Pregnancy and Babies

• Are you pregnant, or would you like to be?
• Is your back aching but you don’t want to take drugs?
• Are you overdue & wondering what might help?
• Are you anxious about the birth?
• Is your baby suffering with colic, difficulty sleeping or feeding?

At Stillpoint several therapists offer appropriate treatment & support during pregnancy, for childbirth, induction of labour, the postnatal period, for ailments of babies and young children, or for help with infertility.

Courses

Mindful Mama Birth Classes: Louise Richards
Saturdays – 31 March, 28 April, 2 June 2012
10am – 4.30pm

A relaxing and inspiring 6 hour birth preparation class for pregnant women and their birth partners, which explores how your state of mind during birth can affect your body and your baby. www.mindfulmamma.co.uk
Louise is a clinical hypnotherapist and life coach who specialises in supporting women and their partners with fertility, pregnancy and birth.
More information: www.louiserichards.com
or email Louise louiserichardshypnotherapy@gmail.com

Hypnobirthing class : Lucy Atkinson
Monday evenings
April course 4 evenings 6.30-9.30pm
May course   5 evenings 7.00-9.30pm
A complete birth education programme teaching simple but specific self-hypnosis practice to help you remain in control of your birth, without the fear & tension that prevents the birthing muscles from functioning as nature intended. Learn why your body does what it does as well as how.
Includes a book, CD, handouts and on-going phone and email support up to and after the birth.
For more information see Lucy’s website
or contact her on 07969 247 928 or email lucy@hypnobirthingsheffield.co

BabyCalm classes :  Lucy Atkinson
Wednesday afternoons 1:00pm – 3:00pm
commencing 18 January 2012

This unique 4 week BabyCalm course aims to empower new parents to raise their baby with confidence. BabyCalm classes help you to understand how to calm your baby’s crying, avoid colic and aid restful sleep, whilst also trusting in your ability to be your own expert. We turn crying babies and stressed parents into calmer babies and happier parents!
Having been a teacher for many years, Lucy is now a qualified Hypnotherapist and HypnoBirth practitioner. She is a member of the Sheffield Maternity Forum and Antenatal Forum.

For more information see Lucy’s website
or contact her on 07969 247 928 or email lucy@babycalm.co.uk
Further details about BabyCalm

Therapies

Acupuncture : Simon Brooks | Jo Moon

Acupuncture has a significant supporting role to play in the treatment of women throughout all stages of pregnancy, including the first trimester. It is particularly helpful for the relief of morning sickness and the lethargy which is so common, especially in the earlier months.
Chinese medicine has long been aware of the importance of a woman’s health during this time, and aims to keep it at an optimum level by balancing her vital energy, or Qi.
When labour is overdue, acupuncture can be very a very effective method of inducing its onset. Simon and Jo are experienced in the use of acupuncture inductions, with considerable success.
In addition, acupuncture is increasingly being used for helping with infertility/sub-fertility. The reasons for this condition are many, and the holistic approach of acupuncture (often alongside western medical treatment), has proven to be of great benefit.

Carolyn Lindsay (see below) is a physiotherapist who specialises in women’s health. She also uses Acupuncture within her physiotherapy practice to support women during pregnancy.

Alexander Technique : Kathryn Charlton

It’s not what you do, it’s the way that you do it! Learning this technique helps a woman to understand and cope with the many bodily changes that occur during pregnancy.
It will enable her to adjust as her centre of gravity changes, teach her how to move, lie and sit more comfortably, and how to release her pelvic floor and work with gravity during labour.
For more details visit www.alexandertechnique.com/articles/pregnancy

Cranial Osteopathy : Lisa Halse

Lisa is experienced in treating babies and small children with this very gentle therapy.
Birth is one of the most stressful events of our lives! Though the baby is subject to enormous forces as it travels down the birth canal, the head has the remarkable ability to absorb these stresses in a normal delivery, and un-moulds itself in the first few days as the baby suckles, cries and yawns. However, particularly if the birth has been prolonged or difficult, this process may not be complete and the baby may be living with some uncomfortable stresses within its head and body.
Excessive crying, feeding difficulties, sickness, colic or sleep disturbances may be expressions of this. In older children, repeated infections, sinus problems, headaches, behavioural or learning difficulties may occur.
Osteopathic treatment using the cranial approach is very gentle, safe and effective. Specific gentle pressure is applied where necessary to enable the inherent healing ability of the body to effect the release of stresses.

Craniosacral Therapy : Raewyn Morrison & Isobel Stevenson

Craniosacral therapy developed out of Cranial Osteopathy and can be used in the same way. Its gentleness makes it especially suitable for treating children and easing some of the physical discomforts of pregnancy.

Herbal Medicine : Natalia Williams

Herbal Medicine can help to enhance the fertility of both partners through nurturing the reproductive and general health of both partners. Herbs can also help to maintain a healthy pregnancy, sustaining the mother’s good physical and psychological health by strengthening the nervous system, supporting resilience to stress, and optimising absorption of nutrients.

Hypnotherapy : Louise Richards

Hypnotherapy can support you in trying for a baby naturally or with fertility treatment, helping to reduce your stress levels and restore your emotional wellbeing. Hypnotherapy can help you to feel empowered, and to deeply relax at those critical times when the body is prepared for conception. It is easy to despair of ever having a baby, but hypnotherapy can promote a positive and hopeful mindset. It can also help you come to terms with infertility.
Louise specialises in supporting women and their partners with fertility, pregnancy and birth. She also runs Mindful Mama birth preaparation classes, (see above).

Massage in Pregnancy : Rochelle Clark | Carolyn Lindsay

Rochelle Clark is a qualified midwife and Therapeutic Massage practitioner. She specialises in massage during pregnancy and in the postnatal period, integrating traditional massage with Shiatsu techniques.
Sessions may also include breathing, visualisation and relaxation techniques, and exercises for strengthening abdominal, pelvic floor and postural muscles.
Her treatment can relieve aches and tensions, prepare your body for labour and birth, and promote postnatal recovery.
Regular massage treatments throughout pregnancy can significantly improve the likelihood of having a normal labour and birth close to term. (Though of course there is nothing like babies for unpredictability!)
The massage encourages bonding & communication with your growing baby, and there is also the opportunity for the birth partner to learn massage skills for labour.
This massage can also be a nurturing, healing support for women who are experiencing post-natal depression. It offers women a space without judgement in which to rest the mind and be gently supported in re-connecting with themselves.

Carolyn Lindsay is a physiotherapist specialising in women’s health and has specialist training in massage therapy during pregnancy. As well as specific treatment such as working on joint or muscle problems, pelvic floor symptoms, stretching scar tissue & reducing swelling, massage also promotes wider psychological & physical benefits.
Through its influence on the nervous system it can decrease muscle tension and spasm providing relaxation and stress reduction. For women juggling busy lives massage also offers important ‘me time’ and a chance to focus inwards and let go.
It is safe to receive massage at any stage of pregnancy. It can provide a one-off pampering opportunity, or regular sessions can help the body to cope with the many changes and adaptations that pregnancy brings. In the postnatal period it can support the body in returning to balance and shape.
Acupressure techniques enable a woman or her birth partner to learn a drug-free aid for pain relief during labour, which studies have shown to be effective.

McTimoney Chiropractic :Isobel Stevenson | Alana Edwards
Kinesiology: Isobel Stevenson

These therapies are helpful in gently realigning and rebalancing the musculoskeletal structures to ease aches and pains during pregnancy.
They can also be used effectively to balance the spine, pelvic bones & muscles, which form part of the birth canal.
Techniques within Kinesiology may be used to help with emotions connected with an inability to conceive, to release fears or anxieties around giving birth, or any related issues.

Physiotherapy in pregnancy: Carolyn Lindsay

Carolyn is a physiotherapist who specialises on Women’s health. Manual techniques can help restore symmetry & normal movement to your joints. Additionally postural correction and advice on fitness and exercise can help you to maintain normal activities during pregnancy and return to them after the birth.
Antenatal advice includes positioning and breathing for labour, whilst postnatal treatment can help stretched or separated abdominal muscles, pelvic floor rehabilitation or recovery from a caesarean section.
Carolyn has particular experience in treating back or hip pain, sciatica & pelvic girdle pain (formerly known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction or SPD)

Psychotherapy : Ginny Bennett | Vicky Gaughan | Vena Hanson | Carolyn Lawson

Our psychotherapists are also skilled at helping people with difficult emotions associated with conceiving, miscarriages, giving birth, and previous pregnancies or deliveries.