Birth preparation and birth trauma in Wokingham, Berkshire

1. What is birth preparation?

Birth preparation is a strategy to promote the timely use of skilled maternal and neonatal care, especially during labour. By being prepared for labour and all its eventualities, it allows the mother and partner to be ready for possible complications and reduce delay in obtaining suitable care. In addition, by being adequately prepared for labour, it reduces the chances of suffering from psychological trauma.

Research has shown that having acupuncture from 35 weeks of labour until giving birth reduces the duration of labour and pain levels.

2. Hypnobirthing

Hypnobirthing teaches the mother various tools, for example; controlled breathing techniques and relaxation exercises, that can help calm the mind, reduce stress hormone levels and allow the birth experience to be moe peaceful and calm.

Hypnobirthing is not a new technique; it has been used for thousands of years to help calm the mind allowing the body to do what it has been designed to do.

3. Understanding caesarean delivery

It is good for the mother to understand the steps involved during a caesarean delivery. Our therapists offer professional psychological support, insight and guidance to help prepare for a possible caesarean delivery.

4. What is birth trauma?

Birth trauma is any physical or emotional distress a mother may experience during childbirth. During the birth, you may feel afraid, helpless or unsupported by those around you. After the birth, you may be left feeling guilty or numb due to events beyond your control. It can develop into postnatal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a type of anxiety disorder.

Research suggests 1 in 3 births are experienced as psychologically traumatic and women who experience birth trauma are seeking support. Partners who witnessed traumatic births are also now seeking support and the need to talk and process their thoughts and feelings. Symptoms of birth trauma include:

Panic when reminded of the trauma
Be easily upset or angry
Feeling extreme alertness
Finding it hard to sleep
Finding it hard to concentrate

Our therapists offer client centred support and therapy to process and heal from birth trauma. We will support you to turn your birth trauma into a normal memory and stop any negative emotions around your birth.

5. Our Counsellors

Kara McCormack

Kara McCormack I am a registered midwife, registered psychotherapist and registered clinical hypnotherapist actively working in all areas of birth preparation and birth trauma.

I work with clients providing psychological, physiological and bio-mechanical education for all the antenatal, intrapartum (birth), and postnatal periods.

For a free phone consultation contact me via email me at kara@theintegralmind.com or visit www.integralbirthconsulting.com or www.theintegralmind.com.

Melanie Valecha - Specialist Nurse, Therapist and Coach, Bsc (Hons), IIHHT AACCPH

Melanie Valecha A warm welcome to you. I am a coach and therapist with an extensive education and professional background in maternal and infant health. I am a certified clinical trauma professional with a specialism in birth trauma and perinatal emotional health and wellbeing.

It is an honour and privilege to have supported hundreds of new parents to recover from difficult and traumatic experiences related to fertility, pregnancy, birth and beyond. The following is a brief list of some of the reasons why parents come to see me: miscarriage, loss, fertility issues, birth trauma, difficult birth, antenatal/postnatal anxiety, intenatal/postnatal low mood, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, feelings of guilt, failure, low confidence/self esteem, struggling to bond with baby, preparing for another baby and trauma informed birth preparation.

For more information on me visit my website www.melanievalecha.com.