BIRTHING IN SHROPSHIRE
Birth in Shropshire takes place in the shadow of the Ockenden Report and regular media discussions of a national midwifery crisis. I know some of you may be struggling and I want to reassure you that you are not alone. You can find details of local and national support service below, together with more information about my commitment to providing trauma sensitive pregnancy yoga classes.
URGENT SUPPORT
If you are in need of urgent mental health support there are people who can help you. You can call your GP or visit A&E. Or you can contact one of the services below.
Visit website to find local services
NHS urgent mental health helplines are for people of all ages.
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You can call for:
24-hour advice and support - for you, your child, your parent or someone you care for
help to speak to a mental health professional
an assessment to help decide on the best course of care
Call for free on 116 123
The Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you.
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They won't judge you or tell you what to do, they will listen to you. The helpline is open 24 hours a day.
The CALM helpline is open 5pm until midnight every day of the year. It is for people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
Call for free on 0800 58 58 58 or webchat
OTHER SUPPORT
There is lots of support out there. This is just a selection of local and national services and charities supporting pregnant and birthing people in Shropshire and the UK.
This team provides specialist assessment and support for women across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, providing both support to those women experiencing mental health difficulties, and those at risk of developing mental health difficulties up until a year after baby's birth. The service supports women experiencing moderate to severe mental health problems.
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You can access support following a referral by your midwife, GP, health visitor or other healthcare professional.
PANDAS offers peer to peer support for those experiencing post natal depression and their families.
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Visit the website for more information.
Birthrights is a UK charity that champions respectful care during pregnancy and childbirth by protecting human rights.
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Their website has a wealth of factsheets and other information that may help you to navigate the system.
BIRTH TRAUMA ASSOCIATION
The Birth Trauma Association supports women who suffer birth trauma.
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They offer peer to peer support but also has useful links about further support and help that is available.
Make Birth Better is a campaign organisation that seeks to make birth better for everyone.
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Their website has useful links for further support.
Sands is the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK. Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to ensure that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support for as long as they need it.
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Sands provides bereavement support services both nationally through its Freephone helpline, mobile app, online community and resources, and locally through a UK-wide network of around 100 regional support groups.
Tommy's provides pregnancy and baby loss information and support.
MY APPROACH TO PREGNANCY YOGA
I am always learning. If you have any feedback on any of the information on this page or on my classes which could help to make them more inclusive and as safe as possible I would be so grateful to receive it.
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My pregnancy yoga classes are trauma sensitive. This means I have an awareness of trauma and structure my classes to reduce the chances of any client being triggered. In particular, I incorporate the "Make Birth Better" core values into the practices that I share. I have set out a little more about my thought process below.
CORE VALUE: KINDNESS
Kindness is a foundational concept in yoga philosophy. You might hear it called "ahimsa" (non harm or non violence including towards oneself) or perhaps "metta" (loving kindness). I will always treat you kindly, with compassion and without judgement.
As well as approaching these classes through the door of my own ethics, I also regularly share practices centred around non-judgemental listening and self-compassion. I firmly believe that self-compassion is one of the most important skills any parent can develop.
CORE VALUE: COMMUNICATION
Clear communication is central to my teaching style. I consider the language I use carefully and aim to impart information in accessible and inclusive terms.
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Everything that is offered in my classes is optional. The movements, meditations and sharing circles are all simply invitations. I consciously use invitational language to convey this. There is no pressure on any attendee to speak during a class, or to share any personal information, and I am comfortable in allowing pauses and holding space for silence as part of the experience.
CORE VALUE: SAFETY
I endeavor to create safe spaces in my practices, but I will not tell you that you are safe. Instead, I promise you this:
I am fully qualified to share these practices, am registered with my professional body and hold appropriate insurance;
I treat all information shared with me as confidential and, if information is shared in a group setting, I will ensure all participants understand the confidential nature of the space;
I will never touch you during classes. I do not use hands on adjustments or assists;
The venue that I teach in is safe, private, warm, clean and welcoming;
I will not take any photographs of you during any practice;
You are welcome to leave at any time without the need for any explanation or apology;
I will not give medical, nutritional or any other advice that falls outside my areas of qualification.
CORE VALUE: RESPECT
I will meet you with respect. I honour your autonomy and innate wisdom as your own greatest teacher. I will not make value judgements about your birth or other choices and will not hold space for anyone else to do so in my classes.
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I am a white cisgender heterosexual female, and acknowledge the privilege and the limitations that come from this. Accordingly, I read widely and undertake extensive further education in order to enable me to provide an inclusive and non-judgemental space. If there is anything further that I can do to work on this I would be so grateful for your thoughts.
CORE VALUE: CONSENT
Consent is a huge issue in birth spaces, in yoga classes and in our society in general.
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I do not use hands on adjustments and will not touch you during practices. I support Yoni Shakti: The Movement which seeks to eradicate the abuse of women in yoga. You can find more information about this movement on the website. You can download the following resources below:
CORE VALUE: TRUST
I will not tell you that you can trust me. I hope that through my actions you may build trust in me
CORE VALUE: COLLABORATION
Finally, collaboration is key. I continue to grow and maintain a network of connections in antenatal educations and support services. This enables me to support you from a place of collaboration support and connection.