https://linktr.ee/empoweringbirthiow

Empowering Birth, Unit 2, Enterprise Court, Nicholson Road, Ryde (2025)

21/01/2025

Hypnobirthing has been such a big part of my life for the last ten years.

From being taught with my husband in my first pregnancy in 2015. And putting it all into action for my son’s birth and being so taken aback on how calmly my husband and I handled labour. As well as a sense of pride in my own power, which I didn’t know I had 💪🏻

Hypnobirthing changed the way I viewed birth, made me ask more questions, and seek more knowledge- I was hooked!

I spoke passionately about it, and recommended it to expectant friends and family.

I confidently used it again in my daughter’s birth. And beamed about it after 💖

I stayed home whilst our children were small, so when my son was in school and daughter had started pre school, I wanted to get back into work for me, but I wasn’t sure what.

When I saw the opportunity to train as a hypnobirthing instructor it made complete sense. I was nervous having been out of the working world for some time, but I loved training, meeting Wendy and Melissa at as well as the wonderful LBC family ❤️

Once I qualified, it was getting myself out there, and I literally jumped up and down when my first couple booked a course with me 😂 (and pretty much every booking thereafter!)

I can honestly say I’ve loved teaching hypnobirthing the last few years. I’ve been so fortunate to have been able to work with some amazing families, and have enjoyed every minute.

Last January I went into to work in my husband’s business, our family business, which had taken up more of my time. I decided at that point for balance I would stop groups and workshops and stick to one to ones, which I must admit I enjoy the most.

However with my two children, helping my husband within the business and hypnobirthing, I was spinning a few too many plates. So I’ve decided to stop teaching. I am working with my last couple this week and after that I won’t be taking on any new clients.

Most mums (and dads!) will understand the juggle, and wanting to be present for their children. So I’ve not taken the decision lightly, but it’s the right one for me and my family ❤️

Continued in comments ⬇️

16/08/2024

Guess who enjoyed the guided hypnosis hypnobirthing script?! 😂🐾

This was my view a few nights ago teaching a lovely couple in their home 🏡

Did your pets enjoy the hypnobirthing tracks? I know my Boxer used to snore away whilst they were on 🤣

30/07/2024

❄️ Keeping cool ❄️

Thinking of all the pregnant mamas in the heat right now 🤰🏻🥵

These are some of my top tips, what are yours? Let me know in the comments ⬇️

16/06/2024

Happy Father’s Day to these incredible men who have been a big influence in the way I view Fathers ❤️

My husband, my big brother and my own father.
My two children were saying only this afternoon how “my dad in the sky would be having a party with god!” 🤣 (Gotta love the randomness!)

Thinking of all the wonderful fathers, the hoping to be fathers, the fathers that have stepped up, the mothers being both mother and father, (like my mum) the “like a father” fathers and everything in between ✌🏻

I’m fortunate in my job to work with some truly dedicated fathers and fathers to be. Learning all about birth and how to best support their partners, for both birth and beyond 👶

And for anyone finding this day tough, sending so much love your way ❤️

06/06/2024

In honour of International Home Birth Day I thought I’d share some interesting statistics 🏡📊

The data was from half a million births. So no small study. And this was from merely planning to birth at home!

I had two very positive home births myself, and I never would have even considered it had it not been from doing a hypnobirthing course. Then following the course delving in to all things birth, books, research etc. 📚

I remember my first pregnancy at my 8 week appointment my midwife asking if I would be giving birth at home or hospital. I was like “hospital” ( and in my head I thought “obviously, who would birth at home!” 😂😂) That same midwife was by my side throughout that birth, at home 😂

Would you/are you considering a home-birth? Have you birthed at home and how did you find it? I’d love to hear in the comments ⬇️

01/06/2024

🌿 Hello June 🌿

How fast is this year going?! Who’s hoping to meet their little love this month? Let me know in the comments ⬇️

05/05/2024

🌿 International Day of the Midwife 🌿

The name literally means “with woman” and it’s at the heart of everything they do ❤️ they are there to support us in the most challenging, euphoric and vulnerable times of our lives.

My babies are now 8 and 5, and I had such wonderful midwives at both my babies births. So thank you to all the incredible women (and men) in the profession supporting women and birthing people day in and day out.

You guys are amazing ✨

02/05/2024

“I feel like I’m failing” something I’ve said many times as a mother, and that I’ve heard from other mothers themselves.

But here’s the thing. We learn so much more from the failures that we ever do from our success.

And most of the time when you feel like you’re failing it’s a world away from that. It’s the opposite in fact. You’re doing an incredible job despite the challenges being thrown your way. Sometimes it’s just hard. Having children takes the predictability element away, from pregnancy, giving birth, to raising babies and then children. Things happen that are outside of our control and our little humans have their own unique personality and that can be both wonderful and exhausting at times.

But what you do need from the moment you see that line pop up on that pregnancy test. Is the “me too” moments of solidarity. you don’t have to love every moment and you shouldn’t have to hide your feelings.

And one of the things that helps in parenthood is talking, to people that get it, that are right there with you; in the trenches of postpartum sleep deprivation and teething, who not only support you in your challenges but celebrate your little wins, and know how important they are ❤️

So this week, and every other for that matter. Talk and keep talking, talk to friends & family, to other mums. When you’re not in the right headspace you may want to retreat and isolate yourself. But don’t let you mind fool you, thoughts aren’t facts. Your health matters too Mama. And if you know things really aren’t right, as often we do, reach out ❤️‍🩹

19/04/2024

🌿 Caesarean Awareness Month 🌿

I was born by caesarean back in the 80’s, when the percentage of births by caesarean section stood at 10%

Fast forward almost 38 years, (now you know my age! 😂🙈) the rates are 1 in 3 births are by caesarean section.

So it has never been more important to prepare for birth, ask the questions and do your own research 🧐

In my hypnobirthing classes I get birth teams to think about different birth situations and what their preferences would be. Including having a caesarean plan.

And as part of the wonderful programme I teach from there’s a great playlist of all types of birth, using hypnobirthing, with positive outcomes.

I’ll say it time and time again, hypnobirthing is for all births 🙌🏻

If anything, it comes in to its own in a birth that deviates or goes off to your plan B, or C.

I run a course specifically for those teams planning a caesarean birth as there is lots you can do to prepare, educate and inform as well as lots of hypnobirthing tools and techniques you can utilise 💪🏻

Seven layers of tissue are cut through to birth babies by caesarean section, it’s major abdominal surgery and recovery is so important ❤️‍🩹

I thought I’d drop a couple of handles to some great accounts on instagram for caesarean recovery, PT and scar healing

Hope they help ❤️

06/04/2024

I talked about this statistic with a friend today expecting her first grandchild ❤️

This was taken from the Maternity statistics published in December 2023, on births that had taken place between 2022-2023. 57% of them were either by induction or caesarean section. In the 2012-2013 statistics 64% of women and birthing people went into labour spontaneously. So that’s 21% down in 10 years?!

Now surely with medical advances you would imagine the figures to be better. Not worse. Women and birthing people are no less capable.

I was stressing to her the importance of birth preparation, and how things had changed in the maternity system. I recommended books and said about antenatal education (not necessarily with me) but to look into it 💻

Knowledge is power, and ignorance is not bliss.

We talked about how you’ll forever remember your birth and the importance of preparing like any major life event 👰‍♀️🏡

How did preparing for birth help you? I’d love to hear about it in the comments ⬇️

31/03/2024

Happy Easter to you and yours 🐣❤️

My two have already had chocolate and my youngest is bouncing about with bunny ears on! 🐰🤣

27/03/2024

When clients make you smile 😊 I love being able to do what I do ❤️

10/03/2024

Thinking of all the Mama’s, and sending love to those that need it today ❤️

My two not so little babies are getting christened today, and I couldn’t think of a better day for it 🥰

Happy Mother’s Day all 💐 you really are amazing 🤩

06/03/2024

🌿 Empowering Birth Walks 🌿

Sadly, yesterday’s walk was the last Empowering Birth Walk. I’ve loved each and every one over the last 10 months that I’ve done them ❤️

I’ve not only got to connect Mamas in the start of their motherhood journey, but provide a space to just rock up and just be 🙌🏻 and especially in the early days it’s so needed.

In the last couple of months my personal life has changed. I’ve gone into work with my husband, which I’m thoroughly enjoying, and it is great for us as a family. I still get to teach hypnobirthing in the evenings which is what I love ❤️ (although my availability is a bit more limited)

But with my time being taken up unfortunately I cannot continue to run the walks on a Tuesday each week.

I would like to thank the lovely Mama’s (and Papa’s) that have come along on a Tuesday morning, they have been so lovely 🥰 I’ve got to spend time with some truly wonderful parents and babies ❤️

01/03/2024

🌿 Hello March 🌿

The hail on this mornings school run felt less than spring like 😂 But now we’re at the start of March it feels like spring is almost here🌸

Who’s hoping to meet their little love this month? 🩷💙

21/02/2024

🌿 Lighter mornings and evenings 🌿

This was me, last night, off to do what I love, teaching class 4 of the complete hypnobirthing course with a wonderful couple who I’ve been working with on a one to one basis ❤️

I was super chuffed it was still light when I set off to their home ☺️ definitely feels like spring is on its way 🙌🏻

The lighter mornings are definitely helping too 👍 who agrees?

My evening was made even better with a gift from my clients completing the course, swipe to see 😍

19/02/2024

🌿 Natural Isotonic Drink For Labour 🌿

I’ve talked about this one a lot with my clients, as staying hydrated in labour is so important, and it can support your labour massively 💪🏻

So back in 2015 when I had my first I was rocking a Lucozade sport 🤣 ( this is not an ad 🙈)

But this is all natural, can be made up in bulk, stored in the fridge and be decanted into a bottle (ideally with a straw for ease!) ready for labour ❤️

You can also substitute honey for agave syrup if preferred 👍

Will you be making this for your birth? Let me know in the comments and don’t forget to save this post for your reference 🌿

12/02/2024

🌿 Birth Affirmation 🌿

Affirmations were a great tool in labour for me, I had loads written on cue cards around the room. Not super fancy I know but they really helped! 💪🏻

One thing we know for certain is birth can be unpredictable, but a positive birth experience has nothing to do with how or where you birthed, but more about if you felt listened to, supported and that you had choices 🌿

And absolutely everyone deserves that ❤️ don’t doubt yourself Mama, you’ve got this 🙌🏻

Empowering Birth