Home birth talk, information and pre/postnatal classes
Following the global trend for caesarean births and the alarmingly high percentage of them the island sees, the tide is starting to change, and attitudes towards pregnancy, giving birth and postnatal care are leaning more towards the natural, holistic and alternative.
In Larnaca, a number of individuals are now offering new options for post and prenatal wellbeing, with information and classes available in English. This includes antennal classes, baby massage, mother and child exercise classes and postnatal exercise.
In support of this changing attitude, the Larnaca Parent's Network (LPN) will be sponsoring a talk this week on natural births at home, hospital and clinics.
Taking place on Wednesday at the Little Gems Montessori premises, speaker Eline Pedersen and a panel of guests - who are advocates of natural birth - will share their knowledge and experience on the subject, with participation from the audience. Eline is a chiropractor and mother of two who had a natural birth at the hospital, and a self-assisted water birth at home.
Sharon Mckinely – founder of LPN – says: "We want to provide information and opinions about home birth, for parents who think that it might be the right choice for them, and so we are opening the floor for a dialogue between health care providers and parents."
The talk will take place from 8pm – 9.30pm and admission is free. You can state your interest in attending via the Facebook event page: Natural Births – Home Births in Cyprus.
Angela Ashby of Mama & Me has expanded to include antenatal and postnatal classes in English. Her classes guide through every step of pregnancy and cover the changing body and what to expect during pregnancy and birth (for both natural and caesarean births), exercise and wellbeing during and after pregnancy, infant care, breastfeeding and bonding, and first aid for infants. The new classes complement her existing Mama & Me classes whereby mothers exercise with their baby to help bonding whilst getting fit. As she says:
"Pregnancy is an exciting time but it can also be nerve-wracking as the body and emotional wellbeing change. Through antennal classes, women can learn about these changes and how to manage their health and emotions. We also prepare for the birthing experience and equip women with the skills to handle labour or the recovery period after a c-section. The course also gives mums the skills to be confident and relaxed parents."
Classes can be taken one-to-one or in a group at St Raphael Private Hospital, Wow Action Park (Aradippou), and in Oroklini. You can find out more by contacting Angela on: 97610998 / angela.ashby.3557@facebook.com, or visiting her Facebook Page: Angela's Activities.
Tina Poetis of Poetis Physiotherapy Larnaca specialises in baby massage and parental skill classes, which can be taken when the infant is two months old to crawling age. The Baby Massage & Developmental Play Course runs for five weeks in small groups and demonstrates how massage can help the bonding process, as well as assisting in other developmental issues such as brain and motor development, and helping to ease digestive complaints, reduce crying and promote restful sleep. Tina says: "Massage makes the connection between your baby's emotional and physical health. Come and join a small, baby-led, relaxed class, meet other mums and have fun with your baby. You will learn a skill that you can use for life!"
For more details, contact Tina on: 24822441 or 99304660 / email tina@poetis-physiotherapy.com, or visit her Facebook page: Poetis Physiotherapy Larnaca.
