A Quieter Week…But Certainly Not a Quiet One
A Quieter Week… But Certainly Not a Quiet One
This week at Birth From Within has felt a little different.
With Joanna from Holistic Health and Mimi, who runs our yoga sessions, both away, the studio has been quieter than usual. But actually, that quieter space gave me an opportunity to catch up, reflect and start putting some exciting plans into place for the next few months.
And, as I sit here looking back over the week, I’m realising that quite a lot happened after all!
Starting the week with connection
Monday became a much-needed catching-up and planning day. Sometimes those days behind the scenes are just as important as the busy ones — sorting, organising, dreaming and working out where Birth From Within goes next.
On Tuesday morning, I joined an online meeting with Birth and Tethered Rebels, run by Sally Poulter and Kemi Johnson. It was such an inspiring gatherings and essential for birth keepers to have an opportunity to connect with people who are having important conversations and experiences around birth.
Then I did something I am increasingly learning the importance of — I made some space for myself. I had a beautiful Pesso Boyden session, which was an incredible healing experience and something I would highly recommend.
That evening, we gathered at the studio with Honey Sunshine for an intention-setting evening. Part of the evening involved looking back at intentions we had previously set — and I genuinely couldn’t believe how much had changed and how much I had achieved in just six months. The main celebration for me has I had written an intention to open a space for BFW and here I was 6 month later hosting the next intention setting workshop! That did feel special. Sometimes we’re so busy looking towards the next thing that we forget to turn around and see how far we’ve already travelled. It was quite a moment.
Powerful women. Powerful stories.
Wednesday brought another recording of The Good, The Bad and The Vagina.
My guest was Emma, a doula ‘Em-Powering Bumps and Birth, who also hosts the podcast Stories from the Womb.
Emma very generously shared her incredibly raw and powerful experience of stillbirth. These are not easy conversations, but they are conversations that matter enormously. I felt genuinely honoured that she trusted me and the podcast with her story.
On Thursday, I had an incredibly intense hypnotherapy session with Christelle. I’ve been working with Christelle over a number of sessions now, and the feedback I’ve received from her has been absolutely incredible. Watching the changes that can happen through this work is making me even more excited about where my hypnotherapy practice is going.
Thursday evening brought something completely different as we gathered for our monthly AromaTouch evening, working with doTERRA essential oils. Some of the people who came simply needed a little healing and nurturing — and that is exactly what the evening became. A room full of people, beautiful oils, touch, connection and time to receive. Sometimes healing doesn’t need to be complicated.
And another story that needed to be heard
On Friday, I recorded another episode of The Good, the Bad and the Vagina, this time with Gina. She shared her experience of historical domestic violence and how those experiences affected another pregnancy ten years later, with a new partner. It was an incredibly powerful conversation. Gina’s experience highlighted something that I think maternity care still needs to understand far better: trauma doesn’t simply disappear because time has passed or because somebody’s circumstances have changed. Pregnancy, examinations, loss of control and the vulnerability of birth can bring old experiences very close to the surface. The way women are spoken to, touched, examined and cared for matters enormously. And sometimes I wonder whether we really understand just how much. And I must honour the incredible work Gina’s experience has inspired her to do. She has devised a teaching programme for health professionals to enhance their practise. What an inspiration!
A little weekend breathing space
Saturday was mostly family time. A massive swim in the sea first thing (I love my daily swims…they are my reset!. I am loving this summer’s swims as most days I’m swimming a mile…I can feel a change coming so those big swims will not be reducing soon. I did manage to squeeze in helping Mimi with some packing as she prepares to move flats. Sunday was helping Mimi move, domestic stuff and walking the dog and getting absolutely drenched. Despite the increasingly autumnal weather making itself known, I’m not quite ready to surrender to autumn yet! Tonight I’m slowing everything down again and listening to a Womb Presence session before another week begins.
And next week… we’re back!
The Bank Holiday gives me one more day of family time before the studio begins settling back into its usual rhythm. MumSpace will be returning, I’ve got a business meeting, and there’s lots happening behind the scenes as we prepare for September. A huge focus now is the upcoming Torbay Baby Event on 12 September, the first event of its kind to be held in Torquay. Birth From Within will have a stall there, and I’ll also be doing an exhibitor slot, so I’ve got flyers to organise, something lovely to put into the goodie bags and plenty of preparation ahead. September feels like the beginning of another little chapter. The children are heading back to school. The studio is returning to its usual rhythm. Autumn is beginning to creep in around the edges. And Birth From Within continues to grow. This week reminded me that growth doesn’t always look busy. Sometimes it looks like sitting still long enough to see just how far you’ve already come. And six months on, I think I needed that reminder.
Here’s to another week. 💜
