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5 weeks ago
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Attachment, the Brain & Human Happiness
Macedon Ranges BaBs along with the Empathy Foundation are proud to present a seminar with acclaimed psychologist and parenting educator Robin Grille.
In a world that accepts detachment as the norm, Robin Grille has a refreshing take on the way in which we can nuture true attachment to our children. Parenting “experts” advocate shaming, punishments, rewards and emotional manipulation to produce “good” children. In an inspirational, honest talk, Robin address the true cost of societies acceptance of disconnectedness and the science behind the way our childhood experiences influence the adults we become.
Robin's seminar Attachment, the Brain, Human Happiness will look at the explosion of scientific research around the world in child development, emotional intelligence, brain development and the human heart. Never before has so much been known about how childhood experiences shape the adults we become, and this new knowledge is revolutionising the way we understand our babies and children. Parenting and child care are undergoing great changes in the wake of these discoveries. This presentation will place you at the forefront of these changes.
In this presentation you will learn:
• How your affection literally grows your child’s brain!
• How to give your baby and child the most emotionally secure start in life
• The key early childhood experiences that promote your child’s emotional intelligence
• How healthy emotional development ensures your child’s physical health – for the long term
This presentation is for parents, grandparents, child health professionals, early childhood teachers and carers.
Where? 17 Goode Street Gisborne
When? Thursday 26th November 9.30am (doors open at 9am) till 12.30pm
Cost is $30 per single, $50 double
Numbers Limited : Prior registration is highly advisable to ensure your seat
To register contact:
Alice on 0400 068 551 airda@bigpond.com
Jess 0432 493 685 macrangesbabs@yahoo.com.au
A limited number of copies of Robin Grille’s books, Parenting for a Peaceful World and Heart to Heart Parenting, will be available at both seminars at $35 each.
Prior payment when registering will hold your copy.
Macedon Ranges BaBs (birthing and babies support)
supported by Macedon Ranges Shire Council
www.woodendweb.org/babs
www.birthingandbabies.org.au
In a world that accepts detachment as the norm, Robin Grille has a refreshing take on the way in which we can nuture true attachment to our children. Parenting “experts” advocate shaming, punishments, rewards and emotional manipulation to produce “good” children. In an inspirational, honest talk, Robin address the true cost of societies acceptance of disconnectedness and the science behind the way our childhood experiences influence the adults we become.
Robin's seminar Attachment, the Brain, Human Happiness will look at the explosion of scientific research around the world in child development, emotional intelligence, brain development and the human heart. Never before has so much been known about how childhood experiences shape the adults we become, and this new knowledge is revolutionising the way we understand our babies and children. Parenting and child care are undergoing great changes in the wake of these discoveries. This presentation will place you at the forefront of these changes.
In this presentation you will learn:
• How your affection literally grows your child’s brain!
• How to give your baby and child the most emotionally secure start in life
• The key early childhood experiences that promote your child’s emotional intelligence
• How healthy emotional development ensures your child’s physical health – for the long term
This presentation is for parents, grandparents, child health professionals, early childhood teachers and carers.
Where? 17 Goode Street Gisborne
When? Thursday 26th November 9.30am (doors open at 9am) till 12.30pm
Cost is $30 per single, $50 double
Numbers Limited : Prior registration is highly advisable to ensure your seat
To register contact:
Alice on 0400 068 551 airda@bigpond.com
Jess 0432 493 685 macrangesbabs@yahoo.com.au
A limited number of copies of Robin Grille’s books, Parenting for a Peaceful World and Heart to Heart Parenting, will be available at both seminars at $35 each.
Prior payment when registering will hold your copy.
Macedon Ranges BaBs (birthing and babies support)
supported by Macedon Ranges Shire Council
www.woodendweb.org/babs
www.birthingandbabies.org.au
mybirth.com.au
Two young mothers go where Roxon fears to tread: A Report Card on local hospitals
Press release Sydney NSW, 16 November 2009:
Australian women are once more standing up for choice, and this time they’re using cyberspace to do it. Last week, the Deputy Prime Minister announced the My Schools website to provide parents with information about their children’s schools around Australia and the My Child website to provide information about the nation’s child care centres. Today, two Aussie mums are launching My Birth, a website providing information about the birth services available to Australian women.
“Today two young mothers have done what the health professionals and the government don’t seem able to do – they have given women easy access to statistics and information about their local maternity services. The government has promised to make school data transparent – now it is time to make hospital, doctor and midwife data transparent.” (Associate Professor Hannah Dahlen, Vice President, Australian College of Midwives)
My Birth, www.mybirth.com.au, provides crucial information for parents-to-be in deciding what birth service to use, including the birth service statistics of their local hospital, such as the percentage of births by caesarean or induction. Website founders Michelle Meares and Jennifer Brown state, “Women have a right to know what to expect when they choose a care provider and a place to birth their children. Sadly at present we are unable to provide the statistics for all States and Territories as they are not publicly released. We call on the Federal Government to release them for all Australian hospitals so women can make an informed choice.”
(Justine Caines, maternity consumer advocate and mother of seven) “Maternity health professionals (in particular doctors) receive huge sums of public money, for their work and insurance subsidies, they must be required to furnish their statistics, otherwise what is being hidden?”
The legislation currently before the Senate, the Medicare for Midwives Bill will significantly restrict women’s access to independent midwives. These are care providers with a proven record of improving outcomes for Australia’s mothers and babies. As has consistently happened in the past, when choice becomes restricted, there are serious implications. Australia stands at risk of becoming an archaic centre for maternity health compared to other countries like the Netherlands, Canada and the UK. Decisions made by the Federal Government today will affect the birth choices available to our children tomorrow. We as a society do not want a union (the Australian Medical Association – AMA) having the ability to decide where and with whom an Australian woman can give birth. Midwives are a highly skilled profession in their own right with a significantly different set of skills to doctors and they must be recognised as such here in Australia. The legislation before the Senate fails to do this and instead provides doctors with more control over women’s births. This, we believe, is a recipe for soaring statistics in the wrong direction. The My Birth website clearly shows why this is a very important women’s rights issue for all women of Australia today.
If Australian parents have the right to know the performance statistics of where their child will be educated, then they must also have the right to know the statistics of where that child is born, and what alternatives are available to them.
For media enquiries: Michelle Meares 0439 645 372 Jennifer Brown 0408 621 448
Press release Sydney NSW, 16 November 2009:
Australian women are once more standing up for choice, and this time they’re using cyberspace to do it. Last week, the Deputy Prime Minister announced the My Schools website to provide parents with information about their children’s schools around Australia and the My Child website to provide information about the nation’s child care centres. Today, two Aussie mums are launching My Birth, a website providing information about the birth services available to Australian women.
“Today two young mothers have done what the health professionals and the government don’t seem able to do – they have given women easy access to statistics and information about their local maternity services. The government has promised to make school data transparent – now it is time to make hospital, doctor and midwife data transparent.” (Associate Professor Hannah Dahlen, Vice President, Australian College of Midwives)
My Birth, www.mybirth.com.au, provides crucial information for parents-to-be in deciding what birth service to use, including the birth service statistics of their local hospital, such as the percentage of births by caesarean or induction. Website founders Michelle Meares and Jennifer Brown state, “Women have a right to know what to expect when they choose a care provider and a place to birth their children. Sadly at present we are unable to provide the statistics for all States and Territories as they are not publicly released. We call on the Federal Government to release them for all Australian hospitals so women can make an informed choice.”
(Justine Caines, maternity consumer advocate and mother of seven) “Maternity health professionals (in particular doctors) receive huge sums of public money, for their work and insurance subsidies, they must be required to furnish their statistics, otherwise what is being hidden?”
The legislation currently before the Senate, the Medicare for Midwives Bill will significantly restrict women’s access to independent midwives. These are care providers with a proven record of improving outcomes for Australia’s mothers and babies. As has consistently happened in the past, when choice becomes restricted, there are serious implications. Australia stands at risk of becoming an archaic centre for maternity health compared to other countries like the Netherlands, Canada and the UK. Decisions made by the Federal Government today will affect the birth choices available to our children tomorrow. We as a society do not want a union (the Australian Medical Association – AMA) having the ability to decide where and with whom an Australian woman can give birth. Midwives are a highly skilled profession in their own right with a significantly different set of skills to doctors and they must be recognised as such here in Australia. The legislation before the Senate fails to do this and instead provides doctors with more control over women’s births. This, we believe, is a recipe for soaring statistics in the wrong direction. The My Birth website clearly shows why this is a very important women’s rights issue for all women of Australia today.
If Australian parents have the right to know the performance statistics of where their child will be educated, then they must also have the right to know the statistics of where that child is born, and what alternatives are available to them.
For media enquiries: Michelle Meares 0439 645 372 Jennifer Brown 0408 621 448
Friday, November 13, 2009
SLINGS
The notes here are a summary from discussions about baby slings at a babs group. There is a plan to prepare an information sheet, so in putting the notes on the blog, we would welcome any comments or ideas about baby wearing, and links to websites, that you are happy to share with others. [Your photos are also welcome]
There are three main types: simple, soft structured carriers, and wraps.
Simple slings:
Meh Tai is a plain rectangle of fabric, with tie pieces attached. It can be bought from ABA Mothers Direct.
Maya Tie, which is based on the Meh Tai.
Pouch/Tube slings
[Add links]
Soft Structured carriers (with straps and clips): include
Ergo - see ABA Mothers Direct
ABA Simplicity Sling
Also, highly recommended,
Yamo Baby Carrier
Note that there are some soft structured carriers that are available in retail stores that mothers in our discussion did not like. These carriers suspend the baby with a lot of pressure on his/her crotch, while the better carriers achieve support across the baby's thighs and crotch.
Wraps: These are made of long pieces of fabric, either with or without rings. The plain fabric wraps are approximately 6 metres long.
Examples of Ring Slings: Maya Wrap
hugabub ring slings
Other wraps that are used and recommended by members of our groups:
Vatani Wrap
Stork Wrap
Hug-a-bub
cheryl connolly wrote:
there is a great DVD to cover everything - you can get it from Kimba, who sells various cloth baby carriers, at gonanago@gmail.com
a general website to look is baby-carriers-downunder.com
and peppermint.com
There are three main types: simple, soft structured carriers, and wraps.
Simple slings:
Meh Tai is a plain rectangle of fabric, with tie pieces attached. It can be bought from ABA Mothers Direct.
Maya Tie, which is based on the Meh Tai.
Pouch/Tube slings
[Add links]
Soft Structured carriers (with straps and clips): include
Ergo - see ABA Mothers Direct
ABA Simplicity Sling
Also, highly recommended,
Yamo Baby Carrier
Note that there are some soft structured carriers that are available in retail stores that mothers in our discussion did not like. These carriers suspend the baby with a lot of pressure on his/her crotch, while the better carriers achieve support across the baby's thighs and crotch.
Wraps: These are made of long pieces of fabric, either with or without rings. The plain fabric wraps are approximately 6 metres long.
Examples of Ring Slings: Maya Wrap
hugabub ring slings
Other wraps that are used and recommended by members of our groups:
Vatani Wrap
Stork Wrap
Hug-a-bub
cheryl connolly wrote:
there is a great DVD to cover everything - you can get it from Kimba, who sells various cloth baby carriers, at gonanago@gmail.com
a general website to look is baby-carriers-downunder.com
and peppermint.com
Saturday, November 7, 2009
REMINDER: RALLY ON MONDAY
Monday 9 November 2009 from 10.30am (local time)
Rally points:
Brisbane:
Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd’s office
630 Wynnum Road
Morningside Qld 4170
Werribee:
Deputy Prime Minister
Julia Gillard’s office
Shop 2, 36 Synnot Street
Werribee Vic 3030
Sydney:
Minister for the Status of Women
Tanya Plibersek’s office
111-117 Devonshire Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Perth: at 11.10am Perth Only
Office of Stephen Smith (most senior Gov member in WA)
953A Beaufort Street
Inglewood WA 6932
If you are unable to attend, please prepare your 'calling card' - a letter to Kevin, Julia, Tanya, or Stephen (or another member of the government), telling them who you are and why you can not accept maternity reform which prevents midwives from practising midwifery in their own right, and prevents women from giving birth in their homes with their chosen midwife attending them. Please email your letter to your midwife or someone else who is going to the rally, and ask them to give it to the MP concerned.
Anyone who would like their calling card to appear on this blog, please email it to joy@aitex.com.au
NOTE:
I want to encourage midwives to go to the rally, and to make sure your banners and calling cards state clearly that you are not happy with what this reform is doing to you – as a midwife.
The midwife’s livelihood is at stake, and we need to be heard. The whole profession of midwifery stands to lose our right to practising on our own authority in any setting.
Rally points:
Brisbane:
Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd’s office
630 Wynnum Road
Morningside Qld 4170
Werribee:
Deputy Prime Minister
Julia Gillard’s office
Shop 2, 36 Synnot Street
Werribee Vic 3030
Sydney:
Minister for the Status of Women
Tanya Plibersek’s office
111-117 Devonshire Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Perth: at 11.10am Perth Only
Office of Stephen Smith (most senior Gov member in WA)
953A Beaufort Street
Inglewood WA 6932
If you are unable to attend, please prepare your 'calling card' - a letter to Kevin, Julia, Tanya, or Stephen (or another member of the government), telling them who you are and why you can not accept maternity reform which prevents midwives from practising midwifery in their own right, and prevents women from giving birth in their homes with their chosen midwife attending them. Please email your letter to your midwife or someone else who is going to the rally, and ask them to give it to the MP concerned.
Anyone who would like their calling card to appear on this blog, please email it to joy@aitex.com.au
NOTE:
I want to encourage midwives to go to the rally, and to make sure your banners and calling cards state clearly that you are not happy with what this reform is doing to you – as a midwife.
The midwife’s livelihood is at stake, and we need to be heard. The whole profession of midwifery stands to lose our right to practising on our own authority in any setting.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Homebirth Awareness Week: Celebrate or Commiserate?
NEWS RELEASE
Monday October 26 2009
Contact: Justine Caines 0408210273
Homebirth Awareness Week: Celebrate or Commiserate?
Minister’s Weakness and Bureaucrats ignorance continues
This week marks Homebirth Awareness week. Homebirth Australia fears that this time next year Australian women will not have the option of homebirth.
“It is hard to understand the hysteria around homebirth in Australia. Our maternity hospitals are full to the brim, many of them churning women out conveyor belt style and yet this is considered safe, hardly! said Justine Caines Secretary of Homebirth Australia and mother of seven home born children.”
Mainstream Australian maternity care is not about women, women are rarely consulted in the development of services, they are the main player and yet they have been silenced by practitioners who insist they ‘know better’ said Ms Caines.
Homebirth on the other hand is different. Women make decisions about their care, they invite a midwife into their home, rather than be forced to meet the needs of practitioners and organisational convenience which happens when giving birth in a hospital” said Ms Caines
“The outcomes from homebirth are also considerably better*. Women experience more personalised care and fewer interventions, they also enter motherhood happier and more content.” said Ms Caines
Something that is considered a normal reasonable choice in the U.K, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and Canada is under threat of extinction in Australia. Bureaucrats advising the Minister do not even understand homebirth and they refuse to seek information from key stakeholders
“Asking an Obstetrician about homebirth is like seeking advice from a midwife on caesarean surgery.” said Ms Caines
“Health Minister Nicola Roxon plans to fund midwifery care under Medicare, something sorely needed. She has however excluded homebirth. She did this against all evidence and the express wishes of the women of Australia across two enquiries, one that broke a Senate record on the number of submissions received.” said Ms Caines
The question remains; Will politicians continue to be more responsive to those with deep vested interest in maternity services? It is time to step up and listen to women, the very people for whom these so called reforms are proposed.” asked Ms Caines
Also see previous posts:
More irrefutable evidence
Safe Maternity Care
Homebirths in Victoria 2007
Monday October 26 2009
Contact: Justine Caines 0408210273
Homebirth Awareness Week: Celebrate or Commiserate?
Minister’s Weakness and Bureaucrats ignorance continues
This week marks Homebirth Awareness week. Homebirth Australia fears that this time next year Australian women will not have the option of homebirth.
“It is hard to understand the hysteria around homebirth in Australia. Our maternity hospitals are full to the brim, many of them churning women out conveyor belt style and yet this is considered safe, hardly! said Justine Caines Secretary of Homebirth Australia and mother of seven home born children.”
Mainstream Australian maternity care is not about women, women are rarely consulted in the development of services, they are the main player and yet they have been silenced by practitioners who insist they ‘know better’ said Ms Caines.
Homebirth on the other hand is different. Women make decisions about their care, they invite a midwife into their home, rather than be forced to meet the needs of practitioners and organisational convenience which happens when giving birth in a hospital” said Ms Caines
“The outcomes from homebirth are also considerably better*. Women experience more personalised care and fewer interventions, they also enter motherhood happier and more content.” said Ms Caines
Something that is considered a normal reasonable choice in the U.K, The Netherlands, New Zealand, and Canada is under threat of extinction in Australia. Bureaucrats advising the Minister do not even understand homebirth and they refuse to seek information from key stakeholders
“Asking an Obstetrician about homebirth is like seeking advice from a midwife on caesarean surgery.” said Ms Caines
“Health Minister Nicola Roxon plans to fund midwifery care under Medicare, something sorely needed. She has however excluded homebirth. She did this against all evidence and the express wishes of the women of Australia across two enquiries, one that broke a Senate record on the number of submissions received.” said Ms Caines
The question remains; Will politicians continue to be more responsive to those with deep vested interest in maternity services? It is time to step up and listen to women, the very people for whom these so called reforms are proposed.” asked Ms Caines
Also see previous posts:
More irrefutable evidence
Safe Maternity Care
Homebirths in Victoria 2007
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Annual Report 2009
This is the brief annual report, presented to the BaBS AGM today. A financial report was also presented, and is available for members.
If you are involved in BaBS groups, and would like to support BaBS at an organisational level by becoming a member, please speak to one of the facilitators or midwives, or leave a message at this blog, and a membership form and other information will be emailed to you.
ANNUAL REPORT 2009
BaBS INCORPORATED
Report of the Association for the Annual General Meeting 28 September 2009
Since the inaugural meeting of BaBS Inc 6 August 2008, the committee has provided management and oversight of the association.
In November 2008 the committee accepted, with regret, the resignation of Erika Munton from the role of National Coordinator. Erika continued as a committee member, and as a facilitator of the Croydon BaBS group.
Erika has been an inspirational leader in BaBS, and the committee thank Erika for her dedication and skill in the past three years in the development of BaBS. Erika’s shoes have been difficult to fill. Other committee members have acted as they have been able in her absence.
Financial matters have been competently managed by the Treasurer, Tabitha Melgalvis. An ABN (Australian Business Number) has been accessed, and it appears on the association’s letterhead. A bank account has been opened with the Community Banking Sector (Bendigo Bank). BaBS Incorporated has been registered with the Australian Tax Office as a tax exempt body.
BaBS groups meet regularly at various locations. In some instances groups have ceased when the availability of facilitators has changed. The groups (in alphabetical order) have been facilitated at Albury NSW, Bayside Vic, Box Hill Vic, Casey Vic, Croydon Vic, Ferntree Gully Vic, Macedon Vic, Stanthorpe Qld, Sunshine Coast Qld, Ipswich Qld, Wagga Wagga NSW, and Wangaratta Vic. Some of the groups have continued under the management of Maternity Coalition, while others, particularly those in Victoria, report to BaBS Inc.
BaBS groups rely on leadership from mothers and midwives in communities. In the past six months there has been an unexpected and unprecedented threat to the future of private midwifery practice in Australia as a result of legislative reforms. BaBS has been supported by midwives in private practice, and this threat to their ability to continue practising has diverted much energy and availability.
BaBS continues to provide peer support groups for mothers in their communities, seeking to enable new mothers and pregnant women to increase their control over, and to improve, their health in pregnancy and birthing, and in the nurture of their babies.
Joy Johnston
Acting National Coordinator
Friday, September 25, 2009
Assisted reproduction technology in Australia and New Zealand 2007
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released a new report:
Assisted reproduction technology in Australia and New Zealand 2007
In 2007, there were 56,817 assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment cycles undertaken in Australian and New Zealand. Of these cycles, 17.4% resulted in a live delivery (the birth of at least one liveborn baby). In total, 10,856 liveborn babies were born following ART treatment undertaken in 2007. The most important recent trend in ART treatment has been the reduction in the rate of twins and triplets births, with the multiple delivery rate falling from 18.7% in 2003 to 10.0% in 2007. This trend has been associated with an increase in the proportion of ART treatment cycles using single embryo transfer, from 32.0% in 2003 to 63.7% in 2007.
Click on the link to view the media release and report.
Assisted reproduction technology in Australia and New Zealand 2007
In 2007, there were 56,817 assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment cycles undertaken in Australian and New Zealand. Of these cycles, 17.4% resulted in a live delivery (the birth of at least one liveborn baby). In total, 10,856 liveborn babies were born following ART treatment undertaken in 2007. The most important recent trend in ART treatment has been the reduction in the rate of twins and triplets births, with the multiple delivery rate falling from 18.7% in 2003 to 10.0% in 2007. This trend has been associated with an increase in the proportion of ART treatment cycles using single embryo transfer, from 32.0% in 2003 to 63.7% in 2007.
Click on the link to view the media release and report.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Breech pregnancy and birth survey
Any mother who has experienced breech pregnancy and or birth research is invited to participate in an online study to look more closely at women's experience with breech birth and pregnancy. The researchers are interested in knowing how women feel about breech pregnancies and the choices available to them.
For more information, go to the survey
For more information, go to the survey
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Birth choices important to mothers
The following pic and article appear at the website of Fran Bailey, Member for the Victorian seat of McEwen.
Birth choice important to mothers
Monday, 10 August 2009
Mothers in rural and regional areas should be allowed to give birth at home under new maternal health laws, said member for McEwen Fran Bailey after a meeting in Gisborne.
Fran met mothers from across the Macedon Ranges and adjoining regions concerned that the Federal Government was out of step with overseas acceptance of home birth.
"I believe that every women has the right to make an informed choice on where to give birth to their baby," Fran said.
"It is a tragedy that the maternal services review now before the Federal Government could deny mothers any choice.
"The real fear is that Australia is taken backwards in its attitudes to births in hospitals and in the home and this particularly disadvantages expectant mothers in our local communities."
Fran spoke with members of the Macedon Ranges Babs (Birthing and Babies Support) Group to hear their concerns about the Government’s plan on birth choices.
"These mothers and midwives are so passionate about being able to give birth at home, sometimes at great financial cost to themselves," Fran said.
"But without professional indemnity insurance for midwives and an acceptance by the Government that expectant mothers can choose to have a natural birth, there will be an even greater demand on the public health system."
Fran told the meeting that their concerns would be raised with the Government and Senators who will shortly consider legislation on maternal services.
A further meeting with mothers from the Yarra Ranges will be held in Healesville on Friday August 14
Birth choice important to mothers
Monday, 10 August 2009
Mothers in rural and regional areas should be allowed to give birth at home under new maternal health laws, said member for McEwen Fran Bailey after a meeting in Gisborne.
Fran met mothers from across the Macedon Ranges and adjoining regions concerned that the Federal Government was out of step with overseas acceptance of home birth.
"I believe that every women has the right to make an informed choice on where to give birth to their baby," Fran said.
"It is a tragedy that the maternal services review now before the Federal Government could deny mothers any choice.
"The real fear is that Australia is taken backwards in its attitudes to births in hospitals and in the home and this particularly disadvantages expectant mothers in our local communities."
Fran spoke with members of the Macedon Ranges Babs (Birthing and Babies Support) Group to hear their concerns about the Government’s plan on birth choices.
"These mothers and midwives are so passionate about being able to give birth at home, sometimes at great financial cost to themselves," Fran said.
"But without professional indemnity insurance for midwives and an acceptance by the Government that expectant mothers can choose to have a natural birth, there will be an even greater demand on the public health system."
Fran told the meeting that their concerns would be raised with the Government and Senators who will shortly consider legislation on maternal services.
A further meeting with mothers from the Yarra Ranges will be held in Healesville on Friday August 14
Monday, July 27, 2009
grass roots birth activism
A message came from Kimba, who with a couple of friends set up a table with letters and information, outside the local supermarket, and got over 100 signatures on letters in 3 hours. "We also informed a lot of people and got them passionate on the issue!!"
Read more here
Great work Kimba and co!
Read more here
Great work Kimba and co!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
BaBS Clota Cottage in Box Hill - Term 3 schedule
Hi everyone! Here is the schedule for Term 3 at BaBs Clota Cottage in Box Hill Victoria. Hope to see you there!
22nd July - Emotions during pregnancy, birth and adjusting to parenting, including emotions of siblings and other family members
29th July - Open discussion
5th August - FAM (Fertility Awareness Method) and child spacing
12th August - Family budgeting
19th August - Open discussion
26th August - Normal birth
2nd Sept - Open discussion
9th Sept - Catch up and report from the Rally in Canberra
16th Sept - picnic for end of Term - location and details to be advised
22nd July - Emotions during pregnancy, birth and adjusting to parenting, including emotions of siblings and other family members
29th July - Open discussion
5th August - FAM (Fertility Awareness Method) and child spacing
12th August - Family budgeting
19th August - Open discussion
26th August - Normal birth
2nd Sept - Open discussion
9th Sept - Catch up and report from the Rally in Canberra
16th Sept - picnic for end of Term - location and details to be advised
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Bayswater BaBs
The Outer Eastern BaBs group that used to meet at Croydon has moved to Bayswater.
We have a new venue which is much more suitable for parents with toddlers and older children. We meet Fridays from 10am to 12 noon at TLC Bayswater in the children's room, we have a lovely comfy couch and plenty of floor space for the kids to play and the mums to relax and chill. TLC is located at 265 Canterbury Rd, Bayswater (between Bunnings and Dairy Bell!) and is an amazing venue.
Our topics for Term 3 this year are:
17 July - Gentle Parenting
24th July - Choices in Childbirth
31st July - Birth after Caesarean
7th August - Free discussion
14th August - Planning for your birth
21st August - Working with pain (in labour!)
28th August - Models of Care
4th September - Free discussion
11th September - Breastfeeding matters
18th September - PANDA
We hope to see both new faces and familiar ones at Bayswater BaBs over the next few months!
Anna :) 0404 074 506
We have a new venue which is much more suitable for parents with toddlers and older children. We meet Fridays from 10am to 12 noon at TLC Bayswater in the children's room, we have a lovely comfy couch and plenty of floor space for the kids to play and the mums to relax and chill. TLC is located at 265 Canterbury Rd, Bayswater (between Bunnings and Dairy Bell!) and is an amazing venue.
Our topics for Term 3 this year are:
17 July - Gentle Parenting
24th July - Choices in Childbirth
31st July - Birth after Caesarean
7th August - Free discussion
14th August - Planning for your birth
21st August - Working with pain (in labour!)
28th August - Models of Care
4th September - Free discussion
11th September - Breastfeeding matters
18th September - PANDA
We hope to see both new faces and familiar ones at Bayswater BaBs over the next few months!
Anna :) 0404 074 506
Mini-Expo for Pregnancy and Birth
Ferntree Gully BaBs (Vic) is hosting a
Mini-Expo for Pregnancy and Birth – What’s Out There?
Monday August 3rd 10 am -12 midday
COONARA COMMUNITY HOUSE
22 Willow Rd, Upper Ferntree Gully
Entry is a gold coin donation. Tea and Coffee available.
Pregnancy and birth are very special times in our lives, what are the options for care out there apart from the ‘run of the mill’ programs? For safe, professional, local and caring options come along to the Babs mini expo to collect information which may be helpful to you or a loved one.
For more information contact: Dom on 9755 2607
Who will be there?
• Midwives
• Osteopath
• Homeopath
• Australia Breastfeeding Association
• Calmbirth
• Doula
• Chiropractor
• Body Balance – exercise for pregnant women
• Belly Dancing
• Acupuncturist
• Naturopath
Mini-Expo for Pregnancy and Birth – What’s Out There?
Monday August 3rd 10 am -12 midday
COONARA COMMUNITY HOUSE
22 Willow Rd, Upper Ferntree Gully
Entry is a gold coin donation. Tea and Coffee available.
Pregnancy and birth are very special times in our lives, what are the options for care out there apart from the ‘run of the mill’ programs? For safe, professional, local and caring options come along to the Babs mini expo to collect information which may be helpful to you or a loved one.
For more information contact: Dom on 9755 2607
Who will be there?
• Midwives
• Osteopath
• Homeopath
• Australia Breastfeeding Association
• Calmbirth
• Doula
• Chiropractor
• Body Balance – exercise for pregnant women
• Belly Dancing
• Acupuncturist
• Naturopath
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wagga BaBs Group - program July-December 09
We meet regularly, usually in the Parents as Teachers Centre, Tolland Public School, cnr Raye and Parkhurst Sts, Tolland but please check schedule for alternative venue details where relevant.
Upcoming meetings for 2009 include:
Date: Wednesday 29 July
Time: 12 noon to 2:00pm
Topic: The role of midwives
Date: Wednesday 26 August
Time: 12 noon to 2:00pm
Topic: Baby wearing
Venue: The Farm, Sturt Highway, Gumly
Date: Wednesday 23 September
Time: 12 noon to 2:00pm
Topic: Posterior, breech and challenging birth including VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean)
Date: Wednesday 14 October
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Topic: Older mothers: Conception, pregnancy and motherhood over 35
Date: Wednesday 28 October
Time: 12 noon to 2pm
Topic: Surviving the first six weeks
Date: Wednesday 11 November
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Topic: No sex please – we’re parents: Changing relationship dynamics
Date: Wednesday 26 November
Time: 12 noon to 2:00pm
Topic: Green Parenting
Venue: Mates Gully Caf̩ РFitzmaurice St
Date: Sunday 13 December
Time: From 4:00pm
Event: BaBs Christmas Party (BBQ)
Venue: Palm and Pawn Tavern, North Wagga
Bring: Swimmers, hats, sunscreen
Cost: TBA, pending new management
Further information about each session may be obtained via our Facebook site (search for Wagga BaBs), by emailing waggababs@gmail.com or calling Kirsty 0401 523 121 or Jenny 0418 205 262. Please RSVP via phone or email by 5pm on the day prior to each meeting to help with our planning.
Upcoming meetings for 2009 include:
Date: Wednesday 29 July
Time: 12 noon to 2:00pm
Topic: The role of midwives
Date: Wednesday 26 August
Time: 12 noon to 2:00pm
Topic: Baby wearing
Venue: The Farm, Sturt Highway, Gumly
Date: Wednesday 23 September
Time: 12 noon to 2:00pm
Topic: Posterior, breech and challenging birth including VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean)
Date: Wednesday 14 October
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Topic: Older mothers: Conception, pregnancy and motherhood over 35
Date: Wednesday 28 October
Time: 12 noon to 2pm
Topic: Surviving the first six weeks
Date: Wednesday 11 November
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Topic: No sex please – we’re parents: Changing relationship dynamics
Date: Wednesday 26 November
Time: 12 noon to 2:00pm
Topic: Green Parenting
Venue: Mates Gully Caf̩ РFitzmaurice St
Date: Sunday 13 December
Time: From 4:00pm
Event: BaBs Christmas Party (BBQ)
Venue: Palm and Pawn Tavern, North Wagga
Bring: Swimmers, hats, sunscreen
Cost: TBA, pending new management
Further information about each session may be obtained via our Facebook site (search for Wagga BaBs), by emailing waggababs@gmail.com or calling Kirsty 0401 523 121 or Jenny 0418 205 262. Please RSVP via phone or email by 5pm on the day prior to each meeting to help with our planning.
PLEASE sign a petition to save private midwifery and homebirth
GO to the petition
"... with planned national registration of all health professionals to take effect on July 1st 2010 midwives in private practice will be unable to seek registration on the basis of their inability to obtain professional indemnity insurance."
The petition asks that "the senate bring this issue to the parliament's attention and make a speedy redress to assist midwives in private practice to obtain professional indemnity insurance. We also ask that midwives in private practice enjoy the same funding mechanisms as procedural general practitioners and specialist obstetricians under the medicare benefits schedule."
The petition is at the excellent new Homebirth Australia website.
"... with planned national registration of all health professionals to take effect on July 1st 2010 midwives in private practice will be unable to seek registration on the basis of their inability to obtain professional indemnity insurance."
The petition asks that "the senate bring this issue to the parliament's attention and make a speedy redress to assist midwives in private practice to obtain professional indemnity insurance. We also ask that midwives in private practice enjoy the same funding mechanisms as procedural general practitioners and specialist obstetricians under the medicare benefits schedule."
The petition is at the excellent new Homebirth Australia website.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Is there a link between birth interventions and autism?
There are topics that are difficult to address, even within the relative safety experienced in a BaBs group, where women have learnt to listen to each other, and trust and respect each other. Vaccination is one such topic. It has the effect of polarising people into the yes and no camps like no other.
Recently a discussion about the risk of tetanus for unvaccinated children led on to an acknowledgment of concern that vaccination may cause autism. A parent who *believes* that their action (in this case, accepting vaccination of their child) may result in a tragic brain development disorder will do all she or he can to avoid that action. While I have seen no compelling evidence to support these fears, I am convinced of the seriousness of Tetanus as a life threatening infection that can be prevented by vaccination. Unlike airborne and contact infections such as Diptheria, measles, mumps, TB &c that are rarely seen today in the developed world, Tetanus will never be erradicated, and will continue to be a threat whenever contaminated deep cuts or puncture wounds are experienced.
Someone has observed that the Amish don't vaccinate, and their children don't develop autism. I don't know if this is true or not, but that's not the only difference between an Amish family and an ordinary family in Melbourne today. We have electricity, cars, computers, internet, fast foods, pollution, ... We have high rates of induction of labour and other interventions in birth.
A professional research paper published this week in the Journal Medscape Ob/Gyn & Women's Health asked the question Autism, ADHD, and Medicated Births : Relationship to Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?
The author reviews what is known and what is postulated, and states that "Two questions remain unanswered:
* Are pediatric developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum and ADD/ADHD, actually forms of perinatal brain injury?
* Is there a relationship between the increase in the active management of labor and the increased incidence of these brain disorders in children?"
As with many other questions, no clear answers are yet available. Medicated births may or may not contribute to developmental problems. It follows, therefore, to recommend "a precautionary approach to active management, emphasizing more physiologic protocols and advocating lower synthetic oxytocin doses and allowing more labor time -- rather than adding more oxytocin."
Recently a discussion about the risk of tetanus for unvaccinated children led on to an acknowledgment of concern that vaccination may cause autism. A parent who *believes* that their action (in this case, accepting vaccination of their child) may result in a tragic brain development disorder will do all she or he can to avoid that action. While I have seen no compelling evidence to support these fears, I am convinced of the seriousness of Tetanus as a life threatening infection that can be prevented by vaccination. Unlike airborne and contact infections such as Diptheria, measles, mumps, TB &c that are rarely seen today in the developed world, Tetanus will never be erradicated, and will continue to be a threat whenever contaminated deep cuts or puncture wounds are experienced.
Someone has observed that the Amish don't vaccinate, and their children don't develop autism. I don't know if this is true or not, but that's not the only difference between an Amish family and an ordinary family in Melbourne today. We have electricity, cars, computers, internet, fast foods, pollution, ... We have high rates of induction of labour and other interventions in birth.
A professional research paper published this week in the Journal Medscape Ob/Gyn & Women's Health asked the question Autism, ADHD, and Medicated Births : Relationship to Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?
The author reviews what is known and what is postulated, and states that "Two questions remain unanswered:
* Are pediatric developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum and ADD/ADHD, actually forms of perinatal brain injury?
* Is there a relationship between the increase in the active management of labor and the increased incidence of these brain disorders in children?"
As with many other questions, no clear answers are yet available. Medicated births may or may not contribute to developmental problems. It follows, therefore, to recommend "a precautionary approach to active management, emphasizing more physiologic protocols and advocating lower synthetic oxytocin doses and allowing more labor time -- rather than adding more oxytocin."
Friday, June 5, 2009
PETITION to support mothers to breastfeed and save the lives of babies
[Photo]
The voices of 45000 People Reach World Health Assembly with a Call to Save Newborn Lives:
Last week, IBFAN, the International Baby Food Action Network, made a clear call when it introduced its ‘One Million Campaign: Support Women to Breastfeed’ at World Health Assembly in Geneva. The IBFAN team submitted a petition to the President of 62nd World Health Assembly, Mr. NS de Silva, Minister of Healthcare Sri Lanka, signed by more than 45000 people from 161 countries.
TELL YOUR FRIENDS
We are now requesting you to Create a “WARM CHAIN OF SUPPORT FOR WOMEN” Motivate FIVE More Friends to sign up! We need to continue to have more and more people signed up and submit petitions to others global forums.
Thanks for your continued support to the ONE MILLION CAMPAIGN- Support Women to Breastfeed
More than 47000 people have already signed, you can help increase the number of voices!
45 People to receive an AWARD from IBFAN
We are extremely thankful for your efforts to putting the ONE MILLION CAMPAIGN well on its way to reaching a million voices. As a small token of appreciation, we are randomly picking up 45 people, one out of every thousand persons who signed up, for an award – a handcrafted pendant in traditional Indian design. The names of awardees will be put up on the campaign website next week. The recipients will also be informed individually by email
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Mothers and the Budget
Visitors to this blog may have heard mention of changes to tax rebates for private health insurance, means testing for the Baby Bonus, and a new scheme of Paid Parental Leave. Another reform that could be of great significance to anyone who plans to have babies after 1 November next year 2010 is Medicare and insurance for midwives - see the village midwife blog and the MIPP blog.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Womens Action Alliance presents its response to the Budget:
"Any policy which encourages mothers to separate from their babies during the early years before they feel ready is a highly dubious policy indeed. In adopting the Paid Parental Leave scheme announced in the Budget Speech we detect a distinct antipathy on the part of your Government towards mothers who commit themselves full time to the care of their young children – even where that commitment is limited to the very early (pre school) years.
"If any mothers are to be excluded from taxpayer funded assistance given at the time of birth it should be on the basis of a means test only and not on the basis of their choice about paid workforce participation while their children are young.
"We listened with great interest to the Treasurer deliver the speech last Tuesday night. We were disappointed to find that the Paid Parental Leave model that is promised is, in essence, the same ‘exclusive’ one about which we expressed reservations in our submissions to the Productivity Commission. ie it excludes most mothers who have babies in Australia each year.
"Those who have not returned to paid work after the birth of an earlier child, those who are unemployed or have small amounts of casual employment, those who are recently employed, employed on contracts or self employed, those who resign during the pregnancy not always of their own choice. These will all miss out and they include many low and middle income women. While they will receive the Baby Bonus and Family Tax Benefit Part B the difference is substantial and discriminatory.
"The figures provided on Page XXV1 of the Productivity Commission’s interim report showed that only 140,000 of the approximately 285,000 mothers who give birth each year will be eligible for the payment. ie most mothers will miss out. ..."
While the ACTU has proclaimed the budget a victory on behalf of working mothers in its press release, our society has yet to set a real value on the work a mother does with her babies and young children.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Womens Action Alliance presents its response to the Budget:
"Any policy which encourages mothers to separate from their babies during the early years before they feel ready is a highly dubious policy indeed. In adopting the Paid Parental Leave scheme announced in the Budget Speech we detect a distinct antipathy on the part of your Government towards mothers who commit themselves full time to the care of their young children – even where that commitment is limited to the very early (pre school) years.
"If any mothers are to be excluded from taxpayer funded assistance given at the time of birth it should be on the basis of a means test only and not on the basis of their choice about paid workforce participation while their children are young.
"We listened with great interest to the Treasurer deliver the speech last Tuesday night. We were disappointed to find that the Paid Parental Leave model that is promised is, in essence, the same ‘exclusive’ one about which we expressed reservations in our submissions to the Productivity Commission. ie it excludes most mothers who have babies in Australia each year.
"Those who have not returned to paid work after the birth of an earlier child, those who are unemployed or have small amounts of casual employment, those who are recently employed, employed on contracts or self employed, those who resign during the pregnancy not always of their own choice. These will all miss out and they include many low and middle income women. While they will receive the Baby Bonus and Family Tax Benefit Part B the difference is substantial and discriminatory.
"The figures provided on Page XXV1 of the Productivity Commission’s interim report showed that only 140,000 of the approximately 285,000 mothers who give birth each year will be eligible for the payment. ie most mothers will miss out. ..."
While the ACTU has proclaimed the budget a victory on behalf of working mothers in its press release, our society has yet to set a real value on the work a mother does with her babies and young children.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Are dads undervalued and underrated?
[Pic: Paul and Poppy]
The Age blogger Sacha Molitorisz of Who's your Daddy?, has written today:
"A recurring theme of this blog - an obsession, you might say - concerns the way dads are undervalued and underrated. In our society, I reckon, dads (and men) are often about as feted as skydivers among agoraphobics. Dads are becoming increasingly involved, and this should be recognised and encouraged.
[... continued]
We would love to hear your views on the role of the daddy today.
Perhaps as BaBs groups get established we should be asking the men amongst us to set up DADS-BaBs groups or events?
Friday, April 24, 2009
Box Hill Timetable - term 2
29/4 - What's the point (What do we want from our birth experience? A discussion about normal birth)
6/5 - Free Discussion
13/5 - Prenatal Testing (What tests are available. Why are they important? What is necessary, what isn't?)
20/5 - Free Discussion
27/5 - Being a student midwife (A student midwife will tell us about needing to follow women through their pregnancy and attend a certain number of births. What mothers can do to help student midwives and what they can expect from a student midwife following their pregnancy).
3/6 - Free Discussion
10/6 - Breastfeeeding discussion (Sharing milk, particularly with regard to having surgery when still nursing a baby or toddler).
17/6 - Free Disussion
24/6 - Know Your Midwife Program at Box Hill (we're hoping to have a guest speaker from Box Hill hospital to tell us about the KYM program)
6/5 - Free Discussion
13/5 - Prenatal Testing (What tests are available. Why are they important? What is necessary, what isn't?)
20/5 - Free Discussion
27/5 - Being a student midwife (A student midwife will tell us about needing to follow women through their pregnancy and attend a certain number of births. What mothers can do to help student midwives and what they can expect from a student midwife following their pregnancy).
3/6 - Free Discussion
10/6 - Breastfeeeding discussion (Sharing milk, particularly with regard to having surgery when still nursing a baby or toddler).
17/6 - Free Disussion
24/6 - Know Your Midwife Program at Box Hill (we're hoping to have a guest speaker from Box Hill hospital to tell us about the KYM program)
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Conference call for BaBs leaders
Today BaBs had a conference call meeting, with leaders coming together by telephone or Skype. We had people at Melbourne sites, as well as Mt Macedon (Vic), and Stanthorpe (Qld).
The meeting was called to hear from facilitators and other group leaders, and to identify any issues that need further work in some or all of the groups. These include:
Preparing and supporting new group facilitators, as facilitators step down and move on from babs
Attracting midwives and encouraging them to be involved
Protecting people from conflict of interest issues
Maintaining the focus of babs on peer support for mothers during pregnancy and the first year
Sharing plans and processes between groups.
As an outcome of todays meeting, we plan to review guidelines and revise to reflect the current expressed needs of group leaders.
We look forward to future conference calls for babs leaders.
The meeting was called to hear from facilitators and other group leaders, and to identify any issues that need further work in some or all of the groups. These include:
Preparing and supporting new group facilitators, as facilitators step down and move on from babs
Attracting midwives and encouraging them to be involved
Protecting people from conflict of interest issues
Maintaining the focus of babs on peer support for mothers during pregnancy and the first year
Sharing plans and processes between groups.
As an outcome of todays meeting, we plan to review guidelines and revise to reflect the current expressed needs of group leaders.
We look forward to future conference calls for babs leaders.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Wagga BaBs
Wagga Birthing and Babies Support Group (BaBs) offers discussion, information, education and support for people in our community regarding the issues of pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
Everyone is welcome to join us at our friendly, informative meetings. If you are pregnant, a new mum or dad, or seeking information about your birth choices, please contact us or come along to a meeting to share and learn in a supportive environment about birthing and baby topics.
We meet each month in the Parents as Teachers Centre, Tolland Public School, cnr Raye and Parkhurst Sts, Tolland. Upcoming meetings for 2009 include:
Date: Wednesday 25 March
Time: 12pm to 2:45pm (approx)
Topic: Special screening of the documentary “The Business of Being Born”
Date: Tuesday 28 April
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm (approx)
Topic: Preparing for Birth
Date: Tuesday 26 May
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm (approx)
Topic: Writing a Birth Plan – Help or Hindrance?
Date: Tuesday 23 June
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm (approx)
Topic: Natural Birth – Why Bother?
Further information about each session may be obtained via our Facebook site (search for Wagga BaBs), by emailing waggababs@gmail.com or calling Kirsty 0401 523 121 or Jenny 0418 205 262. Please RSVP via phone or email by 5pm on the day prior to each meeting to help with our planning.
Wagga BaBs is an initiative of the Wagga Birth Choices Action Group, affiliated with the Maternity Coalition: www.maternitycoalition.org.au.
Everyone is welcome to join us at our friendly, informative meetings. If you are pregnant, a new mum or dad, or seeking information about your birth choices, please contact us or come along to a meeting to share and learn in a supportive environment about birthing and baby topics.
We meet each month in the Parents as Teachers Centre, Tolland Public School, cnr Raye and Parkhurst Sts, Tolland. Upcoming meetings for 2009 include:
Date: Wednesday 25 March
Time: 12pm to 2:45pm (approx)
Topic: Special screening of the documentary “The Business of Being Born”
Date: Tuesday 28 April
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm (approx)
Topic: Preparing for Birth
Date: Tuesday 26 May
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm (approx)
Topic: Writing a Birth Plan – Help or Hindrance?
Date: Tuesday 23 June
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm (approx)
Topic: Natural Birth – Why Bother?
Further information about each session may be obtained via our Facebook site (search for Wagga BaBs), by emailing waggababs@gmail.com or calling Kirsty 0401 523 121 or Jenny 0418 205 262. Please RSVP via phone or email by 5pm on the day prior to each meeting to help with our planning.
Wagga BaBs is an initiative of the Wagga Birth Choices Action Group, affiliated with the Maternity Coalition: www.maternitycoalition.org.au.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Our Bodies …Our Babies…Our Choices
Wednesday 25th March 2009 at 9.30am
The Macedon Ranges Maternity Coalition Group along with Macedon Ranges BaBs will be holding a peaceful demonstration in light of the Maternity Service Review.
There are some very positive changes for midwives recommended in the review, however some aspects are more detrimental to the choices birthing women have regarding their caregivers throughout pregnancy, birth and early motherhood. We would love the support of mothers, babies, children, fathers, and grandparents as this issue affects families at all levels. Even if you have had your children many years ago, we would love to see you to help pave the way for all women to have choices in the future.
We love the New Zealand model of care where the birthing family can choose between a midwife or GP to be their (funded) primary caregiver. Under the new proposal the services for an independent midwife not employed by hospitals may become illegal and many birthing women and families across Australia think this is unacceptable.
When: Wednesday 25th March 2009 at 9.30am (if raining heavily we will postpone until the following Wednesday)
Where: Meet at the Gisborne Aquatic Centre. We will then walk through Gisborne to Fran Bailey’s (Federal Member) office, onto Joanne Duncan’s (State Member) office, then make our way back to the Gisborne Adventure Playground for a byo picnic. Bring placards, signage and enthusiasm
Contact: If you would like more information please contact: Rachael macedon@maternitycoalition.org.au
Jenny – 5428 8640
Tanya – macrangesbabs@yahoo.com.au
Please come up/down and have a picnic with us and support a very good cause.
We look forward to seeing you there.
The Macedon Ranges Maternity Coalition Group along with Macedon Ranges BaBs will be holding a peaceful demonstration in light of the Maternity Service Review.
There are some very positive changes for midwives recommended in the review, however some aspects are more detrimental to the choices birthing women have regarding their caregivers throughout pregnancy, birth and early motherhood. We would love the support of mothers, babies, children, fathers, and grandparents as this issue affects families at all levels. Even if you have had your children many years ago, we would love to see you to help pave the way for all women to have choices in the future.
We love the New Zealand model of care where the birthing family can choose between a midwife or GP to be their (funded) primary caregiver. Under the new proposal the services for an independent midwife not employed by hospitals may become illegal and many birthing women and families across Australia think this is unacceptable.
When: Wednesday 25th March 2009 at 9.30am (if raining heavily we will postpone until the following Wednesday)
Where: Meet at the Gisborne Aquatic Centre. We will then walk through Gisborne to Fran Bailey’s (Federal Member) office, onto Joanne Duncan’s (State Member) office, then make our way back to the Gisborne Adventure Playground for a byo picnic. Bring placards, signage and enthusiasm
Contact: If you would like more information please contact: Rachael macedon@maternitycoalition.org.au
Jenny – 5428 8640
Tanya – macrangesbabs@yahoo.com.au
Please come up/down and have a picnic with us and support a very good cause.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Happy International Women's Day 2009!
BaBs wishes all friends and supporters a Happy International Women's Day 2009
Greetings also come from:
World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action WABA's IWD 2009 Press Release - 'Women and Men Unite to End Violence against Women and Girls'. Click here...
VICTORIAN WOMEN’S TRUST
We have a funding program that invests in women and girls to effect social change.
We advocate for women on key issues that affect their lives.
We initiate special projects that deliver real outcomes for women.
We showcase women's talents and foster networks for the exchange of skills, ideas and information.
Greetings also come from:
World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action WABA's IWD 2009 Press Release - 'Women and Men Unite to End Violence against Women and Girls'. Click here...
VICTORIAN WOMEN’S TRUST
We have a funding program that invests in women and girls to effect social change.
We advocate for women on key issues that affect their lives.
We initiate special projects that deliver real outcomes for women.
We showcase women's talents and foster networks for the exchange of skills, ideas and information.
Monday, February 23, 2009
BOOK ADVERTISEMENT: The No-Cry Nap Solution
Author Elizabeth Pantley
The No-Cry Nap Solution:
Guaranteed Gentle Ways to Solve All Your Naptime Problems
Foreword by Tim Seldin, President, The Montessori Foundation; Chair, International Montessori Council
Introduction by Meir H. Kryger, MD, Chairman of the National Sleep Foundation
~~^~~^~~
Will your child only nap in your arms, in a swing, or after elaborate rituals? Does your child take cat naps -- or none at all? Let world-renowned, trusted parenting author Elizabeth Pantley help you. She’ll guide you with the same sensitive expertise and gentle approach used in her other No-Cry bestsellers about sleep, discipline and potty training.
Research proves that daily naps improve health, mood, growth, intelligence and well-being. Yet children often resist the naps they need and parents don’t know how to make them happen. The results are fussy, crying babies and cranky, grouchy kids who also have trouble sleeping at night!
In The No-Cry Nap Solution Pantley explains to parents of children ages newborn to kindergarten the importance of napping to both behavior during the day and sleeping during (and through!) the night. She then shares with you her gentle, loving child-friendly techniques--tested on families of all sizes and circumstances--and shows you how you can customize her solutions for your own family.
Pantley addresses issues such as children who resist naps, dealing with schedule changes, turning short naps into longer ones, helping a child go from needing motion for sleep to “stationery” sleep, nursing at naptime, daycare-related napping problems, newborn “in-arms” or “in-sling” napping issues, and much more.
(Excerpt below)
~~^~~^~~^~~^~~
Dear Reader ~
I thought I knew everything there was to know about naps, since I’ve written two other books and countless articles about children and sleep, but I was shocked and amazed at the new information I discovered while writing this book.
I set out on this venture knowing that parents struggle getting their children to nap. Everyone knows that children need naps, but the biological reasons behind this will convince you, without a doubt, that you should do everything you can to provide your baby or young child with daily nap time. It is common knowledge that when a child misses a nap he gets cranky, but you will be intrigued to learn the actual reasons why this happens.
Naps take only a few hours of time, but naps – or lack of naps – shape all twenty-four hours of your child’s day. The quality and quantity of your child’s naps influence his mood, behavior, health, and brain development. Naps can affect how happy your child is when she wakes up in the morning and how easily she’ll go to bed at night. An appropriate nap schedule is a vital component for your child’s healthy, happy life. When you consider all of this, you’ll also understand that your child’s naps – or lack of naps – can affect all 24 hours of your day, as well as your child’s.
While all experts agree that naps are important, and while they all know that nap problems can be a challenge to parents, what’s often missing are gentle, sensitive, loving solutions. Every idea I present is kind and respectful of the needs of both children and parents. In addition, I know that all children and parents are different, and cookie-cutter solutions are not what parents seek, so I include many options that can be customized to your own needs.
I have included excerpts for you below. For a complete set of excerpts please visit my website here: http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth
Why Short Cat-Naps Are Not Good Enough
By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of The No-Cry Nap Solution
If your child’s naps are shorter than an hour and a half in length, you may have wondered if these brief naps provide enough rest for your little one. You might suspect that these catnaps aren’t meeting your child’s sleep needs – and you would be right. The science of sleep explains why a short nap takes the edge off, but doesn’t offer the same physical and mental nourishment that a longer nap provides.
It takes between 90 and 120 minutes for your child to move through one entire sleep cycle, resulting in a Perfect Nap. It has been discovered that each stage of sleep brings a different benefit to the sleeper. Imagine, if you will, magic gifts that are awarded at each new stage of sleep:
Stage 1 - Very light sleep
Lasts 5 to 15 minutes
The gifts:
Prepares body for sleep
Reduces feelings of sleepiness
Stage 2 - Light to moderate sleep
Lasts up 15 minutes
The gifts:
Increases alertness
Improves motor skills
Stabilizes mood
Slightly reduces homeostatic sleep pressure (The biological process that creates fatigue and irritability.)
Stage 3 - Deep sleep
Lasts up to 15 minutes
The gifts:
Strengthens memory
Release of growth hormone
Repair of bones, tissues and muscles
Fortification of immune system
Regulates appetite
Releases bottled up stress
Restores energy
Reduces homeostatic sleep pressure
Stage 4 – Deepest sleep
Lasts up to 15 minutes
The gifts:
Same benefits as Stage 3, but enhanced
Next Stage – Dreaming
Lasts up to 9 to 30 minutes
The gifts:
Transfers short-term memory into long-term memory
Organizes thoughts
Secures new learning
Enhances brain connections
Sharpens visual and perceptual skills
Processes emotions
Relieves stress
Inspires creativity
Boosts energy
Reduces homeostatic sleep pressure
Longer naps
For as long as your child sleeps
The gifts:
Repeat all of the above stages in cycles
In order for your child to receive all of these wonderful gifts he must sleep long enough to pass at least once through each stage of sleep. Longer naps will encompass additional sleep cycles and provide a continuous presentation of gifts.
Newborn babies have unique cycles that slowly mature over time. A newborn sleep cycle is about 40 to 60 minutes long, and an infant enters dream sleep quickly, skipping several sleep stages. Infants need several sleep cycles to receive their full allotment of gifts. If your infant is sleeping only 40-60 minutes at naptime it is an indication that your baby is waking between cycles instead of returning to sleep on his own. We’ll cover a plethora of ideas to help your baby learn to go back to sleep without your intervention.
Now you can clearly see why a short nap doesn’t provide your baby or young child the best benefits of napping. You can also see why a mini-nap can fool you into thinking it is enough – since the very first five to fifteen minutes reduce feelings of sleepiness and bring that whoosh of second-wind energy that dissipates quickly, resulting is fussiness, crying, crankiness, tantrums and whining.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This is a copyrighted excerpt from The No-Cry Nap Solution: Guaranteed Gentle Ways to Solve All Your Naptime Problems by Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, December 2008).
You may reproduce this on your website or in your work. Please include my name and book title. More excerpts (available for reprint) are posted on my website. http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth
The No-Cry Nap Solution:
Guaranteed Gentle Ways to Solve All Your Naptime Problems
Foreword by Tim Seldin, President, The Montessori Foundation; Chair, International Montessori Council
Introduction by Meir H. Kryger, MD, Chairman of the National Sleep Foundation
~~^~~^~~
Will your child only nap in your arms, in a swing, or after elaborate rituals? Does your child take cat naps -- or none at all? Let world-renowned, trusted parenting author Elizabeth Pantley help you. She’ll guide you with the same sensitive expertise and gentle approach used in her other No-Cry bestsellers about sleep, discipline and potty training.
Research proves that daily naps improve health, mood, growth, intelligence and well-being. Yet children often resist the naps they need and parents don’t know how to make them happen. The results are fussy, crying babies and cranky, grouchy kids who also have trouble sleeping at night!
In The No-Cry Nap Solution Pantley explains to parents of children ages newborn to kindergarten the importance of napping to both behavior during the day and sleeping during (and through!) the night. She then shares with you her gentle, loving child-friendly techniques--tested on families of all sizes and circumstances--and shows you how you can customize her solutions for your own family.
Pantley addresses issues such as children who resist naps, dealing with schedule changes, turning short naps into longer ones, helping a child go from needing motion for sleep to “stationery” sleep, nursing at naptime, daycare-related napping problems, newborn “in-arms” or “in-sling” napping issues, and much more.
(Excerpt below)
~~^~~^~~^~~^~~
Dear Reader ~
I thought I knew everything there was to know about naps, since I’ve written two other books and countless articles about children and sleep, but I was shocked and amazed at the new information I discovered while writing this book.
I set out on this venture knowing that parents struggle getting their children to nap. Everyone knows that children need naps, but the biological reasons behind this will convince you, without a doubt, that you should do everything you can to provide your baby or young child with daily nap time. It is common knowledge that when a child misses a nap he gets cranky, but you will be intrigued to learn the actual reasons why this happens.
Naps take only a few hours of time, but naps – or lack of naps – shape all twenty-four hours of your child’s day. The quality and quantity of your child’s naps influence his mood, behavior, health, and brain development. Naps can affect how happy your child is when she wakes up in the morning and how easily she’ll go to bed at night. An appropriate nap schedule is a vital component for your child’s healthy, happy life. When you consider all of this, you’ll also understand that your child’s naps – or lack of naps – can affect all 24 hours of your day, as well as your child’s.
While all experts agree that naps are important, and while they all know that nap problems can be a challenge to parents, what’s often missing are gentle, sensitive, loving solutions. Every idea I present is kind and respectful of the needs of both children and parents. In addition, I know that all children and parents are different, and cookie-cutter solutions are not what parents seek, so I include many options that can be customized to your own needs.
I have included excerpts for you below. For a complete set of excerpts please visit my website here: http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth
Why Short Cat-Naps Are Not Good Enough
By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of The No-Cry Nap Solution
If your child’s naps are shorter than an hour and a half in length, you may have wondered if these brief naps provide enough rest for your little one. You might suspect that these catnaps aren’t meeting your child’s sleep needs – and you would be right. The science of sleep explains why a short nap takes the edge off, but doesn’t offer the same physical and mental nourishment that a longer nap provides.
It takes between 90 and 120 minutes for your child to move through one entire sleep cycle, resulting in a Perfect Nap. It has been discovered that each stage of sleep brings a different benefit to the sleeper. Imagine, if you will, magic gifts that are awarded at each new stage of sleep:
Stage 1 - Very light sleep
Lasts 5 to 15 minutes
The gifts:
Prepares body for sleep
Reduces feelings of sleepiness
Stage 2 - Light to moderate sleep
Lasts up 15 minutes
The gifts:
Increases alertness
Improves motor skills
Stabilizes mood
Slightly reduces homeostatic sleep pressure (The biological process that creates fatigue and irritability.)
Stage 3 - Deep sleep
Lasts up to 15 minutes
The gifts:
Strengthens memory
Release of growth hormone
Repair of bones, tissues and muscles
Fortification of immune system
Regulates appetite
Releases bottled up stress
Restores energy
Reduces homeostatic sleep pressure
Stage 4 – Deepest sleep
Lasts up to 15 minutes
The gifts:
Same benefits as Stage 3, but enhanced
Next Stage – Dreaming
Lasts up to 9 to 30 minutes
The gifts:
Transfers short-term memory into long-term memory
Organizes thoughts
Secures new learning
Enhances brain connections
Sharpens visual and perceptual skills
Processes emotions
Relieves stress
Inspires creativity
Boosts energy
Reduces homeostatic sleep pressure
Longer naps
For as long as your child sleeps
The gifts:
Repeat all of the above stages in cycles
In order for your child to receive all of these wonderful gifts he must sleep long enough to pass at least once through each stage of sleep. Longer naps will encompass additional sleep cycles and provide a continuous presentation of gifts.
Newborn babies have unique cycles that slowly mature over time. A newborn sleep cycle is about 40 to 60 minutes long, and an infant enters dream sleep quickly, skipping several sleep stages. Infants need several sleep cycles to receive their full allotment of gifts. If your infant is sleeping only 40-60 minutes at naptime it is an indication that your baby is waking between cycles instead of returning to sleep on his own. We’ll cover a plethora of ideas to help your baby learn to go back to sleep without your intervention.
Now you can clearly see why a short nap doesn’t provide your baby or young child the best benefits of napping. You can also see why a mini-nap can fool you into thinking it is enough – since the very first five to fifteen minutes reduce feelings of sleepiness and bring that whoosh of second-wind energy that dissipates quickly, resulting is fussiness, crying, crankiness, tantrums and whining.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This is a copyrighted excerpt from The No-Cry Nap Solution: Guaranteed Gentle Ways to Solve All Your Naptime Problems by Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, December 2008).
You may reproduce this on your website or in your work. Please include my name and book title. More excerpts (available for reprint) are posted on my website. http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
BAYSIDE BaBs group
The Bayside group meets on Thursdays, fortnightly during school term from 5 February, 9am – 11am
At: Alma Rd Community Centre, 200 Alma Road, East St Kilda
For more information, contact Bella 0423249877
At: Alma Rd Community Centre, 200 Alma Road, East St Kilda
For more information, contact Bella 0423249877
ALBURY-WODONGA BaBs Group
Meets every second Monday, from 16 February, during school term
Time 9.30-11.30am
At Albury Masonic Hall, Gulpha St, Lavington
For more information, contact Donna talmalmo@aapt.net.au
Program will be added soon.
Time 9.30-11.30am
At Albury Masonic Hall, Gulpha St, Lavington
For more information, contact Donna talmalmo@aapt.net.au
Program will be added soon.
Macedon Ranges BaBs Group program
The Macedon Ranges group meets 2nd & 4th Mondays – during school term, excluding public holidays, at Gisborne Community Health Centre, 5 Neal St Gisborne.
For more information contact Tanya tan_pete_graham@bigpond.com
TERM 1
9-February LAUNCH OF RESOURCE LIBRARY & book review of Robin Grille's "Heart to Heart Parenting - Nurturing your child's emotional intelligence from conception to school age."
23-February BIRTH TRAUMA - exploring distressing childbirth experiences and acknowledging the impact of post traumatic stress. JESS MAUDE, a local counsellor, will share her birth stories and passion for supporting women who have experienced birth trauma.
9-March - LABOUR DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY - no meeting
23-March ART THERAPY FOR BIRTH - a look at how art therapy can be used in healing birth trauma, visualising your ideal birth and connecting with baby during pregnancy. Local counsellor JESS MAUDE, who also has a graduate diploma in Art Therapy will conduct this very informative topic.
TERM 2
27-April CONCEPTION & CONTRACEPTION - guest speaker from WOOMB will discuss "The Billings Method: Using the body’s natural signal of fertility to achieve or avoid pregnancy" which was developed in the 1960's by Melbourne based Dr Evelyn Billings and has been hailed as 'knowledge every woman ought to have'.
11 May CONSCIOUS PARENTING - A discussion about breaking negative patterns experienced in our own upbringings and being conscious, creative, collaborative, competent and compassionate in our parenting.
25-May YOUR PLACENTA - It is the organ which links our blood supply to baby, so why is this lifeline often treated as medical waste? A discussion about its function, delivery, appearance, uses and respectful disposal.
22-June LOW TOXIC LIVING - a discussion about ways to avoid harmful chemicals in and around the home. There are a myriad of products claiming to be environmental friendly, but how do you know what to trust? Guest speaker RACHAEL MCLEOD will introduce her online business 'Products by Nature'
www.woodendweb.org/babs
For more information contact Tanya tan_pete_graham@bigpond.com
TERM 1
9-February LAUNCH OF RESOURCE LIBRARY & book review of Robin Grille's "Heart to Heart Parenting - Nurturing your child's emotional intelligence from conception to school age."
23-February BIRTH TRAUMA - exploring distressing childbirth experiences and acknowledging the impact of post traumatic stress. JESS MAUDE, a local counsellor, will share her birth stories and passion for supporting women who have experienced birth trauma.
9-March - LABOUR DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY - no meeting
23-March ART THERAPY FOR BIRTH - a look at how art therapy can be used in healing birth trauma, visualising your ideal birth and connecting with baby during pregnancy. Local counsellor JESS MAUDE, who also has a graduate diploma in Art Therapy will conduct this very informative topic.
TERM 2
27-April CONCEPTION & CONTRACEPTION - guest speaker from WOOMB will discuss "The Billings Method: Using the body’s natural signal of fertility to achieve or avoid pregnancy" which was developed in the 1960's by Melbourne based Dr Evelyn Billings and has been hailed as 'knowledge every woman ought to have'.
11 May CONSCIOUS PARENTING - A discussion about breaking negative patterns experienced in our own upbringings and being conscious, creative, collaborative, competent and compassionate in our parenting.
25-May YOUR PLACENTA - It is the organ which links our blood supply to baby, so why is this lifeline often treated as medical waste? A discussion about its function, delivery, appearance, uses and respectful disposal.
22-June LOW TOXIC LIVING - a discussion about ways to avoid harmful chemicals in and around the home. There are a myriad of products claiming to be environmental friendly, but how do you know what to trust? Guest speaker RACHAEL MCLEOD will introduce her online business 'Products by Nature'
www.woodendweb.org/babs
Friday, February 6, 2009
program for the Box Hill group this term
The Box Hill group meets at Clota Cottage Neighbourhood House, in Clota Avenue.
Each Wednesday of school term, 12.30-2.30
For more information call Jennifer on 0414 514 849
11 Feb Normal birth – becoming a mother means lots of changes. What’s important about birth for the mother, the baby, and the family. How can we get back on track when it’s not all normal?
18 Feb open discussion
25 Feb Mental health – looking at common mental health issues such as depression during pregnancy, and after your baby has been born. Learn warning signs for clinical depression, and what suggests a need for emotional and practical support.
4 March open discussion
11 March VBAC – vaginal birth after caesarean. Guest midwife Harriet Morton will guide our discussion on this important topic
18 March open discussion
25 March Breastfeeding – An Australian Breastfeeding Association counsellor will facilitate discussion, including new claims that exclusively breastfeeding past 6 months can increase risk of the baby developing allergies and intolerances to foods and other substances.
Each week: Introductions, birth story (if available), book review, and issues in pregnancy and the baby’s first year (raised by participants – may be carried over to the next open discussion time if needed).
Special topic: guest speaker or someone from the group with expertise in the topic to open up discussion, in a supportive group setting.
For more information, please go to http://www.babs.org.au/
Each Wednesday of school term, 12.30-2.30
For more information call Jennifer on 0414 514 849
11 Feb Normal birth – becoming a mother means lots of changes. What’s important about birth for the mother, the baby, and the family. How can we get back on track when it’s not all normal?
18 Feb open discussion
25 Feb Mental health – looking at common mental health issues such as depression during pregnancy, and after your baby has been born. Learn warning signs for clinical depression, and what suggests a need for emotional and practical support.
4 March open discussion
11 March VBAC – vaginal birth after caesarean. Guest midwife Harriet Morton will guide our discussion on this important topic
18 March open discussion
25 March Breastfeeding – An Australian Breastfeeding Association counsellor will facilitate discussion, including new claims that exclusively breastfeeding past 6 months can increase risk of the baby developing allergies and intolerances to foods and other substances.
Each week: Introductions, birth story (if available), book review, and issues in pregnancy and the baby’s first year (raised by participants – may be carried over to the next open discussion time if needed).
Special topic: guest speaker or someone from the group with expertise in the topic to open up discussion, in a supportive group setting.
For more information, please go to http://www.babs.org.au/
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Macedon Ranges BaBs group Library
Launch of Resource Library is planned for Monday 9th Feb. Thanks to Macedon Ranges Shire Council for funding, we have been able to purchase some books and DVD's for a resource library. We have also been fortunate enough to have several books donated and welcome any resources people have out grown.
The books purchased are highly recommended by BaBs-ies and cover a range of topics promoting informed choices in pregnancy, birthing, motherhood and parenting.
To launch the library, we will review one of our most highly regarded books 'HEART TO HEART PARENTING - Nurturing your child's emotional intelligence from conception to school age' written by Australian father, psychologist and parenting educator Robin Grille(published 2008).
You are the most important person in your child's life.. The better we know ourselves the more effective parents we become.
Written in 6 parts, and not professing to be a how-to book, but based on published scientific evidence and/or clinical experiences the book covers
- Finding your inner wisdom
- When does Connection begin?
- The Baby Connection
- The Toddler Connection
- Talking and Listening so that we can connect
- Parents need nurturing
This book is insightful, yet straightforward. The concepts are applicable to all stages of parenting including reflecting on how we were parented.
The BaBs group meets between 9:30-11:30 at Gisborne Community Health Centre at 5 Neal St.
For more information please contact Tanya on 0418 587 520.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
MIDWIVES AND BABS
Since the first BaBs group was formed in 2006, the place for a midwife in the group, and closely supporting the leaders, has been an agreed standard.
The BaBs guidelines can be accessed at the website. The role of the midwife is quietly developed within the guidelines:
"Midwife: Provides additional information and support for the facilitators. It is essential however that any professionals, or other leaders do not dominate the group or undermine the peer support group atmosphere which uses women’s own knowledge to support their learning. A midwife also brings with her a credibility that will support BaBs’ position in the community."
BaBs is founded on the notion of peer support, with the goal and vision of health promotion "enabl[ing] pregnant women and new mothers to increase control over, and to improve, their health in pregnancy and birthing, and in the nurture of their babies." Midwives fit into this vision, bringing their own experience of life, love, childbearing, families ... as well as their professional knowledge. Some BaBs groups are fortunate in that their midwife is also becoming a mother, and shares with peers in that amazing journey. Other BaBs groups have older midwives, whose own children are no longer babies.
There is also a role in BaBs for midwifery students, supporting facilitators, listening to others, and contributing from her own perspective and experience. Students are required to complete a number of 'Follow Through Journey' experiences, in which they meet a pregnant woman, go with her to checkups, visit her and get to know her, possibly spend time with her in labour and birth, and visit her after the baby has been born. The 'Follow Through' is an opportunity for students to learn about the social realities of pregnancy, birth and becoming a mother. BaBs is an ideal environment for midwifery students to interact with women who are pregnant, and who have little babies; to hear from them week by week - whatever is important to them. BaBs becomes an additional experience of following women through their journey into motherhood.
The midwives I know who are committed to BaBs groups, and that includes me, feel privileged to interact at this very personal level with women, and with their babies. We recognise the importance of the team leadership in each BaBs group, and we value the dedication of all who make a commitment to BaBs leadership.
It is important that if anyone indicates an issue that may require professional consultation, whether it's about their pregnancy, their marriage, or their teeth, we encourage them to seek the appropriate care - we are not there to provide 'on the spot' consultations, or to solve everyone's problems!
The commitment of regular attendance at a BaBs group, whenever possible, has given me a sense of being part of my local birthing community in a way that I did not previously have. I would like to encourage any midwives or students (or wannabees) reading this blog to find a local BaBs that you can commit to and support.
Joy Johnston
The BaBs guidelines can be accessed at the website. The role of the midwife is quietly developed within the guidelines:
"Midwife: Provides additional information and support for the facilitators. It is essential however that any professionals, or other leaders do not dominate the group or undermine the peer support group atmosphere which uses women’s own knowledge to support their learning. A midwife also brings with her a credibility that will support BaBs’ position in the community."
BaBs is founded on the notion of peer support, with the goal and vision of health promotion "enabl[ing] pregnant women and new mothers to increase control over, and to improve, their health in pregnancy and birthing, and in the nurture of their babies." Midwives fit into this vision, bringing their own experience of life, love, childbearing, families ... as well as their professional knowledge. Some BaBs groups are fortunate in that their midwife is also becoming a mother, and shares with peers in that amazing journey. Other BaBs groups have older midwives, whose own children are no longer babies.
There is also a role in BaBs for midwifery students, supporting facilitators, listening to others, and contributing from her own perspective and experience. Students are required to complete a number of 'Follow Through Journey' experiences, in which they meet a pregnant woman, go with her to checkups, visit her and get to know her, possibly spend time with her in labour and birth, and visit her after the baby has been born. The 'Follow Through' is an opportunity for students to learn about the social realities of pregnancy, birth and becoming a mother. BaBs is an ideal environment for midwifery students to interact with women who are pregnant, and who have little babies; to hear from them week by week - whatever is important to them. BaBs becomes an additional experience of following women through their journey into motherhood.
The midwives I know who are committed to BaBs groups, and that includes me, feel privileged to interact at this very personal level with women, and with their babies. We recognise the importance of the team leadership in each BaBs group, and we value the dedication of all who make a commitment to BaBs leadership.
It is important that if anyone indicates an issue that may require professional consultation, whether it's about their pregnancy, their marriage, or their teeth, we encourage them to seek the appropriate care - we are not there to provide 'on the spot' consultations, or to solve everyone's problems!
The commitment of regular attendance at a BaBs group, whenever possible, has given me a sense of being part of my local birthing community in a way that I did not previously have. I would like to encourage any midwives or students (or wannabees) reading this blog to find a local BaBs that you can commit to and support.
Joy Johnston
Sunday, February 1, 2009
It's February already!
and
BaBs groups are starting up again!
If you would like more information, call 0422 522 986, or check out our website http://www.babs.org.au/groups.html (which will be updated soon).
BaBs groups are starting up again!
If you would like more information, call 0422 522 986, or check out our website http://www.babs.org.au/groups.html (which will be updated soon).
Monday, January 12, 2009
picnic
Some of the BaBs group met together for lunch in a park on beautiful mild Melbourne summer day.
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