Tag: childbirth

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Pregnancy

The Magic Of Deep Breathing

Your breath is a phenomenal bridge between the conscious and unconscious because the respiratory system is both voluntary and involuntary. You don’t have to remind yourself to breathe, it just happens. But when we are mindful of our breathing we can tap into energy in the unconscious realm. Whatever state you are in, your breath will follow. If you are anxious your breath will be quick and shallow, if you are calm and relaxed your breath will be long and deep. You can also breathe to encourage different states. If you want the breath to take you to a relaxed state you can start breathing long deep full breaths and it will send signals to the brain to calm you down. This is very helpful for birthing women because the deep breath along with the sound enhances the trance state during labor. 

Ways to incorporate deep breathing include bringing soothing familiar scents into the room and taking long slow deep full inhales and exhales. I love having my diffuser with frankincense or gentle baby oil running when giving birth. The smell just invites me to breathe well.

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Pregnancy

Language Of Encouragement

Courage is feeling the fear and rising to the occasion anyway. When we encourage with loving words we help ourselves to move beyond fear, keep the faith and keep on moving. 

Here are some encouraging things you can tell yourself for birth: 

  • My body is wise and knows how to birth my baby. I am beautiful and strong.
  • I surrender to the waves and willingly let them roll over me as they come.
  • My baby trusts me, I trust my baby and we trust this process.
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Pregnancy

Sounds Of Labor

Expressing yourself freely by making sounds can make you feel more comfortable during labor. Sound amplifies sensations and can help a birthing woman feel a lot of pleasure. The hardwiring for our mouth and throat is directly connected to our pelvic floor and birth canal. 

Ways to incorporate sound include: taking deep breaths and sighing long on the exhale, deep Ahhh sounds, Oohhh sounds, Om can be chanted as well. Anything that makes you feel comfortable. Giving birth is your free pass to go nuts, just the way you like it!

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Pregnancy

Perfect Sport For Mums-To-Be

Being pregnant does not mean not being able to exercise! Although you have to be careful with the activities that are practiced, there is one sport that will boost your all-around fitness – Swimming. It is highly recommended that you practice exercise during the gestation months. It provides a full-body workout that uses all the major muscle groups, building strength, power and flexibility. It increases your endurance and your recovery capacity, and it strengthens your heart, improves your circulation and boosts your body’s ability to use oxygen. Swimming also allows the correct position of the baby in the birth canal during the final weeks. And if you’re feeling low, it increases endorphin levels and therefore the feeling of well-being. In short, swimming will help keep both you and your baby healthier and happier. It’s the perfect sport for mums-to-be!

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Pregnancy

Attachment Starts In The Womb

Wondering how fathers can bond with the baby? If you are the baby’s father or other significant caregiver, here are some things you can do to help you become attached to the unborn baby.

  • Massage the baby bump if the baby’s mother is happy for you to do so.
  • Feel the baby kicking as often as you can.
  • Attend baby’s appointments with the mother.
  • Read and talk with the baby so they get used to your voice.
  • Talk to other parents. Share your thoughts and feelings, and allow them to share theirs about their pregnancy and birth experience.
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DIY + Recipes

Citrus Fresh

Citrus Fresh is a spirit lifter. During pregnancy, mamas tend to have frequent mood swings. This oil can be used for various applications that range from lifting mood and reducing stress to adding a fresh, citrusy aroma to a room. Also, in childbirth, it can help lessen the anxiety during labor.

If you are trying to conceive, this oil supports our liver and lymph systems. Our liver’s function is to process and eliminate irregularities, toxins, and imbalances in our bodies. So promoting a healthy liver and lymph system supports healthy fertility. You can apply Citrus Fresh oil directly to the liver area and massage.

Caution: avoid contact with the sun 12hrs after application. This regards only skin applications, sun may be enjoyed as usual, if the oil is used in the diffuser. 

Check here for discounts and other essential oil recipes.

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DIY + Recipes

Thieves Aromabright Toothpaste

During pregnancy, hormonal changes can increase the acidity in the mouth, leading to an increase in cavities. This also can be due to an increased sugar intake caused by cravings and a decrease in attention to preventive dental care. This doesn’t increase tooth loss, but it can be alarming. Good dental hygiene is even more important during pregnancy.

Mothers may have sensitive teeth during pregnancy. But that’s ok. Thieves Aromabright Toothpaste may support a healthy dental feeling. This toothpaste cleanses and polishes teeth safely, while premium essential oils provide a refreshing, minty-sweet taste and long-lasting fresh breath.

After each meal, brush your teeth and feel fresh!

Check here for discounts and other essential oil recipes.

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DIY + Recipes

Frankincense

Many pregnant women use Frankincense oil. Indeed, it has a lot of benefits to support mothers during pregnancy. But did you know? It’s excellent support for  those who are trying to conceive. For centuries people have used oils such as frankincense to support fertility and their reproductive health. For women who want to get pregnant, frankincense oil is great because it caters to our cycles which, of course, are an important part of our reproductive system. It supports hormonal balance, monthly ovulation and the tone of the uterus as well as successful implantation. 

You can rub a few drops of frankincense onto your feet before bed. Cover your feet with socks to allow the oil to really penetrate into your skin while you sleep. You can also try adding a few drops of frankincense oil into a warm bath or diffuse it everyday.

Check here for discounts and other essential oil recipes.

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DIY + Recipes

Lavender, Peace & Calming, Stress Away

Hello to the pregnant mothers reading this right now. If you know a pregnant woman, don’t think twice to tag them this very useful information. 

These are great additional support throughout the stages of your pregnancy. If you are newly pregnant:

Lavender is one of the mildest and gentlest essential oils. This oil is top-rated for pregnant women. Its pleasant aroma is exceptionally soothing, making it a favorite for sleep, and rest. It even helps with emotions during this ever-changing time in a pregnant momma’s body and life. On top of that, Lavender is also fantastic for the skin. Women love using it on their face or applying it on their growing belly.

Pregnancy often comes with restless sleep. You’re tired during the day, but then, you can’t sleep at night! Peace & Calming essential encourages deep relaxation, calms tension, and promotes a good night’s sleep. It gives moms a comforting vibe for an exhausting day.

Lastly, you can use Stress Away oil on a daily basis, just to keep the stress away. Wonderful also for the potentially challenging moments of labor and childbirth. This oil promotes emotional harmony to keep you calm and focused. You can gently massage the back of your neck, temples, and chest. 

This trio will surely bring serenity during your pregnancy!

Check here for discounts.

Categories
Pregnancy

Powerful Positions for Labor

If your goal is to “get things moving” in labor, there are specific positions you can use that are known to do just that. Gravity and movement play key roles in the progression of birth and it’s important to use both of these to your advantage when possible.

Powerful positions that can help speed up labor:

  1. Standing or Walking – It helps you work with gravity, allowing your pelvis to open and your baby to move down into your birth canal.
  2. Rocking – Rocking, either on a chair or swaying back and forth, allows your pelvis to move and encourages the baby to descend.
  3. Squatting – Like standing, squatting also employs Newton’s finest while opening up the pelvis to give your baby more room to move on down. 
  4. Leaning over or kneeling –  it encourages the baby to move forward, taking the pressure off your back.
  5. Side-lying – Better than lying on your back because it doesn’t compress the major veins in your body (which could compromise blood flow to your baby), side lying is a good option if you’re too tired for squatting or sitting.