Birth Preparation
Birth Preparation for Couples
This (one-to-one) 2 hours session is specifically designed for couples to prepare together for labour and birth. Partners learn how they can be closely involved and become an essential source of physical and emotional support, learning practical massage and breathing techniques, and other comfort measures to ensure they approach the birth of their baby(ies), as a team, in a confident and positive way.
Ideally attended in week 33-37 of the pregnancy.
Hypnobirthing
How do you prepare for birth with hypnosis?
For labour and birth, hypnosis makes it easier for women to access the roots of their thoughts, beliefs and emotions (which they are sometimes not even aware of), and positively impact on how they approach and experience birth.
One of the main benefits of hypnosis is to remove the fear/anxiety barrier which is known to have a negative physiological impact on the experience by creating unwanted physical and mental tensions. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and birth make women naturally more receptive to hypnosis.
You can attend this preparation on your own, but involving your partner might be a plus. It is best to have completed the preparation before week 34 of the pregnancy so you have plenty of time to practice before the birth.
Read more information here, or contact Sophie for additional details.
Antenatal doula guidance
What an antenatal doula guidance session with Sophie usually includes:
- Time to listen to you! Our sessions offer you a safe and compassionate time and space for you to talk about your experience of pregnancy, any worries or questions around labour and birth and the time beyond. (If there has been previous birth experiences, we will talk about this too and ‘debrief’ the experience(s)).
- Discussion on your birth preferences: Sophie will give you some pointers so that you can reflect on elements of a birth plan which would best suit your needs, such as choice of birth environment, pain management techniques, interventions, etc. This will also help you ask the right questions to your (medical) care providers when you see them. In the process, you’ll learn a lot to empower yourself into a positive pregnancy and birth experience.
- Depending on your needs and other birth preparation sessions you may be attending, we will take time to practice together some important relaxation tools such as specific breathing techniques.
Read more information here, or contact Sophie for additional details.
Prenatal Yoga
Prenatal Group Classes
Our weekly Yoga for Pregnancy & Birth (group) classes offer a nurturing and gentle practice of yoga to best prepare body and mind for birth and the transition to motherhood. Based on the unique and empowering principles of Active Birth to help you reconnect to the inner intelligence of your body and gain confidence in your ability to birth your baby.
To complement our regular Yoga for Pregnancy & Birth classes, we also offer regular ‘Labour & Birth Movements with an exercise ball’. In those sessions, we explore yoga-inspired movements and positions which help relieve common pregnancy tensions and discomforts, and learn how some of those movements and relaxation positions can help women remain mobile, more comfortable and more relaxed during labour.
Yoga with Hypnobirthing
Our regular Gentle Prenatal Yoga with Hypnobirthing (group) classes start with some gentle restorative prenatal yoga after which you’ll be guided through a deep and long relaxation following hypnobirthing principles. Deeply relaxing and a potent practice to enjoy a calm pregnancy and prepare for a more relaxed and comfortable birthing experience.
Birth Preparation for Couples
(This session is only offered as a one-to-one class within our birth preparation programme. More information here)
The Active Birth Preparation Session for Couples (2 hours) is an opportunity for pregnant ladies and their partner to « rehearse » movements and positions which will encourage an effective progression of labour on the « real day ». You’ll also learn simple comfort measures for labour such as massage, acupressure and guided breathing. A great class to share as a couple!
Postnatal
This class offers a nurturing time and space for new mothers and their babies to practice some post-birth recovery yoga followed by a lovely baby massage session (mothers learn how to massage their own baby).
(This class is only offered as a one-to-one session)
« I loved the atmosphere in your classes, spending some quiet time to bond with my growing baby and getting in tune with the sensations in my body were great preparation for the birth »
Hilde