Labour of love

THERE was a time when every village had a wise woman to whom an expectant mother could turn for guidance – someone who had an in-depth knowledge of natural childbirth passed down to her through the generations.

Nowadays, that tradition has gone, but for many people, Rosa Davies is the modern day equivalent to the wise woman. She’s not old, and definitely not craggy, but she certainly knows how to make people feel more confident about giving birth.

Rosa is a natural birth expert who runs antenatal birth preparation and natural active birth classes locally. She covers the Southbourne and Ringwood areas, and more recently, demand for places has led to new classes starting in Poole.

There are many daunting aspects of pregnancy – even joining an antenatal class such as this. I started the classes when I was 19 weeks pregnant, and nearly three months on, I wouldn’t be without the weekly gathering.

“Having a baby is one of the most important transitions in your life,” said Rosa, whose company is aptly named Labour of Love. “During this very special time you deserve to be nurtured, supported and encouraged.”

And yes, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s lovely to have a couple of hours to relax and focus on your growing baby.

The classes include gentle yoga based exercises for pregnancy, as well as pain coping, breathing techniques, relaxation and lots of practical advice.

Every week, a different topic is covered such as breastfeeding, positions for labour, bonding and early parenting.

There is often a guest, too – be it a chiropractor, a student or even a past group member returning with their baby to share their birth experience.

One visiting participant who was training to be a midwife said: “I wish I’d known about these classes when I was expecting…!”

Over a cup of camomile tea and home made cake there’s a lot of chat between the expectant mums, too, and it’s both comforting and enlightening to hear how everyone else in the same boat as you is doing.

We are all asked if there is anything to report since the last meeting and Rosa will give gentle advice accordingly.

Think you may have carpal tunnel syndrome?

“These hand exercises might help.” Heartburn? “Have you tried fennel tea?”

Rosa is also a doula (birth companion), a Reiki healer, and runs Mother & Baby classes and Birth Preparation Workshops for couples/birth partners. She has a degree in psychology and has trained with the likes of Michel Odent and Sheila Kitzinger.

The aim of the natural birth classes is to help women to understand the process of birth in a practical and holistic way, and to prepare body and mind for a fulfilling experience of pregnancy, birth and early parenting.

“This participatory approach encourages confidence and trust in women that birth can be a natural process,” said Rosa, “rather than the over-dramatic images we see in magazines and on television. I’m also aware how too many women approach their birth feeling unprepared.”

For me, the classes have made me feel calmer and more confident and I now know I can take active control of my pregnancy and birth.

Rosa added: “I want to relieve anxieties. While thousands of years ago women would be frightened of a wild animal coming into their cave, today’s women’s needs to feel protected aren’t so different, although the set of fears has changed.

“Mothers-to-be want to feel safe, secure and supported during labour and I hope I can help to achieve that.”

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