All posts filed under: Beyond Birth

make a rod for your own back

You’ll make a rod for your own back

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To ‘make a rod for your own back’ is to do something that inadvertently creates troubles or misfortune in the future. The expression is usually used when someone has done something which seemed like a good idea at the time but comes back to bite them in some unexpected way. http://www.phrases.org.uk I now have children at college and in university and I have been reflecting on life as a mother and on those early days, weeks and months with my babies when I felt a bit lost, like I was doing it wrong and being told I was making a rod for my back. Becoming a mother was a huge transition – as it is for most of us. I became more selfless and I learnt to trust my instincts. Before I became a mum I was never interested in breastfeeding or co-sleeping – in fact I mocked it when I went to antenatal classes..  When I was pregnant, I started reading and talking to friends who were mothers and they spoke positively – although fairly realistically …

birth preparation

3 ways to make peace with your birth experience

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Being able to make peace with your birth experience can be really beneficial. Labour and birth is such a unique experience and we do need more honest conversations in pregnancy, as well as after birth, to talk through expectations, what went well and how new parents are feeling. And this doesn’t have to be about birth being traumatic, it can be straightforward but still leave you feeling shocked and needing to talk it through. I have spoken to so many women postnatally who say birth was all fine, they are fine but then talk about how different it was, how they wish they’d known something, how they might do it differently next time, how disappointed they might feel, how let down they might feel. Yes it might all be fine but it can also help to talk it through and voice what you are feeling. – high expectations – There can be such high expectations when it comes to birth – of doing it naturally, of waterbirth, of hypnobirthing. This can be important because belief …

beyond birth approach

Beyond Birth Approach

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The Beyond Birth Approach is for you as an expectant and new parent. During pregnancy you can use this approach to prepare for life with your new baby – to think about what you and your baby might need and how you can manage any challenges during those early days and weeks. With a new baby you can use the information and prompts to better understand what is going on and to think about what you might need and what could help you as you get to know your baby and look after yourself as well. The 4th trimester can be a unique and intense time, often providing a huge learning curve, which can feel overwhelming for new parents. This approach aims to provide a foundation of knowledge about new baby behaviour, how they grow and develop, where the challenges can be and how you can look after yourself. The Beyond Birth Approach As part of this approach. I will posing some questions and encouraging you to focus on what you need to know as …

new parent rest

Rest with a newborn

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The early days and weeks can be all about finding your feet with your new baby but it is also about looking after you. You have been pregnant, you have birthed and now you have a newborn baby so you need to rest as much as you can. You will be in doing mode soon enough, so take an opportunity to be looked after while you can. Plan in rest, plan in snoozes and a chance to just potter. The early weeks can be about giving yourself permission to take it easy, so you are not rushing around. One thing that mums often say is that they wish they had rested more in the early days. You can book a session with me if you have questions, need some additional support or preparation for birth & baby. antenatal & postnatal specialist | working with parents since 2002 Always seek medical support if you are concerned about yourself or your baby. Even if it is just a feeling that something isn’t right. For Pregnancy & Birth | For …

resting as a new parent

It is important for new parents to rest

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Rest is so important as a new parent – you could be tired/exhausted from birth, you are meeting the needs of a new baby, you will be having broken sleep and it all could be a bit emotional. Rest when you can, nap and snooze, take it in turns with your baby in the early days, ask for help in the later weeks and months when you are tired. There’s no extra reward for powering through and being totally drained – plan for some rest! Book a session with me if you have questions, need some additional support or preparation for birth & baby. antenatal & postnatal specialist | working with parents since 2002 Always seek medical support if you are concerned about yourself or your baby. Even if it is just a feeling that something isn’t right.