Successful VBAC
So glad I did the active birth classes! Whilst I knew the theory, actually doing the practice was more beneficial than I realised... And so good to connect with myself and the baby (& give myself the time to enjoy the journey!). I was focusing on my breath and using rhythmic motions with my hands to keep my mind in the moment... and amazingly my daughter has been doing lots of rhythmic hand movements since being born. It’s like we really were dancing together as she was being born. So special!
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Meet baby Bilawi
My partner was great - at home, he helped lift my tummy up during the contractions, I had an overwhelming sense of pushing my hips forward and holding my hands up high above my head during the contractions. Forty minutes after arriving at the hospital I gave birth on my hands and knees again. We had a natural normal vaginal birth - I’m really happy with how we ended up.
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Born facing the stars
I went into labour spontaneously at home at around 2:30am. At that time, I was 40 + 4 (in the middle of summer!!) and feeling ready to meet my baby. I was so pleased to go into labour naturally, as I was starting to get nervous about having to be induced. I remember being so excited when I felt what I was sure was my first few contractions and opened the blinds in my room so I could watch the sun come up on the day I expected my baby to be born. Contractions started 10mins apart and I tried to relax as much as possible using the breathing techniques for relaxation between each contraction. I used a lot of breathing and swaying in the early stages and the contractions built to about 5mins apart by mid-morning. I felt confident, strong and excited labouring at home.
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A Yogababy turns 18
Pacha Light, ProJunior Women's Surfer. Pacha’s mum, Anja Light attended yogababy classes when pregnant and Suzanne was present during Pacha’s birth in Equador. She recently turned 18 and has been an active part of the Surfing and Environment movement since her early teens.
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Natural vaginal birth
Labour started naturally at home at about 1am on Sunday morning and we stayed home until about 1am on Monday morning. I started vomiting as the contractions were getting stronger and I just wasn't sure and confident with whether it was proper labour so decided to go in to hospital. I was in active labour when we arrived and all was good. After about 5am my membranes were broken at 9 cm dilated as the labour was slowing and not progressing for a while but other than that it was an all natural vaginal birth with no drugs. My partner was constantly reminding me to sway and move in the positions we learnt in the Active Birth Yoga classes as I kept forgetting and also he helped my noises to be low as they kept creeping up to those higher tones.
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A woman's brain after birth
There is a good reason our brain's change in pregnancy. Evolution has created the perfect switch to keep us closely connected to our babies. Otherwise we may find some far distance horizon more appealing and leave our babies to fend for themselves. Relaxing into a more open and connected way of being is our challenge in a world wanting outcomes and demanding schedules. Read more https://bit.ly/2V1BJe9
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I’m on such a high
The midwives asked if I minded if my baby was born in the water. I said I didn’t really care where he was born. They were happy with that and said I had to get ready to meet my baby. The next contraction hit then while I was still kneeling over the edge of the bath. The midwife said to do whatever my body needed to do. They just asked me to open my legs wider to make room and keep my bottom down under the water. He was born in 5 minutes with maybe 3 pushes. No time for Lee to catch him as he shot forwards between my legs and I was able to bring him straight up out of the water onto my chest. Eamon was so calm and didn’t cry. He was just looking up at us.
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Gestational Diabetes threshold
I meet women in the yoga classes who are having a healthy pregnancy yet find themselves with a diagnosis of Gestational diabetes and it’s not because they’re less healthy – it’s because the threshold for diagnosis has changed.
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Induction at 39 weeks
The Obstetrician just made it in time as 11minutes of pushing later, our baby girl was in our arms.. I was thinking “my vagina is huuuuge” while she was crowning like you taught us! What a magical moment to meet her! “
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A low threshold for pain
Thank you for providing an environment which develops and supports such belief in ourselves and our bodies, while also promoting physical strength and relaxation. I can honestly say my pregnancy and the birth were much easier for it. How grateful I am for having had the opportunity to attend Yogababy’s pregnancy and active birth classes.
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When to go to hospital?
Going to hospital in established labour is recommended for first time, low risk pregnant mothers with spontaneous labours that have started at home. There is some great research that shows it is better to wait till you’re in established or active labour before going to hospital. You increase your risks of a Cesarean birth if you go into early. Attend a Active Birth Workshop with your partner to gain the confidence to stay home and manage labour and then go to hospital knowing you are in good established labour.
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Feels quite magical
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.
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Visualise a lotus flower
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.
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Aqua Yoga for Pregnancy Classes
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.
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Being induced at 39 weeks?
"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
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BIRTH STORY: Meet baby Declan
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.
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Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training in Kathmandu
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.
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Saraswati almost finished!
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!!!
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Family Generosity
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.
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BIRTH STORY: Meet baby Austen
My daughter, Austen, was born on her due date of 27 March this year after an almost 20-hour labour and forcep delivery in the end. I attended your classes 2-3 times a week from 16-38 weeks pregnant and I can honestly say that the techniques I learned there were invaluable in helping me get through what I’m told was quite a difficult labour.
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