The Relax Into Birth Podcast

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.

Waterbirth is known for its pain relieving effects and the benefits do not stop there. Water helps the mother to be buoyant and gives her added capacity for mobility. The water softens the tissues as the baby moves down the birth path and provides the baby with a gentle landing, as it transitions from the amniotic waters into the waters of the pool. The soothing effects of water cannot be denied and we chat all about this amazing option for labour and for birth at home or at hospital, to help you make your mind up about it and decide if you would like to try it for your birth experience. 

Charlene had a call from a client in early labor on the morning of recording this episode so we thought it would be a great topic to chat about. Despite the call, we still managed to record this episode and have a few cups of tea and a chat before it was time for Charlene to head over to be with her and the baby was born later that evening.

So in this episode we discuss:

1. When should you call your doula?
2. Should you call your doula or your midwife first?
3. Should you let the hospital know you are en route?
4. Is it different if you are having a home birth?
5. Is it possible to call too late?

This week we had a great question from a listener who is concerned about the size of her baby. She sent us a one liner message asking "Is a baby really ever too big to give birth to vaginally?"

As always, we consider both facts and opinions and explore the different perspectives of doulas, midwives, birthing mothers and obstetricians.

In this episode, we cover the topic of induction as requested by a listener on our Relax Into Birth PLUS mom's whatsapp group. 

"Dear Charlene and Karen. I am 39 weeks tomorrow and this morning at my routine checkup, my doctor recommended that I come in for an induction of labor on Thursday. Part of me is like 'hell yes, let's get this baby out pleazzzze', but there is another part that is wondering whether my baby needs a few more days inside? Is he ready? And actually - am I? I have definitely noticed that I am getting more frequent Braxton Hicks and I am feeling a lot of heaviness in my pelvis, but besides that, not much at all. If I go in on Thursday, I could be home by the weekend with my precious baby boy? Should I go for it? Looking forward to your thoughts on induction. Thanks, Anon"

Is induction of labour always necessary, or is it (sadly) sometimes scheduled out of convenience, fear, impatience or discomfort? Listen in for the ins and outs of this topic, as well as learn about some natural forms of induction that can get the bun in the oven keener to come earth side. If you are keen to join our whatsapp group of preggie mamas, please slide into our DMs and let us know. Also, look out for our Relax Into Birth PLUS online antenatal course, covering extensive Hypnobirthing techniques, as well as the physiological side of labour and birth. See you there!

Remember to subscribe and share this podcast if you liked it. 

This was an uncomfortable topic to tackle. Unfortunately bait and switch tactics are common, especially in South Africa. The conversation was started by a query in our private Preggie-mama Whatsapp group which got everyone sharing their experience and encouraged us to open the discussion on our podcast.

In this episode Karen and Charlene attempt to look at it from all angles rather than making it an "us against them" situation and share some useful tips for red flag conversations and how to manage them.

In this episode, Karen and Charlene chat about when the best time to leave for hospital is. Many parents start their journey of childbirth at home - and initially, labour in the home space and then eventually, at a certain point, leave home for hospital to continue their labour there. When is the best time to leave home for hospital? The answer to this question is quite complex - and there is no one-size-fits-all. 

If you are planning a hospital birth, take the time to listen in, as this information is for you - and will help you navigate the decision about when to go to hospital. What happens if your waters break at home? What if you lose your mucus plug at home? What if it's the middle of the night? We answer these questions and more. 

In this episode, because we love it - we talk about a natural footling breech twin birth, weekends away in the mountains to recharge and last but not least, we answer a mom's question about tearing and episiotomies. We cover the full spectrum from what an episiotomy is, when is it necessary to perform one, when tearing is better than an episiotomy, how to avoid one and how to heal up the perineum after birth. Filled with expert tips and advice, we aim to remove your fear from this topic and help you understand what you need to know before you birth your baby! 

Cecile and Karen trained at Addington Hospital in Durban, South Africa in 1980 something (yes! they are "that old"...) and then years later, they met up when they were both working in the Middle East. They both hold a vision of restoring normality to birth through effective prenatal education, so Karen and Charlene could not wait to catch up and find out what she's been up to and pick her brains about all things pregnancy and birth in Dubai.

More about Cecile de Scally

Cecile de Scally, also known as “baby whisperer” is an experienced South African trained midwife, who qualified in 1990 and has more than 25 years’ experience in prenatal and postnatal support and education.

Cecile offers educational support to parents, providing prenatal classes, HypnoBirthing workshops and baby/toddler feeding and sleep consultations

Cecile’s main focus is Mother and Baby services, offering educational support and advice for new parents and sleep support for parents of new babies as well as toddlers.

With Cecile’s wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise, she assists families to make informed decisions about their pregnancy, birth and baby.

To book a consultation or prenatal workshop with Cecile, please email: workshops@malaak.me

Every week Doula Charlene and Midwife Karen come together to bring you this podcast as an offshoot of the Relax Into Birth PLUS course they created for pregnant and expectant couples. Relax Into Birth PLUS is a comprehensive, online antenatal course, focusing on labour, birth and beyond, featuring extensive hypnobirthing techniques as well as covering the medical aspects of the birthing process. 

We always have so much to share and so this podcast was born - and here we share birth stories, birthing world updates, interview birth workers from near and far, and also, we take the time to answer your burning questions around pregnancy, birth and motherhood.

In this episode, Karen and Charlene answer a subscriber's letter about pain relief and help her differentiate between natural forms of pain relief, as well as medical options available at a hospital birth. 

Dear karen and Charlene,
I have just finished Relax Into Birth PLUS - and I loved it by the way, but I have a few questions about pain relief. I have been thinking about about how labour will be - and if i will cope. I have heard that epidurals are amazing for pain relief - but have also heard that they can have an adverse effect on the baby. Is this true? What options do i have for pain relief - and should i opt for an epidural? From the course I learnt about having a doula present to help with natural forms of pain relief. How do they compare to the big guns of epidural and pethedine? What other options do I have? I think i have a high pain threshhold, but my husband thinks I will be begging for an epidural from the get go. I am hoping to prove him wrong - but I also have no idea what to expect. Thanks for your help - and for the course, I learnt so much!
Elle in Cape Town.

If you would like to have your question answered on the podcast, send us an email relaxintobirthplus@gmail.com or charlene@relaxintobirth.co.za

This week Charlene and Karen answer questions about what it means to be a doula and a midwife and how the roles converge and differ. Here's this week's letter from a preggie mama working out her options for her birth:  Dear Charlene and Karen, I actually found your podcast when I was doing a google search on the difference between a midwife and a doula, so it would be great if you could talk about that in one of your shows. I listened to your episode last week about which gyn to choose, but recently I have been considering working with a midwife. When I posted in the Facebook group I belong to, I had lots of recommendations but many of them were for doulas and now I am a bit confused. Is a doula able to do  my prenatal care and deliver my baby? Can I hire a doula instead of a midwife? If I have a midwife will I automatically have a doula? And if I choose to have a hospital birth can I still have my midwife or maybe even my doula with me too? As you can see, I am totally confused and befuddled and hoping you can help me understand. Thanks so much,  Annamarie. 18 weeks pregnant with my first baby.

If you would like to have your question answered on the podcast, send us an email relaxintobirthplus@gmail.com or charlene@relaxintobirth.co.za

Each week you are invited to send us your big birth question and we'll give you every angle of the dangle.

This week a listener, Fran, shares her concerns about whether her midwife or OBGYN will know if she has had sex when she is examined - if sex was the activity that induced her labour? Also, she is feeling mighty frisky - and we assure her this is normal too - Frisky Fran! 

Charlene and Karen share their recommendations and some anecdotes - both funny and serious.

A brief intro from Charlene and Karen as they share why they teamed up to create Relax into Birth PLUS and what it's all about before launching into the latter of the week.

Each week you are invited to send us your big birth question and we'll give you every angle of the dangle.

This week is the big poop question....

Carina and Ross were not expecting to have a breech vaginal birth for their first daughter, Holly, who was born four weeks early during the COVID-19 lockdown. Watch them tell their exciting birth story in this episode... 

Kendall and Dean birthed their second baby Jackson, during the COVID-19 lockdown and found the experience to be calmer than their first birth with their firstborn son, Benjamin, who came earlier than his estimated due date. Watch them tell their birth stories in this episode... 

Pip and Josh share their New Zealand birth story and Pip shares how she overcame her extreme anxiety so that she could birth without fear - and birth without fear she did! "You couldn't have come at a better time for me as the anxiety was getting the better of me as time progressed. I remember around 26 weeks in tears at my midwife appointment feeling completely overwhelmed and not knowing what to expect. I spoke to my dear friend Felicity Meek who put me in touch with you. As soon as I started listening to your affirmations and then doing your course from around 33 weeks my mind set started to change and I began to relax! Your course allowed me to understand the process but in a way that wasn't scary but beautiful, something to look forward and that my body was going to do it. I had no idea how powerful hypnobirthing could be, but it was the best thing I could have done to prepare myself. I can not thank you enough Charlene - you are incredible and what an amazing birthing experience you and your course have given me." Listen to her story in this episode...