Antenatal Classes in Bedford

Update on our Bedford Antenatal Classes

Meet Bedford Teacher and trained midwife Susie

Bedford mums-to-be can now experience Daisy Birthing® antenatal classes which uniquely combine traditional antenatal education with movement, breathing and relaxation techniques (including the unique Daisy relaxed - active birth approach).   Learning through movement helps to build “muscle memory” with no need for notes or handouts – like riding a bike, the learning becomes instinctive and is therefore easily recalled in labour.  In addition the moves are specifically designed to benefit the more hidden but vital birthing muscles (some of you may had already read the fantastic article in Practical Parenting and Pregnancy, Feb 2011).

Bedford Daisy Birthing® teacher and mum-of-one, Susie Birchall, knows herself that birth can seem a frightening experience.  She had a less than ideal birth despite having trained as a Midwife some years before. Motivated by this and knowing that there are ways to make birth more confident and finding herself tired of the corporate life after 15 years in medical sales, she decided to train as a Daisy Birthing Educator, as well as returning someway to her roots and becoming a Doula and Breast Feeding Supporter.  She now offers these services under the umbrella of Mae Bee Baby which she has named after her daughter.   Susie was impressed with the Daisy Birthing® format and its FEDANT accreditation and says “I loved the Daisy Birthing® concept of empowering mums-to-be to trust their body’s birthing ability and instincts. Birth is an amazing experience but we seem to have forgotten how to ‘have a baby’. Once Mums understand how nature works, they can make the experience so much easier for themselves by relaxing, releasing fears and anxieties, and working with nature.  All too often, pregnant women are fed such negative and frightening ideas about labour and birth from TV programmes or well-meaning friends, so I really want to help women realise that birth can be a positive experience. I am really excited about bringing Daisy classes to Bedford”.  

The first term of weekly antenatal classes here in Bedford has already seen some great feedback from Mums who have had their babies after attending her sessions:

“I just wanted to let you know that our little boy was born safe and well. I managed to have him in the pool and along with your breathing exercises; I managed to stay calm and focused! We stayed at home until the early hours and I was already 7cm dilated by the time we got to hospital! Just wanted to say thanks for your advice and reassurance!” “By about 5pm, I was 7cms! Had done all this with what you had taught me. I just concentrated on my breathing and the position to take weight off by kneeling down was great.”   Bedford Mum, Nov 2011

The weekly antenatal classes aim to help mums-to-be relax and feel more comfortable during pregnancy and more confident during labour and birth.  Workshops for couples will follow soon.  Classes are popular with both first-time mums who are looking for something different to traditional antenatal classes, but also second, third or even fourth time mums, who often don’t want to go through the same “classroom style” education again but enjoy the benefits of the practical nature of the class. They are suitable from 14 weeks pregnant and many mums who attend later in pregnancy say they wish they had started them earlier.   Susie will also be starting to run Daisy Baby™ baby bonding and calming classes, which are designed for babies from 6 weeks of age  and aim to help calm baby, and provide informative 'parent to parent' hints and tips.  Through learning techniques such as baby yoga, positive touch, meeting other mums and sharing knowledge with experienced teachers, mums (or dads) can confidently make the most of the first 4-6 months with baby.   For more information about Susie and how she can help, you can visit her profile here on this site or her Mae Bee Baby face book page.