BodyMind Birth Prep
Antenatal education rooted in knowledge, grounded in the body
Next Course Dates:
October 18th, 24th, November 1st, 8th, 15th
£300 (price includes 2 people)
Why this course?
Birth is one of the most natural things we can experience, but a lifetime of messaging means many of us arrive to pregnancy already fearful and mistrusting of the labour & birth process.
We want to equip you with not only evidence-based knowledge and practical tools about birth & postpartum so you are really clear on what to expect, but also an understanding of the importance of mindset and how the way you think about birth will shape your experience.
We believe that with the right trust, knowledge and support - any birth can be positive, however your baby makes its entrance into the world!
We aim for inclusive, realistic & trauma-informed support for women, birthing people and families. Antenatal education & postpartum guidance that honours the power of the mind & the intelligence of the body.
What to Expect
Hosted by Sami and Jocie, a postnatal doula & hypnobirthing instructor respectively, this course is carefully & passionately curated to combine up-to-date, evidence-based information with instinctual, embodied wisdom to help guide you as parents-to-be towards a sense of true confidence, excitement & trust.
Running over 7 weeks in central Lewes, (usually on Friday evenings or Saturday daytimes), we will unpack every aspect from childbirth in our culture, to the hormones & physiology of birth, to managing curveballs and interventions, navigating the NHS system, movement in labour, mindset & breathing, the pillars of postpartum and so much more!
Birth is a dance between what your mind believes your body is capable of, and what your body instinctively already knows. We work with the unconscious and subconscious mind to help build deep trust in the physiological process, alongside practical and instinctual movement practices and breathwork to support you & your partner.
Each session will be a fusion of discussion, presentation & movement to help truly ground the experience into your body and beyond the surface level of the mind. Because, as you will find out, what you learn with just your mind you may simply forget in labour! You are far more in connection with the body during this powerful and transformative time.
This course is not just about ‘learning’ but about embodying. Feeling on a deep level the sacredness, intelligence and mystery of birth and embarking on your birth journey full of excitement, confidence and faith in your body and baby’s incredible ability!
Here is an overview of our time together:
WEEK 1
Birth as a primal instinct and an overview of childbirth in our culture
The hormones of birth and how to support them
Creating the optimal birth environment
The vital birth partner role including the importance of trust, advocacy, environment energy & soothing massage
The definition of a ‘positive’ birth (spoiler - it’s not attached to a particular outcome!)
Where to give birth? What to expect at each location
WEEK 2
Onset of labour & what to expect
The myth of the ‘due date’ & the benefits of spontaneous labour
The sacred biology & bio-motion of birth and the intelligent pelvis
The power of the mind & understanding the links between the BodyMind
WEEK 3
Informed decision making
‘Policies’ over personal care - navigating the NHS system and avoiding common interventions
Managing curveballs and navigating ‘risk’
Neurophysiology of pain and how to work with the intensity of labour
Breathing approaches and breath as a gateway to a calm & connected state
WEEK 4
Meeting your baby and the sacred ‘golden hour’ after birth
Traditional pillars of postpartum care
Breastfeeding & feeding
Baby care & building your village
Instinctive parenting vs continuous outsourcing
WEEK 5
(Women/birthing people only)
Birth visualisation and Yoga for Birth
The physiology of postnatal recovery
Affirmation writing, journalling & and sharing in circle
Guided relaxation
WEEK 6
GROUP SOCIAL! (Venue will be arranged on a day that suits the group)
WEEK 7
Online Q&A and catch up session
What’s included
17.5 hours of taught content plus online Q&A/catch up at end of the course
Access to a community of local parents
2 people included in price, could be your partner, parent or friend
Option to pay in 3, interest-free instalments
Discounts for low income households
Phone/email support until birth
Hypnobirthing album of relaxation tracks
Goodie bag
FAQs
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Yes, absolutely we support women and birthing people who are doing this solo. If at all possible, we would recommend that a friend, family member or doula could be recruited to help you navigate through labour and birth itself. Your chosen birth partner would be more than welcome at the sessions.
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100% yes, we do.
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It’s never too late to engage with birth preparation, however an optimal time would be some time in your 2nd trimester so that you have some time afterwards to integrate the information and listen to the birth relaxation tracks.
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We have the final online Q&A and catch up session in the 7th week which is a great time to fill in any gaps or answer burning questions. You will also have your coursebook which talks through each session in detail - if you would like to organise a private 1:1 catch up hour with Sami or Jocie this can be organised.
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Yes, elements of the course involve hypnobirthing techniques and practices.
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Please bring a water bottle if you have one. We will provide teas/coffees and snacks throughout the day and there are lots of local cafes to visit if the course runs over a lunchtime. (You may also bring your own lunch if you wish - the venue has a nice garden to sit in)
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Yes, absolutely. We don’t believe there to be any hierarchy within birth choices and birth outcomes. Whether you are planning a home birth or hospital birth, whether you plan to have no interventions or plan to have an epidural or induction - we respect all choices. The course is focused more on the physiological process of birth however, so if you do plan to have an elective cesarean birth then get in touch with Jocie as she may be able to offer you a positive cesarean mini prep course if you wish.