http://www.birthaffinity.co.uk en-gb birthaffinity.co.uk 2009-11-6T00:00:00Z birthaffinity.co.uk http://www.birthaffinity.co.uk/page7.htm#52046 I have recently worked with a couple who desperately wanted to conceive again but the woman was having very irregular cycles. Although she was ovulating it was not occuring until day 24 of her cycle and the following luteal phase was too short to allow implantation to occur at just days. The woman wanted to prepare her body as much as possible to give herself the best possible chance of conceiving and was already doing a great deal to be as healthy as possible. However they both work long hours in very stressful jobs and were also concerned about how a new baby would change their familys dynamics having several children already. I suggested that she and her partner listen to a Prepare to Conceive Natal Hypnotherapy CD every evening to aid relaxation and to help deal with any anxiety or unspoken issues that may be holding her back from conceiving. After the first two months of this preparation the womans cycle was more regular with ovulation now around day 19 and the luteal phase ex... 2009-11-6T00:00:00Z http://www.birthaffinity.co.uk/page7.htm#51083 A recent article in The Practising Midwife commented on the usefulness of being able to incorporate Hypnosis into Midwifery. It warns of women consulting hypnotherapy practitioners who have no formal training in obstetrics and who are unaware of the techniques and processes of modern midwifery. Such practitioners may create unrealistic expectations in women creating problems rather than alleviating them. I can tell you from first hand experience that this can lead to numerous difficulties having cared for a number of women in labour let down by hypnotherapy practitioners with insufficient knowledge of birthing who have built unrealistic and sometimes dangerous expectations of birth creating conflict between the birthing woman her birth attendants and midwife. Not a picture wholly conducive to the atmosphere of relaxation mutal respect and confidence required for women to birth comfortably and calmly Consequently the ability to utilise my Midwifery skills and knowledge has always b... 2009-10-21T00:00:00Z http://www.birthaffinity.co.uk/page7.htm#51080 A comparitive study carried out in British Columbia Canada looked at all planned home births between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2004. The outcomes of these births were compared with those conducted in hospital by the same cohort of registered Midwives. The results showed that planned home births attended by a registered Midwife were associated with the same very low rates of perinatal death as those planned hospital births but also were associated with LOWER rates of intervention such as electronic fetal monitoring assisted vaginal delivery caesarian section and episiotomy. Other adverse perinatal outcomes thirdfourth degree perineal tears posptartum haemorrhage raised temperature were low in both groups but significantly LESS LIKELY for those women choosing a planned home birth. Overall the study offers more evidence in support of planned home births with a registered Midwife for healthy women experiencing healthy pregnancies. 2009-10-21T00:00:00Z http://www.birthaffinity.co.uk/page7.htm#50439 Drugs routinely administered to women during labour like oxytocin and ergometrine may be associated with reduced breastfeeding rates according to a new study reported in Midwives the official magazine of the Royal College of Midwives. The study found reduced breastfeeding rates when the drugs were used as part of routine management of the third stage delivery of the placenta with a reduction in breastfeeding of 68 at 48 hours following birth. Prostaglandins used for inducing labour were also associated with lower rates of breastfeeding. The study just goes to show that routine use of drugs can have a detrimental effect on the delicate hormonal balance of normal healthy pregnancy and birth. Whilst some women and babies do need to have drugs administered to ensure their safety this study reinforces the need to support women in labouring without the use of drugs as far as is possible and also highlights the need for all women to receive adequate encouragement and support to breastfeed... 2009-10-12T00:00:00Z http://www.birthaffinity.co.uk/page7.htm#43462 Herts Holistic Health Centre is a group of accredited and recommended holistic health practitioners. Containing contact details and taking bookings for a huge range of practitioners for all areas of life including root cause healing counselling EFT colonic irrigation reflexology reiki to name but a few. Lorraine Berry has now joined their list of qualified accredited approved and recommended practitioners under the headings of Natal Hypnotherapy and Antenatal courses. Visit their website today and search for Lorraine under these heading on the drop down menu on the left 2009-6-18T00:00:00Z http://www.birthaffinity.co.uk/page7.htm#42042 Come along to the Mums in Business event on 28th May 6pm9pm at Wolsey Hall Cheshunt for your chance to win a 163200 voucher for a Natal Hypnotherapy course with Lorraine Berry The Mums in Business event will showcase a wide variety of businesses from jewellry and beauty to Mini IQ and music train classes for kids. As part of this exciting event Lorraine Berry from Birth Affinity will be on hand to answer your questions and offer advice about birth preparation and the use of hypnosis for birth. You will also have the opportunity to sample a mini relaxation technique and to purchase CDs homeopathic kits birth balls and courses on the night. As part of the event Mums in Business are holding a raffle in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Birth Affinity are delighted to be able to support this fantastic cause and have donated a 163200 voucher to be raffled on the night. Come along to Wolsey Hall Cheshunt from 6pm to 9pm Support local Mums in Business Macmillan Cancer support and win a ... 2009-5-21T00:00:00Z http://www.birthaffinity.co.uk/page7.htm#39928 A Dutch study of low risk women has found that giving birth at home with a midwife is as safe as giving birth in hospital.The researchers looked at a sample of 529688 low risk women in primary midwifery care who gave birth between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2006. The findings showed that 321307 60 women planned to give birth at home and 163261 30.8 intended to give birth in hospital. The researchers examined the perinatal mortality rate during the first 24 hours after birth and the first week after deliver and found no significant differences between women who gave birth at home with those who planned a hospital birth.Furthermore babies of women who had planned a home birth were equally likely to be admitted into a neonatal intensive care unit when compared to women who had a hospital birth.Lead researcher Professor Simone Buitendijk head of the child health programme at the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research in Leiden said Since 1993 the official policy in t... 2009-4-16T00:00:00Z http://www.birthaffinity.co.uk/page7.htm#39860 If youre scared or worried about the prospect of birth sadly you are not alone a survey by Mother and Baby Magazine found that 80 of women are terrified of childbirth. I find this really troubling my experience of looking after a large number of women too many to carry on counting now has shown me just how safe birth is for women and their babies and how the vast majority of women can and should enjoy a pregnancy and birth that is an empowering and positive experience for them. It is the skewed image of childbirth and pregnancy portrayed by the media that seems to be perpetuating the myth that birth is something scary and dangerous with out of proportion context tales of bad midwives bad obstetricians superbugs and staff shortages. Whilst Im not denying the experiences some women have reported and feel wholeheartedly that they should have support in order to overcome their trauma they are in the minority. I am determined to make a difference to the number of women fearful of b... 2009-4-15T00:00:00Z