Antenatal Services

The antenatal services I offer are basically a pared down version of the Birth Doula 'package' and they cover as much or as little antenatal support as you need to enable you and your partner to approach your birth confidently, feeling adequately prepared. Normally this support is made up of individual visits during which time we may focus on a specific, pre-planned topic or we may use the time to explore a range of topics and issues according to your needs.

The kinds of areas we might cover during an antenatal visit include:

• The writing and use of a birth plan
• Planning and negotiating a home birth
• Practical preparations for the birth and postnatal period
• Non-medical ways to support the labouring process
• How to maintain control of your birthing space (whether home or hospital)
• Reclaiming your power in birthing
• Celebrating pregnancy and birth (this may invole some creative activity such as belly casting, body painting or photography - materials can be provided)

I also have a collection of pregnancy, birth and natural health books that are available to my clients for borrowing, a variety of homeopathic and herbal remedies that may be useful, and skills in massage and Reiki for those that wish to use them.

Antenatal sessions can be arranged as one off visits or can be booked as a series depending on your requirements. I would nomally arrange to meet free of charge before a booking was made so that we could discuss your needs and establish a plan of what we will cover in our antenatal session(s). Ongoing support is always available by email or phone and postnatal debrief visits can also be arranged.

Please note that these antenatal sessions do not act as an alternative to the Natal Hypnotherapy course and the use of Natal Hypnotheray will not be covered in them. If you are interested in using Natal Hypnotherapy for your birth then please look at either attending a group class or arranging a one-to-one course.

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