We are very proud at Calm Births to have a teacher as experienced in the birth world as Dr Michelle Irving. She is a Mum of 2, an experienced practising Midwife with a PhD in Midwifery, and lectures at Bournemouth University. Michelle offers one to one or group Calm Births hypnobirthing courses in and around Poole, Dorset. I recently caught up with Michelle to chat about her journey to hypnobirthing:
All of our teachers have different journeys that bring them to hypnobirthing, what was yours?
My journey into hypnobirthing started as a midwife working with women who were using hypnobirthing and having incredible births, they were transformed and empowered and therefore equipped to be effective parents.
What's your favourite thing about being a hypnobirthing teacher?
I love being able to teach women/couples and help them become empowered - teaching about how their bodies work, what they can do to achieve calm and understand the process of birth, birth hormones and biomechanics and the birth environment.
How do you think Covid has affected pregnant people?
I think for many people the pandemic has made them feel vulnerable and isolated. I have spoken to people who felt somewhat abandoned by the maternity services and anxious about not having their partners present for scans, appointments or early labour. People tell me they are cautious about face to face contact, but also miss real world interactions.
What would your top tips be for preparing for birth for parents to be?
Join a childbirth education/hypnobirthing class
Fix your fears
Achieve and maintain health through nutrition, activity and mindfulness
Make informed decisions about your care - know about the medical interventions, their pros, cons and alternatives
Find your support
Stay active and relaxed in labour
Use water and massage
Those are great tips! What would your top tips for preparing for parenthood be?
Keep it simple - eat, sleep, relax, repeat
Plan a babymoon - stay home and rest and recuperate with your baby
Keep your baby close
Ask for support
Thank you so much Michelle, and how can people find out more about you and your courses?
I have a website www.bestbirths.co.uk where people can find out more about me as well as being on Instagram and Facebook.
You can also find Michelle’s profile on our ‘Find your teacher’ page.