Oswestry, Shropshire
Gina Cox Roberts' profile
I’d been working as a doula for a year or so when I first had a client that decide to use Natal Hypnotherapy for her birth. I was aware that hypnotherapy had been used with great effect in other’s births so was very happy to have the opportunity to see it ‘in action’. In the end, this client had an induced labour which was a far cry from the home birth she’d been planning, but she coped with it amazingly, didn’t feel the need for any pain relief and she birthed her baby beautifully, instinctively and naturally. It was a wonder to witness and an honour to be a part of.
From that point I became much more interested in Natal Hypnotherapy and began to suggest it to other clients, who also went on to have very positive birth experiences. When the opportunity arose to train as a practitioner I was compelled to take it and the understanding I’ve gained about hypnotherapy and how powerful it can be, particularly for pregnancy and birth has had a dramatic impact on both my work and personal life. My partner and I had been trying to conceive for several years when I undertook the training, and following it I decided to use Natal Hypnotherapy to support us in this process. We conceived the following month.
I continued to use Natal Hypnotherapy during my pregnancy which was a relaxed and joyous one, despite a few minor health issues. I then used the techniques I’d been teaching others throughout my pregnancy when I went into labour. I found it hard going, but the skills I’d learned kept me confident and in control until shortly before our daughter was born. Then, when I was really struggling to keep on top of the contractions it was the support and encouragement of my partner (who was well versed in the techniques too) and midwife that got me through. Our daughter was born at home on her due date after a 27 hour labour and the gas and air never left the boot of the midwife’s car.
Seeing others have beautiful birth experience whilst using Natal Hypnotherapy was one thing, but using it myself to achieve what was, for me, a perfect birth was the icing on the cake. As a practitioner my hope is to support others to have wonderfully positive birth experiences as well – something that everyone deserves
My three main philosophies surrounding birth:-
1. Birth is a natural process that happens at its best when a mother is able to fully relax and trust in her body to do what it needs to do and is in an environment that fully supports her in this.
2. Full impartial information allows mothers and their partners to make their own informed choices for their pregnancy and birth, and gives them the ability to maintain control of their own birthing process. Any kind of birth, from completely natural to Caesarean section can be a wonderfully positive experience for the parents when they are given the time and information needed to make their own choices and are able to retain control of each situation as it arises.
3. Women are amazing. Every woman has an immense amount of strength and power that, when she is able to let it flow will carry her through whatever situation her birth may bring and remain with her ever after
I have been working as both a birth and postnatal doula since 2005 and I have been practising in Indian Head Massage since 2004.
Web www.supportedbirth.co.uk
Tel 07905312296
Email gina@supportedbirth.co.uk