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BIRTH SERVICES
As women become more educated about pregnancy, birth, and their own bodies, there is a greater recognition of these functions as normal life events. Women are increasingly looking for ways to embrace the process joyfully and calmly, with less medical intervention where possible. These are some of the options we can provide for women to help make this powerful, emotional experience positive, memorable and above all, safe.
Calmbirth®
The Calmbirth® program was developed by Peter Jackson (a midwife for over 20 years), who noted that for many women, the experience of child birth was one of fear, anxiety and trauma. The Calmbirth® program was designed to help women rediscover their birth power and joy. Expectant parents learn how to use techniques such as deep relaxtion, focused breathing and other inner resources they naturally possess to create their birth experience. They are encouraged to prepare mentally and emotionally for birth and to assist a mother's body to birth her baby.
Water Births
Some women believe a water birth is a more natural and less stressful experience for them and their new baby. Water immersion in labour provides an environment where women retain control of their birth experience, resulting in increased satisfaction and emotional wellbeing. Water provides natural buoyancy, which enables the woman to relax, allowing her to take advantage of the weightless feeling and concentrate on her birth. Warm water relaxes the mother's muscles and improves blood flow. It may help to reduce vaginal tearing, thus helping the mother avoid an episiotomy or stitches. Randomised controlled trials have found that water immersion during labour decreases women's experience with pain, and lowers the use of epidural analgesia and reduces the duration of the first stage of labour (Cluett et al. 2004).
VBAC
VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarian). The reasons you might want to discuss this as an option are:
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Less blood loss.
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No complications associated with major abdominal surgery.
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Less infection.
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A quicker recovery after birth.
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A shorter stay in hospital.
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Reduces the risk of the baby experiencing breathing difficulties after birth that require admission to the neonatal intensive care unit.
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Knowing that the baby has come when ready
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Fewer complications in future pregnancies.
VBAC is not going to be an option for every woman, but it is something that we are very happy to explore with you.
Hypnobirthing
Hypnobirthing is a unique antenatal program that teaches simple but specific self-hypnosis and relaxation techniques for an easier, more gentle birth that is often accompanied by a significant reduction in pain.
Lactation Consultant
Breastfeeding your baby can be an incredibly rewarding, nurturing experience. We are all aware of the benefits to both mother and baby of nursing from birth. However, it can come as a real shock to find that it is not always effortless (or enjoyable) to establish proper attachment and technique. If you are struggling to breastfeed your baby, it may be appropriate to seek out a Lactation Consultant.
Lactation consultants are highly qualified allied health professionals who hold an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) qualification. Helen Bechly is an experienced and compassionate Lactation Consultant in our practice two days a week.
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Maternally Assisted Caeserian Section
Maternal Assisted Caesarians have evolved to enable women to assist in the birth of their baby during an Elective Caesarean Section. Called "assisted caesarean", the procedure allows the mother to be the first to hold her child, with her hands guided to the baby by medical staff.
In the maternal-assisted method, the mother’s hands are the first to touch her baby and she then places the newborn on her chest for immediate skin-to-skin bonding. The baby is able to remain in this position if both mother and baby are well.
Like all Caesarian births, maternal-assisted procedures are very controlled, with the primary focus being on the safety of both mother and child, and infection control.
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Midwife Services
Helen Bechly began her nursing training at the Royal Brisbane Hospital in 1987. From there, she moved to the Royal Children's Hospital for a further three years. "All of my training was initially hands on and hospital based," Helen said. "In 1996 I completed my Bachelor of Nursing at ACU."
When Helen first moved to the Sunshine Coast, she worked at the Nambour General Hospital. It was there that she originally met Dr Morrow, who was studying to specialise in gyneacology and obstetrics. She has worked in Dr Morrow's practice for the past four years.
"Kirsten and I share many values when it comes to women's health," Helen said. "Over the years, we have developed a working relationship that is very intuitive, and I think that this helps to achieve flexible, nurturing and safe experiences for our obstetric patients, both during pregancy, during labor and birth, and post partum."
Helen Bechly is a Registered Nurse, Midwife & experienced Lactation Consultant. She works at Dr Morrow's rooms two days a week.
