Bellies and Beyond

27/10/2025

Yesterday was quite an adventure to get Mom and Dad to be at the clinic with all the road closures of the 94.7 Ride Joburg going right around Oxford Road. We were driving hazards on, midwife at the front, new family in the middle and then doula at the back!

Congratulations Stefan and Kirsten! I have never seen a newborn girl with such long eyelashes!

25/10/2025

Midwife led care

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17QrkMkhPo/?mibextid=wwXIfr

23/10/2025

Genesis open day 9 Nov, see you there!

07/10/2025

236 Followers, 49 Following, 11 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Deidre Nel (.nel_bab)

06/10/2025

Hilarious video; If men could breastfeed!

28/09/2025

An incredible new study found that pregnant women who consume just 6 dates a day in the 4 weeks leading up to their due date were 74% more dilated upon their arrival to the hospital, had a 77% shorter first stage of labor and a 42% lower rate of caesarean sections.

Eating dates in the late stages of pregnancy lead to higher cervical dilation upon hospital admission because the fruit contains nutrients that influence oxytocin receptors, preparing the cervix and uterus for labor by increasing muscle response to oxytocin and other labor-supporting hormones. Dates are a rich source of energy from natural sugars and fats and also contain prostaglandins, which contribute to cervical ripening. Additionally, they provide serotonin, calcium, and tannins, which contribute to powerful uterine contractions.

Eating dates in the late stages of pregnancy shortens the first stage of labor due to their ability to stimulate the production of prostaglandins, which promote cervical ripening (softening and thinning of the cervix) and increase uterine contractions. Dates also contain tannins, which have a similar effect, and provide a natural sugar source for energy during labor. Some studies even suggest that dates can increase uterine sensitivity to oxytocin, leading to more effective contractions and a quicker and smoother labor process.

These actions are also the exact reason why women who eat dates in the late stages of pregnancy and far less likely to need a c-section!

The most common recommendation is for women to begin eating 6 dates a day starting in their 37th week of pregnancy.
PMID: 40322306, 21280989

SEE ALSO: https://www.pelvicphysio.co.nz/the-sweet-secret-to-a-smoother-labour-dates

12/09/2025

10/09/2025

Are you feeling excited—but also a little nervous—about your upcoming birth? You’re not alone! Many moms-to-be share the same feelings, but the good news is you don’t have to go through this journey unprepared.

These antenatal classes that are designed to give you the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to navigate labor, birth, and early motherhood with

Book your space for this weekend workshop. 26,27 and 28th of September. By sending us a WA
072 4617867 or e-mail
Deidre@belliesandbeyond.co.za

30/08/2025

𝗔 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 🌸

Meeting a new baby is incredibly exciting, and everyone's eager to share in the joy! However, the first few weeks with a newborn are also a delicate time for the new family. Parents are often recovering from birth, navigating sleepless nights, and deeply bonding with their little one. Meanwhile, newborns have developing immune systems and are adjusting to a brand new world.

When planning to meet a newborn, a little thoughtfulness goes a long way in supporting this special, vulnerable period. By following these key guidelines, you can ensure your visit is a source of care, respect, and true help for the new family.

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬? 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸!

25/07/2025

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗶𝗱𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗹

✨ 𝘛𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩, 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺.

I am Deidre, wife to the best husband and father on earth, mother to three beautiful girls, and a passionate midwife.

Even during my initial studies in 2002, when we did general, community and psychiatric nursing, I already knew that I loved midwifery the most! I am still not sure if it was thanks to a good lecturer or if it is even possible to be in a person’s genes, as my late mother was also a passionate midwife. Graduated Cum Laude; Advanced midwifery and neonatal nursing in 2011, then started Bellies and beyond, private practice and have been successfully assisting the births of new families ever since.

My biggest goal is to make a difference in life, to inspire all new parents to be constantly inquisitive and to gain as much knowledge as they could to make informed choices. Empowerment and informed decisions are key aspects to ensure a positive birth experience... and the best kick off to a lifetime of good mothering.

I view midwifery as my calling; I am honoured to welcome a new soul on earth and be a witness, to the best moments of a new family’s life.

💬 𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵:
➡ tel:+27724617867
➡ deidre@belliesandbeyond.co.za