Renew

Hi my name is Hannah and here at Renew we provide a safe place to chat about your experience of birth trauma and pregnancy loss.

For women, men and health professionals. My training is accredited by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). This therapy is for women, men and health professionals helping you to find relief from the emotional distress of birth trauma or pregnancy loss. This is a short solution focussed therapy technique. Often only 3 sessions are needed. As a qualified Doctor I have experience in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Forensic Medicine, Sexual Health and education. Please message me or see my website www.renewuk.co.uk for more information xx

07/02/2022

– Client Review –

I had hoped for a straightforward birth with my first baby, but when I approached 42 weeks pregnant I started to panic. I was induced, labour was long and ended in an emergency c section to deliver my daughter.

I found the relaxation techniques that Hannah taught me so helpful. The sessions themselves were relaxing and I've learnt skills, which will help me deal with anxiety in any situation.

I practiced the techniques all the time in pregnancy. When my second birth came, I went into labour spontaneously and stayed calm by breathing correctly as Hannah taught.

I am glad to say that second birth wasn't traumatic and I pushed my baby boy out with happy shock and relief! Hannah made me see that neither method of giving birth is better than the other, but staying calm and talking about any fears in pregnancy is really important.

Anonymous Client Feedback, April 2021

28/01/2022

Lately, I have been thinking about decluttering!

Here is what I am beginning to learn: There is a potential that the feelings and emotions you are going through when decluttering are the MICRO to what might be going on in the MACRO.

For instance, If you are decluttering and finding it really hard to throw away some things, maybe you are hoarding and grabbing onto stuff - ask yourself: “Why?”

Thing is: I was holding onto an unworn coat for ages. Why? Because I didn’t want the person that bought it for me to feel hurt if I threw it away.

I realized I was pleasing people… Not just with the coat, but in lots of different areas of my life. I was simply wondering what people were thinking of me.

You might be hoarding for another reason. Maybe it’s fear of lack, that you won’t have enough or feel you don’t own enough or need more of something?

The point is: You can experience emotional growth by doing something small, like decluttering, running or practicing a little mindfulness.

Ask yourself: Is the thing you are experiencing in these MICRO moments a reflection of something that is going on in the MACRO?

17/01/2022

➡️– Symptoms of birth trauma –⬅️

Today, I’m talking about flashbacks.

Many of my clients come to me suffering with flashbacks as a result of birth trauma.

Flashbacks are when you go back to your birth or key, traumatic elements of your birth.

When you are having a flashback you really feel like you are back there in that moment - you might smell the same smells or feel like you are seeing the same things and hearing the same things, as you did when traumatised.

Flashbacks are very different from simply re-living your birth in your mind. With a flashback, you may literally feel like you have taken a step back into time - almost as if you are actually there in that moment, experiencing it again.

If you are experiencing flashbacks, please know you are not alone and can get help - simply speaking about it is the first step - to a midwife, health visitor, partner or perhaps you are ready for therapy and you would like to get in touch by sending me a message today.

13/01/2022

January is a month that is all about change.

People want to change their houses, their weight and their careers, to name a few.

I find it helpful to stop and think about FEELINGS vs NEEDS vs DESIRES.

Here’s what I mean: Back when I was pregnant with my third child, I suffered from hyperemesis. At that time, I started scrolling through properties on the internet - I wanted to move house.

After a lot of scrolling I asked myself a question: “What is the feeling behind this desire to move?”

The truth: I was feeling trapped, I wanted to escape! I was tired of suffering with extreme sickness. In other words: I had an unmet NEED: escape.

This January, take time to ask yourself “What is this feeling behind my desire to… move/ switch jobs/ plan a family or travel?

If you are antenatal and fearful of birth you might find yourself wanting to escape, like I did. A quick self-check can help us deal with our needs.

Maybe help to overcome your fears will benefit you more than a house move ever could.

11/01/2022

Guilt is a common response for those that have suffered birth trauma.

Often clients come to me feeling guilty about their trauma, or even guilty about their symptoms, such as anxiety, flashbacks or nightmares.

Today's video offers more of my thoughts about guilt and birth trauma.

10/01/2022

To help you understand how our brain is traumatised, let’s talk about horses!

Imagine a horse in a paddock in a field. The sun is shining, so the horse feels warm. There is a mower in the distance, which the horse can hear. The horse can also see flowers and fences surrounding it.
Now, imagine the horse, still in its idyllic environment, getting bit by a snake.
How do you think the horse will respond?

Here’s the thing: adrenaline will fill that horse’s body and cause it to go into the FIGHT, FLIGHT or FREEZE response.

The horse’s brain might then trap that memory as an emotionally traumatic memory.

What that means is anytime the horse remembers an aspect of that day, it may become triggered to FIGHT, FLIGHT or FREEZE, again and again.

This is because the brain acts like an overprotective mum, signalling the horse to avoid any circumstances which may lead to another snake bite.

06/01/2022

The other day, my son was practicing something… but he wasn’t getting it.

When this happened, I told him: “Practice makes PROGRESS,” not perfection.

This made me think of all the different ways in which someone can overcome birth trauma.

One of the most popular therapies that deals with birth trauma is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It is a therapy that I have learnt, which involves PRACTICING new thoughts. Because, like I said, practice makes progress.

For instance, you can practice changing a thought that says “I’m a bad mum” into a thought that says “I’m doing the best that I can with the tools that I have got.”
Changing your thoughts then changes your feelings. When you feel positive your behaviour also alters. For instance, you may no longer be snappy and irritable.

But here’s the thing: not all birth trauma can be overcome by simply changing your thoughts.

When you are traumatised, there is part of your brain that is always on red alert. When this part of your brain is triggered it causes you to react in a fight, flight or freeze mode.

It is NOT a thought that triggers this part of your brain. So practicing new thoughts might not always be the solution for overcoming birth trauma.

Instead, I offer a 4 Step Renew Therapy Plan which uses a “Rewind Technique.”

The “Rewind Technique” is a technique in which we use relaxation to relax and think about your birth and by rewinding your thoughts forwards and backwards we can take emotions out of a traumatic birth. After this technique, your brain can then store your birth as a normal memory and something that isn’t traumatic for you anymore. Message me for more info.

21/10/2021

Do you have a fear of pregnancy?
Many of my clients have never been pregnant and come to me to support them with this intense fear- here is one clients story.

“Prior to having therapy sessions with Hannah, I had such an intense fear of pregnancy and all things pregnancy related. I felt that having children of my own just wasn't an option for me. However after a small number of sessions, I am very pleased to say that my husband and I are now making plans to start a family. The therapy has helped me in ways that I had never thought possible. I trusted Hannah from the outset and she exceeded my expectations.”

18/10/2021

Do you have comparisons about your birth?
Often many clients have comparison mixed in with their birth trauma making processing their birth even more challenging.
During my sessions I support clients with visualisations and breathing techniques which help for future births and day to day anxieties.
Pm me or email renewuk3@gmail.com

12/10/2021

My clients full feedback:

“Hannah quite possibly saved my life and I can’t thank her enough. Hannah helped me make sense of (and begin to deal with) the trauma I experienced with the birth of my first child by emergency Caesarean section after a 24 hour labour, in January 2016. It wasn’t until pregnant with my second child (born in July 2018) and discussing birth options, that it became apparent I was deeply traumatised by what had happened to me first time round. Thankfully a dear friend put me in touch with Hannah and that was the start of me beginning to heal emotionally. Even after my initial phone call with Hannah I felt relief from the pain, hurt and confusion I’d been carrying around with me for almost two and a half years.

Hannah validated me. She validated my feelings. She validated my birth trauma story. For the first time since giving birth to my son, I felt I was heard and not dismissed with platitudes such as “yes, but you’ve got your baby”. Hannah’s validation of me and my story was the single most biggest turning point in changing my life.

I’ve since had my second child by elective Caesarean section, something I could not have envisaged doing before my sessions with Hannah. It was the most healing and restorative experience I could have ever hoped for. Because of Hannah I have been able (and continue) to enjoy what it is to have a newborn, and move forward and well and truly out of the perpetual fear I experienced the first time round.

Hannah, you truly are a real life angel. There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude. God bless you ###”

11/10/2021

Life is now!
This is an amazing quote from a wonderful client. Supporting her to make sense of the trauma she went through was such a privilege.

Personally I find it difficult to share the amazing feedback I get, praise is often uncomfortable.

But if me sharing feedback helps you to get the help and support you need then it’s worth it! I’ll share her full review later in the week! It made me cry…

Address

Liverpool

Telephone

+447704956320

Website

https://renewuk.co.uk/our-service/

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