Given my creative background we thought that
this was a great way to express ourselves. The finished poster is approximately
A3 size, took us about a week to create, and is a collage of illustrations,
photocopies and pen and ink:

Each part of the image has specific meaning to
us and our pregnancy:

1. A childbirth education and labour-management process, created to help women experience a natural, drug-free childbirth
2. The emphasis on educating partners (the baby's father) to be effective coaches e.g. to be an active participant in the birth, rather than a bewildered bystander
3. The range of subjects/information covered
I will make this disclaimer
if you Google
"Bradley Method" you will notice that 99% of the results are US-based,
and the information may seem a little American-preachy (which is not my cup
of tea at all). But after completing the classes, although we have not yet given
birth, I would highly recommend attending Bradley Method classes.
We now feel informed, confident, a team
truly empowered to embrace and
manage our baby's birth!
Types of things covered in the classes:
More information:
Birth Steps (Dulwich Hill, Sydney, NSW)
Lea Mason


12wks
Wednesday 5 October 2005

I think a lot of people believe that their only option for health care when pregnant is an Obstetrician - this is not true, in Australia we are very fortunate to have a wide variety of care options. However, as we learnt, trying to found out what the options are and the differences between them can be very difficult.
So, to try and make it easier for others we offer the following information as a summary of the different types of care you can chose from for your pregnancy (in Australia) including Hospital antenatal clinic, Midwives clinic, Team midwifery, Birth centre midwives and Own Obstetrician and then for each type of care information on pregnancy visits, the birth, pain relief options, postnatal care, 6-8 week postnatal check and fees etc.
This information has been collated from various sources, but I would also highly recommend reading Birth Rights for more information.
Below are snippets of information which I have learnt along the way that have helped us significantly:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
METHODS TO PREDICT WHEN YOU OVULATE
1) OPK - Ovulation Prediction Kit: There are many different kinds of ovulation predictor kits on the market. Most work by measuring the level of luteinising hormone (LH) in your urine. LH levels rise about 24 to 36 hours before ovulation takes place. You need to estimate your approximate time of ovulation if you're to use these kits effectively.
2) Maybe Baby: Maybe Baby is a mini microscope. It works as the increased oestrogen levels which occur in the period around ovulation can be identified by examining dried saliva. As the saliva dries the hormone causes a fern-leaf pattern to develop and this pattern can be seen through the Maybe Baby microscope.
3)
Fertility Charting or Basal Body Temperature Charting: Fertility charting
involves observing and recording your fertility signs so that you can easily
see your daily fertility status and identify your most fertile time.
This is one of the oldest and most basic of fertility tests, involving the woman
measuring her body temperature every morning throughout her cycle and creating
a chart which indicates when, and if, she ovulates. Approximately 24 hours before
ovulation occurs there is a fall in body temperature, followed swiftly by a
recognisable rise (accompanying a rise in the hormone progesterone) which usually
indicates ovulation.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What happen for us....
Using the Fertility Charting or Basal
Body Temperature Charting
technique we fell pregnant the first cycle we tried!
Q. How long should
I take folic acid?
A.1st trimester
Q. Can I take magnesium bio for my headaches?
A. Unsure (so I've stopped)
Q. Can I take Panadol?
A. Yes, and if it's a sever headache I can take something with codeine in it.
AVOID aspirin or ibuprofen
Q. Can I dye my hair?
A. Yes
Q. Can I drink carrot juice or is it too high in
vitamin A?
A. Yes, as long as it's only a small amount per day.
Q. Can I fly internationally/locally?
A. Yes, up until 36wks most airlines have specific rules so contact them before
paying for flight
Q. Are there activities that I should avoid over
the 1st trimester?
A. Don't over heat eg no saunas or running a marathon
Q. Are there foods I should avoid?
A. Unpasteurised cheeses, anything with liver. Limited deep sea fish to 1 serve
every 3wks
Q. What are the chances of miscarriage?
A. 15%
Q. Can I take Ventolin?
A. Yes
Q. When can twins/multiple births be detected?
A. Sometime as early as 6wks but usually at 12/13wk or 18wk ultrasound
Q. My parents had a child with Spina bifida and the
pregnancy was terminated:
i. Does this increase my chance of having a child with the same disease?
ii. Are there tests that can detect this disease?
A.
i) It puts you in a higher "chance" but is not definate
ii) An optional blood test and scan (ultrasound) at 10-13wks called an NT Scan
can be done. Involves a Blood test (3days before scan) + Ultrasound and you
need a referral
" Need to increase Folic Acid to 5ml per day immediately and continue taking
Elevit
Q. When does morning sickness kick-in?
A. Week 6-7
Q. When will we be pass the high risk of miscarriage?
A. 12-13wks
Misc info
- May experience some spot bleeding in the 1st trimester on the dates that my
period would normally have been due
- Blood and urine test taken, need to come back for results