Resources — From A Mother's Heart

Resources and Recommendations

Some Useful Tools.

Using the right resources can make a difference in your birth and recovery. Below are complimentary resources available to my Doula clients. Items are also available to non-clients for individual hire (contact me for pricing).

TENS Machine.

A TENS machine, or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator, is a small portable device attached to the lower back through sticky pads. It sends electrical pulses through the nerves, interrupting messages to the brain, helping to reduce labour pain, particularly in an OP labour. It will also assisting in the natural release of endorphins. It is completely safe and non invasive. It has been used and appreciated by previous and current clients, and comes highly recommended by home-birth and hospital midwives.

Birth Ball.

Birth balls (essentially a gym exercise ball) are a fantastic resources for pregnancy and labour. There are a number of gentle pelvis opening exercises for late pregnancy and birth preparation that can be done using a birth ball. In labour, the birth ball is a useful tool in holding a variety of positions and is believed to help alleviate some labour discomfort. It has been used and recommended by previous and current clients, and highly recommended by home-birth and hospital midwives.

Peanut Ball.

A peanut ball is a peanut shaped birth ball most commonly used as support between the legs. In early labour, the peanut ball can be used to open the inlet of the pelvis and help the baby engage more quickly, hopefully speeding the progress from early to active labour. For full-term and over-due pregnancies, the peanut ball can allow space in the pelvis to open and encourage the baby to initiate labour. The peanut ball is also an excellent tool for epidural labours and when resting during labour. It has been used and recommended by previous and current clients, and highly recommended by home-birth and hospital midwives.

Herbal Tinctures.

Herbal Tinctures come in a range of herb combinations and strengths, and have historically been used to assist the body during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Most commonly, Herbal Tinctures have been seen to help prepare the body to enter labour by ripening the cervix and toning the uterus. During childbirth, they can boost contractions, support long or challenging labours and calm emotions. Postpartum, Herbal Tinctures aid in speeding recovery by reducing swelling/bleeding and promoting healing. They are a fantastic natural resource that have been used and recommended by previous and current clients.

Pre Birth Spray.

Naturo Pharm Pre Birth Spray, with its homeopathic formulation of caulophyllum 5c, cimicifuga 5c, arnica 5c, pulsatilla 5c, gelsemium 5c, has been designed to help prepare the expectant mother for a more natural childbirth. Pre Birth assists by toning and strengthening the uterus ready for birth as well helping to alleviate back pain and tiredness. It also helps ripen the cervix and slowly break down the mucus plug in preparation for labour. The spray is designed to ease and calm the emotions that come with the final weeks of pregnancy as well as aiding in recovery following childbirth. It has been used and recommended by previous and current clients.

Learn More

In addition, Spinning Babies® is a global midwife-endorsed organisation that provides extensive resources on pregnancy, labour and birth positioning. From A Mother’s Heart draws on many of their techniques and pairs them with tools from the Body Ready Method® to help prepare the body for a more efficient birth journey. Spinning Babies® resources can be found at https://www.spinningbabies.com/

Sometimes it is difficult to know where to go for services. Here I have listed some of the wonderful businesses I have had the pleasure of working with and highly recommend.

Osteopathy.

During pregnancy babies are not always in the optimal position and can often experience mechanical stressors during birth that create imbalances within their little body. Osteopathy can assist in alleviating these as well as fostering healthy realignment and improving baby’s body fluid dynamics. Dr Victoria McLelland at Cotlew St. Osteopathy has 18 years’ experience as an osteopath and her special interest in treating newborns, children, and pregnancy is reflected in her child centred clinic on the Gold Coast. She comes highly recommended and has seen amazing results in helping to alleviate colic, reflux, muscle imbalances, irritability, and other musculoskeletal tensions in babies and children. Dr Victoria can be found at https://cotlewstosteopathy.com.au/

Acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method and is a safe and effective method of supporting the body through all stages of pregnancy. In the first trimester it helps balance the energy and blood flow caused by pregnancy hormones changes, assisting to alleviate morning sickness, headaches, low energy, and the like. In the later stages acupuncture helps to ripen the cervix, turn a breech baby, and prepare the body for birth. Francis Wilson from Balance Acupuncture in Mudgeeraba has had 18 years supporting pregnant women in their journey to motherhood and comes highly recommended. He has also been successful in treating men and women’s hormonal issues and providing IVF support through fertility acupuncture. Francis can be found at https://www.tcmbalance.com/

Photography.

Mon’s Making Memories is a Gold Coast based photographer specialising in pregnancy and birth. As a mother of three, Mon is intuitive and discreet in her approach, ensuring she captures natural, as they happen moments that will provide you with a lifetime of memories. She comes highly recommended by her clients and she can be contacted on https://www.monsmakingmemories.com/

Naturopathy.

With over 20 years experience, Bianca is a qualified Naturopath, Nutritionist, and Herbalist. Highly recommended by clients, Bianca will look for the root cause of problems by analysing how genes, diet, lifestyle and the environment influence health and the problems we experience. She is skilled in explaining complex biochemistry concepts in a way that is easy to understand so that we know what is happening within our bodies and how to best support and nurture our little ones. Her interests include Methylation, Preconception Care and Fertility, Baby and Children’s Health, Hormonal Imbalances, PCOS, Endometriosis, ASD, Aspergers, and ADHD. Bianca can be contacted on 0424 792 268‬ or healthbybianca@hotmail.com to make an in person or online appointment.