Marvel Birth

07/02/2025

Hello everyone! 🌟 I wanted to take a moment to reconnect after taking a little break. Last month gave me the chance to reflect and recharge after a difficult 2024, and I genuinely appreciate your patience and support during that time.

I’m excited to share that I'm back to work in true hypnobirthing style, with a gentle, peaceful start. Many of you have been asking about hypnobirthing courses, so I'm thrilled to announce several new offerings! Stay tuned for my upcoming hypnobirthing courses, including a new hypnobirthing crash course for those of you who are pushed for time, as well as in-person group sessions in the months ahead at a brand new venue.

Also, I understand that budgeting can be a concern, so I’ve introduced a pay-as-you-go option for my full online hypnobirthing course. This allows you to pay for each session individually, making it easier to manage your expenses while still receiving valuable support.

Thank you for being part of this community. I can’t wait to embark on this journey together as we prepare for the beautiful adventure of birth. 🌈❤️

06/01/2025

Happy 2025 cyber friends.
I'm late to say Happy New Year to you all and wish 2024 a fond farewell.
2024, it's been quite the journey.
Starting with my mum having a second stroke, going back to my old Alma Mater for a course, singing a bit, having a bone biopsy, getting diagnosed with latent TB, finding out I have osteomyelitis (a bone infection) in one of my vertebra, having hyperbaric oxygen therapy for said infection, attending some pretty intense birth experiences, nurturing a handful of lovely families through their early days of parenthood and singing a bit at the top of the BT tower.
Other stuff too but those are the things which stand out. I can't say I've hated 2024 because it's made me really stand back and look at my life in a different way, but cripes it's tested me. I have however discovered I have a strength I don't think I knew I had. This was particularly evident coping with the bone biopsy, which I assure you, was no spa treatment, unless you're thinking of having a giant needle stuck into your bone instead of a massage.
Let's see what 2025 has in store shall we. I'm ready, let's do this.
I've already signed up for the gym. Wish me luck.

06/09/2024

This is a really important bit of birth prep & it really makes a difference.

You can test it out too. Imagine you are exercising & you get into a plank.

It starts to get really difficult & painful to hold but you say to yourself 'my muscles are working really hard, that's why it's uncomfortable'. You breathe through the discomfort & hold it longer than you thought you could.

That's basically what happens during labour. Only your uterine muscles are the muscles working.

This is a super important part of hypnobirthing training & really makes a difference in labour.

You can learn about this & much, much more in my 5⭐ rated hypnobirthing course. Details here: www.marvelbirth.com/hypnobirthing

Disclaimer: I've no idea if you're supposed to do the plank when you're pregnant so try it with a squat instead or other pregnancy friendly exercise.

01/08/2024

It's nearly a new month and the end of the summer but if you're due to give birth in the next 6 months you might want to get ahead of the game and prepare for birth with hypnobirthing antenatal preparation.

Luckily, I'm running my 5* rated compassionate hypnobirthing group course this September on Zoom. Here are all the details: Wednesday 11th, 18th, 25th of September and 2nd October 7.30pm - 9.30pm.
Included in the course you will receive

-Way of the Koi course workbook & 5 hypnobirthing MP3s written by midwife and hypnotherapist Nicola Nelson
-£10 off my postnatal planning workshop
-Zoom catch up closer to your estimated due date if you need it
-Ongoing support from me online or on WhatsApp until the end of the fourth trimester including a birth debrief

Compassionate hypnobirthing can help you get informed about birth, provide practical tools for you to use during labour and help you navigate the maternity service on your terms.

More courses also available to book for the rest of the year coming up too.

Want to know more just visit https://www.marvelbirth.com/hypnobirthing

01/08/2024

Happy August! I know it's a month away but if you're due to give birth in the next 6 months you might want to get ahead of the game and prepare for birth with hypnobirthing antenatal preparation.

Luckily, I'm running my 5* rated compassionate hypnobirthing group course this September on Zoom. Here are all the details: Wednesday 11th, 18th, 25th of September and 2nd October 7.30pm - 9.30pm.
Included in the course you will receive

-Way of the Koi course workbook & 5 hypnobirthing MP3s written by midwife and hypnotherapist Nicola Nelson
-£10 off my postnatal planning workshop
-Zoom catch up closer to your estimated due date if you need it
-Ongoing support from me online or on WhatsApp until the end of the fourth trimester including a birth debrief

Compassionate hypnobirthing can help you get informed about birth, provide practical tools for you to use during labour and help you navigate the maternity service on your terms.

Want to know more just visit https://www.marvelbirth.com/hypnobirthing/

15/10/2023

My slightly sooty candle has had a lot of action over the past year & now it's here for the Wave of Light.

Marking the end of babyloss awareness week.

You are all in my thoughts out there, who have journeyed on this truly challenging path through baby loss.

May this little candle & the wave of them all over the country/world bring a little love to you.

Light & love always.

All those beautiful names to be remembered. Say them loud & proudly. We remember them.

05/10/2023

You'll probably look at this & tell me I'm having a laugh but I always talk to people who take my hypnobirthing course or hire me as their doula about the different sensations you might feel during labour.

I like to make it clear that contractions are full on but very different from the pain you might feel if you broke a bone or stubbed your toe or even period pain.

The key thing to remember is that the sensation you feel is a positive one. Nothing is wrong with you, nothing is broken, your uterus is doing what it needs to do to birth your baby & that can take a lot of the fear out of it.

Your body is amazingly capable, give it a hug & let it do it's thing.

How do you feel about labour pains?

03/10/2023

Setting up for the first session with a new couple this evening.

Always exciting to set them on the path to m armed with information, tools & a whole bunch of self compassion.

So, work book at the ready, let's get the hypnobirthing party started.

05/09/2023

Is it even possible?

Of course!

Just check out some of the testimonials my clients have left. You'll see that every type of birth experience is there, some that sound not positive at all but because my clients felt informed & a part of the decision making process, their experiences were hugely positive.

I've got a couple of group hypnobirthing courses coming up so feel free to have a look. If you feel one to one help is a better fit, feel free to book a free 30 min chat.

Link in stories & bio.

04/09/2023

Happy wedding anniversary to this legend of a human and then you for putting up with me for 19 years.

He's a legend & I thank the universe for putting me in his path at a rehearsal for Gilbert & Sullivan's Ruddigore ah many years ago.

Happy anniversary lovely person, I couldn't manage trekking along this crazy path called life without you by my side.

26/08/2023

Last sessions with postnatal clients as a Doula are always bitter sweet because I'm thrilled that the new parents I work with are getting stronger every day but I'm sad to leave.

Today particularly has been happy/sad as this lovely family have been such a joy to support & have grown so much since their baby arrived.

I will miss watching the absolutely amazing responsive care this family provides for their wonderful bundle. You are both just wonderful parents. Thank you for welcoming me along on your journey & for the beautiful card & flowers.
haslam

18/08/2023

It's going to be a corking good episode this one. If you've got a new baby, you're going to want to listen. I'll let you know when it's released.

Thank you Shelley for being my guest.

I did my first EVER podcast guest slot on the Marvel Birth podcast today!!

Fortunately lovely Catrine put me right at ease and is simply lovely to talk to.

I'll let you know when it comes out; I think you'll really enjoy our conversation about the fourth trimester, 1001 critical days and where baby signing fits in to protect the future mental health of our little ones..

Love
Shelley x