MY birthwork journey BEGAN WITH A FEELING.
A feeling that too many people weren’t having the birth experience they deserve. A feeling that there was too much fear; doubt; misinformation; coercion. And I wanted to help change that.
I didn’t want airy-fairy flowery language - I wanted fiery passion. I wanted POWER. I wanted pregnant people to feel powerful. So when choosing my training I went looking for the powerhouses. The noisy birthworkers shouting about advocacy & birth rights. The compassionate & forward thinking folk who include, welcome & represent all kinds of families. The doulas who geeked out on birth physiology at the same time as knowing how best to support families through more medicalised births. The people who understand that there is no one birth fits all.
And i found them
At the beginning of 2021, I trained with the brilliant Jade & Alix who run The Birth Uprising. I was lucky enough to be on their first intake of instructors and we now form an incredible community of over 100 birth workers: from baby massage & pregnancy yoga to weaning experts & midwives, the TBU team covers all bases.
I am also super proud to be a Badass Doula - founded and run by Jen Muir. Jen is, as the name suggests, an absolute badass. They fight hard for change in the birth world; Jen is unbelievably passionate about the work that Badass does and they have created a unique space in the birth world. Jen hosts monthly masterclasses for all the members of Badass, where experts with different specialties in the birth world share their knowledge with us.
Dr Rachel Reed’s Childbirth Physiology Course
In the summer of 2022 I completed this 7 hour training with Dr Rachel Reed, an exceptional midwife and expert in the physiology of birth. This training gave me an invaluable insight in to how the birthing body works and how we as birth workers can support pregnant people to let birth happen - and most of the time that’s knowing when to sit on our hands and not interfere! I believe the best way to support birth is through preparation in pregnancy: building your trust in yourself and your confidence in your body’s capabilities - and learning from Rachel only confirmed that belief.
Ruth Olayinka Hypnotherapy
I have worked with Ruth on her Essential Hypnosis Skills for Birthworkers. This training gave me a deeper understanding of the hypnosis element of hypnobirthing as well as the skills to write my own guided relaxation tracks. Most of the Hypnobirthing MP3s I use with my clients are unique to Birthing Parents Club, and I also record bespoke tracks for clients with specific support requirements.
QUEER BIRTH CLUB
I completed The Queer Birth Club’s LGBT+ Competency Course in summer 2021. Run by AJ, who is a magnificent multifaceted birth worker, with years of experience as a doula, breast/chestfeeding counsellor & baby wearing consultant. They have done work for organisations such as AIMs & Birthrights and teach their competency course to NHS trusts around the country. What AJ does is groundbreaking and essential for ensuring that LGBT+ families are able to access safe & welcoming perinatal care.