Yogababy and my amazing midwife gave me the skills, confidence and the determination to push through my labor when I was so scared that I couldn’t do it. The private Active Birth session my husband and I attended with Suzanne was so important too, as it gave my partner the knowledge and confidence to know what to expect and how to best support me through the different stages of labor.

When I was in labour I had a picture of a lotus flower on my mantelpiece.  I remember clearly looking into the centre of the flower during labour surges and seeing the petals flowing outwards.  My mind was transformed into another place as I imagined my cervix like the flower opening. 

I am thrilled to announce that yogababy will running an Aqua Yoga class for Pregnancy in Paddington on Tuesdays from January. Aqua Yoga classes are designed for you to maintain your health & fitness. Aqua Yoga helps relieve many of the discomforts of pregnancy and increases your energy levels in a supportive environment. The breathing and deep relaxation achieved in the water is a good preparation for Labour.

"Should I be induced at 39 weeks"? I get asked this question a lot in the yoga classes. Many women are being told that they will be induced at 39 weeks for a number of non-medical reasons. Read this article by Dr Sarah Buckley to understand more about the controversial research to induce at 39 weeks.
https://sarahbuckley.com/should-every-mother-be-induced-the-arrive-trial

Little Declan was born at 41 weeks on August 23rd after 27 hours of labor. He weighed 3.85 kg, was healthy and gorgeous (nooo, I'm not biased!) and latched immediately.

Suzanne gave a lecture and demonstration to yoga teachers at the Scientific Yog Centre in Latipur, Kathmandu. They were very interested to know about the safe yoga postures for pregnant women and the modifications that can be offered. The Caesarean rate in Kathmandu is 75% and the miscarriage rate is also high. There is a lot to be done within the community to promote health pregnancy and natural birth. Suzanne is now are contributor to the centre.

The Saraswati painting in almost completed. Heading into the 19th day of painting tomorrow. It has been an amazing journey through the spectrum of creativity. From excitement to doubt, to joy, to inadequacy, to tranquility, to hesitation, to rightness, to frustration, to love, to anxiety, to transition, to creation!!!

During the festive season of Darshain I was welcomed into a family home to experience the wonderful hospitality of Kathmandu. Families in Nepal are cross generational with Grandma’s next door, son’s of brother with sister-in-law and new born baby (only 7 days in this photo). In the family home there is mother and father, sisters and brothers.

The TENS machine is really good to start in early labour to help you relax and find a rhythm with your contractions.  When labour gets stronger and more regular you will probably find you will need other comfort measures like massage and shower/bath

Our beliefs, thoughts and emotions play an integral role in our actions and decision-making, they even affect our physiology every moment of the day. What we think and believe about birth matters. A positive image of birth is the cornerstone of a safe, happy birth experience. If you believe your body is meant to give birth efficiently, naturally and without complications and that birth is a joyful event, you are more than halfway to a safe, natural birth. 

Rishikesh is a city in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand, in the Himalayan foothills beside the Ganges River. The river is considered holy, and the city is renowned as a center for studying yoga and meditation. Temples and ashrams (centers for spiritual studies) line the eastern bank around Swarg Ashram, a traffic-free, alcohol-free and vegetarian enclave upstream from Rishikesh town.

Yogababy Kids yoga is a fun, interactive class involving movement & yoga postures, breathing & relaxation.  Kids learn how to be strong and calm, bringing their attention to the qualities of joy, safety and connection.  Suitable for kids aged 5 - 12 years.  Please bring along a yoga mat or towel.

After having false labour just a week and a half before I wasn't too sure I was in labour. I'd been having irregular contractions on the day of the 2nd of August and at 1.30am I woke up to a strong one, thought nothing of it and went back to sleep. At 4.30 yuri got up for work and I told him I'd been having contractions through the night but I'd let him know if they were regular and he went to work. I couldn't get back to sleep and realised I was having them every 10 minutes and they were 30 seconds long.

The benefits of being upright include a reduction in the length of pushing time as gravity can help bring the baby, there is better supply of oxygen to the baby, the baby can get in a better position and less pressure on the pelvic floor.  In the active birth classes we practice the positions that widen your pelvis.

It was great to teach the Pre/Postnatal yoga teacher training to the teachers at Yogafusion in August.  They will be at the Belly Baby & Beyond Parenting Fair at the Wayville Showgrounds 13th and 14th November promoting their Pregnancy yoga classes that will start in October.