special day. So we've crammed it all the important stuff into one special section for the parents-to-be.
8 Natural & Effective Tips For a 'Stalled' Labour
If you're birthing in a hospital and find that your labour reaches a plateau or stalls, unless you're informed about what a stalled labour means and what you can do to help yourself, it can become a very anxious time. Sooner or later, you will receive (increasing) pressure to accept a medical augmentation to hurry things along. Find out what you can do to avoid medical interventions in the case of a labour at a plateau.
Active Birth
If you would like a birth that is less painful, involves less trauma to the baby, a shorter labour and one where your partner can be more involved, than an active birth sounds like it's for you! Janet Balaskas explains Active Birth and how it can benefit you and your baby.
Acupuncture & Natural Labour Induction - 11 Most Asked Questions
Acupuncture is a fantastic therapy for mothers-to-be, starting from around 36 weeks. One Australian study reports an 88% success rate in helping post-dates women to establish labour. Here's the 11 top questions we get asked in the BellyBelly Centre in Canterbury, Melbourne.
Baby Not Engaged? Wondering When Your Baby Might Engage?
Worried that your baby isn't engaged yet? Often women are led to believe that especially where you are a first time mother, your baby should be engaged weeks before labour. However, this isn't the case for many women and they often go on to have great births! Find out everything you need to know about babies engaging.
Bearing Down or Pushing?
Whether to follow the instinctive urge of bearing down, or to have another person direct the pushing efforts, is a decision that each mother needs to consider in planning for spontaneous birth.
Big Baby? Then You Must Read This Article...
Twenty years ago, physicians were known to tell women that the reason they had a caesarean was that the child's head was just too big for the size of the pelvis. The trouble began when these same women would stay at home for their next child's birth and give birth to a bigger baby through that same pelvis. This is still happening today.
Birth As A Bowel Movement
'Birth As A Bowel Movement' is a humourous analogy of birth. You'll laugh, you'll relate, and you'll see how birth can compare to a bowel movement!
Birth Plans - Is It Worth Writing A Birth Plan?
People are usually in one of two minds about writing a 'birth plan'. Some think it's an important part of pre-birth preparation and some think it's a complete waste of time because you can't plan birth! Read on and make up your own mind. Includes a FREE downloadable birth plan in Word format.
Birth Recommendations from the World Health Organisation
These recommendations are taken from a report on Appropriate Technology for Birth published by the World Health Organization in April 1985 and are known as the 'Fortelesa Declaration'.
Birth Support - 10 Great Tips That Will Help Her In Labour
Being asked to be a birth support person for a friend or relative is such an honour. Want to be the best possible birth support person? Here's 10 great tips on how you can give her great support during labour.
Birth Unplanned - When Birth Doesn't Go To Plan
Many of us have an idea of our 'fantasy birth' - how we'd like our birth to be... and even though we know to plan for the unexpected, what really happens when things actually go very different to what we imagined? Grief after birth can be profound for some women - find out how you can help yourself overcome grief after an 'unplanned' birth.
Birth Videos & Birth DVD's - Beautiful Images of Birth
Birth videos and DVD's that are shown in birth classes can sometimes scare women about birth rather than inform them. So for this reason, we've started stocking a range of beautiful birth DVD's for you to buy which show that birth can be a loving and nurturing experience.
Breastfeeding After A Caesarean Birth
Many mothers ask, Can I breastfeed after a caesarean birth? So, does caesarean birth pose potential problems with breastfeeding? What can you expect and how can you give yourself the best chance of successful breastfeeding after caesarean?
Breech Birth in Australia - Having a Vaginal Breech Birth
Want to have a breech birth in Australia? Here's a list we've compiled which contains details of midwives and obstetricians who will attend vaginal breech births across Australia. Breech birth is safest under the care of someone experienced in breech birth.
Caesarean Myths Exploded
Been told that you need a caesarean? Without full information, a mother may feel that she has no option but to accept a caesarean if deemed most appropriate by her carer. Many caesarean mothers feel that they had no alternative but to put themselves fully in the hands of the medical professionals, however good information can go a long way to enabling women to take part in the decision-making process.
Caesarean Section or Vaginal Birth - What Difference Does It Make?
Why bother going through the process of giving birth vaginally when you can have a planned caesarean section? What does the tried and tested, 'old-fashioned' vaginal birth process have to offer by comparison?
Caesarean Sections - What Actually Happens?
A caesarean section is an operation that enables your baby to be born through an incision made on your pregnant belly. You may plan an elective caesarean for medical or social reasons or you may experience an emergency caesarean when labour does not go as planned. This article includes lots of information on caesareans as well as some caesarean birth stories.
Caesareans: What to Expect After A Caesarean Section
Find out how you might feel after having a caesarean section, from emotional feelings to physical ones. This article covers pain relief, breastfeeding, resting, sex and tips to help yourself to recover. Some personal post-caesarean stories from our members are included.
Childbirth - Your Top 12 Fears About Birth Answered
Fear of childbirth has become something of a modern day epidemic amongst pregnant women, where more than ever, women are frightened about birth and what 'might' possibly go wrong.
Contractions - What Do Contractions Feel Like?
Contractions - and don't we all want to know what they feel like before we give birth! So how do women describe them? We ask BellyBelly forum members to describe contractions. So what do contractions feel like?! Read on to find out.
Cord Blood - Why Delaying Cord Clamping Benefits Your Baby
Cord blood contains many wonderfully precious cells, like stem cells, red blood cells and cancer-fighting T-cells, which has seen the birth of cord blood banking services. But there are many important reasons why you should investigate first before you choose to donate or store cord blood. Find out what significant benefits you can offer to your newborn baby by delaying cord clamping.
Doula Revolution - Doulas At Birth
The Doula (also known as a Birth Attendant) movement is going full steam ahead in Australia and the popularity of the Doula is booming by word of mouth advertising. If you are considering hiring a Doula for your birth, read on to find out more about what a Doula offers and how you can locate one.
Doula Training in Australia - How to Become a Doula
Thinking about becoming Doula? No matter what experience you have, Doula skills can be found inside any one of us and can be significantly enhanced by participating in various training courses offered around Australia. Read on to find out how!
Early Labour and Tips For Coping at Home
In early labour, the cervix changes position, softens, thins and begins to dilate. You will be in early labour until you reach 4 centimetres dilation, after which time you are in active labour. Find out ways you can have an enjoyable, low-stress early labour and how you can distract yourself at home!
Epidurals - What Are The Risks For Mother and Baby?
For women giving birth by caesarean section, epidurals are certainly a great alternative to general anaesthetic, allowing women to see their baby being born, and to hold and breastfeed at an early stage. However for a normal vaginal birth, what are the risks of using an epidural, for both mother and baby? Find out in this article by Dr Sarah Buckley.
Giving Birth After A Previous Stillbirth - A BellyBelly Member's Story
Pregnancy and childbirth after a loss is a time of fear and turmoil for most couples. A brave and courageous BellyBelly member shares the heart-wrenching story of the loss of her newborn son, followed by a heartwarming achievement - birth of her second son, born naturally. Some readers may find this article upsetting, please read at your own discretion.
Giving Birth In Water - The Benefits of Waterbirth
Waterbirth International has been conducting a research project for ten years, including a survey of women who have given birth in water. On the survey form is a questions that asks, "Would you consider giving birth again in water?" With over 1500 surveys collected, there has only been one woman that answered no to that question.
Hiring a Birth Attendant or Doula - Questions to Ask
So you've decided you'd like a Birth Attendant or Doula to support you for your upcoming birth - congratulations! It's a big step for some couples to decide that they need extra support, but rest assured, this kind of support is one you will be very glad you called upon.
Homebirth in Australia
Two of the main reasons women choose homebirth are to avoid what they have previously experienced, or anticipate might happen, with hospital birth, and/or to have their baby with care from just one or two midwives who they can come to know and trust. Find out more about having a homebirth in Australia.
Hormones In Labour & Birth - How Your Body Helps You
If you find yourself needing affirmation or extra confidence that you can birth normally, you must read this incredible article by Dr. Sarah Buckley. Sarah tells of the four major hormonal systems that are active and supporting you during labour and birth - oxytocin, the hormone of love; endorphins, hormones of pleasure and transcendence; adrenaline and noradrenaline, hormones of excitement; and prolactin, the mothering hormone.
Hypnobirthing
Hypnobirthing® is as much as philosophy as it is a technique. It is a rewarding, relaxing, stress-free method of birthing that is based on the belief that when a mother is properly prepared for birthing physically, mentally, and spiritually, she can experience the joy of birthing her baby in an easier, more comfortable manner.
Induction of Labour - To Induce or Not Induce?
Contemplating an induction of labour? Find out what the different methods of induction are, what the process is and what risks there are. Read on if you want to make an informed decision about the decision to induce.
Labour Bags - What To Pack For Birth In Hospital
What do you pack if you are giving birth in a hospital? Even if you have a good idea or a list in mind, you might find something in our 'what to pack' list that you haven't thought of! We also asked our members to contribute what they felt was helpful to them when they were in hospital.
Labour Signs - Could I Be in Early Labour?
If you are late in your last trimester of pregnancy, you are probably eagerly awaiting a sign that labour has begun or is imminent. So what might you notice in early labour? Be sure to read our list of early labour signs if you'd like to know what to look out for.
Men At Birth - Should Your Bloke Be There?
Should your bloke attend the birth of your baby? “What a stupid question,†I hear you say, “Of course he will be at the birth of our child.†If you want to know how you can create a successful birthing team with your partner, check out these 7 steps for dads-to-be. Written by dad and author of 'Men At Birth,' David Vernon.
Natural Birth - Giving Birth Without Intervention
The majority of the pregnant women I have known have expressed a desire, be it overwhelming or wavering, to give birth naturally (e.g. no drugs or interventions). So what can you do to improve your chance of giving birth, naturally?
Natural Pain Relief Options For Labour
Natural pain relief methods are a fantastic way of avoiding medical pain relief, which not only has a series of side effects for you and your baby, but it also starts off the 'cascade of intervention.' If you'd like to avoid medical pain relief or other interventions, read on!
Naturally Inducing Labour - Natural Induction Methods
Natural methods of induction offer alternative ways to try and ripen your cervix or stimulate labour - especially if you are trying to beat a medical induction. So what natural methods of induction are there? Read on to find out!
Pain in Labour: Your Hormones Are Your Helpers
Researchers such as French surgeon and natural birth pioneer Michel Odent believe that if we can be more respectful of our mammalian roots, and the hormones that we share, we can have more chance of a straightforward birth ourselves.
Preparing For a Waterbirth
Sometimes the babies are so calm at birth it can appear that they aren’t breathing at all but they just aren’t crying. Their heartbeat will be normal and when you gently rub their back, blow on their face or open their mouth with your finger they will gasp.
Saying 'No' to Unwanted Birth Support People
Birthing is one of the most intimate, instinctive and personal experiences of a woman's life. For most people, it's very easy to understand that a woman in labour will need and appreciate as much privacy as possible. However sometimes, it's those who are closest to us that are unable to respect that important need for privacy, when we need it the most.
Siblings At Birth - Should Children Be Present At Childbirth?
Can't decide if you would like to have your child(ren) present at their sibling's birth? A mother (who is also a midwife) beautifully captures her thoughts and experiences with siblings at birth. You'll never look at this issue the same again.
Small Pelvis? Here's The Truth About Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD)
It was a problem long ago and it's still a problem now - women being told that their pelvis is 'too small' for their baby (or baby is big) so they will need a caesarean. Here's the real truth behind the 'small pelvis' phenomenon.
Sterile Water Injections - Taking the Pain Out of Back Labour
Sterile water injections have been successfully used to get rid of all or most of the back pain experienced by the unfortunate women who suffer from it in labour. We spoke to the Manager of Belmont Birthing Service and NSW Midwife of the Year, Carolyn Hastie about Sterile Water Injections and find out how they work.
Third Stage of Labour - Benefits of A Natural Approach
Labour doesn't end with the birth of your baby, but the third stage, or, the birth of the placenta. The management of this stage of labour has more importance than you might think and is definitely something to look into for both you and your baby's health.
Uterine Scar Rupture - What Is a Uterine Rupture?
If you have had a caesarean before you probably have already heard the words 'uterine rupture' from your carer or elsewhere. But it's not only those who have had a previous caesarean who are at risk. Find out what a uterine rupture is, how to reduce your chances and to find out how safe VBAC really is.
VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) - What To Expect
The scar from your previous caesarean is strong. While many people fear that the scar will rupture and cause the death of the mother and/ or her child, medical studies have shown that this risk is greatly overstated.
VBAC - On Whose Terms?
Are you planning a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC)? Make sure you read this article to find out the challenges you may be faced with in order to have the birth you are hoping for. 'VBAC - On Whose Terms' will help you make a more informed decision about your Vaginal Birth After Caesarean.
Waterbirth in Australia - Locations Offering Waterbirth Facilities
Want to have a waterbirth in Australia? Here's a list we've compiled which contains details of hospitals and birth centres across Australia where you can have a waterbirth.
Waters Breaking - What Happens When Your Waters Break
Waters breaking - what happens and when?! You might imagine it like the movies would have you believe - a heavily pregnant woman goes out shopping in a glamourous outfit and then at the most inappropriate moment, her water breaks all over the floor and she goes into spontaneous labour that very minute! Rest assured it's not often like that at all. Here's some helpful information about waters breaking and what happens next, as well as some real life stories.
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