Holistic Pregnancy Resources
I have complied a list of my favourite pregnancy resources; from books, podcasts and other resources I have found really helpful during my pregnancy. This is a living blog and I add new resources to it as I discover new ones.
This list is for all women; I recommend starting deep dive into all things birth before you conceive so you know all your options early in the piece.
I do stress for all Mamas to be careful what information you expose yourself to, particularly when you are pregnant. Social media has a good and bad side, so be aware of how certain accounts or Facebook groups make you feel. Unfollowing some birth accounts or FB groups might actually be beneficial if they are full of not-so-positive experiences. I did this at about 15 weeks and it made a BIG difference to my headspace.
Books
Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage - Dr Rachel Reed @midwifethinking
Beyond the Birth Plan - Rhea Dempsey
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering - Dr Sarah Buckley
Why Induction Matters - Dr Rachel Reed
Ten Moons - Jane Hardwicke Collings
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin
Podcasts
Midwife’s Cauldron @midwifethinkng
Instagram Accounts
Dr Rachel Reed @midwifethinking
Dr Sara Wickham @drsarawickham
Jane Hardwicke Collings @janehardwickcollings
Newcastle- and Hunter-Based Mamas
@vitalityjunction - Vitality Junction host a 4-week Vital Babies program where there is a weekly session on supporting your postpartum and baby’s development. I do a presentation on nutrition for both baby and Mama.
@yogaformama - Marion is an Mama and yoga teacher with a special focus on working with women from fertility, pregnancy and postpartum. Marion’s offerings are in different locations around Newcastle. I highly recommend her to all Newcastle-based Mamas.
@emotionalenergyexchange - Bernadette is an incredible kinesiologist who can help shift any fears, family patterns and generally set you up for birthing your baby
@empoweredlactation_withemma - a local lactation consultant who runs info sessions pre-birth and is available postpartum for breastfeeding support if needed.
@followingbirth - Vic is a passionate Mama who offers hypnobirthing classes in the Maitland area as well as photography. I love her kind but no nonsense approach to all things women’s health. She is someone you want in your corner preparing for birth AND for some beautiful photos whether it be during pregnancy or once baby has arrived.
I’ve found these resources empowering as opposed to anxiety-creating. They are mostly a blend of learning about physiological birth (how to body births), evidence-based information (science) as well as the history of birth which I found really interesting.
If you have any resources to contribute, id love to know about them. You can leave a comment below
xo Ell
