Birth Preparation

You may not wish to hire a doula but will still benefit from spending some time discussing your individual needs and perhaps previous birth experiences. I will be able to share ideas and ways of preparing for the birth and postnatal period and you will be able to ask any questions. This will also be a good opportunity for your birth partner to find out how s/he can support you best through your labour and birth.

Prepare for birth one-day workshop

This workshop is unique in the sense that it provides the birth partner with the knowledge of how to best support a woman in labour. The unique tool box that you will be taking away from this day will give your birth partner the confidence to use massage, breathing and coaching techniques in a way which will be supportive to you during labour. You will also receive unbiased information about the birth process and the options available to you. A copy of my book The Secrets of Birth: what every woman should know about birth and motherhood is also included.

The focus will be on the birth process. As a guideline the topics covered are:

The Path to Birth and physiological childbirth
Self-help methods and pain management options
Relaxations and visualisations
Massage and breathing techniques
Hormones and the effect the birth environment has on labour
The role of the birth partner
Positions to encourage straightforward labour and birth
Hospital procedures and communicating with health professionals
Induction and Augmentation

Prepare for birth evening

This three hour evening discussion includes e-mail and telephone support to clarify any issues or answer specific questions after the evening. Should you wish to employ me as your doula after this session; the fee of this session will be deducted from the cost of your birth doula package. A copy of my book The Secrets of Birth: what every woman should know about birth and motherhood is also included.

The focus will be on the birth process but is a more concise version of the one-day workshop. As a guideline the topics covered are:

The Path to Birth and physiological childbirth
Self-help methods and pain management options
Hormones and the effect the birth environment has on labour
The role of the birth partner
Positions to encourage straightforward labour and birth
Hospital procedures and communicating with health professionals
Induction and Augmentation

My belief is that by giving women and their partners the information and knowledge to make choices in labour will lead to a happy memory of the birth, whatever the circumstances. My focus is on you both, as a couple, to make your bond stronger and prepare you for the months and years ahead with your child. Includes e-mail and telephone support to clarify any issues or answer specific questions after the session.

Testimonials:

"Kicki came over to meet us a few weeks ago for a birth preparation evening. It was a brilliant chance to really focus on the upcoming birth, and to be aware of our options second time around. Kicki was able to help us debrief the first birth, and look at it from a new perspective. Both me and my husband found her very easy to talk to, approachable, patient and compassionate, as well as being non-judgemental. It was a valuable experience for us after a traumatic first birth. When she left we felt as if we had experienced being supported and heard for the first time by a birth professional. Thank you Kicki!"
Ruth C.

"The chat we had and the information you shared were really useful for both of us and we would definitely recommend you."
Jo

"We attended the Prepare for birth workshop and found it to be very positive and affirming. Kicki were well informed and had wonderful, empowering tips and techniques that we used in labour, enabling our baby Emanuel to be born without medical pain relief. Birth should be a natural, calm and inspiring experience and we felt that the workshop helped us understand and prepare in the most positive way."
Daniel and Lydia Hoye

“I want to say a big thank you for all the knowledge you gave me, my husband and my friend at the Prepare for birth class and to let you know how fantastic the breathing exercises were! In fact, they were so effective I managed without any pain relief, as per my birth preference which I was delighted with. I went into labour at 11pm and used the breathing exercises throughout, adapting my breathing as the contractions intensified. In fact, when I got to the hospital at 3am expecting to be sent home, the midwife told me I was already 6cm dilated! Molly Mai was born at 7am calm and alert - a very serene little baby! I would highly recommend your class to other expectant mums - particularly those hoping for a natural birth - since the exercises definitely got me through the difficult moments!”
DJ

“Thank you Kicki for all the information we were given at the Prepare for birth workshop. We had a wonderful birth experience, using many of the techniques you taught us in the class. The breathing and relaxation techniques really helped and it was really useful to enable us to have a calm and positive experience. We would be happy to recommend other parents-to-be to book your course. Birth is such an amazing experience and we are delighted we were well prepared and could manage with very little pain relief due to simple techniques and being able to stay calm and focused.”
Mari & Mark Chesterman

"The workshop was intense with loads of information but coming out of it we felt much more relaxed. I was no longer in fear of giving birth and when the day came Felix reminded me how to breathe and kept me calm. I am so glad we did the course as it really prepared us for birth!"
Vivien & Felix

Birth Doula Support