Wisdom

Pearls of wisdom just for mums, dads and carers

This is the place where practitioners, specialists and professionals share with you their 'pearl of wisdom' about all things pregnancy, birth and post birth related. These are the opinions of the author/s and we acknowledge that not one baby or mum is the same, so what may work for one may not possibly not work for another. Mums know their bodies and their babies best, so do what is right for you.

BaoBag provides helpful articles but no recommendations by health austerity or medical staff are implied. Please read all product instructions carefully and, if in doubt, seek advice from a doctor or medical professional.

In each of these articles we are lucky enough to have parents share their personal experiences, so please share your story too.

Hello Baby Fair Season: How to make the most of your visit while avoiding overwhelm!

Self Care Tips for Expectant & New Parents

Oh Baby!

Baby Sleep Foundations - The Key to Great Sleep for You & Your Baby

Oh Baby!

How to empower your birth partner for brilliance

2nd Trimester - From Lime to Eggplant

Baby Monitors | What the Sleep Experts Say

Oh Baby!

10 Hot Tips to Eliminate Cat Napping

Oh Baby!

My Experience of being a new Mum - You are Not Alone!

1st Trimester - From Poppy Seed to Plum

Five practical tips for parents of twins, triplets and more!

0 mums' stories

Congratulations, and welcome to the “multiverse”. Having twins or triplets is truly amazing. And yes, while there will be some tough times, the multiple giggles, kisses and other multi-moments you experience along the way will outweigh the tough times.

Did you know that there are two types of twins?

0 mums' stories

Twins can either be identical (monozygotic), meaning they develop from a single fertilised egg which splits and forms two embryos or they can be fraternal (dizygotic) which means that each embryo has developed from a separate egg and separate sperm.

There were 4,497 sets of twins born in Australia in 2016. Approximately one-third of twins are identical and the remaining two-thirds are fraternal twins.

My Birth Story - Part 2

1 mums' story

There are many things I was grateful for throughout my labour and delivery, our close proximity to the hospital included - because I can’t say it was the most comfortable car ride ever!

Why is Tummy Time Important?

0 mums' stories

Did you know tummy time is incredibly important for the development of your little one? Discover how you can make tummy time enjoyable for your little one today.

My Birth Story - Part 1

0 mums' stories

Pregnancy and birth have always fascinated me and I absolutely love hearing other women’s stories and experiences of birth!

So it's no surprise that I ended up working in the field that I do, and I love the beautiful moments that I share with mamas and mamas-to-be.

The Experience of Birth is Different for Everyone

7 mums' stories

Prepare yourself for birth, but also be kind to yourself when things don't go as planned. Do you have a story to share?

What is Hypnobirthing?

0 mums' stories

What is Hypnobirthing? If you are expecting a baby, it is definitely time for you to get yourself to an antenatal class so you are informed, empowered and have skills and tools to make this birth a positive one.

How breathing techniques can help during Labour

0 mums' stories

At birth, we take our first breath and remain connected to it for our entire lives. Did you know that how we use our breath has a biological effect on our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing?

12 Reasons Every Pregnant Woman Should Do Yoga

0 mums' stories

Caroline Bagga, Founder of Mother Nurture Yoga, Sydney’s Leading Pregnancy Yoga School, talks about the importance of staying active during pregnancy and the many benefits of Pregnancy Yoga.

10 Australian Pregnancy Books You Should Read

0 mums' stories

Caroline Bagga, Founder of Mother Nurture Yoga, Sydney’s Leading Pregnancy Yoga School, shares her pick of the best Australian Pregnancy and Birth books.

4
5
6
7
8

Recent mums’ stories

I've always been a big fan of baby wearing. Both my bubbas have been so happy and much more settled being close to me. Actaully, it really is the only thing that has allowed me to live my life normally and get everything done! I use two carriers, one when... Read more

Renae's Story NSW 2 kids in tow

Pilates is the absolute best antenatal and postnatal exercise class. Not only did my workouts at Polestar in Brookvale completely relieve my back pain, I felt stronger and ready for delivery. My doctor has cleared me to return after my c section at 4 weeks post natal and I can’t... Read more

Heather 's Story NSW 3 kids in tow

I never expected pregnancy to be a walk in the park, but suffice to say, I didn't expect to be on such a myriad of drugs to control my vomiting and have been admitted three times before the little tike decided to make his way into the world.Turns out his... Read more

Chantal's Story Vic 1 kid in tow

Chantal Vic 1 kid in tow

I never expected pregnancy to be a walk in the park, but suffice to say, I didn't expect to be on such a myriad of drugs to control my vomiting and have been admitted three times before the little tike decided to make his way into the world.

Turns out his arrival was to be similarly unconventional. Due on the 7th of September, I was not expecting to have my water break on the 15th if July. It was the middle of the night when I thought I noticed a trickle of liquid, but decided I had dreamt it. It wasn't until later that morning, around 7am, turned over in bed and realised I had not. Thankfully I made my way to the toilet without creating too much mess. After sitting there for a few minute to gather my thoughts, I asked hubby to grab a pad for me, tidied myself up and called the hospital. As expected they asked me to come in to be checked over and have the baby monitored by CTG.

Up to this point, apart from the Braxton Hicks, which I had been experiencing for weeks, I felt no real contractions. The monitoring, however, told a different story. Despite this an internal exam later that morning showed that the shop was still shut, with no progression into labour.

So I was admitted for bed rest and put on antibiotics and nephedipine (to halt the contractions) and given steroid shots to ready his lungs. Everything was now up in the air - Was he going to come soon? How I long would I be in hospital (not the whole 7.5 weeks surely?!).

I spent 8 days in hospital on rest and, because everything was going well (no signs of infection and normal daily monitoring), I was sent home to continue resting there. After 1 full day at home (resting as instructed), I went to bed and slept for a couple of hours before waking to take my midnight antibiotics. I struggled to go back to sleep after this (not in itself an unusual thing for me) and I think the period-like cramping started at about 2am.

By morning the cramping had not ceased and was regular enough that we decided we should call the hospital. On returning, the CTG was again used to monitor potential progress, but no internal exam was initially done, so as to minimise infection risk if labor did not progress. After several hours labour did progress and the first internal in the late afternoon (the timing gets a bit fuzzy from here) showed effacement and dilation to 2cm. This was very demoralising. I thought I had been dealing reasonably well with the pain until then, with only a little gas. I was also told at this point, by the OB, that bub was facing back to back.

Unable to have pethidine due to allergy, I was offered an epidural. I had been reluctant to have one as I wasn't keen on having a needle in such close proximity to my spinal cord, but boy was I happy to see the Anesthesiologist when he came (some time after dusk). Once in, I was also started on a Syntocin drip to help move things along and encourage the baby to turn.

Several hours of labour later, he had still not turned and was stuck in the birth canal. After loading up the epi (I had a button to press but had not been using it enough!) baby was turned manually and delivered using forceps (at 1.10am). Having only slept 2hrs in the preceding 40, I was reasonably delirious by now, and it would be about 4 more hours until I was in bed (on the ward) and asleep.

It's worth noting, I was still sick and vomiting during the labour. However, when I woke up Thursday morning, having only had about 3hrs sleep - I felt better than I had in 6 months. Sweet relief from the hyperemesis and no more need to take antinausea meds or steroids!

On delivery, baby was breathing well enough to have skin-to-skin cuddles for around 10mins before he started to get too cold. Baby was then taken to the special care nursery for examination. Apart from needing an IV to control glucose levels, paediatrician reported that he was doing exceptionally well considering his gestational age (34 weeks).

He spent 4 weeks in special care, and I was sent home after 3 days. Almost 9 weeks later, he continues to do well and is making a serious effort at catching up. Born at just under 2.3kg, he's eating (mixed feeds) like a horse and is now just over double his birth weight.