Moms choose GentleBirth workshops not because they are completely ruling out the epidural but because they want to do everything they can to have a positive experience - with or without medication. The epidural can be a great tool for labor if needed but after your GentleBirth workshop you and your partner will have a multitude of birth 'tools' and strategies in your labor 'toolkit'. GentleBirth workshops are not like other childbirth preparation classes. We don't teach you how to change diapers....or how to bathe your baby (we know you'll have that figured out very quickly). Our clients are high achievers and demand high standards in all areas of their lives including preparing for a positive birth experience. Our focus is preparing you for the most positive birth possible - no matter what comes your way on the big day. GentleBirth focuses on 3 core areas for the most positive birth possible. We offer expectant moms and dads easy to learn 'brain training' techniques including Mindfulness, CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), sports psychology and medical hypnosis. Brain Training for Birth and Beyond
Physical Comfort Strategies for Birth
Navigating your way through the system. We offer expectant moms and partners easy to learn 'brain training' techniques including Mindfulness, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), sports psychology and medical hypnosis. Hypnosis on it's own can be a very effective tool but not all moms are equally hypnotisable. Over the last decade supporting moms in labour I've found that having more than one tool in your toolkit is esssential. As a Midwife and doula I've seen that the more tools mom and dad have access to physically and psychologically the more prepared they feel and the more emotionally resilient both parents are when adjusting to life AFTER labor with their new baby. CBT is leading the way in research promoting positive mental health in Europe to reduce anxiety and depression in pregnancy and after baby arrives. Research also suggests that mindfulness as part of your childbirth education classes can reduce the risk of PPD. With a little help from neuroscience you're physically changing the structure of your brain (think of it as a little bit of DIY brain remodelling) and the results will change the way you react to stress forever - not just on the day your baby arrives. You'll also have ongoing support from our wonderful online private GentleBirth Moms group of over 2000 Moms. Physical Comfort Measures
You and your birth partner will learn physical comfort strategies and tips used around the world by midwives and doulas for the best birth possible. You'll have a toolkit full of comfort strategies to keep you calm, confident and in control before, during and after your baby arrives - including strategies to help your baby into optimal position and ways to reduce the side effects of an epidural should you need one. Understanding Your Birth Options
Navigating the maze of birth options can be daunting. A key area of our programme is navigating and negotiating birth options in your area so you and your partner feel informed and confident. With over 85% of GentleBirth moms not needing an epidural you're already off to a great start. GentleBirth moms and partners practice and prepare for the big day just like they would train for an athletic event... but the key is mental preparation as well as physical. Moms who attend GentleBirth workshops are from all walks of life - high tech, stay at home moms, scientists, healthcare professionals. Like you they have decided to stack the deck in their favor of having a great birth experience rather than leaving the biggest day of their lives up to chance. The workshop is for parents who want to be actively involved in decision making and prefer to have an understanding of what choices are available to them for labor and birth. You and your partner will learn more than just hypnosis. Hypnosis is just one of the many tools you'll have access to on the big day depending on your individual experiences. Think of GentleBirth as an advanced hypnobabies/hypnobirthing class created by a healthcare professional. Is your partner prepared for labor? It's no secret that most hospital based classes don't prepare partners adequately to support moms in labor. In most classes Dads are sidelined and not expected to be actively involved during the birth in meaningful ways. Your partner has a huge role in your baby's birth and most Dads are very eager to understand what they can do to help. During the workshop you and your partner develop a clear understanding of how to navigate and negotiate your way confidently and calmly. Dads/birth partners appreciate the importance of their role as birth supporter, facilitator and advocate on this very special day as Dads learn labor support strategies used by midwives and doulas around the world. GentleBirth preparation weekend workshops combine birth hypnosis (deep relaxation for pregnancy and labour), sports psychology and active birthing principles enabling couples to have empowered, confident birth experiences with or without medical intervention at home, birth centre or at the hospital. When is the best time to come to a workshop? As soon as you want to start really enjoying your pregnancy - I see couples as early as 9 weeks and as late as 41 weeks. It's never too early, and only too late after your baby has arrived. Although labor and birth is a serious topic the workshop is a lot of fun. There's plenty of practice too so it makes for a very relaxing, informative weekend. Over the weekend you'll learn the following and more:
Physiology of the normal birth process
Fear Vs Relaxation in during birth - keeping adrenaline at bay
CBT - challenging the 'birth bullies'
Sports psychology techniques for pregnancy and birth
The neuroscience of a gentle birth - rewiring your brain from fear to confidence
Facilitating the perfect balance of hormones in labour - undisturbed birth
Breathing techniques
Comfort measures for labour and birth (what you and your partner can do at each stage)
Active birth including the use of the birth ball, peanut ball, and water immersion. Routine procedures in hospitals and avoidable routine interventions
What happens on admission to hospital? Being a confident birth partner
Labor support tools for special circumstances
Creating effective birth preferences and how to communicate your intentions and preferences
Informed decision making
Relaxation techniques for moms and partners for pregnancy and labour
Medication in labor and how to optimize the epidural
Effective birth positions & learning how to push
Recovery tips
You also receive the complete GentleBirth Program Box Set which includes 8 CD's and the GentleBirth Guidebook. During the workshop you'll meet other couples who also want to have an active role in working towards a very positive experience. It gives you and your partner a great opportunity to escape life's day to day demands and just focus on each other and your baby for a weekend. You'll both leave the workshop feeling excited about what's ahead and more confident in your abilities. To confirm your booking visit my website to see available sessions and register there!
