#Pregancy: Effective antenatal preparation?

My wonderful NCT friends

This post is a response to the article I read today about the author's experience of NCT classes. NCT brought me a set of really close mummy friends and I can't be more grateful for that. 
In terms of what you learn and the ethos they promote, there are very mixed responses. The aim of this article is not to analyse the pros and cons of attending NCT classes. 

As a hypnobirthing teacher though, providing a detailed antenatal course for mums and birth partners, it really made me think how well informed are my mums? 

Do we learn everything we can before birth? Do we focus too much on the 'ideal' and create disappointment or regret if that doesn't happen? Is there just too much to cover for every different eventuality? Can all births be truly celebrated if we lack the understanding of what is happening and feel disempowered as a result?

As a starting point, I've spent the day collecting a wish list from my NCT and other mummy friends on what they think should be included in an antenatal course (n.b. not including the post-natal period, although it was agreed that there is a lot more that could be done to inform and empower new parents).

So, what did they think we should aim to include in a truly effective antenatal preparation course?

• The physiology of vaginal birth and caesarean sections
• The hormones of birth (oxytocin vs. adrenaline) and their effects
• Ways to prepare your body for birth - pelvic floor exercises, perineal massage, light exercise, nutrition
• Ways to prepare your mind for birth, no matter what happens - self-hypnosis, breathing, relaxations, affirmations, visualisations, positive triggers
• What's involved in sweeps, induction, c-sections, episiotimies, forceps/ventouse
• The pros and cons of sweeps, induction, c-sections, episiotomies, vaginal birth, forceps/ventouse
• Some reasons for all of the above and the breadth of 'normality' - breech babies, back-to-back babies, 'overdue' babies, 'big' babies
• The pros and cons of ways to make birth more comfortable - drugs (pethidine, gas/air, epidural), self-hypnosis/deep relaxation, water, tens machine, homeopathy/aromatherapy
• What to realistically expect from your care providers - obstetricians, NHS midwives, independent midwives, doulas 
• The role of the birth partner, and making informed decisions
• The pros and cons of different birth settings - home, hospital, midwife-led unit
• The pros and cons of birth plans, and alternatives
• What might happen in labour - bloody show, membrane release, contractions, transition, birth
• Possibilities and procedures following birth (vernix, vit K injections, feeding, delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin, placenta release, stitches, blood loss, placentophagy, microbiome and seeding, gentle caesareans, weighing and baby checks, sleep)
• A list of local and national organisations and further reading for antenatal preparation and support
• A list of local and national organisations for post-natal preparation and suppor

The question is - how often is all of this included? Is there anything that you think has been missed out?

For an antenatal course that strives to include 100% of this, and understands all birth stories to be worthy of celebration, get in touch: katie@birthstory.co.uk or www.birthstory.co.uk

#Birth: Hypnobirthing - preparing for life

It is amazing to see how many people are discovering the benefits of hypnobirthing. The revolution is happening! More and more women are becoming aware, not only of the physiological impacts of relaxation during pregnancy and labour, but also gaining a greater understanding of the processes and procedures around birth. We are becoming more informed and more engaged with how our bodies birth.

One of the things I've noticed is all the different ways it is possible to learn about Hypnobirthing - online, short classes, long classes, in groups, one to one. Everyone wants to gain differently from their experience because everyone learns differently. 

What is most important though is practice. 

Hypnobirthing isn't something that can be done and then you're sorted for birth. Hypnobirthing will only be truly effective if you continue to train your subconscious to relax and your body to soften. It requires more time investment than a two or even ten hour course.

Let me explain...

The theory behind Hypnobirthing is that:

a) we need oxytocin (the love hormone) to be stimulated during birth, rather than adrenaline. Oxytocin is released when we are relaxed and calm. Oxytocin enables blood and oxygen to reach our reproductive and digestive systems so they work effectively. We don't need blood and oxygen flowing to our legs during birth - no running necessary! 

b) fear makes us tense. If we are tense, we are holding tight the muscles that are required to soften and open for birth. The uterus pulls up (during contractions) as the cervix opens. If we are fearful, this action is made harder and it's a bit like baby getting their head stuck in a lift door. Therefore, we need to be deeply relaxed for the doors to open easily. 

c) negativity around birth can become ingrained in our subconscious, so we become anxious about the prospect. We need to reprogramme our subconscious with positivity, in order to look forward to birth and be completely calm as it approaches. 

d) we can also become more confident through informed knowledge of birth. Preparing ourselves with the knowledge of what happens and what choices we might have to make will enable us to feel empowered, no matter what happens. Birth is normal, natural but no birth is the same. 

The Hypnobirthing course I run is about YOUR birth story, which will be completely different to anybody else's. That's why I like to work with individual couples, so that I can tailor the course to suit you and your situation. During the ten hours of training, we discuss ways to promote the release of oxytocin, overcome fear, reprogramme your subconscious with positivity, and gain the knowledge needed for a truly informed birth. There's a lot to cover!

BUT, practice is absolutely key. I ask women to practice for at least ten minutes a day. To practice relaxation, to visualise the birh they hope for, to release fears as they arise, to focus on positive birth stories...all of these work as a drip feed to your subconscious...slowly slowly reprogramming you to feel happy, calm and confident in the lead up to birth.

It is an investment, but it's an investment for the most important day of your life. And not just that, the impacts for you, your baby and your birth partner are huge. If you prepare for everything else in life, why not birth? Hypnobirthing gives you skills and knowledge for life. 

For more information about the individualised course I provide, visit www.birthstory.co.uk or email katie@birthstory.co.uk. I look forward to helping you have a positive birth story. 

#Birth: Teaching the hypnobirthing

I 

Having completed an incredible hypnobirthing teaching diploma with hypnobirthing Yoda, Katharine Graves, Birth Story Hypnobirthing is now up and running.

To say I learnt a lot on the teacher training is an understatement. In just the same way that hypnobirthing gave me the tools and mindset to guide me calmly and peacefully through birth, this training has had a similar effect. It has been a game changer.

I know this is going to change things, but I'm not entirely sure how yet and I'm not entirely sure it's going to happen straight away. But I really feel like this is the start of something a little bit special. I can't wait to enable other women to give birth calmly and with confidence.

So, why am I here? Why do I feel so strongly that teaching hypnobirthing to other women and their birth partners is such an important thing to do?

1. It's a little bit revolutionary

I was so chuffed to discover that out of the 25 or so attendees on the teacher training course, around 18-19 were midwives, and a large number of those were student midwives. 
Now, we are privileged to have an amazingly strong midwifery community in this country, and to be leading the way in so many areas of research. To see that number of attendees validates the power of the course. It validates my belief that hypnobirthing really has something to offer. More than that, it has the potential to be revolutionary in the way we view and react to birth. 

2. It worked for me and people I know
I have no background in meditation or yoga. The thought of spending time to purely relax sounded boring. The first time I sat down to focus on the birth I wanted, I couldn't stop the cynic in the back of my mind. But, over time, it started to make sense. And it completely paid off. I had a wonderfully empowering and relaxing birth, just like the many I had seen on youtube. There are so many positive birth stories I've come across since. Maybe a little bit boring; not a lot of drama or blue flashing lights, but undoubtedly positive.
I truly believe that if I can do it, so can every other woman.

3. It is easy

That's not something you hear very often when it comes to birth!! BUT it requires some regular effort. It is easy in that it is simple to practice and train yourself. All it requires is a little bit of time and the ability to close your eyes, listen and breathe. There are also a range of small things that can be done before and during the birth to make a huge difference. But the preparation is key. Just a little bit a day. 10-15 minutes. But it is vital. And such a good opportunity to give you and your birth partner some time out.

4. It gives you skills for life
Every time I feel stressed, I know that if I practice my 'up' breathing, I will feel so much better. Every time I need to block out the world, I can turn down a dial to completely zone myself out. Every time I struggle to fall asleep, I listen to a relaxation script, and before I know it...zzzzz. Hypnobirthing skills are not just for birth, they are for life. As you enter the crazy world of parenthood (or if you're there already), you will have the tools to help you manage every step of the way.

5. It makes you feel so good
Oxytocin. The love hormone. The hormone that facilitates birth. It makes you feel good. Everything in hypnobirthing is designed to encourage the production of oxytocin and make you feel amazing. Relaxations, lovely smells, light massage by your partner, being told how strong and wonderful you are. Every session is like a lovely trip to the soul spa. You should come out feeling radiant and confident. 

6.  It gives birth partners a key role
I've written about this before, but for many, watching their loved one give birth can be scary. Their instinct is saying 'protect' but they don't know what to do, where to stand, what to say. They might feel completely dis-empowered, helpless. My hypnobirthing course gives birth partners a clear role to play, in the lead up to, and during labour. No more flapping!

7. It gives you the knowledge
One of the most significant parts of KG Hypnobirthing is the knowledge you will gain about the physiology of birth, the protocols and procedures, and your rights. No more 'they can do what they want to me' or 'I'm not allowed to do that'. This is about you and your baby. You make the decisions. You can have the birth you want to. No more fear! You will feel empowered to work together your baby and your care providers, and calmly handle whatever nature throws your way. Because you, my dear, are a birthing goddess. Yes you are. 

8. It is for everyone
Hypnobirthing is not prescriptive about HOW you give birth. All I want is for you to have a birth experience that is as relaxing and empowering as it can be. That you can go into birth with knowledge and power, and with the confidence to make decisions that are right for you and your baby. C-sections, VBACs, vaginal births, water births, assisted, non-assisted, hospital, home, MLU, first child, tenth child...nobody is exempt from experiencing a positive birth. Whatever you decide is right, is right. Hypnobirthing can help with all of these scenarios. Trust me, it's a game-changer.    If you want to find out more about what I can offer you, please visit the Birth Story website: www.birthstory.co.uk or email me: relaxingbirth@googlemail.com