The Virtual Midwife

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...

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...

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 a...

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:  When should yo...

Enjoy this 1-hour track of soothing music with positive birth affirmations. I recommend listening to it daily during pregnancy  during deep meditation or  as background while doing other tasks.  During labor, you can have it playing quietly in the background or listen with headphones to keep you focused and grounded. Don't underestimate the power of your mind to change negative and...

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. More about Karen here More about Charlene here Preview Re...

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 wo...

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 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...

If you've been wondering about using Essential oils during pregnancy, your'e going to love this episode with Gayle Friedman from Sunshine Health in Cape Town. Gayle is founder of the Sunshine Colour and Health Academy and Registered Member of Allied Health Professions Council of SA and WOMBS. Gayle has been in the Health Care Field for over 30yrs and has experience as a qualified Aroma Therapist,...

In this episode we talk about the various scenarios you might face and the tools and resources you will need to feel confident. We know that it's tempting to go in earlier rather than later  "just in case", but your labor won't progress any faster because you are in hospital. In fact, the clinical environment may slow or stall your labor and pave the way for interventions you prefer to avoid....

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...

This week is the first in our interview series where we speak to birth workers making a differe nce around the world.  Cecile and I trained at Addington Hospital in Durban, South Africa in 1980 something (yes! we are "that old"...) and then years later, we met up when we were both working  in the Middle East. We both hold a vision of restoring normality to birth through effective prenata...

Letter of the week:  Dear Karen and Charlene,  I have just finished your course - 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...

Our weekly listener email  Dear Charlene and Karen I actually found your podcast when I was doing a google search to know 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 gr...

Every week, we cover topics of pregnancy, birth and motherhood – and we read your letters and interview relevant folk to bring you the most up to date info in every podcast. We do our research – thoroughly… In this episode, we answer a letter from 20-week pregnant mama Jennifer, asking us for advice on how to best choose a doctor and hospital for her gynae-led birth. We offer advice and tips to co...

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...

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 shares her concerns about how her partner might react during birth. Will he still find her desirable afterwards and will her body change?  Charlene and Karen share their recommendations and some anecdotes - both funny and serious.  If you love what you hear and...

I've partnered up with the best doula in South Africa Charlene Yared West, founder of Relax into Birth. We have been working together for the last few months bringing our collective knowledge and expertise into a course that highlights "the doula and the midwife" perspective and we had such fun doing it that we decided to share it on our podcast.  We've also been getting tons of questions in...

Teresa LW and Inderjeet Kaur , Fernandez Foundation, India The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends Delayed umbilical cord clamping (not earlier than 1 min after birth) for improved maternal and infant health and nutrition outcomes. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of delayed vs early cord clamping on breast feeding and skin to skin contact rates. Retrospective data collect...

In Indian health care settings Midwifery-led care is in its infancy. In public maternity settings, practice of prophylactic episiotomy is implemented for all primigravidae and for those with diagnosis of meconium-stained liquor or LGA baby. From December 2020 to January 2021, 55 mothers were supported during birth by the midwifery mentors and trainees of the Telangana State Nurse Practitioner in M...

Acupressure for induction and augmentation of labour Loredana Zordan, Independent midwife, Italy Acupressure is an ancient Chinese technique based on the principle of acupuncture which involves the use of finger pressure (without the needle) on specific points along the body. Chinese culture believes the points to the junction of the meridian pathway that carry energy called QI, Acupressure stimul...

Reviewing evidence and revisiting the option of caesarean sections in breech mothers by offering physiological breech as a choice of birth Kalavathi Mudili and Inderjeet Kaur, Fernandez Foundation Introduction: At Fernandez Foundation, the Breech clinic was introduced weekly in June 2019 after multidisciplinary breech training by Shawn Walker. Method: Retrospective data collection of 68 low risk m...

Midwifery postpartum clinical guideline following a term stillbirth Barbora Snuggs, University of North Georgia, Vanderbilt University, USA Many pregnancies and births bring joy and excitement while some end with the death of the baby prior to labor and delivery, also known as an intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) or a stillbirth. Midwives are closely involved in care for these women during labor an...

Signs of a healthy birth / Zeichenlehre der gesunden Geburt Rafaela Joos Signs of a healthy birth. Observation of the healthy birth process by midwives. Background: «Unique normality», that each person’s uniqueness is normal for them, has been recently postulated in the literature as a new paradigm in midwifery practice. Midwifery skills should include a holistic, woman-centered care during a heal...

Pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia: Knowledge, anxiety and motivation Niken Bayu Argaheni, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia Background: The COVID-19 pandemic threatens such as pregnant women who are predicted to be at higher risk and more susceptible to exposure. The purpose of this study was to find out the knowledge about COVID-19 among pregnant women and how their moti...