Good Morning My Lovely Mamas! The Physio

Good Morning My Lovely Mamas!

The Physiological Power of Our Laboring Bodies is beautifully described… from the Alliance Of African Midwives:

Oxytocin plays a big role in labour. Oxytocin is the hormone that causes the uterus to contract during labour. Levels of oxytocin gradually increase throughout labour, and are highest around the time of birth, when it contributes to the euphoria and receptiveness to her baby that a mother usually feels after an unmedicated birth. This peak, which is triggered by sensations of stretching of the birth canal as the baby is born, does not occur when an epidural is in place. Administration of an epidural has been found to interfere with bonding between ewes and their newborn lambs.

Catecholamine’s-stress hormones or “fight or flight” hormones can slow your labour down, this is why it’s important to create the ideal environment during labour. If a woman if feeling at all stressed or unsafe during her labour this can slow or stop it, “Failure to Progress,” which can lead to interventions to start it up again. Notice that “Failure to Progress” has the same initials as “Fear-Tension-Pain?” If a woman is at all scared during the labour process she will tense up. If she tenses up and no one helps to calm her down or give her love and support, tension usually leads to more pain. Pain then leads back to becoming more scared. This cycle can build on itself and become out of control, therefore causing the mother to feel out of control?

Beta-endorphins are your body’s natural pain killers. These will kick in during childbirth! As a naturally occurring opiate, beta-endorphin has properties similar to opiate drugs such as Pethidine (Meperidine, Demerol), morphine, and heroin, and has been shown to work on the same receptors of the brain. Beta-endorphin is also a stress hormone, released under conditions of duress and pain, when it acts as an analgesic (pain killer) and, like other stress hormones, suppresses the immune system.
Prolactin is produced after birth. It is a calming hormone and is necessary for milk production. Prolactin levels rise during pregnancy and drop for a short period just before birth, then they rise once again a few hours after delivery, or immediately when the baby is put to the breast.

Trust Self, Trust Body & Be Strong!

‘Home birth is not a wild or erratic ch

‘Home birth is not a wild or erratic choice’: Doula and photographer shares intimate images of labor to ‘demystify’ experience
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 09:03 EST, 25 October 2013 | UPDATED: 08:56 EST, 28 October 2013
214 shares
For one woman, there is nothing more sacred than capturing the moment a mother gives birth.
Jackie Dives, who for the past three years has has been practicing as a doula — a non-medical member of the birth team who provides physical as well as emotional support during labor — specializes in photography for families who are interested in documenting their birth experience.
‘Too often, birth is portrayed as a scary and dreaded event in a woman’s life,’ the 29-year-old Vancouver resident told MailOnline. ‘As a doula and birth photographer, I witness wonderful births, and think they should be shared in order to demystify the experience.’
Jackie Dives, who for the past three years has has been practicing as a doula, specializes in photography for families interested in documenting their birth experience
Jackie Dives, who for the past three years has has been practicing as a doula, specializes in photography for families interested in documenting their birth experience
Recently, Ms Dives shot a series of photographs that have garnered acclaim for their beautiful and ‘intense’ documentation of a home birth.

More…
A backlash against the Pill and the wives giving up on contraception: Worried by side-effects, surprising numbers of women are turning to the oldest birth control method of all. But at what risk?
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In one of the first images, the soon-to-be mother and wedding photographer, Julia Marincat, plays the piano while her sister massages her back. The series continues with Julia getting into a birth pool as her husband, Cris, helps her to breath deeply.
Two more sisters and the grandmother and grandfather then join the room to experience the first moments with baby Katherine together.
Recently, Ms Dives shot a series of photographs that have garnered acclaim for their beautiful and ‘intense’ documentation of a home birth with soon-to-be mother and wedding photographer, Julia Marincat, and her husband Cris (pictured)
Ms Dives shot a series of photographs that have garnered acclaim for their beautiful documentation of a home birth with soon-to-be mother and wedding photographer, Julia Marincat, and her husband Cris (pictured)
‘Too often, birth is portrayed as a scary and dreaded event in a woman’s life,’ said Ms Dives. ‘I witness wonderful births, and think they should be shared in order to demystify the experience’
‘Too often, birth is portrayed as a scary and dreaded event in a woman’s life,’ said Ms Dives. ‘I witness wonderful births, and think they should be shared in order to demystify the experience’
‘When I arrived at this home birth Mama was playing the piano. The mood was peaceful, with candles lit and soft music on in the background. Mama was surrounded by love. Her partner, her doula, and two of her sisters were there, caring for her,’ writes Ms Dives on her blog.
‘Photographing a home birth is usually very peaceful and comfortable. At a home birth, the couple has chosen exactly who they want to have present, so they are able to be themselves, which I believe is a very important part of birthing, especially for the mother,’ she adds.
‘Seeing a being come into the world is quite special, and to be asked to document that moment in time, is the pinnacle of documentary photography for me. Usually, when I am photographing a birth I am also very involved in the experience. It’s definitely up close and personal, which I love.’
The series continues with Julia getting into a birth pool as her husband, Cris, helps her to breath deeply
The series continues with Julia getting into a birth pool as her husband, Cris, helps her to breath deeply
‘At a home birth, the couple has chosen exactly…

‘Home birth is not a wild or erratic ch

‘Home birth is not a wild or erratic choice’: Doula and photographer shares intimate images of labor to ‘demystify’ experience
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 09:03 EST, 25 October 2013 | UPDATED: 08:56 EST, 28 October 2013
214 shares
For one woman, there is nothing more sacred than capturing the moment a mother gives birth.
Jackie Dives, who for the past three years has has been practicing as a doula — a non-medical member of the birth team who provides physical as well as emotional support during labor — specializes in photography for families who are interested in documenting their birth experience.
‘Too often, birth is portrayed as a scary and dreaded event in a woman’s life,’ the 29-year-old Vancouver resident told MailOnline. ‘As a doula and birth photographer, I witness wonderful births, and think they should be shared in order to demystify the experience.’
Jackie Dives, who for the past three years has has been practicing as a doula, specializes in photography for families interested in documenting their birth experience
Jackie Dives, who for the past three years has has been practicing as a doula, specializes in photography for families interested in documenting their birth experience
Recently, Ms Dives shot a series of photographs that have garnered acclaim for their beautiful and ‘intense’ documentation of a home birth.

More…
A backlash against the Pill and the wives giving up on contraception: Worried by side-effects, surprising numbers of women are turning to the oldest birth control method of all. But at what risk?
My Daddy Cooks: Nick Coffer and his children create a range of fun, kid-friendly dishes and you can too!
In one of the first images, the soon-to-be mother and wedding photographer, Julia Marincat, plays the piano while her sister massages her back. The series continues with Julia getting into a birth pool as her husband, Cris, helps her to breath deeply.
Two more sisters and the grandmother and grandfather then join the room to experience the first moments with baby Katherine together.
Recently, Ms Dives shot a series of photographs that have garnered acclaim for their beautiful and ‘intense’ documentation of a home birth with soon-to-be mother and wedding photographer, Julia Marincat, and her husband Cris (pictured)
Ms Dives shot a series of photographs that have garnered acclaim for their beautiful documentation of a home birth with soon-to-be mother and wedding photographer, Julia Marincat, and her husband Cris (pictured)
‘Too often, birth is portrayed as a scary and dreaded event in a woman’s life,’ said Ms Dives. ‘I witness wonderful births, and think they should be shared in order to demystify the experience’
‘Too often, birth is portrayed as a scary and dreaded event in a woman’s life,’ said Ms Dives. ‘I witness wonderful births, and think they should be shared in order to demystify the experience’
‘When I arrived at this home birth Mama was playing the piano. The mood was peaceful, with candles lit and soft music on in the background. Mama was surrounded by love. Her partner, her doula, and two of her sisters were there, caring for her,’ writes Ms Dives on her blog.
‘Photographing a home birth is usually very peaceful and comfortable. At a home birth, the couple has chosen exactly who they want to have present, so they are able to be themselves, which I believe is a very important part of birthing, especially for the mother,’ she adds.
‘Seeing a being come into the world is quite special, and to be asked to document that moment in time, is the pinnacle of documentary photography for me. Usually, when I am photographing a birth I am also very involved in the experience. It’s definitely up close and personal, which I love.’
The series continues with Julia getting into a birth pool as her husband, Cris, helps her to breath deeply
The series continues with Julia getting into a birth pool as her husband, Cris, helps her to breath deeply
‘At a home birth, the couple has chosen exactly…