It’s not often that I would post something that many of us are fearful of and plenty of us thank heavens that it hasn’t happened to us!  However, unfortunately, baby loss does happen and in my career as an antenatal educator and Natal Hypnotherapist I find myself in awe of the women and men who, despite having had such tragedy in their lives go on and start the journey of pregnancy again.  I have been asked by one such person, a friend and colleague of mine, if I could share her journey with others out there who might find it helpful and supportive.  The words below are entirley Leora’s.

Baby Harry

Loneliness. It’s been a recurrent theme since losing Baby Harry...

Read More

As I was sat watching the semi-final of Channel 4’s Great British Bake Off last night and gazing at the mighty fine silver fox that is Paul Hollywood, I caught myself wondering what he would be like as a birth partner.  Ok, Ok, I know the link is somewhat tenuous but when you are as obsessed with the world of birth (and Paul Hollywood) this is the way one’s mind works, right?. . . anyone? . . .anyone at all?. . . Ok, just me then!

His fantastic blue eyes would certainly be a wonderful focus point on which to fix your gaze during each contraction, I thought to myself...

Read More

This weekend I headed out to Haslemere, Surrey to teach some of the latest batch of Natal Hypnotherapy™ practitioner trainees about birth physiology.  Their actual hypnotherapy training programme started Monday but because these particular recruits don’t have a background in childbirth education, I was able to wax lyrical on one of my favourite subjects – why and how the female body is so brilliantly designed to do what it’s supposed to ie: go forth and multiply!

You may be wondering what made these particular recruits want to undergo, this RCM (that’s Royal College of Midwives, doncha know!!) accredited training programme and become a part of the Natal Hypnotherapy™ organisation, as they’re not already midwives, doulas or antenatal educators.  The answer’s simple...

Read More

I recently had the luck to go away for a night with a couple of friends of mine.  All of us busy working mums so the arranging of this luxury was not the most simple of tasks. Other halves had to make sure they could be certain places at certain times, play dates had to be arranged so children would not be stranded at school, multiple packing of multiple suitcases had to be undertaken as well as making sure that school bags had everything that was needed for the next two days so that afore mentioned other halves would have no reason to berate us for taking this much deserved break. However, eventually off we set, our guilt at leaving our children firmly under control (kissing them until I had to be physically removed does not count!) and very much looking forward to our road trip.

We had ...

Read More

Been meaning to get back to blogging for ages, but there always seems to be something else – children, work, dogs - that gets in the way . However, the report at the weekend about women being able to choose a Caesarean section, regardless of medical necessity was obviously the kick up the bottom I needed to put mouse to mat, because here I am! Please, don’t think for one moment think I’m disapproving of those with a valid reason for choosing a section. I’ve seen enough clients traumatised by bad birth experiences to know that c-section really is the only option if they want to extend their family. . With those women, I join in rejoicing that an overwhelming fear-factor can be, if not removed, at least circumnavigated, so they can enjoy their pregnancies, births and children. Nor am I saying those whose births ended as Caesareans, should have fought harder/done something differently. Far from it – birth doesn’t always go according to plan and whether a medical necessity, circumstance or intervention necessitates babies coming out via ‘the sun roof’, the birth of a baby and the start of a new life is always something to celebrate as is the fact that we have the life-saving technology we do.Read More