Bonding with your baby and gentle parenting

It`s a well-known fact that the  first moments after baby`s birth are crucial to baby`s proper adjustment and adaptation to life out of mom`s womb. Baby will immediately start breathing on his/her own, and gradually regulating temperature, breastfeeding and internal organs will begin its functions-liver will start with blood clotting thus protecting new-borns from bleeding, then breaking extra waste and red blood cells and bilirubin to prevent jaundice,

GIT will initialize digesting breast milk and passing the first stool- Meconium.

Urinary system will be maintaining body`s fluids and electrolyte balance.

Nowadays all this is well taken care of in hospitals. Babies are being properly examined immediately after birth by specialized pediatricians, then given shortly to moms and then whisked away to nurseries.

Babies physical needs have been well studied, documented and all care providers agree that  physical needs need to be taken care of in order to achieve the best possible health and potential for baby`s development.  But what about baby`s emotional needs? Aren`t they of equal importance as the physical ones? How does baby feel once separated from his/her mom? How will this early separation from mom affect him/her?

If taking care of physical needs is necessary for baby`s proper development, so is taking care of baby`s emotional needs promote baby`s well being , calmness, emotional stability and ensure raising a balanced and well-adjusted child.

Baby needs to feel safe and protected. Baby wants to smell mom`s scent and hear mom`s voice. Baby also wants to feel mom`s gentle touch. The same sensations and experiences as those in mom`s womb ensure smooth transition and adaptation to baby`s new life. You can observe that babies are usually calm in their mom`s arms and cry once taken away. Again they will calm down when returned to their moms.

Bonding between mom and her baby has numerous beneficial effects like: baby is calm, baby`s heart rate, breathing and temperature regulation are optimal. Baby can breastfeed in peace and learn proper latch which is vital for successful breastfeeding.

Review of Ina May Gaskin`s book: Ina May`s Guide to Childbirth

Ina May Gaskin: Ina May`s Guide to Childbirth

Ina May, the famous midwife and founder of the independent birthing center The Farm introduces us to art of birthing naturally, informing us about true capacities of female body as experienced by real women which are or are not recognized by medical 

authorities. She suggest that childbirth affect women health and wellbeing later in life.

" Whoever and however you intend to give birth, your experience will impact your

 emotions, your mind , your body , and your spirit for the rest of your life."

She provides her deep insights on how labour can be painful and ecstatic  in the same 

time , reviving an ancient system of knowledge about birth. 

Review of Janet Balaskas`s book : Active Birth, the new approach to giving birth naturally

Janet Balaskas`s book Active Birth is resourcesful manual for all pregnant ladies who want to labour and deliver naturally. The author urges mothers to learn about their bodies, being active during pregnancy and labour  and thus become active birth givers. She suggests that moving freely during labour, finding comfortable positions , following their instincts and taking control of the childbirth experience may result in seldom or no need of drugs and obstetrical interventions.

My BLOOMA Prenatal Yoga Training

I would like to share with you photos from Prenatal yoga training course which I took during January 10-13, 2013 at RanaFit Studio , located in premises of Kuwait Women`s Cultural Society. 

This article is reposted from BirthKuwait web site.

Blooma is prenatal  yoga school registred by YOGA ALLIANCE.

Prenatal yoga is an hour long workout , consisting of four fazes , imitating stages of childbirth : Meditation, Heating up, Intensity and Final rest. The sequence of exercises is specially design to tone up muscles and keep them flexible in order to stretch and enable baby to pass through the birth canal quickly . It also concentrates on breathing techniques and strenghtening muscles of the pelvic floor ( aka birthing muscles).  Every pregnant lady can benefit from prenatal exercise not only during pregnancy, but also during actual labour , where she can be active and combine her routine positions which made her feel comfortable during pregnancy with resting positions which will restore her energy.

Meditation ( Introduction) with our beautiful trainer Sarah Longacre

BirthKuwait event: Workshop Breastfeeding situation in Kuwait

BirthKuwait event : Workshop "Breastfeeeding situation in Kuwait" took place 29th May 2012 at the Women`s Cultural Society. The programme consisted of five presentations:

1. Dr. Mona Alsumaie : Breastfeeding situation in Kuwait
We learned that 82% of women in Kuwait initiate breastfeeding ( even if only once ) , but only 12% of them continue exclusive brestfeeding up to 6th month of baby age. The most common reasons why women stop breastfeeding are lack of proper information, motivation and help.

2. Dr. Alia Abdeen : Kuwait Lactation Consultants Society: mission and activities
Kuwait Lactation Consultant Society currently has 37 members who took certification exam and qualified, they are distributed in govermental hospitals all over Kuwait and available to help mothers whenever needed.

3. Zuzana Nadova, Midwife : BirthKuwait - mission, vision and activities
BirthKuwait is a local nonprofit birth network— a collection of birth-related professionals—networking together and working towards providing better support for mothers and improving maternity services in Kuwait by making resources available for mothers and advocating for evidence-based maternity care.

4. Heba Al Ali, BSF founder: BFS breastfeeding support club 
The most important message of this presentation was to start preparing for breastfeeding during the pregnancy , setting the priorities right and having support system.

5. Carolyne Presber, LLL leader-Kuwait: La Leche League in Kuwait
We learned about history  and activities of La Leche League, which is international non profit organization providing Mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information and education for women who breastfeed their children.

Programme was followed by interesting discussion.

Photos from the event:

Invitation for the lecture

Dr. Alia Abdeen ( left) , Zuzana Nadova, Dr. Mona Alsumaie

Carolyne Presber ( left ), Dr. Alia Abdeen, Dr. Mona Alsumaie, Heba Al Ali

Carolyne Presber ( left) , Heba Al Ali

Zuzana Nadova

BirthKuwait event: Food revolution Day at the Women`s cultural Society

BirthKuwait event took place 19th May 2012 at the Women`s Cultural Society as a part of Food Revolution Day. It was day full of fun, learning and pleasant encouters with amazing people. We were talking about Breastfeeding and its benefits.

BirthKuwait Booth:




BirthKuwait team:





Anwer sheet of winner of the kid`s competition about breastfeeding


We loved this poster about breastfeeding from TheAlfaParent.com

You can read more about this event on BirthKuwait web site.

BirthKuwait event at Sadu House 14th may 2012

BirthKuwait event: Coping with labor took place at Sadu House on 14th May 2012. We talked about labor and comfort measures during labor. The lecture was presented by Midwife Jane Ayers and Doula Sarah Paksima of BirthKuwait .

We learned that it is preferred to eat and drink during early stage of labor in order to maintain high energy levels  all the way to the delivery. It is also adviced to practice relaxation techniques and correct breathing to faciliate release of hormones which easen labor and decreases pain. We were also presented with demonstration of many labor positions and comfort measures, like applying hot compresses, massages, accupuncture and use of fit ball.

Photos from the event: My daughter learning about the use of fit ball during labor and me

By providing moms with counter pressure (in response to the pressure of the baby's internal rotations in the pelvis and against the sacrum) by doing the double hip squeeze, using a scarf to accomplish the same thing, or pressing or massaging the sacrum, you can help relieve some of the discomfort of labor.

Check for more info on our Facebook group BirthKuwait.

My doula training

Having a doula with me during my two labors were had been alway a dream of mine, which stayed unfuftilled , cos there were no doulas available in Kuwait then. A doula is birth companion who provides you with emotional and physical support. Imagine a person who calms you down, reminds you of proper breathing, relaxation techniques, keeps you hydrated by offering sips of water, keeps you energized by offering small portions of food ( like dates), relieves pain by massaging and accupunture or applying hot compresses,.. and much more. I took doula training course ( DONA)  sponsored by BirthKuwait and Royal Hayatt so I will be able to attend labors of my family & friends and I also think about getting licensed soon.

Here are some photos from the training course:

                   My trainer Kristi Ridd-Young (left)  and me (right)

                              Kristi speaking about emotional support

            My friend Sarah Paksima of BirthKuwait providing me with shoulder   
             massage while I am sitting on the fit ball

                                 Me practising relaxation

            Model of bony pelvis with baby descending to the birth canal

                                Pain relieve technique

                                Certificate of attendence

1st DONA Doula Training course 26-28/4/2012

DONA is International organization of Doulas of North America

Doula is a person who provides non-medical care for mothers during and immediately after birth.

• Recognizes birth as a significant life experience.
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a laboring woman.
• Provides continuous support, practrical comfort measures, and an objective viewpoint to aid in decision-making.
• Complements the care provided by the woman's partner and birth attendants.
• Protects and nurtures the memory of the birth experience.

Recent studies indicate the use of a doula:

• Decreases labor length by 25 percent.
• Decreases oxytocin use by 25 percent.
• Decreases mother's request for pain medication by 30 percent.
• Decreases cesareans by 50 percent.
• Increases father's participation level.

The course took place during  from 26th April to 28th April 2012 in Royale Hayat Hospital. This course was designed and was presented by Kristi Ridd-Young, an experienced midwife, doula, and childbirth educator. She is currently the President of the Midwives College of Utah and former DONA Administrative Director and board member. During her 19 years of teaching, Kristi has facilitated many doula trainings throughout the USA. She has been invaluable in helping many expectant mothers and their partners develop skills and the inner strength neeed to experience a positive birth. As a caring, compassionate doula, she has atteneded over 250 women. Kristi has been mentored by many of the leading experts in the field of childbirth, but most of all, she credits her six children and seven stepchildren for much of the wisdom and knowledge she shares.

La Leche League (LLL) Kuwait

Dear all,

It is our pleasure to inform you that La Leche League (LLL) is coming to Kuwait and a local LLL group will be established soon.  La Leche League is an international non-profit organization.  It's mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.

  

We have been asked to provide a list of health care providers and others in Kuwait who would be interested in receiving notifications of new issues of New Beginnings magazine, the online quarterly publication of La Leche League USA.   Each issue contains inspiring stories and helpful information for expectant parents, breastfeediing moms, and mothers at all stages of their parenting journey.  You can take a look at  some previous editions of the magazine here:  http://www.llli.org/nbdate.html

If you are interested in being a member of LLL Kuwait and/or receiving notifications of new issues of New Beginnings Magazine, kindly send message to MidwifeofKuwait  with your name and contact information, including the email address of your preference.

Wishing you a beautiflul summer and nice holidays!

Warmest regards,

Zuzana Nadova (BirthKuwait), Sarah Paksima (BirthKuwait), Caroline Presber (LLL leader, Kuwait).

NOTE: Kindly forward this message to all your family& friends who may be interested.

BirthKuwait meeting in Midwifery Today Magazine

Midwifery Today mentioned meeting BirthKuwait in their newsletter. Thank you! We are working on our web site which will be coming in fall.

BirthKuwait

It is my pleasure to inform you about the establishment of a new, volunteer-run organization: BirthKuwait. The mission of BirthKuwait is to provide evidence-based information and resources to a) help women in Kuwait have positive, healthy and safe births, b) empower women to advocate for improved maternity services and c) increase transparency in maternity services through the creation of a central, information-based Web site, an online birth survey and new training opportunities for doulas, lactation consultants and childbirth educators.

For a full report on the first meeting of BirthKuwait, visit: http://midwiferyinkuwait.blogspot.com/2011/05/meeting-birth-kuwait-may-5th-2011_09.html

— Zuzana Nadova

My Hypnobirthing experience with Katharine Graves

I consider myself  curios person who like to explore new things. My main interests are ways of self-improvement & self-development. I m also very keen on discovering secrets of consciuoss& subconsciouss mind. So this time I challenged myself to find out about Hypnobirthing. I took Hypnobirthing course with Mrs. Katharine Graves May 5th-May 8th, 2011 and trained as hypnotherapy teacher/ practitioner. I really did`t have any idea what to expect, so if you are curious too, let s begin:

What is Hypnobirthing?
Hypnobirthing is pre-natal series of classes using relaxation techniques, breathing, positive suggestion and visualisations to programme your mind  to reach the state of relaxation and harmony. This will enable you to be calm and collected even in otherwise stressful situations.

"It is simply a way of releasing some of the un-helpful and debillitating beliefs and assumptions that we have acquired on our journey through life. It can actually control pain.

There is no magic to achieving success with self-hypnosis.
Almost anyone who chooses to can reach deep relaxation and redirected focus.

Meeting "BIRTH KUWAIT" May 5th, 2011

Meeting "Birth Kuwait" took place May 5th, 2011. Meeting was attended by number of mothers and local professionals.

Firstly, we were greeted and welcome by Mrs. Sarah Paksima, the organizer of the meeting who shortly presented goals and activities of Birth Kuwait.

Birth Kuwait is group of volunteers who advocate for improvement of maternity services in Kuwait.

Meeting "BIRTH KUWAIT" May 5th, 2011 UPDATE

Thank you Babble Q8 for sharing our invitation for the meeting "Birth Kuwait" on your blog. Appreciated :)
Tomorrow`s meeting May 5th, 2011 is only 23 hours away! Wish us luck.
Check My previous post for details.

Hypnobirthing courses for practitioners by Mrs. Katharine Graves

Have you ever thought of becoming Hypnobirthing Teacher?  Helping mothers achieving a calm and natural birth by providing them support and empoverment? Would you like to explore hypnobirthing principles in a labour?

Mrs. Kathrina Graves of Hypnobirthing Center UK is coming to Kuwait to teach hypnobirthing classes from May 5th to May 8th.

Mrs. Katharina is looking forward to share her method and professional experiences with you. She is also keen to introduce hypnobirthing method in Kuwait and make it available for all interested. She is offering reduced price for those inteterested in taking the course. Do not hesistate to ask for details.

For more information on hypnobirthing method visit  http://www.thehypnobirthingcentre.co.uk/

Sincerely looking forward seeing you :)



 

Birth Story 1

Dear Readers,

I`d like to share with you a birth story sent to me by valued friend of mine. This birth story happened in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Women in the story is dedicated Mom, passionate about natural birth, breastfeeding and attachement parenting. Let`s see how her story unravels...

"My due date was still about 2 weeks away. My mum had just arrived from my home country to spend time with me. It was a new doctor again…she had a look at my file, asked how I felt and then said: "well then i'll see you in about 12 days time"

As I was leaving my mum insisted that she do an internal  exam as I was complaining about slight pain that felt like period pain…guess what…I was already 4 cm dilated!!! I was already in labour…

International Day of the Midwife is approaching ! 5/5/2011

To:  All my colleaugue and friends,

Congratulations on the occasion of the International Day of Midwife! You all have been of great support and help last year. Thank you for virtual discussions and advices. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expiriences with me. YOU ALL ROCK! <3 you beautifull community.

Check out online conference where we can share our expiriences about last year.

" Virtual International Day of the Midwife May 5th 2011 “The World Needs Midwives Today More Than Ever”

Welcome to the Virtual International Day of the Midwife (VIDM) which is a 24 hour FREE ONLINE CONFERENCE on the 5th May starting at 12pm New Zealand time - click here to see the time where you live. "

Hypnobirthing classes in Kuwait

Couple and practitioner classes will be held from 6th-8th of May 2011 by Hypnobirthing specialist and Doula Katherine Graves from the UK. Please check www.thehypnobirthingcentre.co.uk for more information about hypnobirthing and Katherine  Course timings and location are yet to be determined. If you are interested please contact midwifeofkuwait@yahoo.com and we will get you in touch with the organizer.

Sneak peak:

"Hypnobirthing is a completely logical and extremely effective established method that lets you discover the joy and magic of birth, and is much more than just self-hypnosis or hypnotherapy.

 It is deeply relaxing and effective, and allows your mind and your body to work in harmony, the way nature intended.  Hypnobirthing is your ante-natal training of choice."

Recomendations for OB in Kuwait

Dear Friends,

I` ve got a question from reader and would like to ask for your recomendations for good Obstetritian in Kuwait.

"I am curious to find out which hospitals here in Kuwait will promote Natural Childbirth (following C-Section) and which Dr.’s are also “onboard” ? "

OB should support natural birth: that is hands off policy- minimum exams, alternative birthing positions, no medication, early initiation of breastfeeding.

Looking forward to hear your opinions.

Thank you very much!

GET INVOLVED!

Do you want to help improve Maternity Services in Kuwait? Are you looking for more readily available resources, information, and support? Do you want more options? Come help us create the first ever NGO dedicated to improving maternity services in Kuwait.