Pippa Hudson with Irene Bourquin about Health & Wellness:
Pregnancy and childbirth
CAPE TALK’s Pippa Hudson with Irene Bourquin about her book, Life after LOSS.
Publication and date?
The pregnant pulse
JAMEY THOMAS
Irene Bourquin, a well-known registered nurse, midwife and international childbirth and postnatal educator from Somerset West, has yet another title to add to her name: she recently became a certified perinatal educator.
The course she did, accredited by Wits University, offers registered nurses and midwives such as herself the opportunity to play a significant role in the perinatal profession.
A perinatal educator is required to endure regular examinations and to keep up with the latest developments in pregnancy, childbirth and parenting. “This was definitely the most difficult course I have ever done, but this proves that you really can teach an old dog new tricks,” she says. The little fun she had during the course was – of course, she grins – provided by discussions with dads, who she says still had an old-fashioned idea of pregnancy.
“Puff-puff breathing, bad birth videos, women-centred classes, an economically cash-strapped time with little emphasis on the important role of the dad – this was the picture in their heads,” she laughs.
Irene says nothing could be further from the truth.
“Dads educated about birth and parenting are taking their rightful role in supporting their partners and sharing the parenting role to the benefit of the family.
“But Irene has more than a new title to boast about. She recently released an updated version of her successful book, Practical Pregnancy, Birth and Early Parenting. The book, in its fifth edition, is now called The Very Practical Pregnancy Handbook.
“This book is so practical, readers will find it relatively easy to relate to – and it is in a language everyone can understand. Did I mention that it is the best toilet read you will find?” she smiles.
Her book features the latest trends in pregnancy and childbirth, and includes chapters on pre-conception and healthy living for expecting mothers.
Her book has found its way to so many homes, and has proved to be so well-received by readers, that it is now also available for the first time in Afrikaans.
Irene says she feels truly blessed to be part of the maternity team at Mediclinic Vergelen, not to mention the lives of expecting parents in the Helderberg.
“It is always a privilege.There is nothing greater than to give the best to those who are embarking on the most exciting time of their lives -becoming parents’
Leefstyl 21 April 2006
Publication and date?
Publication and date?
Publication and date?
Double feather in Irene’s cap
IRENE BOURQUIN, the well-known Somerset West childbirth educator, recently added two certificates to her already acquired Internationally Certified Childbirth and Postnatalqualifications. Irene has become an Internation-ally Certified Doula. While at a conference in America recently, she was invited to attend a course to become an approved International
Trainer of both Childbirth Educators and Doulas, which is a first for a South Africa.
Passionate
Despite her achievements, Irene insists she is the privileged one to be working in profession she is passionate about, and to be part of both the local maternity team and the lives of new parents in the Helderberg.