For years as a doula, I would always encourage mamas to have a stash of fluids to use throughout labour. Coconut water was always my first choice, but also herbal teas (such as Raspberry Leaf, Peppermint, Birth Ready …whatever they enjoyed really). Failing all those options, it was Gatorade! I've also been known to carry cartons of coconut water in my car boot to take to births 😂 but man, they’re heavy and bulky. It was this that led me to create the Labourade powder in 2018 🤓 As labour deepens food often goes off the menu (or in the loo 😕) so taking in fluids that are also rich in natural sugars, electrolytes AND minerals for that working uterus, are essential. I've seen firsthand what dehydration does to labour 👎🏼 Remember it's a marathon not a sprint! Labourade is a powder concentrate of fruit powders, electrolytes, minerals & salt. All of which help sustain energy, replace electrolytes & aid hydration over the hours (....and hours) of labour 😅 Here's how you can use it: 👉🏻 The 180gm pack of Labourade makes 6 litres of Labourade liquid. This is enough to see you through 24 hours of labour - if need be! 👉🏻 You can simply take a serve (it comes with serving scoop) & mix it into 500ml water & take sips through a low-effort bendy straw. Aim to drink 500ml over 2 hrs. Repeat. Always remember to empty your bladder every 2 hours during labour also. 👉🏻 You can also do some pre-labour prepping of Labourade. Take a half or full serve and pour into ice cube trays/icy pole moulds. Once frozen, move the cubes into ziplock bags & freeze. Repeat. These can be dropped into plain water for a pick me up, and they're also great to suck or bite on during labour when you're getting hot & sweaty 🥵😓 Labourade contains organic coconut water (also known as nature's Gatorade) - this supplies 5 key electrolytes: sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus 🙌🏼 It also contains Australian Pineapple, Australian Manuka Honey, Calcium Citrate & Magnesium Citrate. Any leftovers can be used in postpartum (hello sweats 😅😵‍💫) like any other electrolyte drink, or pop a few cubes into a smoothie. #labourade #naturopath #mamawisestore #bodywisebirthwise

Cord burning ceremonies are so special. ✨ This beautiful bowl was made by @oonamekas husband, and lined with fresh juniper leaves, offering a distinctly woody aroma. Sweet baby, snuggled in at the breast, was blissfully unaware of this slow and peaceful severance from her placenta. Repost • @austinbirthphotos #umbilicalcord #cordburning #cordburningceremony #cordburningritual #cordburningbowls #homebirth #midwife #transition #birthday #goldenhour #birthrituals #noplacelikehome #lotusbirth #placenta #babydaze #birthchoices #bornathome #doulalife #bodywisebirthwise

And super alert 😍 Repost @sarabresser.birthphotography So many hands to hold you 💛🌾⁠ ⁠ #perthhomebirth #doula #bornathome #perthdoula #pregnantinperth #waterbirth #perthyoga #perthmidwife #perthstudent #waterbirth #perthbirthphotographer #familybirthcentre #birthmagic #builttobirth #umbilicalcord #bodywisebirthwise

Packing orders for blooming mamas makes me happy 😍💕 but seeing them arrive at their new home to open arms is even better 😍🏡 Have you checked out my Mamawise Store range yet? 🌿 @mamawisestore Naturopath and Doula (🙋‍♀️) formulated, and handcrafted using organic and premium quality ingredients. There’s goodies for pregnancy, birth, postpartum and baby 🌿💕 📷 @ebony.forsyth 🤰🏼 #naturopath #herbalmedicine #babymoon #naturopathformulated #thirdtrimester #postpartum #birthprep #birthready #perinealmassage #labour #cordcarepowder #babydust #bumbalm #doula #midwife #naturalproducts #handcrafted #babyshower #lifeafterbirth #australianmade #mamawise #mamawisestore #bodywisebirthwise

Continuous or Intermittent skin to skin ? I was recently listening to a podcast episode from @birthinginstincts and @birthingblyss and they were discussing the difference. I had never heard of it talked about in this way before.... and it made me curious how others once the golden hour is done how skin to skin is practiced. It is recommended that for those first 2 weeks ᴀᴛ ʟᴇᴀꜱᴛ that baby and mom are skin to skin as much as possible. And if not mom, then with the partner. This means baby is naked except a diaper sometimes and momma is bear chested. ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴏᴜꜱ ꜱᴋɪɴ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴋɪɴ This isn't a new thing, or a trend. It is how we biologically were made to co-regulate our system during postpartum. Benefits - baby bonding, feeling of safety, better sleep - improves breastfeeding - helps baby regulate body temperature - helps baby's oxygen and nervous system - microbiome exposure - helps mom bond with baby The list goes on. But this isn't new. This is why in early postpartum when you have visitors wanting to come hold the baby isn't a great idea. It disrupts this time for you and your baby. So instead of visitors you need HELPERS for the first 2 weeks atleast. These are people that are helping to nurture you so that you can nurture baby. What did you love most about skin to skin ? . #Repost @thehypnobirthingmum @2lifedoula ・・・ Posted @withregram • tristabirdzell RePosted @withregram • @eclore.maternite « Un enfant, c’est l’Amour qui prend vie » ♥️ 🐢 {Projet Photographique} ECLORE X ALEXANDRA MURCIA « L’allaitement maternel » 📷 @alexandramurcia.photographe

Repeat after me…. VARIATION OF NORMAL…. It’s so good to see these images (and what a gorgeous one this is!) to normalize that about 3% of babies don’t make their way head down for one reason or another. #reteachbreech This is one of those topics that gets me fired up! They stopped teaching OBs and then took away a midwives ability to offer care to these women. So the only option many of these women are offered (after many stressful weeks of trying everything under the sun to turn them… poor mamas… and babies for that matter) is a surgical birth. Vaginal breech is your God given right. If we trust our bodies and trust birth then why do we stop here? My sister, aunt and cousin were all born breech in a time when it was treated as a variation of normal. It should NEVER be the government, ACOG or a hospital policy that forces a birthing person into a choice that is not theirs. Especially surgery and definitely not their choice of who attends their birth and where. Whatever informed decision you make should be yours and yours alone. #mybodymychoice #medicalfreedom #bodilyautonomy #breechbirthwithoutfear #breechavariationofNORMAL#birthinginstinctspodcast #birthphotography #waterbirth #midwivesofinstagram #santabarbaramidwife Posted @withregram • @silveretteusa “There was a deep yearning for having a natural water birth and strong will to see it through. The whole experience was such an adrenaline and I’m so glad I was able to capture these beautiful moments. There was so much love in the room and I can say I was happily engulfed by it.” Repost from @marybeliz_birthphotography & @birthingblyss #homebirth #breechbaby #breechbirth #breechwaterbirth #birth #birthphotographers #naturalbirth #positivebirthspace #homebirthstory #birthstory #positivemindset #womenempoweringwomen #trustyourjourney #sacredspace #southfloridabirthphotographer #birthphotogs

Please get the pregnancy shoot💫💕 📷 @littlemillyphotography

The no-mess solution to postpartum baths 🙌🏻 These amazing, soothing herbs and healing salts are enclosed in sealed bags 🌱 Because nobody’s got time to deal with a bathful of used herbs in postpartum 🙅‍♀️ How the @mamawisestore Peri Herb Bags can be used: 🌼 A sitz bath 🌼 A deep, postpartum bath 🌼 As a direct warm or cooled compress 🌼 As a peri-wash Instructions are included with each pack of 5 🌿 #postpartum #naturopath #herbalist #doula #calendula #chamomile #perineum #afterbirthcare #sitz #motherherb #postpartumdoula #sitzbath #peribags #healingherbs #fourthtrimester #babymoon #mamawise #mamawisestore #bodywisebirthwise

💗When this grandpa ran into the room, we thought he’d certainly head straight for the new baby, his minutes-old granddaughter. But instead his eyes and embrace went straight to his own daughter. He said, in the kindest, broken voice…”I can’t wait to meet her…but I need to see and hug you first.” 😭😭😭 That father-daughter bond can be so so magical. And it lasts for decades. For the entirety of our lives. 😭💗😭 Repost @monetnicolebirths

I’ve been using herbal formulas in late pregnancy for birth prep for over 20 years now 🌿✨Including my own births 💫 The blend of herbs I use has almost stayed the same over this time. Perhaps a few tweaks here or there. These two liquid herbal extracts contain herbs to help prepare the body for labour and birth. They’ve had a facelift - I’m calling it a REBIRTH - and they also have new names. Labour Prep was previously known at Birth Prep Tonic #1, and Labour Ready was previously known as Birth Prep Tonic #2. 🌿 Labour Prep is a formula for use from 34 weeks through to 38 weeks of pregnancy. Its then ideally followed by Labour Ready at 38 weeks, this goes to 40 weeks. These formulas do not *induce* labour - though their aim is to make labour/contractions far more efficient once it does start! (check out the reviews 🙏🏻) Great uterine tone also helps reduce excessive blood loss after birth/with 3rd stage and also assists the involution process in those early days/weeks postpartum. Many mamas prefer the liquid herbal formulas over drinking multiple cups of Raspberry Leaf tea in those late weeks 😅 Its always nice to have options 🌱 You can see more about them at @mamawisestore link in bio 🌿 #naturopath #herbalist #partusprep #partuspreparator #herbalmedicine #uterinetonic #raspberryleaf #motherwort #crampbark #nettle #schisandra #herbsforbirth #naturopathicdoula #labourprep #labourready #birthherbs #naturopathformamas #mamawise #mamawisestore #bodywisebirthwise

✨Did you know...⠀ Scientists have found fetal cells in scar tissues, specifically scars left by casearean sections. These cells make collagen. So, the baby could actually be helping the mum recover after birth by repairing her wound. These cells which your baby leaves behind will be with you forever. Are you a caesarean Mum? 💕 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📸the_pettylife words by @oatmama Repost @australianbirthstories ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Autumn & her Winter Sun ☀️😍✨ 📷 @melissajeanbabies