Our Calm and Ready Birth Course/Bespoke Birth Course focuses specifically on all aspects of labour and birth. They help you to know what to expect and teach vital knowledge that can ensure you to have the best birth possible for you. Antenatal classes touch on more subjects, for example, the basics of labour and how to care for your baby after birth, but do not cover labour and birth in as much depth. Our courses can complement other Antenatal Classes such as NCT very well and some clients decide to do both.

Our birth preparation courses are ideal for any person who would like to feel more informed about birth and learn about how birth can be a positive and wonderful experience. The Antenatal Knowledge and Hypnobirthing Tools you aquire are designed to increase your sense of control irrespective of how your baby arrives into the world and help you to make decisions about your birth that are best for you and your baby.

Whilst we do learn about birth in its undisturbed form, hypnobirthing is not about a specific type of birth. You will have the tools to feel calm and positive however your baby enters the world and will learn about common birth interventions and when these might be necessary. The skills you will learn on your course will help you to cope with whatever turns your birth takes and to feel confident to make informed decisions about the care you receive.

Everything you learn on your hypnobirthing course can be applied wherever you have chosen to give birth. You will learn about the importance of the environment you give birth in and will understand how to make it as conducive as possible for a straightforward, relaxed and enjoyable experience.

You will remain conscious and fully in control at all times. The ‘hypno’ element of hypnobirthing is simply about teaching you the skills of deep relaxation to utilise when in labour. It also refers to the work we will do around creating a positive mindset around birth. Many of us have some negative feelings associated with birth and it is important that we release these feelings and replace them with more helpful ones that will make birth easier on the day.

Some people do experience a comfortable labour after practising hypnobirthing but simply taking a hypnobirthing course does not guarantee that your labour will be pain free. You will learn about the cycle that many women get stuck in that can make labour more painful and will understand how to avoid getting into this cycle yourself. You and your birth partner will also have a set of very useful practical tools to draw on which will support you during the purposeful and powerful sensations you may experience during labour. You will understand what is happening to your body during your labour which can help you to feel positive and relaxed throughout.

An ideal time to do your birth preparation with For Baby For Me is between 20 and 36 weeks. If you are feeling particularly worried about birth then it is better to do your course earlier so you can relax and enjoy your pregnancy more and have longer to embed all the skills. Some mums to be prefer to wait until their third trimester when birth preparation becomes their focus and they can give it their undivided attention. It is all personal preference but it is a good idea to give yourself time to really practise and embed all the skills you learn on the course so you can apply them with ease on the day.

If you are beyond 36 weeks, I would recommend booking The Calm and Ready Birth Course. This group courses run bi-monthly or is available privately from the comfort of your home or over zoom. This covers all the essential antenatal and hypnobirthing knowledge you need to prepare for a positive birth over one day (group course at Meraki Coffee in Elland)/or two private sessions at your home.

Absolutely! All of our birth preparation course options are suitable no matter how many times you have given birth. Every birth should be prepared for as it will be unique. If your previous birth was difficult or traumatic then the course content can help you to reflect and understand what happened, move forward and have a more positive experience this time.

Birth partners have such an important role to play in your birth so they are definitely encouraged to attend the course with you. Whether this is your partner, family member or friend, they will learn about all how they can actively support you during labour and feel really involved on the day.

It can be quite common that birth partners are a bit skeptical about the hypnobirthing element of the course before they start. The name is a bit unusual after all and they may feel a bit suspicious/nervous that it is a bit ‘hippy-dippy’. Most are totally on board after session one when they realise that hypnobirthing is actually very logical and based on science. As soon as they understand the positive effect it will have on how you all experience labour and birth (including the baby) the vast majority of birth partners become very enthusiastic and confident.

Our Calm and Ready One Day Birth Preparation takes place at the beautiful zen Meraki Coffee Yoga and Wellness in Elland. This gorgeous space sets the scene for your immersive birth preparation course and helps you to feel immediately relaxed. Bespoke 1:1 courses can be held in the comfort of your own home and take place over 3 sessions in and around West Yorkshire/over Zoom.

It all depends on how many people book the course that month but the maximum number of people would be 5 couples to ensure I can give you the full support you deserve during and after the course.

Calm and Ready Course Antenatal Hypnobirthing Course Approx 6 hours of birth preparation with a fully qualified and insured hypnobirthing teacher. Welcome gift for Mum To Be A Calm and Ready Guide and Journal A set of positive affirmation cards Relaxation tracks available to download Access to a private supportive Facebook Group and WhatsApp Group Ongoing support until your baby is born Bespoke 1:1 Antenatal Hypnobirthing Course Approx 8/9 hours of personalised tailored birth preparation with a fully qualified and insured hypnobirthing teacher. Welcome goody bag with helpful items to continue your birth preparation A Course Guide and Journal A set of positive affirmation cards Relaxation tracks available to download Access to a private supportive Facebook Group Ongoing support until your baby is born

Whilst instinctive nurturing touch is encouraged from birth, For Baby For Me Baby Massage Courses are ideal from 6 weeks+ as your baby will be more alert at this age and it is safer to use oil on the skin. Before this age, some babies may become very overstimulated and you may not gain as much from the class. The skin is also still adjusting to life outside the womb and oil can do more damage than good. Your baby will have had their health check around 6-8 weeks so you can be reassured that massage is appropriate for them. If your baby is younger than this then sessions can be slightly adapted to suit them.

I recommend that you wait to join a class until your baby is a few weeks past their due date to ensure they are at the right stage of development to enjoy the class but this is totally your decision and depends on the individual baby and how they are adjusting to the world. Don't hesitate to get in touch for a chat if to discuss what's right for you and your baby.

Massage can be wonderful for babies who do have a specific health need. Please get in touch with me so that I can make any adaptations required to the routine and discuss these with you. I recommend that if your baby is under the care of a health professional that you seek their advice and get the go ahead to attend the course.

Please bring along a towel or blanket to cover parts of the body not being massaged and your normal changing bag/milk. Everything else will be provided, including massage oil, sensory toys and refreshments.

I recommend an organic sunflower seed oil or a coconut oil to be used from 6 weeks old. Studies have shown these oils to be best for your baby’s skin. They are easily absorbed, packed full of nourishment and are safe if any accidentally goes into your baby’s eyes or mouth.

It can be a good idea to dress your baby in something that is easy to get on and off. Each week we will massage a different part of the body so you can either strip your baby totally and cover or just remove the item of clothing for that area.

Please do not worry for a second. Your baby is simply expressing his or her needs to you and that is exactly what this baby massage course is all about; getting to know and understand your baby even better. All babies are different and tolerate different lengths of massage. They may like specific parts of the body more than others. If your baby is expressing that they have had enough of their massage for today then please feel free to just watch and practise the strokes later or another day when they are happier. You will also recap the techniques the following week and have a handout of all the strokes.

These sessions are totally baby led. Feel free to feed (breast or bottle) at any point if that is what your baby needs. There are changing facilities at the venue but you can also change your baby on the mat too.

I recommend waiting 24/48 hours before massaging your baby. Massage can boost the blood flow around the body and interfere with the work of the immunisation. Some babies feel a little out of sorts too. Lots of cuddles instead. If this falls on a class day then feel free to still attend to watch the session, socialise and enjoy the sensory toys if your baby is well enough.

If your baby has any of the following, massage is best avoided. Please speak to Louisa if you need any advice around whether massage is appropriate or not. A high temperature Sickness Diarrhoea Infectious illness Undiagnosed lump Broken or infected skin Recent surgery Certain heart conditions (puts extra pressure on the heart) You may feel that there are other times it is inappropriate to massage your baby and that is your decision as you know your baby best.