Meet Conscious Birth at Open Day !

Conscious Birth empowers pregnant women and new mothers with knowledge, understanding and support to facilitate real transformation into motherhood. Its founder, Theoni Papoutsis, a former Doula, has attended more than 150 births and has been emotionally and spiritually supporting pregnant and new mothers for over 15 years. Her blissful Pregnancy and Postnatal massages rejuvenate the woman within, and come with Theoni’s special brand of caring support. As one of the few qualified HypnoBirthing® practitioners in South Africa, she holds group classes and you can also book for one-on-one sessions. Reserve your place soon for the next HypnoBirthing class. Combining her experience, knowledge and a wide variety of tools, Theoni has recently created a one-on-one process for mothers-to-be called “Birthing a Mother, Birthing a Baby”. The aim of the “Birthing a Mother, Birthing a Baby” process is to assist pregnant women to enter this life-altering phase of life with conscious commitment: prepared, confident and capable. Conscious Birth also provides the following workshops: Moms and Dads, Connect with Baby, and Embracing Motherhood. Theoni is also available for: Clearing the Way, Helping to prepare for a C-section, Turning a Breech Baby, Blessingway ceremony and Baby naming or welcoming ceremonies.

Please visit her at www.consciousbirth.co.za for more details. Her extensive range of tried and tested baby products are also available for sale. African baby carrier, amber teething necklaces, Baby wrapz, Mexican Bolas, Mother nature bamboo nappies, wooden toys, jelly cat toys, Pure Beginnings organic baby products and Soylites.

Call Theoni on: 083 229 3253

theoni@consciousbirth.co.za

Win a Harmony Soylites Candle at Genesis Clinic Open Day from Conscious Birth !

With our Spring Open Day coming up on the 17th of September, we would like to introduce you to the exhibitors who are as passionate about Pregnancy, Birth and Babies as we are !

Watch this space as we introduce one or two exhibitors every day on the blog, and the amazing prizes that are up for grabs!Today we introduce homeopath, Dr Alicia Neaves ,who runs Birth Babies , which aims to provide a safe and effective support kit for mother and baby throughout pregnancy, labour and the years to follow.

"I am a homoeopath, reflexologist and mother of 2. My 2 daughters were born at home under the care of Rosalia and Sue King. To further my studies I’ve also attended Rosalia’s doula course. Through various requests from friends, family and patients I’ve made a homoeopathic birthing kit. I’ve also supplied those interested with Red raspberry tincture and tissue salts. The kit consists of a collection of 9-18 single remedies that are most frequently used during birth. Included in the kit is a short description for each remedies usage. It’s a compact box of gems that works well if used correctly. The kits are called ‘Birth babies’ ".

She provides the following:

Homoeopathic kits
1. Birth kits
2. Pregnancy kits
3. Custom made kits

Birth Babies aims to provide a safe and effective support kit for mother and baby throughout pregnancy, labour and the years to follow.

Prize give-away from Birth Babies - a homeopathic Birth Kit!

You can contact her on 082 447 6880

drneaves@gmail.com

Our next exhibitor we are introducing is Netcells

Netcells Cryogenics is the leading provider of stem cell storage for newborns. Once collected from the umbilical cord and placenta at birth, these precious cells are couriered to our internationally compliant laboratory in Midrand. The stem cells are then extracted, tested, cryogenically frozen and stored. In the case of a life threatening disease, these stem cells can possibly be used to treat your child or a close family member. Visit www.netcells.co.za for more information.

Wendy Robertson

0828939508

info@netcells.co.za

Visit http://www.netcells.co.za/ for more information

Prize give-away from Netcells - a teddy bear!

Genesis Clinic Open Day

OPEN DAY at GENESIS CLINIC
Saturday, 17th of September
From 10 am to 2pm

Dear Mom’s and Dad’s to-be,
This Spring Open day promises to celebrate the joys of new beginnings and we'll celebrate with a bigger Open Day, with more exhibitors and midwives to meet, so that you canenjoy a fun and informative day for all your Pregnancy and Birth related queries for birthing at Genesis Clinic !

The first 100 visitors receive goodie bags!

We have amazing prizes for those of you that come to the Open Day, and you will automatically be eligible for many wonderful products generously donated by our exhibitors! You will also have the opportunity to meet Private Midwives who will have stands at the Open Day, they will be available to chat and give you the relevant information you need for birthing your baby with them at Genesis Clinic.

We also have the following fantastic talks you should not miss!

*Sister Claire Bracher talks about

‘Breastfeeding’ from 10:30am to 11:00am
Head of Genesis Doula Services,

Elizabeth Friedman talks about

‘The Role of the Doula’
From 12:30pm to 13:00pm

We also have a Genesis Waterbirth Dvd Screening at:
11:30am to 12:00
and
13:30pm to 14:00pm

Of course we also have amazing exhibitors who will be there on the day, and are not to be missed for their wide array of good, reputable Preggy, Birth and Baby products and services that we highly recommend.

Watch this space for info on our prizes and great products on offer for Open Day !

Genesis staff on E tv's "Great Expectations"

Thanks to these very passionate ladies who shared their birth stories and expertise on E tv's 'Great Expectations' show on Monday, the 18th of July. Most of these ladies work at Genesis, (midwives, doula's and moms that have birthed there). They had a great time getting their make-up done at the studio's and sharing their passion of birth ! Thanks ladies you have no doubt inspired many parents-to-be on Madiba Day !

We should be getting the recording shortly and you can hopefully watch it on YouTube soon, so watch this space!

Nicolette Barhuizen, just after having her make-up done at the studio's. She is one of the Genesis staff midwives , as well as advocating natural waterbirth for the show, with her experience as a midwife and private midwife, she shared her story about her own active waterbirth at Genesis Clinic.


Going live !

Waiting in the guest room- until the ladies got called in to the studio (yes, there were slight jitters..it was a live show!) From left to right, Henny de Beer, private midwife working at Genesis through 'Growth Spurts' midwives, Elise, a mommy who came to chat about her natural birth, with epidural as a pain relief, Dr Sheni moodley, the gynae that advocates that natural birth is safe and best for mom, Rosalia Palazzo Pihlajasaari, shared her story about being a VBAC mom (she is also an experienced Doula), Elizabeth Friedman, came to chat about the importance of the role of the Doula, herself an experienced Doula, Nicolette Barkhuizen, as mentioned previously, Thandiwe Geobape, who shared her experience with her home/waterbirth.


Rosalia Palazzo Pihlajasaari waiting to go onto the show , herself a Doula, as well as a VBAC mom and advocate of VBAC SA, you can look up more info in http://vbac.co.za/

The gynaecologist , Dr Sheni Moodley, that came to give positive information regarding safe, natural birth.

Henny de Beer, in the make-up room, all ready for the live show! Well done, you were so inspiring! henny works as a private midwife at Genesis, through GrowthSpurts.

Elizabeth Friedman, looking ever so elegant and is ready to advocate Doula's on the E tv Show 'Great expectations'. She is also Head of Doula Services at Genesis Clinic. Please look at http://www.dosa.org.za/ for a more comprehensive look at information regarding Doula's and finding a Doula.

Thankyou to all those involved in the show, for your time and effort.

Celebrity Moms Who Opted For Natural Childbirth

Celebrity Moms Who Opted For Natural Childbirth

Embracing the old-school way of birthin’ babies and have their kids at home or at a natural birth unit much like Genesis Clinic!
Here are some celebrity moms who had their babies the natural way!

Gisele Bundchen
Gisele just had her son Benjamin in early December and not only did she deliver her baby at home, without drugs but it “didn’t hurt in the slightest.” She told the Brazilian TV channel Fantasticoshe that, “my delivery was in a bath tub, in water, I wanted to have a home birth. I wanted to be very aware and present during the birth… I didn’t want to be drugged up. So I did a lot of preparation, I did yoga and meditation, so I managed to have a very tranquil birth at home.e.” She continued to say, “The whole time my mind was focused in each contraction on the thought ‘my baby is closer to coming out’. It wasn’t like ‘this is so painful’. So I transformed that intense feeling into a hope of seeing him.”

Idina Menzel
The star of stage and screen delivered her baby (with husband Taye Diggs) without any drugs at all. Taye said that his wife “was a warrior” during her labor that lasted about seven or eight hours. Nicole Richie
One site said that the mom of two popped “not even an aspirin” during childbirth with both her children, Harlow and Sparrow. But another said she had an epidural…who knows? But Nicole did say the birth of Harlow was “really mellow.” Yeah, maybe she did get some medicines to help with the pain but her labor was only about 10 minutes so maybe not! (source)

Jessica Alba
Josh Alba, Jessica’s brother, dished that Jessica opted to have a “all natural” childbirth and said everything “went really well.” Jessica herself said that during her daughter’s birth, “I didn’t scream. It was really Zen.” She continued to say, “the labour was more like meditation,” she says. “I did yoga breathing. I was focused.” Joely Fisher
With Joely’s second child – True Harlow – she said, “I decided to have her at home and had a lot of friends around and of course her father was there. And of course, the doctor, the doula, the midwife, the butcher, baker and candlestick maker.” Halle Berry
This A-lister reportedly had a long natural birth but not at home. Nahla was born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Maria Bello
The actress Maria Bello said she “can’t imagine giving birth in a sterile environment like a hospital.” That is why the actress opted to give birth to her son Jackson (who’d now eight) at home and in her own bed. During her 22 hours of labor she “had a midwife and a thunderstorm with nothing more than an aspirin.” She said there were times where I wanted to say, ‘Get the ambulance — I’m done,’” but she thought, “I can do anything for 24 hours,” and the delivery took almost 24 hours.
Ricki Lake
Ricki believes so much in home births that she produced a documentary on The Business of Being Born that takes on the contrast between home and hospital births. The film included the filming of her very own home birth.

Many celebrity mums have favoured the natural way. Demi Moore, Cindy Crawford have all given birth at home three times.

And it's not unlike celebs to withdraw from the spotlight and move back to their roots for the delivery. Nelly Furtado gave birth to her first child, Nevis, back at home in Toronto and Charlotte Church gave birth in her native Cardiff.

Pamela Anderson had her two boys, Brandon and Dylan, 'back at the ranch'. She said: 'I gave birth at home both times, naturally, with a midwife, in water, with nothing.' In silence
Scientology is the 'fashionable' religion in Hollywood, endorsed by new dad Tom Cruise. And controversially, silent labours are one of the beliefs followers hold. So when Scientologist Kelly Preston, John Travolta's wife, gave birth to their daughter Ella her lips were sealed.

She said it was 'just a peaceful, beautiful entry into this earth', but speculation suggests she may have lapsed at one point and is reported to have shouted, 'throw me in the car! I want an epidural!'

Available for a mere £5,000 a pop, South African obstetrician Yehudi Gordon is famed for his laid back approach to labour. He encourages his celebrity patients to take control of the birth with yoga or in a birthing pool. (And to think you can do exactly that at Genesis Clinic with professional midwives!)
London's St John and St Elizabeth Hospital where he practices has seen many a tinted-screen limo pull up outside. Heather Mills, Kate Moss, Cate Blanchett, Jerry Hall, Emma Thompson and Elle McPherson all gave birth in the hands of this renowned birthing guru. Gordon reportedly performs his caesarean section operations under candlelight.

It must be said that this is not some 'celeb' trend, but that giving natural birth makes common sense... our bodies are quite capable, thankyou :)

Mother Instinct Shop and Resource Centre
Visit us at 129 Republic road,Fontainebleau, Randburg
http://www.motherinstinct.co.za/

Mother Instinct is a Pregnancy and Birth Resource Centre that caters for pregnant mothers, their birth partners and close support group. It is owned by sisters Elsabe Burger and Tertia Alkema.

Tertia is a doula and Elsabe is a Nurse-Midwife.We both have a passion for pregnant women, birthing, newborns and breastfeeding. We offer high quality, hand-picked products to support mom and baby through pregnancy, birth and the early months. You will find beautiful baby carriers, homeopathic and herbal products, selected maternity wear and baby clothing and beautiful nursery linen and blankets.

Handmade baby toys and artful mobiles, as well as baby products, made of pure, natural ingredients, perfect for your baby’s soft skin. All this and more, nestled in our “home-from-home” store, where you are welcome to browse, try on that perfect maternity or nursing bra, try out our range of breast pumps for when you go back to work, sip a cup of tea, or just come in for a chat.

We have a selection of books that is not readily available in other bookstores and is handpicked to ensure that moms have the correct information available regarding pregnancy, choices in childbirth and care for your newborn. And grandparents and friends are also welcome to come and browse for that special something for the new mom and baby! We have brought together a group of practitioners working independently but sharing our space at Mother Instinct so as to meet the needs of new and expecting parents by providing the wholistic "woman-baby-family" care many expecting families long for during this very special time. If we don't have what you are looking for, we will assist you in connecting with the right provider for you.

Currently offered:~
Ante-Natal Workshops~
Pregnancy Yoga~
Birthing from Within Workshops~
Womb to World~
Therapeutic Reflexology~
Pregnancy Massage~
Post Natal Yoga~
Post Natal Exercises with baby~
Dustan Baby Language~
Breastfeeding Workshops~
Moms and Babies Support Group~
Birth Story Circle~
Baby Massage

We will be adding more services as time goes by to assist our pregnant and new moms. We believe that you will find something to help you along the way!

Welcome!

Father's Day!

Genesis Clinic would like to congratulate all new fathers and fathers-to-be this month of June! Remember when your baby is born, so is a father ...

Article on The Important Role of the Father During Birth and After Birth
This is dedicated to all the beautiful men who want to take part in the birth of their children but who have no idea what they can do to contribute to the experience of birth.

Husbands have regained much lost ground and become active in the labour support role. This is a vitally important role as no one on earth can fill the place of the husband to his wife who is experiencing such a life changing event: the birth of their child.

It is a truly intimate experience that solidifies the bonding between husband and wife in relation to the entire pregnancy and birth process. It has now come full circle: the conception of the child, the months of pregnancy, the expectation of labor, the experience of birth, the joy of new life.

During labour the husband can offer much support and effective encouragement to his laboring wife:

The husband is able to give labour support just by his physical presence whether that be someone to lean on, someone to hold her up, someone to support her while she takes a hot shower, someone to give encouraging words. The husband coached childbirth is empowering and encouraging during difficult, hard labour.

The husband offers a tremendous amount of relief from pain to his wife whether it be from a lower back massage to relieve back pain, counter pressure on the lower back during a contraction, massaging feet and hands to aid in relaxation, or holding his wife’s hand for reassurance.

The presence of the husband gives his wife a peace and comfort by knowing that she is protected and loved.
Husbands should be encouraged to take an active role in the birth of his children. Natural childbirth classes are an excellent way for the husband to become more involved in pregnancy and childbirth for first time dads. Many times the husband would like to help during labour but doesn’t know what exactly he can do. Natural childbirth training will give the husband and wife an incredible amount of knowledge about the birthing process but also practical how to suggestions on the logistical aspects of labour.

Husbands: You play a vital support role during labour. Involve yourself and interact with your wife. It will give her the confidence she needs to complete the work of labour and birth. Do not be offended if she yells at you or puts a fist in your arm or says, “This is all your fault!” ! Sometimes labour can be so overwhelming, you may be honoured to take the brunt of her frustrations. Hang in there. Give her physical support and emotional encouragement. This provides a much needed security during a time when your wife/partner feels most vulnerable.

No one other than the mother is more personally and profoundly affected by the baby's birth than you are. As the mother's lover and the baby's father, you are connected to them like no other. Your role-to provide stability and refuge-is unique to you. Your presence profoundly influences your partner and how she navigates through labour. As a vigilant attendant, you offer your partner tremendous refuge and have the power to alter how labour and birth unfold. Because the man's role can make such a critical difference, it is important men have access to the preparatory attention they need to fulfill their role.

Make eye contact with your baby immediately at birth in order to maximize the opportunity for LOVE to activate within your own neurobiology and that of your baby’s. This is an extremely important suggestion and goes for both you and your partner.

The moment of birth offers a unique window of opportunity for the activation of love for all family members. The particular neuro-chemical soup that is available during birth (i.e., oxytocin, endorphins, and other hormones of love and well-being) will not be available in the same way at any other moment during life.

Immediate eye contact with your child can support the activation of the neurobiology of love within you and your child, which will allow you to cement the bond between you and lay the groundwork for the preservation of love in your family forever.

On a fundamental human level, babies need to look into the eyes of love immediately upon their arrival. This experience would happen naturally if birth were occurring in a gentle, loving environment, such as Genesis Clinic.

Similarly, it is extremely important for you to hold your child and place your child skin-to-skin on yours or your partner’s body. This will activate your baby’s sensory mechanisms to produce the neuro-chemicals of love, which will create an imprint of well-being that can last a lifetime.

Cut your baby’s umbilical cord until well after the cord has stopped pulsing. Better yet, cut the baby’s umbilical cord yourself.

When babies first emerge from the womb, they are not breathing. Instead, they are receiving all of the oxygen they need from the placental blood as it pulses through the umbilical cord into their tiny little bodies. When their umbilical cord is immediately clamped or cut, the baby’s oxygen supply is abruptly cut off, forcing him/her to gasp for breath in fear for his/her life.

Here’s to all the dads who plan to enact their full power and potency during birth!!! Our planet needs you desperately and the women and children soon to give birth thank you. May your days of enlightened fatherhood bring you much joy and the love in your family last forever.