Transform Your Birth

Today I am truly honoured to bring to you Professor Hannah Dahlen, to discuss a very important topic of induction of labour.

If you have been recommended an induction - this is a powerful podcast to understand the full ramifications of that decision. In the next episode of the 'Transform Your Birth,' podcast - I will take this topic one step further, and share how I prepare women for induction. These two episodes together, will help you step into your power when making a decision to induce and prepare.

The key message of this podcast - when making these significant decisions, we need to take into account the individual pregnancy and individual woman's choices when making these decisions.

NICE induction of labour guidelines

Hannah Dahlen is the Professor of Midwifery and Associate Dean in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University. She has been a midwife for more than 34 years. She is one of the first midwives in Australia to gain Eligibility and access to a Medicare provider number and prescribing rights following government reforms in 2010. Hannah worked for nearly 10 years as a privately practising midwife alongside her role as a Professor of Midwifery. Hannah has published over 300 papers and book chapters and has strong national and international research partnerships.

In 2019 Hannah was awarded a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia (General Division) in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for her significant services to midwifery, nursing and medical education and research. In November 2012 Hannah was named in the Sydney Morning Herald's list of 100 "people who change our city for the better" and named as one of the leading "science and knowledge thinkers" for 2012.

Links:

Transform Parenting website

Transform Your Birth Today

Better Birth: Mini Gift

Free resource: Medical Necessity vs Choice

Jocelyn didn't prepare for her first baby, and so for her second birth she knew she wanted to do things differently. She did the 'Transform Your Birth' course and used the practices to have a completely different experience. For her third birth, once again she did the practices. She was able to get into the continuity program with her own midwife - and after a short labour, experienced a beautiful water birth. Jocelyn's birth teaches us that with a few key ingredients, like preparation, continuity, a partner who knows what they are doing and some great tools for comfort, we can create the optimal conditions for birth to progress in the way nature intended.

Links:

Transform Parenting website

Transform Your Birth Today

Better Birth: Mini Gift

Free resource: Medical Necessity vs Choice

In the podcast today we have Renee and her mother Shirley. Renee, a single mum by choice, shares with us today her journey of making decisions when her baby was showing reduced movements in utero. Through her preparation, she was very clear about what she wanted and what she didn't want.

Her labour started with an induction, and an early labour which she enjoyed and appreciated. She then lost her focus due to an unskilled doctor - and took back her power to make a decision that was in line with her vision for her daughter's arrival. The power of her preparation ensured she was able to say 'no', and follow her own path. Lot's to learn in this story.

Links:

Transform Parenting website

Transform Your Birth Today

Better Birth: Mini Gift

Free resource: Medical Necessity vs Choice

Laura shares with us her path to making a decision to have a homebirth. She fortified herself with facts when others expressed their opinions about her choice. When she met her midwife, she knew instantly it was a fit. She prepared using chiropractic and the Transform Your Birth course.

Her labour started at home with water breaking, and she spends a lot of her labour in a state of deep relaxation and doesn't think of the contractions as painful. She goes into detail how her partner was able to support her to find comfort. She birthed her little boy into her partner's hands and goes on to explain the role of the midwife in helping her to avoid tearing.

A beautiful inspiring story to help us understand what is possible during birth.

Links:

Transform Parenting website

Transform Your Birth Today

Better Birth: Mini Gift

Free resource: Medical Necessity vs Choice

Today in the podcast we are looking at what new mothers need when their baby arrives.

It is a precious time, and we don't always appreciate what the new mother is going through. Today I will help you to see it through the lens of the changes that take place, when we go from the woman into the mother. A new part of you is emerging – and it ultimately becomes an expansion of self – or as I like to call her, the butterfly. Enjoy!

Thriving as a New Parent

Links:

Transform Parenting website

Transform Your Birth Today

Better Birth: Mini Gift

Free resource: Medical Necessity vs Choice

You can talk to a lot of new mums, who will share what it was like for them – but it is very difficult to know what it will be like for you. Every labour is different, every birth is different, and every baby is different – and you are different.

There is a unique dance that happens between the circumstances, the newborn and its parents. So nobody can really prepare you – but in this podcast I will do my best to help you to understand what your baby will need when they arrive. Next week I will cover what you will need. So enjoy this topic - it is a precious time.

For more about our new parent services;

https://transformparenting.com.au/thriving-as-a-new-parent/

Links:

Transform Parenting website

Transform Your Birth Today

Better Birth: Mini Gift

Free resource: Medical Necessity vs Choice

Mel conceived her baby using IVF which was a long journey. When she was pregnant, she started to realise she needed to get this baby out, and was open to using anything. After hearing some stories, she realised she needed to prepare. When she did the Transform Your Birth Course she could see how her and her partner could get through, using tools and breathing, and getting on the same page.

This changed her mindset dramatically as she could see the value of the birth process. What resulted was a long labour, a caesarean and a feeling of excitement to meet her baby. She says it would have been very easy to get scared, but through preparation - she experienced the changes easily and with a sense of agency. Lots to be learnt through Mel's story.

Links:

Transform Parenting website

Transform Your Birth Today

Better Birth: Mini Gift

Free resource: Medical Necessity vs Choice

Emily comes from a family who spoke very positively about birth. She then does the 'Transform Your Birth,' course which helps her to get her mind onboard and have a greater understanding of how she can manage the unpredictability of birth. She goes into spontaneous labour, and she shares with us how she was able to manage the different stages, and what she did with her mind.

An incredible story of labour and birth, highlighting the incredible power of the hormones and the body's innate wisdom.

With great support from her midwife, student midwife, partner and her mother cheerleading - she goes on to experience the full power of her body. An inspiring story! Enjoy.

Links:

Transform Parenting website

Transform Your Birth Today

Better Birth: Mini Gift

Free resource: Medical Necessity vs Choice

Dee shares her story of two births. After her first experience, she decides on a homebirth, and her goal is to have a vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC). She prepares by completing the 'Transform Your Birth' course, and accesses many resources to support her belief in herself, even in the face of other people's opinions about what she should be doing. She develops a wonderful relationship with her homebirth midwife and this proves to be very important to her experience. Ultimately she ends up transitioning to hospital where she is met with alternative viewpoints and conflicting information. Decision-making in these circumstances can be very tricky - and we discuss how Dee was able to follow her own guidance with the support of her homebirth midwife. A story with lots to teach us.

Links:

Transform Parenting website

Transform Your Birth Today

Better Birth: Mini Gift

Free resource: Medical Necessity vs Choice

The story I am sharing with you today left me with goosebumps from head to toe. Through preparation, birth readiness and team work - Emily and Josh were able to activate mother nature's blueprint - and how she wants us to experience birth. You will find this story very inspirational - and a great reminder of the benefit of birth to our preparation as a mother.

Enjoy!

Links:

Transform Parenting website

Transform Your Birth Today

Better Birth: Mini Gift

Free resource: Medical Necessity vs Choice