Hello! I’d like to share a bit more about who I am, my inspirations and what makes me tick as a practitioner.
For me, the person, I like a simple life with the people I love, with movies, walks, city breaks, nice wine, flowers, books, decent coffee and all the stationery.
For me, the professional, I like writing and talking about birth and babies, as well as connecting with and working with parents. I am interested in people, I am curious, I listen and I help where I can.
Inspirations
I was inspired to become an antenatal teacher back when I had my first baby - I developed a fascination with birth, how different it could be and how every woman’s experience was unique. I fell in love with the power of birth and becoming a parent, how this changes us and impacts our lives. I didn’t become an antenatal and postnatal practitioner to be the expert, to tell parents what to do, for me it is about offering support, reassurance and relevant information when it is needed.
My work, as well as my own experience as a parent, has taught me just how unique it all is - every family is different, as is every child and every parent, so a rigid “this is what you should do” has never worked for me. I’m inspired by every parent I work with.
Impact
Learning from the parents I work with has given me a fuller perspective, as well impacting how I practice. I work with parents as individuals and I know how different pregnancy, birth and babies are.
I trained for 3 years to become an antenatal educator and then for a further two to become a postnatal practitioner: this training also gave me the skill of reflection, with knowledge and an ability to work with parents.
I have reflected on all three of my births, as well as the early days, weeks and months with my children. They have all been different and these experiences have taught me just how individual it is for every family.
My children changed my life in ways I didn’t think possible and they continue to do so.
My why
I want to make a difference, no matter how small, with good information and support, so parents feel more reassured and confident. When parents have a better understanding of how birth and babies work, along with some of the issues that can impact parents, they can plan, prepare and manage the change and the challenges.
Babies aren’t a problem to be fixed but they bring with them a range of challenges and worries, it can be an isolating time and parents can compare themselves and their babies to other families. My why is to provide knowledge, reassurance and confidence and to make sure that parents don’t feel like they are doing it on their own.
As a seasoned practitioner, I am trusted to provide a balance of information so parents have realistic expectations and so they are ab le to find what works for their family.
I’m passionate about keeping information simple and effective, I give parents the time and the opportunity to talk, think, answer questions and focus on their needs. It’s also important for me to encourage a sense of community, so parents can support each other.
5 quick things
some women can labour ‘naturally’ and others can’t (or don’t want to, and that’s fine!)
birth and babies can be truly exhausting
mothers need more support - but they will need to ask for it
the babies who sleep do it because they can
no parent has the answers, we all make it up as we go
And now let’s focus on you
How has your week been?
What has gone well?
Have you learnt anything about you this week?