23/12/2025
Sam and her baby taught me so much about supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and beyond - not just in addressing physical symptoms, but in truly walking alongside someone through their whole experience. This story is from early in my career, and itâs one I still hold very close. The work we did together showed me just how profound this support can be, for both mother and baby, and it became a pivotal moment in the path that would eventually shape mumabuba.
Sam first came to see me when she was 13.5 weeks pregnant with her second baby back in 2005. She had conceived very quickly after deciding to try for another baby and was finding it hard to get her head around being pregnant again.
She was experiencing lumbar pain, her bowel movements had slowed down, she had tender breasts and was feeling very tired.
During her first pregnancy she suffered with leg cramps, migraines, heartburn and severe Symphysis p***s dysfunction/diastasis, more commonly known as SPD. Her SPD had started at 28/29 weeks and it was worse whilst standing, climbing stairs, in the car and in bed.
She gave birth at 39+6 after a long labour, having got to 6cm and stayed there for ages. Her baby was back to back (posterior position) and she ended up having an epidural, ventouse, episiotomy and stitches.
Following her birth she experienced severe constipation, which resulted in a haemorrhage in her uterus.
She really didnât enjoy her pregnancy, birth and early postnatal experience, feeling like this impacted on her bonding with her baby, and she didnât want this to happen again.
Over the course of her pregnancy I gave Sam 14 treatments, using my unique blend of techniques focusing on whatever was a concern for her at the time. Given Sam suffered with SPD in her first pregnancy it was highly likely she would have the problem again and possibly experience it earlier in this pregnancy, so even though each treatment was tailored, I always included work to prevent SPD developing in this pregnancy.
Sam did develop some mild SPD pain at 20 weeks, but it never got any worse, as her regular treatments kept on top of it, along with keeping other pregnancy ailments at bay.
Towards the end of her pregnancy Sam and her husband attended a private birth workshop with myself. In the last few weeks of Samâs pregnancy the treatments I gave her changed focus to birth preparation - resolving any fears for her birth and the postnatal period, and preparing her body for the birth.
When I did my initial specialist pregnancy training 22 years ago I was so excited about being able to help women with problems in their pregnancy such as SPD, turning a breech baby and assisting someone to go into labour. Sam was one of my first clients seen at an early stage in her pregnancy, and what I learnt during the course of her pregnancy was the difference I can make throughout the whole pregnancy experience - not just by providing quick fixes, although they have their obvious benefits too.
Throughout the many appointments I was able to adjust Samâs treatments to suit her mood and her condition, something that she was very grateful for, and which really demonstrated the power of these techniques. It also meant that she was able to be more in tune with her own body and how it was changing, so that we worked as a team - with her focusing on what she was feeling and how she wanted to be supported, and me adjusting the treatments and blending modalities of complementary therapies in response to Samâs needs.
During the period that I was treating Sam, several of my clients had experienced very short and straightforward births. I remember Sam joking with me saying,
âIf my birth is quick and easy then Iâll think there is a white witch thing going on!â
Imagine the sense of satisfaction I felt when I received a text on Christmas Day saying:
âBaby girl born, quick easy labour and all thanks to you and what you have done for me!â
During the following months, Sam and her baby were very content and close. Sam found the whole experience so rewarding and something she will always cherish. She didnât have this experience with her first baby and she is convinced the treatments made a difference for her second.
This experience taught me that the treatments I give make a real and lasting difference - not only through pregnancy, but also through birth and into the postnatal period, making the whole journey more positive and rewarding. It is incredible to witness the difference this support can make to a womanâs experience of bringing a child into the world, and equally, to a babyâs entry into it.
I learnt so much from working with Sam. That experience was a pivotal point for mumabuba, and since then Iâve helped hundreds of women and babies to move towards more positive pregnancy, birth and early parenting experiences.
Iâm able to offer women a level of support and continuity of care that you simply wonât find anywhere else. Over the years Iâve continued to deepen my learning, and in the last eight years my studies into prenatal and perinatal somatic sciences and birth imprints have shown me that the impact of supporting a woman and baby during this time is even more profound than I once realised.
I truly love and cherish the work that I do.
Whatever you are doing this festive season, may it be filled with moments of connection, gentleness, and care - for yourself and those around you.
If youâd like some extra support over the festive period, my free Festive Season e-book is available via the link in the comments. And if this story resonates with you, youâre always welcome to reach out and learn more about how I can support you through your own journey.
