When I am teaching parents about birth I intentionally include a picture of a baby when they are first born – many people are surprised by their initial colour! I find that in the first day after birth, one of the most common questions I get asked is about the colour of their baby’s hands and feet. We’re tackling these concepts in this blog post, so read on for more!
Pregnancy is about more than just growing a baby.
Sure, technically that’s what it’s about, but for your body it means so much more.
Every single system of your body needs to change in some way to keep you and your baby healthy. Seems drastic, maybe, but growing new humans is a pretty drastic undertaking, wouldn’t you say?
There are of course a thousand different changes your body goes through during pregnancy, but here are 5 systems and the fascinating ways your body adapts them for pregnancy and to prepare for birth.
Happy reading!
Naomi and Shane had a positive waterbirth of their beautiful daughter at a public hospital with care by a Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) midwife.
Chloe, your passion for women, babies and birth was infectious throughout the Calmbirth course. You reframed expectations I didn’t realise I had eg. that labour would just have to be endured and fought through gritted teeth. Instead, I learned how to work with my hormones, adrenaline, contractions and instincts.
You instilled in me such an awe and wonder for how women’s bodies are made to birth babies. I found that labour itself can be a truly incredible experience!
Nicole and Jack had a positive vaginal birth of their first baby in a private hospital with care from a private obstetrician. Their story is shared with permission.
A personal note from Chloe
This is the first couple I ever did a Calmbirth course with as a trainee educator, and I was definitely nervous teaching it for the first time!
One morning a couple of months later I received this email, and I would be lying if I said that I didn’t cry big happy tears reading it. I am honoured to be allowed to share their story for you all, too.
“One last surge and your baby will be here. You are almost there.”
A final grunt, and her baby’s shoulders and body are moved between the worlds into the waiting hands of a care provider, her partner, or the mother herself.
These two, mother and baby, know each other so intimately, yet are meeting for the first time.
A moment of silence. A small intake of breath. Then, a cry.
This child who has only known fluid, is now one of air.
It is just seconds of time. From the outside, we see barely anything, but internally, these seconds bring the most complex changes our bodies ever do.