Clik here to view.
What if...
The horror of birth, in all it's unpredictable gory, is the glee of birth skeptics and trolls across social media. The birth plan is the perfect target , scapegoat and crime; there is no point...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Protecting the Perenium
Many women ask about how to avoid tearing during birth. Midwives pride themselves on achieving 'intact perineum'.This post looks at why tearing occurs and whether or not it is possible to avoid....
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Doula and The Sherpa
Preparing for Birth is like preparing to climb Mount Everest, but with much more chance of success and a lot more warmth! When climbing Everest, a Sherpa is an essential part of your team. They know...
View ArticleClik here to view.
From Belief and Fear to Informed and Confident
Belief and fear often go together. Often long held, and unquestioned, our beliefs and fears can lead us to 'solutions' that may not actually be helpful.How do our beliefs and fear impact our approach...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Birth Cartographer's Guide to The Internet
The internet is Big. Mind blowingly Big. You won't believe just how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is.Yes, I am a Douglas Adam's Fan It has been over a year since I left Facebook. Some said...
View ArticleClik here to view.
We should be focused on Choice, not Consent.
Consent is on everyone's lips. From media discussion about 'enthusiastic consent' to medical requirements for 'informed consent', it seems pretty clear there is a problem with 'consent'.If consent...
View ArticleClik here to view.
More than just another birth book
I'm the custodian of some powerful knowing,But like seeds, it won't grow without sowing,Knowledge shared is a giftFor it gives a liftAnd gets the power flowing.The Birth Map evolved in my heartFour...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Do Not Disturb
This poem, written by Catherine Bell in 2014, features in The Birth Map: boldly going where no birth plan has gone before.The book was launched on September 29th at the Braidwood Library. Read...
View ArticleClik here to view.
GUEST POST by Kim Lock - Breastfeeding: Promote or Protect?
Kim with her youngest, 2012 Kim Lock is the author of three novels, and is currently working on her fourth. She is a long time advocate of women's rights - particularly in breastfeeding.Explore more...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Birth - is it about Luck?
Birth, for the modern human, is not without difficulty. Does it all come down to luck,or is it a matter of Good Management?or could it be something else? We are high-level thinkers and social...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why can't we just be 'brutally honest'?
This post addresses a question many of us think, but know we can't voice without being offensive. But the answer to why we can't be brutally honest it is not that it is offensive. How can we just...
View ArticleClik here to view.
When the Last Minute is also the First Minute.
"The time has come," the Doctor said,"To seek informed consent:blah blah risks--blah blah side effectsyour labour to augmentI need your 'informed consent' now--sign here for this intent." What if...
View ArticleClik here to view.
'identical' TWINS!
There once was a Fella called Pollux,Who thought his brother's mortality was bollocks,So into the heavens they goA guide to Sailors they showSt Elmo's Fire in which they could frolic Celebrating...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Autonomy in Childbirth - why does it matter?
Many women don’t seem to realise they CAN question the doctor, let alone seek another opinion or change care providers.Part of this is the power play that occurs when visiting the doctor: The act of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Before Consent...
The stork story might be fun - but it disregards the importance of Mum. That women birth seems an aside,The truth of birth we^ like to hide,With a storkish euphemism,No real choice is given,No honour...
View ArticleClik here to view.
From Fear to Celebration: The Five Stages of Being
I stood on a beach. Dogs galumphed and trotted, wagging tails and lolling tongues. Blissfully enjoying the freedom of an off leash frolic with their human companions. Not so long ago, this scene...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Obsession with Sleep
Our child does not have to be trained to speak. They learn to speak by copying, by listening, by being spoken to. Once this skill is achieved, it leads to reading, and writing. Language is a gift,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Preventing Post Natal Anxiety and Depression
I was talking to someone about 'birth disappointment' the other day, and was told "women should not have such high expectations! Honestly women these days are just so fragile". I took a deep breath...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why can't we just be 'brutally honest'?
This post addresses a question many of us think, but know we can't voice without being offensive. But the answer to why we can't be brutally honest it is not that it is offensive. How can we just...
View ArticleClik here to view.
When the Last Minute is also the First Minute.
"The time has come," the Doctor said,"To seek informed consent:blah blah risks--blah blah side effectsyour labour to augmentI need your 'informed consent' now--sign here for this intent." What if...
View Article