At Birth 2 Enjoy we were always concern about unnecassary interventions due to a “clinical impatience”.

When I was 2 days before my ” official” due date, my OB sugested me an induction. Among his reasons were: he was on duty that night, so he will deliver my baby,; hospital was not very busy; it was before a weekend…. We stood our grounds and refused, in spite of numerouse suggestions and even pressure.

I’m so glad to see that there are some studies to confirm that kind of practice may present real risks. Please, check this study out.

When you are in labour, you need to find things to do, to occupy yourself, to let the time pass, to let labour take it course.

Among many safe and fun activities are walking, watching nice movie, plying games, sorting old pictures and, of course, cooking!

Here is a link to a wonderful recipe of a groaning cake

Try it, it sure tastes great!

Please, check this link for a latest study on homebirth from Netherlands

Though it is very nice to get a massage, or a bath with some invigorating or relaxing aromas, you would like to be careful in your choice of oils while you are pregnant.

Not all of them are considered safe during pregnancy. here is the list of most common essential oils TO AVOID during pregnancy.

Anise, Bay, Basil, Camphor, Caraway, Carrot, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clary Sage, Clove, Comfrey, Cypress, Fennel, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Mugwort, Myrrh, Nutmeg, Oregano, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Sassafras, Tansy, Thuja, Thyme, Wintergreen, Wormwood, Yarrow

Oils to avoid in the first trimester:

Chamomile, Frankincense, Geranium, Melissa, Rose

Breastfeeding is a relationship. It is the first relationship your baby has in this world.

This experience builds a foundation for his/her future perseption of the world.

Will it be trusting? Fulfilling? Rushed through? Cut off?

Extended breastfeeding is nature’s way of filling your baby’s need for intimacy and appropriate dependency on other people. If these needs are met early on, your child will grow up to be a sensitive and independent adult. On the other hand cutting corners now will only create problems in the future.

Former Surgeon General, Dr. Antonia Novello, proclaimed: “It’s the lucky baby, I feel, who continues to nurse until he’s two.” A baby’s sucking need lessens sometime between nine months and three years. The age at which this need lessens is individual, yet very few babies are emotionally filled and ready to wean before their first year.

Even though our western culture is accustomed to viewing breastfeeding in terms of months, in many cultures a baby is breastfed for two or three years.

This is not the norm the world over.

While weaning is a personal decision, nutritionists and physicians advise breastfeeding for at least one year because by that time most infants have outgrown most of their food allergies and will thrive on alternative nourishment.

Dear mothers, please, think in terms of years, not months, when contemplating how long to nurse.

Weaning is not something that you do to a child. Weaning is a journey from one relationship to another.

The Hebrew word for wean is “gamal”, meaning “to ripen.”

When a child is weaned at the age of 2 or 3 years old, by that time a child is filled with the basic tools of the earlier stages of development, he is secure and ready to enter the next stage of development. A child who is weaned before his time may show anger, aggression, habitual tantrum-like behavior, anxious attachment to caregivers, and an inability to form deep and intimate relationships.

 

Healthy weaning needs to be done gradually; you are helping your child to a new stage of development, not forcing him into it.

 

• Start with skipping the least favorite feeding. (Night time feeding is usually most loved one, so it will be last to go)
• Do not put yourself in the situation (or place) which will remind your baby of nursing. (rocking chair, holding baby in a “breastfeeding” position etc).
• Kip him busy, engage him in some fun activities, may be read a book or play a game, go for a walk, boredom will trigger a desire to be breastfed.
• Become a moving target, but do not reject your baby, if your child persists, or her behavior deteriorates, this may indicate that breastfeeding is still a need rather than a want. Watch your child and trust your intuition.
• Do not wean from person to an object (such as a blanket or a stuffed animal). Introduce other comfort measures such as sitting on your lap, singing a song to a child, letting dads to comfort and reassure a child.
• Breastfeeding will increase again during time of illness as your child needs not only comfort, but an immune boost as well.

 

Breastfeeding is meant to be a pleasurable experience. When one or both members of the mother-infant pair aren’t enjoying it anymore, it’s time to wean. After all, all good things must come to a timely end.

But, please, do it respectfully to your child feelings, weaning by desertion is very traumatic to a child.

Life is a series of “weanings” for a child: weaning from your womb, your breast, your bed, and your home.

The most secure, independent, and happy children are those who have not been weaned before their time.

Let them “Ripe” in their own time, make their journey as pleasant as possible so they grow into sensitive and independent adults.

 

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

makes approximately 12 regular or 36 mini muffins

• 1 3/4 cups spelt flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium or 3 large)
• 2/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup softened non-hydrogenated coconut oil, or sunflower or olive oil (plus extra if using to coat pan)
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup non-dairy chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped (for a protein boost)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Prepare muffin tray(s) with paper liners or a light coating of oil.

In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.  In a large bowl, mash up bananas (a potato masher works awesome for this), syrup, and oil.  Add dry ingredients and stir just until all flour is absorbed.  Fold in chips and nuts, if using.

Portion the batter into muffin tray(s), about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way full, and bake – 25 minutes for regular sized, 12-15 minutes for minis, until the tops are domed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

ENJOY!

Conquering the Fear (childbirth without dismay)

 Nothing in life is to be feared.  It is only to be understood.  ~Marie Curie

I once heard a story about two kids who were trying to help a new butterfly to emerge from its cocoon. The result was devastating, as when the butterfly was delivered from its cocoon, it did not have those beautiful full wings.

What had happened? Apparently this is a part of the struggle the caterpillar goes through when it is emerging from its cocoon… The struggle helps to develop strong, beautiful wings….

Could it be that as women we also need a struggle during labour to become beautiful, strong mothers, who are able to meet the challenges of motherhood?

Could it be that we need labour to birth our children, not to be delivered from them.

Could it be that we need labour  to learn to love ourselves and to learn to trust our bodies, to learn to listen to our instincts…

 There is so much fear in our society associated with childbirth, and yet it is the most ancient and proven-to-succeed “technology” of our bodies.

I always wonder where those fears come from. What is their origin? While I’m searching for answers to these questions it looks like those fears and superstitions around childbirth are definitely well maintained by the media, Hollywood and medical authorities.

 Fear plays a huge role in our ability (or actually inability) to birth peacefully, drug free and joyfully.

When we are fearful or anxious our body produces certain hormones, which have a tensing affect on our muscles, blood is drawn away from internal organs to extremities, as body enters “fight or flight” mode.

On the contrarily when labour begins a woman needs to be as open as possible and as relaxed as possible.

Easier said than done, you might think.

 Well, the first step in conquering that fear of childbirth is to understand the process.

The more you and your partner know about labour, what is happening and why, the more confident you will be with your body functions and the process itself.

Part of that knowledge is to understand medical procedures, their pros and cons, and to know your options as an educated consumer.

The next step is to learn what you can do to stay healthy and low risk during pregnancy, how you can prepare your body for the physical challenge of labour.

Last, but definitely not least, is how your partner can get ready to be involved during labour, how he can support you and become your labour coach, not just an observer with no control over the situation.

Fear can survive only in the midst of uncertainty…

The more you do as a couple to build up confidence in each other and in the birth process itself, the less you will feel the grip of fear, the less you will succumb to its debilitating power.

You will face the challenges of childbirth with delight and understanding how valuable it is for you and your child.

You will bring out the best in yourself, the best in each other and the best in your care provider so you can give birth with confidence and joy.

You will develop those strong, big and beautiful wings which will help you to fly over the challenges of parenthood.

I was invited to do an episode on Breakfast TV. I’m so exited about it.

Please, tune in on June 15!  Enjoy your Breakfast with Birth 2 Enjoy!

 

My website is up and running and I’m very pleased with how it looks and how it represents what I do!

Now I can share with all of you, how wonderful and how beautiful labour and birth can be.

I was born and raised in St.Petersburg, Russia, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I have graduated from the Pediatric department of The Medical University.

After I came to Canada, 12 years ago, following my husband, who got a job here in Telecommunication industry, I found myself at a crossroad….

I wanted to have kids, and I did not feel like to go back to school for another number of years to prove my qualification as a medical doctor, more so as I was not truly thrilled with a pharmaceutically driven medical profession in the Western World.

So I entered a corporate world and became a sales manager for Ontario in one of the biggest dental company.

After a number of unsuccessful pregnancies, running around different specialists and fertility monitoring tests, we decided to take a break for a summer and do nothing (Except some good detoxification program and homeopathic treatment).

Can you guess what had happened? You are right! I’ve got pregnant!

This pregnancy treated me beautifully! I was not sick at all, I had so much vibrant energy, and I looked so good. I loved being pregnant!

Then to add to our joy we found out about The Bradley Method and began our training.

The birth of our son was such an amazing experience for both of us.  I felt as I gave birth not only to my son, but to a new me and to a new husband of mine, who became one of the best fathers I have ever known.

I was so empowered and so thrilled by that amazing experience. I felt a need to share it with as many people as possible, to change a common dreadful attitude towards a childbirth.

I wanted to reach out to other women, who have been waiting for their babies to come, but then were so afraid to birth them, so they had to be assisted.

I began my training at American Academy of Husband Coached Childbirth, I graduated from Ontario College of Homeopathic medicine, where I was studying part time during my corporate life.

And after my maternity leave was over I quit my corporate job with no regrets until this day!

Now I have a very meaningful and rewarding job to do! I can help you to achieve the best possible experience during the birth of your baby; I can be part of that amazing time of your life when you are glowing with joy and anticipation. I can motivate you to enjoy your labour, and motivate your partner to be an active part of it.

This is incredible!

Please visit often as we update the site and Blog with tips and recommendations.