About
Me
My name is Helen Cuthbertson, I am a mum in my thirties and
I live in South Warwickshire. I originally trained as a
Network Architect/Engineer and have a BSc degree.
As a mum, I have experienced both extreme's of childbirth.
My first experience in 2003 was fairly traumatic and
resulted in an instrumental delivery. I was determined my
second birth experience was to be very different so I read
everything I could get my hands on that wasn't centered
solely on medicalisation and pain relief, but instead focused on
women gaining the control back and having an understanding
of the basic physiological needs of a labouring women. Many
of the books I read featured Michel Odent's work and research or
Shelia Kitzinger and I found them very reassuring. So
much so that when I went into labour with my daughter I
felt in control because I trusted my body and knew I
could do it - and I did. It was a quick and easy natural
birth with no pain relief and I am delighted to say it
healed me from my previous experience. I did however
come to realise that even during this natural process I
was having to fight to get what I wanted. I felt that
had I had a Doula I would have had an experienced
advocate to speak my wishes on my behalf, and then I
could have been left undisturbed, which is the ultimate
goal of any woman in labour.
As a result, I decided to change careers and train as a
midwife, feeling that this might enable me to be in the
best possible position to help more women to have the
experience they deserved. Frustratingly, I found this not
to be the case. My experience in the hospital environment
proved to me that the midwives are unable to practice
'authentic midwifery' because they are often stretched, too
busy with administration and were having to pigeon hole
women and deliver care according to protocols and
time-scales. The Midwives themselves, were frustrated at
not being able to support the women as they would like and
sometimes a basic understanding of what a labouring women
requires is very much forgotten.
Women in labour need as little outside stimulation as
possible. Women in labour need peace and quiet, warmth and
to feel safe, secure and unobserved. I understood this and
knew I could give this support far better, if I was to work
as a Doula. So in 2007 I left midwifery and decided to
become a Doula. In October 2007 I attended a
Paramana Doula course by Michel Odent which was extremely enlightening and
motivating then in November 2007 I qualified as a
HypnoBirth Instructor which enabled me to teach
antenatal classes. During these classes I equip mothers
with wonderful methods of relaxation and an
understanding how their bodies work during childbirth to
enable them to access their own natural resources
providing a calm, more comfortable and enjoyable
experience. Please read more about both services to see
what I do.
"Helen is an incredibly friendly, warm and caring person.
Her passion for empowering women to have easy and memorable
births is always evident. I really couldn't recommend
anybody better to learn HypnoBirthing from or to have as a
doula in the Warwickshire area" (Sarah
Ockwell-Smith)