Use your pregnancy guide to support you and your growing bump! These extra videos, links, articles, facebook groups and resources aim to EMPWR you for pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.

Your body is incredible.
Trust in it and trust in the birthing process.

This symbol tells you which pages to look at in your pregnancy guide

Social Media Accounts

I have, as far as possible tried to make these resources as gender neutral as possible, but unfortunately as birth is incredibly heteronormative, this was a little difficult to do! I therefore apologise for the many white, cis female bodies depicted in many of the videos. I hope one day that the rhetoric surrounding birth education will change.

ANTENATAL

Your body changes a lot during pregnancy. There will be many new feelings and sensations whilst you're pregnant. Check out your pregnancy guide which outlines some of the common changes and symptoms related to being pregnant.

Free resources to help you navigate birth

Every Mother Counts has a wealth of wonderful resources, which are free, including tools and guides for births, what support you might need and an awesome pack of birth affirmations and a sign to put on your door for postnatal visitors and much much more.

What happens to my body?

An animation showing how the pregnant body changes

Why does my body change?

The physiological changes that happen to your body whilst you're growing a tiny human

Baby's development in the womb

The importance of the environment and elements on the growing baby

Sleeping

Sleep on your left side from 28 weeks

Auckland City Hospital

The National Women's Health (the old hospital before it merged with Auckland City) website has a wealth of information and resources available. Follow this link.

Birthcare Parnell

Have a look at the birthing rooms at Birthcare here, and register to birth or stay at Birthcare postnatally here and have a look at their antenatal classes here.

How does smoking affect baby?

Learn more about the affect of smoking on baby here, and talk to your LMC about a referral to a smoke free service.

Baby's movements

Please contact your midwife immediately if you are worried about your baby's movements.

How much caffeine can I have?

How much weight should I put on?

Check out this post by @earthside.nz about caffeine in pregnancy

Weight gain during pregnancy is not scientific and is steeped in fatphobia, nor are the "recommended weight gain guidelines" rooted in any evidence. You are growing a human, check out page 16 in your pregnancy resource for more info on how your body changes.

LABOUR

Your body has done something incredible. You have grown a teeny tiny human. It's literally created tiny fingers, toes, hair, eyeballs and a beating heart. Believe in yourself and in the magic that is your body. Stay positive. You can do this. No matter how your labour and birth goes, whatever potential deviations from your "plan" might happen, you have still grown a tiny baby. Your baby. Be proud.

Regardless of a vaginal birth, an instrumental birth or a caesarean. You will birth your baby. You are amazing.

Cervical Dilation

A brilliant video demonstrating how the cervix changes during labour

Mechanism of Labour

An animation showcasing the anatomical changes and the mechanism of labour and birth.

Hypnobirthing

Hypnobirthing tutorials. Knowing how to breathe in labour will be one of your best tools. Get empowered! Check out Your Birth Project for an online, affordable course and this list for more wellness tools from Every Mother Counts.

How is a Caesarean performed?

Playdough c-section and all the steps and layers! great for those of you who are squeamish

How long will labour be?

WHO, the World Health Organisation, says that the duration of the first stage of labour (from 5 cm until full cervical dilatation) usually does not extend beyond 12 hours in first labours, or beyond 10 hours in subsequent labours. You can view their labour recommendations by downloading the pdf.

BIRTHING BAG CHECKLIST

or you can download one here

What pain relief can I have?

Expert advice from Consultant Anaesthetist, Morgan Edwards. Your Labour Your Way website

Having a Caesarean Section

What to expect when you're having a caesarean section

Find more information about caesarean sections here

Your Pelvis in Labour

Making space in your pelvis during the pushing stage of labour is really important. Notice how changing the direction of your legs can really make a huge difference in space at the outlet.

POSTNATAL

Baby Checker

This handy guide will help you decide if baby is well or not. Its an easy to use, symptom checker. Download the pdf. You can also download the app here!

Car Seats

Plunket has some really important and useful information about car seats for your baby or child. Find that here.

Safe Sleep

Although co-sleeping isn't recommended, it's not always realistic, particularly in the sleepy, feeding haze of those first few weeks. This animation demonstrates how to co-sleep more safely

Pelvic Floor Exercises

Regardless of how you birth your baby, having the weight of them on your pelvic floor muscles for 9 months takes it's toll. It's important to do these daily. Check out @thevaginaphysio on instagram for more info!

Attachment and Skin-Skin

This video explores the importance of attachment theory for lifelong relationships, self image and health

Caesarean Section Scar Massage

This is really good to be done from after your 6 week check with your midwife of LMC. Only as long as your scar is nicely healed without any complications.

FEEDING

The following links contain articles and information about inducing lactation for the non-birthing parent. There have been success stories of trans women (AMAB) who have successfully chest/breastfed their children.

Breastfeeding FAQ for Trans and Non-binary Parents
Lactation Options & Strategies
Inducing Lactation Care Plan
UNICEF Maximising Breastmilk and re-lactation plan
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine article: Lactation care for LGBTQIA+ parents (PDF Download)

Facebook Support Groups

Long-term Benefits

The long-term benefits of breast/human milk and feeding

How to latch baby on

How to latch baby on! With thanks to @breastfeeding.dietician for this wonderful resource.

How to latch baby on

UNICEF has a huge range of videos and resources about milk and feeding. Please access them here.

Why does my breastmilk change colour?

How often will my baby feed?

Sucking exercises

Some babies have a hard time eating because they can't organize the pattern required for it- called "Suck/Swallow/Breathe" or "SSB."

Movements for feeding difficulties

This video shows some basic movements to help babies who have structural difficulties that are causing breastfeeding problems. There are many reasons for a baby to have difficulty feeding, and many solutions! This is one tool for a toolbox. Please seek a practitioner if you are unsure of how to use the movements with your own baby. To find out more information about Rhythmic Movements, please visit http://www.moveplaythrive.com

BIPOC Birth Education and Resources

Every Mother Counts: working to achieve equitable, respectful maternity care across the globe

Choices in Childbirth: an interactive education to help you decide what choices are important to you

National Association to Advance Black Birth: a non-profit advocating for black birth

Conscious Pregnancy: evidence based information from Scientists specialising in pregnancy and women's health

Pregnancy & Birth Education Instagram Accounts

Earthside: queer inclusive birth education from a qualified kiwi Midwife

The Educated Birth

Dr Morgan Edwards: Consultant Anaesthetist advocating for pregnant people

The Naked Doula: Birth educator and illustrator

The Badass Mother Birther: birth photography and advocacy (based in the US, so not all the content is relevant to parents birthing in NZ)

The Language of Birth