Fear Tension Pain Theory
“Calmbirth is the MOST amazing birthing programme out there. I really wish every couple could have the chance to do this course.”
Navigating Grief: The Heartache of Losing a baby
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and, in a world, where we have seen the uprise of cancel culture and trigger warnings on almost everything…it’s important that we don’t erase or silence conversations about grief or talking about someone’s loss.
Grief is a profound and universal human experience, but when it comes to the loss of a baby, it’s a heart-wrenching journey that few can truly comprehend. Losing a child, no matter how early in pregnancy or late in infancy, leaves a lasting impact on parents and families that is impossible to quantify.
The Postpartum Journey…
I want to talk about the postpartum period that can leave you feeling quite fragile, lonely, and unprepared for. I know when it was time for me to leave the hospital and go home, I cried because I knew I would be on my own without the support of my village. Recovering from a C Section birth, struggling with the challenges of breastfeeding my baby, having the three day blues, and having to learn to adjust to motherhood and the flood of emotions that come with the joy and self-doubt. To put it simply, I was unprepared for the lack of sleep and learning to read my baby’s cues and the loneliness that can come from being a new mum.
So here are a few tips or lessons learned to help you navigate the fourth trimester.
Epidurals as pain relief…..
I don’t know about you, but I know when I was pregnant what scared me the most was not the actual labour or birth, but it was having to get an epidural if I needed one because I didn’t know too much about epidurals, when they might be needed, their risks, benefits, and how they differ from spinal blocks. As it turned out, I had to have a C section birth and ended up having a spinal block but here are the differences.
The After Pains in the Postpartum Stage
Let’s talk about a topic that often gets overshadowed in the glow of new motherhood: After Pains.
What are After Pains, and are they normal?
After Pains, also known as postpartum contractions or uterine contractions, that may feel like period cramping, are a natural part of the post-birth process helping to shrink the uterus back to size. They occur a few days after childbirth and can last a few weeks, it may not be the most comfortable experience, and may feel weird because you have just had your baby yet feel like you are still having contractions. They tend to come on most significantly when you’re breastfeeding, as your body releases oxytocin. but they serve a crucial purpose. Here’s why you have them and why they are normal: