"Having had a baby almost 8 weeks early myself, it meant a lot to help other prem babies, without milk from their moms, by donating milk to Milk Matters, a very special organisation that is very close to my heart."
Michelle S. (breastmilk donor) - Greenpoint
" I am so thankful that my babies got the best by receiving donor milk, and that I was given a bit of leeway to get my own milk going without too much stress. My twins are four months old now and still breastfeeding."
Cathy S (breastmilk recipient) Cape Town
"It felt wonderful to be able to help other moms and babies in the same way that I had been helped. It has been very special to be both a donor and recipient of breastmilk through the milk bank."
Debbie K. (donor and recipient)
"It felt wonderful to be able to help other moms and babies in the same way that I had been helped. It has been very special to be both a donor and recipient of breastmilk through the milk bank."
Debbie K. (donor and recipient)
Preparing for your Baby's Birth
General Breastfeeding Tips
Your Newborn Baby
Potential Breastfeeding Problems
Where to go for support
Preparing for Your Baby's Birth
- Planning for your baby's birth
- Choosing your Health Professional and Birth Place
- Pain Relief during labour
Planning For Your Baby's Birth
Before making choices related to your baby's birth, do the necessary research and choose your general practitioner, obstetrician, midwife, doula, paediatrician and hospital with care. Perhaps you want to include the option of a homeopath, body stress release practitioner, acupuncturist or reflexologist.
Choosing Your Health Professional and Hospital
Even if you hardly ever visit a doctor, it is likely that you will be doing so more often once you start a family.
Some expectant parents choose the hospital before their obstetrician if the hospital offers the kind of birth and breastfeeding experience that they are looking for.
You are not obliged to accept the services of the paediatrician that your obstetrician refers you to. You are entitled to choose you own paediatrician.
Pain Relief During Labour
Prof Justice Hoffmeyer said "If a doula was a drug, it would be illegal not to give it to woman in labour" 'Doula' is a Greek word referring to a woman that supports other woman or couples in labour. Acquiring the services of a doula may be what you are looking for. (See useful contacts page.)
Look at what pain relief options are available to you. Perhaps you would like to consider alternative methods of pain relief as well. Speak to others, investigate who practices in your area. Pay them a visit so that you can decide what you are comfortable with.
