Good Enough Mama - Birthing & Baby

Sarah Harcombe does amazing work as both a Breastfeeding Counsellor and Bowen Therapist. See her in pregnancy or postnatally.

This week is the 12 year anniversary of me becoming a breastfeeding counsellor 🎉🎉🎉.
In this time I have supported hundreds of women and babies working through breastfeeding difficulties, trained other mums to enable them to provide breastfeeding peer support, and volunteered at the local breastfeeding support group, Nourish .
If you are finding breastfeeding difficult and would like some support, please DM and we can work together to help you achieve your breastfeeding goals.

Just a couple of spaces left on my next term (1 March - 5 April) of holistic birthing classes starting on Tuesday evening at Staplegrove Village Hall. I have 8 years experience running empowering classes locally (check out my reviews). Come and learn hypnobirthing breathing, active birth movement, and meet others who are pregnant. You will leave feeling much calmer and more prepared for birth ☺️

Online booking: https://www.goodenoughmama.co.uk/birthing-classes

As well as being an amazing midwife, Elly Copp can help with so much before and after birth.

Rebozo : I work with these Mexican shawls called rebozo in pregnancy and after a birth . They are brilliant and in pregnancy have multiple advantages : they help to calm and relax , to stay in connection with your baby and to help baby move into the best position for a smooth birth . It’s good to start using a rebozo from the start of the third trimester .
After the birth I wrap with them which is not only extremely comforting but helps support the back and pelvis which took the strain when carrying the baby or babies.
I have worked With mums of all ages , it doesn’t matter when you had the baby. ,the pelvis will feel better after the wrapping which is also called bone closing .
It is an amazing thing to experience . I have worked with mums who had induction , epidural , twins , c section IVF and mums who have adopted children . It is especially helpful when a mum feels shocked or traumatised by her birth , had a previous miscarriage or baby who died . It helps honour the body and the baby who is not here . If a mum lost a lot of blood had a big tear or struggled with feeding she can feel better too . No mum is exempt
Do get in touch to find out how I can help you .

This is one of the main reasons why I do what I do… everyone should be able to make truly informed choices about their birth.

I can help you have a better birth experience with tools, techniques and evidence to help you navigate the system.

New term of Holistic Birthing Classes coming up on 7 Dec and Active Hypnobirthing Workshop on Sat 11 Dec.

https://www.goodenoughmama.co.uk/birthing

It is utterly devastating to see these figures in black and white, but sadly it comes as no surprise. I have been in the birth world as a Midwife, Doula, Hypnobirthing Teacher and as pregnant and birthing women for 27 years and I'm not going to pretend it's ever been ok. The level of intervention back in the 90's when I trained as a Midwife and again in 2010 when I hung up my Midwife's uniform were high, in fact it was a key reason in me leaving the profession that I adored.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But these statistics go beyond anything we have ever previously witnessed and it's shocking. In 2020-21 less than half of women & birthing people went into labour spontaneously and there was NO significant reduction in adverse outcomes.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Hearing these statistics has floored me, as I sit here close to tears I wonder how the f---k do we come back from this. How are we failing women and babies in such a catastrophic way.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As a Midwife I can with deep regret recognise that I was complicit, I was part of a system that was controlled by obstetrics, I was in no way an 'Independent Practitioner'. As Midwives, and yes even during the horrendous crisis in Midwifery, we have got to reclaim birth. We have got to take it back. We have got to start to question what has become normal practice, we have to give women their voice, we have to listen, we have to advocate, we have to empower and support.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As an antenatal educator I have to shout louder, I have to scream from the rooftops that you are powerful, strong capable, your body, your baby, your decisions ... every bloody one of them. I will point you in the right direction of accurate evidence based information and I will never stop sharing that birth is incredible and so are you. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As a pregnant woman, I needed to take ownership of my own experience, I needed to get educated and informed, I need to ask questions and then ask some more.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Together, we must take birth back.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Wendy x

Is your baby due early next year? The time to prepare for your birth is now!

Feel calmer and more in control about your upcoming birth and make lasting local friendships.

Join me for this 6 week Holistic Birthing programme (7 Dec - 25 Jan with a break for Christmas).

Sessions include:
… antenatal education
… hypnobirth breathing and relaxation
… active birth movement

You will leave feeling far more confident and empowered about your birth, knowing how best to navigate the system and work with your body to have as positive an experience as possible.

Classes are for pregnant women / birthing people only, however I also run workshops to include birth partners. The next one is on Sat 11 Dec (please message me for details or see the website).

Online booking: https://www.goodenoughmama.co.uk/birthing-classes

I can help you have a more positive birth experience.
Ali xx

Pregnancy Yoga Antenatal Classes in Taunton A 6 week course to feel calmer and more confident about your birth. Holistic birthing classes combining active birth education, pregnancy yoga, and hypnobirth breathing.

Some people think I’m anti-induction, but that’s not true.

My friend Jenny had her labour induced, and I’m delighted. It was absolutely the right decision for her, and for many other women too.

What I’m ‘anti’ is the way that more and more women are being pushed into induction without good reason, and without being given good information about the pros and cons, risks and benefits, so that they – like Jenny – can decide whether or not it’s right for them.

What I wrote in my book was this:

“I’m not anti-induction.

I’m anti using limited and cherry-picked evidence and deceptive claims about risk to try to persuade entire groups of women to hand over control of their bodies and undergo intervention in the name of safety when the recommendations aren’t based on good science or an understanding of the wider consequences of such actions and may cause harm.”

My aim in writing In Your Own Time was to unpack that evidence and spell it out so that everyone can make the decision that’s right for them.

Because it’s not up to me, or the midwife or doctor in the clinic that day, or the computer or sonographer, or your doula or childbirth educator.

Your body. Your baby. Your decision.

My aim - with all my books - is to help explain the evidence so that you can make the decisions that are right for you.

Find out more at www.sarawickham.com/time

Looking for help and support? Or just a cup of tea and chance for your little one to play?

Come along to The MADhouse on Friday's from 10.30am-1.30pm.

We offer a friendly and supportive group for you to come along too. You can drop in any time between 10.30am and 1,30pm but if you are looking for support please attend before 12.30 to ensure you are seen.

Have a carrier you need help getting comfy? Or are you looking for a carrier or sling to hire. We have trained peer supporters on hand to help and offer hire for just £15 for 4 weeks.

Looking into reusable nappies? Want some help with existing nappies and issues? Looking to hire one of our extensive nappy kits. Our volunteers are experienced and knowledgeable about reusable options and can listen and offer support as well as the chance to hire for just £15 for 4 weeks.

We also offer breastfeeding peer support, not just for new mums, but for those looking for advice on night feeds, returning to work or stopping feeding our trained peer supporters can help with these questions and more.

We can also offer evidence based information on many aspects of parenting from feeding, to sleep, to children’s normal development.

Entry is free, if you wish to purchase drinks and snacks from The MADhouse you can.

Towards Tomorrow Together is an amazing local organization supporting those affected by baby loss. Please see their post about meeting in person for the Wave of Light memorial service 🕯❤️

Wave of Light Memorial Service 2021 - Towards Tomorrow Together A short Memorial Service, where we will join in the Wave of Light across the world by lighting candles at 7pm for baby loss.

Are you anxious about your upcoming birth? Does your partner worry that they won’t know what to do?

Come and learn Active Hypnobirthing for a more positive and empowered birth experience.

I’m running an intensive 4 hour workshop on Sunday 10 October in Taunton.

This session will help you both to feel calm and confident about your birth, and learn tools and techniques to navigate any changes to your birth plan.

Booking now:
https://www.goodenoughmama.co.uk/hypnobirth-workshop

You will learn:

* What to expect at each stage of labour
* How to work with your body to ensure it is as positive an experience as possible
* Breathing techniques to help you feel calm and in control
* Understanding and deciding upon various interventions that you might be offered
* Massage and other techniques that your birth partner can use to help you stay more relaxed during labour

I also run Holistic Birthing Classes for women/birthing people on Tuesday evenings. The next term starts on 12 October, so please message me for more info about the classes or the workshop.

I can help you to have a better birth experience.

Ali xx

Active Hypnobirth Preparation Workshop for Parents in Taunton An intensive 4 hour workshop to help you and your birth partner feel calm and confident about your birth. Learn active hypnobirth tools for a positive birth.

Postnatal support. Goodness knows you deserve it. Another wonderful offering from Elly Copp ❤️

This is happening tomorrow. Check out Carry Me Kate Parenting Services CIC for more dates throughout the Summer 🙂

Looking for something to do with the children next week? First day of the holidays and the weather is looking good.

This is suitable for ANY parent/carer whether you have used us before or not with children of any age.

Monday at 11am we will be meeting at Fyne Court for our walk and talk, we take a short buggy friendly stroll around fyne Court at a gentle pace suitable for toddlers too.

We then sit down outside the cafe and have a coffee and a snack so people can have chance to talk.

We will be offering a limited sling hire service (best to message first if you are looking for something so we can make sure we have it) sling help, feeding support, evidence based parenting support, cloth nappy support (and hire if arranged beforehand) or just a chance to get out and about with children both big and small.

Because of restrictions changing we no longer have limits on numbers so you do not have to book but it is helpful for us to know so we can look out for you and wait for you. You can book as late as the morning.

https://secure.acuityscheduling.com/admin/scheduling-link

Worried about birth? Keen to meet others who are pregnant? Curious about hypnobirthing? Want some simple movement, breathing and relaxation techniques to help you chill out?

My Holistic Birthing Classes include all this and more. The next term of face-to-face classes is coming up on 10 August in Taunton.

The course comprises:
* 6 x 1.5 hour sessions
* Hypnobirth breathing and relaxation
* Empowering education about the birth process
* Gentle yoga-based movement
* Time to ask questions and connect with others


The classes are for women / birthing people only. But you can also attend one of my workshops with your birth partner, which are tailored to your needs as a birth team.

Click here to find out more and book on: https://www.goodenoughmama.co.uk/birthing-classes

Pregnancy Yoga Antenatal Classes in Taunton A 6 week course to feel calmer and more confident about your birth. Holistic birthing classes combining active birth education, pregnancy yoga, and hypnobirth breathing.

Learn tools to stay calm and confident during your birth. Know that you and your partner are BOTH prepared for whatever happens.

My next Active Hypnobirthing Workshop is coming up on Sunday 18 July in Taunton.

What you get:

* 4 hour workshop
* 3 hypnobirthing guided relaxation MP3s
* The Little Birth Company Hypnobirthing Manual
* Continued support until the birth of your baby

I cover:

* What to expect at each stage of labour
* How to work with your body to ensure it is as positive an experience as possible
* Breathing techniques to help you feel calm and in control
* Understanding and deciding upon various interventions that you might be offered
* Massage and other techniques that your birth partner can use to help you stay more relaxed during labour

If you also book on to my Holistic Birthing Classes (without partners) you will receive a 20% discount off the workshop.

Please click on the link below or message me for more details.

I can help you to have a positive birth. Ali xx

https://www.goodenoughmama.co.uk/hypnobirth-workshop

Active Hypnobirth Preparation Workshop for Parents in Taunton An intensive 4 hour workshop to help you and your birth partner feel calm and confident about your birth. Learn active hypnobirth tools for a positive birth.

Face-to-face Active Hypnobirthing Workshops and Courses in Taunton.

Feel calm and confident about your birth, and learn tools and techniques to help you navigate changes to your birth plan.

Booking now for:

Intensive 4 hour workshop (18 July, 12 September or 10 October). Best if you are short on time, and would like a one off session to give you all you need to know. https://www.goodenoughmama.co.uk/hypnobirth-workshop

Full 10 hour course (10-31 August). Best for meeting other expectant parents and more in depth preparation for birth. https://www.goodenoughmama.co.uk/hypnobirth-courses

You will learn:

* What to expect at each stage of labour
* How to work with your body to ensure it is as positive an experience as possible
* Breathing techniques to help you feel calm and in control
* Understanding and deciding upon various interventions that you might be offered
* Massage and other techniques that your birth partner can use to help you stay more relaxed during labour

I can help you to prepare for a positive birth experience, however things turn out on the day.

Ali xx

Active Hypnobirth Preparation Workshop for Parents in Taunton An intensive 4 hour workshop to help you and your birth partner feel calm and confident about your birth. Learn active hypnobirth tools for a positive birth.

I found breastfeeding extremely tough at the start and almost gave up several times. Many do. But that doesn’t mean they WANT to stop.

What they need is a listening ear and accurate / timely help and support with feeding issues.

I’m peer supporter trained and now doing a further qualification in Mindful Breastfeeding to be able to better support you on your feeding journey. Whether breast/chest, bottle or combined ❤️

Reminder!!!

It is really common to tell a breastfeeding mother that if she is finding breastfeeding anything other than 100% easy & enjoyable she should just stop.

Some people can't seem to get their heads around the idea that breastfeeding can sometimes be challenging or tiring yet women still want to carry on doing it. There is so much wrong with this:

1. It ignores the fact that she may just want to talk about things being tough. It belittles how she feels & denies her support she may need.

2. It suggests that the alternative of bottle feeding will always be simple and easy when that just isn't true. Babies in general take up a lot of time and care however you feed or look after them.

3. It suggests that breastfeeding is only worth it if it is easy. As if there is no other reason a woman would want to do it other than convenience.

4. It suggests that anything challenging isn't worth doing. As if everything else in life that we want to do is really simple and lovely all the time. Can anyone think of anything else in life worth doing that no one ever complains about or finds tough sometimes?

Can you imagine if we applied this to other situations? So a friend complains they're shattered from trying to finish assessments for a qualification ('give it up!) or that they're finding getting fit difficult ('just sit on the sofa!) or that they're fed up of their partner leaving dirty dishes in the sink ('here's details of my divorce lawyer').

If a mother says 'I really want to stop breastfeeding I've had enough now' then we should absolutely support her in doing this.

But if she says 'He's having a huge growth spurt right now. I'm so tired' then suitable responses include 'you're doing an amazing job', 'let me cook you dinner', ‘here have some chocolate'. Of course if she is having a specific difficulty you may also want to give her details of someone who can help.

I think sometimes we aren't very good with dealing with difficult emotions. We want to fix things for people we love. We hate thinking that they are going through something challenging. But not listening to what they are saying can make things feel worse.

Brilliant post here from Emma Ashworth, Birth Doula. I have supported several clients who challenged advice that water birth was not possible for them due to higher BMI. Always ask WHY, WHY, WHY? And seek other opinions.

Having a high BMI should not mean that you are banned from using water in labour and/or birth.

You have the right to challenge any such ban and not just accept that you're "not allowed".

Any risk assessment needs to factor in that denial of non-pharmaceutical pain relief means that the use of pharmaceutical pain relief becomes more likely, and those risks must therefore be considered as well.

Ask for the reasons why, in writing, so you know what you need to challenge.

Some suggested answers:

(Not good enough) reason given: You may not be mobile enough to get in and out of the pool

Suggested answer: Some people are mobile, some people are not. It is discrimination to assume that just because I have a high BMI that I am not mobile enough to get in and out of the pool. Let's give it a try so that we can see.

(NGE) RG: If you collapse, we don't have a sling/mobility aid that is rated to your weight (if they have one)

SA: Why not? Every person is entitled to appropriate and personalised care and it is the hospital's responsibility to provide appropriate equipment in that situation.

(NGE) RG: If you collapse, you're too heavy to be lifted out

SA: Every person, no matter their weight, is a challenge to lift if they are wet and unconsious. A little extra weight makes little difference. The pool evac policy should ensure that enough help can be obtained to help anyone out of the pool. Every person is entitled to appropriate and personalised care and it is the hospital's responsibilty to ensure that training covers evac of anyone.

(NGE) RG: As a person with high BMI you are more likely to have a PPH

SA: Policies on pool safety always include the management of PPH. Anyone can have a PPH. Most people don't. It goes against the requirement to provide personalised care to refuse access to non-pharmaceutical pain relief just in case a PPH happens, when there is a guideline to support those who do have a PPH already there.

There are so many different types of baby carrier these days that it’s a good idea to try them out before you buy one. Carry Me Kate Parenting Services CIC offer a great value service for sling hire which will see you through this patch of sunny weather!

We all know we are desperate to get out and about with friends and family, a carrier can be the perfect addition to a day out either alongside the pushchair or instead of.

Each carrier is unique to each person so to try one on is very important and why our sessions are perfect. For just £15 for 4 weeks you can try and see if it works for you and your family.

You are welcome to swop your carrier during those 4 weeks as well.

https://carrymekateparentingservicescic.as.me/

Good Enough Mama - Birthing & Baby updated their info in the about section.

Good Enough Mama - Birthing & Baby updated their website address.

Fantastic outdoor music classes run by my lovely friend Amy

Thank you for your interest in Baby Bluebirds.

We meet three times a week at outdoor locations.

Mondays in North Curry’s park
9.30am for non movers
10.30am for toddler up

Tuesdays 10.30am in Vivary Park

Weds at 10am in West Buckland, near wellington.

If you would like to join us after half term (week beginning 7th June) Please do let me know ASAP. The term cost just £25 for 5 weeks. If you are unemployed/ freelance please ping me a message and we can sort out a discounted rate.

My paypal is [email protected] .
Or if you want to pay via BACS 09-01-29 13491794

Lots of good things happening at The Huddle - South West Bumps & Beyond C.I.C ❤️

Galapagos - A parent and child group for LGBTQ+ families. Friday 14th May 12.30-2

No matter what your journey to parenthood has been (or is). I invite you to meet at our monthly group. Toys and resources are suitable for children 0-4yrs.

- Feeding Support
- Parent support
- Meet other parents
- loose part play

Partner/supporting adult always welcome.
£2.50 for an hour and a half. Book here https://TheHuddleYeovil.as.me/galapagos

❤️ Face-to-face birthing classes in Taunton ❤️

Do you want to feel calmer and more prepared about your upcoming birth?

Do you want to make local friends during your pregnancy?

Join me for this 6 week programme (19 May - 23 June).

Each session builds to form a complete picture of everything you need to know to have a positive birth experience.

Take time out to
… nurture yourself
… connect with your baby
… meet others
… and relax deeply
… all while learning active birth principles and hypnobirth breathing

Each session includes a chance for you to share any questions or concerns that have cropped up in your pregnancy, a discussion on a positive birth related topic, simple yoga-based movement, powerful breathing techniques, and a guided hypnobirth relaxation.

Classes are for pregnant women / birthing people only and numbers are limited to ensure there is an opportunity for individual questions.

Online booking: https://www.goodenoughmama.co.uk/birthing-classes

I can help you have a more positive birth experience.
Ali xx

Great to see groups starting up again ❤️ Check out what’s on at The Huddle - South West Bumps & Beyond C.I.C ❤️

Join me for this 6 week programme (13 April - 18 May) to feel calmer and more prepared about your upcoming birth.

Each session builds to form a complete picture of everything you need to know to have a positive birth experience.

Take time out to
… nurture yourself
… connect with your baby
… meet others
… and relax deeply
… all while learning active birth principles and hypnobirth breathing

Each session includes a chance for you to share any questions or concerns that have cropped up in your pregnancy, a discussion on a positive birth related topic, simple yoga-based movement, powerful breathing techniques, and a guided hypnobirth relaxation.

Classes are for pregnant women / birthing people only and numbers are limited to ensure there is an opportunity for individual questions.

Book by 6 April to snag a 10% discount - 6 classes for just £54 - use code EARLYBIRD at checkout.

Online booking: https://www.goodenoughmama.co.uk/birthing-classes

I can help you have a more positive birth experience.
Ali xx

❤️❤️❤️

We are so excited to tell you that we are re-opening from next week!! We have some plans to make the space more baby/mum friendly and we are very much looking forward to welcoming you back :) Please book your place by messaging us here.

*At present the group will only run for non mobile babies, those who can maintain social distancing 😆 either staying on a mat or staying with you away from others but we can offer 1 to 1 breastfeeding support appointments for parents with mobile babies/toddlers, please do get in touch if you need info or support 🙂