Friday, 13 January 2017
Birth Announcement of a Daisy Mum - Nyree
Our baby boy decided to make his appearance just before my 2 week overdue date. Mitchell was born on 15th November at 10.35 pm weighing 9lb 2oz. After making us wait so long for him to arrive, he was in a bit of a hurry in the end. All done and dusted in just under 5 hours. I cannot thank Jo enough for all her help with Daisy classes. With gas and air only, he was welcomed into the world in the pre-assessment room. Although I didn't get the water birth we planned for, the techniques I learnt allowed me to be positive in the choices we made and we couldn't be happier with our bundle.
Tuesday, 20 December 2016
Birth - Get on with it or Get over it...
Today I noticed an article that had been shared on Twitter. It came from the Daily Mail Australia and it was titled 'Woman speaks out about her exilerating home birth'
Now this in itself isn't news to me, I read about exhilarating home births everyday, but that's just the nature of the circles I mix in, the nature of being an antenatal teacher. I applaud each and every woman that experiences an exhilarating birth as this is how birth should be.
The statement 'she was prepared' implies to me that through her initial fear, in her own words 'petrified' she had prepared in some way for her upcoming birth. Petrified women don't usually choose homebirth? I should know I have experienced homebirth.
That aside what caught my eye about this article was the bashing this woman took in the comments section afterwards. The almost exclusive negativity towards what should have been a positive read.
Why do we do this? Why is it that we feel the need to berate women who achieve a great birthing experience. We would rather walk around wearing the 'I had the worst birth in Britain and I'm glad my partner saw it' badge. By the way most of the negativity came from UK readers.
I find this so frustrating! We have such a negative attitude towards other women! Where is the solidarity? The support? The congratulations?
Not every woman who experiences a negative birth passes this on to others; many women will suffer in silence and indeed many won't even consider their birth to be traumatic? Assisted births are pretty common place are they not?
But what is birth trauma anyway? It's subjective; it's your perception of a positive or negative experience. Feelings of being out of control can be enough to cause a negative impact so why would we wish to impose this on to other women?
I bet every one of us can say that we've been told a not so positive birth story whilst pregnant. A well wisher sharing their experience. Women just love to share their negative experiences but is this not just a cry for validation? A plea for someone else to listen to what happened to them and agree it shouldn't have happened?
Just like Hayley Cotton, I had a fantastic home birth, I did it with no drugs and I felt exhilarated too! Sure it was intense but it was beautiful and calm. My start to motherhood was fantastic. Physically and mentally I was in great shape afterwards.
I can say this and I don't care about a backlash because I had the horrific birth first time round...the birth you'll all be glad I had. The birth that earned me my stripes. Leaving me with stitches and post natal depression. An inability to be the best mother I could have been. So well done me!
This changed me forever so second time I wasn't leaving my birth to fate. I prepared, I gained an understanding of what had happened to me first time and I learned what I needed to do to avoid interventions, drugs, pain and a bloody awful experience. I understood choice and the ability to say yes or no.
Rather than leaving me bitter about other women's great births I spent time reflecting on what had happened to me and how birth could be different leading me on to the antenatal path of helping other women achieve a positive birthing experience...note I said positive not natural!
Amazing birth stories generally aren't a fluke, a lucky coincidence or fate they happen to women who have an inner awareness, they care more about themselves and their babies foremost over buggies, perfect preps and going home outfits. They care about their bodies, their mental well being and the impact this has on motherhood so they prepare for birth. They know what is best for them and they are able to ditch the fear!
So to women everywhere...
It's your birth! Your body! Your experience! and it's about time women started taking ownership for this rather than leaving birth to fate.
Sunday, 20 November 2016
Tuesday, 15 November 2016
Saturday, 22 October 2016
What to Expect from a Daisy Birthing Class?
If you're reading this and you're expecting I just want to congratulate you on taking the time out to consider birth preparation...I think it's the best investment you can give yourself and your baby. A positive birth experience is priceless! and the positivity definitely continues in to motherhood.
So what's a Daisy Birthing class actually like? or to be exact what are the classes in Burnham on Sea, Street or Ilchester like?
Before you arrive we'll have probably talked on the phone and at the very least had a few email conversations. I will have already sent you a confirmation e-mail asking you to wear loose clothing and to bring a drink...Relaxation can be thirsty work!
On arrival you'll be invited to take your shoes off, choose a mat and get yourself comfortable. The layout of a class varies but I like to set out the class in a circle with a central focal point. I think it's really important to set the scene for relaxation so I like the room to be cosy and warm, smelling inviting and have nice lighting...I'm hoping this will teach you to set the scene for your own birthing environment.
Before you arrive we'll have probably talked on the phone and at the very least had a few email conversations. I will have already sent you a confirmation e-mail asking you to wear loose clothing and to bring a drink...Relaxation can be thirsty work!
On arrival you'll be invited to take your shoes off, choose a mat and get yourself comfortable. The layout of a class varies but I like to set out the class in a circle with a central focal point. I think it's really important to set the scene for relaxation so I like the room to be cosy and warm, smelling inviting and have nice lighting...I'm hoping this will teach you to set the scene for your own birthing environment.
After introductions, checking everybody is OK and a quick chat I will invite you to begin. I always feel excited at the beginning of a class. I enjoy helping all the mums to relax and one of my favourite parts of a class is the education section which I usually start after the initial relaxation.
With 'Silver Lake' the Daisy music playing, I invite everybody to choose their favourite seated position as taught in class and I will guide you into a relaxing, rhythmic breathing pattern. This breath is fantastic for keeping you calm so we practice this a lot so it becomes second nature to you on birthing day. Whilst breathing and relaxing I will take you through a visualisation that you will also use to remain calm.
Once everyone is relaxed and breathing I move on through a range of seated movements to help ease any pregnancy niggles that you might have whilst still guiding your breathing. A set of affirmations then leads us in to the education section.
Each week we have a different topic to focus on and the points discussed are always linked back to how your body works or may behave at different stages of labour. The education taught helps you prepare physically and emotionally and it will also help inform your choices, so nothing is left un-discussed. We know that when a woman experiences a positive birth this is usually down to how well she's been heard, respected for her choices and how well she's been informed and not necessarily about how the birth physically progressed because this can't always be guaranteed.
Once everyone is relaxed and breathing I move on through a range of seated movements to help ease any pregnancy niggles that you might have whilst still guiding your breathing. A set of affirmations then leads us in to the education section.
Each week we have a different topic to focus on and the points discussed are always linked back to how your body works or may behave at different stages of labour. The education taught helps you prepare physically and emotionally and it will also help inform your choices, so nothing is left un-discussed. We know that when a woman experiences a positive birth this is usually down to how well she's been heard, respected for her choices and how well she's been informed and not necessarily about how the birth physically progressed because this can't always be guaranteed.
After this section we move on to a flowing segment using a range of movements from seated, to all fours, to standing. Again I will be leading the breathing and relaxation and as I guide you into a position I will be informing you of the benefits for both pregnancy and birth. Each week I will introduce new movements as well as different breaths for different stages. Positive birth affirmations will also be used again.
Once this segment is completed I will ask you to lay down, get cosy and warm, the lights will be dimmed and I will guide you through a birth hypnosis script. This takes us to the end of a Daisy Birthing class and you will leave feeling totally relaxed and more confident about your upcoming birth and the choices you will make.
The support doesn't end there either, for when you get home I will be adding a follow up from the class on our private Facebook chat group to support you until the next session. This group has mums old and new and is a great way to keep in touch too.You'll be invited to mums meet ups for a coffee and a chat and I'll let you know about what's going on locally to support you both antenatally and postnatally.
So if this sounds like a fantastic way to prepare for birth then come join 'your' Daisy Birthing class...teaching you how to prepare for a positive birthing experience and in the meantime why don't you join my private Facebook group to start receiving that 'bump to babe' support www.facebook.com/groups/DaisyChatBonSea/
I look forward to meeting you soon
Jo xx
I look forward to meeting you soon
Jo xx
jo-fellowes@thedaisyfoundation.com
Tuesday, 18 October 2016
Birth Announcement From a Daisy Mum...Jenna
Our son Harrison decided to (quickly) join the family a day after my due date.
Woke up at 6am Thursday morning with "niggles" they were still there at 7am but only mild so I got out of bed and sat bouncing on my ball in the bedroom till my two children woke up. I still wasn't sure if this was "IT" but thought I'd get in some breathing practice. Doing the 4&8 breath, staying calm, feeling relaxed. My children woke up, I went downstairs and sorted their breakfast, by about 7.30 the waves were getting a little stronger and I told my husband "I don't think you'll be going to work today" so we got the kids ready for school. Mother in law came out of work to do the school run at 8.40. I stayed on my feet the entire time, mostly leaning on things, but I found sitting or laying uncomfortable. Waves were about 6 minutes apart and I was told when they got to 5 minutes apart to ring the hospital to go in for IV antibiotics (I had Group B Strep detected in this pregnancy) but about 9.30am they jumped from 6 minutes to 3 minutes. At this point I was using my escalator breath, still on my feet and staying calm, my husband rung the hospital and said I was in labour and that I wanted a water birth. They had said to him "that's fine but we can hear her in the back ground and I don't think she'll quite make the pool" even went on to say "if she has the baby in the car just pull on to the hard shoulder and call an ambulance" my husband replied "okay, great thanks!" My husband never told me this conversation until after baby was born. He just said come on lets go in now and we made our way to hospital at 10am. He was very quiet all the way. Ha. Got to the hospital at 10.45am, I felt very shaky and I knew from the education part of class about the signs of transition. I knew where I was in my labour and stayed calm. Although at 11am I did ask for gas and air, As I wasn't in the water like I had wanted or planned I did fear "the burn" so felt like I needed the gas and air for comfort. My waters went at 11.10am and my body started naturally pushing, it wasn't forced, still focused on my breaths I let my body do what it wanted to do. 4 minutes later Harrison was here. I didn't have any antibiotics, which isn't a bad thing, he had to have 12 hours observations anyway, whether I had them or not, which went well.
I had two terms of Daisy classes with Joanne Fellowes in B.O.S and it was the best thing I did. I wish it had of been around for my first two pregnancies. The midwife even complimented me on my breathing and said how well I did. I could stay calm as I felt like I was more educated in the process of labour and the breathing techniques worked like a charm. Thank you Jo!
Woke up at 6am Thursday morning with "niggles" they were still there at 7am but only mild so I got out of bed and sat bouncing on my ball in the bedroom till my two children woke up. I still wasn't sure if this was "IT" but thought I'd get in some breathing practice. Doing the 4&8 breath, staying calm, feeling relaxed. My children woke up, I went downstairs and sorted their breakfast, by about 7.30 the waves were getting a little stronger and I told my husband "I don't think you'll be going to work today" so we got the kids ready for school. Mother in law came out of work to do the school run at 8.40. I stayed on my feet the entire time, mostly leaning on things, but I found sitting or laying uncomfortable. Waves were about 6 minutes apart and I was told when they got to 5 minutes apart to ring the hospital to go in for IV antibiotics (I had Group B Strep detected in this pregnancy) but about 9.30am they jumped from 6 minutes to 3 minutes. At this point I was using my escalator breath, still on my feet and staying calm, my husband rung the hospital and said I was in labour and that I wanted a water birth. They had said to him "that's fine but we can hear her in the back ground and I don't think she'll quite make the pool" even went on to say "if she has the baby in the car just pull on to the hard shoulder and call an ambulance" my husband replied "okay, great thanks!" My husband never told me this conversation until after baby was born. He just said come on lets go in now and we made our way to hospital at 10am. He was very quiet all the way. Ha. Got to the hospital at 10.45am, I felt very shaky and I knew from the education part of class about the signs of transition. I knew where I was in my labour and stayed calm. Although at 11am I did ask for gas and air, As I wasn't in the water like I had wanted or planned I did fear "the burn" so felt like I needed the gas and air for comfort. My waters went at 11.10am and my body started naturally pushing, it wasn't forced, still focused on my breaths I let my body do what it wanted to do. 4 minutes later Harrison was here. I didn't have any antibiotics, which isn't a bad thing, he had to have 12 hours observations anyway, whether I had them or not, which went well.
I had two terms of Daisy classes with Joanne Fellowes in B.O.S and it was the best thing I did. I wish it had of been around for my first two pregnancies. The midwife even complimented me on my breathing and said how well I did. I could stay calm as I felt like I was more educated in the process of labour and the breathing techniques worked like a charm. Thank you Jo!
Birth Announcement from a Daisy Mum...Rose
Florence Mary finally arrived 2 weeks overdue on Sunday 2nd October 
Despite my waters breaking at home, labour didn't get going so I had to have a hormone drip. For the first few hours I was still able to move around, do rotations & use the breathing techniques which were great. Unfortunately the drip did get a bit too much for me and I ended up with an epidural so despite my best efforts, I did have to give birth on my back & also needed help with forceps. I was still able to use the out breath for the final pushes and in the end she arrived safe and well which was all that mattered really, plus I avoided another caesarean 
The midwives all commented on how well I was doing with the breathing throughout so thank you Jo! xx
Despite my waters breaking at home, labour didn't get going so I had to have a hormone drip. For the first few hours I was still able to move around, do rotations & use the breathing techniques which were great. Unfortunately the drip did get a bit too much for me and I ended up with an epidural so despite my best efforts, I did have to give birth on my back & also needed help with forceps. I was still able to use the out breath for the final pushes and in the end she arrived safe and well which was all that mattered really, plus I avoided another caesarean The midwives all commented on how well I was doing with the breathing throughout so thank you Jo! xx
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