Birth rehearsal

A ‘mock birth’

Why do a birth rehearsal? If you want to know as a couple what to expect of normal labour, and how to engage with it, then this is probably the most practical workshop that you can take. Our birth rehearsals are not like other antenatal classes: they are a unique form of birth preparation which uses a ONE-OFF session (so you only have to come once) to ready expectant mothers and expectant fathers for labour, whether you are having a hospital birth, a water birth or a home birth.

There is a bit of theory and a lot of practice: enough theory so that you understand why it is that you do what you do in the workshop, and then a lot of practice so that you can experience it. We explore the techniques that give normal physiological labour a chance to work without intervention, doing what your body is designed to do.

The process of labour is explored in such a way that it makes sense to partners, so that instead of being scared, they can be empowered and confident that they can be useful. The workshop teaches when to be hands one, how to read the signals a labouring woman gives out, exploring pain : way it is there, and how you can utilise it to your advantage.

Travelling through labour from the first contraction to the baby’s first suckles, you learn how to move through contractions, how to rest effectively between them and how to move from one position to another, just as you would in a real labour. It’s like a ‘mock birth’. Birthing and labouring positions are covered, as well as how to deal with the unexpected.

This is the single most useful session that we offer, and we consistently receive very positive appreciation about its great practical benefits. Quite a number of couples have returned two or three times on their second and third children because they have discovered this workshop really helps. To find out more please read on:

Unlike other forms of childbirth education or parentcraft, Sitaram antenatal education includes spiritual, physical, emotional and mental preparedness for birth for expectant couples. We draw from our roots in yoga and hypnosis to offer a remarkable and truly holistic approach to birth readiness that addresses profound issues in accessible, practical and embodied ways. You don’t just learn about birth, you move through it, breathing, working with your state of consciousness and feeling in a physical way how best to help the process of birth.

It is a fully embodied way of preparing for birth that uses yoga and hypnosis to teach effective pain management for labour, practical positions for childbirth and strategies for mental and emotional support of the woman in labour.

It emphasises natural birth, normal physiological labour and having an active birth, in the sense of being confident in the abilities of the woman’s body to birth her baby well.

Our approach is widely recommended by local NHS midwives, independent midwives and doulas.

What to expect

Minimum theory maximum practice

• We offer practical skills to help you and your birth partner birth your baby:
• How will I know when I am / she is really in labour?
• How will I cope with pain?
• How can I help my partner cope with pain?
• What birthing positions work best?
• How can we keep calm during the birth?
• What do we need to know about the processes of normal physiological labour?
• What to do if labour is short?
• What to do it labour is long?

A birth rehearsal offers answers to all these questions. The one-off session follows the progress of physiological birth.

It is a relaxed, effective way to learn practical coping skills for birth.

What you learn

• Practical responses to lots of different scenarios
• Coping strategies – For home birth, for hospital birth, for water birth, for first time mothers, for women who have had other labours
• Mock contractions in real time: what they are, why they happen,
• Practical experience of how to use breath and movement to get through them
• How partners can read signals of a woman in labour
• Experiential demonstration of the process of labour
• You get homework – what to do with everything you have learnt.

How it works

At each stage of the birthing process, you learn simple breathing, movement, posture and visualisations to ease the birth of your baby.

You also cover the positioning and experience of your baby during birth, the role of the supportive birthing partner, and birthing positions.

The session works best when the pregnant woman is accompanied by her birthing partner, because then the partner can learn practical pain relief techniques as well as the breathing and movements which the woman hopes to use during the birth.

These sessions are designed to provide the pregnant woman and her birthing partner with a simple but complete approach to the experience of late pregnancy, labour and birth.  Women attend together with whoever they are planning to have with them during labour, including mothers, siblings and partner/s. We also run women-only sessions. The class framework covers the physiological process of labour, teaching specific, simple and accessible yoga practices to assist at each stage.

Topics covered include:

• optimal foetal positioning and the value of maternal posture in late pregnancy
• mental and emotional preparedness for birth
• breath and movement in labour for energy and pain management
• physical and emotional support for the labouring woman
• birthing positions
• visualisation and relaxation techniques to promote gentle birth

The class includes a deep relaxation practice introducing and utilising breathwork for partners that assists in the assimilation of the techniques taught, and students receive a revision sheet covering the practices covered. Fruits for refreshment are provided throughout, just as if you really were in labour/supporting a labouring woman.

Tried and tested

From the consistently appreciative feedback we’ve had from our students, we believe that this is the single most useful service that we offer. If you are only going to do one thing to prepare for your labour – then this could well be it. Many of our long-standing students return on second and sometimes third and fourth births to refresh their recollection of these really useful techniques. A sample of their comments are below:

‘The positions and breathing techniques you showed us proved essential and successful . . Derek had the star role in supporting me – your birth preparation class really helped us’ (Cathie, Derek, Sadie and Cameron)

‘Thank you for all your help – the yoga was fantastic and really helped deliver her.’ (Fran, Ian and Mia)

‘ . . .thank you for everything and what I am sure helped a long way to the safe and speedy arrival of baby Ziggy . . . we were lucky enough to have use of the big built in pool [in the hospital] and once in there that was all the pain relief I needed. Trouble was I did not want to come out! Once again thank you for what I consider to be sound, useful and supportive advice!’ (Holly, Douglas, Skye and baby Ziggy)

Practicalities

It is best to attend these sessions at around 32-34 weeks pregnancy. Because they are very popular, early booking is crucial – at least three weeks ahead of your planned birth rehearsal date.

Full price: Per person £50.00 (inc. VAT), £90 per couple.

Concessionary rates: £33 per person, £66 per couple. Proof of status (student or
unemployed, is required).

> To book for our birth rehearsals please use our online booking service

(If that is not possible for you, then instead you have the option to complete a booking form and post it to the address at the bottom of the form)

If you’re not one of our regular students, please be so kind as to include a completed antenatal registration form along with your booking form.)

We offer sessions at three different locations: Kings Hospital, St Thomas’ Hospital, at the Lido in Brockwell Park, and in the couple’s own home (in the case of individualised sessions). Generally speaking, sessions at King’s are for those planning to birth their their babies there. Sessions at St
Thomas’ are for those planning to birth their babies at St Thomas’.

Those planning a home birth, or a birth at any other hospital are encouraged to attend a session at the Lido. Hospital sessions are limited to 12 couples, Lido sessions are limited to 6 couples. In the event that you cannot make the date at your birth location, then please contact us and it may be possible to attend at another venue.

One-to-one tuition and home visits are a good option for those who require alternative dates, or more bespoke tuition. For any queries or support about your choices for these sessions please call Meryl on 07595 219 759.

Thank you.