Every year on April 10, World Homeopathy week is observed globally to honour the birth anniversary of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy. This day aims to increase public understanding of homeopathy’s principles and potential, fostering awareness about its benefits as a complementary system of medicine. The History of World Homeopathy Day is dedicated to the legacy of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, who introduced the concept of “similia similibuscurentur” (like cures like) in the late 18th century. First celebrated in 2005, the day highlights the significance of homeopathy as a gentle and holistic healing method for all. Over the years, the observance has grown into a global movement, advocating for the integration of homeopathy into healthcare systems worldwide.

“Homoeopathy is not fantasy; it is in harmony with Nature’s way of healing”

Doctor Samuel Hahnemann 1755-1843

Significance of World Homeopathy Week is to:

• Promote awareness about homeopathy’s safe, natural and holistic approach to healing

• Educate people on its ease and effectiveness in managing acute and chronic conditions

• Encourage on going scientific discussion and research into homeopathy

• Bridge the gap between traditional and modern medical practices

The previous year’s theme (2024) was “Homeoparivar: One Health, One Family.” This years theme is to reflect the evolving role of homeopathy in global healthcare and public wellness. Observance and Activities Across the world, homeopathic practitioners, enthusiasts, and health and wellbeing organisations are coming together to mark the day through events aimed to dispel misconceptions, share new findings and promote the adoption of homeopathy as a complementary therapy. The collective effort also seeks to highlight how homeopathy can be an integral part of preventive and community healthcare. World Homeopathy Week serves as a platform to acknowledge the contributions of homeopathy to global wellness and to encourage its responsible and scientific practice. With its focus on holistic healing, the observance helps bridge traditional knowledge with modern healthcare solutions.

To help with more frequently asked questions about homeopathy, the Homeopathy Research Institute have put together a helpful page on their website here. 

So…What does a consultation with a Homeopath involve?

The initial consultation lasts approximately 90 minutes. Together we explore yours and your family’s health history. This time is yours to express the full picture of your health problems, what you would like some help with, what symptoms you experience and how life is for you. I will ask you everything you know about your condition. Confidentiality is always paramount and information shared is viewed objectively. By adopting a patient centred approach, we take into account all your symptoms that you need help with, whether they seem connected or not. Because homeopathic treatment is so individualised the emphasis is on how your symptoms or complaints are experienced by you. The opportunity to speak in depth about yourself, although unfamiliar for some, is often very therapeutic and enables people to understand themselves and their illness in a new way. You may have been given a medical diagnosis or simply feel and know in yourself that your energy, mood or body isn’t as well as it should be. Homeopathic treatment is an opportunity to explore the areas you need help with, come to understand the possible cause and find a remedy that stimulates your recovery and boosts your sense of well-being. Homeopathy is designed to help people with physical, emotional or psychological concerns.

Homeopathic medicines go through a system of extreme dilution and are mostly made from either plant, animal or mineral sources, exactly as they are found in nature. The dilutions mean that they are non-addictive, have no toxic side-effects and can be safely used alongside traditional medicines. This also makes it highly suitable for people who are especially sensitive to conventional medicines and are looking for a more gentle system of healthcare. Due to their extreme dilution homeopathic remedies prove particularly effective in treating ailments in pregnancy, childbirth and for postpartum healing and any breastfeeding issues should they arise. 

I first came to Homeopathy in 2009 when my eldest child was born. I took Homeopathic Arnica to help with the bruising and discomfort I felt on the day of her birth. I recovered well and felt drawn to this gentle system of healing and wanted to know more. Over the early years of parenting, and again when pregnant with my 2^nd child, I continued as a home prescriber to use homeopathic remedies to treat myself throughout pregnancy and for breast feeding issues. Then my family for coughs, colds, bumps, bruises, teething, earache, fevers, digestive upsets and minor injuries which were treated with great success using only my basic Homeopathic Remedy Kit and a simple guide book for pinpointing remedies. My confidence and hunger for knowledge about this gentle and effective system of medicine evolved further to then study for a professional qualification at The NWCH over 4 years. Qualifying as a professional Homeopathic practitioner in 2018 has been so rewarding for me personally and I feel honoured to share the beauty of this powerful holistic approach to health care with my many clients. 

Just some of my tips to prepare for Birth

​Before birth – To help prepare mother and baby for the optimum experience:

1. Constitutional homeopathic treatment with a professional Homeopath
2. Weekly Yoga and swimming And include some gentle pelvic floor exercises.
3. Eat as much fresh healthy food, preferably organic.
4. Any problems/worries should be talked through with birth partner/s.
5. Make a birth plan. See “Give Birth Like a Feminist: Your body. Your baby. Your choices” by Milli Hill
6. To avoid occipito-posterior labour  (‘back to back’ ie. baby’s spine facing your spine), from 36 weeks it is important to adopt positions daily, eg. in 20 minute sessions, which encourage gravity to swing baby’s back to the front of your tummy. This can be achieved daily (for example) whilst watching TV whilst leaning forward over a large beanbag or birthing ball, or spending time in all 4’s on your hands and knees (remember to protect your knees with a blanket or yoga mat). Avoid spending time on a sofa with knees higher than the hips as it can encourage the baby’s back to lie in the posterior position. Staying active during the day can help prevent this. If the baby is in the ‘back to back’ position during labour, as a Homeopathic Doula it’s possible for me to encourage baby to turn using remedies from The Helios Childbirth Kit (pictured above).
7. From 36 weeks drinking Raspberry Leaf Tea daily increases uterine tone and may help make uterine contractions more efficient when labour starts.
8. Learn useful relaxation breathing techniques and listen to meditation/hypnobirthing tracks daily to reinforce the ability to relax quickly and easily.

To Initiate Labour

A first baby is often anything up to two weeks over date. Don’t panic or let others decide when your baby will come. Your baby will come when you and they are ready. I always tell clients to share a ‘Due month’ NOT a due date. This can really help to discourage the unhelpful “Any news” texts and messages from excited family and friends once you get to 40 weeks!

If you need help to initiate labour maybe think of these natural methods by boosting the birth hormones:

1. Take a gentle walk in nature.
2. Clean the house/make soup/enjoy mindful activities in the house to occupy your mind.
3. Gentle Nipple stimulation, especially effective when lying in a warm bath.
4. Watch a romantic/sexy movie.
5. Make love. Prostaglandin in semen will help contractions. With a pillow under the thighs, let semen bathe the cervix for as long as possible.
6. Eat a whole fresh pineapple. Full of Vit C and gives you a lovely boost pre labour
7. If you are not used to rich curry, eat one. As it rushes through the bowel, the uterus is stimulated, and it can set things in motion.
8. Your partner to give you a foot massage, paying particular attention to the Shiatsu point of the cervix which is situated on the base of the heel.
9. Enjoy a professional pregnancy massage, with me, in the comfort of your home.
10. If baby is in breech position (bottom down or other variations) to help encourage baby to turn a Homeopath may prescribe the remedy Pulsatilla 200c in a single dose.
11. If you are post 40 weeks you may like to take the homeopathic remedy Caulophyllum 30c 3 x daily until labour starts. This remedy helps ripen the cervix.
12. If you are overdue and feel that labour is delayed due to fear or anxiety consider a single dose of the following remedies: Aconite 200c – worry, anxiety or fearful of labour and birth. Gelsemium 200c – holding back the process with an emotional state of anxiety about how you will manage ie. Waters may have broken and then labour may have started but then stopped.

During Labour

1. Snack every 2 hours, or as and when desired.

​* Small bowl of soup

* Fresh juice (or herbal tea) with honey. 

*  Small pieces of fruits (frozen grapes are excellent) 

Birth Partner to encourage the woman to withdraw into herself. Respect her privacy and help her do this by limiting activities/talking around her. Try to assist in this process synchronise breathing of everyone present with the mother’s breathing and the contractions. The mother can take Arnica 200c every 3-4 hours once the labour is well established. In labour you are using muscles you do not normally use and this will give the muscles a boost. Arnica is also a natural prophylactic against bruising. It can also help to prevent excessive bleeding post birth.

*  The mouth can become very dry in labour. Offer filtered/spring water or watered down fruit juice, take one teaspoon or small sips regularly in labour.

*  Mother should be encouraged to pass urine every two hours; a full bladder can impede baby’s decent.

*  Everyone present should have Dr Bach’s Rescue Remedy on hand, so that they can stay calm around the mother. I carry Bach Flower Rescue remedy in my Doula bag when attending births.

For me, as a Holistic full spectrum Doula, my support goes beyond the traditional roles of a doula by embracing a comprehensive approach to support that spans the entire spectrum of reproductive experiences. This includes not only childbirth but also fertility, loss, and postpartum periods. The term “holistic” implies my focus on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and an acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of all aspects of reproductive health. My pregnancy and birth support as a Holistic Full Spectrum Doula means I provide continuous emotional and physical support to clients during labour and childbirth and the early bonding time with their new baby. I assist in creating a birthing environment that aligns with the mother’s preferences and values to support her ability to make her birth experience truly her own.

Fertility Support: Unlike traditional doulas, Holistic Full Spectrum Doulas extend their support to individuals navigating fertility challenges. I offer emotional support, information, and holistic approaches to enhance fertility. This can also include period and menstrual cycle education for women at all stages of life.

Postpartum Care: Beyond the immediate postpartum period, Holistic Full Spectrum Doulas continue to offer support. I assist with the emotional adjustments, breastfeeding, and the overall well-being of clients as they navigate new parenthood and get to know their new baby.

Education and Advocacy: A key role of Holistic Full Spectrum Doulas is to provide education on various reproductive experiences and advocate for the individual’s choices. This includes empowering clients to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

Qualities of a Holistic Full Spectrum Doula

Compassion and Empathy: Holistic Full Spectrum Doulas approach their work with deep compassion and empathy, recognizing the unique challenges and joys associated with different reproductive experiences.

Holistic Knowledge: I have a diverse skill set that encompasses traditional doula practices, knowledge of alternative therapies, and an understanding of the emotional and spiritual aspects of reproductive health. I enjoy an awareness of emotional energy manifestations in the body, energetic blocks, the chakra systems and have additional training and experience with gentle movement modalities through my Yoga Teacher Training, specialising in Pre & Postnatal Yoga therapy.

Non-Judgmental Approach: Holistic Full Spectrum Doulas foster an environment free of judgment, where my clients’ feel safe sharing their experiences and making choices aligned with their values and life choices.

If you would like to know more about my services and how I can support you on your journey please do get in touch today via my contact page
I’d love to hear from you!
Love Dani xx

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Homeopathy is designed to help people with physical, emotional or psychological concerns. You may have been given a medical diagnosis or simply feel and know in yourself that your energy, mood or body isn’t as well as it should be. Homeopathic treatment is an opportunity to explore the areas you need help with, come to understand the possible cause and find a remedy that stimulates your recovery and boosts your sense of wellbeing. Homeopathic medicines go through a system of extreme dilution and are mostly made from either plant, animal or mineral sources, exactly as they are found in nature. The dilutions mean that they are non-addictive, have no toxic side-effects and can be safely used alongside traditional medicines. This also makes it highly suitable for people who are especially sensitive to conventional medicines and are looking for a more gentle system of healthcare. Due to their extreme dilution homeopathic remedies prove particularly effective in treating ailments in conception, pregnancy, childbirth and for postpartum healing and any breastfeeding issues should they arise. 

The Consultation  

The initial consultation lasts approximately 90 minutes. Together we explore yours and your family’s health history. This time is yours to express the full picture of your health problems, what you would like some help with, what symptoms feel like for you and how they affect your life. I will ask you everything you know about your condition. Confidentiality is always paramount, and information shared is viewed objectively.

By adopting a patient centred approach, we take into account all your symptoms that you need help with, whether they seem connected or not. Because homeopathic treatment is so individualised the emphasis is on how your symptoms or complaints are experienced by you. The opportunity to speak in depth about yourself, although unfamiliar for some, is often very therapeutic and enables people to understand themselves and their condition in a new way.

The Homeopathic Approach to Treat Infertility:

The homeopathic approach towards the management of health problems is always constitutional. This means the treatment takes into account the presenting complaints – the symptom picture – along with the unique physical, mental and genetic make-up that makes a person unique. The what makes You….You. Unlike traditional medicine, homeopathy does not take a symptomatic approach to healing, instead it acts at the root cause of all ailments. Homeopathy can rectify deviations of the hormonal system and get the body back to a normal balanced functioning. The simple homeopathic process effectively and efficiently avoids complicated procedures that follow the more common treatments of infertility. More specifically, the complete hormonal harmony greatly increases the chances of conception without the harmful and/or painful side effects of toxic medications and invasive procedures. Another advantage of homeopathic treatment is that due to its holistic approach it raises levels of vitality, preparing the body for a healthy pregnancy. A homeopath prescribes the remedy separately for every individual, by understanding our clients physical, as well as emotional and mental or spiritual imbalances. That is why this system becomes an excellent option for those seeking help with fertility issues, as it addresses health on a deeply holistic level. Rather than a one size fits all approach, a homeopath carefully prescribes the medicine that works on the possible cause of infertility, along with other symptoms that maybe present like sleep issues, anxiety, stress or even chronic pain, etc. There are no prerequisites to start homeopathic treatment for infertility. Anyone who may have tried other alternative infertility treatments without a positive result can consult a homeopath. Homeopathy doesn’t interfere with any other treatment, whether that be mainstream medical treatment or ‘alternative therapies’ as homeopathy can complement any other course of treatment to give the client the best chance of conceiving. I know that other forms of energy work like acupuncture, reiki or reflexology may work for some but not all. So I always recommend going with what feels right. Homeopathic medicines can also be used easily along side other treatment methods, but the homeopath should be informed about all other approaches in order to work with the whole picture of your health care.

Tips For Infertility Treatments Using Homeopathy:

Homeopathy therapy works on male and female infertility in the following way:

• It regulates and balances the body’s hormones, menstrual cycle and enhances the ovulation process in women of childbearing age.
• In men, it helps to increase the sperm count, their mobility and also their morphology (Sperm morphology is the shape and size of sperm cells, which affects their ability to fertilize an egg)
• It helps with emotional blockages, disturbances and ambiguous thought processes that may affect fertility. Research shows that stress is proven to be a major contributary factor, as well as the primary reason for infertility, in most cases.
• It helps with the stress, anxiety and possible problems with low mood or feelings of hopelessness for those who are trying to conceive.
• It also helps in lifting the side-effects of various other traditional fertility treatments that can hinder the natural process.

Why stress may be keeping you from falling pregnant

Whenever we experience stress, we produce stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin. These hormones are needed to either run away during danger or punch a bear in the face to prevent getting eaten! Unfortunately the adrenal glands, that produce these hormones, can’t tell if you are stressed out because of said bear, a mean e-mail from your boss, unexpected bills or… that negative pregnancy test. The problem with this is that if your adrenals are busy producing stress hormones, they produce less of the hormone DHEA. DHEA is the precursor for sex hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. When stressed our body will prioritise survival, not procreation.

Because chronic stress reduces DHEA, it leads to hormone imbalance that shows itself in:

• Irregular cycles
• Irregular, late or lack of ovulation
• Reduced fertile cervical mucus
• A short luteal phase (when the fertilised egg implants)

Chronic stress can even lead to thyroid problems, further distorting your hormone balance. In conclusion… yes stressing out about your fertility can actually be reducing your chances of falling pregnant. The solution is to reduce stress and help your adrenals not go into overdrive.

How to relax more.

So, when trying to fall pregnant, reducing stress is not a luxury, it’s essential. However, what happens when someone tells you: “Don’t think about a purple elephant”? …You think about a purple elephant! So we need some other tools to get those stress levels down.

Get to know your cycle.

If you are not already tracking your cycle, now is the time to start. And this goes beyond just knowing when you ovulate. When you understand what is going on within your cycle and get acquainted with your fertile body, that alone will reduce anxiety. Once you understand your own rhythm better, you are able to make use of fertile signs and identify your fertile window. This is different for all women. This can help make the whole falling pregnant thing a lot less abstract and gives you some control. While “needing to let go” is indeed a thing on your fertility journey, this is an area you are allowed to gain more control!

Mapping your cycle

This is quite complex but miraculous so we’ll talk about mapping your cycle in your first appointment.

Nurture your sexual relationship.

One thing I see too much among my clients is that they stop enjoying intimacy with their partner. The focus on getting pregnant is so strong that the sex is all concentrated around the fertile window. Don’t make your man feel like he’s just a donor and don’t cheat yourself of having a satisfying sex life either. If you want your baby to be the fruit of the love you share, make sure it is making love that you are doing throughout your entire cycle. It takes two to tango after all.  

Set stress reducing routines.

Yes, reducing stress is a big one to work on.  A good, regular sleep pattern by going to bed earlier rather than later, with plenty of rest and relaxation, nurturing and restorative forms of exercise (like yoga) nothing high impact or extreme, keeping warm (particularly head, hands and feet, no hot water bottles near your tummy), fresh air, clean filtered water to hydrate (no tap water), no caffeine at all for now, and good quality vitamins no synthetics (especially B’s, C, D3, E and also the addition of essential fatty acids 3+6, in the form of Krill, Flaxseed or Fish oil. I use Hemp, as there’s no risk of heavy metal contamination)

…and lastly continuing to do the things you love (apart from bungee jumping, no extreme stuff for now please!) Always remember to continue to be YOU. Hobbies, past times, favourite activities, mindfully engaging in life and even enjoying simple tasks (these suggestions are for example purposes only )…. walking in nature, feeding ducks, knitting or crochet, cooking, adult colouring books, singing, giving or receiving a massage, dancing, anything that helps you to move from constant doing in to simply being present moment by moment. Just remembering that you can’t do everything, fix everything, and be everything for everyone all at once. Rebel against the glorification of busy, taking time to breathe, connect and live in between all the constant doing. We are Human-BEINGS after all, not Human-DOINGS.

Limiting the use of Antibiotics. The unhelpful yeast infections that may underlie UTI’s and unexplained infertility

Most women will suffer with a yeast infection (thrush) and/or a urinary tract infection (UTI) at some point in their lives. It can be a one-time thing that goes by itself, or it can be a recurring problem that doesn’t seem to get sorted no matter how much you ban sugar! This is a huge problem if you are trying to conceive because yeast infections affect your fertility. Not only that, recurring (or half sleeping) yeast infections make you prone to urinary tract infections and those too can make it very difficult to fall pregnant. Antibiotics & Anti-fungals bring temporary relief only for the symptoms to come back with a vengeance. Homeopathic remedies, however, can break the chain of these “genito-urinary” infections for good by lowering your susceptibility. If a course has recently been prescribed I highly recommend a good quality probiotic is taken directly after the antibiotics are finished. As this will quickly restore balance and allow essential good bacteria to flourish again. I recommend The Natural Dispensary for the best supplements and probiotics. Add my practitioner discount at check out for a 10% discount DBED10 https://naturaldispensary.co.uk/products/For_Women_30_s-13880-0.html

Get to know a homeopath (this is where I’m biased!)

This is me and my old Yorkie girl Pop Pops (I treated her successfully for phantom pregnancies using homeopathy when she was younger). She’s a big fan of the magic pills.

Homeopathy is a gentle, effective, natural and safe medicine that takes everything about you into account. Your fertility symptoms, as well as your physical symptoms and most important of all your emotional well-being.

Homeopathic remedies have the ability to:

• reduce your internal stress, 
• boost your general health on all levels, 
• as well as support your hormonal glands where needed
• to help you mature a healthy egg every month and ovulate in a timely manner
• to support your body during the 2 week wait

The key to successful Homeopathic treatment with me

The idea that your hormonal system will go back to it’s normal balance after stopping IVF drugs (for example), is unfortunately not always the case. So together we will make sure this isn’t the case for you. After ANY fertility drugs, your body should be able to adapt to normal hormonal levels again, but it can take time to allow your body to detox.

Now, after all this doom and gloom, here is the catalyst. Surprise, surprise: it is homeopathy! As homeopathy is all about supporting your body’s own healing ability. Within our body is an innate ability to heal and homeopathy taps into that on a deeply profound level. It raises up your vitality so that you can get back into balance, plus, It removes and obstacles to conceiving or the imprint of any prescribed drugs so that your system can reset.

The couples with the best results completed their treatment with the following 4 key factors:

1. The woman (or couples if the partner has a history of chronic ill health or fertility issues) has regular monthly follow-ups.
2. They worked closely together with me in between follow-ups so that I could tweak prescriptions when needed.
3. The couples took the supplements I recommended.
4. The women charted their cycle precisely so we could monitor hormone balance improvements.

Integrity, confidentiality, respect and collaboration all play a major part of the therapeutic relationships that I form with my clients. So my role is to understand and respond to your health concerns and priorities, so that homeopathy can help you to achieve gentle, effective and permanent recovery. Being a Homeopath enables me to combine my awe and respect for the power and beauty of nature with a fascination for the complexity and changeability of the human condition. And most important of all…is that I care. I care about supporting you on your journey to parenthood and I feel honoured to walk beside you for some or all of that journey, in any way I can.

I welcome you to try a free 15 minute discovery phone call to chat about your health goals and whether I’m the right homeopath for you. Get in touch via my contact page or call me today and kick start your healing journey with Homeopathy. I’d love to hear from you!

Love Dani x

07950336495

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“Am I allowed” Written by Beverley Beech.

Beverley, the author, was the chair of AIMS for 40 years and the author of the influential book “Am I Allowed?”.

AIMS – Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services, was founded in 1960 by Sally Willington “to support women and families to achieve the birth that they wanted.” Since the 1960s AIMS has campaigned tirelessly for improvements to the UK’s maternity services, as well as supporting women and pregnant people, their families and others who support them both directly through their helpline, and by sharing information with their books, Journals and website resources. In 2014 they became a registered charity with the slogan “There for your mother. Here for you. Help us to be there for your daughters.”  https://www.aims.org.uk 

Every woman and birthing person should read Beverley’s book! Whether pregnant or planning a baby, or know someone who is? This is THE book to read in preparation for a more positive and empowering experience of childbirth. ‘Am I allowed’ is a question women shouldn’t have to ask when giving birth. It’s sad that while across healthcare generally, professionals and their patients have developed a respectful and cooperative relationship with informed consent at the heart of all treatment, within maternity care there is still some outdated authoritarianism and I do witness it for myself as a doula.
Beverley Beech has set out in her book what women and their families need to know to develop good relationships when engaging mainstream medics into their pregnancy and birth. It will enable women to find out what they need to know to make the best decisions about their care.

This incredible book covers questions like…Can I choose where to give birth to my baby? Why do I have to have an ultrasound examination? Induction of labour – why do I need one? Can I decide who will be with me during my labour? How do I complain about the care I received? This book focuses, primarily, on the maternity rights of women in the UK. Much of the information is also appropriate for those in other high income countries. It sets out to help you to understand your options and rights through all stages of pregnancy, birth, and postnatally. Beverley Lawrence Beech the author, was a birth activist, international speaker and this book is based on 40 years’ experience challenging the over-medicalised, hospital-based, model of childbirth. Most women, trust the system to provide them with the best of care, ‘What is must be best’ and discover, too late, and to their cost, that the care was often based on outdated routines and ‘rules’ to which they were expected to conform. Although women are often told that ‘every birth is different’ and ‘that you can’t plan birth’, there is within the hospital system an expectation that every birth will fit a specific set of rules or guidelines. If your pregnancy or birth is not conforming to the guidelines then you can find yourself at odds with the staff or agreeing to something with which you are not comfortable. This book explains the issues and what choices you actually do have. It is your body, your baby, and you are the one who makes the decisions. The current fashion is for ‘joint decision making’ a subtle phrase that still suggests that the professionals are the permission givers rather than the permission seekers! When, indeed, their role is to discuss with the woman the risks and benefits of any particular treatment or intervention so that the woman can then make a fully informed decision, that feels right for her and her baby. This is not a ‘joint decision’ therefore. Most women expect to have a happy and normal straightforward birth, but there is no way to plan birth but you can plan for how you want to feel in labour and birth. And I tell all my clients that decisions should always be based on feelings…not facts! In which case it is better to be forewarned and forearmed so that you are well-placed to make a decision that feel right for you and your baby. In which case, this book is a must read for every woman. Birth prep, that could involve thinking about what happens if my labour takes a different path? What alternatives are on offer? What questions should my birth partner be asking? I always cover this in my hypnobirthing sessions with clients, to prevent decisions being made under pressure when in the throws of labour. “Am I allowed” is so helpful for this very important part of birth prep, as the book covers all of these concerns.

Thank you Beverley for this wonderful legacy

About your birth rights…

Birthrights is the UK charity that champions respectful maternity care by protecting human rights. They provide advice and legal information to women and birthing people, train healthcare professionals to deliver rights-respecting care and campaign to change maternity policy and systems. Birthrights is the leading authority on the rights of women and birthing people during pregnancy and birth in the UK. Their work is critical to not only transforming the experiences and outcomes for individuals, but also in shifting wider policy, practice and systems.

Birthrights Statement –

Birthrights promotes your right to receive evidence-based care that conforms to the best medical and midwifery standards. We do not promote any particular clinical perspectives in maternity care. These rights are set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and subsequent United Nations conventions and declarations, and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The information on our website is factually correct at the time of writing.

Find out more about Birthrights here: https://birthrights.org.uk/factsheets/human-rights-in-maternity-care/

I completed my Doula training with the Alternative Holistic Maternity Training provider WPCTS.

The founder of WPCTS, Nickita Starke, is a passionate voice and campaigner, whose principles are firmly rooted in traditional maternity care that embrace a holistic approach, education, and advocacy for all birthing people. The WPCTS statement “At the heart of our mission lies the commitment to empower expectant mothers and families with knowledge, support, and care that honours the natural process of childbirth and respects individual choices” is the very reason I chose to train with them.

WPCTS’s philosophy rooted in the fact, which views childbirth, “not as a medical event but as a profound life experience, WPCTS offers a sanctuary where women can learn, grow, and feel supported in their journey. We believe in the power of informed consent, the importance of understanding human rights in birth, and the vital role of holistic care in ensuring positive birth experiences”.

THE BEVERLEY BEECH PROJECT 

WPCTS also offer The Beverley Beech Project, formerly known as the WPCTS access fund, as an unincorporated charity to enable low-income families worldwide to access continuity of care throughout pregnancy and childbirth, leading to more positive birth outcomes. The fund also finances scholarships for individuals who would otherwise be unable to afford WPCTS training courses. The Beverley Beech Project is named after the late Beverley Lawrence Beech, a renowned WPCTS ambassador who supported Nickita Starck -founder of WPCTS, throughout her efforts to establish this organisation. Read more about the access fund here:  

https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-beverley-beech-project?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_location=DASHBOARD&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

As a doula I offer practical and emotional support during pregnancy, birth and the early bonding time with your newborn. I provide support within the scope of a birth doula’s practice, offering non-medical assistance and guidance.
Every birth is unique and I’ll help you to embrace your individuality, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach to childbirth. I understand that childbirth can be an overwhelming experience, and that’s why I believe in providing evidence-based information and a holistic approach to understanding the whole process. I’ll strive to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to take control of your birth by making informed decisions that are right for you and your baby.
With my commitment in providing unwavering support to my clients during pregnancy and childbirth, I’ll support you on how to navigate the medical system with confidence to help prepare for a positive and empowered experience where ever you choose to give birth.
As a registered Homeopath, Hypnobirthing Practitioner and Massage therapist, I include these skills in my wrap around pregnancy care package in offering holistic healthcare treatment for pregnancy related mental or physical health issues, I also include a private Hypnobirthing session and therapeutic massage therapy in the comfort of your home.
The transition through pregnancy into parenthood is huge and unknown. My role is to make that transition as easy and as gentle for my clients as possible.
A free discovery call is always available to see how I can help to make your birth experience truly your own.

Get in touch today via my contact page, to begin your prep for the birth that is right for you!

Love Dani xx

The post Am I Allowed.. what every woman needs to know before she gives birth appeared first on Head to Heal.

• A way to prepare your body and mind to awaken your natural ability to give birth physiologically
• A celebration of the miraculous unfolding of the hormone driven  processes of pregnancy and birth
• A philosophy and a global movement that has empowered women to choose how and where they give birth to their baby for more than 3 decades

Active Birth has really evolved for me, in my own understanding, of the intricate process of natural undisturbed birth after I had a euphoric experience in labour when I gave birth to my youngest child in 2012. But globally, three ideas have been present since the beginning: encouraging mothers to use instinctive upright birthing positions; facilitating natural hormonal responses during labour; and empowering women to make their own choices about their births.

“ACTIVE BIRTH is not new. It is simply a way of describing how women the world over have always behaved during labour and birth throughout history” — Quoted from The book “New Active Birth” written by Janet Balaskas. https://www.activebirthcentre.com/about/janet-balaskas/

Reading “New Active Birth” could help you and your partner prepare for and actually experience an Active Birth. Naturally, throughout time and the world over, women have chosen to walk, stand, squat, lie – to move their bodies freely and actively to find the most comfortable positions for labour and birth. It is only we in the west who have the extraordinary notion that a woman should lie on her back in a position that defies the laws of nature and gravity. With Janet’s book, you can learn to develop all your body’s resources to deal with the instinctive experience of childbirth. It is also for partners, teachers, midwives and everyone involved, to help mothers get up off the delivery table and to bring back some of the common sense which has been overlooked by modern obstetrics. I have a few copies of “New Active Birth’ in my lending library and actively encourage clients to dive in to the physical book during my hypnobirthing sessions. The photos alone really do make for lots of interesting conversations!

1. Going with Gravity

In an active birth, a woman is not confined to a bed. She is free to move during labour, and to give birth spontaneously in a position of her choice, according to HER natural birth giving instincts. This instinct is strengthened during pregnancy, as a woman learns to trust in her body’s natural ability to give birth. Active Birth preparation, through regular pregnancy yoga classes, and workshops or courses centred around natural, physiological birth, that you can attend with your partner, helps you to become more confident in your body’s capabilities.

In an Active Birth you will choose your own way to move, and to be still, depending on how you feel and how your labour is progressing. You will instinctively find your own way to make your labour more comfortable, and to help your body to align with gravity during your baby’s descent through the birth canal. This in turn will send a better blood and oxygen supply to the uterus and baby, making birth easier and helping to prevent complications.

2. Releasing your own Birth Hormones

When you are in labour and giving birth, your body produces an ‘internal cocktail’ of birthing hormones, including Oxytocin and Endorphins, ‘the love hormones’ (See my other blog posts about love hormones) These regulate the birth process, stimulating the involuntary muscular responses of your uterus. They also promote attachment and love—in other words, bonding between you and your baby. This dual capacity of the birthing hormones to influence muscular and emotional responses simultaneously is Mother Nature’s blueprint for survival. When you have the freedom to move about in labour in a peaceful and private place where you feel safe, undisturbed and unobserved, you are able to release very high levels of Oxytocin and Endorphins. This makes the birth process faster and easier, as natural relaxants stimulate productive uterine contractions and help you to transcend painful sensations and experience surges in a more positive and powerful way.

Learning how you can optimise this natural production of birth hormones will help you to ensure that birth is efficient and the bonds of love between you and your baby are established from the outset. This primal relationship at the time of birth when you and your baby are transfused with love hormones forms the foundation for your relationship with your child and also baby’s capacity to love. It is the prototype for all their future relationships.

Active Birth recognises that the ability to birth is instinctive to all mammals including human mammals. As your doula, I foster a ‘body centred’ approach which invites you to awaken this awareness during your pregnancy and develop connection with your instincts through your body memory. As you begin to sense the innate ability to give birth that is common to all women, your confidence will grow. Any fears or anxieties will turn to relaxed and joyful anticipation. Even excitement. Imagine that!

3. Your Empowered, Educated Choice

Active Birth places you at the centre of your pregnancy and labour – rather than your birth attendants. By educating yourself about the physiology of birth, Active Birth gives power and control to you – the birthing mother. You will discover that pregnancy is not a medical condition, and that most woman are able to give birth without medical intervention. As a result, you will be confident in making the key decisions about your own birth and how YOU want to experience it. This releases the potential for you to give birth physiologically and naturally, and for you and your baby to benefit from the release of hormones that are present in ‘every facet of love’ (Michel Odent).

This is one reason why many parents choose Active Birth and why, even in special circumstances, it’s always best to stay as close to nature as possible and to restore the physiological connection between mother and baby, so the production of love hormones can continue through holding, breastfeeding and close contact in the weeks and months after birth.

How Can You Benefit From An Active Birth?

First, an Active Birth means that you have freedom of movement. This means that instead of being confined to bed during labour, you are free to follow your body and choose the most comfortable positions, such as kneeling, standing and walking or sitting on a birth ball.

1. When you are upright, gravity helps your baby to descend downwards into the pelvis. This softens the cervix, helps it to be absorbed upwards, encouraging dilation and may shorten labour.
2. This allows more space in your pelvis so it can adjust to the shape and size of your baby’s head as it descends in labour, and open to its widest when you give birth.
3. Your uterus is designed to tilt forward during contractions which makes them more efficient and less painful. Any upright position where you lean slightly forward will have this effect, for example kneeling over a ball or standing and leaning onto a wall or partner, resting on the side of the birth pool, draped over your birth partners lap while they’re seated -they can stroke your arms or hair to offer comfort and encouragement.
4. There is a better blood flow to and from the uterus. The large blood vessels that carry blood to and from the heart run behind the uterus. Blood flows much more easily when you lean forward a little and reduce pressure on these blood vessels.
5. Better blood flow means more oxygen is carried to the baby and more of the main birth hormone oxytocin (which is also carried in the blood) to the uterus and makes it contract more effectively.
6. Birth is a hormonal process. An active birth facilitates high levels of these ‘love hormones’, which is how labour begins by making the uterus contract, gives natural pain relief throughout and helps you to bond with your baby after the birth and promotes the desire to breastfeed for both mum & baby.
7. Research demonstrates that using upright positions such as kneeling forward, makes giving birth to your baby in the final stages easier, more efficient and more comfortable.
8. A spontaneous natural labour is more likely by being active, so the need for chemical induction methods are reduced and the help of gravity by being relaxed, upright and mobile can reduce the need for interventions during the birth.
9. An Active Birth is empowering, rewarding and pleasurable. Both you and your baby are transfused with ‘love hormones’ after the birth enabling you to welcome your baby with so much love and the incredible sense of achievement. I remember that feeling like it was yesterday after giving birth to my last baby (now teenager!) I felt like I’d climbed the highest mountain and wrestled grizzly bears to get there! There was no stopping me once those hormones took over. I was consumed with the desire to labour my way, following my body’s cues and staying connected and strong, feeling that strong sense that my baby new best how she wanted to make the journey of a life time. I trusted my body’s ability at every stage! I still feel that it was my greatest achievement.

Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect from me as your doula………

• Birth prep: I am here to provide emotional support, informational support and guidance during your birth prep. Planning how and where you want to give birth. Covering what to pack in your hospital bag (should you need one), birth plans, guiding you through decision making and information gathering should queries arise.  Even though I can’t make decisions for you, I will support you to get the information you need to make an informed decision about your options and human rights in birth. Also covering postnatal planning and discussing what my support will look like for yourself and your baby, should you need more than the inclusive 2-hour single visit in the 2 weeks after birth. 
• Communication: I ask my clients to agree to maintain open and honest communication throughout the duration of our time together. I’m constantly available for phone and email support, as needed from the date of initial booking, till your baby’s birth. 
• A private Mindfulmamma Hypnobirthing Session (or refresher) is included for you and your birth partner, either in person or virtually. 
• Rebozo techniques to help with pregnancy relaxation, optimal baby positioning and labour relief. Rebozo sifting is a traditional Mexican birthing technique using a Mexican shawl or wrap that’s used to support and comfort pregnant women, particularly during labour and birth. The use of the rebozo is an ancient cultural practice in Mexico (as well as Latin America) that’s become increasingly popular around the world in recent years, especially among doulas and holistic midwives.
• 3 Pregnancy massages. One each week from 38 weeks or Postnatally if baby comes early. 
• Free use of my birth pool should you need one. All you’ll need is to provide your own liner.
• Ongoing support via email, phone calls, WhatsApp or text to help in navigating the maternity system to access information at any point in your pregnancy to help you to feeling calmer and more prepared. Whether you’ve been labelled high risk or given a diagnosis in pregnancy, I’ll help you to explore your rights and discuss your options to make an informed decision about your care. 
• However and where ever you choose to give birth, I’ll give my full support without opinion or judgement. I’ll be by your side to help you prepare for the birth that is right for you. Partners, a friend or even close family members are always welcome at our antenatal meet ups. 

I’m always around to remind you that YOU’VE GOT THIS and I’VE GOT YOU!

Beyond the practical support, a doula offers a sense of reassurance and understanding that can transform your experience. Having someone by your side who truly listens, cares, and responds to your unique needs can make all the difference. Together, we’ll ensure that your birth feels positive, empowering, and truly yours—no matter what path it takes.

I CAN OFFER DOULA PACKAGES DEPENDANT ON YOUR NEEDS AND BUDGET, AS MY PRICES CAN BE FLEXIBLE TO SUIT YOUR REQUIREMENTS AND PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

Please get in touch today to discover more about what’s included and how I can help make your birth experience truly your own.

Love Dani xx

Contact

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The main symptom that women report when they have pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is pain in and around their hips and pelvis, especially when:

• walking/standing for long periods,
• bending down,
• climbing stairs, and
• turning over in bed.

This means that it can affect virtually everything you do in a day, which has a major impact on your life! From personal experience, as I had it in my 2^nd pregnancy, it can affect work, caring responsibilities, exercising, sleep and even intimacy with your partner. The pain can be an ache, a sharp shooting pain or a deep muscle pain. You may also have a clicking or grinding feeling in your pelvic joints or in your hips. PGP can affect different women in different ways and it’s not a one size fits all problem. So, choose useful tips that help you, which are not necessarily the same that will work for someone else.

As a yoga teacher, specialising in pre & postnatal yoga, I’ve guided many pregnant clients within my classes to manage the condition by working in a relaxed and comfortable way to build strength and stamina in the surrounding muscles of the legs and pelvis to prepare for an active labour. So, adopting a more mindful movement exercise modality when pregnant can really help to ease the discomfort and manage the condition.

If you have PGP, you may be worried about how it will affect you during birth and how you will cope with the pain. You may have limited mobility and difficulty moving your legs because of your PGP. It’s important to plan ahead for your birth, thinking about your PGP and how it affects you. 

Speak about your PGP with your care provider. It’s important that your birth team understands your PGP so they can support you in your choices. For most women, having PGP does not mean you have fewer options on where you give birth or the type of birth you have.  However, your PGP may become worse if it’s not managed carefully during pregnancy.

As a doula, I have supported women with PGP who have had positive birth experiences at home, in hospital and in midwife-led units, with both vaginal and caesarean births. So, I always work with my doula clients, beforehand, to find a way for them to remain as active in labour as possible, to allow gravity to assist as labour unfolds whilst being mindful of their limitations.

Most women with PGP give birth vaginally. You may be concerned that this will not be possible for you because you are having difficulty moving your legs and changing positions.  With the right support, a vaginal birth can be a good option with PGP, as in my experience when I suffered with PGP in my last pregnancy, I didn’t actually feel the pelvic pain once labour began and it literally disappeared completely after the birth. Apparently, it’s usually quite normal for the condition to disappear once baby arrives.

When you meet up with your midwife, explain how PGP affects you, and what you can and can’t do.  For instance, how wide is your pain-free gap? Your pain-free gap is the distance you were able to move your legs apart before labour without causing pain. Try not to go beyond this gap with any sudden movements or over exertion, as you get closer to labour day.

A good way to look after your pelvis during pregnancy is to control the position of your legs. Can you lie comfortably on your back or side, stand with support, walk with or without crutches or remain in one position for some time?  This will help you and your birth partner to work out which positions maybe more comfortable in labour. Make sure PGP is added to your medical notes and include this information in your birth preferences and personalised care plan. I discuss the condition, in depth, with my doula clients. Together, we explore what works for clients within their range of movement and then I can prescribe gentle mat-based exercises to help build strength in the legs and lower back in order for clients to be more active in labour.

Make use of anything that anyone offers in terms of help at home. This could include shopping, looking after children, or housework. Recognise your limits and adapt your expectations of what you can do while you’re experiencing PGP. People who care about you usually want to help but don’t always know what to do. Little things like maybe popping a do list on the fridge can help direct them on how they can help. I always welcome clear instructions on how I can best support my doula client, so she can be well rested for labour.

Before giving birth:  

• measure how far you can move your knees apart without pain and record this in your birth plan 
• make sure your birth partner and care providers know about your pain-free gap 
• know that the pain-free gap can change when you go into labour.

Labour and birth positions with PGP

It’s helpful to try and stay upright and active in labour. Many women with PGP find it helpful to change position regularly, as this reduces stress on their pelvic joints. Mainly not lying on your back which can enable your baby to move through your pelvis with the help of gravity.

I’ve found these are positions that many women with PGP find helpful: 

• in a birthing pool where you can move and change position easily
• standing or leaning forward on a supported surface like a birthing ball or back of the sofa/hospital bed.
• on your knees or on all fours 
• lying on your side with your top leg supported either by a peanut ball or a willing birth partner to hold your leg in a comfy place.

Water birth

Birthing pools are very popular with women with PGP. The support of the water allows you to move around with ease as gravity is reduced by  60%, and the warmth of the water provides pain relief. In a pool you’re also in control of the position of your legs, so you’re unlikely to move beyond your pain-free gap.  Most hospitals and midwife-led centres have birthing pools. Don’t be discouraged from using a pool because you’re worried about getting in and out. There are ways you can slide into the water with help of birth partners or doula, from the pool’s edge, such as using a high stool or a transfer turntable (which can be turned to give you the right angle to get in).

Even better, giving birth at home means you can be somewhere familiar, surrounded by all your creature comforts, using any helpful equipment you’ve acquired and having your chosen people to support you in a way that feels right for you. You can hire or buy a pool for a water birth at home (and sit in it for pain relief in the days before labour). Enjoy a practice run before labour day.

Additional options for pain relief without medication:

There are many other options to relieve pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. You can try these alongside or instead of medication. 

Massage

Heat and cold

TENS pain relief

Mindfulness and meditation/Deep relaxation

Homeopathy

Acupuncture 

Reflexology

Hypnotherapy

In my experience, as a yoga teacher, my clients usually find that a combination of mindful movement -like yoga, manual therapy -like remedial massage and complementary therapies – including Homeopathy can be better treatment for PGP because, in combination, they will treat the underlying cause of the problem.  Also, complementary therapies may help you in feeling calmer and more relaxed and might make it easier to sleep or deal with the discomfort alongside manual therapies undertaken.

PGP can be safely and effectively treated with manual therapy from an experienced physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropractor to restore symmetry of movement. It can be treated at any stage during or after pregnancy with no risk to baby. Sometimes failing to treat the pain promptly may result in delayed recovery and on-going symptoms which could last for months or years postnatally. It can also have a significant impact on a woman’s emotional and psychological well-being both during and after pregnancy. SO getting the support you need is key in helping to manage the discomfort to be able to prepare for labour and birth in a way that feels right for you.

If you are experiencing PGP, please know you are not alone. It’s a very common condition in pregnancy.

There are a range of different support services available to women and birthing people. So please do get in touch with me today and see how I can support you with the therapies I offer or you can find some links here for helpful groups and organisations that specialise in PGP support:

The Pelvic Partnership.org.uk offers support and information about pelvic girdle pain (PGP)

Pelvic Partnership Facebook Support Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/400989677114263

(Their group is moderated by frontline volunteers, it’s a closed group for women experiencing PGP to connect with other women with PGP, to support one another and share tips and information about managing their pain and getting treatment).

Or call me today to discuss your needs. I’m always happy to help

https://www.headtoheal.uk/contact/

Love Dani xx

The post PGP in pregnancy appeared first on Head to Heal.

Homeopathy comes from the Latin word “homeo,” which means “similar” and “pathos” meaning “suffering”. In homeopathy, we use very dilute amounts of a substance which would, if given in a larger amount, cause the same symptoms as your illness. For example, a commonly used remedy for allergies is allium cepa, which is made from onion. We all know the streaming and burning eyes that come when chopping onions. When your allergy symptoms are characterised by streaming, burning eyes and nose, allium cepa will alleviate those symptoms.

By giving a minute dose of a substance, it stimulates your immune system just enough to begin a curative response, while being so dilute as to not cause side effects. Homeopathy is the closest thing I know to alchemy…to take something from the natural world and turn it into a healing agent that can kick start an innate ability for our bodies to heal themselves is Homeopathy’s greatest gift.

The law of similars was first discussed in theory by Hippocrates (460-377 BC) but was not put into practice truly until Dr Samuel Hahnemann, the German physician who discovered homeopathy in 1796, by diluting a substance to the point where it would no longer be discernible as “physical matter” in order to take away its toxicity, but leaving behind its curative action, is the stuff of true scientific inspiration. 

Homeopathy has fascinated me since I had my first baby in 2009. The Homeopathic remedy Arnica offered me incredible natural healing post birth and boosted my recovery, by reducing the bruising, bleeding and nerve pain I was experiencing. I also had the classic sore coccyx after an upright squatting posture I enjoyed in labour and arnica taken regularly can really ease that horrid, bruised coccyx pain (which is no fun when you need to sit and feed baby in a comfy, restful position but your tailbone won’t let you!)

Let’s take a look at a popular homeopathic remedy – Arnica. Most women that have had a baby have heard of Arnica – it’s become widely available in chemists, health food stores and even some first aid kits. Arnica is amazing for soft tissue injuries, bruising, trauma, shock, swelling and to speed up recovery – any bump, cut, graze, injury, swelling and pain may benefit from Arnica! Even a trip to the dentist is helped with a dose of arnica, post treatment for helping with that beaten up feeling!

Arnica is referred to (time and time again) in medical literature and peer-reviewed medical journals because it’s been proven to be as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (but without side effects and safe in pregnancy). You can read about the scientific studies and data https://www.hri-research.org

So for birthing folk, here is my favourite homeopathic pregnancy kit, made by Helios Homeopathic Pharmacy in London. Conveniently packed in a strong but lightweight and compact kit. It contains 18 safe, gentle and effective remedies for use before, during and after birth. Accompanied by an easy-to-use booklet, to help you (or your birth partner in labour) find the best remedy quickly and easily. This is the kit that I lend to clients, as part of my doula package, so we have it to hand to treat any pregnancy issues should they arise.

Once I’m booked as your doula, I offer sessions to help you (and partners), to gain an understanding of how Homeopathy works and how it can support your childbirth experience. I’ll go through the Homeopathic Childbirth Kit and help you to understand which ones maybe most suited to you and how to prescribe them.  This is a lovely job for your birth partner to take on, as your mind will be engaged elsewhere once labour begins.  So, I really encourage partners to join us for this session, as it is an area of the birthing process, that they can play an active and important supportive role in. I often prescribe homeopathic remedies to birth partners, in active labour, to help them with their emotions when labour intensifies. It offers a wonderful support in coping with the rawness of watching their partner pass a baby through their pelvis!

A birth doula provides consistent, calm, and informed support throughout labour and delivery. Whether it’s helping you advocate for your preferences, offering physical comfort, or simply being a reassuring presence, a doula ensures that you and your partner feel confident and in control. Research has shown that having a doula can significantly improve birth outcomes, including reducing the likelihood of cesarean sections and epidural use, while increasing breastfeeding success.

Beyond the practical support, a doula offers a sense of reassurance and understanding that can transform your experience. Having someone by your side who truly listens, cares, and responds to your unique needs can make all the difference. Together, we’ll ensure that your birth feels positive, empowering, and truly yours—no matter what path it takes

I hope this information is insightful and gives you confidence in knowing there are some amazing, effective and easy-to-take options when it comes to supporting your body at such a monumental time in your life.

Wishing you a magical birth….however it unfolds, just know that your body has an innate ability to heal – yes, your body KNOWS how to heal, sometimes it needs to be reminded, and that is the real power of homeopathy… It’s a gentle nudge, a subtle reminder, to steer the body back to a balanced state or ‘homeostasis’…..Which is never needed more than just after childbirth.

You can order your very own ‘Homeopathy Birth and Beyond Kit’ from me, if you’re an existing client, that I’ve worked with in the last 12 months. The kit is available for active clients, only. Otherwise, you can order the birth kit alongside an initial consultation. This way you can get a personalised holistic birth plan during a consultation, which includes lifestyle recommendations, specific homeopathic recommendations and other tips for a calm and confident birth.  

Book your 1:1 online or face-to-face to help prepare for the birth that is right for you!

Call me for a free 15 min discovery chat about how I could help you in pregnancy and birth.

Click here to arrange a call back

Love Dani xxx

The post Homeopathy for Childbirth appeared first on Head to Heal.

Pregnancy and childbirth are incredibly personal and life-changing experiences, and having the right support during this time can make all the difference. A birth partner is someone who plays a key role in providing emotional, physical, and practical support during pregnancy, labour, and even postpartum. But what makes a birth partner so vital? And how can they best offer support, especially during the often overwhelming preparation for a first baby?

Here are my top tips… (for you both to read and enjoy together)

• Complete my Mindfulmamma Hypnobirthing course together
• Be involved in writing her birth preferences. Research options together.
• Explore the possibility of giving birth at home.
• Help pack the hospital bag (should you need one) and pack one for yourself too!
• Ask your pregnant partner how they are feeling regularly and if they need anything from you.
• Be present and involved.
• Watch a positive birth together (Filtered by a friend – I have a few incredible birth videos I share with clients to help prepare for a positive experience)
• Read birth related books to help prepare.  Men, Love & Birth by Mark Harris is a highly recommended read.

Remember, you are a TEAM!

Note: In this blog post, I sometimes reference the ‘birth partner’ Whether the birth partner is the spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, sister, friend, cousin, daughter, son, or doula, if they are going to be present at the birth they are a ‘birth partner’.

You may be thinking: What can I actually do that’s going to help during the birth?

Well quite a lot, in fact more than you could imagine. I like to call the birth partner the ‘keeper of the cave’. This is because, in prehistoric times, the person giving birth would have been in the cave doing their thing, labouring privately, and the birth partner would be outside the cave, spear in hand, protecting them from any predators. Chances are your birth probably isn’t going to take place in a cave, and there are no predators roaming around, but the idea is still the same. It is the birth keepers job to protect the person giving birth. And protecting the birth space is literally a full time job. Whether birthing at home or in hospital, keeping the space private, quiet and comfortable is hard work!

Try to be honest with each other

It is a privilege to be someone’s birth partner, but not everyone will be comfortable with the idea. It’s essential to be honest and upfront with the person giving birth, so they can organise alternatives or work through any worries or concerns with you. As a doula, this is something we always discuss in my hypnobirthing sessions, when working together as a team in prep for labour day.

This might go as far as not wanting to do it at all, but it could also be in terms of your willingness to carry out certain aspects of the role. If a birth partner doesn’t feel competent with an element that is important to the birther, then all is not lost. Some people may choose to have a couple of birth partners who are confident in different aspects of support. For example, one person may help with practical tasks and another may offer emotional guidance. This is where my role as a doula is key in supporting a couple to experience birth in the best way possible.

Find out what the birther needs

Birth partners should focus on how the person giving birth wants to feel in labour and how to support them in a way that feels right for each stage of labour as it unfolds. This can mean doing an antenatal course together, working through their birth preferences, exploring where they want to give birth and if they are OK with certain obstetric interventions or none at all. Your birth partner should understand what happens in a straightforward labour but still have some idea of the interventions that may be suggested, if things take a different path.

It’s important for the birth partner to understand the reasoning behind the birther’s preferences and the possibility of her refusing any sort of interventions during labour. A birth partner can help with this by making sure that they are involved in as much preparation for the birth as possible. Knowing options, researching alternatives and understanding your rights in birth is key to helping prepare for a positive experience where the birther feels in control of decision making.

During the birth, partners may also want to keep notes of key events, including contraction times and other changes as labour intensifies. They can also help to manage the environment by keeping the space private, calm and quiet at all times. Think puppies and kittens… where would their mumma want to release her babies in the wild? Somewhere private and undisturbed would always be a mammals choice. Don’t disturb her in labour, lots of questions and conversation brings her out of her mammalian brain, stimulate her neocortex and stop her from behaving instinctively- an absolute requirement for labour and birth to unfold in a natural way.

Stay calm

Staying calm is crucial. Witnessing childbirth can be a very intense and for some a stressful experience, but the focus needs to be on the person in labour and their needs. Rather than pretending to be calm, it can be more helpful for birth partners to process any fears and anxieties beforehand. This will mean they feel more confident in their role. Because how a birth partner feels will impact the birther. We have all been in a room with someone stressing out and maybe felt ourselves become anxious too. If you are upbeat and confident in a woman’s ability to give birth, this will help encourage and support her to relax into her experience.

Words are powerful. You can help your partner stay motivated during labour by offering words of encouragement. Tell her how much you love her, how well she is doing. Also respect her wishes if she asks you to be quiet. Encourage her to use any relaxation and breathing techniques you have learnt, perhaps by doing them with her. Studies have shown that the active involvement of a supportive partner can lead to shorter labours, less or no medical interventions, and a more satisfying overall birth experience.

Physical support

A birth partner can help you with breathing and relaxation techniques and massage. This can be helpful to cope with labour contractions and they also release endorphins (natures pain relieving hormones). They could put the tens machine pads on you (make sure you test it out ahead of time and know how to use it), or help you get into comfortable positions. If warmth relaxes you, offer to heat up a wheat bag, or help you to use the birth pool, bath or shower. If you are having a pool birth at home, do a practise run and fill the pool (minus the liner) before 37 weeks to make sure all of the connectors fit the taps and to see how long the filling and emptying take before the big day arrives. Keeping the water at body temperature is very time consuming but vital for when baby arrives, if they’re born into the water it must be the correct temp (this is where a 2nd birth partner (or doula) becomes more important!).

Or you may feel hot and like to have a cool flannel on your forehead or neck. They could also make sure that you stay hydrated by offering regular sips of a refreshing drink, and remind you to go to the toilet regularly. A full bladder can prevent baby moving down and may hinder labour progressing.

Being a birth partner isn’t for the faint-hearted. Some labours can last for many hours, between 12-24 hours if it’s your first baby. Providing emotional and physical support throughout can be exhausting, so breaks are important. Think about how long you can physically keep going with particular massage techniques. You may need to adjust your position, so you can both be comfortable, without straining your back or other muscles. Use the rests between contractions to stretch aching muscles and change positions. Ive been a massage therapist for over 35 years so I know very well about self care and protecting my own back! And as a doula, I’ve noticed how enjoyable deep tissue massage techniques can be in offering a woman that extra comfort to cope with labour as it intensifies.

Things to do as a birth partner during early (latent) labour

Unlike in a TV drama where labour starts dramatically and progresses rapidly, women are likely to spend hours or sometimes days in early labour whilst the uterine surges are organising themselves and becoming more regular and coordinated, and research has shown that the best place to be during this stage of labour is at home in privacy, without feeling observed. I always recommend to my doula clients to ring me when labour begins to get some reassurance, and to discuss ways to manage the latent stage such as getting outside for a walk, soaking in the bath, when to apply the TENS machine to her back, offering a massage, playing relaxation MP3’s, reading affirmations, preparing a delicious snack and offering frequent drinks, watching a favourite film and alternately spending time on a birth ball, then more importantly getting some sleep as this phase can be long and exhausting. 

Your doula or other care provider will help you to decide when to go to the hospital or when she needs to make her way over to your home if you are having a home birth. One big piece of advice is not to broadcast to friends and family that you think labour might have started as the relentless messages that follow can become frustrating when you have no more news to share at that point. 

What to do during advanced labour

Sometimes referred to as the “Foot on the gas” phase of labour when the contraction surges become more frequent, longer and stronger and require her full & complete concentration. Contractions are much more intense, last about 40 to 60 seconds, and are spaced three to five minutes apart. You will need to be intuitive and try and understand what she needs and when. Especially if she is in too much discomfort to express it well herself. Be aware that her needs might change as her labour progresses. At times during labour, she might appreciate your emotional and physical support. Yet there might be other times when she would like to be left alone to help her to focus inwards. If you are upbeat and confident in your partner’s ability to give birth, this will really help encourage and support her. 
Remember, it’s not a good idea to chat during a contraction surge when she will be drawing on all of her strength to manage the sensations. Gentle touch, stroking or massage might be welcome, but again it might also be irritating, so just use your instinct and judgement and don’t take it personally if she is snappy. Observing her and reading her as each stage unfolds. Reminding her that each contraction wave brings her closer to meeting her baby.

Helping during Transition as a supportive birth partner

In labour, somewhere between the cervix stretching fully open & the urge to push kicking in, there is a huge (and completely normal) surge in adrenalin as the muscles that have been stretching the cervix widely open now start to squeeze the baby down. This phase can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. It’s here that things are likely to start getting a little, or a lot, more intense. There is a noticeable change in her behaviour, and she may hit panic mode. Phrases such as “I can’t do any more”,  “I need drugs!”, are commonly heard and she may also become more vocal and restless and start making primal, guttural noises (a lot like a cow mooing !). As a birth partner, if you’re not anticipating this short phase that happens just before she starts to push, it can feel quite scary! So, knowing what it is makes it much easier to remain calm and be the steady reassurance she needs during this potentially wobbly stage of labour. Encourage her to relax and ‘let go’ in between the very frequent contraction surges will help , encourage her to loosen her jaw, her shoulders, close her eyes have a sip of water and get ready to meet her baby. Tell her that you love her, you are proud of her, that she is strong and oh so powerful !! She might not be able to see what is happening as the baby is being born. So help to motivate her by telling her what is happening and when you can see the baby’s head. If she births in the pool, encourage her to move her position so she can lift baby to the surface or do this yourself if she needs you to.

What you can do during the Birth of the Placenta -The 3rd stage of labour

It’s not over yet! This stage begins immediately after baby is born and ends with the birth of the placenta 10-60 mins later typically.  Your partner may get a case of the postpartum chills or feel very shaky during this stage. If that’s the case, make sure she’s comfortable, or help her get out of the pool, be ready to offer a warm blanket and to hold your newborn while your partner regains her strength. 

So to sum up all of this sage advice …… Hold back! Honestly, the hardest part of being a birth partner is doing nothing. But often that’s exactly what is needed. At home feel free to potter, make a snack, take a rest, be ‘around’ and present, but avoiding staring at her, putting any pressure on, noticeably timing contractions or fussing too much! Just your quiet, calm, confident presence may be all that is needed. You’re her gatekeeper in labour and just quietly supporting her reinforces her ability to relax and turn inward where she can journey to meet your baby in a calm and confident way.

Remember, you’re an expert when it comes to your partner. No one will understand your partner the way you do, tune into your partner’s needs, concerns and strengths in a way that nobody else can! With you she can be uninhibited, feel safe and fully relax – you are the perfect support for her in labour.

……..And a doula is just the icing on a very beautiful cake!

Teamwork makes the dreamwork.

After all, there is NO i in team. Haha…!!

Love Dani xxx

The post The Peaceful Birth Partner Role appeared first on Head to Heal.

Oxytocin is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus and secreted by the pituitary gland. The name is derived from the Greek; ‘oxus’ and ‘toxkos’, meaning quick childbirth. It’s known as the hormone of bonding, love, intimacy, trust and connection. Some people call it the ‘cuddle’ hormone, others the ‘shy’ hormone. Oxytocin is released when we feel safe and unobserved. We all know how uncomfortable it is when we’re being watched, even if we don’t know by whom. It’s a primitive survival mechanism and most animals will walk away if you stare at them (apart from my dog Penny!)

We need to be alert in times of perceived danger and being watched is one of those times.

Men and women both produce oxytocin during sex. At it’s peak oxytocin creates orgasm with the release of the man’s semen and helps with contracting the vagina and uterus in the woman to help the sperm swim towards the egg, to assist in conception.

Then in birth, It’s not quite clear what initially starts labour but it is certainly well documented that labour contractions are stimulated by high levels of oxytocin. Labour progresses as oxytocin increases and as oxytocin increases the contractions get stronger. World renowned Obstetrician Dr Michel Odent famously calls birth and the first hour of life ‘the first peak experience of love’

During childbirth it’s very important to feel unobserved and safe to help oxytocin increase and labour to carry on smoothly, hence why many mammals will seek a hidden, small, dark, quiet space.

“What makes a baby births a baby !”

I call this The Lion Effect. You cannot be calm and stressed at the same time. It would be a potentially dangerous situation if you were really chilled out and relaxed when around cats but then couldn’t be bothered to run away from a lion! Stress hormones over ride oxytocin to keep you safe. But stress hormones slow or can even stop labour progressing. So my role as a doula is to be aware and notice things in a woman’s birth space that are triggering her stress response, before they become a problem. Different things stimulate stress hormones; being watched; hunger; feeling cold; bright lights…to name a few. Even questions and intellectual conversation stimulate the thinking part of the brain which also inhibits oxytocin. Hush tones and keeping talking to a minimum are key when protecting a birth space.

Interesting fact : The chemical makeup of oxytocin includes 12 oxygen molecules. The chemical makeup of adrenalin, on the other hand, includes just three molecules. This is one of the reasons why breathing slowly and deeply helps us to calm down and relax. Mindful breath work is something I teach in my hypnobirthing classes as a way to turn focus inward, creating a calm, sleepy feeling when thinking of the birth. When practiced regularly, meditative breathing becomes easier and more natural to enjoy in labour to calm your mind and allow your body to open as your baby moves down. Long, slow exhales help to turn your mind inward where the beautiful secrets of a new life reside.

The highest peak of oxytocin in mum and baby comes immediately after birth

In an undisturbed birth, a mother’s oxytocin levels sky rocket! Holding your baby in your arms, looking into each other’s eyes for the first, with skin-to-skin, stimulates a massive release of oxytocin. With the mixture of oxytocin, endorphins and the milk hormone prolactin, the effect on you is an intense amount of love, dependency and new mothering behaviour directed straight at your baby. In an undisturbed birth, your baby also releases high amounts of oxytocin and endorphins… the two of you become equally dependant and loving towards each other from the first time your eyes meet.

My baby looking into my eyes for the very first time

Another interesting fact about oxytocin; it helps regulate body temperature by redistributing heat from one place in the body to another. During breastfeeding the blood vessels around the breast are dilated by oxytocin so that the baby can keep warm while they feed. Interestingly, this also happens in fathers when they hold their babies.

When there are high levels of oxytocin in the body the reaction to pain diminishes. By feeling safe, calm and relaxed, oxytocin makes an animal (or human) slower to respond to pain. This is important as feeling safe, warm, private and loved during childbirth helps to lessen the experience of pain. It’s not that the pain has gone necessarily, it’s just that it takes on less importance in the body. The natural production of oxytocin also stimulates endorphins, the body’s amazing pain relieving hormone (it’s actually as strong as the drug morphine). A mother’s oxytocin crosses the placenta and stimulates a hormonal reaction in the unborn baby to quieten their brain ready for delivery. Baby also produces high levels of oxytocin and endorphins during birth, keeping them calm and ready to cope with the naturally reduced oxygen supply during contractions. When synthetic oxytocin is injected into the blood stream during labour, the feedback mechanism is broken and the body stops producing its own supply. Synthetic oxytocin increases uterine contractions but does not produce the same emotional/behavioural effects. Synthetic oxytocin is also harder to control. Natural oxytocin releases in bursts with rests in between. Synthetic oxytocin is released into the blood stream as a constant flow and it’s effects last much longer than the natural hormone, sometimes producing stronger and longer contractions making labour more painful and putting the baby at risk of distress and oxygen deprivation. Im not a fan of the ‘normalising’ of the chemical induction of labour and the growing rate of the routine induction of labour in the UK is becoming a huge concern.

As well as creating calm, bonding, love and healing, oxytocin stimulates the hormone prolactin straight after birth. On a physical level prolactin is responsible for the production of breastmilk and on a behavioural/emotional level it produces mothering instincts and behaviours. Oxytocin also stimulates growth, not only by promoting the development of mammals as a whole but also by accelerating the healing of wounds. Oxytocin heals and rejuvenates mucous membrane, and produces anti-inflammatory reactions. How wonderful for your body to provide such an amazing natural healer straight after birth.

Mother nature at her finest!

Love Dani Xxx

The post Oxytocin the shy hormone appeared first on Head to Heal.