Hi Red, wanted to thank you for all the expertise you shared with my husband and I as well as your positive attitude! Today our little girl was born with no interventions; in fact we arrived at the hospital just in time for her birth! You gave us the confidence we needed to achieve a natural birth, so thank you!! Xx
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Refresher class: I liked most that I was able to ‘debrief’ our previous birth experience. It also gave me confidence to hear what we can do better (differently) next time, and that perhaps once the little hiccups (logistics) are resolved, we have what it takes to make the next time much smoother. Our two biggest discoveries in our refresher class with Red was the vocalization techniques and that the doula’s role is to support the decisions of the parents and (not make decision for them) thus they cannot speak on behalf of the parents. So we need to be more active and vocal in our participation of all the decision-making! The refresher was very useful as there were a lot of details that we had forgotten, so it was very useful to have those blanks filled in. We could ask plenty of questions that were specific to our situation, which was especially helpful because we already had a good idea of what we wanted to achieve for this birth. This helps us obtain more targeted information. Red is very open and gives a lot of down to earth advice based on real life experiences, so we benefit from that and not simply a theoretical or textbook view of Hypnobirthing. Simple things like putting up reminders for the people entering the birthing ward are practical and useful tips. How little touches and reminders can ‘hold the space’ to ensure that people entering the birthing ward can be a quiet, calm, and respectful. Red is very polite and soft spoken. She uses a gentle approach to communicate her opinions and empathizes with our views.
Ben & Xiuwen
I did Craniosacral therapy with Red at a time when emotionally I felt very shaken from my birth experience. The session definitely helped me to feel calmer and mentally helped me to resolve some issues; my baby also seemed calmer after the session and would sleep better.
A.R.
We took the full series again even though we had taken it for our first baby also I loved simply taking the time, at least 2-3 hours a week, to tune in to the baby, together with my husband (without my little boy around 🙂 ). Becoming aware of what is happening inside, seeing it from the perspective of the baby. Since it was a refresher, most of the topics were familiar to me. The humming/sounds were new and very helpful! The tips and awareness regarding diet and eating well and diverse (and how that affects the unborn child) were very helpful and influenced my eating and drinking habits.
Marjanne
I liked the way Red presented the concept that pain during birth is OK, and even beneficial! The hypnobirthing book seems to give the impression that all hypnobirths ‘should’ be painless.
K. X.
I was in the Nepal earthquake on the 25th of April 2015. My nervous system was compromised from experiencing over 130 + aftershocks in 4 days and as a result I wasn’t sleeping more than a few hours per night. After my first CST session I was able to sleep through the entire night. What a relief… Thanks Red.
W. C.
During my pregnancy Red was my midwife for prenatal visits and helped me to plan for our birth. She was thorough, gentle, and caring. She always goes the extra mile to provide support in whatever area is needed – whether that’s emotional, diet and exercise, or natural remedies to help with pregnancy symptoms. She highly respects what each woman and family wants for their birth, and supports them in that. While providing the knowledge she has to support a healthy mother and baby. I loved working with her, as the care she gives, as a midwife is so much more than what I got from my obstetrician. I highly recommend her care!
Amy
Initially I came to see Red during my pregnancy for (Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy) CST to help my body release tension and promote inner strength during the pregnancy. I’ve received so much benefit that I’ve continued post-natal sessions too! During our sessions I have a profound experience of deep peace and connection to self. Afterwards I feel renewed, alive, and less tension in my bodymind. Red has a wonderful, intuitive healing touch.
Amy
What we liked most about the classes was that there was active discussion and videos of positive, beautiful births to really counter all of the negative, screaming images that we see and can easily become hard-wired into our sub-conscious. I also really liked that it wasn’t a really dogmatic approach, and you kept stressing that Hynobirthing can be done in hospitals, even if you end up getting a c-section or whatever, you can keep the principles in your mind, but crucially you haven’t FAILED if that’s what happens. I think that’s really important because a lot of the natural birth rhetoric I found actually quite dogmatic and daunting for expectant mums. It was also great that Red would mention about really beautiful births she’s been at over the weekend before the class or whatever, because it really made it seem possible, not just in the videos. We also found it hugely helpful to have your experience as a midwife brought to bear on the class to as often you would add extra medical and research dimensions that weren’t in the book.
Nikki & Oli
During one of our prenatal appointments, you asked me what my favourite part about giving birth was. I remember thinking, the only thing I like about giving birth is when it’s over. You changed my opinion entirely. Now if I had to answer that same question, I would say there are many wonderful things about giving birth. With the right care, giving birth naturally is one of the most empowering experiences a woman will have. Giving birth is nothing to fear. Over the 9 months you cared for us, my fear evaporated. During labour I felt totally in control. What a difference to my previous births where I was frightened of the pain, focused on the pain and asking for direction. In fact, I don’t even remember the pain. I just remember feeling all the good things our body gives us to make us feel euphoric and awesome. I loved how you sat there quietly and watched and marveled. No need for touching me at all, just silently reassuring me that everything was perfect and amazing. Plus, if intervention was required, I knew there was not anyone more capable. You have the wisdom of a woman who she herself has labored 100 times. This wisdom along with your amazing education, experience and ongoing desire to learn make you very special! I believe that any woman, no matter how she decides to birth will be better off with you by her side. Jethro could not have had a better start to his precious little life. We love you and all you do for woman and their babies!
Ashleigh
