There are many advantages to a water birth. Midwife and nurse, Sister Des Meyer talks us through it. There are three classifications for birth: a landbirth (the standard way of delivering as we understand it), labouring in water and giving birth in water. When we talk...
Knowing the difference between true labour and false labour is vital, particularly for first time moms. Doula Donna Bland spells out what you need to know. Pregnancy brings with it some strange experiences, including little niggly cramps and discomforts that can make...
Skin-to-skin contact is usually referred to as the practice where a baby is dried and laid directly on their mother’s bare chest after birth, both of them covered in a warm blanket and left for at least an hour or until after their first feed. There is a growing body...
Caring for a newborn can be a little scary, but with these top tips from Durban-based midwife Cheryl Rowe, who runs Cheryl’s Gentle Births, you’ll be feeling confident in no time. Bath Time Bliss Getting started Cheryl Rowe says, “For many of my moms, the first few...
Your baby’s first bath might make you a little nervous, but bathtime is a great bonding time for both parents. Doula Donna Bland gives you some pointers. Bathing a baby for the first time, and even the first few times can be quite daunting for new parents....
Packing for the hospital is usually an exciting experience for moms-to-be. Here’s how to prepare now that Covid-19 is a factor, writes midwife and nurse Sister Des Meyer. The sense of anticipation of the delivery, and your baby wearing their clothes is all part of the...
Many people are afraid of the pain that comes with labour, but it can be managed.Doula Donna Bland shares some tips and techniques. Giving birth is one of the most memorable and rewarding events a woman will ever go through. It can also be the scariest and most...
Baby massage has taken the western world by storm and rightly so, for the health and wellbeing benefits for babies. Certified infant massage instructor Lisa Townend gives us a better understanding of what baby massage is and how to perform it on your baby. Baby...
There are a range of tests that a doctor may perform to ensure the wellbeing of your baby. Paediatrician Dr Enrico Maraschin takes us through them. Tests on newborns begin a while before the baby is born – during the initial stages of pregnancy. Once baby is born,...
For most parents, the first few weeks after birth can be difficult as your little one transitions from the safety of the womb to the outside world. With this transition comes many developmental milestones, from breastfeeding and formula combinations, to digestion and...
