Birth After Trauma Programme
Are you pregnant after experiencing a traumatic birth? It doesn't have to be previous birth trauma. Perhaps you're carrying the emotional weight of past harm, or even adverse childhood experiences.
If the thought of childbirth, the maternity system, or parenthood feels overwhelming or fills you with fear, know that you're not alone. You deserve to feel safe, supported and confident.
You can move through past trauma. This programme isn't just for those with difficult birth experiences, it's also for anyone whose pregnancy journey is shaped by challenging life events.
Join The Essex Birth Company for this in depth 12 week programme, around 20 hours across 14 sessions, designed to support you every step of the way and build your confidence for the birth ahead. You will receive:
6 x 1:1 counselling sessions: Person centred support to process what's happened and how you're feeling, at your own pace
1 x gentle, trauma informed yoga session (1 hour): A calming, rhythmic sequence designed to release tension held in the body, no experience needed, and yours to keep practising at home throughout your pregnancy and beyond
3 x hypnobirthing & birth preparation sessions (3 hours each): A full Hypnobirthing and Birth Preparation Programme (see Hypnobirthing page for more details), plus a personalised birth preferences document and triggers and reasonable adjustments document, created together and shared with your care team
1 x nervous system regulation session (2 hours): Understanding your nervous system and trauma responses, plus a full toolkit of mindfulness, breathing, journaling prompts and other somatic practices to use going forward
Three Step Rewind technique: A dedicated trauma rewind session, to help you move past traumatic memories and reduce their hold on you (you will be risk assessed to check this is suitable in advance)
A final review & goal-setting session (1 hour): Reflecting on your progress and putting a clear plan in place for birth and the postnatal period ahead
Discussion Topics
Understanding your nervous system, trauma responses, and how the amygdala and prefrontal cortex shape how we experience and recover from trauma
Your birth rights, including choice, consent, coercion and personalised care and support plans
Creating your own Triggers & Reasonable Adjustments Document, covering environment, communication, touch and examinations
Practical coping strategies such as TENS, aromatherapy, massage, breathing techniques, water therapy, affirmations, medical pain relief options and ways to increase oxytocin
Sensory regulation, grounding techniques and co-regulation with your birth partner or doula
The stages of labour and birth, and how to promote a positive experience throughout
Guidance for birth partners, including how they can be involved and support you effectively
Grief and emotional capacity, and how to hold difficult feelings alongside hope for the birth ahead
Journaling and gratitude practices to support you during pregnancy and beyond
Guidance on accessing a formal NHS birth reflections session or your maternity notes, if that feels helpful to you
A full referrals and support guide, covering mental health, domestic abuse, baby loss, breastfeeding and neurodiversity support, among others
Plus, much more valuable content to help you prepare for your best birth experience and postnatal period.
Package Details
Sessions can be facilitated via Zoom, in your home, or in my home overlooking the Essex countryside. A mixture of modalities are recommended, depening on the session type, for example the yoga and hypnobirthing are best delivered face to face.
Cost £1100, including all 14 sessions detailed above, your Hypnobirthing & Birth Preparation Guide, personalised documents, relaxation recordings, and ongoing WhatsApp and email support throughout the programme.
With the option to add birth pool and TENS machine hire.
