The Virtual Midwife

Let's take a trip into your body and learn about the longest nerve in your body and how it can guide and assist you during pregnancy, labor and birth. The vagus nerve is your body’s superpower and it’s used to counteract your fight/flight system. Now you definitely don't want to be in fight or flight when you are in labor. The vagus nerve helps you to remain calm when you are stressed and to know when you are no longer in danger. It helps you to stay in  “rest and digest” which is a lot more conducive to progressing labor. 

In this episode you'll learn what the vagus nerve is, how it works and why it's important. In our next episode you'll learn some valuable techniques to stimulate the vagus nerve and why comfort measures like breathing, massage and toning work. 

The Due Date Club is a midwife led mother directed online community. Communities are awesome. They are the single best way for you to gather the support you can’t get on your own, especially in these chaotic, rapidly changing times. In the Due Date Club, everything you need to know about pregnancy, birth and babies is in one place along with tons of free resources or upgrades for personal support.

Relax into Birth with Doula Charlene Yared West 

Hermine Hayes (Opening Keynote)

Hermine Hayes-Klein, JD is an international birth rights lawyer with extensive experience advocating for the human rights of birthing people, around the U.S. and internationally. From 2007-2012, Hermine taught international law at The Hague University in The Netherlands, where she was also the Director of the Bynkershoek Institute Research Center for Reproductive Rights.

From 2012-2017, Hermine organized 6 international conferences on the topic of Human Rights in Childbirth. Since 2017, Hermine has focused on direct legal advocacy to advance reproductive justice in maternal healthcare. She has represented midwives in administrative, civil, and criminal legal proceedings, and advocated for their right to work with autonomy and security in many states and nations.  She also advocates for birthing people who have experienced informed consent violations, racism, and obstetric violence during childbirth.

VIDM page:  https://vidm.org/hermine-heyes-klein/

Hermine Hayes (Opening KN)

Hermine Hayes-Klein, JD is an international birth rights lawyer with extensive experience advocating for the human rights of birthing people, around the U.S. and internationally. From 2007-2012, Hermine taught international law at The Hague University in The Netherlands, where she was also the Director of the Bynkershoek Institute Research Center for Reproductive Rights. 

From 2012-2017, Hermine organized 6 international conferences on the topic of Human Rights in Childbirth. Since 2017, Hermine has focused on direct legal advocacy to advance reproductive justice in maternal healthcare. She has represented midwives in administrative, civil, and criminal legal proceedings, and advocated for their right to work with autonomy and security in many states and nations.  She also advocates for birthing people who have experienced informed consent violations, racism, and obstetric violence during childbirth.

VIDM page:  https://vidm.org/hermine-heyes-klein/

One of the routine blood tests that you’ll have done in early pregnancy is a test to determine your blood group. Unless you’ve had major surgery or needed a blood transfusion, you might not know. But in pregnancy it’s important because your baby’s blood group may be different to yours. 

In this episode you will learn 

Recommended reading and resources 

Dr Sarah Wickham on Anti - D 

https://www.sarawickham.com/anti-d/

Rhogam Injection information 

https://www.rxlist.com/rhogam-side-effects-drug-center.htm

https://duedateclub.co.za/

https://www.instagram.com/theduedateclub/

https://www.facebook.com/theduedateclub

https://www.facebook.com/thevirtualmidwife

Choosing your birth environment is more than deciding whether you will be giving birth at home, in hospital or at a  birth center. In this episode we talk about creating a safe sanctuary to welcome your baby into that goes beyond the aesthetics of your chosen place of birth and includes the preparation of your space and the people you bring into it. 

More about Charlene here 

More about Karen here 

Join the Due Date Club here 

Transition is the final phase of the first stage of labour and marks the cervix opening to its widest diameter and the descent of the baby's head. It's physically and emotionally intense and is often the time when you think you can't go on anymore. Karen talks about the 4 D's of transition - denial, despondence, defiance and desperation and they share examples of these from recent births. Charlene highlights the importance of making sure partners know what to expect with transition so they can step in and support you rather than freaking out when you most need them!

More about Charlene here 

More about Karen here 

Join The Due Date Club here 

I have a love/hate relationship with birth plans so we thought it would be a great topic to bring to our weekly chats about everything pregnancy, birth and beyond. In this episode we chat more about why birth plans became popular and the importance of using the right language when creating one so that what you are really creating is a birth day wish list. Essentially everything that you do leading up to your birth is part of your birth plan and involves preparation - which is the part that I love. The more you prepare, the better the plan. 

Drop us a line if you have any questions. We love feedback and if there is a subject you'd like to hear us natter about then let us know. 

More about Karen here 

More about Charlene here 

Get Relax into Birth here 

Sign up for the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Summit here 

Waterbirth is known for its pain relieving effects and the benefits do not stop there. Water helps the mother to be buoyant and gives her added capacity for mobility. The water softens the tissues as the baby moves down the birth path and provides the baby with a gentle landing, as it transitions from the amniotic waters into the waters of the pool. The soothing effects of water cannot be denied and we chat all about this amazing option for labour and for birth at home or at hospital, to help you make your mind up about it and decide if you would like to try it for your birth experience. 

More about Karen here

More about Charlene here

Preview Relax into Birth PLUS here

Charlene had a call from a client in early labor on the morning of recording this episode so we thought it would be a great topic to chat about. Despite the call, we still managed to record this episode and have a few cups of tea and a chat before it was time for Charlene to head over to be with her and the baby was born later that evening. 

So in this episode we discuss: 

More about Karen here

More about Charlene here

Preview Relax into Birth PLUS here

Enjoy this 1-hour track of soothing music with positive birth affirmations. I recommend listening to it daily during pregnancy 

During labor, you can have it playing quietly in the background or listen with headphones to keep you focused and grounded. Don't underestimate the power of your mind to change negative and limiting thought patterns. Use the affirmations that don't resonate to identify possible blocks.