The Virtual Midwife

This week we had a great question from a listener who is concerned about the size of her baby. She sent us a one liner message asking "Is a baby really ever too big to give birth to vaginally?" 

As always, we consider both facts and opinions and explore the different perspectives of doulas, midwives, birthing mothers and obstetricians.

More about Karen here

More about Charlene here

Preview Relax into Birth PLUS here

In this episode, we cover the topic of induction as requested by a listener on our Relax Into Birth PLUS mom's whatsapp group. 

"Dear Charlene and Karen. I am 39 weeks tomorrow and this morning at my routine checkup, my doctor recommended that I come in for an induction of labor on Thursday. Part of me is like 'hell yes, let's get this baby out pleazzzze', but there is another part that is wondering whether my baby needs a few more days inside? Is he ready? And actually - am I? I have definitely noticed that I am getting more frequent Braxton Hicks and I am feeling a lot of heaviness in my pelvis, but besides that, not much at all. If I go in on Thursday, I could be home by the weekend with my precious baby boy? Should I go for it? Looking forward to your thoughts on induction. Thanks Anon"

Is induction of labour always necessary, or is it (sadly) sometimes scheduled out of convenience, fear, impatience or discomfort? Listen in for the ins and outs of this topic, as well as learn about some natural forms of induction that can get the bun in the oven keener to come earth side. If you are keen to join our whatsapp group of preggie mamas, please slide into our DMs and let us know. Also, look out for our Relax Into Birth PLUS online antenatal course, covering extensive Hypnobirthing techniques, as well as the physiological side of labour and birth. See you there!

Remember to subscribe and share this podcast if you liked it. 

More about Karen here

More about Charlene here

Preview Relax into Birth PLUS here

This was an uncomfortable topic to tackle. Unfortunately bait and switch tactics are common, especially in South Africa. The conversation was started by a query in our private Whatsapp group which got everyone sharing their experience and encouraged us to open the discussion on our podcast. 

In this episode Karen and Charlene attempt to look at it from all angles rather than making it an "us against them" situation and share some useful tips for red flag conversations and how to manage them. 

More about Karen here 

More about Charlene here 

Preview Relax into Birth PLUS here 

If you've been wondering about using Essential oils during pregnancy, your'e going to love this episode with Gayle Friedman from Sunshine Health in Cape Town. Gayle is founder of the Sunshine Colour and Health Academy and Registered Member of Allied Health Professions Council of SA and WOMBS. Gayle has been in the Health Care Field for over 30yrs and has experience as a qualified Aroma Therapist, Reflexologist,  Colour Therapist, Pregnancy Therapist, Doula (Child Birth support) and Yoga Teacher for pregnant women. Gayle offers support comfort and care, using her expertise and experience as a mother of 3, to guide woman & their partners on their beginning journey into parenthood.

An essential oil is a concentrated aromatic oily liquid containing volatile chemical compounds  extracted from different. parts of plants for instance, leaves, barks, seeds, flowers and peels. They can be obtained by expression, fermentation, effleurage. or extraction but among all the methods, steam distillation and.plants herbs gums to enhance body emotions mind and Spirit.

They can be described as the hormone of the plant and they directly affect the Limbic system of the brain via olfactory nerves, lungs and skin.

Gayle shares how to use them safely and effectively.

Learn more about Gayle here 

Learn more about Charlene here

Learn more about Karen here

Preview Relaxintobirth PLUS here 

In this episode we talk about the various scenarios you might face and the tools and resources you will need to feel confident. We know that it's tempting to go in earlier rather than later  "just in case", but your labor won't progress any faster because you are in hospital. In fact, the clinical environment may slow or stall your labor and pave the way for interventions you prefer to avoid. 

Many parents start their journey of childbirth at home - and initially, labour in the home space and then eventually, at a certain point, leave home for hospital to continue their labour there. When is the best time to leave home for hospital? The answer to this question is quite complex - and there is no one-size-fits-all. 

If you are planning a hospital birth, take the time to listen in, as this information is for you - and will help you navigate the decision about when to go to hospital. What happens if your waters break at home? What if you lose your mucus plug at home? What if it's the middle of the night? We answer these questions and more. 

Connect with pregnant mamas from around the world and join our Relax Into Birth PLUS whatsapp group here.

More about Karen here.

More about Charlene here.

Get the 3 Must Have resources  that will help you navigate this decision. 

In this episode, because we love it - we talk about a natural footling breech twin birth, weekends away in the mountains to recharge and last but not least, we answer a mom's question about tearing and episiotomies. We cover the full spectrum from what an episiotomy is, when is it necessary to perform one, when tearing is better than an episiotomy, how to avoid one and how to heal up the perineum after birth. Filled with expert tips and advice, we aim to remove your fear from this topic and help you understand what you need to know before you birth your baby!

Resources mentioned in the podcast:

Here's a quick guide and recipes to help heal the perineum for the Postpartum Mama.

💜Spray bottle for the loo:

Mix:

-100mls Witchazel

-4-5 tablespoons of sea salt or Epsom salts

-1-2 drops or high quality lavender or tea tree essential oil

Spray the area every time you go to the bathroom - to assist the healing process.

💜Padsicles

A padsicle is a frozen pad, made for nicks, tears or episiotomy. It is so soothing can help with bruising of the area. It is also helpful for post caesarean birth to place over the dressing.

What you will need:

-A spray/squeezie bottle

-1 cup Raspberry tea

-¼ cup of hammelis (witch hazel)

-3 drops Lavender Essential Oil

-3 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil

-A tube of single ingredient aloe vera gel / hammelis gel

-1 to 2 packs of 12 absorbent maternity pads

-A butter knife that you have sterilised in boiling water

Method:

1. Make the tea and pour it into your spray/squeezie bottle once cooled.

2. Add the drops of essential oil to the bottle.

3. Lay your pads out, face up on a table on top of a clean towel / linen saver.

4. Spray the solution of tea, witch hazel and oils onto the pads quite thoroughly.

5. Squirt a little of the gel onto the tea-soaked pads and then spread like butter onto each pad.

6. Fold pads in half and place into a clean freezer bag / lunchbox and freeze.

7. Use as desired.

Do not use one pad for an extended period of time. Change as needed.

💜Sushi Noori aka Seaweed: This is an amazing natural product too. Get a pack of sushi noori and

use the sheets individually.

Take one sheet, fold it in half, wet it under water and place on top of

a dry pad. This has immense healing capacity.

💜Soak in a sitz bath of salt or Epsom salts daily until all healed up.

More about Karen here

More about Charlene here 

Get your pregnancy playbook and journal here

Cecile and I trained at Addington Hospital in Durban, South Africa in 1980 something (yes! we are "that old"...) and then years later, we met up when we were both working  in the Middle East. We both hold a vision of restoring normality to birth through effective prenatal education, so I could not wait to catch up and find out what she has been up to and pick her brains about all things pregnancy and birth in Dubai. 

More about Cecile de Scally

Cecile de Scally, also known as “baby whisperer” is an experienced South African trained midwife, who qualified in 1990 and has more than 25 years’ experience in prenatal and postnatal support and education.

Cecile offers educational support to parents, providing prenatal classes, HypnoBirthing workshops and baby/toddler feeding and sleep consultations

Cecile’s main focus is Mother and Baby services, offering educational support and advice for new parents and sleep support for parents of new babies as well as toddlers.

With Cecile’s wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise, she assists families to make informed decisions about their pregnancy, birth and baby.

To book a consultation or prenatal workshop with Cecile, please email:

More about Karen here 

More about Charlene here 

Get your pregnancy playbook and journal here 

Letter of the week: 

Dear Karen and Charlene, 

I have just finished your course - and I loved it by the way, but I have a few questions about pain relief. 

I have been thinking about about how labour will be - and if i will cope. I have heard that epidurals are amazing for pain relief - but have also heard that they can have an adverse effect on the baby. Is this true? What options do i have for pain relief - and should i opt for an epidural? 

From the course I learnt about having a doula present to help with natural forms of pain relief. How do they compare to the big guns of epidural and pethedine? What other options do I have? 

I think i have a high pain threshhold, but my husband thinks I will be begging for an epidural from the get go. I am hoping to prove him wrong - but I also have no idea what to expect. 

Thanks for your help - and for the course, I learnt so much! 

Elle in Cape Town.

If you want your query addressed in our podcast email [email protected] or [email protected]

Preview Relax into Birth PLUS here 

More about Karen here

Get your FREE pregnancy journal here 

Our weekly listener email 

Dear Charlene and Karen I actually found your podcast when I was doing a google search to know the difference between a midwife and a doula so it would be great if you could talk about that in one of your shows. I listened to your episode last week about which gyn to choose but recently I have been considering working with a midwife. When I posted in the Facebook group I belong, I had lots of recommendations but many of them were for doulas and now I am a bit confused. Is a doula able to do  my prenatal care and deliver my baby? Can I hire a doula instead of a midwife? If I have a midwife will I automatically have a doula? And if I choose to have a hospital birth can I still have my midwife or maybe even my doula....as you can see I am totally confused and befuddled and hoping you can help me understand. Thanks so much,  Annamarie. 18 weeks pregnant with my first baby.

If you would like to have your question on the podcast, send us an email [email protected] or [email protected] 

Get the Relax into Birth PLUS Pregnancy Playbook and Journal (free download) here 

About Karen here 

About Charlene here 

Please subscribe, rate and review our podcast! 

Every week, we cover topics of pregnancy, birth and motherhood – and we read your letters and interview relevant folk to bring you the most up to date info in every podcast. We do our research – thoroughly… In this episode, we answer a letter from 20-week pregnant mama Jennifer, asking us for advice on how to best choose a doctor and hospital for her gynae-led birth. We offer advice and tips to cover all bases, including info on home birth vs hospital birth and midwife-lead vs ob-gyn-lead birth.

Charlene and Karen share their recommendations and some anecdotes – both funny and serious. If you love what you hear and you want more then drop by and download our FREE 40 page pregnancy playbook and journal packed with loads of fun stuff and tons of “must know prego info”. Grab it here

All about Karen here

All about Charlene here

Relax into Birth PLUS course here