AROUND BIRTH & BEYOND

women's health

women's health worldwide

'Ingrid, your classes were the best yoga classes in the world, they were informative, fun, helpful, interesting, warm and engaging. Through them I gained confidence in myself, my body and my baby and for this I cannot thank you enough.' Carrie & little Robyn - - - 'I highly recommend Ingrid's pregnancy yoga & birth preparation classes to both my NHS and private expectant mothers. Ingrid's classes are an excellent way to stay healthy in mind and body throughout pregnancy and to be well-prepared for birth.' Dr. Claire Mellon, GP & Obstetrician - - - 'I wanted to thank you for the breathing techniques you taught me which proved invaluable and for giving me the confidence I could do it without an epidural, by trusting myself and my body. Six days later, I feel great, I was lucky I did not have any tearing whatsoever and that labour was quick and super effective. Recovery has been second to none. I want to thank you again for all your support and your great yoga classes!' Liana - - - 'Thank YOU Ingrid, you're one in a million. The breathing techniques you gave us in the last relaxation got me right to 10cm easily! Remarkable. So delighted to have birthed a breech baby avoiding a c section.' Natalie

THERAPY

Bach Flower Remedies (BFR)

Background to Flower Remedies:
Humankind has used plants for healing since times immemorial. In the 12th century Hildegard von Bingen - German Abbess, prolific writer, philosopher, composer, polymath and mystic also named 'doctor of the church' – used plants as well as the 'dew of flowers' to heal the sick. The wealth of her enormous practical expertise and theoretical knowledge is well documented in her writings: Physica and Causea et Curae. Three centuries later famous Swiss Renaissance physician Paracelsus also wrote about the use of 'dew from flowering plants' for the purpose of healing. In the 1930's British physician Dr. Edward Bach confirmed their observations with his own research into the healing powers of plants and flowers. He found these to be so effective that he closed his practice in Harley Street and dedicate his life to the research and use of Flower Remedies.

What are the Bach Flower Remedies?
Dr. Edward Bach, a Harley Street doctor, developed this unique system of healing in the 1930's. The BFR consist of 38 homoeopathically prepared plant and flower based remedies. The remedies have been used for over 60 years. They are safe for pregnant women, babies, children and people of all ages; they are also effectively used with animals and even plants. They can be used alongside any other medicines and therapies.

How do they Work?
Dr. Edward Bach gained considerable knowledge of human nature during his 16 years as a practising medical doctor. Through ongoing research he found that distress caused by the mind and one's general outlook on life itself may deplete a person's vitality and natural resistance to disease to such an extent that ill health can result. The mind is therefore used as the guide to determine the appropriate remedies. The remedies act by helping the sufferer to overcome negative emotions and states of mind which in turn allow the body's own healing processes to function again. The BFR treat the cause rather than the effect, the person as a whole rather than the disease.

How can they Help You?
The remedies help to reinstate emotional thus physical well-being. All people from all walks of life can benefit from the restorative action of the BFR: teething babies, premenstrual teenagers, exhausted mothers, professionals suffering stress and stress-related symptoms and senior citizens adjusting to retirement. The remedies not only treat the symptoms but, most importantly, they treat the root cause of the problem by working right back to the point where the problem started.

Recommended reading in this context: Bach Flower Remedies for Women, by Judy Howard.

For further information, advice or a consultation with a practitioner contact me or the Dr. Edward Bach Centre: 01491-834678

Bach Flower Remedies (BFR) - during Pregnancy

The Bach Flower remedies can be very helpful in coping with the emotional changes during pregnancy. All remedies are safe for pregnant women and the unborn child. The remedies listed here are not a comprehensive list but examples of common emotional problems a woman may experience during her pregnancy and suggested remedies.

Beech
For feelings of intolerance; if one becomes critical and easily irritated by other people’s habits and behaviours.
Crab Apple
For dislike of own appearance, feeling unclean, undesirable or ugly.
Hornbeam
For tiredness caused by a mental weariness - one feels a lack of ’get up and go’.
Impatiens
For feelings of impatience and irritability, when one’s temper becomes shorter and hotter and one easily snaps at others.
Mimulus
For feelings of fear, anxiety and everyday nervousness about a definite subject.
Olive
For genuine tiredness after too much physical or mental work.
Scleranthus
For mood swings - feeling wonderful one minute and tearful or angry the next. Also helpful for indecisiveness - when making a choice creates a dilemma.
Walnut
For constancy and protection from outside influences. Whenever one feels disrupted, unsettled or uprooted. A very helpful remedy in any period of change.
Rescue Remedy
Invaluable to have at hand for all stressful and/or demanding situations (eg after an argument, bad news, before a visit to the doctor etc). Also useful in emergencies - it restores calm equilibrium and rational thought.

Bach Flower Remedies – for Labour

Bach Flower Remedies as well as Australian Bush Flower Essences are very effective at combating stress and the effects of stress. They can therefore be very helpful during labour. Giving birth is one of the biggest and most magical moments in the life of a woman. The remedies can help you to keep your natural equilibrium and calm during labour. This will minimise stress, fear and other negative emotions that may hinder the natural progression of labour.
For further information, advice or a consultation with a practitioner contact me or the Dr. Edward Bach Centre: 01491-834678

Bach Flower Remedies – for the Postnatal Period

With the birth of her child a woman has been initiated into motherhood. This is the most natural, challenging and rewarding role a woman can experience. However, many women feel quite unprepared for this new role in life. Women may experience that some of their character traits become more pronounced or difficult to handle. Also atypical or unusual emotions may grab hold of them. If these emotions are negative they can inhibit ones ability to enjoy life. The Bach Flower Remedies can be very helpful in coping with the emotional demands of motherhood.