londonhypnobirthing

Another vote for the Baby Jogger City Mini. No looking back for us and wish we'd gone straight for this and bypassed the Bee altogether.

Hi Jen Congratulations on your pregnancy, I hope you're feeling well. I am a local mum-to-one and run Hypnobirthing classes from my home in ED. My courses run over either 4 weekday evenings or 2 full Sundays. There are 3 couples on each course so not only is it a great way to learn some tools for a calm and comfortable birth, but a nice way to meet some other local expectant parents too. If you search for Hypnobirthing on this forum you'll be able to find lots of feedback from couples who've attended my course, or feel free to PM me if you'd like to know more. I'd also really recommend NCT classes, I did a course with Tessa in ED when I was expecting my son and learnt lots from her, as well as meeting some LOVELY mums who I've grown so close to. Our children have known each other since birth and have formed lovely bonds. Definitely invaluable for me, especially as we'd just moved to the area prior to our son being born. Hope that helps, Hollie x

UK single length in 6'3", Continental single length is 6'6". Pretty sure width is the same (3').

We have this Stompa one for my son (3) http://www.johnlewis.com/stompa-uno-plus-midsleeper-and-tent/p356670?colour=Blue Very sturdy - either my husband or I lay in it to read him a story before bed every night. Not to high (he happily climbs in and out without help, even in the dark) and it's definiely made bedtime more appealing for him (hallelujah). If you order from John Lewis they will come and install it for you for no extra charge - definitely worth it. Just be aware that the mattress that fits it is continental size (i.e. same as Ikea) so if you use fitted sheets then you might need to order online.

More about it here: http://gasandairblog.com/ It's a really great blog to follow, run by a local community midwife.

After a recent study into the effect of hypnobirthing on labour and birth, I thought I'd share some interesting findings with you. This study used 144 first time mums that have been on the London Hypnobirthing 10 hour course between 2011-2013. 67% had their babies on or before their estimated due date (EDD), compared to the national average of 15% 20% had their babies ON their EDD, compared to the national average of less than 5% 73% of these mums went on to have unassisted vaginal births, compared to the national average of 45% I am processing and analysing more of the data so will hopefully have some more statistics with you soon, but I thought this was interesting to share. There is so much to be said for being emotionally ready for your labour to begin, something that happens when your mind and body are in tune and working harmoniously. Hypnobirthing works.

Happy new year to all. I'm Hollie, a local mum and Hypnobirthing teacher and have been running classes in SE22 for the last couple of years. Hypnobirthing teaches you and your birth companion the tools for a calm and comfortable birth, and my classes, running over 4 weekly 2.5hr sessions, are relaxed and friendly. I have ONE space left on my Saturday course (starting this Saturday, 4th - 10.15-12.45pm) and ONE on my Wednesday course (starting 8th, 8.00-10.15pm). As the start date for these is imminent I am offering the place for ?175 (instead of ?285). The place will go on a strictly first come basis, so please PM me ASAP if you would like it, or email me at [email protected] Wishing you all the best for a wonderful birth x

Vicks on the feet really helps, as does a spoon of manuka honey before bed. Wishing you a cough free Christmas x

This is great SW, thanks for sharing. Will tweet about it to spread the word. Hx

Thanks SW...here's today's for you x

Hi ladies, just to let you know that spaces on my Jan, Feb and March hypnobirthing courses are filling up fast, so please get in touch soon if you're interested in booking a space. These courses are perfect timing for those spring babies. If you'd like to know more about what other couples think of my classes, just search Hypnobirthing on this forum. Warmest, Hollie x

SW I'm a big fan of this movement and would be very keen to get involved or co-host something with you if you were up for it? I'm interested in the issues that Saffron and Kes have brought up and think it's important to get a balance between sharing positive experiences and providing relevant invormation and support on the reality of motherhood. Through my teaching I tend to find that women have better experiences when they feel informed and empowered to make the best decisions for themselves and their babies, rather than necessarily having what is deemed a "normal" or natural experience. In my opinion, it's about educating mums and dads about the reality of birth and beyond, rather than what we are merely conditioned to believe is true based on other people's experiences and the manipulative nature of the media.

London Hypnobirthing have just launched a daily affirmations service, providing you with positive statements for pregnancy, birth and beyond. The language we use during this precious time is very important and significant in the experiences we go on to have. Programming our mind with positive beliefs of birth helps our bodies to work efficiently, without subconscious fear getting in the way. Exposing yourself to these affirmations on a daily basis WILL have a positive impact on your birth experience. Share them, print them and put them on your fridge, in your purse, on your desk, or save them daily and set them as your phone's home screen. The more you see them the better. What's more, this service is free. All you need to do is like London Hypnobirthing on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/London-Hypnobirthing/230721197009928 or follow us on Twitter @lovelybirths Attached are a few affirmations we've shared already. With warmest wishes for a wonderful pregnancy and birth, Hollie x http://www.londonhypnobirthing.co.uk

London Hypnobirthing classes for 2013 are now fully booked. If you are expecting a baby from February 2014 onwards and are interested in hypnobirthing, please grab your place on a 2014 course quickly! Hypnobirthing is a really logical birth preparation class, and offers couples the opportunity to understand birth. Instead of focusing on labour as something to "get through", you will learn how it works on a physiological level, the affect of fear on the birthing body, and you will be taught techniques that allow your body and your baby to function in harmony, and comfortably. Classes run over four weeks from my home in East Dulwich. There are never more than three couples on a course which means the sessions are personal and tailored to my couples' needs. It's also a great way to meet other expectant couples in a relaxed environment. If you would like to know more, please visit http://www.londonhypnobirthing.co.uk or drop me a line at [email protected] Wishing you all the best for a wonderful pregnancy and a calm birth. Hollie x

Meant to add that if you follow this link http://homebirthersandhopefuls.com/can-i-still-have-a-homebirth/vbac-vaginal-birth-after-cesearean/ and scroll to the bottom of the article, there are a few very good articles about VBACs and the decision-making process.

Hi ladies Apologies for intruding on your thread, but I just wanted to introduce myself. My name's Hollie and I'm a local mum who runs London Hypnobirthing - group and private hypnobirthing classes from my home in East Dulwich. My friendly and informal classes run over four weeks and I recommend couples attend any time from their 20th week of pregnancy. If you search "hypnobirthing" on this forum you'll find lots of feedback from couples I've worked with. As my courses for 2013 filled up so quickly, I have already opened bookings for early 2014 - perfect timing for those spring babies. I'd also like to draw your attention to my group booking offer, whereby if more than one of you book together you will each recieve a 10% discount. There's lots more information about what my classes offer, and dates/availability on my website http://londonhypnobirthing.co.uk/coursedetails.html - and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to give me a shout. With warmest wishes for happy and healthy pregnancies, Hollie x

It sounds like you're faced with a difficult dilemna after your first experience of birth. You know the deal with a c-section having been through it before, so I can understand why that option is appealing, despite the post-op recovery. I can also understand your anxiety that your body might not be "capable" of a VBAC. If you feel like you'd really like to experience a natural birth, then I'd say it's worth exploring your fears and anxieties from your first experience. If you're able to understand and release these then I think you could have a really positive VBAC this time around. Have you considered hypnobirthing at all? I work with lots of second time mums who've had traumatic first births and want the next experience to be different. To see them release their fear and really gain an understanding of birth and how fear affects labour (and babies) is incredible and I see it in practice all the time. I'd be happy to put you in touch with mums who would be happy to share their experience with you. I see that you've moved out of the area, but if you want to tell me where you are now I'd also be more than happy to put you in touch with an experienced practitioner near you. AIMS (Association for Improvement in Midwifery Services) is also a great resource for questions and options about birth. It's a team of volunteers and their knowledge is unbiased and second to none. Their number is +44 (0) 300 365 0663 - it would really be worth giving them a call and having a chat about what could be right for you. I really can't recommend them highly enough. If you do decide to go for a CS, then you can still have input into how you want it to be. This is a great article about "the natural caesarian" http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2613254/ If you'd like to talk more, please don't hesitate to drop me a line. I wish you all the best for a happy and healthy pregnancy and a lovely birth experience, whatever you decide. Warmest, Hollie

Hi Kayla I had my son using hypnobirthing three years ago. I hadn't heard of it before and going on a course genuinely transformed my experience from something I felt anxious about to something I embraced and felt empowered and overjoyed at...hence I trained as a Hypnobirthing practitioner two years ago. I teach classes at my home in East Dulwich and have had wonderful feedback on what couples feel they get out of doing a course. In my experience, reading the book and listening to the CD will help to prepare you, but is no substitute for the practical guidance you get on a course. If you search hypnobirthing on here as Privatebanking suggests, you can read about couples' first hand experiences and how it impacted their birth. There are also some birth stories on my website which you can find at http://londonhypnobirthing.co.uk/5.html Good luck with whatever you decide, and please don't hesitate to drop me a line if you'd like to talk some more. I'm always very happy to chat about hypnobirthing, even if you don't want to book a course :) Warmest, Hollie

If you were doing four weekly sessions (2.5 hrs each) of an antenatal course at the weekend, when would you most like it to be? Saturday or Sunday, morning or afternoon? i.e. Four Sunday afternoons, 3.00-5.30pm? Many thanks in advance for any feedback offered.

I'm pretty sure you can, or at least you could a few years ago. I will try and get a more solid answer for you, but might be worth giving Kings a ring or asking your midwife.

I was working with some midwives from Kings today and was speaking to them about the pool issue. The fixed pool that is in room 12 is unfortunately out of action indefinitely, as the lining keeps flaking off. It has been resealed/painted a few times but they've been advised it wouldn't be safe for them to reseal/paint it again. They are now using two inflatable pools that can move to different labour rooms as necessary. If they are not busy the midwives will help you inflate/fill it, but if they are in a rush then I got the impression that birth partners would be left with the task. I was asking how women could have a better chance of using the pool if they wished, and they suggested that calling ahead would be hugely helpful. So when you go into labour, if you know you want a pool, call Kings early on and if they're quiet they can start getting one ready for your arrival. Hope that helps, Hollie x

Hi ladies I hope you're all feeling well and growing those winter babies nicely. Just a quick note to say I've now only got one spot left on my Wednesday evening course in October, and one spot left on the Saturday morning course. I have just opened up the November and December course dates though, so do take a look if you are interested in attending a local and very friendly hypnobirthing course. http://londonhypnobirthing.co.uk/coursedetails.html Warmest wishes, Hollie

http://www.stevewiens.com/2013/03/12/to-parents-of-small-children-let-me-be-the-one-who-says-it-out-loud/ Enjoy x

Wow, what lovely feedback! I actually have ONE spot left on my group course that starts this Saturday and runs for four weeks, 10.15am-12.45pm at my home near East Dulwich station. I am offering 15% to anyone who would like go take this final place. The place will go on a first come, first served basis, so please get in quickly if you are interested and drop me a line at [email protected] or visit http://www.londonhypnobirthing.co.uk if you'd like to know more about what the course entails. Warm wishes, Hollie

Hi all, just a very quick note to say that due to an early baby arriving I have a place that's become available on my four week HypnoBirthing course starting this Wednesday evening, 8.00-10.30pm near East Dulwich station. If you are interested in this place please email me on [email protected] ASAP and I will be able to give you a good discount due to the course's imminent start date. Warm wishes to all, and all the best to everyone for a calm and comfortable birth. Hollie x