In my work as a childbirth educator, I meet many people who are knowledgeable and helpful in different areas of pregnancy, labour, birth and beyond. I hope you find the information and links on this page as useful and interesting as I do and please revisit, as it is updated regularly.
May 2010 - How To Calm a Crying Baby (from "The Happiest Baby on the Block"). If it's good enough for Richard and Judy, it's worth a try! Click here to watch this amazing technique, which mimics the environment of the womb and usually soothes even the most fretful baby within seconds.
April 2010 - Cloth Nappies. One of my Colchester HypnoBirthing mums used to supply and demonstrate cloth nappies from The Nappy Lady (www.thenappylady.co.uk) and she swore by them. Whether you're looking for eco-friendly nappies, to save money on nappies, for less chemicals against baby's skin, or more "cushioning" on baby's bottom when they fall (some paediatric specialists in the USA believe that the increase in hip dysplasia and other spinal injuries is related to the lack of padding and support provided by disposable nappies!), it might be worth getting in touch with these people or searching out more information on cloth nappies. Their website is worth a look for the interesting information they provide. For a practical demonstration on cloth nappies, see also the details under the Colchester Doula article below.
March 2010 - Colchester Doula. "Doula" (pronounced "doola") is a Greek word meaning "woman servant or caregiver". It now refers to an experienced woman who offers emotional and practical support to a woman (or couple) before, during and after childbirth. A doula believes in “mothering the mother” - enabling a woman to have the most satisfying and empowered time that she can during pregnancy, birth and the early days as a new mum. This type of support also helps the whole family to relax and enjoy the experience.
I have taken several "Army wives" through HypnoBirthing, some of whom were unable to have their husband/partner with them to help them through labour and birth because they were away in Afghanistan. The HypnoBirthing techniques worked wonderfully well for these ladies giving birth without any extra support, but one lady booked a doula to accompany her to the birth and was grateful for the extra company, comfort and help she provided.
Louise Wheeler is an ex-HypnoBirthing mum of mine who has since trained with Developing Doulas, and is accredited by Doula UK. I saw her again recently when another of my HypnoBirthing couples brought her along to one of my classes as they had hired her to attend their birth. She is also experienced in the use of cloth nappies and slings and is available to demonstrate either/both. Her contact details are: 01206 522121 / 07980 326299, email: colchesterdoula@yahoo.co.uk.
February 2010 - Tea Parties in Colchester for parents-to-be, new parents and carers. Every Monday (except Bank Holidays) at The quaker Meeting House, CO1 1NF from 1pm to 2.30pm, and Abberton & Langenhoe Village Hall, CO5 7LP from 10.30am to 12 Noon. www.pulling-together.co.uk, 0330 440 8626.
If you are looking for a hypnotherapist in Colchester for help with: weight loss, quit smoking, IBS, HypnoBirthing ante-natal classes, stress, phobias, unwanted habits, Hypno-Band gastric band hypnosis, eating disorders, and most mind-related matters - no matter how odd they may seem - just ask.
Copyright Alison Bird Clinical Hypnotherapy Colchester Essex 2008. Alison Bird Clinical Hypnotherapy Colchester, Suite 34 The Colchester Business Centre, 1 George Williams Way, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2JS. Tel: 01206 548175 / 07947 817464. Email: abird073@aol.com
Alison Bird DHP MAPHP(Reg) HBCE is a member of the Association for Professional Hypnosis and Psychotherapy, and affiliated to the National Centre for Eating Disorders, Hypno-Band Weight Loss System, and the HypnoBirthing Institute.