Hello!
Lovely to see you here, and congratulations on your pregnancy. I'm Susan (she/her) and my passion is to work with pregnant women, all birthing people, and couples or solo parents as they navigate pregnancy, labour, birth and after baby arrives the 'fourth trimester' and beyond into motherhood and parenthood.
I have taught pregnancy yoga and hypnobirthing to hundreds of women and couples. So you are in very safe and experienced hands! I passionately believe that Hypnobirthing changes and empowers both mother and father and can have the most profound effect on the baby which will last a lifetime. Teaching the simplicity of a calm and confident birth (however you birth your baby) to mothers and their partners is a real privilege and is deeply satisfying. I enjoy sharing Hypnobirthing with mothers and fathers to give them an experience that reduces fear, and instead informs and empowers them to bring new life into the world with joy and contentment.
Hypnobirthing is much more than a few techniques for a mother to use while giving birth. It is a complete antenatal and birth preparation that guides you to the birth you want - for you and your baby.
For all my antenatal and postnatal trainings I have chosen to be educated by the very best - all leading experts in their field, including Katharine Graves, Nadia Narain, Uma Dinsmore-Tuli, Michel Odent, Lolly Stirk and Peter Walker. This is really important to me, so that I can share their expert knowledge as leaders in their field with you in my Hypnobirthing & Complete Antenatal courses. I bring the wealth of this experience to my unique course which enables me to address all manner of questions and concerns. I do my utmost to ensure that each and every couple leaves the course feeling empowered, inspired, calm and confident.
As well as absolutely loving my job working with pregnant women and couples I also teach regular yoga classes in studios around York and Harrogate. I am a mother of two girls (twins!), and I love the sunshine, being beside the sea, as well as a love of food and recipe books (which you'll benefit from during our time together with homemade goodies!), good strong coffee (sorry pregnant ladies!), good red wine (sorry again!). I also do a bit of creative doodling, graphic and furniture design too.
My Hypnobirthing training
I am a fully trained Hypnobirthing teacher with a Diploma in Hypnobirthing (with accreditation from the Royal College of Midwives - the highest accolade that vouches for the high standard, professionalism and quality of the course) and I am have professional membership of the HypnoBirthing Association.
I trained with KG Hypnobirthing who are the UK's leading hypnobirthing training course, established by Katharine Graves over 10 years ago. It's the most widely taught Hypnobirthing course to Midwives and has the most practitioners in the UK. And is basically brilliant! I add to this base training and add all my additional expert knowledge - including the practices of mindfulness, pregnancy yoga, biomechanics, active birth, aromatherapy for childbirth, deep relaxation, and as a Doula and as someone whow orks with women to release previous birth trauma- so you get a really brilliant, guarenteed not BS, unique antenatal course with lots of added extras.
My other professional training
I am a Pregnancy Yoga Teacher and Postnatal Yoga Teacher (and a regular yoga teacher too). I teach yoga to real people - it’s not about fancy shapes or bendiness its all about connecting to yourself, feeling from within, moving and breathing better which will help you in pregnancy, in labour and into motherhood too. I trained with one of the leading and most prestigious yoga studios in Europe - Triyoga in London, with the brilliant Nadia Narain. Further training with Lolly Stirk, one of the most experienced pregnancy yoga teachers in the UK. I have also trained in Fertility Yoga with the amazing Uma Dinsmore-Tuli, and teach this special practice too.
As a trained Doula and I have wonderful knowledge about birth, pregnancy and the different ways of having your baby - and that choice is the most important thing. I trained with one of the leading Obstetricians in the world, Michel Odent (you may well have heard his name or read his many books. He basically invented water birth!). And his wife Liliana Lammers, one of the most established Doulas in London.
As a Baby Massage teacher I have trained with the wonderful Peter Walker who has over 40 years of experience in this field all around the world. A truly amazing man and course (which is accredited by Fedant).
I have also training Aromatherapy for Childbirth, again from a Royal College of Midwives approved course. So I can also share with you this knowledge and you can use essential oils during labour and birth to great effect.
I am also a trained and accredited birth debriefing, reflecting & listening, and the 3 Step Rewind Process which can help bring relief to parents after a difficult or traumatic birth or postnatal experience. As well as a Birth Injury Recovery Practitioner supporting women after birth mentally and emotionally. More details on my birth debriefing & listening, 3 Step Rewind and Birth Injury Recovery can be found here.
I update my knowledge constantly with study days, CPD and courses every year, to ensure that my clients have the benefit of the latest research.
Volunteering and Charity work
I am a Breast Feeding Peer supporter volunteer for Treasure Chest York. Supporting women to make the right choices for them in feeding their babies.
And I help to run and host the brilliant FREE Positive Birth Movement group in York, find out more about that here.
I’m also an ambassador for Make Birth Better and I support Pandas Perinatal Mental Health Charity through my work too.
A Mother
I lastly, though no less importantly, I am also a mother of two small people - twins no less!
Press Coverage & Awards
I'm delighted to have had a number of articles published on the brilliant Selfish Mother website.
We feature on the brilliant Little Vikings York website, and were a Winner in their brilliant annual awards too in 2021!
An article I wrote appeared in the brilliant Natural Parenting Magazine here as well as in their printed publication
I recently wrote a piece on Pregnancy Yoga for The Early Hour parenting platform
I was so delighted to be a winner in a number of categories at the York Mumbler Love Local Awards for my work supporting pregnant women and new mothers during lockdown
Press & Podcast Appearances
I’ve had articles published in print in magazines such as Natural Parent Magazine, on The Early Hour and on the Selfish Mother online platform. On topics around pregnancy, pregnancy yoga, birthing knowledge and the postnatal period. And I’m very happy to write unique pieces for you, and also to share my expertise for opinion pieces too.
Also I’m very happy to share my knowledge on radio shows, via podcasts, and on television shows. I love to talk about what i’m most passionate and knowledgable about which is pregnancy, fertility and motherhood and your physical, mental and emotional health throughout. I hope it can shine a light on important issues , and help to empower and inspire other mothers and parents.
Join me on the new For Modern Mothers YouTube Channel. A brand new video every week from pregnancy yoga, to amazing breathing techniques, to top pregnancy tips - its all here:
www.formodernmothers.video
Join me on my new Podcast for regular doses insight into all things motherhood:
For Modern Mothers Podcast
I love to hear from people.
If you have any questions about my hypnobirthing courses in York, want to book your places or questions about hypnobirthing and how it could really help you have a positive birth please do get in touch.
You can drop me an email: susan@formodernmothers.com
or you can simply use this form
Phone For Modern Mothers
Do give me a call to chat if you prefer on 07954 238 424 (although you’ll probably have to leave a message as I’m usually on silent).
Address
I teach in various venues around York. All of them have free and easy parking, so nice and stress free.
Booking
To book my Fertility Yoga, Pregnancy Yoga or Mum & Baby yoga classes, Baby Massage Courses and Hypnobirthing & Birth Preparation group classes you’ll find online booking links on the relevant pages.
To book one-to-one’s or refreshers, or birth trauma recovery sessions please email me to make your booking, or use this booking form
Social
Join me on social media to keep up with the latest pregnancy, birth & motherhood goodness, tips, information and inspiration: