Having your first baby

Two woman I know have just given birth.  Both are struggling with the adjustment to having a new baby.  The first thing I tell them is that it is normal to worry and they have to be aware of the changes their bodies are going through during the "readjustment" of shape and hormones.  The second is the sleep deprivation.  Labour alone can be exhausting, but wanting to stay awake after the birth when you should be sleeping adds to the feeling that this is so hard.  You need to rest when your baby is resting and you need to ask for help when you need it.  Everything else can wait.

New parents also need to realise the adjustment to your new baby takes a few months, not a few days.  It gets easier and easier as you learn your babies cries and get advice from your home visitors from the NHS.  One woman's baby had a lot of wind, so she was shown a technique to help the baby feel more comfortable. This was by rotating the legs from the outside in a circular motion and then pushing the legs towards the stomach so the knees bend. Somehow it helps to release trapped wind.

Tips like this can make a world of difference, but you would only learn that if you asked for their help on what to do.

And lastly, trust your instincts.  Ask yourself what it is you need and follow the reply, whether it is food, sleep or a break.  Then get it from your partner, friends or family.

Enjoy your precious time with your new gift.

Hot Yoga and Pregnancy

I think yoga (and other exercise) is so important for helping have an easier pregnancy and birthing experience. Cherie Lathey, SYT, the director of Yoga Mama Ltd, shared with me an article regarding hot yoga and pregnancy.

I hope you find it helpful and informative. Sharing is caring!

Smoking while pregnant

I thought the article in Metro on 24th March by Tom Wilkinson was amazing. You don't need any more motivation than to watch the clip.



The harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy on unborn babies may be seen in tiny movements on their faces using 4D ultrasound scans, new research has found. Pregnant women have long been urged to give up cigarettes because they heighten the risk of premature birth, respiratory problems and even cot death.

Well done Dutchess of Cambridge for choosing hypnobirthing

It is so wonderful for Kate to raise the profile for hypnobirthing. It is such a natural process to give birth so why not make the whole process natural?

I am sure you have all read the reports and know why it is a great way to have a baby but just to remind you of the benefits:

Benefits of Hypnobirthing

• Manage any discomfort through powerful breathing techniques
• Reduces fear, tension and discomfort and thus naturally increase discomfort threshold
• Learn relaxation techniques that will help your body to work the way it is designed to
• Learn how to put yourself in control of your birth - rather than blindly turning your birthing experience over to your doctor or midwife
• Less medication and chemical anaesthesia is needed as muscles thin and open easily
• Hypnosis shortens the first stage of delivery by approximately 3 – 4 hours for mothers delivery their babies. For subsequent deliveries, it is not unusual for them to be as quick as 60-120 minutes long
• Learn visualization techniques that can help your body to do what it wants to do
• Allow your mind and body to work together in harmony
• Experience the pleasures of birth rather than the negative experiences you may have heard from others
• Release worries and concerns you may have about birth
• Enables mother to go into “hypnotic relaxation” if unable to sleep between feeds
• Raises resistance to fatigue during delivery thus minimizing maternal exhaustion
• Encourages the production of milk
• Decreases “post natal blues” and speed recovery
• Use the endorphin release to increase your body's natural anaesthetic – a much safer option than relying on pharmaceuticals and other drugs

Our achievements in 2012

2012 has been a great year. We have had the London Olympics, which saw a huge success for Team GB and - why not - Team USA  (best of both worlds). It has also been a year that has seen our business take some very positive steps forward.

At the start of the year, our website was redesigned. We love it! If you haven't seen it, take a look and see what you think.

We continue to work at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy, located in the Putneymead Medical Centre (one of London's largest GP practices offering NHS and private care). Clive Lathey and his team continue to offer the best all-round care you need including physiotherapy, osteopathy, nutrition, acupuncture, podiatry and more. Parkside Hospital is also located in the Centre. Visit their website for more details.

We have also started practising at Bodies Under Construction Physiotherapy in Chiswick. They have an outstanding multidisciplinary service and are located in the Riverside Club. For details of the services they provide, visit their website.

We have also established links with other companies we admire and respect and have placed them on our "We Recommend" page.

The benefits of hypnobirthing classes

Marygrace Anderson is now offering hypnobirthing classes at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy.

The benefits of hypnobirthing include:

• Manage any discomfort through powerful breathing techniques. 
• Reduces fear, tension and discomfort, thus naturally increasing discomfort threshold. 
• Learn relaxation techniques that will help your body to work the way it is designed to. 
• Learn how to put yourself in control of your birth, rather than blindly turning your birthing experience over to your doctor or midwife. 
• Less medication and chemical anaesthesia is needed as muscles thin and open easily. 
• Hypnosis shortens the first stage of delivery by approximately 3 – 4 hours for mother's delivering their babies. For subsequent deliveries, it is not unusual for them to be as quick as 60 - 120 minutes long. 
• Learn visualisation techniques that can help your body to do what it wants to do.
• Allow your mind and body to work together in harmony. 
• Experience the pleasures of birth rather than the negative experiences you may have heard from others. 
• Release worries and concerns you may have about birth. 
• Enables mother to go into "hypnotic relaxation" if unable to sleep between feeds. 
• Raises resistance to fatigue during delivery thus minimizing maternal exhaustion. 
• Encourages the production of milk. Decreases "post natal blues" and speeds up recovery.
• Use the endorphin release to increase your body's natural anaesthetic; a much safer option than relying on pharmaceuticals and other drugs.

For more information contact 07931 547414 or email mghypnosis@aol.com or call the Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy on 020 8789 3881.