Claire Nutt, Massage Midwife

22/08/2025

So sad to hear of the passing of this wonderful man, Michel Odent. This was at his amazing Primal Health Conference in Honolulu in 2012, a stupendous gathering of birth workers world wide. This was my student midwife elective supported by . His passion and commitment to obstetrics, midwifery and birth support will always be inspiring. RIP.

29/07/2025

Working on the side isn’t just for pregnancy. However, the side posture in pregnancy prevents ‘supine hypotension’, where the weight of the baby may press on major blood vessels like the inferior vena cava, potentially causing a maternal then fetal drop in blood pressure.

This is position is also more generally perfect, for accessing aspects of the shoulder, arm and neck, and for the lower half, stretch and massage for the the pelvis and hips through gluts, QL, lower back and deeper abdo work.

Plus, definitely a strong bonus for pregnancy, a super relaxing place for the receiver to zzz zzz zzz.

Hug that pillow, drift and dream, feeling safe with TLC.

25/07/2025

Have you thought about it yet?

One of my recent massage sessions incorporated time to sit and talk, to support a conversation that explored Plan A, Plan B and Plan C… as guided by .hill ‘s Positive Birth book… but also the many conversations I have had with women, people and partners as a therapist, community and birth centre, and regarding emotional wellbeing as a specialist perinatal mental health midwife.

Thinking about what is important to you and your partner, and as a midwife supporting choices, IS IMPORTANT!

Your plan A maybe a waterbirth, it maybe an elective caesarean, but what if the pool is busy in the birth centre, what are your other options until it’s free (perhaps making the delivery suite space feel more like a birth centre room) or what happens if your contracting before your planned section? (Do you want to go with the flow, do you need to feel confident that your section will be brought forward? How will you manage? Breath work, distraction, touch techniques?)

These open conversations of potential different paths, and your preferences for each one, that may include visualisations, mind body techniques, a particular phrase, term or affirmation for each one, enables you to feel safer, calm, in control and ready. Together.
Are you ready to think about your plan A, B, C, …. H, I, J?!!!

19/07/2025

The cooler rains here… a blessing for the pregnant and postnatal mamas who I know have been struggling in the recent heat. The talk of iced water for baths, hand held fans under b***s, the joyful waft of the massage sheet as you turn to the other side.
Today is a return to the cosy, candle lit space and distant soothe of rain on the window. Delicious.

08/06/2025

Sometimes, it’s all you need to do.

This is a focused touch, and supportive connection that doesn’t need movement, or any other technique or manipulation.

A simple, calming, touch point. It shows presence, prompts comfort, and follows the recipients lead. It could be on the upper back, like this (also the heart chakra), but also the lower back (sacrum/sacral chakra) or another lovely one, lying or seated, is to hold one hand on the occiput (where the back of the head joins the neck) and the other hand on their forehead.

Notice for a moment. When they shift, or move away, it’s time to let go.

03/05/2025

Have you tried massage before? The first part of my learning journey was on the Big Island with the wonderful Nancy Kahalewai in 2001 (author of the brilliant ‘Big Island Massage’ book), I then had the honour of joining Makaala Yates of Mani Lomi Lomi for his Hawaiian Healing School on Kauai, 2005. I even returned for my midwifery elective in 2012 to join some incredible midwives, and attend Michel Odents Primal Health Conference in Waikiki (thank you ). Wowzers.

I was totally hooked by the warm connection of Hawaii and its massage style; the forearm work, the joint mobilisation and energetic depth. Lomi is a wonderful approach, as a deeply focused massage on specific conditions when needed, but also one that can feel fluid, playful and intuitive as a wholesome and holistic approach. Lomi has a big heart.

Clients tell me that they feel they ‘lose track’ with the long, whole body stokes that sweep the body from head to toe, sometimes ‘ironed out’ and loosened, taller from the rocking, stretching and joint work. Often I have heard “I’ve never had a massage like that” and report a ‘depth’ that isn’t painful, but releasing and ‘to the bone’.

I imagine most therapists massage in the style they like to be massaged! It’s definitely true for me… giving and receiving Lomi for over 24 years has provided me and my practice longevity and so much love. Mahalo to my teachers, my clients, the islands that have provided so much mana and everyday make me realise there is always so much to learn. 💪🏻🙏🏻

Are you in?

23/04/2025

So exciting to share the upcoming release of this brilliant new book, the hard work of and Jenny Patterson.

An absolute honour to have been invited to take part, joyfully contributing Chapter 4; Love as Touch, nestled within such strong and expert voices. A big midwifery heart, so needed right now.

Ready for presale now, launched the 13th May. ♥️

Woohoo!

05/03/2025

Brilliant teacher! Highly recommended 🙏🏻

Come and try our calm and energising Monday yoga class at
6.30pm
In the yoga studio
Upstairs at
Robin Hood Gymnastics
1 Ellesmere Crescent
Nottingham NG5 1DG

https://maps.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x4879c1a306082021:0x76f250d1b15119d7?entry=s&sa=X&ved=1t:8290&hl=en-gb&ictx=111

In line with local rates
New pricing structure now introduced to Monday live classes
Drop in £10 a class
Pay monthly £35 for four classes
Drop in online only £7 a class
Pay monthly £25

All monthly payments by BACs

19/04/2024

As a picture book author-illustrator, I am always subconsciously looking for another story or image. I try to look for something that speaks to me, ideally something that grabs me and ignites enough interest and passion to convert it into words and art. Usually, it hits when I least expect it, as wi...

19/04/2024

11/04/2024

We are delighted to announce this Information Session for Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week focusing on Pregnancy Sickness and Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

Join our member as she chats with Charlotte Howden and Lindsay Salmon from about symptoms, treatment options and the support available.

As the PSS website states 'up to 90% of pregnancies are affected by some degree of nausea/ pregnancy sickness and 1-3% experience Hyperemesis Gravidarum - this is a condition at the extreme end of the pregnancy sickness spectrum. and is debilitating for sufferers.'

Pregnancy Sickness Support have a wonderful selection of support channels including their helpline, email support ,a WhatsApp chat and peer supporters.

They also have a health care professionals hub which highlights the new RCOG guidelines and CPD training.

Do join this session on 29th April at 1pm on the Instagram Live.

06/04/2024

“Parenting has nothing to do with perfection. Perfection isn’t even the goal, not for us, not for our children. Learning together to live well in an imperfect world, loving each other despite or even because of our imperfections, and growing as humans while we grow our little humans, those are the goals of gentle parenting. So don’t ask yourself at the end of the day if you did everything right. Ask yourself what you learned and how well you loved, then grow from your answer. That is perfect parenting.”
L.R. Knost - The Gentle Parent: Positive, Practical, Effective Discipline.

Harold Gilman - Mother and Child, 1918.