Preparing for the postpartum : it works!
In the West, after a new mother has her baby, the focus shifts entirely on the baby, and the mother receives very little support. This is not normal for our species to be in this situation, and everywhere around the world, there is, or used to be, a period of about a...
The postnatal recovery massage: a modern adaptation of a traditional ritual to nurture new mothers
Since January 2019, I have taught a new postnatal massage called the postnatal recovery massage, together with osteopath Teddy Brookes. I want to tell you the history behind why and how we created this massage. It is very much needed, because in the Western world we...
Why we have calluses on our hearts
You know when you do some gardening; you get calluses on your hands? I believe our society causes us to have calluses on our hearts. It starts with birth, with families being bullied through a system that treats them like machines and disregards their emotional needs....
Do you confuse productivity with effort?
Do only feel that you are “working” when it feels like hard work? At the end of each week I do a “ta-da” list. Often as I reflect on my week, I notice that I often forget to include one to one session with clients as part of my “work” . I believe that the reason I...
Stressed? Overwhelmed? Try grounding.
If you are finding what's happening in your life or the world overwhelming, I’m sure you know about breathing and meditation as tools for wellbeing but have you heard about grounding? Grounding is simply using techniques to come back into your body, where you can...
Why Postnatal bodywork matters
All around the world there are (or used to be) traditional practices to help a new mother’s body heal after birth. Regardless of the continent, these traditions usually include some massage and wrapping rituals, as well as binding the belly and pelvis, and keeping the...
Do you struggle to describe everything that you do professionally under one title?
I used to struggle to define myself professionally because I thought that I needed a title that covered ALL of my hats. It was easy when I started after my professional reconversion from scientist to birthworker, I just called myself a doula. Then I grew, I learnt a...
The last days of pregnancy, a place in between
“The last days of pregnancy are a distinct time of in between. It’s a tricky time for mothers, and these last few days are a biologic and psychological event. She’s curled up on the couch, waiting, a ball of baby and emotions. A scrambled pile of books on pregnancy,...
How listening to drumming can unlock your brain
As an ex-scientist turned doula and healer, and as someone whose signature approach is to blend scientific and spiritual knowledge, I love above all else to help others embrace their woo. I also like give people a embodied experiences, because I believe that we learn...
You know enough. Share it now (How to tame your inner impostor)
Do you have impostor syndrome? Do you worry that you don’t know enough, don’t do enough, and don’t have enough knowledge to share what you feel passionate about yet? Do you feel that you have to get more training, more experience, read more books, listen to more...
Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs for the postpartum
You have probably heard of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid ( if you haven’t here is a good introduction article) Maslow was a psychologist who introduced the concept of the hierarchy of human needs as something that underpins motivation. This hierarchy...
Induction of labour- do you know what you’re letting yourself in for?
(updated September 2021) Induction of labour is the bane of many birthworkers lives (and of many pregnant women's too). In the area I live in, it is reaching epidemic proportions (about 35% of first time mothers) Deciding to consent to induction is a complex decision,...
Feeling overwhelmed or stuck? Some easy ways to resolve the issue.
I came back from holidays this week. Every year I struggle a little with going back into work mode after 2 weeks of complete relaxation. This is compounded by the fact that we go on holidays, we visit my parents in the South of France. It’s warm and sunny there, and...
Why waiting 6 weeks post birth to have a massage makes no sense
Why waiting 6 weeks after birth to have a massage makes no sense There is a belief in our culture that a new mother needs to wait until 6 weeks post birth before she has a massage. Since I became immersed in the postpartum and since I learnt to massage new mothers,...
The importance of switching off when you work for yourself
The first year I went away as a self employed birth worker, I noticed that during my holiday I was still responding to work emails, something I didn't use to do when I was an employee. I didn't resent it but I was very conscious of the difference. As an...