Pregnant in Aberdeen

The brain and birth, and the importance of hormones.Find the shownotes at pregnantinaberdeen.com

Today we’re tackling a big one: What exactly is hypnobirthing?Now, before you picture someone swinging a pocket watch in front of your face, or imagine yourself clucking like a chicken during contractions, let me reassure you, that's much more stage hypnosis. Fun at parties, sure — but not what we’re talking about here.Hypnobirthing is much more down-to-earth. It’s a set of tools and techniques designed to help you stay calm, confident, and as comfortable as possible during birth. It’s about training your brain and body, so you can work with your body in labour, instead of fighting against it.Find the full shownotes here: https://pregnantinaberdeen.com/episode10

In this episode I'm sharing how to stay calm when everyone has an opinion about your birth, including what compels people to comment, setting boundaries, finding that calm again and a reminder that this is your birth, no one else's. If you're currently putting up with this let me assure you I do understand and I've been there! Read the show notes at https://pregnantinaberdeen.com/episode9

In this episode I'm sharing a birth story from one of my earlier clients and also one of the SONA hypnobirthing teachers, it's Georgina's turn to share her stories today.After a first traumatising birth, Georgina opted for home births and went all in on the hypnobirthing practise. Here she shares her two Aberdeen home birth stories, including one right at the height of the pandemic.This is a great episode for anyone who's wondered what birth feels like, or anyone who's wondered whether affirmations really do anything!You can find the full shownotes and transcipt at https://pregnantinaberdeen.com/episode8

In this episode I'm joined by Victoria White from Victoria White Birth and Beyond, based in Stonehaven. We're talking all things post natal here, including posts natal doulas, what they do and how to choose one and post natal plans and what to put in them, so that you're better prepared for the post natal time.Read the full shownotes, and all the links to the resources mentioned in this podcast here: https://pregnantinaberdeen.com/episode7

I’ve mentioned every week that I’m a hypnobirthing teacher so I though it was time for an episode all about hypnobirthing, but rather than just tell you what hypnobirthing is I wanted to give you an introduction and let you try it out.I know a lot of people listen on the go, and most of this episode is fine to do that, but if you’re driving there are some parts I’ll ask you not to participate in. However, I don’t believe in being too precious about hypnosis, and I’ll come to that.So what we’ll cover in this podcast is what hypnosis is, what hypnobirthing means to me, how hypnosis feels, one of my favourite breathing techniques and how to pick a course that’s for you.Find the full shownotes and links to resources at https://pregnantinaberdeen.com/episode6

In this episode I'm sharing a birth story recorded before Covid 19, from one of my wonderful Hypnobirthing clients, Suzanne. In the midwife unit and labour ward at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. This is a great example of the importance of knowing how to make decision and having support in this, so that even when your plan changes you can feel empowered.Read the shownotes at https://pregnantinaberdeen.com/episode5/

In this episode I'm joined by Laura Patterson from Reform Physio and Pilates in Cults. I asked Laura all about physiotherapy, Pilates exercising in pregnancy, the pelvic floor, whether it's normal to have incontinence after having a baby and lots more.You can listen below or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere else you listen to podcasts!

Today I want to address the question, can you really relax in labour?! I remember hearing about this when I was pregnant and it sounding impossible.Pregnancy relaxation classes – ok that sounds nice, but relaxation for labour, really?!I’m sure you’ve heard of hypnobirthing, and maybe seen some of the covers on hypnobirthing books, or website, or that we ourselves share on social media at times, of someone looking relaxed and serene.For most people the idea of the words relax and labour just don’t go together, and I definitely understand that.Pregnancy relaxation does sound lovely, but relaxation in labour sounds like an impossibility.In this episode I’ll share why relaxation is so important, and what it really means to use relaxation skills during labour, it’s not the same as sitting on a sun lounger with your own personal butler!Full shownotes, transcipt and additional rescourses available at: https://pregnantinaberdeen.com/episode3/