In today’s newsletter:
- Book with a friend to receive a discounted ticket to our next workshop ‘Women’s Health Workshop Series: Postnatal recovery & 4th Trimester support’
- Pictures from Melbourne birth photographer Liane Bourke’s beautiful postpartum photoshoot in the clinic
- Welcome to our newest massage therapist- Amanda
- Our birth practitioners workshop is now an ‘Australian College of Midwives CPD Recognised Activity’
- Winter salad recipe ideas
- New blog article discussing the benefits of Naturopathy for pregnancy planning
- Follow us on Facebook
xMeg
Naturopathy for nurturing new mothers: Postnatal recovery & 4th trimester support workshop with guest speaker
As a Midwife I love caring for women during the postnatal period; helping new mothers with breastfeeding, supporting their postpartum recovery and visiting families as they adjust to their new lives at home once they leave the hospital. I love the relationships I build with women during one of the most significant times of their lives and am privileged to have the opportunity to care for a families’ emotional and physical needs during this special time.
Nearly all cultures have traditions around the care of mother and baby in the first forty days after birth. In modern times this is the period known as the ‘fourth trimester’. The focus of the postnatal period is on rest, support, warmth and nutrition. As a Naturopath I use herbal medicines, teas, meal suggestions and nutritional supplements to enhance healing, encourage a good milk supply, support relaxation and a balanced mood.
Postpartum recovery may involve treatment and support for:
- Healing after birth (either from vaginal or caesarean birth)
- Fourth trimester nourishment and recovery
- Postnatal depression and anxiety
- Sleep difficulties
- Anaemia and low iron levels
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Low energy levels and fatigue
- Thyroid problems such as Hyperthyroidism
- Meal planning and nutritional guidance
- Mastitis prevention and recovery
- Low breast milk supply
- Cracked and damaged nipples
- Thrush
- Depleted immune system and frequent infections
- Hormonal imbalances and return of fertility
Are you interested in learning more about the use of herbal medicines or galactagogues such as Fenugreek to increase your milk supply? Have you just had a baby and are in need of a little support to recover physically and nutritionally?
This month’s workshop is designed for mothers, mothers-to-be, family members and friends. We will spend the morning discussing:
- Healing after birth (either from vaginal or caesarean birth)
- Fourth trimester nourishment and recovery
- Postnatal depression and anxiety
- Sleep difficulties
- Anaemia and low iron levels
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Low energy levels and fatigue
- Thyroid problems such as Hyperthyroidism
- Meal planning and nutritional guidance
- Mastitis prevention and recovery
- Low breast milk supply
- Cracked and damaged nipples
- Thrush
- Depleted immune system and frequent infections
- Hormonal imbalances and return of fertility
COST: $15 or $10 if you book with a friend
INCLUDES: Morning tea, guest speaker local Osteopath Amy Lawton, access to notes/resources and a FREE gift bag
Purchase tickets and find out more here.
Pospartum photoshoot by Liane Bourke
Are you a midwife or practitioner who looks after women in the antenatal or postnatal period?
“One of the unexpected side effects of being a birth photographer is that my body confidence has improved ten fold. I get to see naked women in a way I haven’t experienced before. They’re not posed for the male gaze. They’re not wearing make up. Sometimes they have body hair and dimply thighs. By organising this postpartum photoshoot I wanted to help spread this awareness. That women’s bodies are all uniquely and universally gorgeous.” Liane Bourke- Melbourne Birth Photographer
See the pictures here and here.
Welcome to our newest massage therapist- Amanda
Amanda is a Brunswick local, sharing life with two children, her partner and a mean black cat. She enjoys spending time with friends, going for bike rides and long car drives and sampling as much dairy-free ice-cream as humanly possible. You might catch her around the local parks, bike tracks, gym and burger shops.
Passionate about self-care and committed to guiding other’s in improving their health and wellness, Amanda offers massage sessions that are tailored to your needs. Her approach is intuitive and comes naturally through listening to you and your body and getting to the source of your pain or tension.
Amanda’s sessions can incorporate various treatment styles such as Swedish Relaxation, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, Muscle Energy Techniques and Trigger Point Therapy, depending on what your body is needing.
Amanda ensures complete comfort and privacy and is happy to talk through any concerns or requests before the session begins. The session is ultimately about YOU. Anything you do or do not wish to incorporate will be considered. From the style of massage, level of undressing, down to the music – it’s your call.
Amanda also offers a specifically tailored session for mums who will have their little ones tagging along. Each session runs for 1 hour and prices start at $80 per hour. Contact Amanda via the website.
‘Australian College of Midwives CPD Recognised Activity’
Yah our birth practitioners workshop is now an ‘Australian College of Midwives CPD Recognised Activity’! Meaning that anyone who attends this workshop can claim 2.75 CPD hours. The purpose of the ACM CPD Recognition process is to promote the provision of high quality, relevant and appropriate CPD activities that meet the ongoing educational needs of Australian midwives.
Are you a midwife, doula, osteopath, chiropractor, student or practitioner who looks after women in the antenatal or postnatal period? Do you feel confident in discussing a woman’s antenatal and postnatal use of nutritional products and herbal medicines? Are you up to date with the current research and guidelines supporting the use of supplements in the antenatal and postnatal periods?
Complementary medicine use is common amoungst pregnant women in Australia and is influenced heavily by marketing campaigns and peer-recommendations. In addition, there are a myriad of nutritional and herbal supplements available to purchase online, in supermarkets, chemists and health food stores; it can be difficult for consumers to know the difference between good quality and inferior products.
Midwives play an important role in guiding and supporting women in making healthy food choices, however, there is often little education given to practitioners about this important topic and recommendations given to women vary widely from practitioner to practitioner.
This workshop will cover:
- Commonly used and prescribed nutritional supplements in pregnancy: such as multivitamins, probiotics, Vitamin D, Fish oils, Iron, Calcium and Magnesium
- The traditional and modern uses of herbal medicines for birth and lactation: including discussion about Raspberry Leaf tea in the third trimester of pregnancy and popular galactagogues to support breast milk supply
- Antenatal and postnatal diets: healthy eating, current recommendations and resources to guide women in making healthier choices
- Safety and quality issues regarding the use of nutritional products and herbal medicines during pregnancy and lactation
- A discussion on how practitioners can access reliable, current and evidence-based research on these issues
INCLUDES: Morning tea/Supper, certificate of attendance, access to notes/resources and a FREE gift bag
COST: $25 OR $20 if you book with a friend
To book tickets or find out more about this event follow this link.
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