Our Favourite Birth and Post Natal Care Resources
Preparing for motherhood can be such unfamiliar territory for mothers to be and it is nice to know that those who journeyed before us can share their experience and wisdom.
Here are our favourite books, pre-birth education, supplements and post-birth healing tools that we recommend to our clients doing Pregnancy Acupuncture.
Books
Pre Birth Books
‘Birth with Confidence: Savvy choices for normal birth’
An easy-to-read book, where Rhea Dempsey draws on over thirty years’ experience to show how a woman’s choice of caregivers, support team and birthplace, as well as her life experience and personal attitudes to pain, will affect her birth outcomes. ‘Birth with Confidence’ includes real-life stories, the most recent Australian statistics, and a guided personal reflection section. It is an informative book full of knowledge and practical advice that women need for the best chance of normal birth in today’s birth culture.
‘Beyond the Birth Plan: Getting Real About Pain and Power’
In this book, Rhea Dempsey weaves her 30 years plus experience as a childbirth educator and postnatal counsellor with interviews with experts that explore the psychological and emotional experiences of birthing and motherhood alongside the physical experience. It is a wonderful book that can prepare women for a powerful birthing experience into motherhood with confidence.
Ten Moons: The Inner Journey of Pregnancy
A guide to pregnancy and birth written by Jane Hardwick Collins. A former homebirth midwife, mother and grandmother. This book provides resources to assist women regain the power of their feminine strength and the spiritual essence of birth.
Post Birth Books
‘Nourishing those who Nurture:
More than a Food Bible for New Mothers’
This book has lots of useful information to support women through the late stages of pregnancy into the postpartum, including diet & breastfeeding, self-care and delicious nutritious recipes.
‘The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother’
This book includes sixty simple recipes for healing soups, replenishing meals, snacks, and calming and lactation-boosting teas.
‘Golden Month: Caring for the World’s Mothers After Childbirth’
Written by an Acupuncturist this book focuses on a holistic approach towards postnatal care using practices from diverse cultures around the world, biomedicine and Chinese medicine including nutrient-dense recipes to ensure optimum recovery.
‘The Postnatal Depletion Cure’
A wonderfully complete guide for mothers of newborns, toddlers, and young children to rebuild health, healthy hormones and reclaim their energy with easy-to-follow advice written by Dr Oscar Serrallach.
Labour Resources
Calm Birth education uses the mind-body connection to assist couples in replacing fear, stress and anxiety about giving birth with knowledge and skills to birth their baby calmly, fearlessly, safely and confidently. The optimal time to attend the course is between 24 and 34 weeks.
Hypnobirthing is a childbirth method that prepares parents for a gentle birth. The Hypnobirthing program incorporates breathing techniques, light touch massage, acupressure, vocalisation, self-hypnosis, visualisation, movement, and deep relaxation techniques. The optimal time to start the course is between 20 and 30 weeks.
Acupressure for Pregnancy and Postpartum
Debra Betts – Acupressure and Acupuncture for Pregnancy and Postpartum.
A webpage by Debra Betts author, midwife and Acupuncturist includes lots of fabulous videos and handouts on acupressure points for pain relief in labour and labour preparation.
Supplements for Post Natal Care
Naturobest Preconception Multi is our go to pre & post pregnancy designed to enhance preconception health and prepare the body for a healthy conception and pregnancy. It contains active folate and folinic acid, ideal for those who have genetic difficulties with metabolising folic acid. It is safe to use during pregnancy and postpartum. They also stock a Trimester 2, 3 & breastfeeding multi which is ace! - Here’s 10% off!
HQ Intelligent Health multi for postpartum
This wholefood vitamin and superfood blend was created to nourish and support new mothers during postpartum. Based on Traditional Chinese medicine herbs to assist new mums with postpartum recovery, milk supply, hormones and vitality.
At home Post birth care
Moxibustion is the warming of the lower abdomen with heat made of compressed Mugwort herb. This method can be used one week postpartum if there have been no complications and two weeks post caesarean section. Moxibustion can energise new mums (pending there are no heat signs such as night sweating) and should be applied by a trained Acupuncturist, Doula or partner.
Moxa for healing
Hope this arms you with a wealth of knowledge and support for your birth & beyond!
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