The Devon Birth School

02/08/2025

This week I was incredibly honoured to be nominated for a The West Country Women Awards award in the following category…

The Women in Health Social Care Wellbeing Award 🤰🏼💜

16/07/2025

Hi 👋
I'm Cara - The Calm Birth Mama and I am the proud founder of The Devon Birth School, school but not as you know it 🤣
Three things you should know about me....
🌿 I'm all about bumps, births and babies, passionate about changing the narrative, one birth experience at a time
🌿 I have a love for earl grey tea and listening to birdsong
🌿 I have two daughters and my birth experiences led me to where I am today

Grab a brew, get comfy and let’s talk about what your labour and birth journey will look like.
Get in touch:
https://www.thedevonbirthschool.co.uk/

21/03/2025

🌿✨ WORLD HYPNOBIRTHING DAY ✨🌿

A day to honour the power of calm, instinctive, and deeply connected birth. A day to celebrate the strength of women, the magic of the mind-body connection, and the profound impact of hypnobirthing on all births. Whether at home, in a hospital, in water, via caesarean, or anywhere in between.

The 21st of March isn’t just any date. It’s the first day of spring, a season of renewal, of new life emerging, of the earth stretching awake after winter’s slumber. It’s a season that reflects what birth is: a transformation, a journey from one chapter to the next. Matrescence.

Hypnobirthing isn’t just about breathing techniques or relaxation, it’s about trusting your body, reclaiming your power, and stepping into birth with knowledge, confidence and a deep sense of calm. It’s about birth partners feeling equipped to hold space, to advocate and to be an integral part of the journey. It’s about rewriting the narrative around birth so that it is not feared, but embraced. 🙌🏻

And I know this magic first-hand, not just as a practitioner, but as a mother.

To every expectant mother, birth partner and parent reflecting on their own birth story - today is for you. Because birth matters, and how you FEEL about it MATTERS.

If you want to explore how hypnobirthing can support your birth, I’d love to share this journey with you. You can find out more here: https://www.thedevonbirthschool.co.uk/

With love and freckles,
Cara x

14/03/2025

Ain’t that the truth now let me hear you at the back… repeat after Charlotte, what do you really want? A positive birth, HELL YES MAMA! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

Hello World Hypnobirthing

10/02/2025

Real Birth Stories – Because A Positive Birth Is Possible!

I teach The Calm Birth School method of Hypnobirthing, the very same approach I used during my own pregnancy. It’s not just theory; it’s real, practical, and it works.

So, don’t just take my word for it, pour yourself a cuppa (decaf if you like!), get cosy, and read the incredible birth stories of those who have used The Calm Birth Method to feel calm, confident, and in control during labour:

https://www.thecalmbirthschool.com/positive-birth-stories/

08/02/2025

What is Hypnobirthing, really?

It’s not about being hypnotised. It’s not about promising a ‘pain-free’ birth. It’s about understanding birth, trusting your body, and feeling calm and in control. Here’s why it works:

✨ Relaxation is everything. When we feel stressed or fearful, our bodies tense up and tension is the last thing we need when birthing a baby. Hypnobirthing teaches deep relaxation, helping your body stay soft and open, making birth smoother and more comfortable.

💭 Belief changes everything. How many times have you thought, I can’t do this? We’ve been conditioned to see birth as something terrifying, something we need to be saved from. Hypnobirthing gently rewires that belief, reminding you that you can do this. Your body, your baby, and your instincts already know how.

🧠 Science + mindset = the perfect balance. This isn’t just ‘positive thinking’ - it’s biology. The right breathing, relaxation, and understanding of birth physiology help your body release the very hormones that make birth work beautifully. All that oxytocin is what we need!

Birth doesn’t have to feel out of control. It can be calm, empowering, and even joyful. That’s what Hypnobirthing is all about.

23/01/2025

Thank you Mindful Breastfeeding with Anna Le Grange, I am so proud to be a part of The Mindful Breastfeeding School - Training for Professionals it truly is such an honour to support our mama’s with their feeding journey’s 🤱🏼🍼

👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼 A huge welcome to Cara French - The Devon Birth School, who has recently joined the Mindful Breastfeeding team! ✨✨

“I’m Cara and the founder of The Devon Birth School. I am a Holistic Birth and Postnatal Support Specialist offering Bespoke 1:1 / Group Hypnobirthing, Mindful Breastfeeding Peer Support and Doula work supporting clients postnatally throughout the fourth trimester from my hometown, here in Newton Abbot, Devon 🌿”

Welcome aboard Cara! 🤍

22/01/2025

This is just so darn important and needs to change.

Join us in making a stand and sign the petition!

Listen to Mothers, Change the System: Demand a Public Inquiry into NHS Maternity Services

20/01/2025

Harness the Power of Daily Relaxation for a Positive Birth Experience

As you journey through pregnancy, embracing relaxation techniques in your daily routine can transform your birthing experience. The practice of Hypnobirthing is rooted in the power of relaxation and mindfulness, helping you to connect deeply with your body, your baby, and the beautiful process of birth.

Here are some simple exercises you can easily incorporate into your day:

Deep Breathing:
Take a few moments each day to focus on your breath. Inhale deeply through your nose, filling your lungs completely, then exhale slowly through your mouth. This calms your mind and signals to your body that all is well, reducing stress and anxiety.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation:
Start at your toes and work your way up, gently tensing and then releasing each muscle group. This technique releases physical tension and fosters a sense of deep relaxation, perfect for preparing both mind and body for birth.

Mindful Moments:
Set aside just 5 minutes a day to be fully present. Close your eyes, place your hands on your belly, and simply tune into your baby’s movements. Visualise a positive, peaceful birth experience, and let go of any fears or worries.

Guided Meditation:
Whether it’s a short session in the morning or before bed, guided meditations are a powerful tool to instill calmness and confidence.

By integrating these relaxation techniques into your daily life, you are not only preparing for a calm and empowering birth but also nurturing your overall well-being during this transformative time. Remember, every moment of peace you cultivate now is a gift to both you and your baby.

If you’d like more guidance on how to incorporate these practices into your pregnancy journey, I’m here to support you every step of the way. Book a free 20 minute discovery call with me today and let’s explore Hypnobirthing together. 🌿

Link in my bio!

13/01/2025

A Special Gift for Expectant Mamas 🌿

Discovering you’re pregnant is an incredible moment, a blend of excitement, love, and often, quiet reflection. In those early weeks, when the world doesn’t yet know your secret, it can be so comforting to take a moment just for you and your baby.

That’s why I’ve created my Connecting to Your Unborn Child relaxation meditation, a free gift designed especially for women in the earliest stages of pregnancy.

This gentle, soothing meditation offers you:

✨ A quiet space to connect with your baby.
✨ Moments of calm and mindfulness as you embrace this new chapter.
✨ An introduction to the energy, tone, and heartfelt support I offer at The Devon Birth School.

Whether you’re navigating those first few weeks or simply craving a moment of peace, this is my way of supporting you as you step into motherhood.

Download your free meditation here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OAoRQFLUXjcNPusJdfQ1_Qxj3Hbf-gvd/view?usp=drivesdk

Let this be your first step towards a calm, empowered pregnancy 🌿

With love and support,
Cara x

10/01/2025

So far this year my timekeeping has been slack so I was late to the party for this morning’s zoom but my goodness does a cheeky Coffee & Chat work wonders for the soul with Mums/Moms In Business International and I even got to enjoy seeing our Aussie Leader and totes awesome human being Lou Feltham Smith, you absolute change maker, you! Rachael Waller Karen Prideaux, Charlotte Harrison, Leona Burton, Suse Moore, Sarah Marney, Stacey Brown, Aisling Owens Nash, Caroline Beament are just some of the friendships I am grateful for daily in business and in life!