The Birth Store

Is your EDD in SEPTEMBER? 😍

Swipe to see some information about your baby’s potential birthday, plus a bonus reminder.

Tag someone due in SEPTEMBER 💕

Early labour is your body gently preparing for what’s to come and while it can feel exciting (and a little uncertain), this stage is all about staying calm and conserving your energy ☁️🌸🥚✨

Most importantly, don’t rush. Early labour can take time, and that’s completely normal. Stay home if you can, tune into your body, and ease into the rhythm of your contractions 🤍

Growing life is no small thing 🤍

Even on the days that feel slow, uncomfortable, or uncertain
there is so much happening within you!

We only see the external stretching and shifting, however there is so much going on internally to support your baby’s growth. Although there may be hard days and it might not always feel magical, this is a powerful journey!

The quiet kind of magic ✨⭐️🌙

Growing a human is exhausting and beautiful work. Here are a few gentle reminders to support your pregnancy:

Prioritise rest: Growing a baby requires immense energy. Listen to your body and rest when you need it.

Nourish your body: Focus on wholefoods and stay hydrated.

Stay mindful: Practice deep breathing and use positive affirmations.

Lean on your support team: Connect with healthcare providers, family, or local support groups if you feel anxious or overwhelmed.

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If you're nearing the end of your pregnancy, chances are you've felt that overwhelming urge to just hurry up and meet your baby already! And while there’s no guaranteed method to bring on labour, we’ve got a few techniques that may help your body prepare for the big day.

🚶🏽‍♀️Stay active - Take walks, do light cleaning, or try gentle exercises like curb walking or bouncing on a birthing ball.
🧑🏼‍❤️‍💋‍🧑🏾 Intimacy - Sexual activity and or***ms release oxytocin, which may potentially trigger contractions. Plus prostaglandins in semen help to soften the cervix.
🤱🏼 Ni**le stimulation - Stimulating ni***es can release oxytocin and kickstart contractions.
📍 Acupuncture - This ancient technique may help stimulate contractions.
🌴 Dates - Eating dates in late pregnancy may increase cervical ripening and decrease the need for Pitocin.
🛀 Relaxation - Stress can hinder labour hormones, so take baths or meditate to stay calm.
🍵 Raspberry leaf tea - May help to tone uterine muscles for more efficient contractions. Whilst it doesn’t start labour, it can be helpful to encourage more effective contractions once it’s started.
🍍 Pineapple - Contains bromelain, which can help to soften the cervix.
💧 Clary sage oil - Boosts oxytocin levels, which may aid contractions (only to be used at the very end of pregnancy).

Remember to consult with your doctor or midwife before trying these techniques. Trust your body, and your baby will arrive when they’re ready! ⭐️

In Australia, expecting parents have a variety of maternity care options to choose from, each designed to cater to different preferences and medical needs. Let’s have a look at your options 👇🏼

Midwifery-led care encompasses both Public Midwifery Group Practice (MGP), where midwives offer continuity of care throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum within the public health system, and Private Practice Midwives, who provide independent care including home birth options. Community Midwifery Program is also an option which is publicly funded, and they will come to your house for appointments, and offer home birth, FBC births, and hospital births.

Obstetrician-led care is available through private obstetricians for comprehensive care in private hospitals, or in public hospitals where obstetricians manage pregnancies with a team-based approach 🏥

Shared care models, such as General Practitioner (GP) Shared Care, involve routine check-ups with a GP alongside hospital-based obstetric care.

Birth centres offer a homelike environment for low-risk pregnancies, emphasising natural birth with midwifery support, often located within or near hospitals. Additionally, some families opt for home birth services provided by midwives, accommodating those who prefer to give birth in their own environment.

Specialised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Maternity Services, such as Birthing on Country Programs, provide culturally safe care tailored to Indigenous women, integrating traditional practices and support from Indigenous health workers 🌿

These diverse options ensure that individuals can find the maternity care that aligns with their preferences, cultural background, and medical requirements.

Which model of care have you or would you opt for? ✨

I’m sure many of us have had this thought, maybe crying to our partner or loved ones, while knowing damn well we had no choice 😂

When I was 39 weeks getting induced with my first, I was legs up in the stirrups getting my balloon catheter inserted when someone gave birth on an ambulance stretcher outside my door, and I thought, yep we’re not doing this, let’s pack it up! Everyone in the room just giggled as if I wasn’t entirely serious 🤣

What’s something you said during your labour that still makes you laugh when you look back on it?

Have you heard of (or used) the B.R.A.I.N. acronym? It’s a helpful tool you can use to ask questions and gain a better understanding during a decision-making process, especially in labour and birth. Let's break it down 👇🏼

BENEFITS
How would this intervention benefit me and/or my baby's health and well-being?

RISKS
What are the potential risks for both me and my baby?
Are there any long-term risks or complications associated with it?

ALTERNATIVES
Are there other options or interventions available that might align better with my birth preferences?
What alternative approaches could we explore to achieve a positive outcome for both me and my baby?

INTUITION (or instinct)
What is my gut telling me?
Does this choice resonate with my values and intuition?

NOTHING
What happens if I choose to delay this intervention or take a more conservative approach?
Are there potential consequences or benefits to allowing more time or avoiding immediate action?

The B.R.A.I.N. acronym can be so valuable when discussing medical interventions, procedures, or unexpected situations. It can empower you to gain a comprehensive understanding of your options so you can make choices that align with your preferences and values ✨

Would you use this tool? 👀

This beautiful photo from .sch captures a long, intense, and deeply transformative labour where her chosen support person became everything ⭐️🩵

Whether you’re leaning into them during contractions, swaying together, or just needing a reassuring touch, that physical and emotional support can make a world of difference.

They become your anchor when things feel overwhelming, your voice when you need advocating, and your reminder to breathe, soften, and keep going!