One of my favourite online resources is the SpinningBabies.com website.

When I was approaching the end of my second pregnancy and preparing for a home birth, my son enjoyed laying crossways – also known as a Transverse Lay – inside me. Being a second time mother, my uterus wasn’t quite the collection of toned muscles it once was. It’s fibers were stretchy and a little lax, allowing the baby lots of room to continuing swimming, diving and spinning right up until days before he was born.

This made my midwife – a conservative woman – nervous. She understood, as did I, that a baby in an unfavourable position when labour began could make for a long, painful and perhaps interventive, birth experience. A baby in transverse or breech position when labour began would most definitely not be a baby born at home.

My research pointed me to SpinningBabies.com and ever since I’ve sworn by the wonderful information they provide.

What you’ll find there: exercises and positions to encourage breech babies to turn, instructions to map your baby’s current position, videos and helpful articles.

Why this information is important: for most expecting mothers, avoiding a c-section is a singular goal. While some midwives and obstetricians may offer manual “external cephalic versions” a.k.a. “versions” by relaxing the uterine muscles with medication and pushing on the baby in the hopes it will turn head down, these do not always work or keep, they usually hurt and they are not without risk to mother and baby. It is possible, through some simple exercises, to encourage a baby to turn into the optimal birthing position with no harm to mother or baby.

While I’m not advocating that you discount what your doctor and midwife counsel, I do believe that arming yourself with information is a powerful way to advocate for your own health care.

Check out SpinningBabies.com.

We talked about Hypnobirthing on this past week’s Birth Junkie Radio.

Here are the wedsites we mentioned on the show:

Hypnobirthing Hamilton

Hypnobirthing

Last week on Birth Junkie Radio (6pm Wednesday’s on 93.3 FM, CFMU – find us live in Hamilton or through iTunes) our guest was the wonderful Robyn Lampman, Doula and Childbirth Educator. She discussed Christian childbirth education and how to bring Christ into your birth experience.

Here are the Christian childbirth resources Robyn mentioned on air:

Books
The Lord of Birth Jennifer Vanderlaan

40 Weeks Jennifer Vanderlaan

Christ Centered Childbirth Kelly J. Townsend

Complete Book of Baby and Child Care Focus on the Family

The Complete Book of Christian Parenting & Child Care Dr. William and Martha Sears (The Christian edition of their fabulous Baby Book)

Web
www.Birthingnaturally.net

Cascade – Christian Childbirth Association www.christianchildbirth.org

Hey pregnant Hamilton mamas! Treat yourself to some special “me” time by taking a fantastic prenatal yoga class. Sarah at de la Sol yoga studio offers an amazing programme, which she will adapt to your needs and I think you owe it to yourself to check it out.

I took it when I was pregnant and I found it to be challenging and deeply relaxing. It’s a light workout aimed that encourages strength, endurance and relaxation leading to a better birth experience.

The fall class starts on September 12th, so please see them online and pre-register. Class will be Wednesdays 7:30 pm – 9 pm and will run until December 12.