A series of recordings, which feature experts being interviewed on their main topic of expertise. In these interviews Pinky McKay asked each professional (individually) to explain how you can support your baby’s development through the most appropriate care and interactions for each stage, from pregnancy through infancy. To find out more about these recordings, go to:

http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=1066440

Kits are available now to take a cast of your pregnant belly. This enables you to create a lasting memory of the pregnancy. The kits come with full instructions, materials and decorative ideas. The cast can then be decorated with many different materials to create a wonderful centerpiece, or can be given a special place in the child’s room.

In creating your cast, time can be taken to focus on your baby. This can be a lovely activity to do as part of a ‘Blessing way’ ceremony before the babies arrival.

To see the full range of Ayana Organics, visit:
www.ayanaorganics.com.au

Take back control of your own birth experience and learn all about the options available to YOU …leaving you feeling positive and empowered, as every new parent should be.

This newly released e-book titled “Childbirth Preparation” by Faye Read is the quickest and easiest way to holistically prepare for birth.

Inside this informative e-book you’ll get information about all the various choices available to you and what you can do to create the birth experience that you desire. Absolutely everything any birthing couple would need to know.

To find out more or to get your ‘Childbirth Preparation’ Ebook now, go to:

http://www.childbirthpreparationebook.com

As we come close to our ‘due date’ we become quite conscious of the position of our baby inutero. Is there an ‘Optimal position’ for the baby to be in?  Yes there is. Preferably we want the baby’s head to be down and bottom up (known as ‘cephalic’). Labour is generally quicker and easier too if the back of the baby’s head is towards the front of your belly.  We also look for the head to become ‘fully engaged’ by the time you are in labour (meaning, it has dropped right down into the pelvis). When the baby is in the optimal position, labour generally progresses quite well.

If your baby is not in the optimal position, there are several things you can do to move it to a better position.  These can include:

• Leaning forward or on all fours as often as possible to move it around to the front.
• Belly dancing can be a terrific way to help the baby move into the right position or to help it move through the pelvis with ease.
• Communicating with your baby and ‘asking’ it to move
• Gentle regular massage to the belly in the direction that you want bub to turn
• Reflexology, shiatsu, acupuncture, acupressure, homeopathics etc. There are many different types of natural therapies that can be used, depending on your preferences.  Always seek the advice of a professional practitioner though when using any of these modalities during pregnancy

There are many other things you can try.  I suggest  doing a google search.  A fantastic website to visit for this is:

www.spinningbabies.com

Also a great book to read on this topic, if you can find a copy, is ‘Understanding and Teaching Optimal Foetal Positioning’ by Jean Sutton and Pauline Scott.

If you want to keep your birth as natural as possible then practice regular relaxation, listen to your intuition and trust your body! Listen to what your body is telling you, not what other people are telling you. No-one knows your body like you do. If you feel comfortable with this and trust what your body is telling you, you will know if everything is okay, or if you need to make changes.

Avoid interventions wherever possible, otherwise you may start the ‘cascade of intervention’, whereby one intervention leads to another, then another and another. Work with your body’s natural endorphins and oxytocin.  They are there for a reason and make labour so much more comfortable, as long as you don’t block them out with artificial substitutes. Find out more ideas on what you can do in my eBook on ‘Childbirth Preparation’.  Available at:  www.childbirthpreparationebook.com

The simple answer to this one is to read the article below and take URGENT ACTION…otherwise the option of homebirth may be lost to Australian women. Even if you don’t want a homebirth, many other women do and our children may…so help keep choice alive for ALL women…PLEASE!

Go to your local library or Pregnancy and Childbirth Resource Centre and find their selection of birth DVDs.  There are some really good ones available.  Ask for one that portrays birth as a normal, positive event.  Take it home and watch it with your partner.  The more positive births that you can watch during your pregnancy, the better prepared you will be and your subconscious will be programmed for a positive experience. Enjoy!