Are you about to be a first time mum? I remember when I was pregnant with my first child, I had a mix of emotions. Although, I was extremely excited and full of joy, in the back of my mind, I was also slightly nervous. I was worried about labour and what it would be really like, the so called ‘endless sleepless nights’ other parents told me about and just generally all the new things that came with being a new parent.
So, my husband and I signed up for Antenatal classes in the hope that the course would answer some of our questions. Even though it was 13 years ago, I remember our first class clearly. A group of expectant mums with their partners, practicing breathing tecniques whilst trying not to laugh. Over the couple of weeks we attended, we covered various elements of pregnancy and birth, however, the one invaluable thing that the course gave me which we had not been expecting, was the strong friendships that were made.
Although 13 years ago, when I signed up for my Antenatal course, who would have know that a couple of my closest friends today, were those that I made during these sessions.
So, if you are currently pregnant and haven’t signed up for Antenatal classes, I would encourage you to do so. Not only do you learn about pregnancy and how to prepare for the birth etc, you get the opportunity to meet other soon to be parents. Trust me, when you have just had your baby, its lovely to be around new mums – the opportunity to meet up for a chat and to support each other during the early days is priceless!
Daisy Birthing is a fantastic company that offer a practical, educational and supportive journey through pregnancy and birth. I had the opportunity to talk with Louise Colbert from Daisy Birthing to ask her about her work.
What service do you offer?
Daisy Birthing is a practical, educational and supportive journey through pregnancy and birth. Our all-inclusive Active Antenatal method is an all-encompassing pregnancy class helping you to learn your antenatal education in a truly effective way. Each week traditional antenatal education is combined with active birth principles, taught seamlessly alongside repetitive flowing movements designed to anchor the education to your body, breath and movement, exactly where you will need it on your baby’s birthing day.
These progressive women only weekly classes, available from 14 weeks pregnant are delivered over 6 week terms. Your classes will cover a combination of: • Antenatal and active birth education • Breathing techniques • Relaxation and birth hypnosis • Yoga based movement • Meeting local pregnant women
Daisy Birthing is accessible for all mums no matter of shape, size, and ability and is suitable for both first and subsequent pregnancies, supporting all birth plans and choices.
Daisy Parent is an antenatal education class. Our unique all-inclusive parent preparation course focuses on both birth preparation and practical baby care – combining antenatal and active birth education with movement, breath work, relaxation and birth hypnosis. Practical baby care demonstrations are delivered alongside un-biased education on parenting choices, safety and baby calming techniques, allowing mums-to-be and their birth partners to feel prepared not only for birth but for the arrival and care of baby too.
The 12 hour course is equally divided between birth preparation and practical baby care, with the option for expectant parents to choose the 6-hour birth, 6-hour practical baby care or both parts of the course. The course covers a combination of: Antenatal and active birth education, Movement, relaxation and birth hypnosis, Parenting choices, Practical baby care and safety, Baby calming techniques. The course is suitable for mums to be (from 30 weeks pregnant) and their birthing partners.
Where are you located?
I cover the Elmbridge area – Weybridge, Walton, Esher and Cobham.
How long have you been doing your job and what made you get into this profession?
I trained as a nurse in 2007 and have worked in many areas including fertility, midwifery and school nursing. I currently work part time as a Health Visitor and so have a wide knowledge of care from pre-conception through until a child reaches school age.
I trained with the Daisy Foundation in 2016 because I really missed supporting and educating pregnant women. Daisy classes weren’t available in my local area when I had my first child but after training to be a teacher I know that I will be signing up myself up for classes if I am l fortunate enough to have another baby.
What do you love most about your job?
Having that time with women, that sometimes as a health professional you don’t get in the NHS. I love working in the NHS, but having the time to be able to support women in my local community and being able to empower them to have a positive birth is something that I feel very fortunate to be able to do as a job.
I am really looking forward to building up a Daisy Community in the Elmbridge area to help support women and families through pregnancy and the transition into parenthood.
How do mum to be/mums benefit from your services?
All birth choices are supported and classes educate women not only about active birth but also relaxation, medical inductions and interventions, to promote a more positive pregnancy, enabling women to prepare for birth.
Choice, confidence and community are The Daisy Foundation’s underlying values and local women whether you attend classes or not also have access to information through the website on everything surrounding birth and babies so they can make informed decisions. Daisy classes give women the opportunity to meet mums to be in the area, which is so important, to build a peer-to-peer support network ready for the big arrival!
If you had to give one piece of advice to expectant mums/mums regarding what you do, what would it be?
Every baby is an individual and you are the best mother for your child, even though some days (and nights!) it might not feel like it. I like this quote although not sure who it is by
‘There is no way to be a perfect mother….but a million ways to be a good one’.