Course Outline

Physiology of Birth

  • How Labour works - onset of labour, first stage, second stage (pushing), placenta birth

  • How our brain works - neocortex activity, limbic system, instinctive behaviours

  • Subconscious and conscious mind

  • What is hypnosis and why do we use it for birth?

  • Goal setting for birth - what is your dream birth?

  • Building neural pathways

  • What actually happens during a contraction

  • Hormones - endorphins, oxytocin, adrenaline, melatonin, relaxin, catecholamines.

  • Fear of birth and how we can reduce the fear

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Why Mindset Matters

  • Why mindset matters - we really need to dismantle our pre existing ideas about birth and start building up a new mindset.

  • Mindset work

    • Affirmations

    • Scripting/Journalling

    • Creating a positive birth board.

 

 

Choosing your care provider

  • Differences between midwives and obstetricians

  • Important considerations when choosing your hospital

  • Why achieving continuity of care has many benefits

  • Student midwives/doulas.

 

 

Creating your Birth Environment

  • How to ensure your birthing environment best supports your body for labour.

 

 

Relaxation tools for Pregnancy, Labour and beyond!

  • Breathing

  • Visualisation

  • Music

  • Aromatherapy and scent

  • Massage

  • Acupressure

  • Movement

  • Rebozo techniques

  • Water 

  • Tens machine

  • Heat

  • Vocalisation

 

Physical preparation for birth + staying healthy

  • Healthy diet

  • Physical activity

  • Perineal Massage and reducing tearing

  • Optimal Maternal Positioning techniques

  • Variations in positioning - breech, transverse or posterior.

  • Researching your options and choices

  • Birth plans

  • Navigating different birth paths (inductions, caesarean, epidurals)

  • Partner's role

 

 

Focussing on Birth

  • The 'typical' labour and what to expect

  • What do I do when labour starts?

  • When do I head into hospital?

  • What to expect when arriving at the hospital

  • Signs of transition

  • Getting closer and pushing

  • The birth of your baby!

 

 

Post Birth Options

  • Skin to skin, delayed cord clamping, the golden hour/

  • Basics of Breastfeeding

  • 'The Fourth Trimester'

  • What to expect

  • Postnatal recovery

  • Newborn neurological development

  • Supporting your sleep and your baby's sleep.

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