Starting a family? Crucial questions on parenting, pregnancy and birth
Prospective parents often find decisions regarding birth route, birth care provider, caring for a newborn, etc. daunting. BabyGym Institute programme director and childbirth educator Cozette Laubser offers guidance on being ready for parenthood, financial concerns, choosing experts wisely, babies’ brain development, skin-to-skin contact, practical decision making, and reducing the stress parenthood brings.
If you are new to podcasts, simply click on the arrow to listen to Cozette and Mariette, or on the download button to download the conversation onto your device. Tip: Use earphones to listen in private.
In ep. 111 of the weekly podcast series Calm, Clear and Helpful, Cozette Laubser touches on
on life-changing experiences in her career and personal life
how to know whether you’re ready to be a parent
the connection between brain development, safety and bonding attachment
when to decide which care provider and birth route you’d prefer
what birth route involves, especially in terms of (medical) interference
terms including vaginal and physiological birth
a discussion of a couple’s belief systems and biases, remaining aware of the role of fear
essential points concerning a couple’s medical aid and financial position, including Cozette’s own home birth experience
how to know which expert to consult on which issue: which common misconception to sidestep
an indispensable element: “skin to skin” contact, and what it means
birth practices in South Africa, with a noteworthy focus on Caesarean sections compared to birth system in countries like the Netherlands and Germany, with a midwifery model of care
questions a couple should prepare for the first consultation with their care provider, e.g. which routine interventions regarding starting labour are involved
the B-R-A-I-N decision-making model (scroll down for the worksheet)
how to know if “following your instinct” is in your baby’s best interests
how parents can shape their lives and home environment to attain their parenting ideals, not merely functioning in survival mode – the role of space and time
how the neuroscience-based BabyGym 1 programme can help - more info at www.babygym.co.za
In this episode Cozette mentions the following international experts:
Dr. Michel Odent and his Primal Health Research Databank on the connection between birth and disease, as well as his book Do we need midwives?
Ina May Gaskin from The Farm Midwives community
Penny Simkin, the founder of Doulas of North America
Dr. Melodie de Jager, founder of the BabyGym Institute International
Dr. Nils Bergman and Jill Bergman and their work on skin-to-skin contact
Cozette also mentions www.evidencebasedbirth.com
Scroll down for more info on Cozette, BabyGym and Sensible Birth.
The decision-making chart Cozette mentions in the podcast episode.
Cozette describes how skin-to-skin contact right after birth bonds Baby, Mom and Dad - and what to do if the opportunity wasn’t there.
Also listen to Cozette’s explanation of how nurturing your baby “upgrades” your brain - even if you’re not the birth mom, you and the little one benefit!
Newborn Brain Essentials by Cozette Laubser - also available in Afrikaans - has been launched! You can find it here.
Lees Cozette se insigte in die artikel “Natuurlike geboorte: wanneer is dit die beste keuse?”
OR
Read Cozette’s insights embodied in the article “Birth pain – from fearful to powerful”.
Read what Cozette has to say about road trips, what stole her heart, and getting dirty.
About Cozette and contact details
Cozette Laubser is the Programme Director of BabyGym Institute International, Advanced BabyGym Instructor, Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator from Johannesburg.
Email address: cozette@sensiblebirth.co.za
Websites:
www.sensiblebirth.co.za (look out for the documentary called Microbirth, on the connection between birth culture and gut health)
Facebook:
Babygym Institute International
Sensible Birth
Instagram: babygyminstitute_international
Music by Mart-Marie Snyman
Thumbnail image: Unsplash
Photograph of Cozette Laubser: supplied