Birthing Awareness

Mark opens up about his life with his dad. He says he has spent most of his parenting life avoiding being like him. Mark regrets not taking the time to really get to know his dad. Given the time again he would sit, listen and wait to his father's stories.

https://brilliantbeginnings.co.uk/become-a-surrogate/#Getting to know Teresa CooteI am so pleased to be able to introduce myself. Coming from a large family, with five siblings (and now countless nieces and nephews) my name has been shortened so now I simply go by T. This no doubt makes it easier on my mum when trying to remember who she is talking to! I am a mum myself to a pair of energetic divas, aged 8 and 7. Though close in age, they are very different! One is often dancing away with the fairies, while the other is testing out her best wrestling moves!I love being a mum and having the opportunity to create my own family unit, including a grumpy rabbit and a crazy puppy (both girls so my partner is truly surrounded). Two passions in my life are music and dancing and I encourage my girls to embrace these as well. Some of our best moments have been dancing around the living room to our favorite tracks!In my previous life, I worked as a teacher and was well known for having the radio, or a sneaky Spotify playlist on while my students worked. I even taught Zumba to colleagues and students for a while.That really is another passion of mine, helping other people. I have always taken on teaching roles where I could work with young people that were vulnerable (ex-gang members, victims of bullying and looked after children) and even spent some time volunteering in my local community to help young people move away from crime.Thinking back on my life, I am actually not surprised that I became a surrogate. I have always felt blessed for everything I have ever had and feel compelled to help others achieve their dreams too. Whatever they may be. Knowing the joy of parenthood awakened a calling in me to do something to give that same feeling to others. Now I am a proud two-time surrogate.I delivered twins in 2017 and after some time realized that I felt pulled towards another journey and towards a role that allowed me to support other surrogates. I am now on my second journey with a new couple and loving it!My role with BB has taught me so much already and I have loved being able to connect with people about their hopes for surrogacy. I look forward to every day at work and being able to keep helping people.By Teresa Coote, Surrogate Manager

https://sites.edgehill.ac.uk/dadsanddepression/This study aims to explore how fathers feel when they are depressed during their partner’s pregnancy or up to two years after the birth of a baby. The study aims to find out more about how we can help dads with depression.Did you suffer from depression during your partner’s pregnancy or in the first two years of your baby’s life?Are you aged 16 or over?Is your partner currently pregnant or do you currently have a baby under two years old?If you answered yes to both of these questions we would like to speak to you. Your experiences are very important and will help us to find out more about how to support Dads who feel like you.An important study: PLEASE SHARE this conversation.

MYBIRTH.ORG.ukHi, I’m Aileen White (she/her). I’ve been offering families birth and parenting support for the past eight years since overcoming Tokophobia (fear of childbirth) and becoming a parent myself. I offer bespoke childbirth preparation, birth trauma recovery support and parenting groups over the internet or face-to-face, in groups or individually.Thanks to grant funding through My Birth Support CIC, I seek to make this birth and parenting support affordable for all with further concessions for low-income families.Aileen White 07931 315551 Mark Harris  07725894452

Andrew Austin is one of my heroes in the NLP world, is among few trainers I would rush to train with if I was staring my NLP journey again. REALLY, if you haven't read his book The Rainbow Machine, and you have an interest in the model. read it:https://read.amazon.co.uk/kp/embed?asin=B07TY5NHVF&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_WA47DKX6J4VJ3KXKMS87https://23nlpeople.com Andrew T. Austin is a therapist with a background in Neurosurgery and Clinical Neurology as a registered nurse. This is his main website with well over 100 amazing articles on psychiatry, mental health, NLP, neurology and hypnotherapy which no one ever reads anymore because they are all on Facebook looking at cat pictures and arguing with complete strangers.With a private practice in West Sussex, England, Andrew has a specialist interested in the “schizophrenias” and anxiety and has been heavily influenced by the writings of notables such as R.D. Laing and Thomas Szasz.Very early in his nurse training, he began to first learn about hypnosis rather than attend lectures and soon joined a Qabalistic lodge in order to learn Ceremonial Magick and Qabalah. These days, Andrew T. Austin is no longer a nurse but is a Freemason, Oddfellow, a second-degree initiate of the Ordo Templi Orientis, a Discordian Pope and has been a member of a variety of other esoteric organisations. As of August 2020, he has been promoted to be Lord of the Principality of Sealand and clearly has too much free time on his hands.

BIOCarolyn is a mother, grandmother and midwife with qualifications in adult education, counselling, lactation, primary health care, reproductive and sexual health. She has been at the leading edge of midwifery practice and education for four decades. Now a midwifery lecturer at Griffith, having wide-ranging national and international experience in diverse settings, including commissioning and managing a quality award-winning stand-alone midwifery service in NSW, her work is well known. Her passion is strengthening midwifery and improving care for childbearing women, partners and babies; her focus is on the neurophysiological intersection of growth, development and relationships. Areas of interest include neuroscience, epigenetics, the Polyvagal Theory, Barker’s Theory, teamwork, social, emotional and spiritual intelligence, labour, birth, breastfeeding and attachment. She has researched, taught and written extensively on midwifery related subjects. A core aspect of Carolyn’s work is finding ways to optimise students' teamwork skills so midwives, women and families can thrive.Twitter @CarolynHastieBlog       Thinkbirth https://thinkbirth.blogspot.com/ResearchGate https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Carolyn-HastieGoogle Scholar https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=okc2hj0AAAAJ&hl=enAcademia  https://griffith.academia.edu/CarolynHastie?from_navbar=trueGriffith University Information page https://experts.griffith.edu.au/16316-carolyn-hastie/aboutMy PhD thesis A Participatory Action Research Project: Investigating a Structured, Whole-of-degree Approach to Developing Undergraduate Midwifery Students’ Teamwork Skills 

When Toni was pregnant, she wanted a homebirth. And Toni wanted to exclusively breastfeed.In the event, Toni ended up with an emergency C-section and struggled to breastfeed. After the birth, we both had one burning question:Could birth and infant feeding affect a child's long-term health?Our 10-year search for answers led us to interview some of the world's top professors and scientists.We made the film MICROBIRTH, wrote a book and have created the evidence-based courses found in MICROBIOME COURSES.Now we want to share what we have learned on this journey with you.Want to take a free course about the microbiome?Visit: Microbiomecourses.comhttps://microbirth.teachable.comWant to watch Toni’s award-winning film Microbirth?https://vimeo.com/ondemand/microbirthfilmWant to read Toni’s book The Microbiome Effect:https://www.pinterandmartin.com/the-microbiome-effect Research links to subjects discussed in our podcast discussion:Research into the idea of “faecal transplant” restoring the infant microbiome after Cesareanhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33007265/https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/fecal-transfer-from-moms-to-babies-after-c-section-trial-results-68012Research into vaginal/swab-seeding:https://www.nature.com/articles/nm.4039https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31696621/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7908762/https://www.webmd.com/baby/vaginal-seeding#1  

Work With MeHow it all began...I had been a midwife for 3 years when I found out I was pregnant in 2016, so I felt fully prepared for birth and motherhood (or so I thought). Unfortunately, my birth experience resulted in crippling postnatal anxiety and PTDS. This impacted me massively on a personal level and made my return to work when my son was 10 months old incredibly challenging.  Outwardly I was talking the talk and walking the walk (my background in performing arts served me well here!) but inwardly I was anxious, triggered on an almost daily basis and could not get away from the things which were triggering me the most – pregnancy and giving birth! I felt like a fraud. It took me 18 months to realise that my feelings were not going away.  It was quite a journey, but I am proof that there is a way to rediscover your passion, inner resilience and skyrocket your self-esteem. In spring 2020 whilst the world was in lockdown due to covid-19 I found my true emotional freedom! Qualifying as a certified emotional health coach and developing my 8-week coaching programme released me from so many negative beliefs, thinking styles and habits which were keeping me stuck in the past and preventing me from being the mother, Midwife and woman I wanted to be. I’ve worked in a variety of maternity settings over the last decade, striving to support women and birthing people and midwives to reach their potential and fulfil their dreams. After seeing it from both sides – being the new mother and the midwife trying to keep it all together, despite overwhelming emotional health issues, I am honoured I get to illuminate the way for others to experience their very own life-changing transformation.  Interesting facts about meI am a proud member of Progress Theatre.  We’re a group of (mostly) midwives who use performance and workshops to explore familiar situations from the world of midwifery to inspire honest discussions, personal reflection and positive cultural change. I am an avid menstrual cycle charter and monologist.  Living and working cyclically allows me to be more productive, creative and aware of my body and its own rhythm. It’s really changed my life!I couldn’t live without Tea – I like it really strong too!My name is Radha and my vision is to support every midwife to have a second chance at the career she dreamed of before she qualified. To help every midwife find the confidence to sparkle, embrace her autonomy and retune her intuition. Midwife Sparkle Method Programmehttps://radhawilsonjeffries.co.uk/about/My signature 1:1 8 week Midwife Sparkle Method Programme is for you if you’re ready to take the next step to:Feel comfortable in your own skinThrive under pressure Stop worrying what other people think of youStop needing validation from others that you are doing well or are good enough Be able to switch off at night and stop overthinking thingsEnjoy healthy work/life boundariesFeel calm, in control and self-assured stop self-doubt and negative self-talkrelease negative emotions and start to look forward to a future of clarity, focus and positivity fall in love all over again with midwifery and find the joy in your lifeSessions are 1 hour per week held virtually over Zoom. There are also short self-directed reflective activities for you to complete in-between sessions to help you consolidate your progress.  

The death doula aka Alexandra Derwen speaks of their transition to a non-binary way of being.https://sacred-circle.org/about/what-is-a-cic/Alexandra lives and works in Snowdonia, North Wales as a birth keeper, end-of-life doula, healer, spiritual counsellor and independent minister and ceremonialist. Their introduction to working in service of the Soul began young; Their father died when they were 14 and intuitively Alexandra knew how to midwife his soul; this early encounter with death and the reassurance of what they are experienced beyond the veil sparked their spiritual quest through Buddhism, past life regression, Reiki, image work, training as a yoga and meditation teacher, yoga scripture, Sufism, shamanic practice and working with ancestral voices and soul clearance before training as an interfaith minister and spiritual counselor.In recent years Alexandra was surprised and delighted to be asked to attend friends’ births and so they trained with Nicola Goodall of Red Tent Doula Preparation. Amazed from the outset at how the issues so often encountered in their journeys with people to and through death are paralleled in our birth experiences and also sensing a Homecoming and sacred recognition of that ancient midwife archetype Alexandra felt they had found a community to which they completely and utterly belonged.  As the death and birth work has interwoven a key area of focus for Alexandra has been on grief and working with grief as a pathway to healing and joy.

Independent Clinical Psychology and CBT PracticeDr Rebecca Knowles Bevis (PhD, DClinPsy, CPsychol, AFBPsS)Rebecca is a clinical psychologist with over 12 years experience of working in the NHS with people who are experiencing a wide range of emotional difficulties. She holds additional qualifications in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mentalisation-based treatment (MBT) and has undertaken post-qualification training in cognitive analytic therapy (CAT), schema-focused therapy (SFT) and compassion-focused therapy (CFT). In her evidence-based practise, she draws on a range of therapeutic models according to the particular needs and preferences of each client. Rebecca is highly skilled in the assessment and treatment of psychological difficulties. She has a special interest in perinatal psychology, and the particular issues faced by expectant and new parents from conception through to the end of the first year after the birth of a baby. Rebecca is passionate about working with new families and supporting people with the transitions into parenthood. She is also a birth doula, who works with couples and families through pregnancy and birth. I am an experienced Clinical Psychologist and Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist. If you are struggling with emotional, behavioural or relationship difficulties, I am able to offer you flexible, compassionate and collaborative treatment to help you resolve problems and increase your sense of wellbeing. There are many different ways to address psychological issues, and I will work with you to find the approach, or combination of approaches, that suits you.I encourage your active involvement at every stage of treatment, and I will provide a safe and supportive environment within which you can take on both the challenges and the rewards of therapy.http://psychologyoxfordshire.co.uk

Understanding the Barriers to Men Seeking Help for Depression: Comparing Fathers and Non-FathersBefore agreeing to take part in this research study, please read the below information to ensure you understand why the research is being carried out, and what it would involve for you. If you have any questions about the research or would like further information please contact Megan Reay at megan.reay@hmc.ox.ac.uk  What is the purpose of the research? Approximately 10% of new fathers will experience postnatal depression, yet in the UK men are not routinely included in NHS perinatal mental health services. This project aims to understand help-seeking behaviour amongst fathers with paternal depression to allow services to better support men to access the help they need. It will compare help-seeking intentions, barriers to help-seeking, and level of depression between men with depression in the postnatal period, and men with depression at another time of life.Can I take part in the research? We are aiming to recruit 102 men who have experienced depression in the past 24 months, 51 whose partner has given birth in the past 24 months, and another 51 men who do not have a partner that has given birth in the past 24 months. By ‘depression’ we mean men who have experienced at least one of the following nearly every day for a period of at least two weeks:  Feeling sad, empty, hopeless or tearful  A loss of interest or pleasure in activities  As well as at least three of the following: increased aggression or irritabilitychanges in weight or appetite (eating too much or too little)difficulties sleeping (either sleeping too much or too little)trouble concentratingfeeling as if your body is moving slower or faster than usualfeeling worthlessfeeling guiltythoughts of suicide or self-harmAll men wishing to take part must also be at least 18 years old and able to read and write in English. Men with a history of a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are not able eligible to take part in this research.  http://bit.ly/OxFathersMH

Ria Oliva: Speaks openly about her three very different birth experiences. In this interview, she explores, with us, the journey she has been on from working as an events coordinator to founding The Simple Birth Company, More about Ria:I’m Ria Oliver, the owner of The Simple Birth Company and creator of the Positive Birth Mindset & Hypnobirthing Programme. As the birth mindset coach, I utilise my skills as a hypnobirthing practitioner, neuro-linguistic programmer, birth trauma resolution practitioner and women’s emotional wellbeing specialist to help new and expectant parents prepare positively for birth and/or find emotional freedom in postpartum life.I specialised in dealing with clients with pre or postnatal birth-related fear and anxiety. I created my signature Positive Birth Mindset & Hypnobirthing Programme to help my antenatal clients acknowledge and overcome their fears at a subconscious level.  I help new and expectant mums re-frame previous negative experiences, identify the root of their fears, and acknowledge and alleviate anxieties to build confidence, positive birth expectancy, and emotional resilience. The reason that I teach hypnobirthing, wellbeing and birth preparation is simple – I’m a mum too, and I know the impact birth has when it doesn’t go to plan, and I also know the impact it has when birth does go to plan and the mental load that we mothers carry.I am a mum to two of my own Hypno-birthed babies, Fletcher (5 years) and Finley (3 years) and Autumn, who was born in September 2020, and we live in the rural town of Letchworth in Hertfordshire.  I started my own hypnobirthing journey in 2015 when I fell pregnant with my first child.  My husband Michael and I signed up for local hypnobirthing classes, which enabled us to prepare for and genuinely look forward to the birth of our first child and feel like we were bringing him into this world together, team. I went on to birth my son Fletcher in February 2016. While we encountered some unexpected and fairly major complications (baby was malpositioned, causing lack of descent, heart rate deceleration, episiotomy plus a natural tear, suction cup delivery and postpartum haemorrhage), I still had a really positive birth experience.I know many people would wince at that birth story. Still, I credit hypnobirthing and emotional well-being, enabling me to stay calm and relaxed despite the changes and challenges I faced.  So much of my experience was down to the fact that I felt listened to, respected, in control, and I had tools and knowledge to fall back on when I needed to make different choices.https://thesimplebirthcompany.com

Shane has recently become a Dad to a little boy called Ezra (9 months old) The whole experience of pregnancy, labour and postpartum was very eye-opening from the struggle, sacrifice and pressure a Mother goes through, particularly in the postpartum period. In addition to the lack of support for Dad's in terms of proper insolvent like breastfeeding, hypnobirthing, postpartum care etc. and support for understanding the Mother's perspective.Having a system in place for Dad alongside Mam will have such an amazing impact on the family dynamic and also children's development Shane decided to train as a Postpartum Doula (the 1st and only male in Ireland). He set up an Instagram page and podcast giving advice on how to understand the Mother's perspective more, be a good Dad & Partner and maintain good health. Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedadpal/Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedadpalEmail: thedadpal@gmail.comProduced by Mark Harris 

Emma Rosen and her husband live in Kent and have three adorable children and a silly dog. After ten years as a biology teacher, Emma now works full time as a writer, with particular interests in marine ecology, early parenting and independent publishing. She has degrees in marine biology and education. Emma is passionate about breastfeeding support and volunteers as a peer supporter at a local group. When she’s not writing or relaxing with her family, Emma makes YouTube videos, spends time by the sea and sings in a band.Sartain Publishing Ltd is the company I formed to publish my books.When choosing a name for my publishing company, I wanted something suitable for a book of any genre or subject. 'Sartain' is my maiden name, so I see this as a lovely way to include the name my family gave me in my writing career (I publish using my married surname, Rosen).I asked my friend Pete Glass if he had time to play around with a logo for me. In no time at all, he came back with this logo (from a scribbled sketch I did for him), which I'm extremely pleased with!At this time, Sartain Publishing Ltd exists solely to publish my own books. However, in the future, I hope to expand this.http://emmarosenbooks.co.uk/sartain-publishing/

Sally PezaroDr, PhD, RM, BA (Hons), MSc, PgCAPHE, FHEA, FRCMAssociate, Research Centre for Arts, Memory and CommunitiesLecturer, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5767-0708BiographyDr Sally Pezaro is a Fellow of the Royal College of Midwives (FRCM) and a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panellist with clinical as well as research and teaching experience. Dr Pezaro is also a mentor to Mary Seacole Leadership Awardees, coach to the Council of Deans of Health #150Leaders, and the Nursing Now Challenge ‘Midwifery Champion’. Dr Pezaro has experience working as a midwife clinically in the United Kingdom, the Gambia and Ethiopia. Reflecting on her own experiences, Dr Pezaro ensures that her work, now in research and academia remains challenge led. With a keen interest in supporting that childbearing with hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), Dr Pezaro is the lead midwife for www.hEDSTogether.com and an invited member of the Ehlers-Danlos Society's International Consortium.  Check out the blog The Academic Midwife for information about how you can participate in Dr Pezaro's current research project: https://sallypezaro.wordpress.com/publications/

Adam GlennonAdam is a writer and a stay at home dad. Read what he writes about himself below:Many moons ago, I began writing down my thoughts and feelings because I was desperate for a good nights sleep. I needed a way to move the thoughts from my mind, which were a little dark at the time, as far away from my tired head as possible. I won’t bore you with the details, but long story short, it came out as poetry at the time. No idea why. Simple rhyming kind of stuff that touched on adult themes like drugs and spirituality. I was trying to figure out who I was supposed to be. What I wanted from life and where I was going. The usual stuff I think most people deal with once they hit their twenties. And for whatever reason, it came out in poetry form.I had and continue to have very little interest in poetry, but I’m grateful. Poetry led to studying at university, something I never thought possible, prose writing, scripts, blogs, articles and a passion for creative writing and creative thinking, which might never have been realised if I hadn’t given it a go. I don’t think you need my life story here; it’s easy to get to know me through my writing. Let’s focus on why this website exists and what its purpose is.As you write, essentially, you should develop a voice. It’s like a signature of your work that identifies it as yours. It includes a certain style, a beat, that resonates with the reader and hopefully encourages them to continue reading. Even if it’s dealing with a difficult subject. I’ve been working towards my voice for years now. I’ve tried many styles, genres and themes, but for the time being, my primary focus is on writing creative non-fiction about my life as a parent, see Why Do They Always Shout? on the home page, and through memoir pieces from childhood, see Creative Non-Fiction. The parenting stuff tends to be light and funny because parenting is hard enough, we need a laugh, and the creative non-fiction can be whatever it needs to be, depending on the content.You will find sample chapters from my upcoming book by clicking Why Do They Always Shout? on the homepage. I don’t believe you need children to enjoy the work. It’s also about relationships and many others things, so don’t be put off thinking it’s some parenting manual. It most definitely is not. No advice or guidance. Certainly not intentional. It’s funny. You’ll laugh. Probably. Hopefully. Please go and have a read and let me know in the comments. Good or bad. I can take it.As well as writing, I’ve always been passionate about teaching creative writing. Especially to those people who don’t believe they can. https://aglennonwrites.wordpress.com/who-am-i/Music by James Mann (https://music.amazon.com/artists/B095D8PF5L/code-dreamer)

Alexandra lives and works in Snowdonia, North Wales as a birth keeper, end of life doula, healer, spiritual counsellor and independent minister and ceremonialist. Their introduction to working in service of the Soul began young; their father died when they were 14 and intuitively Alexandra knew how to midwife his soul; this early encounter with death and the reassurance of what they experienced beyond the veil sparked their spiritual quest through Buddhism, past life regression, Reiki, image work, training as a yoga and meditation teacher, yoga scripture, Sufism, shamanic practice and working with ancestral voices and soul clearance before training as an interfaith minister and spiritual counsellor.In recent years Alexandra was surprised and delighted to be asked to attend friends’ births and so they trained with Nicola Goodall of Red Tent Doula Preparation. Amazed from the outset at how the issues so often encountered in her journeys with people to and through death are paralleled in our birth experiences and also sensing a Homecoming and sacred recognition of that ancient midwife archetype Alexandra felt they had found a community to which they completely and utterly belonged.  As the death and birth work has interwoven a key area of focus for Alexandra has been on grief and working with grief as a pathway to healing and joy.https://sacred-circle.org

Our guest in today’s program is Mark Williams who has been awarded “Inspirational Father of the Year” at the Pride of Britain awards. This is impressive enough but it also shows how far he has come since the birth of his son Ethan in 2004.Mark a miners son and going through the miner's strike with his family in the Bridgend Valleys left school at 15 and was later diagnosed with ADHD at 40 after his breakdown. He struggled in school but found a youth club at the age of 8 years of age and went on to be a National Champion where he found his confidence. Mark has had a journey that will inspire you and that when you are rock bottom there is only one way to go and that is up. While having speech therapy and scared to speak on his school stage, now have spoken around the World at many conferences.In hindsight, Mark recognises that he had experienced a condition long recognised in mothers, that of post-natal depression.The problem at the time was that Mark felt he could not speak to anyone about his stressful condition and ultimately it led to a breakdown. There is still a stigma attaching to men admitting that they have post-natal depression and this makes them reluctant to seek help or even talk to their friends and loved ones about it.Eventually, Mark was put on medication and took a course of cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness which turned things around. Now Mark and Michelle are closer than ever as a couple and have a fantastic bond with their son. Mark wants to get the message out about the condition and the help available.Perinatal mental health issues may arise in the final months of pregnancy and for up to six months after the birth. Today it is estimated that one father in three experiences post-natal depression. In Britain, the estimate by the National Childbirth Trust is that 73% of new fathers worry about their partner’s mental health while 38% worry about their own mental health. Mark is committed to raising awareness of mental health issues for fathers and has already spoken at over 100 conferences and events. Mark has delivered workshops and training around the UK and has recently visited Australia before taking his message to New Zealand, the USA and Canada.We caught up with Mark while he was attending the biennial International Marcé Society Conference in Melbourne. The conference was titled “Frontiers in Perinatal Mental Health – Looking to the Future”. Mark gives us the message from his presentation to this distinguished audience.Mark WilliamsAfter a career in sales management and training, Mark Williams became involved in the mental health sector after his wife Michelle experience with postnatal depression/birth trauma and his own experience with depression following the birth of his child. Mark is the founder of Fathers Reaching Out.Modern Masculinity: new dads in lockdown: 'I had a real feeling of inadequacy' – video | Society | The GuardianFathers' Mental Health Report by Mark Williams - Future Men % %Daddy Blues (2021) - IMDbNHS England » Involving and supporting partners and other family members in specialist perinatal mental health services: good practice guide

Steven KennedyAfter the traumatic birth of his son, Steven became a childbirth educator and has worked with hundreds of fathers and couples over the past three years.  His work has been published in the Australian Midwifery News and has featured in Health Times Magazine and the Australian Men's Health Forum.  He has conducted webinars for The Fathering Project, the Australian Doula College and has twice been interviewed for the Pregnancy Birth and Beyond podcast.   Steven founded the PREPARE Foundation and Birthing Dads to raise awareness of the positive impact that supportive partners can have in maternity care if they themselves are informed and supported. Contacts and resources from BirthingDads:https://birthingdads.org/advanced-programhttps://www.instagram.com/birthingdads/https://www.facebook.com/birthingdadsOther links:  https://www.birthtime.worldBECOME A BETTER DAD TODAY - BD ADVANCED PROGRAMhttps://birthingdads.org/mediaThis 9 part program (4 Hrs) is the most comprehensive of its kind anywhere in the world.  It covers all you need to know about pregnancy, birth and early parenting.  IntroductionPerinatal HormonesBack YourselfBuilding Birth ConfidencePregnancy SupportBirth SupportAdvocacyPerinatal FatherhoodManaging Expectations 

Shellie PoulterI am a doula, bodyworker, hypnobirthing practitioner and educator. I am passionate about supporting families to have the birthing experience that feels right for them. Babies who are born into a loving environment, to birth givers who feel cared for, supported and heard, are beginning their lives in a space of confidence, security and love. Giving them the best possible start in their journey to becoming the wonderful humans they are destined to be. As a doula, I provide emotional and physical support and help with evidence-based information to promote care for each birthing person as an individual. Birth is the birth of a parent, a family, as well as the birth of a baby. You will remember your birth strongly for the rest of your life, so it is a time worth investing in, to make it the most wonderful experience possible and doulas can definitely help you to do this.Before I became a doula, I studied and then taught at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine, so I come from biomechanics, medical background, as well as one of compassionate support for birthing people, their families and the team caring for them.I am a firm believer in the huge benefits of non-violent communication in making the birthing space more safe and wonderful for everyone and I teach courses about communicating as well as about birthing biomechanics. Web: www.theserenitydoula.co.ukEmail: theserenitydoula@gmail.comInstagram and facebook: @theserenitydoulaThe Doula Association: https://www.thedoulaassociation.org/An Outline of Shellie's Training Course:A chance to explore the anatomy and mechanics of birth and how we can help with positions and techniques. When to use them, how and why.This is a course for doulas to understand how the baby and birthing person interact during pregnancy and labour, how the muscles, ligaments and bony pelvis interact and can influence the course of birth and what we can do as doulas to help if labour is stalling, slowing down or very uncomfortable. There is plenty of chance to practice techniques, understand when to use them and why.If you have ever felt you wish you could have done more for a client during a challenging birth, this course will give you lots of ideas as to how you can help.What will be covered in this course:The Bony Anatomy of the PelvisThe Ligamentous Anatomy of the Pelvis and UterusThe Muscular Anatomy of the PelvisUnderstanding Station, Rotation and OrientationTerminology of Birth - What is Used and What it MeansUseful Advice For Pregnancy & Optimal PositioningTechniques to help When Labour is Not ProgressingTips to Recognise where the Baby is and How to HelpPositions, Techniques, Massage, HarmonicsHow to Use Techniques Safely and at The Right TimeWhy Biomechanics is Important and HelpfulEmpowering Choice and Freedom of Movement in the Birth SpacePositions that Help at Different Labour Stages and WhyPositions that Hinder at Different Labour Stages and WhyAvoiding Cultural Misappropriation and Ethical SourcingAdaptations of Techniques e.g With Epidural