The Virtual Midwife

This meditation is for the breastfeeding mother who finds herself at the intersection of myriad emotions and responsibilities. If you're feeling sleep-deprived, anxious about your baby and your milk supply, overwhelmed by the profound shift in your identity, torn between the roles of mother and wife, grappling with the loss of freedom, experiencing financial strain, succumbing to societal pressures to look a certain way, or feeling compelled to share every moment on social media, this meditation is here for you. These complex and weighty concerns may have left you feeling disconnected from your transformed body and your newborn baby, contributing to your baby's fussiness and neediness. In the midst of this challenging journey, it's crucial to find moments of respite and self-compassion. My hope is that this meditation will be your sanctuary, a haven where you can slow down, fully inhabit the present moment, and rediscover the beauty of your breath and your profound connection with your baby. It's an opportunity to explore the depths of your inner world, embrace the complexities of motherhood, and find the peace and strength within yourself to navigate this transformative path. Join me in The Due Date Club Whatsapp Support Group "Ask the Virtual Midwife" The group is a hub of expertise and shared experiences. See a friendly face, hear a reassuring voice, and receive guidance that feels like it's coming from a trusted friend. Experience the difference that a truly personalized support system, led by professionals can make If you're looking for answers - especially ones that can't wait until you see your midwife/LC/or pead then join the Ask the Midwife Supprot group and get ✅ Personalized video answers to your questions and concerns ✅ Premium access to our library of resources and video answers ✅ Confidence and connection through shared experiences. https://duedateclub.co.za/ask-the-virtual-midwife/

This is it my lovelies - the last episode of the podcast series on Hypnobirthing! In this episode, we're exploring the conscious and unconscious mind – two aspects of our thinking that can have a significant impact on our childbirth experience. The conscious mind is the part of our thinking that is aware of our surroundings and makes rational decisions based on our current circumstances. The unconscious mind, on the other hand, operates beneath the surface of our awareness and can influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in profound ways. By understanding how these two aspects of our thinking work together, we can use Hypnobirthing techniques to tap into our body's natural birthing instincts and achieve a positive and comfortable birth experience. In this episode, we'll cover: Remember, by understanding the conscious and unconscious mind and using Hypnobirthing techniques to influence these aspects of our thinking, we can achieve a deep state of relaxation and tap into our body's natural birthing instincts. Thanks for tuning in to our Hypnobirthing podcast series! I hope you've enjoyed learning about the different techniques and approaches to achieve a positive and comfortable birthing experience. If you're looking to continue your Hypnobirthing journey, I encourage you to join me in The Due Date Club – a community of expectant parents who are all on the same journey as you. By joining The Due Date Club, you'll have access to a range of resources, including: Just Found Out CourseCesarian Birth Hospital InterventionsBreastfeeding CoursePartner Course By joining The Due Date Club, you'll be part of a supportive community of like-minded individuals who are all working towards a positive and empowering birthing experience. You'll have access to expert advice and guidance, as well as the opportunity to share your own experiences and connect with others who are going through the same journey. So don't wait – join The Due Date Club today and take the first step towards a comfortable and positive birthing experience. We wish you all the best on your Hypnobirthing journey! If you have suggestions for another series then drop me an email - I'm currently recording one on hospital interventions but hit me up with what you want to know more about. In the meanwhile - I'm looking forward to meeting you in The Due Date Club Midwife Karen

Welcome back to our podcast series on Hypnobirthing! In this episode, we're talking about brain waves – a key aspect of the Hypnobirthing approach. Brain waves are the electrical activity that occurs in our brains, and they can affect our mood, perception, and overall state of consciousness. By understanding brain waves and how they relate to childbirth, we can use Hypnobirthing techniques to tap into our body's natural ability to birth our baby with ease and comfort. In this episode, we'll cover: Remember, understanding brain waves and how they relate to childbirth is a key aspect of the Hypnobirthing approach. By using Hypnobirthing techniques to influence brain wave activity, you can achieve a deep state of relaxation and tap into your body's natural birthing instincts. So don't wait – start exploring the power of brain waves and Hypnobirthing today, and take the first step towards a comfortable and positive birth experience! Thanks for listening, and be sure to tune in to our future episodes as we continue to explore the wonderful world of Hypnobirthing. And if you're looking for more resources or support on your Hypnobirthing journey, be sure to check out our website or join The Due Date Club. Meet new friends who are due in the same month and share your journey with The Due Date Club! Compare symptoms, be inspired & find a community of women who understand your experience. I'll see you there Midwife Karen

We're nearing the end of this series so I thought I'd answer some of the most frequently asked questions that you may have about this approach to childbirth. I'll also address other common concerns and misconceptions about Hypnobirthing, providing insights and tips to help you make informed decisions about your childbirth journey. Remember, Hypnobirthing is not about achieving a certain type of birth – it's about empowering you to make informed choices, advocate for yourself and your baby, and feel confident and in control throughout the birthing process. By addressing common questions and concerns, we hope to help you feel more informed and empowered to make the best choices for you and your baby. So don't wait – tune in now to get answers to your most pressing questions about Hypnobirthing, and take the first step towards a positive and joyful birth experience! Thanks for listening, and be sure to tune in to our future episodes as we continue to explore the wonderful world of Hypnobirthing. And if you're looking for more resources or support on your Hypnobirthing journey, then come and join me in The Due Date Club. because that's where you'll get access to my wealth of essential pregnancy resources, guest experts & professionals, plus exclusive discounts on mom & baby gear. Midwife Karen

Welcome back to our podcast series on Hypnobirthing! In this episode, we'll be discussing how to use hypnotic anchors – a powerful technique for deepening your relaxation and entering a hypnotic state during childbirth. Hypnotic anchors are a way of associating a physical sensation or object with a relaxed state of mind. By using an anchor during childbirth, you can quickly and easily enter a deep state of relaxation and tap into your body's natural ability to birth your baby in a calm and positive way. In this episode, we'll cover: Remember, Hypnobirthing is all about empowering you to make informed choices and approach childbirth with confidence and trust in your own abilities. By using Hypnobirthing techniques like hypnotic anchors, you can achieve a deep state of relaxation and tap into your body's natural birthing instincts. So don't wait – start exploring the power of hypnotic anchors today, and take the first step towards a comfortable and positive birthing experience! Thanks for listening, and be sure to tune in to our future episodes as we continue to explore the wonderful world of Hypnobirthing. And if you're looking for more resources or support on your Hypnobirthing journey, be sure to check out our website or join The Due Date Club.

Welcome back to our podcast series on Hypnobirthing! In this episode, we're discussing how to strengthen your intuition during pregnancy. Intuition is a powerful tool that can help you make informed decisions and approach childbirth with confidence and clarity. By learning how to tap into your intuition, you can enhance your birthing experience and create a deeper connection with your baby. In this episode, we'll explore: Remember, strengthening your intuition is not just about childbirth – it's about connecting with your inner wisdom and making empowered choices in all areas of your life. By using Hypnobirthing techniques to cultivate your intuition during pregnancy, you can approach childbirth with confidence and trust in your own abilities. So don't wait – start exploring the power of intuition today, and take the first step towards a more empowered and joyful birthing experience! Thanks for listening, and be sure to tune in to our future episodes as we continue to explore the wonderful world of Hypnobirthing. And if you're looking for more resources or support on your Hypnobirthing journey, be sure to check out our website or join The Due Date Club. I'll see you there Midwife Karen

In this episode, we're discussing how to use visualization effectively – a powerful technique for preparing your mind and body for childbirth. Visualization is a way of creating mental images or scenarios in your mind's eye. By using visualization during Hypnobirthing, you can tap into your subconscious mind and create a positive and empowering birthing experience. Visualization can help you reduce anxiety, stay relaxed, and focus on your goals during childbirth. In this episode, we'll cover: Remember, visualization is a powerful tool for preparing your mind and body for childbirth. By using Hypnobirthing techniques like visualization, you can approach childbirth with confidence and trust in your own abilities. If you're ready to start exploring the power of visualization today, then tune in now! And if you're looking for more resources and support on your Hypnobirthing journey, be sure to check out The Due Date Club or our Hypnobirthing Course. , and take the first step towards a comfortable and positive birthing experience! The Due Date Club is an online community of expectant parents who are interested in Hypnobirthing and want to connect with others on the same journey. You'll find resources, support, and encouragement from other parents who are using Hypnobirthing to achieve a positive and joyful birthing experience. And if you're looking for a more structured approach to Hypnobirthing, then our Hypnobirthing Course might be perfect for you. Our course provides in-depth guidance and support for using Hypnobirthing techniques to achieve a comfortable and positive childbirth experience. I'll see you there Midwife Karen

Cognitive biases are a natural aspect of the human brain, but they can sometimes lead us to make inaccurate judgments or decisions. By understanding the different types of cognitive biases, we can learn how to recognise them so that they don't get in the way of your birth preparation journey. In this episode, we'll cover: If you're ready to learn more about cognitive bias and how it can impact your childbirth experience, then tune in now! Remember, Hypnobirthing is all about empowering you to make informed choices, advocate for yourself and your baby, and achieve a positive and joyful birthing experience. By understanding cognitive biases, you can approach childbirth with confidence and clarity. So don't wait – start exploring the power of Hypnobirthing today, and take the first step towards a comfortable and positive birth experience! Thanks for listening, and be sure to tune in to our future episodes as we continue to explore the wonderful world of Hypnobirthing. And if you're looking for more resources or support on your Hypnobirthing journey, be sure to check out our website or join The Due Date Club.

Welcome back to our podcast series on Hypnobirthing! In this episode, we're discussing how your beliefs and expectations can impact your childbirth experience. Your mindset plays a crucial role in how you perceive and approach labor, and by cultivating positive beliefs and expectations, you can achieve a more comfortable and joyful birthing experience. In this episode, we'll explore: If you're looking for more resources and support on your Hypnobirthing journey, be sure to check out The Due Date Club or our Hypnobirthing Course. The Due Date Club is an online community of expectant parents who are interested in Hypnobirthing and want to connect with others on the same journey. You'll find resources, support, and encouragement from other parents who are using Hypnobirthing to achieve a positive and joyful birthing experience. And if you're looking for a more structured approach to Hypnobirthing, then our Hypnobirthing Course might be perfect for you. Our course provides in-depth guidance and support for using Hypnobirthing techniques to achieve a comfortable and positive childbirth experience. So don't wait – start exploring the power of positive beliefs and expectations today, and take the first step towards a joyful and empowered birth experience! Thanks for listening, and be sure to tune in to our future episodes as we continue to explore the wonderful world of Hypnobirthing. Midwife Karen

In the second episode in our series on Hypnobirthing , we're diving deeper into the concept of the Mind-Body Connection – a fundamental aspect of the Hypnobirthing approach. The Mind-Body Connection refers to the relationship between the mind and body during labor and childbirth. When we're in a state of deep relaxation and using Hypnobirthing techniques, we can tap into our body's natural ability to birth our baby without tension, pain, or fear. By harnessing the power of the mind-body connection, we can achieve a more comfortable and positive birthing experience. In this episode, we'll explore: If you're ready to learn more about the Mind-Body Connection and how it can help you achieve a comfortable and positive childbirth experience, then tune in now! Remember, Hypnobirthing is not just about achieving a certain type of birth – it's about empowering you to make informed choices, advocate for yourself and your baby, and feel confident and in control throughout the birthing process. So don't wait – start exploring the Mind-Body Connection today and take the first step towards a positive and joyful birth experience.

Welcome to the first episode of our podcast series on Hypnobirthing! In this episode, we'll be discussing the foundational principles of this incredible approach to childbirth. Hypnobirthing is a powerful method that can help you achieve a more comfortable, positive, and even enjoyable birthing experience. By focusing on relaxation, visualization, and self-hypnosis techniques, Hypnobirthing can help you tap into your innate ability to birth your baby in a calm and confident way. But; it's so much more than that and to get started we'll explore each of these principles in depth, sharing insights and tips to help you apply them to your own journey towards childbirth. Whether you're a first-time parent or have been through labor before, there's something in this episode for everyone. If you're ready to approach childbirth with a new sense of confidence and empowerment, then Hypnobirthing could be the perfect tool for you. So don't wait – tune in now to learn more about the principles of Hypnobirthing and start your journey towards a positive and joyful birth experience! Remember, the principles we'll be discussing in this episode are just the beginning of your Hypnobirthing journey. If you're ready to dive deeper and learn even more about this amazing approach to childbirth, be sure to tune in to our future episodes. And if you're interested in learning even more right now, come on over the www.duedateclub.co.za/ for additional resources and support. Midwife Karen

Congratulations! You've just found out that you're pregnant – but now what? The journey of pregnancy can be a rollercoaster of emotions, from excitement and joy to discomfort, anxiety, and overwhelm. In this episode, we're exploring the importance of trusting your body during this transformative time. Pregnancy is a time of incredible physical and emotional changes. It's common to experience discomforts like morning sickness, back pain, and fatigue, as well as anxiety and overwhelm about the unknowns of childbirth and motherhood. But despite all of these challenges, your body is designed to carry and birth a baby. By trusting in your body and its natural processes, you can approach pregnancy and childbirth with confidence and calm. In this episode, we'll cover: Remember, by trusting your body and its natural processes, you can approach pregnancy and childbirth with confidence and calm. If you're looking to deepen your knowledge and practice of trusting your body during pregnancy, be sure to check out our course of the same name in The Due Date Club. I created this course because every other pregnancy course is all about birth - but what about all the stuff in between? You need information right now and in this course you'll learn So don't wait – enroll now and take the first step towards a comfortable and confident pregnancy and childbirth journey. Thanks for listening, and be sure to tune in to our future episodes as we continue to explore the wonderful world of pregnancy and childbirth.

It's part 2 of the Vagus Nerve and how you can "switch it on" to assist you during labor. In this episode you'll learn about As usual, there's lots of laughs and sex just always seems to come up but hey! that's how we roll! The Due Date Club is a midwife led mother directed online community. Communities are awesome. They are the single best way for you to gather the support you can’t get on your own, especially in these chaotic, rapidly changing times. In the Due Date Club you'll find tons of free resources and courses to prepare you for an informed and empowered birth. Relax into Birth with Doula Charlene Yared West

Let's take a trip into your body and learn about the longest nerve in your body and how it can guide and assist you during pregnancy, labor and birth. The vagus nerve is your body’s superpower and it’s used to counteract your fight/flight system. Now you definitely don't want to be in fight or flight when you are in labor. The vagus nerve helps you to remain calm when you are stressed and to know when you are no longer in danger. It helps you to stay in “rest and digest” which is a lot more conducive to progressing labor. In this episode you'll learn what the vagus nerve is, how it works and why it's important. In our next episode you'll learn some valuable techniques to stimulate the vagus nerve and why comfort measures like breathing, massage and toning work. The Due Date Club is a midwife led mother directed online community. Communities are awesome. They are the single best way for you to gather the support you can’t get on your own, especially in these chaotic, rapidly changing times. In the Due Date Club, everything you need to know about pregnancy, birth and babies is in one place along with tons of free resources or upgrades for personal support. Relax into Birth with Doula Charlene Yared West

Hermine Hayes (Opening Keynote) Hermine Hayes-Klein, JD is an international birth rights lawyer with extensive experience advocating for the human rights of birthing people, around the U.S. and internationally. From 2007-2012, Hermine taught international law at The Hague University in The Netherlands, where she was also the Director of the Bynkershoek Institute Research Center for Reproductive Rights. From 2012-2017, Hermine organized 6 international conferences on the topic of Human Rights in Childbirth. Since 2017, Hermine has focused on direct legal advocacy to advance reproductive justice in maternal healthcare. She has represented midwives in administrative, civil, and criminal legal proceedings, and advocated for their right to work with autonomy and security in many states and nations. She also advocates for birthing people who have experienced informed consent violations, racism, and obstetric violence during childbirth. VIDM page: https://vidm.org/hermine-heyes-klein/

Hermine Hayes (Opening KN) Hermine Hayes-Klein, JD is an international birth rights lawyer with extensive experience advocating for the human rights of birthing people, around the U.S. and internationally. From 2007-2012, Hermine taught international law at The Hague University in The Netherlands, where she was also the Director of the Bynkershoek Institute Research Center for Reproductive Rights. From 2012-2017, Hermine organized 6 international conferences on the topic of Human Rights in Childbirth. Since 2017, Hermine has focused on direct legal advocacy to advance reproductive justice in maternal healthcare. She has represented midwives in administrative, civil, and criminal legal proceedings, and advocated for their right to work with autonomy and security in many states and nations. She also advocates for birthing people who have experienced informed consent violations, racism, and obstetric violence during childbirth. VIDM page: https://vidm.org/hermine-heyes-klein/

One of the routine blood tests that you’ll have done in early pregnancy is a test to determine your blood group. Unless you’ve had major surgery or needed a blood transfusion, you might not know. But in pregnancy it’s important because your baby’s blood group may be different to yours. In this episode you will learn Recommended reading and resources Dr Sarah Wickham on Anti - D https://www.sarawickham.com/anti-d/ Rhogam Injection information https://www.rxlist.com/rhogam-side-effects-drug-center.htm https://duedateclub.co.za/ https://www.instagram.com/theduedateclub/ https://www.facebook.com/theduedateclub https://www.facebook.com/thevirtualmidwife

Choosing your birth environment is more than deciding whether you will be giving birth at home, in hospital or at a birth center. In this episode we talk about creating a safe sanctuary to welcome your baby into that goes beyond the aesthetics of your chosen place of birth and includes the preparation of your space and the people you bring into it. More about Charlene here More about Karen here Join the Due Date Club here

Transition is the final phase of the first stage of labour and marks the cervix opening to its widest diameter and the descent of the baby's head. It's physically and emotionally intense and is often the time when you think you can't go on anymore. Karen talks about the 4 D's of transition - denial, despondence, defiance and desperation and they share examples of these from recent births. Charlene highlights the importance of making sure partners know what to expect with transition so they can step in and support you rather than freaking out when you most need them! More about Charlene here More about Karen here Join The Due Date Club here

I have a love/hate relationship with birth plans so we thought it would be a great topic to bring to our weekly chats about everything pregnancy, birth and beyond. In this episode we chat more about why birth plans became popular and the importance of using the right language when creating one so that what you are really creating is a birth day wish list. Essentially everything that you do leading up to your birth is part of your birth plan and involves preparation - which is the part that I love. The more you prepare, the better the plan. Drop us a line if you have any questions. We love feedback and if there is a subject you'd like to hear us natter about then let us know. More about Karen here More about Charlene here Get Relax into Birth here Sign up for the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Summit here