Birth Trauma Recovery - 3 Step Rewind Fife

20/07/2023

Can you take part in this research to help gain understanding of mothers' / birthing parents' perspectives on possible ways to reduce the likelihood and impact of birth trauma.

20/07/2023

It's Birth Trauma Awareness Week. 1 in 3 women identify there births as traumatic.

31/05/2023

Remember this Mamas 💙

The BTA is proud to have a network of amazing peer supporters, ready to help you either by email or telephone. Get in touch!

📧 support@birthtraumaassociation.org.uk
📞 02036216338

30/05/2023

New Service Launch Offer - 20% reduction for the 3 Step Rewind Process

What is Birth Trauma?

According to The Birth Trauma Association (www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk) research suggests that about 4% of women who give birth go on to develop postnatal PTSD, or birth trauma. That works out at about 30,000 new cases every year in the UK.

An estimated 30% experience some symptoms of PTSD, but not the full-blown condition.

We know that witnesses to a trauma can also experience PTSD. This means that some partners or staff suffer PTSD after witnessing a traumatic birth.

When a new mother tells her health visitor or GP that she’s been feeling anxious or jumpy or replaying the birth in her head, it’s easy to reach for a diagnosis of postnatal depression (PND). Because many people still aren’t aware of postnatal PTSD, some women will accept the PND diagnosis, even while feeling it’s not quite right. But treatment pathways for depression and PTSD are very different, so it is important to ask about women’s symptoms in detail.

The four symptoms of PTSD are: re-experiencing the trauma (e.g. flashbacks and nightmares); avoidance (the woman avoids any reminder of the trauma); negative cognitions and mood (such as feelings of guilt); and arousal (such as hypervigilance). In effect, the brain is still in flight-or-fight mode, constantly alert to the threat of danger.

3 Step Rewind can be helpful for any pregnancy related, birth or breastfeeding trauma.



What is the 3 Step Rewind?

3 Step Rewind is a gentle and effective process that originated from neuro linguistic programming (NLP) that can help shift the painful or unhelpful emotions and anxiety that are linked to any negative memories related to your experiences of pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. The wonderful thing about the 3 Step rewind technique is that you don’t even have to talk about your painful experience if you don’t want to.



Session 1 gives you the opportunity to tell your story (this is optional) and understanding how this is affecting you today. We will talk through the 3 Step Rewind process and how it works. We begin to explore what you would like to experience when you are free of these feelings. We end with a practice relaxation which is recorded for your use at home.



Session 2 is where the Rewind process itself takes place. You will be gently guided back through the memory in a specific, safe way in deep relaxation so you are not re-triggered by the emotions. The Rewind process breaks the neural connections that are triggering the feelings and symptoms you have been experiencing.



Session 3 we check in on how you are feeling and re-score. If necessary, we can re-run the Rewind Process. To finish you will strengthen your more positive future, rehearsing and experiencing your new goal state and feelings in a deeply relaxation.

These sessions are normally delivered in the comfort of your own home via Zoom.

(* home visits within a 20 mile radius of Falkland, Fife mileage rate of 60p per mile charged)



Cost for 3 one-hour sessions: Normally £155 - £124 when booked and paid by 15th July 2023

Payment plans available on request.

Testimonial: I had a traumatic birth experience with my son, and the further I progressed in my pregnancy the more anxious I felt about the upcoming birth. This was affecting my sleep, my relationship with my partner, son and my birth choices as it was constantly on my mind.

I attended three sessions with Maggie and I can’t believe the difference in the way I feel now, I haven’t even thought about my previous birth experience once!

I feel much more free, positive about the upcoming birth and excited to meet our baby. Just because my previous experience was difficult, it doesn’t mean this will happen again.

Maggie also did sessions with my husband, which have also made a huge difference on how he feels about the upcoming birth. This is so important as he will be my birth partner again.

I would recommend this to anyone in the same situation as me. Maggie kept me informed throughout about what was going to happen, sent me helpful videos to view beforehand and was so skilled at relaxing me and making me feel comfortable throughout. She has such a calming nature and makes you feel at ease throughout.
Claire - Glenrothes

No Obligation, Free 30 minute zoom consultation or call available to discuss any ask question. Contact me to arrange.

maggiemckeen@gmail.com
www.maggiemckeen.com

12/05/2023

05/03/2023

"It's also really important to remember that we are the descendants of thousands of generations of women who have successfully given birth.

If you are pregnant, or planning a pregnancy, I want to remind you that you are no less capable than your ancestors were.

You may be living in a culture that wants you to think otherwise, but you can choose what to believe.

You’ve got this.

The female body is really capable of growing, birthing and feeding a baby and, when we support ourselves and each other to do that, intervention is only occasionally needed.

We need to do whatever we can to remind ourselves and others of that."

It really can be hard to remember such things when we live in a culture that consistently undermines positive messages about the female body, often to try and sell us products and services that will make us more "acceptable."

But do you know what?

We're already great, just as we are!

And, while some of us need a bit of help, now and again, the subtle and overt messages telling us that we're intrinsically incapable are often untrue.

It's important to learn; to look at the evidence; to understand the bigger picture.

I wrote a book to try and help with that.

It's called "In Your Own Time: how western medicine controls the start of labour and why this needs to stop."

Loads of info and links to find out more or grab your copy at www.sarawickham.com/time

04/03/2023

Induction of labour is absolutely the right decision for some women, and absolutely not the right decision for others.

Some women are delighted that they had their labour induced, and some regret this decision for decades.

It is for those reasons that we encourage everyone to get lots of information about induction of labour or any other birth intervention before making a decision.

If you'd like to look at one of my books, then great.

In 'Inducing labour: making informed decisions,’ I talk through the issues in a balanced way and describe the process of induction.

‘In Your Own Time: how western medicine controls the start of labour and why this needs to stop’ goes a bit deeper. I look more into the history and politics and look at the issues for those told they are “at risk.”

Rachel Reed's book is also fab.

Like many of my colleagues, my primary concern is that you get good information from a credible source (which does not usually mean the mass media, social media influencers or those without any qualifications or experience) and are able to make the decision that is right for you.

Loads more info at www.sarawickham.com/iol

12/02/2023

By Professor Amy Brown

04/02/2023

Please join Divina in our friendly Zoom support group tonight at 7.30pm. There’s no pressure to have your camera on or even contribute if you don’t feel able, but this is a wonderful caring and empathetic space run by our brilliant peer supporter where you will be made welcome, heard, validated and understood.

Please contact us for the Zoom link.

03/02/2023

Some people think I’m anti-induction, but that’s not true.

My friend Jenny had her labour induced, and I’m delighted.

It was absolutely the right decision for her, and for many other women too.

What I’m ‘anti’ is the way that more and more women are being pushed into induction without good reason, and without being given good information about the pros and cons, risks and benefits, so that they – like Jenny – can decide whether or not it’s right for them.

What I wrote in my book was this:

“I’m not anti-induction.

I’m anti using limited and cherry-picked evidence and deceptive claims about risk to try to persuade entire groups of women to hand over control of their bodies and undergo intervention in the name of safety when the recommendations aren’t based on good science or an understanding of the wider consequences of such actions and may cause harm.”

My aim in writing In Your Own Time was to unpack that evidence and spell it out so that everyone can make the decision that’s right for them.

Because it’s not up to me, or the midwife or doctor in the clinic that day, or the computer or sonographer, or your doula, hypnobirthing teacher or childbirth educator.

Your body. Your baby. Your decision.

My aim is to help explain the evidence so that you can make the decisions that are right for you.

Find out more at www.sarawickham.com/time

26/01/2023

23/01/2023

28/12/2022

If you would like personal support during pregnancy, someone you can run things through with, or ask for information about things you are worrying about, I am now offering the option of Virtual Doula Antenatal Services.

Here’s a little on these services:
• Online Couples Birth Preparation Intensive (Group or 1to1)
These 2 x 2-hour intensive birth preparation sessions for the expectant mother and birth partner/s are designed to prepare you both physically, mentally and emotionally for birth. With a little theory and opportunity to practice tools and techniques for all stages of labour; you learn: -


• How has modern birthing practice evolved?
• “Pain” and Childbirth
• Fear/Tension/Pain Cycle
• How Birth Works!
• Some thoughts on Birth Planning
• Birth Partner Guidance
• When facing the unexpected…

• Optimising baby’s position for birth ease
• Perineal Massage
• Core breathing practices
• Movements/Positions for comfort in Labour & Birth
• Light Touch Massage
• Deep Relaxation/Visualisation
• Affirmations
• Further Reading/Resources


In these sessions we cover pre-labour, the first contractions to the first hold of your baby...
Manual included
Group Cost: £48
Private: £95

• Individual Fear Release Hypnobirth Session via Zoom 1 hour Cost: £35
A hypnobirthing session to overcome fear prior to your birthing, so you birth with confidence and peace. The session is recorded for you to continue to use at home.

• Birth Planning Session via Zoom 1 hour Cost: £35
A private session offering the opportunity to explore your choice options for your baby’s birth enabling you to create a clear birth plan for your caregivers. We also look ahead to postnatal planning to make the transition into parenthood easier.

• Antenatal Decision Making via Zoom 1 hour Cost: £35
Perhaps you leave a hospital appointment confused, have questions and don’t know who to ask. I can offer a free 15-minute consultation online or by phone to hear your concerns and questions. Within the following 48 hrs we will arrange to meet online where I will share research evidence-based information on your question or issue to allow you to make your own fully informed choices.

• Post Birth Reflection via Zoom 1 hour Cost: £35
The journey into parenting is not always straightforward and sometimes you can feel like nobody understands or wants to hear your story. Talking and having someone listen without interrupting with unhelpful advice or passing judgment can really help you to come to terms with your experiences.

• Postnatal Yoga 6 Video Download Package Cost £24
Practices designed to:
◦ strengthen your back, abdomen and pelvic floor muscles
◦ release tension in your neck/shoulders
◦ improve posture
◦ release stress and promote relaxation

The classes include some fun practices with baby


• Full Antenatal Virtual Doula Package
This package includes all of the above services plus: -
▪ Free initial consultation
▪ I will be on call for you to message/phone from 37 weeks until you give birth. You can even call me in labour if you are looking for support with decision making or keeping calm.

Package Cost: £325
Instalment Plan available on request.

Do you have questions? Email me at maggiemckeen@gmail.com

27/12/2022

My next 6 week block of Pregnancy Yoga classes commence on Thursday 12th January 7.30-8.45pm at Essence Yoga Room, Glenrothes and I have a few spaces free. Why not join us?

Suitable for complete beginners and those with yoga experience.

For most women pregnancy and birth can be a natural physiological experience where a woman feels confident and empowered to give birth instinctively should she wish to.

Attending these specialist yoga classes helps you to rediscover your inner power, intuition, and trust in your own body wisdom, bringing confidence in your body’s ability to give birth.

The techniques I share with you in these classes can bring many benefits to you during pregnancy, birthing and into the early days of mothering.

Through the gentle practice of yoga postures, breathing practices, relaxation and meditations at these classes’ women experience: –

*Improved posture – easing back problems
*Strength and flexibility
*Increased energy
*Improved circulation and help with fluid retention
*Improved sleep
*Reduced tensions and relaxation of body and mind
*Breathing practices to calm the mind and emotions, and for birthing
*Practices that encourage baby in to a good position for birth
*Meditations to support the transition to motherhood and bond with your baby
*Yoga practices for an active birth

You also have the opportunity to meet other mothers, share experiences and make friendships that often last a lifetime.
You can book your place online at www.maggiemckeen.com/booking

Do you have questions? Email me at maggiemckeen@gmail.com