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Newcastle Baby 2023

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NEWCASTLE<br />

FREE<br />

<strong>2023</strong> EDITION<br />

Dear Counsellor,<br />

Help my Family<br />

Please<br />

<strong>Baby</strong>Spotlight Heading<br />

Article teaser Making<br />

/ description goes here<br />

Babies and<br />

IVF Success<br />

BABY NOT<br />

SLEEPING?<br />

What is the<br />

Best Birth<br />

Course in<br />

Australia?<br />

YOUR<br />

HEALING<br />

BIRTH<br />

WE INTERVIEW<br />

OBSTETRICIAN,<br />

DR ANDREW BISITS<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> 3 outline.indd 1<br />

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Just some of the gorgeous designs available...<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> 3 outline.indd 2<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong>_<strong>Baby</strong>_A5_Ad_V3.indd 2<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

Contents<br />

5. Becoming a Mother<br />

6. My Kids Market<br />

8. The Doula Sherpa<br />

11. Making Babies and IVF Success<br />

12. <strong>Baby</strong> Not Sleeping?<br />

14. Babies – Perfect One Day,<br />

Concerning the Next?<br />

16. Healing Birth Storytelling<br />

19. Dear Counsellor – Help our Family<br />

20. <strong>Baby</strong> Boutique, Clinic and Classes<br />

22. Mental Health in Parenthood<br />

24. Yoga, Self Care to Health Care<br />

26. An Intimate Interview with<br />

Obstetrician, Dr Andrew Bisits<br />

30. Birth Where You Feel Safest<br />

32. Birth Movement, <strong>2023</strong> Calendar<br />

33. Your Placenta – Too Good to<br />

Waste<br />

34. “Body-Health” For Birth and<br />

Recovery<br />

36. Journey to Private Practice<br />

Midwife<br />

38. Healing Trauma, Healing Birth<br />

41. Friendly with Your Vagina?<br />

44. Best Birth Course in Australia?<br />

Enquiries<br />

Natalie Meade<br />

M: 0406 934 645<br />

FB and I: @<strong>Newcastle</strong>baby<br />

www.newcastlebaby.com.au<br />

Cover Photography<br />

Jessica Ross Photography<br />

www.jessicaross.com.au<br />

Models: Mother and Archer<br />

@Natashajheard<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> wishes to acknowledge<br />

Aboriginal people as the Traditional Custodians of<br />

the land on which we work, live and play and<br />

pay respect to Elders past, present & emerging.<br />

Logo design @mamagum.au<br />

Welcome<br />

Welcome to <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> <strong>2023</strong>! Inside these<br />

pages you’ll find a gathering of humans who are<br />

passionate, highly qualified in their field and genuinely<br />

caring about you. Welcome to this gathering of heartcentred<br />

services - all local and all small business.<br />

In this day of ‘scroll scroll scroll’, we want to gift you<br />

something to hold steady in your hands, something<br />

infused with our love. The magazine you hold, for<br />

free, took months of labour from all of us and we take<br />

pleasure in knowing it will find its way to just the right<br />

person, at just the right time.<br />

Yes, Dr Google may give you some clues at 3am,<br />

but when the sun comes up you are left with the<br />

challenge of finding a real live person to talk to. We<br />

are here to support you throughout, pregnancy,<br />

birth and postpartum. We have shared our jewels<br />

of wisdom in our articles and we have shared our<br />

personal phone numbers with you too, to freely call<br />

us, at any time. We are here for you when those<br />

feelings of overwhelm inevitably arise. Mention<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> when you call, we’d love to know<br />

how you found us.<br />

At <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> we have a dream. A dream<br />

where all your fears, worries and concerns are heard,<br />

truly heard and where the support you find is healing<br />

and life changing.<br />

In warm-hearted connectedness.<br />

Natalie andAll<br />

© <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />

All rights reserved, Views expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect those<br />

of the publisher. The editorial and advertising content, products and services in this<br />

publication are not an explicit endorsement by Natalie Meade or <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong><br />

3<br />

6:52 pm<br />

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SHE BIRTHS® WEEKEND COURSE<br />

NEWCASTLE<br />

98% of couples say She Births® allowed them to create a beautiful birth<br />

Scientifically Verified Better Births<br />

Photograph by Jerusha Sutton<br />

She Births® is a scientifically verified childbirth education program that<br />

provides a unique 'toolkit' of skills for both mum and birthing partner.<br />

Holistic & evidence-based.<br />

A proven program offering support to make the journey into<br />

parenthood easier.<br />

Empowering mums to have a better birth experience and partners to<br />

provide effective support and advocacy.<br />

We cover everything you need to know about the birth process. Enabling<br />

you and your partner to work as a team, feel less pain, minimise<br />

interventions, have a safer delivery & create a beautiful and bonding birth<br />

exerience, no matter what unfolds.<br />

.......................................................................................................<br />

Join certified She<br />

Births® educator<br />

Nichola Kinnane for a<br />

two-day birth<br />

preparation course here<br />

in <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />

Contact:<br />

1300 100 743 (SHE)<br />

nichola@shebirths.com<br />

shebirths.com<br />

She Births® , when compared to hospital courses, is proven to create a:<br />

65% Reduction<br />

In Epidural<br />

British Medical Journal, July 2016<br />

44% Reduction<br />

In C-Section<br />

50% Reduction<br />

In Augmentation<br />

53% Reduction<br />

In Resuscitation<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> 3 outline.indd 4<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

hs<br />

Matrescence - The Becoming of a Mother<br />

rusha Sutton<br />

re<br />

There is a time of life where our bodies<br />

physically change, hormones run wild, our<br />

brains rewire, we have a huge identity shift<br />

and it’s not adolescence, it’s motherhood.<br />

This transition known as Matrescence was<br />

coined by anthropologist Dana Raphael in<br />

the 1970s and is a developmental process<br />

where we not only birth our babies but<br />

rebirth ourselves, so why have we never<br />

heard about it?<br />

During pregnancy and motherhood the<br />

brain undergoes big changes like an increase<br />

in neurons, brain pruning, and an increase in<br />

oxytocin receptors (the hormone of empathy,<br />

love and bonding). We are reprogramed to<br />

respond to our baby’s non-verbal cues - we<br />

are literally being rewired for love.<br />

But this rewiring isn’t all baby gazing. We<br />

feel the push of craving space and meeting<br />

our own needs (the individual world of the<br />

Maiden), and the pull of needing to tend to<br />

and care for our baby (the relational world<br />

of the Mother). This split is compounded<br />

by cultural expectations and a lack of<br />

understanding, leaving mothers to feel the<br />

pressure of the mother we think we should be.<br />

So how can we change the narrative?<br />

Start by asking yourself what is the image<br />

of the ideal mother you hold in your mind?<br />

Does she feel totally satisfied in her new<br />

role? Is there an expectation that she will<br />

automatically know what to do?<br />

Let this go. Mothering is learnt and<br />

like everything you get better at it with<br />

experience. Matrescence is an opportunity<br />

to break these stories down and get a doover<br />

of the past, reinvent ourselves and heal.<br />

Because if there is one person you meet<br />

post-birth, it’s not your baby it’s you. Children<br />

can mirror the unloved and unintegrated<br />

aspects of Self and while we respond to our<br />

babies with kindness and patience we need<br />

to be treating ourselves in this way too.<br />

As a She Births® Educator I believe that<br />

Birth is an amazing Rite of Passage and no<br />

two journeys are the same, however with<br />

great education and support every birth<br />

can be beautiful no matter what unfolds.<br />

Pregnancy, labour and becoming a<br />

mother takes more than just 9 months. It is<br />

an opportunity to evolve. Let’s make these<br />

conversations important and be curious<br />

about our own unique journey as you<br />

prepare for the birth of your baby and the<br />

birth of yourself as a mother and a family.<br />

Nichola Kinnane, Mob: 0411 518 727<br />

Email: nichola@shebirths.com<br />

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My Kids Market - so<br />

uch to ove!<br />

Your local market to buy, sell, and recycle<br />

pre-loved and new baby and kids goods.<br />

You’ll love the look on your child’s face<br />

when they discover a new toy, or play in<br />

an activity corner. Browse with friends or<br />

chat to other Mums in a fun social vibe, and<br />

of course, nothing beats finding a 'market<br />

treasure' especially your favourite kids brands<br />

at bargain prices. Be welcomed by our<br />

friendly, market team and enjoy the buzzing<br />

energy as the doors open wide. Why not<br />

consider setting up a stall and recycling<br />

gently used items to happy new homes - all<br />

while earning you dollars!<br />

About ‘My Kids Market’ (fondly known<br />

as MKM):<br />

We are a team of NSW mums visiting ten<br />

different locations on a rotating cycle.<br />

Although impacted by the last two years,<br />

our <strong>Newcastle</strong> Market has bounced back<br />

and full of joy - a reflection of the incredible<br />

support we receive from the <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />

Community. Local businesses, mums and<br />

families have always jumped in and helped<br />

us share our events to reach new families.<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong> is a place we consider as one of<br />

our ‘warm homes’.<br />

6<br />

A little bit about myself, Jennifer…I am a<br />

mum of two young adult boys and I first<br />

discovered baby markets when my youngest<br />

was just two and fell in love with the concept<br />

immediately. Ten years later ‘My Kids Market<br />

NSW’ was born and I am so proud of all we<br />

do:<br />

n Saving thousands of tonnes of baby and<br />

kids items from landfill including large items,<br />

toys, clothes and more.<br />

n Giving parents a place to make money<br />

through recycling<br />

n Helping families save money as they buy<br />

essential baby and kids items<br />

n Creating a sense of community, cohesion<br />

and belonging<br />

n Supporting new businesses to launch by<br />

showcasing at MKM<br />

What Shoppers say: “I love the atmosphere<br />

and the excitement of the markets. What<br />

‘unicorn’ am I going to find this time?”<br />

“I love that I am teaching my boys about<br />

recycling our toys, both as a shopper and a<br />

stallholder.”<br />

What Stallholders say: “We are so pleased to<br />

have sold our baby goods that were taking<br />

up space in our home… now other parents<br />

and children can enjoy them!"<br />

“What a great event, I was highly impressed<br />

with how organised and successful the<br />

markets were. I will definitely be back again,<br />

both as a shopper and a stallholder."<br />

Discover three <strong>Newcastle</strong> MKMs’ in <strong>2023</strong>!<br />

(Market dates, pg 25).<br />

C<br />

an<br />

Al<br />

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<strong>Baby</strong> Sensory <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />

Contact:<br />

Sarah Williams<br />

0402 220 589<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong>-nsw@babysensory.com<br />

<strong>Baby</strong> development classes filled with sensory<br />

delights<br />

IBCLC<br />

LACTATION CONSULTANT<br />

Children’s entertainment<br />

and nannying services<br />

Alisha Charles | M: 0404 030 174<br />

Leeshii’s Fun & Games<br />

leeshii.entertainment<br />

BREAST/CHEST/BODY FEEDING SUPPORT<br />

Hello, I am a Registered Nurse and Midwife, Child &<br />

Family Health Nurse and International Board Certified<br />

Lactation Consultant. I offer antenatal & postnatal feeding<br />

support on Awabakal & Worimi Country - <strong>Newcastle</strong>, Lake<br />

Macquarie & surrounds. I'm here to help with anything<br />

feeding related and would love to help you on your<br />

feeding journey.<br />

0423231955<br />

amy@acs-lactation.com.au<br />

www.facebook.com/ibclc.amy<br />

ibclc.amy<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> 3 outline.indd 7<br />

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“Asking<br />

your husband<br />

to be your sole guide<br />

through labour is like asking<br />

him to lead the way on a climb<br />

of Mt. Everest. He may be smart<br />

and trustworthy, and you may love<br />

him, but in the Himalayas you’d<br />

both be a lot better off with a<br />

Sherpa!” - Pam<br />

England<br />

Photo credit @shanrosephotography<br />

The Doula Sherpa (for your birth adventure)<br />

Laying here with my dog, curled up on<br />

our sofa, I cast my mind back a decade...<br />

pregnant with our first child; a different<br />

house, a different couch. I had no idea<br />

what a ‘doula’ was then. My husband and I<br />

engaged a private obstetrician (OB) under<br />

the direction of my GP. At this time, I had not<br />

considered my needs, outside of physical<br />

safety, or what I wanted from my birth.<br />

Simply by choosing the private hospital<br />

(despite a low-risk pregnancy) I was now in<br />

medically managed care and more likely to<br />

receive interventions in labour and birth.<br />

In hindsight, I chose a high-risk biomedical<br />

expert not a physiological birth expert, as I<br />

had been conditioned to believe birth was<br />

a medical event. I had no concept of it as<br />

a rite of passage. I simply could not grasp<br />

that through the process of birthing, I would<br />

be shedding my former skin and rebirthing<br />

myself as a mother. And, that I would be so<br />

enlivened by the experience, I would later<br />

gestate a career allowing me to support and<br />

empower other women in birth.<br />

I check my phone for the tenth time this<br />

hour. I am on-call for two women due this<br />

month. I want to see if either is showing signs<br />

that labour is near. “Stomach cramps and<br />

a mild euphoric feeling” accompanied by<br />

a vomit and butterfly emoji. Hmm, could<br />

be soon. I need to get off the couch and<br />

make dinner, scrambled eggs perhaps? My<br />

children are hungry and asking if I will be<br />

home to put them to bed. “Yes, if there’s no<br />

birth” is my standard response.<br />

My youngest enquires, “Are her waters<br />

intact?”, I nod, smile and reach for the frying<br />

pan.<br />

8<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

Photo credit @shanrosephotography<br />

e)<br />

Kate who sent the<br />

message is a 32 yearold<br />

woman with no risk<br />

factors and intending to<br />

birth at the local public<br />

hospital. Kate wanted<br />

a doula to help provide<br />

continuity of care<br />

through her pregnancy,<br />

birth and postpartum.<br />

Her husband had not<br />

previously heard of<br />

this role. At our first meeting, we laughed<br />

over the pronunciation of the Greek word<br />

‘doolah’ (meaning: to mother the mother).<br />

I explain the role using the analogy of<br />

going on a trek. Imagine the labour and<br />

birth journey as an epic hike up the great<br />

mountains of the Himalayas. The woman<br />

and her partner have chosen to embark on<br />

this adventure together. The doula is chosen<br />

by the couple and works for them. She has<br />

walked this trail countless times through clear<br />

skies and stormy weather. They have built trust<br />

in her and she understands what they both<br />

want from the journey. As challenges arise,<br />

she guides them to push past mental and<br />

physical barriers. She knows what is required<br />

and will help them navigate the winding<br />

paths and steep peaks. The sherpa provides<br />

unwavering support every step of the way.<br />

Midwives, I explain, are the medic stops.<br />

They are skilled medical professionals that<br />

work for the hospital and ensure you are<br />

clinically cared for. For this woman, in the<br />

public system, she can expect one, two or<br />

three different midwives, depending on shift<br />

changes and staff allocations.<br />

An obstetrician is the helicopter rescue if<br />

you or your baby encounter complications<br />

and need to be air-lifted off the mountain<br />

with obstetric instruments<br />

or a cesarean-section.<br />

In the private system,<br />

the OB is the main care<br />

provider. For women with<br />

complex needs this can<br />

be a suitable option and<br />

there are some excellent<br />

doctors that practice<br />

woman-centred care.<br />

Kate has been coming<br />

to prenatal yoga with<br />

me since 12 weeks. She wants a natural<br />

unmedicated birth and no unnecessary<br />

intervention. They understand their options<br />

and together we developed a ‘birth map’<br />

so they feel prepared. Once labour is<br />

established, I will join them in their home<br />

and assist to optimise her body’s natural<br />

response. I provide support for them to stay<br />

at home as long as they want and remain<br />

with them until after they have their baby. I<br />

debrief the birth experience postpartum and<br />

ensure they have all the support they need<br />

for early parenting.<br />

I support women to optimise their<br />

experience of pregnancy and embrace<br />

the journey towards motherhood. I believe<br />

an empowered birth is one where every<br />

decision is made with confidence, no matter<br />

what unfolds. I offer specialised prenatal<br />

yoga, birth mapping and full spectrum doula<br />

services. I am your Sherpa through this major<br />

life transition.<br />

Sarah Newling<br />

PH: 0417 711 300<br />

www.yogimama.com.au<br />

https://birthmap.life<br />

IG: @sarah.yogimama<br />

FB: @sarahyogimama<br />

9<br />

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YOUR Birth<br />

YOUR Midwife<br />

Servicing our<br />

Hunter<br />

community from<br />

the Coast<br />

to the Valley.<br />

Di Longworth<br />

Professional, safe, relationship-based care.<br />

Tailored to your needs for your pregnancy<br />

and birth journey.<br />

*Medicare rebates available<br />

"TO CHANGE THE WORLD, WE MUST<br />

FIRST CHANGE THE WAY THE BABIES<br />

ARE BEING BORN."<br />

~ MICHEL ODENT<br />

www.valleybirths.com.au 0412 974 294 di@valleybirths.com.au<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong> Kinesiology Practice<br />

Camille Addison<br />

I am passionate about<br />

working with women to<br />

mentally process and<br />

release all things birth<br />

related. This includes<br />

mental preparation prior<br />

to giving birth, working<br />

through birth fear and<br />

trauma, understanding<br />

your birthing experience<br />

and processing postnatal<br />

issues, such as flashbacks,<br />

depression and anxiety.<br />

0422 294 427<br />

camille@newcastlekinesiologypractice.com<br />

www.newcastlekinesiologypractice.com<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> 3 outline.indd 10<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

Making Babies, and IVF<br />

Success, 1, 2, 3!<br />

ST<br />

IES<br />

Starting a family can be a time<br />

of excitement and joy, but the<br />

road there isn’t always easy.<br />

It used to be thought<br />

that genetics were set. But<br />

science has taught us that<br />

our child’s genes, in utero and<br />

as they grow as children into adults, are<br />

changeable! In a nut shell - we can shape<br />

our baby’s journey with the food we eat!<br />

All humans on a conception journey,<br />

IVF or otherwise, enjoy great benefits<br />

with lifestyle advice from a certified<br />

fertility dietitian, and advantages to this<br />

are reflected in the long-term health of<br />

your child as they progress to adulthood,<br />

minimising the greater risk of obesity, type 2<br />

diabetes, heart disease, allergy and some<br />

psychological conditions.<br />

There are five key factors needed for<br />

healthy conception where nutrition can<br />

help:<br />

1. Healthy sperm (ask me more)<br />

2. Healthy egg/s (ask me more)<br />

3. Ovulation (when the egg is released from<br />

the ovary - preferably in a timely manner)<br />

4. The egg and the sperm need to join<br />

together to create an embryo<br />

5. The embryo needs to implant into the<br />

uterus (this requires establishing a healthy<br />

uterus)<br />

In Australia 1 in 6 couples<br />

require IVF. The experience is not<br />

widely or openly talked about in<br />

society, but if you have a friend<br />

who has been through it, you’ll<br />

know it is commonly: time costly;<br />

expensive; intrusive; and, even,<br />

sometimes, painfully emotional.<br />

By applying my expert knowledge and by<br />

working together on your journey, we can<br />

expect a shorter time to conceive, fewer IVF<br />

cycles needed (if any) and with all of this,<br />

vastly reduced costs.<br />

When we work together, I order and<br />

analyse the useful and relevant blood<br />

tests, I provide an analysis of your ideal<br />

supplement requirements (to enhance your<br />

fertility/pregnancy health) and I work with<br />

you to enjoy and follow evidence-based,<br />

personalised, dietary advice.<br />

First steps today. Are you aware of your<br />

intakes from the range of various food<br />

groups, and their effects on fertility? Contact<br />

me for a chat,<br />

Sally Marchini.<br />

Tel: 02 4971 0770<br />

https://www.marchininutrition.com.au/<br />

I: @marchini.nutrition<br />

FB: MarchiniNutritionAPD<br />

The Belmont Specialist Centre, 30 Glover St,<br />

Belmont, or by TeleHealth<br />

11<br />

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<strong>Baby</strong> not leeping? Can you Relate?<br />

Holis<br />

Holis<br />

SCARLETT 10 WEEKS OLD<br />

ISSUES: Fights sleep, has<br />

a dummy that doesn’t<br />

help her sleep. If she<br />

falls asleep, will wake<br />

crying within five minutes.<br />

Experiences wind, reflux,<br />

constipation and is unsettled and unhappy all<br />

the time. Mum feels like she is losing her mind.<br />

KEY SOLUTIONS: Adjustments to awake times<br />

(to be age appropriate), increased tummy<br />

time, changed formula, and educated<br />

about tired signs. When Scarlett was tired we<br />

responded with gentle settling that allowed<br />

her to love going to sleep.<br />

RESULT: “Natalie came into our home and<br />

with her gentle approach, helped us make<br />

some simple changes and she is now<br />

sleeping through her sleep cycles. This has<br />

made life so much easier for the whole family<br />

as she is so easy to get to sleep- anyone can<br />

do it! Thank you!”<br />

Jess and Scarlett. Ellalong. NSW<br />

HARPER 8 MONTHS OLD<br />

ISSUES: Will only sleep if<br />

being held or slept with<br />

by a parent or sucking<br />

on a bottle. If parents<br />

attempt to put her in<br />

her cot she will scream<br />

and fight hysterically. This can go on for<br />

hours. Mum feeling anxious, confused and<br />

worthless. Trying to stay positive for Harper’s<br />

development but it’s very hard.<br />

KEY SOLUTIONS: Age-appropriate daily<br />

routine, increased variety of solids, respected<br />

her tired signs, identified personal sleep<br />

windows, applied gentle settling techniques<br />

in the cot that she responded to quickly.<br />

RESULT: “The Harper we had prior to your<br />

consultation changed in one week and she<br />

is a much calmer, happier baby. Nathan<br />

and I sum up your program in two words and<br />

that is “LIFE CHANGING”. Natalie, you have<br />

saved this household!”<br />

Tiffany, Nathan and Harper. Chisholm. NSW<br />

Natu<br />

Ses<br />

Natu<br />

Dro<br />

Ses<br />

Pro<br />

Dro<br />

Pro<br />

La<br />

La<br />

LEO 1 YEAR OLD<br />

ISSUES: Two short day sleeps, frequent night waking. Has a dummy.<br />

Relying on use of mum and dad’s bed in the day, or the car, to fall<br />

asleep. 8pm bedtime. Solely relying on breastfeeding for settling and<br />

resettling overnight. Minimal solids.<br />

KEY SOLUTIONS: Introduced regular meal times, active play time, one<br />

day sleep and a consistent bedtime of 7pm. Increased the amount<br />

and variety of family foods, water and attention to reducing additives.<br />

Implemented a consistent and responsive sleep strategy.<br />

RESULT: “When Natalie arrived her kind nature just filled the room. No aggressive tactics,<br />

just a few small tweaks here and there. Natalie came Monday and Leo has slept through<br />

every night since that Wednesday! We went from walking zombies to people. We are truly<br />

grateful for Natalie.”<br />

Ree and Leo. Stockrington. NSW<br />

Start with my FREE short videos and see more success stories at www.sleepandsettle.com.au<br />

Natalie Ebrill ❚ RN ❚ CFHN ❚ <strong>Baby</strong> Sleep Consultant ❚ 0434 953 953<br />

Sleep and Settle ❚ Established 2004<br />

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Holistic Nature Play for Children<br />

Holistic Nature Play for Children<br />

Nature Play<br />

Adventures<br />

Nature Play<br />

Adventures Stories &<br />

Stories Crafts&<br />

Crafts<br />

Karla<br />

Holistic Counsellor<br />

Nature Play<br />

Sessions<br />

Nature Play<br />

&<br />

Drop-off<br />

Sessions &<br />

Programs<br />

Drop-off<br />

Programs<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong> &<br />

Lake <strong>Newcastle</strong> Macquarie<br />

&<br />

Lake Macquarie<br />

@thenature_space<br />

www.thenaturespace.com.au<br />

@thenature_space<br />

www.thenaturespace.com.au<br />

I support families to<br />

holistically heal attachment<br />

wounds, nervous system<br />

dysregulation & create a<br />

happy, healthy, connected<br />

family.<br />

www.karlaholisticcounsellor.com<br />

karlpleis@gmail.com<br />

0458 888 362<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> 3 outline.indd 13<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

Babies – Perfect One Day,<br />

Concerning the Next?<br />

As mothers, some days we see our babies<br />

as complete perfection, other days we may<br />

wonder about little differences in the way our<br />

cherubs look or behave. A mum might see<br />

a flatter spot on the back of the skull, or the<br />

face or forehead may appear uneven. We<br />

may notice our little angel is favouring one<br />

breast or turning their head more to one side<br />

than the other. Does one eye look smaller<br />

than the other? We may reassure ourselves<br />

that we are being an over-worried mum and<br />

brush the concern aside. Interestingly, an<br />

asymmetrical head shape, and other things<br />

we may want to ignore, could be a marker<br />

of potential health challenges.<br />

As we all know, early intervention is very<br />

important. No-one knows baby like their<br />

parent and noticing these little differences<br />

early on can be a game changer for your<br />

child’s development.<br />

Let us look at flat heads as an example of<br />

one of the many infant issues we see at our<br />

chiropractic practice (and please know that<br />

Chiropractic care of children is extremely<br />

gentle, using light, fingertip pressure). Flat or<br />

uneven head shape (or plagiocephaly, as it<br />

is called in medical language), has become<br />

much more common since 1992, when<br />

parents began to be told to place their<br />

babies on their backs for sleep. Interestingly,<br />

it is thought that it is not so much the fact<br />

that baby sleeps on their back that causes<br />

a flat spot, but rather the lack of movement<br />

that babies do when they are placed this<br />

way when awake. Less movement results<br />

in less muscle activation and therefore less<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

muscle tone. This may<br />

cause baby to favour<br />

turning their head in<br />

one direction with even<br />

the slightest difference<br />

in contraction from side<br />

to side. The resulting<br />

imbalances in muscles,<br />

spinal bones and nerves<br />

are what a chiropractor<br />

tends to.<br />

Did you know that<br />

full and symmetrical<br />

movement patterns are<br />

essential for optimum development of your<br />

baby’s brain? Studies have shown that<br />

children with a history of flat heads have<br />

a higher risk of learning and coordination<br />

challenges in school, they may suffer speech<br />

delays and score lower on cognitive and<br />

academic tests compared to their peers. So,<br />

getting to this issue early is very important!<br />

The great news is that parents can very<br />

much play an active role in helping their<br />

child reach their peak potential in life. The<br />

most effective way to increase neck strength<br />

and mobility, and thereby stimulate baby’s<br />

core and brain, is tummy time. Babies are<br />

born in flexion; arms and legs tucked in,<br />

and the spine curled. Extension of the spine<br />

and limbs is a sign that the brain and body<br />

are developing and getting stronger. This is<br />

what we want to promote by placing baby<br />

face down, encouraging them to straighten<br />

the spine and lift the head even just for 30<br />

seconds at a time. Resting<br />

on a parent’s chest with<br />

the opportunity to lift the<br />

head and gaze into their<br />

eyes is a wonderful way to<br />

do tummy time and create<br />

connection. Be aware that<br />

if baby continues to find this<br />

position difficult, it can be<br />

a sign it may need some<br />

attention.<br />

When is the best time to<br />

start tummy time? Many<br />

young babies loudly<br />

express their dislike of the position, and since<br />

we as parents do not wish to create stress or<br />

hurt our little ones, we often choose to delay<br />

this ‘chore’. However, the best time to start is<br />

the day baby is born!<br />

Be well and have fun, Dorte Bladt<br />

We want to help you and baby do<br />

this ‘hard work’. Join us for our special<br />

“Tummy Time for Tiny Tots” session<br />

held the second Wednesday of every<br />

month. Your hosts are passionate,<br />

professional chiropractors with a special<br />

interest in children’s health. Mention<br />

‘<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong>’ to get complimentary<br />

registration.<br />

To register, email info@<br />

familychiropracticcharlestown.com.au<br />

or call 4942 4842.<br />

References:<br />

n Early diagnosis and treatment of children with skull deformations. The challenge of modern medicine n A. Binkiewicz-<br />

Glińska Developmental Period Medicine, 2016 n Cognitive Outcomes and Positional Plagiocephaly BR. Collett,<br />

Pediatrics 2019 n Case-Control Study of Neurodevelopment in Deformational Plagiocephaly ML. Speltz Pediatrics<br />

2010 n Long-Term Developmental Outcomes in Patients With Deformational Plagiocephaly RI. Miller and SK. Clarren,<br />

Pediatrics 2000<br />

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Pe<br />

Healing through irth torytelling<br />

Every woman and child’s birth<br />

experience is unique. For some,<br />

their births are peaceful and<br />

empowering, for others birth can<br />

be traumatic with not so many<br />

enjoyable moments to reflect on.<br />

All of your births and all of your<br />

stories are so important. Storytelling is a<br />

beautiful educational and healing tool that<br />

dates back as far as time itself. Over the<br />

course of their lives, you will tell your children<br />

so many different stories about the world<br />

through books and play. Just like you teach<br />

them about every other aspect of life, you<br />

can tell your children about their birthing day.<br />

Talking to children about their birth allows<br />

them to understand more deeply where they<br />

came from and how they got here. Some<br />

aspects of your birth might feel too heavy to<br />

tell young children. You can choose ageappropriate<br />

language and simple, easy to<br />

understand concepts, to start to explain<br />

any difficult parts of your children’s birth to<br />

them. It might feel quite hard to be able to<br />

communicate the details of a particularly<br />

traumatic birth to your child. Please seek all<br />

the support you need as you do this.<br />

Sharing your birth story with your child<br />

can be a transformational and<br />

healing experience for you as a<br />

mother. If your birth was traumatic<br />

or difficult, telling your story can<br />

help. Storytelling can allow you to<br />

reclaim the parts of your story that<br />

may feel lost or less than ideal.<br />

Telling your children their birth story in<br />

your own words, can give you a sense of<br />

empowerment and ownership of your birth.<br />

You can explain to your children the<br />

difficult parts and what you used to get<br />

through them, or you can focus on your<br />

favourite bits, and how those parts made<br />

you feel.<br />

If you had a positive birth experience,<br />

re-telling your story will keep the beautiful<br />

energy surrounding your birth alive and<br />

present in your children’s lives as they grow<br />

up. Continuing to share your stories with<br />

your children can help you protect your<br />

precious birthing memories.<br />

There is no right or wrong way to share<br />

your birth story with your child. We can be<br />

the generation that normalises telling their<br />

children how they were born.<br />

Tiarny McCook<br />

tiarny@yourbirthstorybook.com.au<br />

n Mu<br />

n Pre<br />

n Bir<br />

n Ob<br />

n Abd<br />

n Inc<br />

n Pos<br />

n Cae<br />

n Pos<br />

n Pro<br />

n Cae<br />

n Ultr<br />

n Priv<br />

W<br />

fit 4 you 1/4 ad (74 × 10<br />

E<br />

Sec<br />

pla<br />

B<br />

N<br />

ta<br />

w<br />

16<br />

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Perinatal Physiotherapy<br />

with Kirsten Joyner<br />

n Musculoskeletal pain<br />

n Prenatal pelvic floor assessment<br />

n Birth preparation<br />

n Obstetric T.E.N.S hire<br />

n Abdominal Separation<br />

n Incontinence<br />

n Postpartum physio check-up<br />

n Caesarean rehabilitation<br />

n Postpartum Return to Exercise<br />

n Prolapse & Pessaries<br />

n Caesarean and perineal scar healing<br />

n Ultrasound treatment for Mastitis and blocked ducts<br />

n Private and Semi private Pilates<br />

Sally Marchini<br />

Leading ELNA Certified<br />

Fertility and Prenatal<br />

Dietitian<br />

@marchini.nutrition<br />

www.marchininutrition.com.au<br />

0249 710 770<br />

Personalised medical<br />

nutrition advice before<br />

IVF, when trying and<br />

in pregnancy for best<br />

health outcomes for<br />

you and baby.<br />

Fertility, Pregnancy &<br />

Postpartum<br />

W: Fit-4-2physio.com.au M:0415 871 043<br />

E: Fit.4.2@gmail.com<br />

t 4 you 1/4 ad (74 × 105mm).indd 1<br />

3/10/22 8:45 pm<br />

1/4 page Sally M.indd 1 1/10/22 8:54 pm<br />

Lake Macquarie,<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong>, Central Coast<br />

& Mid North Coast<br />

PLACENTA<br />

ENCAPSULATION<br />

Secure your<br />

place via the<br />

Book<br />

Now<br />

tab on our<br />

website<br />

www.theoxytocincollective.com.au<br />

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<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> 3 outline.indd 18<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

Dear Counsellor<br />

– Help my Family<br />

Please!!<br />

Many of us have brains wired up to expect<br />

danger at every corner, are triggered easily,<br />

imagine rejection where there is none, take<br />

things personally, avoid, strike out, self loathe,<br />

and so much more. The good news is, the<br />

brain can be healed through great therapy<br />

sessions. I help clients and families feel better<br />

every day. I help families become more safe,<br />

more connected and calmer, more present<br />

and happier. I love my work and I am super<br />

passionate about families.<br />

How are we shaped? We come into the<br />

world wired to connect. Beginning in utero<br />

and from our first breath, we embark on<br />

a quest to feel safe in our bodies, in our<br />

environments, and in our relationships with<br />

our caregivers. The autonomic nervous<br />

system is our personal surveillance system,<br />

always on guard, asking the question, “Is<br />

it safe?”. Feeling unsupported/unsafe as a<br />

child, our nervous system and brain can wire<br />

up to become overreactive, hypervigilant,<br />

sluggish and other forms of dysregulation. A<br />

dysregulated nervous system is an incredibly<br />

common experience and often results in<br />

behavioural issues and disconnection with<br />

the people around us.<br />

When our primary caregivers are<br />

unable to meet our needs of safety, trust,<br />

attunement, love and connection, an<br />

insecure attachment is formed. An 'anxious'<br />

attachment can present as an overly fussy<br />

child that cannot easily be soothed and<br />

an 'avoidant' attachment can present as<br />

a reclusive child that rarely cries, seems not<br />

to need you and plays on their own. Once<br />

recognised and understood, we can work<br />

towards a more 'secure' attachment.<br />

An intrinsic part of building safety<br />

and connection is coming into a secure<br />

attachment with others and ourselves. In my<br />

work, I help clients to be able to connect<br />

with others, and themselves. I help clients<br />

start by feeling calmer, more present,<br />

enjoying connecting with their breathing,<br />

with their body. Learning to be an observer<br />

of their thoughts, feelings and reactions - not<br />

a slave to them. Sessions bring pleasure, as<br />

clients get breakthrough moments that lift<br />

a big load off their shoulders, shifting their<br />

old negative feelings into positive feelings –<br />

feelings like curiosity and relief for example.<br />

Your family system might not even take<br />

much to repair! Families can benefit from<br />

one single session!<br />

Karla Leis Ph: 0458 888 362<br />

www.karlaholisticcounsellor.com<br />

19<br />

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Sweet <strong>Baby</strong> Fox,<br />

Boutique, Clinic<br />

and Classes<br />

Browse our beautiful <strong>Baby</strong> Boutique, get a<br />

free baby health check, learn in a class &<br />

socialise with other mums - all in one place!<br />

Sweet <strong>Baby</strong> Fox was a long time coming!<br />

I first thought about opening a beautiful<br />

baby boutique in Warners Bay back in 1996<br />

when my son Max was 4 & my daughter<br />

Kathryn was 1. Life got in the way however<br />

my dream was put on the back burner while<br />

I got busy raising kids & being a mumma.<br />

With a deep love for the retail & cafe<br />

lifestyle of Warners Bay, in 2015, my husband<br />

Grant & I opened ‘Fox & Willow Emporium,’<br />

our ladies clothing, shoes & homewares<br />

boutique on the waterfront. With Fox &<br />

Willow being so popular, in 2019 we realised<br />

it was the right time for my long-dreamed-of,<br />

baby store! So, we took on a little shop in the<br />

Table One Espresso Arcade & ‘Sweet <strong>Baby</strong><br />

Fox’ was born!<br />

Then with the stars aligning again, an<br />

opportunity was presented and in October,<br />

2022 we were able to spread across two<br />

more shops and create a huge premises. This<br />

gave <strong>Baby</strong> Fox the space it needed for all<br />

our beautiful stock & to create activities &<br />

services for our mummas & babies to enjoy –<br />

with heaps of play room for the young ones!<br />

In our beautiful community space, new<br />

mums access FREE baby health/Blue Book<br />

check-ups, with well-known <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />

registered nurse, clinic sister, Ruth Scott.<br />

Feedback has been that Ruth is amazing<br />

& mums are also enjoying interacting &<br />

chatting in the air-conditioned waiting space<br />

that has our child play area, water cooler &<br />

plenty of seating, change table and space<br />

for prams.<br />

At our boutique: We pride ourselves on<br />

having the stock you need the day you pop<br />

in. We stock a fantastic range of babies &<br />

toddlers clothing with sizes, where possible,<br />

from 00000-4. We also stock a beautiful<br />

PREMI baby clothing range with sizes starting<br />

at a tiny 800grams & up!<br />

Some of our brands in store include:<br />

♥ Toshi (including Toshi Swim) ♥ Wilson<br />

& Frenchy ♥ Aster & Oak ♥ Love Henry<br />

20<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

♥ Snuggle Hunny ♥ Pretty Brave<br />

We also carry a great selection of:<br />

♥ Kinderfeet Trikes ♥ Balance Bikes ♥ Micro<br />

Scooters ♥ Helmets ♥ Silicone products<br />

including bibs, feeding bowls, plates &<br />

cutlery ♥ Wooden toys & educational puzzles<br />

♥ Rubber soled shoes ♥ Dummies - we are<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong>s’ largest stockist of BIBS Dummies<br />

with our ‘rainbow of colours’ wall with<br />

dummy sizes 1-3 & glow in the dark night<br />

time dummies ♥ First oral care toothbrushes<br />

& flavour free fluoride free babies toothpaste<br />

♥ Byron Bay EcoNaps re-usable nappies &<br />

swimmers ♥ Haaka breastfeeding & milk<br />

storage accessories ♥ OiOi Pram bags &<br />

Nappy bags ♥ Tethers, dummy chains, inkless<br />

print kits, milestone cards ♥ <strong>Newcastle</strong> brand<br />

‘Willow by the sea’ baby & mumma skincare<br />

♥ Books – a great childrens' book section<br />

with family favourites, Australian author’s &<br />

indigenous stories<br />

Some of our stuffed toy brands and toys,<br />

include:<br />

♥ Jellycat ♥ Sesame Street ♥ Playschool<br />

♥ Paddington Bear ♥ Winnie The Pooh ♥<br />

Dinkum Dolls ♥Dozy Dinkums ♥ MiniLand Dolls<br />

Book a workshop:<br />

Check out our website to book yourself a<br />

spot to some of our small group classes or<br />

interactive activities at affordable prices,<br />

example workshops include:<br />

♥ Mums & Bubs Yoga ♥ Sleep & Settling<br />

for Babies ♥ Feeding my new baby ♥<br />

Introducing Solids ♥ <strong>Baby</strong> & toddler first aid<br />

with paramedic, Sam♥ Toddler Talk - Toilet<br />

training, tantrums & sleep ♥ Sensory play,<br />

intro to music, messy play. ♥ Calm birth,<br />

Hypnobirthing workshops ♥ guest speaker,<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong> Author, Anna Cusack discussing<br />

her fabulous book ‘Mama you’re not broken’<br />

- unmasking the unspoken emotions of<br />

modern motherhood.<br />

Our vision is to provide a beautiful, relaxing<br />

& inclusive community space where people<br />

can browse our gorgeous baby items, have<br />

a chat to friendly, helpful staff, enjoy a<br />

teaching class or play class with Bub, then<br />

meet up with family & friends for coffee or<br />

lunch in beautiful Warners Bay. We can’t wait<br />

to see you!<br />

Kylie, Mel & Team!<br />

Free Clinic –<br />

No appt needed<br />

Classes, Interactive<br />

Play & Yoga Sessions<br />

BOOKING REQUIRED,<br />

QR code will take<br />

you to the link.<br />

Sweet <strong>Baby</strong> Fox<br />

Boutique, Clinic &<br />

Classes - OPEN 7 DAYS<br />

4/450 The Esplanade Warners Bay NSW<br />

2282 (Table 1 Espresso Arcade)<br />

T : (02) 4948 5919<br />

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Mental Health<br />

in Parenthood<br />

Sometimes a parent needs every day of the<br />

year to be an “R U OKAY?” day. Sometimes,<br />

when that parent can share the truth, their<br />

answer will be “No, I am NOT okay”.<br />

Even when you delight in being a parent,<br />

and it brings you joy, pregnancy and early<br />

parenthood, can still leave you stretched<br />

beyond recognition! You might very suddenly<br />

find yourself feeling exhausted, strung out,<br />

frustrated, alone or desperate for a rest or a<br />

moment to yourself. When you give so much<br />

time, energy and attention<br />

towards meeting the needs of<br />

a baby, there isn’t always a<br />

lot of time left over for yourself.<br />

Add in fluctuating hormones,<br />

sleep deprivation, and a big<br />

shift to your identity!<br />

For some parents, mood<br />

difficulties can be severe<br />

enough to be diagnosed as<br />

a mental health disorder. 1<br />

in 5 women will experience<br />

anxiety, depression, or both,<br />

within 12 months of giving<br />

birth. Fathers are also struggling too, with 1<br />

in 10 dads suffering mental health difficulties.<br />

What this data shows us is that it is relatively<br />

common to find it difficult to cope as a<br />

parent. The good news is, there is help<br />

available.<br />

Firstly, it can be helpful to be aware of<br />

early warning signs. Signs of mood being<br />

impacted include: not feeling your usual self,<br />

feeling low or crying, being irritable or feeling<br />

bouts of rage, having trouble connecting<br />

to your baby, or anxiety that stops you from<br />

living your life like normal.<br />

Secondly, if you ever notice that your<br />

mood has been affected more days than<br />

not, for a two-week period, check in with<br />

your GP, who can refer you to a psychologist<br />

for further guidance and support (ask how<br />

Medicare rebates can make this affordable).<br />

And finally, make an appointment to<br />

come and discuss your situation. There<br />

are parents, every day, who reach out for<br />

strategies and support.<br />

There are also things that you can do<br />

right now, today. Connection helps us feel<br />

worthwhile and supported: speaking with<br />

a friend, accessing support, asking for help<br />

can all help your mood. Doing things that<br />

feel soothing or joyful can give<br />

you a much needed, short<br />

break from stress and sadness.<br />

Looking after your physical<br />

health can help your body<br />

stay in balance and your mind<br />

feel steadier.<br />

It’s ok if you’re not feeling<br />

ok. Many parents don’t. But it<br />

doesn’t have to stay that way.<br />

Dr Shanna Logan, Clinical<br />

Psychologist<br />

The Hummingbird Centre.<br />

Ph: 4946 0919<br />

22<br />

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BABY | TODDLER | CHILDREN<br />

@remarkableplay<br />

www.remarkableplay.com<br />

hello@remarkableplay.com<br />

Young<br />

Warrior Hearts<br />

Young Warrior Hearts is a locally<br />

operated business, focusing on mindfulness<br />

and positive psychology education for<br />

children, adolescents and teens.<br />

‘Peaceful Kids‘ and ‘Peaceful Teens‘ are<br />

intervention programs aim to support<br />

kids/teens to understand emotions,<br />

lessen anxiety, increase resilience, and<br />

develop emotional intelligence.<br />

These programs are fully<br />

accredited and have been independently<br />

reviewed by the ‘Be You’<br />

programs directory (Beyond Blue<br />

affiliate) and ‘Meditation Australia’.<br />

@youngwarriorhearts<br />

youngwarriorhearts@gmail.com<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> 3 outline.indd 23<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

Yoga for Mama - when Self-Care<br />

Becomes Health Care<br />

Becoming a mother is one of the most<br />

transformative events in a woman’s<br />

life. Beyond the physical changes, her<br />

matrescence will come with emotional,<br />

mental and social shifts. My passion is<br />

about supporting mamas through these<br />

changes with yoga.<br />

Entering a yoga space feels special and<br />

sacred: the grounding of the mats and<br />

props, the serenity in your teacher’s voice,<br />

the smiles of other women as you arrive<br />

and settle in together, the worries of the<br />

outside world fade away.<br />

Yoga at any stage of your motherhood<br />

journey is a beautiful way to slow down,<br />

connect, heal and feel nurtured. Enjoy<br />

movements that strengthen, stretch<br />

and prepare, and find your safe haven<br />

in breathing exercises, meditations,<br />

visualisations and relaxation.<br />

In Fertility Yoga, benefit from calming<br />

the nervous system, reconnecting with and<br />

trusting your body’s natural wisdom and<br />

rhythms, and in this way, fully support your<br />

24<br />

reproductive health - in both body and<br />

mind.<br />

In Prenatal Yoga, prepare physically<br />

and mentally for birth. Relieve common<br />

pregnancy ailments through movement<br />

and stretching. Enjoy connecting with<br />

baby, learn the power of breath and<br />

sound and then later, re-connect to these<br />

resources as you labour, and birth.<br />

In Postnatal Yoga, feel supported, rebuild<br />

strength and heal, as you connect with<br />

your new self, your recovering postpartum<br />

body, your baby and your village (a group<br />

of mamas goes a long way!). When a baby<br />

is born, so is the mother.<br />

I found my deep love for perinatal yoga<br />

while training as a yoga teacher during my<br />

first pregnancy. The connections I had with<br />

my body, breath and baby were magical,<br />

and provided me with a whole new level of<br />

love and strength. My second pregnancy<br />

needed a lot of emotional healing. Through<br />

my practice and my own motherhood<br />

experience, I discovered that supporting<br />

women with yoga would become my<br />

purpose.<br />

It is necessary for women to find a space<br />

where they can just be themselves, laugh<br />

and cry, and feel restored, refreshed<br />

and relaxed. Sometimes this is all they<br />

want and need. Yoga, on and off the<br />

mat, is a vehicle to honour ourselves and<br />

give ourselves some love, gratitude and<br />

compassion. So, what might start as a selfcare<br />

practice ends up as a well-rounded<br />

health care practice. Come and join in.<br />

Marion Loisance Ph: 0411 275 156<br />

IG and FB: @yogaformama<br />

website: www.yogaformama.com.au<br />

Ne<br />

Roc<br />

Ca<br />

Na<br />

Ma<br />

Co<br />

Co<br />

We<br />

Ne<br />

Na<br />

Es<br />

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ex<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> 3 outline.indd 24<br />

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<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />

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Need some support?<br />

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<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> 3 outline.indd 25<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

An Intimate Interview with,<br />

Obstetrician, Dr Andrew Bisits.<br />

(Head of Obstetrics, John Hunter Hospital, 2007-2015)<br />

Background info: During<br />

his time at John Hunter<br />

Hospital Dr Bisits was<br />

highly accomplished<br />

supporting low-risk<br />

breech to birth vaginally<br />

and working with<br />

midwives to establish the<br />

Belmont Birthing Centre!<br />

Thank you, Andrew!<br />

Nat (Interviewer,<br />

Natalie Meade): “I see<br />

you as probably one of<br />

the best obstetricians in<br />

the world! How do you<br />

describe yourself?”<br />

[Andrew has a big, long laugh]<br />

Dr AB (Dr Andrew Bisits): “I certainly do not<br />

describe myself like that. I am purely an<br />

Obstetrician.”<br />

I am moved by his humbleness<br />

Nat: “Your time running the JHH has made<br />

you quite famous, What do you see as your<br />

proudest achievements?<br />

Dr AB: “One of them, is that I actually<br />

came to understand birth…a little, better…<br />

I always reflect on when our first baby was<br />

born…I was useless at the time of that<br />

birth”<br />

At that time DR AB had been working for<br />

four years, full time, as a trainee OB.<br />

Nat: “You felt useless…”<br />

Dr AB: “I learnt a lot from that birth, from<br />

just watching my wife…she just wanted<br />

everything to be quiet… She just wanted to<br />

curl up - and labour like that.<br />

Nat: “And the birth went<br />

well?”<br />

Dr AB: “Yes it did. That birth<br />

was a real learning in its own<br />

right. But it was only after the<br />

birth of our second, that the<br />

totally, indescribably unique,<br />

nature of birth hit me.”<br />

Nat: “What happened in that<br />

birth?”<br />

Dr AB: “It was just at the time<br />

of him being born…I saw<br />

someone leaving the world,<br />

as in dying, and I saw him<br />

birthing into the world, and<br />

this overwhelming experience has stayed<br />

with me every day since.”<br />

As he shares this, strong emotion rises up<br />

in him as he continues.<br />

Dr AB: “As you can see it was<br />

overwhelming then and still is now.”<br />

I do my best to delve deeper, extremely<br />

curious about his personal revelations<br />

Dr AB: “They’re the only words I can use<br />

to describe it. I keep on thinking about<br />

that and then I keep on seeing the total<br />

uniqueness of birth - in each birth.”<br />

Nat: “There is a deep emotion then, that<br />

you bring to your work?”<br />

Dr AB: “Ah, yes… and that allowed me<br />

a greater ability to relate to the situation<br />

of the birth, it has given me the ability to<br />

know, and feel at times, what might be<br />

right and what might not be right. And that<br />

often flies in the face of what is currently<br />

described as evidence.”<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

Nat: “How do you balance this ‘intuition’,<br />

with the level of responsibility on your<br />

shoulders”?<br />

Dr AB: “The responsibility sometimes we<br />

perhaps overstate, because essentially this<br />

is a normal process that on most occasions<br />

looks after itself. Birth is very different to<br />

other medicine where you are dealing with<br />

something broken and you work to fix it.”<br />

Nat: “We could call you an old, wise,<br />

obstetrician, couldn’t we”? [we both laugh<br />

at the use of the word “old”]. “How are you<br />

different to a newer, fresher, OB in the field?”<br />

Dr AB: "Well I think, it would be a natural<br />

thing for someone younger to come in and<br />

want to control things and minimise risks,<br />

and they find it difficult to relate to the total<br />

uniqueness of every birth, it’s just seen as a<br />

‘way of having the baby’, and that’s ‘not<br />

much different to a caesarean’. That's not<br />

a criticism by the way, that's probably close<br />

to how I started out.”<br />

We discuss communication styles<br />

Dr AB: “I talk with each woman, not in<br />

terms of ‘this is what you have to do’, or<br />

‘allowed to do’, but instead I will say: ‘this is<br />

probably what’s advised for you and now<br />

you can consider this, in your situation”.<br />

Nat: "How many trainee OBs have you<br />

passed this onto?"<br />

Dr AB: "Quite a good few, I hope. But it’s<br />

met with active and passive resistance.<br />

Because of the social circumstances of<br />

birth there seems to be a need to discuss<br />

risk in a blunt and authoritative way. I don’t<br />

think anyone deliberately does it, but<br />

women often feel scared into decisions -<br />

the women say this themselves.”<br />

Nat: “What’s the solution?”<br />

Dr AB: “I’ve been having discussions with a<br />

professional negotiator, a mother, who we<br />

worked with for her birth, she is proposing<br />

a “negotiating paradigm’. You would tell<br />

the pregnant woman the risk, but also<br />

acknowledge other significant needs<br />

in the woman, that will modify how she<br />

understands that risk. The discussion would<br />

also acknowledge the needs of the OB.<br />

Not just one person has the ‘answer’. The<br />

problem is, stats are often mentioned as if<br />

we do have the certainty, but it’s anything<br />

but a certainty. In the cold light of day,<br />

statistics about risk, are only averages.”<br />

This frankness reminds me of how Andrew<br />

spoke up about OBs “overtreating women”<br />

in “Birth Time, the Documentary”.<br />

Nat: “If one of your children were birthing<br />

your grandchild what advice would you<br />

give them?”<br />

Dr AB: “I did have this recently! My son's<br />

partner was birthing and I will be direct<br />

here, I was concerned because she was<br />

planning to birth in our hospital. I was<br />

worried; is she going to be railroaded, with<br />

the best of Intentions, into this and that?<br />

I was worried that small, mild problems,<br />

could mushroom into huge ‘potential<br />

problems’ and her special birth experience<br />

be taken from her - inadvertently.”<br />

Nat: “What did you say to her?”<br />

Dr AB: “My advice to her was to get into<br />

one of the Midwifery groups. I also got<br />

my son and her doing a private birth<br />

course - which was great for them. This<br />

approach later helped to cushion her from<br />

the world of potential problems and even<br />

when small mild issues did arise (a bit of<br />

blood pressure), her birth was able to stay<br />

special.”<br />

Thank you Andrew, Natalie.<br />

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<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> 3 outline.indd 28<br />

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Cat-Napping<br />

Awake Windows<br />

Early Rising<br />

4-6mo Survival Guide<br />

Toddlers<br />

Overnight Waking<br />

29<br />

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Birth Where you Feel Safest<br />

– with onfidence.<br />

Imagine choosing where you feel safest to<br />

birth. Then feeling so respected throughout<br />

your pregnancy, that when the time comes<br />

to birth your baby, your body and mind<br />

are able to fully surrender to the process, in<br />

your chosen setting, with your chosen care<br />

provider.<br />

This then might beg the question - is your<br />

birth care provider supporting you and your<br />

family in such a way that you feel safely held<br />

and respected?<br />

As a privately practicing Midwife through<br />

Morosini Midwifery, I provide continuity<br />

of care to women regardless of where<br />

they choose to birth. All women, birthing<br />

anywhere, deserve a birth worker that can<br />

give them the time they need to prepare<br />

for the birth of their baby and, equally<br />

as important, time that focuses on their<br />

transition into motherhood.<br />

How women can enhance their birth journey<br />

Hire a private midwife to accompany you<br />

to birth in hospital. This it is where a Privately<br />

Practicing Endorsed Midwife manages<br />

your pregnancy care, attends your birth in<br />

hospital and then provides care postnatally<br />

for six weeks. In this care model, unless the<br />

midwife holds visiting rights, when they<br />

attend the birth in hospital, they rescind<br />

their right as the primary care provider and<br />

instead, take up a support and advocacy<br />

role during your birth.<br />

Another action I encourage women<br />

to take, is to dive deeper with their birth<br />

education. One book I recommend all<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

women read is “Reclaiming<br />

Birth as a rite of Passage” by<br />

Rachel Reed. Here you can<br />

gain an understanding of your<br />

birthing rights and foster selftrust.<br />

This can empower you to<br />

feel confident in the choices<br />

you make - with your needs at<br />

the forefront.<br />

Carefully consider your<br />

model of care. Continuity of<br />

care is a model that allows<br />

for women to have a primary<br />

midwife or team that are<br />

dedicated to following them<br />

through their entire pregnancy<br />

journey. It is available within<br />

the <strong>Newcastle</strong> region at<br />

two facilities; The Hunter Midwifery Group<br />

Practice (HMGP), John Hunter M3Team and<br />

Belmont Midwifery Group Practice.<br />

n The HMGP midwives can care for healthy<br />

women who wish to birth at John Hunter<br />

Hospital. A woman is allocated a primary<br />

midwife. The goal in this practice is to have<br />

the primary midwife be present for the<br />

majority of the woman’s pregnancy care<br />

and where possible, for the birth.<br />

n The M3Team is a case load service where<br />

women with complex medical needs can<br />

be cared for by a team of midwives and<br />

doctors who support them through their<br />

complexities and at the birth at John Hunter<br />

Hospital.<br />

n The BBS offer the same level of care as<br />

HMGP but to women wishing to birth at<br />

home, or at Belmont Birth Centre.<br />

These continuity programmes through<br />

John Hunter are incredible options if they suit<br />

your needs. However, the number of women<br />

versus the number of available midwives<br />

means these programmes<br />

aren’t always available to all<br />

women, or to women of all<br />

health complexities. There is<br />

also no guarantee in these<br />

programmes that you will<br />

have your allocated primary<br />

midwife at your labour and<br />

birth.<br />

Birthing at home. I often<br />

hear, is homebirth an option<br />

for me? What defines a<br />

woman’s ability to birth at<br />

home or at hospital? My<br />

answer? Choice. Homebirth<br />

is my favourite to support<br />

because of the beauty that<br />

unfolds when a woman is<br />

completely undisturbed.<br />

If I can pass on any wisdom to you today<br />

it would be, to remember that you hold the<br />

choice to decide what is best for you, so<br />

long as you acknowledge and claim that<br />

power. You are the expert of you. In the end,<br />

in your search for a care provider that can<br />

meet your needs, you need to foster selftrust<br />

and have total confidence with your<br />

care provider, ensuring that when you are<br />

with them, you feel safe enough to ask any<br />

questions, discuss desires, and do all the work<br />

needed to prepare for motherhood without<br />

judgment or fear.<br />

Along your journey, tune-in more and<br />

more to your body, and birth where your<br />

body feels safest, let that guide you, each<br />

day, to where you need to be.<br />

If you would like to discuss your birthing<br />

options and are keen to explore more, I<br />

would love to hear from you.<br />

Ineka Morosini Ph: 0434 743 065<br />

www.morosinimidwifery.com<br />

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Birth-Meeting Calendar, <strong>2023</strong>.<br />

@<strong>Newcastle</strong>BirthMovement (RSVP Natalie: 0406 934 645)<br />

5th January<br />

2nd February<br />

2nd March<br />

Positive/Wisdoms<br />

Birth Story Circle<br />

Placentas, cords,<br />

first feeds and<br />

more.<br />

Birth: Duty of care,<br />

decision making,<br />

and can I say "no<br />

thanks?"<br />

6th April<br />

4th May<br />

1st June<br />

<strong>2023</strong> Meetings with thanks to @Awesome<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />

Birth anxiety, life<br />

anxiety and<br />

problem solving<br />

6th July<br />

Shaping your birth<br />

environment.<br />

What works, what<br />

hinders?<br />

5th October<br />

Common birth<br />

fears - and their<br />

solutions!<br />

The hormones<br />

of Birth and<br />

Mothering<br />

3rd August<br />

Sleep, sanity,<br />

stitches, and<br />

other fourth<br />

trimester topics<br />

2nd<br />

November<br />

Positive/Wisdoms<br />

Birth Story Circle<br />

Positive/Wisdoms<br />

Birth Story Circle<br />

7th September<br />

Questioning<br />

Inductions? Are<br />

any natural?<br />

7th December<br />

Come and enjoy a<br />

sound-bath<br />

healing session,<br />

for pregnancy<br />

32<br />

Great birth prep - free, welcoming & super informative.<br />

Meetings are always the first, Thursday night of each month, 7.00pm-8:30pm @Hamilton<br />

<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> 3 outline.indd 32<br />

21/10/22 12:31 pm


.<br />

| <strong>2023</strong><br />

5)<br />

Your placenta – Too Good to Waste!<br />

Is this due to a rise in women taking<br />

ownership of their birth story and beyond?<br />

Perhaps a greater understanding of the<br />

healing properties it holds? Or simply that<br />

they know someone who did it and thought<br />

hey, I might give it a go too!<br />

An extraordinary organ that grows for one<br />

powerful purpose, then shows itself the door?<br />

Welcome to the magical world of the<br />

placenta! I had heard about women<br />

honouring their placenta by planting it<br />

under a tree. Then there were cultures who<br />

consumed their placentas for postpartum<br />

recovery, and as a great believer in the<br />

wisdom of women, I needed to know more.<br />

“Does it taste like chicken?”<br />

Seven years as a professional placenta<br />

encapsulator has given me the experience<br />

to answer all the questions but I am still<br />

fascinated by the placenta.<br />

Initially when introducing myself as a<br />

Placenta Encapsulation Specialist or<br />

Placenta “Alchemist”, I was often met with<br />

confused silence or a million questions.<br />

However in the past five years there has<br />

been a definite shift towards the recognition<br />

of what we do as well as an increased<br />

interest in and acceptance of utilising the<br />

placenta as part of a mother’s postpartum<br />

care regime.<br />

All I know is, I love my work, the women<br />

love their capsules, and the feedback is<br />

glowing: Containing protein, iron, stem cells<br />

and B vitamins, some of the most common<br />

benefits reported by mothers are:<br />

n Helping to balance hormones therefore<br />

combatting the ‘<strong>Baby</strong> Blues’<br />

n Increased energy<br />

n Reduction of post-natal bleeding in<br />

comparison to previous births<br />

n Increase milk production<br />

n An overall happier, more enjoyable<br />

post-natal period<br />

Whether you’ve had a history of postnatal<br />

issues or just want to ensure you feel like<br />

‘you’ again, placenta encapsulation can<br />

be a step in the right direction in taking<br />

control of your postpartum recovery and<br />

being the very best version of you for your<br />

growing family.<br />

Ana Batterham<br />

Owner/Founder Ph: 0407 713 272<br />

www.theoxytocincollective.com.au<br />

on<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

“Body-Health” for birth and recovery<br />

With great knowledge, guidance, and<br />

support, it is truly amazing how the womans’<br />

body transforms during a pregnancy, to birth<br />

a baby, and then can regain function and<br />

strength following. In society, we do not talk<br />

about this nearly enough. All we see is social<br />

media creating a false picture of pregnancy<br />

and ‘bouncing back’ following birth.<br />

When I hear women say they feel their<br />

body is ‘broken’, I feel disheartened for their<br />

unsupported journey and it drives my passion<br />

as a women’s health and pelvic health<br />

physiotherapist. I wish every woman knew<br />

what I knew and that women health physios<br />

are here for you!<br />

Pregnancy is an extraordinary journey,<br />

your body changes in ways you couldn’t<br />

even imagine, and this is happening<br />

throughout every bodily system – heart,<br />

lungs, ligaments, hormones, and muscles<br />

throughout the whole pelvic floor. With all<br />

these changes you may experience new<br />

areas of pain such as back pain, pelvic<br />

girdle pain, pubic bone pain, hip pain, rib<br />

pain and wrist pain. Coupled with bladder<br />

leakage, haemorrhoids, constipation, and/<br />

or painful sex, and the desire to prevent<br />

damage, this is where excellent, specific,<br />

women’s’ health physio advice is crucial.<br />

My top tips for a body-healthy pregnancy<br />

are:<br />

1. See a women’s health physio<br />

2. Move your body every day<br />

3. Get familiar with your pelvic floor muscles<br />

(and vagina!) – if you don’t know how to<br />

squeeze, this is NORMAL. Let’s learn how to!<br />

4. Learn what to look out for if your pelvic<br />

floor isn’t working well – (conditions can<br />

and do worsen without rehabilitation and<br />

can, and do, with some women, lead to<br />

incontinence of urine and faeces).<br />

5. Manage aches and pain straight away<br />

6. Give yourself a break – why do we think<br />

we need to continue doing everything we<br />

were previously doing AND grow a human at<br />

the same time? You’re allowed to be tired,<br />

grumpy and moody.<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

You’ve given birth, now what? Things you’re<br />

probably thinking now:<br />

n My body looks and feels different, will it ‘go<br />

back’ to normal?<br />

n Will I be able to be, comfortably, sexually<br />

intimate with my partner?<br />

n When can I exercise? Is there a safe way<br />

to build up to what I used to do? e.g. Can I<br />

get out of bed normally? Can I do sit ups?<br />

n I just need to make it to six weeks, and I will<br />

‘bounce back’<br />

Your baby has continual check-ups<br />

throughout their early life; what about mum?<br />

One, quick check, with a health nurse is not<br />

enough to support full, body-health. Your<br />

pelvic floor has stretched 2.5 times its normal<br />

resting length, it needs specific attention to<br />

be rehabilitated correctly. I have seen again<br />

and again, the biggest mistake a woman<br />

can make is to go back to a gym or activity<br />

without proper guidance.<br />

How I work with you:<br />

We begin with a post-natal assessment<br />

(ideally 4-6 weeks post birth), however if it<br />

is past that, no worries! I see<br />

women months and years<br />

post birth, and I am so thrilled<br />

you have made the decision<br />

to come. Your first assessment<br />

can feel scary, but once it’s<br />

complete, you will think, why<br />

didn’t I come sooner? It usually<br />

includes:<br />

n A detailed birth history<br />

n Assessment of bladder<br />

and bowel function, postural<br />

and musculoskeletal and<br />

abdominal separation/diastasis<br />

recti muscle<br />

n Pelvic floor exam to assess strength, tears/<br />

stitches/scars and assess prolapse, and for<br />

some, caesarean scar tissue assessment.<br />

From our assessment we have a strong<br />

foundation knowledge of you, your body,<br />

and your goals, and we can move forward<br />

towards a good body-health plan. Our plan<br />

will focus on whatever you desire, and I love<br />

getting women back to what they enjoy. We<br />

will of course do pelvic floor strengthening<br />

and abdominal separation rehab. We need<br />

Inner-strength to prevent further injury.<br />

If you want to walk, run, lift weights, jump<br />

on the trampoline, play sport – this is what<br />

we will focus on, without fearing your insides<br />

will ‘fall out’, without fear of leaking, and<br />

without pain.<br />

Here is my recipe for pelvic floor success:<br />

1. Locate your pelvic floor muscles and learn<br />

how to switch them on<br />

2. Strengthen them A LOT<br />

3. Make exercises ‘functional’(ask me how)<br />

4. Next, strengthen the muscles on the<br />

outside of the pelvis – hamstrings, glutes, and<br />

abs. The outside muscles matter<br />

too!<br />

5. Learn what pelvic floor<br />

dysfunction signs are – e.g. a<br />

heavy/dragging etc<br />

6. Never push on the toilet – sit<br />

there, take your time and relax!<br />

Laura, Ph: 4072 1408<br />

www.physiofemina.com.au<br />

E: admin@physiofemina.com.au<br />

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Journey to Private Practice Midwife<br />

She was breathing heavily through each<br />

contraction, focusing. Thought to be birthing<br />

imminently, she was brought into Emergency.<br />

She was young, fit and having a baby…<br />

Within 20 minutes she had three<br />

examinations by three different health<br />

professionals. Her hand was cannulated.<br />

Bright lights, people filled the room. She was<br />

exposed, vulnerable… she was just trying<br />

to have a baby. I comforted her as best I<br />

could. I heard later that she had once been<br />

a victim of assault.<br />

Labour stalled resulting in a caesarean.<br />

Now a Midwife, I recognise interference<br />

with the flow of birth (stress) can affect the<br />

dilation of the cervix. My own experiences<br />

(as an Obstetric-trained Registered Nurse)<br />

had included witnessing uncomplicated<br />

hospital births in New Zealand, having two<br />

births at home there, and another two in an<br />

Australian Birth Centre, Midwifery-Led. I also<br />

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supported a friend to have a VBAC (Vaginal<br />

Birth after Caesarean) and another to birth<br />

twins vaginally in a private hospital. So, prior<br />

to the experience described above, I was a<br />

nurse who thought that birth was a normal<br />

physiological event for most women. I was<br />

also born at home (in the U.K.), this providing<br />

grounding for my understanding that this was<br />

a valid choice.<br />

Tocophobia describes the fear of<br />

childbirth. How did we get here? Sadly, our<br />

culture is filled with tales of distress when<br />

discussing our experiences as a collective.<br />

I knew that I had to leave the job that I<br />

loved as an Emergency R.N. to find out<br />

more about the mysteries of Midwifery. I<br />

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Healing Trauma through a “Healing Birth”<br />

“She sits in the dark clutching her baby as<br />

tears roll down her face. Her physical wounds<br />

are healed but it still doesn’t feel “right”. She<br />

doesn’t feel normal. Not completely herself.<br />

She looks at her child and remembers the<br />

day that was supposed to be the greatest<br />

day of her life when she met her baby for<br />

the first time. But instead of being filled with<br />

joy, she is filled with hurt…anguish…deep<br />

sadness. As her fingers trace the scar that<br />

remains, the negative thoughts and feelings<br />

flood her mind”<br />

Currently, 1 in 5 women will experience<br />

perinatal depression and anxiety in Australia.<br />

Further, 1 in 10 partners will experience<br />

postnatal depression. With induction,<br />

episiotomy, and caesarean section rates at<br />

all-time highs, society more disconnected,<br />

and social media pressuring women to be<br />

the “perfect mum”, mental health issues will<br />

continue to worsen.<br />

So, how do we ensure our birth experience<br />

is a positive one? As women we need to<br />

prioritise our care and experience, invest the<br />

time and money worthy of this moment we<br />

will recall for the rest of our lives.<br />

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and<br />

over and expecting different results.” – Albert<br />

Einstein<br />

After supporting many women to achieve<br />

a healing birth, I feel this is MY most important<br />

role as a midwife. The sheer elation and<br />

joy each woman has, the natural high that<br />

lasts not only weeks, but months and years,<br />

the look in their eyes as they finally feel they<br />

have transitioned into motherhood and are<br />

whole again.<br />

To begin the journey to a healing birth<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

requires remembering the past hurt. It is<br />

a pivotal first step to take the opportunity<br />

to share your story, identify its impact on<br />

you, and plan for how you can use it,<br />

to shape an alternative experience this<br />

time. Partners need to be involved in this<br />

process as they are often traumatised by<br />

the same experience and this can lead<br />

them to hold apprehension throughout<br />

subsequent pregnancies, if not supported to<br />

address their own experience and feelings.<br />

Debriefing is continuous throughout your<br />

pregnancy as you reflect and move forward<br />

together.<br />

A key part to achieving a healing birth is<br />

the choice of care provider. Someone that<br />

truly and empathetically listens to your every<br />

concern, provides positive support, believes<br />

in your ability, and is aligned with your belief<br />

system.<br />

Research consistently shows that<br />

pregnancy and birth outcomes are<br />

improved by providing women with oneon-one<br />

care by a skilled midwife, otherwise<br />

known as continuity of care. Within this<br />

paradigm, you are provided the opportunity<br />

to develop an intimate connection with<br />

your midwife, explore the many facets of<br />

pregnancy, birth and parenting and be<br />

supported to make informed decisions. The<br />

ideal midwife is one you can implicitly trust<br />

to uphold your wishes and advocate these<br />

on your behalf, they will massage your back,<br />

wipe your brow, and have the clinical skills<br />

and experience to keep you and your baby<br />

safe. They will provide personalised care and<br />

education, help you work through fears, give<br />

you new strategies to utilise and be there to<br />

answer your call at all hours.<br />

If you are unable to access continuity<br />

of care with a midwife, work hard to find<br />

another way to ensure familiar and ongoing<br />

support. Listen to your intuition and don’t<br />

be afraid to ask the difficult questions when<br />

choosing a caregiver or support person.<br />

Choosing the right care provider for<br />

you and your circumstances, is the most<br />

important decision you can make.<br />

At the end of the day, this is YOUR body<br />

and YOUR baby, and will be YOUR birth<br />

experience. Ask questions, read, listen, keep<br />

an open mind, and grow your knowledge so<br />

that every decision you make is an informed<br />

one.<br />

Our scars will always remain, but rather<br />

than being a symbol of what we feel is<br />

wrong, a healing birth will transform them<br />

into a reminder of the strength of our<br />

convictions and the courage we hold<br />

deeply.<br />

Haley Weir, Private Midwife<br />

www.nurturingbirth.com.au<br />

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How Friendly are you with your Vagina?<br />

A common question I ask in consultations,<br />

but one you may not have thought about<br />

recently. I love to ask all the intimate<br />

questions about vulvas, vaginas, periods,<br />

cervical fluids, itches, irritations, thrush,<br />

bladder infections, inflammation, discharge,<br />

PMS, libido…. My mission is to support the<br />

release of shame & awkwardness for these<br />

important Women’s Health issues.<br />

The Vaginal Microbiome is your Intimate<br />

Ecology, an intricate & dynamic micro<br />

ecosystem that constantly fluctuates<br />

throughout the menstrual cycle and<br />

a woman’s entire life. Your hormones,<br />

especially oestrogen, have a direct impact<br />

on your Vaginal Health impacting structure<br />

& tissue health, libido & Vaginal Microbiome<br />

balance. Paying attention to your Vaginal<br />

health is essential in times of transition<br />

– puberty, menstrual years, pregnancy,<br />

menopause transition and our mature years.<br />

I ran into a lovely mumma, who like many<br />

of us wasn’t getting enough sleep or time<br />

to herself. She loved her vibrant, busy life<br />

with 5yr and 3yr old babes keeping her on<br />

her toes. But she was suffering every month<br />

before her period with vulva and vaginal<br />

itching with constant awareness of rawness,<br />

pain, itchy and unpleasant discharge. She<br />

reached out to me for an Intimate Ecology<br />

Consult and shared how this issue was<br />

affecting her relationship both with herself<br />

and also hubby. She had said goodbye to<br />

her libido, was depleted and exhausted, and<br />

anxious about living this way.<br />

We worked together for six weeks and<br />

after the first two weeks she was excited<br />

by the improvements. This Mumma felt her<br />

energy levels and comfort change for the<br />

better and after four weeks her hubby was<br />

chasing me down at the supermarket to let<br />

me know ‘the herbs had run out and time to<br />

get a refill’!<br />

Understanding what is normal & healthy<br />

for your vagina can help you to support<br />

your fertility, pregnancy and birth, nourish<br />

menopause and transition, improve libido<br />

and sex life, and I can ensure you that your<br />

vagina will be delighted! There are so many<br />

Naturopathic supports you can put in place<br />

to nourish Vaginal health – don’t suffer in<br />

silence!<br />

So, how friendly do you want to be with<br />

your vagina? Download my FREE Ebook<br />

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for an Initial Intimate Ecology Consult.<br />

Amanda Trieger, Ph: 0427 422 682<br />

Naturopathic Womancraft, SCU<br />

www.amandatrieger.com<br />

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What is the BEST irth<br />

ourse in Australia?<br />

I am a private birth educator with thirteen<br />

years’ experience and I am not going to<br />

waste your valuable time telling you about<br />

‘one private birth course’, over ‘another’.<br />

ALL private courses have the same key<br />

concepts, philosophies and helpful tips<br />

and tools and they are all very, very good!<br />

However, in your quest to perhaps decide<br />

hospital or private course? I’m going to help<br />

you to find an answer, and the place to start<br />

is to ask yourself a few questions…<br />

What is the purpose of education? Is it to give<br />

you predominantly, empowering information<br />

about your ability to birth, and how to birth<br />

and help you switch on the mumma bear<br />

and your instincts? Or is it to mould you into<br />

being a “good patient”? To align with your<br />

care provider’s preferences?<br />

What are your personal feelings about<br />

birth? Do you believe that birth is a natural<br />

process and that as modern women we can<br />

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| <strong>2023</strong><br />

educate, prepare and remember this deep<br />

truth? Or do you believe birth is a medical<br />

event and that many womens’ bodies are<br />

broken and need fixing?<br />

Depending on your answers, you may be<br />

seeking a medical course run in the hospital<br />

system and facilitated by a medical care<br />

provider, or, an independent, privately run,<br />

holistic course?<br />

Privately run birth courses are very special,<br />

they support, not just your physical birth<br />

education, but also support your emotional<br />

and mental needs for birth, breastfeeding,<br />

becoming a mother and parenting.<br />

Your educator will help you fall in love<br />

with birth, your body and your baby,<br />

be amazed by your uterus, be blown<br />

away by how powerful your hormones<br />

are, have breakthrough moments about<br />

unhindered/undisturbed birth, and explore<br />

communication skills so that you can feel<br />

confident speaking with your care provider<br />

about your needs and desires at your next<br />

appointment.<br />

In a privately run course, groups are small<br />

enough to ask personal questions, admitting<br />

fears is commonplace and encouraged<br />

(and we help with them too!), crying is<br />

normal and well-supported, and of course,<br />

partners/supporters are a big part of the<br />

program and are included with you!<br />

Book into Lamaze, Calm Birth, Birth into<br />

Being, She Births, Hypnobirthing, ANY OF<br />

THEM! Just get a spot NOW!<br />

Remember ANY PRIVATE birth course is<br />

AMAZING!!!*<br />

In a private birth course you will enjoy these<br />

essential aspects of birth preparation:<br />

n Visualisation, mindfulness, learning about<br />

the “natural birth trance”<br />

n Learning how to tune in and work with<br />

intuition and instinct<br />

n Communication and assertiveness skills,<br />

relationship and team-work<br />

n B.R.A.I.N.S tool, for making fully informed<br />

decisions<br />

n Self-awareness, mind-set work, the<br />

psychology and language of birth, and<br />

neuro-muscular awareness<br />

n Honouring that birth is not just about a<br />

healthy baby, but a healthy mother and a<br />

healthy baby.<br />

Natalie Meade (GradDipC, GradDipPsyc,<br />

GradDipEd, Bsc (Hons), CCE, CH)<br />

Ph: 0406 934 645<br />

Once you want to do a private birth course,<br />

how do you book in?<br />

Type “private birth course Hunter” (or similar)<br />

into your internet search engine and reach<br />

out to all the options that ‘sing to you’.<br />

Read about your educator, their passions,<br />

experiences and skills. Ring them on the<br />

phone and have a good chat!<br />

Call me to enrol in a private birth course<br />

run at not-for-profit prices for the<br />

@<strong>Newcastle</strong>BirthMovement Project<br />

@ Hamilton<br />

*Be wary of any birth courses where the<br />

educator has a 'boss' above them that<br />

may be directly or indirectly influencing the<br />

content delivered.<br />

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NEWCASTLE<br />

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<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>Baby</strong> 3 outline.indd 47<br />

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Welcome to Lollipop Kids. We could tell you we’re <strong>Newcastle</strong>’s most loved clothing,<br />

toy and gift boutique for children, which we are. But we prefer to think of ourselves as<br />

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Everything you’ll find in store and online is handpicked by our founder, Anna. She’s<br />

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