She also realised that the baby plays an integral part in the birth process. Considering for a moment what type of birth they may want allows respect and love to enter the birth plan. It is a new concept to think about but one that changes the view that the birth is just something to get over. This is the first day of their entrance to the world so the less traumatic the better. Understanding and working with the body’s natural birth physiology allows the process to unfold normally and efficiently to give Mum and Baby the best possible experience.

First things first…

Nearly all women will gain weight during pregnancy, this is obvious, and may be a worry for many mothers who are concerned about their body and losing their figure. However, insufficient weight gain during pregnancy can affect the development of the baby. Energy is needed for a pregnant woman to create a whole new person therefore it is really important to make sure that there are enough nutrients and energy going in to allow for the baby to develop. It is possible, even common, to lose weight in the first trimester of pregnancy as mothers may have stopped drinking alcohol and have a much lower calorie intake due to morning sickness. However obtaining adequate nutrition is vital to the health of the baby, and in order for this to happen some weight must be gained as long as it is not excessive.

What about a woman who is overweight at conception who then improves her diet and cuts out the junk food? She will almost definitely lose weight and in some cases a substantial amount. That is a sign of health and nothing to be concerned about.

It is unfortunately quite easy for excessive weight gain to occur during pregnancy. Mothers may crave certain foods or use their pregnancy as an excuse to comfort eat. I had a woman in the clinic who said it was finally her chance to "pig out". It must be remembered that excessive weight gain can be detrimental to the health of the mother and baby and increase the risk of such things as hypertension, diabetes and asthma. Healthy eating is really important for maintaining weight but the key focus should always be on health not weight. In addition to reducing stress, high nutritional food will lead to weight loss because the body no longer holds on to the toxins.

It will also help during pregnancy to exercise gently or moderately at least 3- 5 times a week for about 30 minutes.  This gets the lymph moving where a lot of the toxins are held. Ensuring a balanced diet high in fibre, fruit, vegetables, essential fats (oily fish), lean protein and low GL (glycaemic loading) carbohydrates while avoiding high GL carbohydrates, such as sugar, and avoiding trans and saturated fats is the best way to maintain a healthy weight and make it easier to lose that weight after the birth.

Guidelines for weight gain are 28-40 pounds for underweight mothers, 25-30 for normal weight, 15-25 if you are overweight and no more than 15 pounds if you are obese. Therefore the recommended weight gain differs depending on your pre-pregnancy weight. These are guidelines only and as mentioned if you shift your focus to health you will not only have a better experience of pregnancy, you will also be doing the best for you and baby. Every woman is different and none of this is set in stone. If you maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle in pregnancy your body will be able to figure out how best to manage your weight during pregnancy. If you have any concerns or further questions why not contact us or book a session with one of our professionals?

I saw Craig for some lower back twinges and had an accupuncture session as well, this made me very tired for about 48 hours and as my pulse had been quite weak at the beginning of the session he suggested taking it easy for a week and trying to get some day time naps in. This has really helped my energy levels and I feel so much better for making myself take some time out. Although it’s meant lots of chores and paperwork have built up I have found that in the time I do have I am much more efficient and motivated now my energy levels have improved and I can do things in half the time it was taking me before. I also find I’m not absolutely exhausted in the evenings and able to enjoy cooking for my family rather than just looking forward to going to bed the minute my toddler has gone to sleep.

I’m still keeping active although other than pilates and swimming I don’t find I really enjoy any other exercise, swimming is blissful but I find I’m taking the bus and driving around much more as lots of walking is just not fun, I figure once I’ve had the baby and am back on pram duty my carbon footprint will improve once again…

For a woman to achieve what she wants in birth she needs to fully understand her body chemistry and what drives her labour. The principles of birth and the needs of a birthing woman must be understood by both the pregnant woman and her support team to achieve a great result.

There are strong cultural influences that impact the birth environment and these have been around for thousands of years and still apply today. We are led to believe that birth practice is scientific in nature, yet even many western countries have different practices and protocols. How is it that Holland has a caesarean rate of 13% and Britain 30%? Are the women in Holland designed differently? Perhaps our cultural practices play a bigger part than we think.

The most influential factor on a woman giving birth the way she wants is still her environment. The principle of environment is not unique to a woman in labour. It is a natural law and is true for the success of any new baby, child or animal. The way she designs her environment will dictate the inner workings of her chemistry which is called physiology. The most influential part of this birth physiology is the brain and in particular one part of the female brain. Birth physiology is the chemical process that allows birth to happen naturally and normally. An assisted delivery or traumatic birth is when the body chemistry starts to move away from normal. It is similar to requiring the correct ingredients of a cake for the best outcome. Without the exact chemicals natural birth is impossible which is why so many women need intervention today.

Birth is driven by the posterior brain, or what is called the old brain. The neo-cortex is the frontal or new brain which is known as the brain of the intellect. If a woman is required to think, answer questions, or her intellectual brain is stimulated, then labour will slow down or can even shut down. This is perfectly natural and part of the normal physiology of birth and is most common when danger is perceived and a strategy to survive is required. That requires thinking and a woman would need to halt the labour to escape a predator. Can you imagine running between contractions?!

It is so important that we create an environment that enables women to have the best possible chance of feeling a sense of achievement. To look back on birth with pride and happiness prepares the way for a promising start to breastfeeding and motherhood. Let’s face it, giving birth will probably be the most challenging experience which is why it is possible for it to be a great triumph. No mother has ever failed in childbirth and yet that can be the feeling a mum is left with if it does not turn out as she wanted. A Mum who feels she has done less than her best is often left with that memory for life and we have professional support for anyone who wants help with that or who wants to minimise that risk.

Intervention rates are around 70-80% today which suggests that women are not capable of giving birth on their own. We know that is untrue so we must take a serious look at the setting we are creating today so we can support women to have a fantastic birth experience. Birth is not a hurdle to get over but an integral and important physiological part of pregnancy and motherhood.

There is so much fear attached to it today which is why women need so much intervention; their bodies are literally shutting down. It is the most challenging aspect of prenatal life and yet can and should be the greatest and most exciting moment for a new Mum. This is the point you get to meet the little person you have created. Would you want to be numb from drugs or present to what you have achieved If you would like more information on how you can be supported to have the birth you want and what is possible please contact us.

Listen to the wisdom of 50 years experience in childbirth. Michel Odent has seen the birth culture grow and change with the advent of plastic which he will be explaining in later interviews and in a new book out soon. He has a wealth of knowledge and understands the bigger picture related to a successful birth for women. Please watch his videos to get a more complete picture of what he has to offer.

STORY NUMBER ONE

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed ‘Easy Eddie’. He was Capone’s lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie’s skill at legal manoeuvring kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but Eddie also got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocities that went on around him. He did have one soft spot, however, he had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object.

And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn’t give his son; he couldn’t pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. He wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified.

Within the year, Easy Eddie’s life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.

The poem read:

‘The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour.

Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still.’

STORY NUMBER TWO

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O’Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.

One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realised that someone had forgotten to top up his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet.

As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were out on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenceless. He couldn’t reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet, nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do – he must somehow divert them from the fleet.

Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dived into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 calibers blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dived at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in the hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly.

Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O’Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch’s daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft.

This took place on February 20th, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy’s first Ace of WWII and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.

A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29.

His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O’Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.

So, the next time you find yourself at O’Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch’s memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It’s located between Terminals 1 and 2.

SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?

Butch O’Hare was ‘Easy Eddie’s’ son.

(Pretty cool, eh!!)

I’ve been interviewing nannies to get some help in the daytime for the first 6 weeks or so. As I’ve never really had help before it’s a big task to find someone who I think will work with our family. I didn’t want a maternity nurse as I enjoyed (!)the nights with my first baby as I felt it was a huge part of the bonding process and as I was quite routine driven from the start I was lucky that sleep deprivation was not too much of a problem. I am more concerned this time about my toddler getting enough exercise and attention in those first early weeks and I would rather have third party help initially as I find family can be a little intense and would rather have someone who will just do as I ask!

I’ve seen Craig a couple of times since my last blog who has been amazing as ever in treating some neck and lower back pain and giving me some great general advice. The epsom salt baths have definitely helped in the evening if I haven’t collapsed into bed without managing to get into one and I am coming to terms with being so much bigger than in my last pregnancy which is apparently to do with being slightly more relaxed second time round. Still not sure about that one….

What amused and confused me to some degree was the amount of tension and pressure people felt. Mother-in-laws, aunties, friends etc all started having a go at me. My argument was how do you label someone you have never met? I wanted to see what he looked like, felt like, see some of his personality and yet some people thought that was ridiculous and even absurd. We all have different approaches and abilities and we can bend to pressure as I did. I have three step children and eventually after questioning every day the kids told me they had named their brother from the only serious choice we had on the table. His name is Tane (Tar-nay) and he was the god of the forest in New Zealand culture. I think he suits his name now it seems to fit for all of us but it does give the Brits a few problems with pronunciation etc.

Apart from that it was a straight forward pregnancy for me really. I did lift my game when it came to cleaning (hired a cleaner) and cooking and the kids. It is definitely more work and for a change you have to have your finger on the pulse. I found myself being conscious around what needed to be done before being asked. That not only helps the ‘boss’ but also earns much required brownie points. When those testing times arrive, and trust me they will with kids, you need every scrap of kudos and reputation you can gather together.

At the end of the day you got into this together and it is a team effort. Boys will often take a back seat which can allow an easier life for a while but there is nothing like getting your hands dirty with your children. You start to appreciate the Mum and create a relationship with your child that is beyond changing a nappy. The times I have been peed on or looked in each other’s eyes with that real connection are the moments we will look back on when they are irritating teenagers and think – what happened?!

We are told that genetics is something that is predetermined, permanent, unchanging, nothing we can do about it. ‘You have this disease because it is genetic.’ Well there has been much research and one of these was Dr Weston Price, a dentist who made some remarkable findings. Sarah Flannery-Bowles is a nutritionist, Naturopath and Medical Herbalist who became inspired by his work during her training.

As a parent we are not informed just how important our lifestyle is while baby is in the womb. If you think about it logically we must be able to influence the DNA on a daily basis because we are constantly repairing and replenishing our cells. Two years from now your body will not be the same one you are sitting in now. Your cells will be replaced using the nutrition you put in your body today. Saying that you are what you eat may be old hat and now well accepted and yet we still do not seem to accept its power. Nutrients are the equipment the body needs to make things happen. A pregnant woman needs the best tools (nutrients) in her body to nourish that little person growing inside. Now we all know that some women seem to get away with doing all sorts of things during their pregnancy – drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, medication – and yet have perfectly normal babies, but what impact is possible long term? My mother smoked 60 cigarettes per day while pregnant with me and there is no major problem with me (others may disagree!). She was informed in those days that there was no risk. I am fairly confident that this information suited my mother who was obviously addicted. However, both my parents died from lung cancer and the lung is definitely a weak area for my sister. My nephew has also had lung issues, and my little boy has had croup five times in the last year. Now that may all be coincidental but you must question what influence 60 a day had on my genetics.

This is where I like to suggest that perhaps genetics are not simply fixed or unchanging and that lifestyle has a chance of influencing how a cell behaves. The video interview with Sarah starts to show how this is possible. As parents we always want to do the best for our children and sometimes we are told that things like smoking are OK. Today we would laugh and say you would have to be mad to believe that, but back then doctors were used for advertising cigarettes. Don’t forget that at one time we also thought the world was flat! Parents were also told that all sorts of chemical agents were safe but as we know from thalidomide and other catastrophes that information was not at all accurate.

There is no doubt that the influence we have on our children must come from our genetic material, but is it fixed? This blueprint of information has been clearly shown to be influenced by lifestyle factors so it makes sense to prepare for pregnancy or during pregnancy in a way that nourishes your baby. At Pregnancy and Preparation we know that good nutrition provides the best possible start for you and your baby. I understand there is all sorts of confusion for parents today with professionals saying contradictory things. I suggest that you use common sense and that putting good food into your body is not exactly rocket science. At one time we were told oils and fats were very bad for us and yet now know they are imperative for good brain development. It often seems like the research is designed to confuse us. There is still a protocol for folic acid and yet that is only one B vitamin. If you look at our society today we base things on the minimum. Five fruit and veg a day is a great example. People often say they have almost the five per day but they seem to forget that is only the minimum. If they are getting less than the minimum they are heading towards illness. Why not suggest the maximum and they can head towards that?

We have to face facts.

There is more cancer today than ever, more dementia, more of the serious diseases. How many people do you know now who die of old age? Today there is plenty of toxicity to deal with, to do lists, along with stress and anxiety in this hectic world we find ourselves in. We need nutrients to detoxify, grow and rebuild so great nutrition is the key to a good foundation. Have a look around the site further and start to get real clarity about what Pregnancy and Preparation means by nutrition. If you have any queries please contact us or book a consultation.

I have been thinking about my birthing plan recently. I am really keen on having a homebirth as I want to feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible and will also have a midwife there throughout the whole thing. I am planning on doing it as naturally as possible as I want to be fully lucid throughout the whole experience so am therefore not keen on taking drugs or having an epidural.

However I have realised that during labour many things can change and it is really important to go with it and not to feel guilty if things do not work out quite as I want them to. I attend a weekly antenatal yoga class, and women who leave to have their babies occasionally come back in to tell of their experience.

One mother came in to share her experience; she had planned a natural ‘home from home’ birth in a birthing centre. Her waters broke but she didn’t go into labour for 24 hours so she couldn’t go there, so she opted for a homebirth as they allow you 48 hours leeway. Things were progressing well but then the labour halted and it was felt that is was best to go into hospital. She continued to have problems and she ended up having an assisted birth with an epidural and episiotomy. The baby was safe and sound and she was delighted that he was here.

However she was very upset about the birth experience and feels guilty that she was not able to do it as she had planned. I think therefore it is so important to be relaxed and go with the flow during labour. If things change feeling guilty about it will not help you, the baby or the progression of labour. As long as mother and baby are healthy and happy that is the main positive to focus on.

How has our culture arrived at this place? There is only one answer – FEAR!

Mum Carlotta explains some of her and her husbands’ preparation and their journey. It is important to know that your journey will be individual. Preparation is important in any field of endeavour. Great preparation however, is crucial for getting the result you want. Today there are many negative influences for Mums and Dads and our culture has a belief that birth is painful, traumatic and dangerous. That may not be accurate, in fact we know it to be completely false.

Would you feel more safe in your own home or a completely new environment?

Would you feel safer with your partner, family, friends or with complete strangers?

Would you feel more comfortable knowing what you are doing is normal or having a hospital procedure?

It is for those reasons a mum will always struggle in a hospital. With intervention rates at around 80% the figures tell the story. A woman must feel safe to give birth – her entire physiology workings of her body is linked to being secure. For some women the hospital is the safer option in their conscious mind. The problem arises in birth when the subconscious takes over. To birth a woman does not use her cognitive modern day brain. She will use her older animal brain that governs normal functions like digestion, breathing and reproduction. The conscious awareness of danger is at conflict with her animal responsiveness of wanting to be loved and protected. Try experiencing love with a stranger examining your nether regions! We have made it difficult for mums to birth successfully today and because humans are such great survivors, fear is the driving force.

Having been at home births and hospital births I can honestly say the two are miles apart. For some a hospital birth is necessary due to medical history and risk factors. Today the few become the norm, as is the case with vitamin K injections. One in ten thousand are at risk and yet we treat the entire population. Perhaps there is a financial reason for that occurring As with the vitamin K conversation there is always more to the picture than meets the eye.

When I suggested considering a homebirth originally there was a shocked look and the conviction that Dad would never go with that. After thorough investigation and research they were clear that a homebirth was by far the best option for them. Mum Carlotta was after a home birth but unfortunately went in to labour four weeks early and was unable to get that outcome. Mum and baby are doing fine though which is what is most important.

What was most impressive was the great preparation both mum and dad did during their pregnancy.

The preparation required in pregnancy is more important than any other time because it is the foundation of your child’s future. This should not be seen from a guilt perspective because that will be counter-productive. The motivation must be love because that will inspire and ensure clarity with what you do. At Pregnancy and Preparation we know that creating an environment that works for Mum and Dad will give the best possible chance of the result you aspire to. This is not always guaranteed because there are many factors influencing you and your pregnancy. Women tend to start nest building at around week 34 and that means they get the builders in and chaos ensues. The stress levels are often very high and they genuinely feel that this is required for a happy baby. It is not! What does a baby really want? It just wants a happy healthy mum and dad who can love her and keep her safe. That requires no special toys, no special decoration, no rebuild of the guest wing. Amazingly enough the things that are genuinely required cost nothing or very little.

Why not try an exercise?

Write to your baby and ask it a few questions like what sort of birth would you like? What do you want in your room? What do you want me to do over the next few weeks to help you be healthy and happy? Once you ask these questions your subconscious will come forward and guide you to your true desires. Then ask your best friend or partner to be the baby and answer the questions for you. You can answer them too then marry up all the conversations. Be ready for a surprise!

For more information about home births check out our interview with midwife Jacquelyn Crow.