"Birth is the pinnacle where women discover the courage to become mothers"
Anita Diamant
About
Becoming a parent is one of the most exhilarating, but natural journeys that you will experience in your life. You may however feel that it is a daunting journey, and that you are inexperienced and unsure. Let me help you remove the unknowns and enjoy your baby.
As a childbirth educator and clinic sister, I would like to:
- Provide you with the necessary information, based on the latest research, to help you make an informed choice about the type of birth that would be best for you, your baby and your partner.
- Help you and your partner master the techniques necessary to have a successful, beautiful and loving birth experience, be it a natural or alternative birth, using practical work.
- Help you master the art of breastfeeding.
- Help you gain confidence in your abilities as future parents to give your baby the best start to life.
- Bring about healthy and emotionally happy families by educating and empowering parents.
- Guide you in matters concerning your baby or child’s health.
I am a certified registered nursing sister. My qualifications are:
- B.Cur (Pretoria) – General nursing, midwifery, psychiatric nursing
- B.A. Cur (Unisa) – Community health nursing, nursing education
I completed the Post Graduate Programme in Paediatric Nutrition through Boston University.
I am a Breastfeeding Consultant. I have completed numerous courses, update courses and workshops on breastfeeding including courses through the Breastfeeding Association of South Africa endorsed by La Leche League International and Gauteng Breastfeeding Forum.. I am a member of the Childbirth Educators Professional Forum (CBEPF).
I regularly attend symposiums, discussion groups and courses to stay up to date with the latest research in my field.
I have a great interest in homeopathy and organic alternatives.
I am happily married and the proud mother of three adult children.
Cheryl Immelman
New Parents in the Millennial Age
Your baby’s birth has an impact on all aspects of his life – it is not separate from the rest of his life. The type of birth and what your baby is exposed to immediately after birth has long term implications on physical as well as emotional wellbeing. These first experiences shape your baby’s brain for the rest of his life, either to experience the world as a calm, loving environment or as a hostile dangerous place. During and directly after birth your baby will be exposed to correct (mom’s) or incorrect microbes which will affect your baby’s future health as a child and an adult.
Although it may be given with the best of intentions, social media comments or advice from other moms about birth, breastfeeding or child rearing could often be incorrect and ignorant. The decisions and choices you make now will affect your baby for the rest of his life. Do not be tempted into doing quick crash courses or one day courses because your life is too busy.
Please think of your baby – make informed choices about your type of birth, how you feed your baby and how you raise your child.
Services
All classes are presented in Afrikaans and English.
Ante-Natal Services
A once-off session that is preferably completed early in your pregnancy, either privately or in groups of 2 to 3 couples.
Research has shown that correct maternal nutrition is crucial for the development of the foetus to prevent stunted growth and under-nutrition. Growth failure may begin in utero and continue for up to 2 years of the child’s life. This in turn can lead to an intergenerational cycle of growth failure.
Correct maternal nutrition and a healthy lifestyle will be discussed, including essential vitamins and minerals, exercise, effects of smoking and alcohol and environmental toxins. All these have been linked to childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic disorders. It is estimated that the global prevalence of under-nutrition is 2 billion people, while 1.5 billion are overweight and 0, 5 billion are obese.
The 6 week course is completed in a group environment and is a wonderful opportunity to enhance your birthing experience and to positively influence you and your partner’s outlook on parenthood. The fun, interactive sessions will stimulate discussions and will enrich your knowledge.
The groups are kept small – 3 to 6 couples to attain optimal individual attention.
The course will takes place on Monday nights at 18.00, starting on a prearranged date.
a. Birthing process (3 sessions)
Future parents are helped to prepare for the type of birth they would ideally like to achieve, but alternative birth types are also discussed.
Many misconceptions surrounding antenatal classes exist – uninformed parents-to-be think it’s the “huffing and puffing class” where you only learn to breathe for labour.
The breathing techniques that are included in the classes will help you form a rhythm, concentrate and ease the pain of contractions. Coping with pain is actually a life skill that should be learned by everybody – even if you are having a caesarean section (the pain of labour comes during birth – the pain of a caesar comes afterwards). The more fear and tension you experience before the birthing process, the more pain you will experience during labour. This cycle has to be broken by information, education, and learning life skills such as relaxation, visualization, mobility, comfort and breathing. Ample research has shown that these techniques shorten the length of labour and reduce complications.
You will be helped to identify and understand the nature of your own unique coping styles and preferences. These coping styles are strengthened by in-class practice and reinforcement. Your birthing partner will be encouraged to actively help reinforce the use of your identified coping strategies. Your partner’s help in this regard is invaluable.
Variations of labour and methods to cope with procedures such as induction, epidural, caesarean section and episiotomy will be discussed.
The changes that occur in the body after birth (post partum changes) will be discussed, as well as mechanisms to cope with bleeding, lochia, blues, post partum depression, episiotomy, the caesarean section incision as well as early warning signs of possible problems.
b. Parenting skills (3 sessions)
I am a passionate lactation consultant and concentrate on the preparation for a successful breastfeeding relationship. I believe that future parents are provided with too little preparation concerning this important aspect. Physical as well as emotional preparation is essential.
You and your partner will be taught skills necessary for parenting effectively. Topics such as behaviour and milestones of the newborn baby, crying and the dreaded cramps or colic, basic care of your baby, skin care, immunisation, prevention of cot death and the possibility of stem cell storage will be discussed.
The baby bath and your partner’s involvement will be demonstrated. Organic baby products – a healthier alternative – will be discussed.
Although not preferred, I can accommodate you for a shortened two session course, if you have time restrictions.
Each session is approximately 2½ to 3½ hours long and can be completed privately or with 2 to 3 couples at a prearranged date and time.
- The first session covers the natural birthing process, but alternative birth types will briefly be discussed.
- The second session covers breastfeeding techniques and preparation for the first few days. Baby bath and products will also be discussed.
Post-Natal Services
A private consultation is done as soon as possible after discharge from the hospital as an early preventative measure before problems set in. The well-being of the mother and baby will be assessed, paying special attention to the breastfeeding and especially the latching technique. Up to date advice will be provided to the new mother and father, taking individual needs into account. An hour is usually sufficient for the first consultation, but it can be longer as the need arises.
After the first private consultation, the consultations can take place on a regular basis depending on the mother’s needs, or alternatively, the post-natal course can be joined. The consultations can continue at regular intervals until the child is 2 to 3 years old.
The consultations comprise:
- Weighing and evaluation of feeding and growth according to percentile growth charts.
- Evaluation of developmental milestones.
- Administering of immunisation as needed.
- Evaluation and support of new mother’s physical and emotional state, with special attention to post-partum depression.
- Evaluation of the family unit and relationships.
- Provision of relevant advice and where necessary, immediate referral to applicable health practitioners.
Visits straight after the birth of your baby can be arranged in the comfort of your own home. Please note that this service can only be provided if I have sufficient time to do so due to time constraints at the clinic. The home visit or a visit to the clinic is ideally done as soon as possible after discharge from the hospital as an early preventative measure before problems set in. The well-being of the mother and baby will be assessed, paying special attention to the breastfeeding and especially the latching technique. Up to date advice will be provided to the new mother and father, taking individual needs into account. An hour is usually sufficient for the first home visit, but it can be longer as the need arises.
After one or two home visits, follow up consultations at the practice can take place privately, or alternatively, the post-natal course can be joined.
The home visits comprise:
- Weighing and evaluation of feeding and growth according to percentile growth charts.
- Evaluation of developmental milestones.
- Evaluation and support of new mother’s physical and emotional state, with special attention to post-partum depression.
- Evaluation of the family unit and relationships.
- Provision of relevant advice and where necessary, immediate referral to applicable health practitioners.
The post natal course consists of eight group sessions of 3 to 3½ hours each. The sessions takes place once a week on Tuesday mornings from 09:00 to 12:30. The course can be started after the first private consultation or home visit.
During the sessions you and your baby will relax in “our happy place” and will receive professional advice as well as lots of attention and love. You will meet other mothers who are in the same situation as you are. The socialization will make you feel more at ease and comfortable and will help you learn new coping mechanisms, make new friends and help prevent post partum depression.
The sessions comprise:
- Weighing and evaluation of feeding and growth according to percentile growth charts
- Evaluation of developmental milestones
- Administering of immunisation as needed
- Evaluation and support of new mother’s physical and emotional state, with special attention to post-partum depression
- Evaluation of the family unit and relationships
- Provision of relevant advice and where necessary, immediate referral to applicable health practitioners
In addition to the above, one of the following topics will be discussed during the course of the morning:
- Prevention and coping with sleep problems
- Introduction of solids and solids related issues
- Teething and prevention of tooth decay
- Prevention of illness and coping with an ill baby or child
- Introduction to emergency treatment and contents of emergency treatment kit
- Baby massage – presented by a certified baby massage therapist
- All aspects of immunisation
- Post partum depression, marriage and relationships after childbirth
- Preparation for potty training and prevention of psychological issues
I am an experienced and passionate breastfeeding consultant*. I have helped countless mothers breastfeed successfully and many have continued with long term breastfeeding. I have a special interest in helping mothers with premature babies or twins.
*A breastfeeding consultant is one who has been trained to focus on the needs and concerns of the breastfeeding mother and baby pair, in order to prevent, recognize, and solve breastfeeding difficulties.
To breastfeed is a completely personal matter. Often friends and family will have strong opinions on this matter. It is of the utmost importance that you make an informed choice. Research has proven that early support is vital for successful breastfeeding. Get professional help early!
Breast milk is the most perfect food for babies during the first two years of life. Breastfeeding has many health benefits for both mother and baby during the breastfeeding period as well as thereafter.
Health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), recommend breastfeeding exclusively for six months and continuing after the introduction of solids. An estimated 820,000 annual deaths of children under the age of five can be prevented globally with increased breastfeeding.
Vaccinating your baby is not compulsory in South Africa but is highly advisable (parents’ consent is required). As a developing country with a mixed social demographic, disease prevention is of critical importance.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI) encourages vaccination against various life treating and debilitating diseases. Between two and three million deaths are prevented globally each year by effective immunisation. South Africa’s vaccination schedule is in line with the World Health Organization’s recommendations.
Immunity is developed through either passive or active routes. Passive immunity is when babies receive immunity through the placenta and breast milk, or when we develop immunity either through having a disease or through exposure to a disease. Active immunity is developed through immunisation.
The following vaccines are available – some are provided by the Department of Health (state) and others are only available privately:
- BCG: Bacillus Calmette Guerin (TB) – administered in the hospital after birth (state)
- Oral polio (state)
- Polio,diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenza type B (state and private)
- Pneumococcal disease (state and private)
- Rotavirus (state and private)
- Measles (state and private)
- Meningococcal disease (private only)
- Measles, mumps, rubella (private only)
- Chicken pox (private only)
- Hepatitis A (private only)
- Cervical cancer: human papilloma virus (private only)
Cheryl Immelman Practice is accredited with the Department of Health to provide and administer state vaccines, which are offered free of charge.
Cheryl Immelman Practice also provides the recommended private immunisation.
I recommend the use of homeopathic products and other measures to reduce the possible side effects of the vaccines.
Other Services
Professional advice is offered on:
Normal Growth and Development
Pediatric growth charts are tools that contribute to forming an overall clinical impression of the child being evaluated and help identify problems early.
Crying Baby and Colic
When your baby cries, it is his way of communicating his needs. It is designed to ensure a response and will most likely put you and your partner under strain. I will provide professional advice to help determine the possible cause of fussiness to lead to a calmer, more relaxed baby.
Breast- and Formula Feeding
Breastfeeding is the first option for feeding your baby – even if you have twins. If breastfeeding is not possible or not your first choice, professional advice and support on formula feeding will be provided.
Solids and Allergy Prevention
The introduction of solids can lead to contradictory advice from professionals and well-meaning relatives. Some controversy exists on when and what solids to introduce to prevent allergies. I will guide you through this confusing topic to attain a healthy baby and set the foundation for a healthy adult.
Post Partum Depression
During the first year after childbirth, 80% of new mothers have severe mood swings, known as baby blues, and 10% suffer from post partum depression. Early identification and prevention of post partum depression is of the utmost importance.
Sleep Patterns
Babies’ sleep cycles are far shorter than those of adults, and babies spend more time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep – necessary for brain development. A tiring and irregular sleeping pattern often develops. Developing good sleeping patterns is vitally important to prevent sleep deprivation for yourself and your baby.
Developmental Milestones
“Developmental milestones” is a term used to describe a child’s progress in developing functional skills as they grow older. I will regularly assess the milestones and determine if they are developing normally.
Organic and Homeopathic Products
I have a special interest in the natural prevention and treatment of ailments. Common illnesses, skin problems, cramps and reflux are often effectively treated by organic and homeopathic products. Many of these products are on sale in the clinic.
Thank you to all mothers who were kind enough to give permission to use photographs of themselves and their little ones on this website.
Testimonials
Contact
61 Van Wouw Street, Groenkloof
Pretoria, South Africa
The practice is situated in the beautiful, quiet suburb of Groenkloof, in a spacious, relaxed and comfortable environment. As many a mom have said “This is our happy place”
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© Cheryl Immelman Practice 2018
