About Me
Having grown up in a large family, as the middle child of nine, I scarcely recall a time when I wasn’t surrounded by babies or pregnant women. It seemed natural for me to follow suit. I started my family young and was blessed with five children, and now a brood of wonderful grand-children.
I always knew that I wanted to be a midwife. However, when I left school, it was routine to train as a nurse before specialising in midwifery. For many years I balanced a career in nursing with bringing up my children. In due course, with support from my kind, patient and supportive husband and my then teenage children, I qualified a with a degree in midwifery in 2007.
Becoming a midwife has been the best choice I ever made.
For the last ten years I have worked in a busy maternity unit in Huntingdon. I currently manage a large community caseload with regular shifts on the labour ward. I am fortunate enough to have been present for the birth of hundreds of babies, with each woman’s birth story being unique.
I support women throughout their pregnancy and see them at home with their new baby afterwards. Ensuring women and their partners are well prepared for labour, giving birth and beyond is an invaluable and enjoyable part of my job.
Why KGHypnobirthing…..
In addition to the standard NHS antenatal classes, it seems that more and more women are exploring alternative and complementary therapies in pregnancy for use in labour and birth.
I was attracted to the idea of hypnobirthing after witnessing a birth where the mother was peaceful and calm throughout. She gave birth without any intervention or disturbances and the baby latched straight onto the breast. She used the Katharine Graves - KGHypnobirthing tools learnt during pregnancy and this really motivated me to learn more about this technique.
Becoming a hypnobirthing teacher has given me the skills to provide a simple, logical and effective antenatal programme for parents who want to experience the magic of birth. I can offer couples a tailored, unique, antenatal preparation course that perfectly complements routine midwifery and obstetric care.
Expectant mums learn practical strategies which allow them to feel in control during labour and birth. They are taught self-hypnosis and visualisation exercises together with breathing and relaxation techniques. This can be very empowering.
For most women, birth is straight forward and normal. Even so, many women naturally feel a sense of trepidation. KGHypnobirthing is more than informing and preparing expectant couples. The course can build confidence and help the mother to relax before and during labour, reducing the body’s natural stress response and the resulting tension and pain. This will benefit both mother and baby. Sometimes complications may arise during labour. If this happens and plans need to be changed, the KGHypnobirthing method can help the mother feel that she remains in control.
If a woman has previously experienced a difficult labour and birth, the practical preparation and coping strategies offered by KGHypnobirthing can also be very effective.
Hi Fiona,
Here's our testimonial for hypnobirthing:
We highly recommend hypnobirthing for all parents-to-be. Being needle and hospital phobic, I felt the exercises and knowledge learnt during the sessions with Fiona extremely beneficial. In the months leading up to the birth we were both extremely relaxed, confident and felt prepared for the big day. Labour lasted a total of 15 hours and I was able to stay at home using the breathing techniques, affirmations and visualisations we learnt during classes, throughout my surges until I was 7cm dilated. Once on the delivery suite my husband played the relaxation soundtracks which enabled me to get 'in the zone' and he acted as my advocate so I could continue with the techniques. I chose to use gas and air to aid me alongside the hypnobirthing techniques and relaxed in the birthing pool, although did not deliver in the pool. The general atmosphere in the delivery room was calm and we feel that this was all due to the hypnobirthing techniques. The knowledge we both gained at the classes with Fiona made us confident to know we were making the right decisions later during labour when given the option to have an assisted delivery. Essentially, we would recommend hypnobirthing to any couple who are wanting positive, informative lessons on how to achieve a relaxing pregnancy and birth.
Courses
I offer one to one sessions for couples in your own home either on weekday evenings or at weekends. The course is approximately 10 hours and the classes can be arranged to suit you.
As well as my time I provide you with the following materials, so you can continue to become more familiar with the techniques: the KG Hypnobirthing book; relaxation audio in CD or MP3 format; your own training folder.
My total charge is £300.
To discuss or make a booking, please send an email with your telephone number and when it will be convenient for me to call you and get booked in.
Located in: Cambridgeshire