In this episode, we talk with Kathy Fray, “an award-winning best-selling parenting author, passionate promoter of mothers-to-be accessing empowering maternity education, holistically-minded Midwife, and thought-leader of Integrative Maternity Healthcare information” (https://www.kathyfray.com/about-kathy-fray/). She tells us about what sets New Zealand’s maternity health care system apart as one of the best in the world. She also tells us that many of the problems surrounding birth in the medical world everywhere exist in New Zealand to some extent, such as what Kathy considers to be a higher C-section rate than what it should be. We talk about how almost all maternal health care is paid for in New Zealand, and how women can choose their providers, and how strict laws are in place to protect patient consent. We also discuss the interesting effects of COVID-19 on births in New Zealand. Kathy then tells how she got into “Perinatal Integrative Medicine” and defines it as an open communication and collaboration between birth professionals and naturopathic experts and therapists who are focusing on maternity. Kathy points out that studies have been done around the world that show that roughly half of women are open to using complimentary or alternative therapy during pregnancy. We talk about the obstacles that obstetricians face in embracing natural and integrated medicine. Kathy then talks about the formation of IIMHCO (International Integrative Maternity HealthCare Organization), as well as what the group is doing and what are its end goals (https://iimhco.com). We invite you to visit their website and benefit from its growing network of providers and get education right from the source. We then discuss some questions you can ask your provider to get an idea on where they sit about complimentary and alternative therapies. We also talk about advancing education surrounding birth and how that make the world a better place for the rising generation. We recommend that mothers visit Kathy’s website, https://www.kathyfray.com. 

• 1:18 Maternal Health Care in New Zealand

“It was an accidental clinical trial on what happens when thousands of women have to suddenly decide not to go to a hospital, and our levels of instrumental and surgical deliveries and low Apgar scores really improved.”  10:20

Send and Email to Kathy!: [email protected] 

https://birthcircle.com

For Any Questions, Email Me at [email protected]