Melissa Stanford Hypnobirthing & Wellbeing

25/11/2022

A recent survey by the Royal College of Midwives shows that a staggering 57% of midwives plan to leave the profession. This move appears to be driven by increasing concerns that they cannot deliver safe care to women and birthing people in the current system, especially with the staffing crisis.
Our midwives and maternity support workers do an incredible job supporting families. They witness the joys of birth but also provide invaluable support to those families who suffer the most heartbreaking times of life.
We have seen maternity services downgraded and birth place options limited because of staffing issues.
I remember the name of every midwife who supported me to birth my babies.
They deserve better resources so that they can safely support birthing families.

16/11/2022

Some welcomed help for those who need support following their birth experience ❤️

Research suggests that up to 60% of women have a ‘negative birth experience’. Over time, it is possible to naturally make sense of this experience so that it does not cause difficulty. However, around 5% of those affected continue to suffer & develop mental health distress symptoms.

Are you experiencing mental health distress following your maternity experience?
Do you have flashbacks, avoid reminders of the birth or feel on ‘high alert’?
Do you have an extreme fear of childbirth?

If you live in Gloucestershire, have answered yes to any of the above and would like to talk about it with a trained NHS professional, get in touch with your contact details: talkaboutbirth@ghc.nhs.uk

11/11/2022

Always wonderful to receive such lovely feedback from my clients ❤️

15/10/2022

One in four pregnancies ends in loss. We need to talk about it more to help support those families with their grief. This week has been baby loss awareness week. There is a wave of light this evening at 7pm. Please light a candle if you can for all those beautiful babies who couldn't stay ❤️

16/08/2022

There are a couple of spaces available on my next hypnobirthing group course running in Tetbury on the following dates:

Thursday 22nd September 7pm
Tuesday 27th September 7pm
Saturday 8th October 9am
Saturday 15th October 9am

Hypnobirthing is a complete birth preparation course designed to help you achieve a positive birth experience ❤️

Full details available on my website
www.melissastanford.co.uk

Get in touch if you'd like to know more 🙂

07/06/2022

There are so many misconceptions about hypnobirthing. This is my take on it....

❌ It's NOT about the 'perfect' birth
❌ It's NOT anti-hospitals
❌ It's NOT anti-pain relief
❌ It's NOT about silently breathing your baby out (although hats off to you if you can do it!)

Hypnobirthing is a full birth preparation course.

✅ It's about understanding your choices
✅ It's about feeling empowered to make informed decisions
✅ It's about keeping calm if labour goes differently to how you had hoped
✅ It's about feeling positive about your baby's birth

12/05/2022

Hi everyone! 👋

I have a couple of spaces available in my hypnobirthing group classes in June.

Monday evenings in Tetbury.

Ideal for those babies due in August / September ♥️

Please get in touch for more details.

www.melissastanford.co.uk

13/04/2022

My hypnobirthing course provides you with everything you need to know to help prepare for birth.

There's no need to do any other course.

You will learn:

❤️The basics of hypnobirthing and the science behind it

❤️How your body works during labour, what it feels like and why some women associate birth with pain

❤️Why your hormones play a crucial role in your birth experience and how to stimulate the right ones

❤️The importance of deep relaxation during labour and how to achieve it

❤️Optimal positions for labour and birth

❤️Essential breathing techniques

❤️Visualisation, massage and positive affirmations- why they work, and how to do it

❤️The importance of the birth environment

❤️Your birth companion’s role

❤️How to deal with any special circumstances arising during your pregnancy and labour

❤️Recognising and releasing any fears surrounding birth

❤️Understanding your choices about where to have your baby and any medical intervention you may receive

❤️ How to best prepare yourself for a variety of birth scenarios and understanding how that preparation can positively influence your overall experience of birth

❤️What happens after your baby arrives.

Group sessions and one-to-ones available. Get in touch for more details x

28/02/2022

So I thought I'd introduce myself properly......

Hi, I'm Melissa. 👋👋👋
I'm mum to Claude (three) and Alba (18 months). I was first taught hypnobirthing when I was pregnant with Claude, after suffering the devastating loss of our first baby boy at 19 weeks. At the time I knew that I needed some support to help change the negative associations I had with birth and how I felt about my body’s ability to birth a healthy baby, safely. By the end of the course, I felt calm, confident and was genuinely looking forward to Claude’s birth. The difference was incredible, and it felt amazing. It was part of the healing process for me.

❤️Through my hypnobirthing classes I teach mums and their partners how to feel empowered, calm and confident during pregnancy and birth. My own experiences mean that I understand pregnancy and birth is not always straightforward nor is it always the journey you had perhaps imagined. There is no judgment in my teaching. Hospital birth, home birth and everything in between is very much supported and crucially, your choice. I am here to ensure you know what those choices are and importantly, to support you emotionally with your preparation for birth so that you can achieve a positive experience.

❤️Alongside my hypnobirthing courses I also run pregnancy and postnatal circles. Here, I hold a safe space so that you have dedicated time to be present, relax your mind and feel supported. I teach across Tetbury, Cirencester, Malmesbury, Stroud and surrounding areas.
Please get in touch if you'd like to know more x

14/02/2022

An interesting article about the increasing rates of c-sections, your voice as a mother and your right to choose. No matter what type of birth you are planning, hypnobirthing can help you to feel calm throughout. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/feb/13/caesareans-or-vaginal-births-should-mothers-or-medics-have-the-final-say

More babies are born by C-section than ever, causing alarm at the WHO. But some believe the option should always be offered

07/02/2022

12/11/2021

New website is now live!! 🎉🎉https://www.melissastanford.co.uk/

Hypnobirthing is about achieving a positive birth experience through birth preparation and relaxation, whatever that looks like for you.

07/10/2021