In the Zone Hypnobirthing

09/03/2023

I recently looked into the research behind CTG and it's shockingly inadequate...and as more research is being done, it looks like there is less and less evidence to show that it is beneficial.

23/02/2023

Want a low intervention birth but also want to have some gentle pain relief options?

Have a read! 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

These methods have little to no reported side effects for Mum and baby but have been proven to be safe and effective in reducing pain.

Have a look and see if any of them are right for you and discuss them with your birth partner and care provider and put the ones you like into your birth plan.

22/02/2023

Hi everyone!

Ceri checking in here after what seems like an age.

I bring some lovely news though - I recently gave birth to my second baby!

As I shared previously I had wanted a home birth but unfortunately due to low staffing levels on the home birth team we felt it was the right choice to check ourselves into hospital. I'm thrilled to say that I was enabled to have and manifested the low intervention birth of my dreams in a birthing pool.

This was done 'outside of advice' as I was labelled high risk but I had researched the research to the nth degree throughout my pregnancy and I felt that the risk was low enough for me to feel confident planning a low intervention birth. During my pregnancy I had lots of conversations with obstetricians and lead midwives throughout my pregnancy to enable my gentle birth, and made sure my wishes were written on a care plan in my notes.

Huge thanks to the team at NWAngliaFT Maternity Services for supporting what was a very healing and empowering birthing experience.

I'm not taking bookings for courses just yet (we are VERY much still in our newborn fog!) but will be posting on here covering the themes of my birth/pregnancy and of course, all things hypnobirthing.

In the meantime, here's a photo of me in the zone during labour for you to enjoy ("ermighad she said the brand name!")

29/12/2022

Checking in for a quick update!

I've been immersing myself in lots of research and found this gem of a podcast, The Better birth Podcast. It's jam packed full of evidenced based episodes (yay for science!) on almost every conceivable maternity topic, including interviews with leading obstetricians, midwives, doulas and birth practitioners.

As a bonus there's an entire series on positive birth stories which is great, because most pregnant women seem to be over exposed to the horror stories from well meaning friends and family as soon as they announce they are pregnant.

It's a great podcast for women wanting to really get to the nuts and bolts of maternity research so they can make a fully informed decision about their care.

My favourite episode so far has been the one on CTG monitoring - I learnt so much and it has some really fascinating insights into the practice.

Give it a listen!

09/12/2022

I've made a big decision.

I'm currently in my third trimester and have decided to opt for a home birth.

As I'm classed as high risk, this is not a decision I have taken lightly. Indeed, it's taken a lot of research into academic studies, discussions with birth professionals and most of all, personal soul searching.

I felt like there was a right answer so it's something I wrestled with for a long time. But obviously, I should practice what I preach a bit more, because there is no 'right' way or place to give birth. Nevertheless I finally feel at peace and have found confidence in my decision. I'm aware I may end up transferring to hospital anyway, and if I do, that's okay as well.

I'm going to be doing lots of work over these next few weeks to nurture this confidence, practise relaxing and set up my birth space.

Watch this page in future for tips on how to navigate birth choices and the home birth pathway.

(NB: picture is one I nabbed off Google images!)

08/12/2022

Taking a break from taking a break in order to post this gem.

He needs to do a hypnobirthing one next!

https://youtu.be/khkE17A5d7Y

Doggyland & Snoop Dogg - Affirmation Song (Lyrics)🎶 Stream - https://open.spotify.com/track/5HLzL5g27XBbSy2qKbCGEk?si=b134d9aa664248feArtist's Socials:https...

29/10/2022

Back soon! ###

30/08/2022

Kate Middleton on hypnobirthing! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

Fave quote from this - "I actually quite liked labour"

So many women find stories like this shocking because they've been flooded with birth negativity since they were born themselves. But Kate's perspective is so much more common than people think.

It's totally possible to love your birth, and hypnobirthing can help you do that.

11/08/2022

So I was at my local Gymnastics Centre today and came across these wonderful affirmations their students have written.

Sometimes it's all too easy to dismiss affirmations. How could repeating a phrase that you don't quite believe in yet actually affect your performance?

The answer is this: it's all about the MINDSET.

This gym has trained Louis Smith, bronze and silver Olympic medalist, and Jake Jarman, who recently won a slew of golds at the Commonwealth Games.

Have these athletes worked really hard for their achievements? Do they have natural talent and a little helping of good luck on their side? Sure.

But do you really think they would have been as successful if their inner voice had been nagging them, telling them "you can't"?

It's the same with birth, and it's why hypnobirthers recommend affirmations. Because it works. If you tell yourself YOU CAN have a positive birth, you actually drastically increase your chances that YOU WILL.

Which affirmations speak to you? I'll pop some ideas in the comment box.

(With thanks to Huntingdon Gymnastics Club - and congratulations to Jake and the rest of the team!)

27/07/2022

Fun fact: even if you have a spinal or epidural your midwives can help support you into an active birth position! Many maternity beds also separate and fold to help accommodate this.

Why is this important?

If you're lying on your back the baby has to move uphill against gravity to get out. Additionally, active birth positions can increase the space in your pelvis by up to a third!

Think about it; would you take a 💩 lying down? 😂

A more clinical, hospital-based setting or birth experience does not mean waving goodbye to active birth positions. Get creative! Rearrange the furniture, encourage mobilisation, support the woman or birthing person to use the bed in a way that promotes physiology - just like this amazing photo from 👏

Speaking of active birth positions - have you seen our EXCITING giveaway in collaboration with Croyde Medical? Win a birthing ball for every room in your maternity unit, as well as a 1 year subscription to All4Maternity! 🤯 Find out more by heading over to 🤩

23/07/2022

Birth reflections appointments help you come to peace with and understand your birth story ❤️

If you do discover aspects of your care that you are unhappy with, they can also be an informal way of providing feedback to your maternity care term.

My experience was extremely cathartic for me and I thoroughly recommend it for all Mums. I actually think it should become standard practice for all women to be offered a birth debrief.

Get in touch with your midwifery team to find out more.

20/07/2022

I'm careful to limit my output of any negative associations with childbirth.

But to pretend that birth trauma doesn't exist would be an insult to all those families who have had to endure it. It would be to deny one of the biggest reasons why hypnobirthing exists in the first place.

If you have been impacted by birth trauma, I would strongly recommend having a birth reflections appointment to help you come to terms with your birth. Speak to your midwife or hospital for more information. I'll be doing a video on how beneficial these appointments are later in the week.

Sending love to all those affected by birth trauma ❤️

This week is Birth Trauma Awareness Week. Thousands of women and their partners suffer from the affects associated to a traumatic birth. Please don’t suffer in silence.
You are not alone.