My Story - Birth & More, Dorking, Surrey
Caring Community | Mindful Education | Personalised Support
My decision to train as an Antenatal Teacher was following the birth of my first baby.
Preparing for my first birth...
When I was preparing for the birth of my daughter in 2017, I did what a lot of first time mums do and booked my husband and I onto the local Dorking NCT course. We made the booking months ahead and at that time I hadn’t started thinking about labour or birth.
Everything was going well, until our pregnancy journey took an unexpected turn.
You see, I had awful hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) from the 7th week of my pregnancy and by the 9th I was in the hospital attached to a drip to treat my severe ketosis. I couldn't even eat an ice cube. Months of sickness and taking medication really took the shine off my pregnancy glow and my concern for my baby’s welfare meant that I didn’t feel ready to plan my birth until my third trimester.
The part of my journey that I’ve skipped over so far is that I’d not long come off antidepressants prior to conceiving. Like a lot of people I have a history of anxiety and depression and there was a point in my life when I needed help to manage that. I’m proud to say that despite facing many challenges and significant life events I have been able to manage my mental health without medication since.
So back then, being able to prepare my mind as well as my body was just as important. I discovered a local hypnobirthing teacher, and we booked onto a course to follow after NCT.
Whilst NCT informed us of the physiology of birth and breastfeeding I felt the need for more mindful preparation. I felt informed, but not empowered.
And while the hypnobirthing course covered the science behind self-hypnosis in childbirth, we were left to practice our scripts alone not knowing if we were doing it right! I really felt we needed more support.
Finally, I took some 121 yoga sessions which was probably where I felt the most nurtured and reassured. These included short relaxation and visualisation time which was blissful.
After all these classes, and lots of research, I was starting to feel more empowered AND informed.
Did my birth go to plan?
I genuinely felt calm as my due date approached and my husband and I had discussed all aspects from my pain relief preferences to how he would support me on the day and beyond.
When the day came to meet my daughter, we had a very positive birth experience. Did everything go as planned? Of course not. She was 9 lb 6 oz! But did I feel empowered and informed? Yes I did.
In 2020 the franchise I was a part of folded and I took the exciting step to set up my own antenatal business. After hearing how so many of my mum friends' experiences were so different, I started to think about designing my own courses.
Wouldn't it be good to bring all these elements into one course so that expectant mums could prepare in mind and body for the birth of their baby?
So that's what I did.
My second birth was a homebirth...
I then enjoyed the benefits of this combination in my second birth, a home water birth. My labour was so efficient, that the midwifes only arrived 30 minutes before my daughter was born! I was so excited for my birthing day and had complete trust in my body's ability and confidence in my own ability to cope.
You can read my Birth Story and those of women I've supported over on the Blog.
Birth & More was born! Learn more about my Group Antenatal Classes here.
I then continued my training adding Baby Massage and Reflexology, Pregnancy Yoga and Mum & Baby Yoga and Mindful Breastfeeding expertise to my offerings. So whether you are starting your journey with Birth & More during pregnancy or postnatally, you can expert this special trilogy in your course: Caring Community | Mindful Education | Personalised Support
I'm so excited to be able to bring the benefit of my experience to you in my antenatal and postnatal courses - where you'll enjoy a positive birth and parenting journey for body and mind.
If you have any questions about my courses please get in touch.
Rose
