The Birth Space Hypnobirthing

My mind surprises myself sometimes. I was not feeling it today and was thinking about posting about mind body connection when I got to this hill and started thinking of this affirmation whilst running up the hill, also thinking 1 minute I will be at the peak. Only got a PB!

The first hour after birth much like during birth should be quiet, dimly lit and with minimal intervention. You and your baby have used up large energy reserves and it's a time for you to have skin to skin which allows for the baby to enchant you to get the bond and oxytocin flowing which will help birth the placenta but also aid breastfeeding.  This time helps the baby regulate their body temperature and breathing and lower your blood pressure and allow for you both to rest.  There should be minimal interruption between you and baby.  Any interventions like weighing, stitching can wait. It can also be written into your birth plan and is a good idea to discuss with your partner and family what you expect in the first weeks after birth. Some families like to hunker down and have minimal visitors so they can really enjoy the tranquility and quiet time to adjust and build that bond and do nothing else.

World Breast Feeding Week 2021 In England around 80% start breastfeeding, 44% are breastfeeding at 6 weeks and 36% at 6 months. Full disclosure I really only got the hang of breast feeding with my 3rd baby. Breastfeeding is not easy and requires alot of support and understanding from everyone around you including your own family and friends to society in general. But once you get the hang of it and get through the early days, weeks, months it can be so liberating.

Benefits include
*Infant health - it protects infants from a vast range of illnesses
*Maternal health - it protects mother's from breast, ovarian cancer and heart disease
**Breast milk is unique to your baby containing proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals and antibodies to fight germs.
**It's Free
**It's good for the environment

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You all know the lyrics " You and me, baby, ain't nothin but mammals..." and I can say I have never seen a lion, cow, sheep, monkey or any other mammal lying on their back to give birth. There's a reason for this gravity! We to allow gravity to help and maximize the space in our pelvis by using Upright, Forward, Open positions that we can't do lying on a bed. So forget the bed and do what comes naturally trust your instincts.

So the summer holidays didn't start according to plan, we were supposed to be in Wales for 10 nights instead we are self isolating as a family for 10 days due to a positive covid test. So this affirmation is really speaking to me right now. Breathing in deep lungfuls of strength to manage the emotions of 3 disappointed children whilst working and breathing out all the frustration of the situation as it is all completely out of my control. This is a great affirmation for birth if things take an unexpected turn or don't go according to plan it will give you confidence to focus on what you can do and can control and let go of any feelings that do not serve you.