http://www.sallyannberesford.co.uk/

Sallyann Beresford - Doula Support & Antenatal Educator, Knowle (2025)

10/02/2024

Have you listened to Mike’s episode of the podcast yet?

He really opened up and spoke candidly about his experience of being a birth partner.   This episode is packed with wisdom, information and tips that come from a man who took his role incredibly seriously, and the work he did paid off enormously.  
Tag your birth partner and get them to have a listen to episode 111.
 You can find Mike on Instagram .dragonguy

07/02/2024

Choosing the right birth partner is the first step to achieving the birth of your dreams.

Next you have to prepare them for what you want them do and how you want them to behave. This will vary depending on who you have chosen and what type of birth you are preparing for.

In my experience, all the prep work needs to be done during pregnancy, so that on the day of the birth, your partner can sit quietly nearby, and only step in and offer support when and if required.

If you look at them and tell them you are uncomfortable, they can suggest alternative positions to support you with confidence.

If you want them to massage you, they will know what you like and where to place their hands.

Help support your partner by giving them the opportunity to prepare for their role.

You can also purchase my book ‘Labour of Love - The Ultimate Guide to Being a Birth Partner’, to help them be the best support to you on the day - and for you both to understand why this is so important.

05/02/2024

Look at this amazing review from the US 🇺🇸. I am so grateful for the kinds words and the sentiment.

Reviews mean so much to both me (obviously) and the people who decide to buy my books.

I am sure you know yourself that the words others write can affect your decision to purchase - and the more reviews I have, the more likely my books will get shown to people looking to buy a pregnancy book.

If you have read any of my books and have been meaning to leave a review - please do. It will really make a huge difference and I will be so incredibly grateful ❤️

04/02/2024

Cervical sweeps that encourage the start of labour are a form of medical management.

I understand why some people choose to have one, but it is important to know that it is not a harmless action without side effects.

If your labour is triggered to begin before your baby is aligned and ready, it can have a dramatic affect on your baby’s experience, and yours, often leading to the need for more intervention.

I want you to be aware of that before making a decision.

31/01/2024

Giving birth is the moment where you transition from maiden to mother.

A rite of passage where you emerge as another version of yourself.

Your hormones arrive to support you as you bond with your baby and fall in love with each other.

Does this all sound like romantic nonsense?

Well it doesn’t have to!!

The way you give birth matters, and a birth where you do not feel supported or listened to and is not what you planned, can diminish this experience, leaving you struggling with the bonding process and feeling far less like a mother than you should.

Some women only get the birth of their dreams with a subsequent birth, where they have done alot more learning, and can finally heal from the trauma of their first.

In my experience, one of the best ways to avoid a traumatic birth, is to understanding the side effects of many of the interventions that the medical model of birth uses. To understand the role hormones play, and to take a look at yourself as a person to know what you need from your birth team in order to help you feel safe during labour.

You need to recognise what can impact this journey, and where you might struggle.

In a nutshell, you need to get to know yourself!!

If you want to learn more about the deeper work required for an empowered birth experience, I am looking for 10 women to join a beta group for my new course ‘Discover Your North Star’. If you would like to join, DM me the word ‘Interested’ for more details.

30/01/2024

Did you know that you can read the first chapter of my book The Art of Giving Birth for FREE?

It’s a brilliant standalone chapter that helps you to learn more about the 3 different ways you can give birth.

You can find the link in my bio. You can pop your email address into the box for instant access

Enjoy

29/01/2024

Many birth workers have used the wedding analogy to highlight how giving birth is right up there as one of - if not the - most important day of your life.

Beautiful takes this example a step further, when she asks us to imagine that there is a possibility of a FREE wedding.

Let’s say that the ’state’ version, where you didn’t have to pay, comes with a standard dress, cake and flowers, and you could have up to 10 guests.

Now, there is no doubt in my mind that this would work really well for some people. It would give them the opportunity to marry their loved one, and celebrate with a few family members or friends.

But, the vast majority of women would decline. They would instead save their money, and choose to customise the wedding. They would have the dress that they love, and the cake and flowers that match their style and personality, with a long list of guests to help them celebrate. They would be in control of the decisions, and their wedding day would be exclusive to them. How about we think the same about giving birth?

If you want to give birth in a way that supports your own personal philosophies - then you are going to need to step away from the ‘one size fits all’ approach that is being rolled out by the majority of care providers.

And whilst giving birth here in the UK is still considered ‘FREE’ - for most it comes with a very high personal cost both mentally and physically, with many women left feeling broken, and struggling to recover and overcome their experience.

So - it’s time to start putting your money aside and saving.

It’s time to invest in your ‘big day’ and recognise that giving birth is as important - if not more - than your wedding!!

You need to do lots of research - and start looking at your options. It’s important to fully understand the birth process, and learn more about yourself as a person. This is likely to involve attending several different courses and doing some deep inner work.

If you are ready to invest in this deeper work, I am looking for 10 women to join a beta group for my new course ‘Discover Your North Star’. If you would like to join, DM me the word ‘Interested’ for more details.

28/01/2024

Vaginal examinations are often thought to be the only way to determine if a pregnant woman or birthing person is in labour.

THIS IS NOT TRUE!

It is never possible to determine when your baby will be born, and you should not accept a vaginal examination unless you:-

* Give your full consent.

* Understand that it is optional and not a requirement to be admitted to receive care or allow your birth partner to join you.

* Ensure that you know what happens during the process.

* Discuss what the person performing the exam has been given consent for. You should not have to do this, but it is wise to ensure that you explain you are not consenting to any other procedure like a sweep for example.

* Know that you can be the one to request one if you choose and it would help you to make a decision.

23/01/2024

None of my posts or podcast episodes will ever contain trigger warnings!

I feel strongly that all aspects of birth education and information is crucial to everyone, and a person’s lived experience should not have to come with a warning label.

If you are in this space and are looking for honest and valuable information, then you need to learn it all. The good and the bad.

If you are aware that certain topics are triggering for you - then that is something I recommend you get support with.

You need to work on what is affecting you and why - so that it doesn’t rise up and sabotage your birth.

Learning more about yourself and what might trigger you, is such a valuable thing to understand - particularly if it relates to any aspects of the maternity system and receiving care.

Your birth matters, and when you discover more about what you need to enhance your birth experience, you will be able to step in to your power and have the birth of your dreams.

22/01/2024

What is a Sovereign Birth?

This season of the podcast is focused on helping you to learn more about sovereignty and having a sovereign birth experience.

In a nutshell, it’s a birth experience where you have the knowledge, autonomy, and support to make informed choices about your journey. It’s about reclaiming control, fostering a positive environment, and ensuring that the birth process aligns with your personal values and preferences.

Having a sovereign birth encompasses several key principles:

* Autonomy: You have the right to make decisions about your own body, which includes the right to informed consent. You have the freedom to make choices that align with your own personal values and beliefs.
* Agency: You have the power to act on your own behalf, to express their preferences, and to pursue your goals and desires without external manipulation or control.
* Bodily Integrity: The concept also emphasises the idea that you have the right to bodily integrity, meaning that your physical and mental well-being should be protected from unwanted intrusion or harm.
* Informed Decision-Making: Making choices about your body is based on accurate information and a clear understanding of the potential consequences. Informed decision-making is a key aspect of exercising sovereignty over your body.

Understanding your human rights, reproductive rights, and your right to privacy, can help to ensure you are free to determine what happens to your body, clear from external pressures or infringements on your personal choices.

If you want to learn more, then my new course - ‘Discover Your North Star’ will support you.

I’m looking for people to join a Beta group, who would love to learn more about achieving a sovereign birth experience.

DM me the words ‘North Star’ to find out more.

18/01/2024

I recently had the privilege of being interviewed by at Authority magazine about how the foundation of health and wellness begins at birth.

I share 5 tips to ensure your baby is born in the most optimal way and so much more.

Follow the link in my bio or in my stories to have a read of this amazing interview which is filled with valuable insights and information on having a baby.

15/01/2024

When you make well informed decisions about your birth plans, you don’t need to justify them to anyone.

To feel powerful in your decisions is about taking responsibility for you and your baby. You can do this by researching your options and trusting your instincts. These two together are the key to a finding that peace.

Your confidence can then can shine through with the ‘inner peace’ that your knowledge brings.

When speaking to anyone who has a different viewpoint, whether that is a family member, a care provider or a well-meaning friend - nothing is more impactful than a confident smile!

14/01/2024

Have you got your copy of Breathe - my 60 minute relaxation track for labour and birth?

You can click on the link in my bio and get instant access.

This track is not a guided relaxation - it’s intention is to support you for long stretches throughout your labour to remind you to breathe, relax and let go.

To give you gentle encouragement when you need it most.

I will pop a snippet in my stories for you to listen to.

Link in Bio

12/01/2024

As a human mammal, your role is to survive and thrive as a species. Your body is primed to do everything in it’s power to stay alive.

For this reason, it is essential that you learn to trust the innate wisdom you have deep within you - which is what keeps you safe.

When we prepare for birth those instincts guide our decisions in many ways.

Sometimes we don’t know ‘why’ - but we just know!!

If you are derailed from your plans, it typically means that someone has bumped you out of the driver seat, and taken over the wheel!

This is not safe!!

You need to remember that no-one has the ability to override your instincts about birth, because your baby is growing inside you.

No-one knows your body and your baby like you do.

If you are left in control and something feels wrong, YOU will change your mind - and switch lanes or pull over!!

YOU ARE THE DRIVER!

This is the only way to stay safe!!

Don’t give away your control and get into the passenger seat.

If you need help with some inner work, in preparation for your dream birth, then look out for my upcoming course ‘Discover Your North Star’

You can register your interest via my website

DM me the word ‘Help’ for the link ❤️

11/01/2024

When you ask a person to be with you at your birth, they are not only showing up as an advocate for you, but also as an advocate for your baby.

For this reason, it is essential that you sit down with your partner a couple of times during pregnancy to explain your birth preferences, and to help them understand why giving birth in a particular way is so important to you.

They need to know that your plans for this birth are also being guided by what you want to achieve for the baby too!

Once you both fully understand the benefits of a physiological birth for your baby, then it will give you more courage to stand in your power and birth the way you want.

Protecting your oxytocin is essential during labour, so that you and your baby can avoid the iatrogenic harm that interventions and the drugs given can cause.

When your partner is well educated, they will have an even deeper investment in protecting you from harm, because they recognise their responsibility is to both of you

10/01/2024

Coercion has sadly become a tool that many care providers are using these days.

Whilst many may claim they don’t realise they resort to using coercive language to persuade pregnant women to accept recommendations, in my opinion, it is hard to recognise how they are unaware - when it is so blatantly obvious.

When a specific outcome is desired, it is manipulative and premeditated

I hear stories on a daily basis from my clients, and a recent gem was:-

‘if you decide to decline a fundal height measurement, that’s fine, but you probably won’t be able to have a homebirth’.

Luckily my client was well informed and did not agree to the measurement despite the coercion. She was able to speak to me and then a senior midwife to get further clarification of her rights.

This behaviour is not ok and far too many pregnant women feel they have no choice other than to accept interventions, typically with no evidence base to them (like the fundal height measurement), and their personal boundaries are disregarded.

Coercion is not a legal way to gain consent - so this is a criminal offence!

We need to speak up and get care providers to reflect on their own behaviour and make them recognise they are breaking the law!

09/01/2024

Look at this amazing review from the US 😍. I am so grateful for the kinds words and the sentiment.

Reviews mean so much to both me (obviously) and the people who decide to buy my books.

I am sure you know yourself that the words others write can affect your decision to purchase - and the more reviews I have, the more likely my books will get shown to people looking to buy a pregnancy book.

If you have read any of my books and have been meaning to leave a review - please do. It will really make a huge difference and I will be so incredibly grateful ❤️

08/01/2024

This weeks episode of the podcast is out now, and I am chatting about the popular subject of Breathing and Relaxation.

One of my favourite things to encourage clients to do when preparing for birth, is to write out affirmations that can support you in moments of doubt.

There are various ways to write affirmations, but I am a short and sweet kind of a girl.

Here are some additional ones for you to consider:

I am calm and centred
I embrace the power within me
I surrender to the process
I am surrounded by love and support
I inhale peace and exhale tension
My breathe guides me
I trust myself to make excellent decisions in labour if required
My body is designed for this
My baby and I work together in perfect harmony
I release fear and welcome each sensation

Listen to this weeks episode now on your favourite platform

Enjoy
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Sallyann Beresford - Doula Support & Antenatal Educator

10/02/2024

07/02/2024

05/02/2024

04/02/2024

31/01/2024

30/01/2024

29/01/2024

28/01/2024

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18/01/2024

15/01/2024

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