The experience of birth profoundly affects women and their families Create good birthing experiences, the memories are with you forever A woman’s body is designed to give birth naturally and safely Women’s inner wisdom guides them through birth Birth is normal, natural and...
By Anchen Verster – SA certified perinatal educator, registered nurse and midwife, mother of 4 including twins. After my first child was born the job that I was in was a contract job so I didn’t get maternity leave and we were only due to stay...
By Anchen Verster – SA certified perinatal educator, registered nurse and midwife, mother of 4 including twins I was scheduled to give birth in a private hospital close to where I lived - my medical aid limited services to this particular hospital but when I went...
By Hettie Grove – Advanced midwife, SA certified perinatal educator, SA certified lactation consultant Everything in life comes with an instruction manual or almost everything.Yes babies unfortunately don’t have a manual, nor do they have an on or off button. Moms expect to parent the way...
By Anchen Verster – Registered nurse and midwife, SA certified perinatal educator (SACPE) I sat across from a new mother as she explained to me how hopeless and rejected breastfeeding made her feel. As soon as her baby latched and the milk started flowing she would...
Labour is caused by the contractions, muscular tightenings of the uterus, controlled by the hormone oxytocin. These contractions soften and thin out (efface) and open (dilate) the cervix making a passage through which the foetus will pass during birth. First stage The first stage of labour is...
While pregnant Read books on breastfeeding. Ones that are written by qualified up-to-date lactation consultants Attend a breastfeeding course by qualified up-to-date lactation consultants Talk to friends who are successfully breastfeeding their baby Stay away from conversations with people who haven’t breastfed successfully – they...
Birth is normal, natural and healthy Women are made to birth Wonder at how your body has changed and has so thoroughly nurtured your growing child. Be filled with trust A woman’s body is designed to give birth naturally and safely A woman’s body...
Did you know that a newborn baby has the ability to mimic your facial expressions! Your baby is born connected! Research has shown that babies can mimic things like protruding their tongue, opening their mouth and pursing their lips and even pointing their finger. We...
“Cigarette smoking is unequivocally the largest and most important modifiable factor for low birth weight and infant death “ Associate Professor Krisa Van Meurs, Paediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine. The smoke that burns off the end of a cigarette actually contains more harmful substances than...