My Daisy Birthing journey: part 1
When I was pregnant with Tin Box Tot I took an antenatal Pilates course thinking it would help me keep fit while I was nurturing a growing bump. While I didn’t necessarily keep the extra pounds at bay I did learn a lot about the benefits of relaxation, visualisation and pelvic floor exercises.
So when I found out I was expecting Tin Box Baby 2 I was keen to do something similar. My old classes had moved out of the area so I looked for something closer and found the Daisy Foundation. It offers antenatal and postnatal classes for mums and babies national-wide.
Contents - jump to what you'd like to know
What is Daisy Birthing?
Daisy Birthing, or ‘breathing classes’ as Mr Tin Box liked to call them, include education about labour, alongside breathing, movement and relaxation techniques. There’s emphasis on building your confidence ahead of your labour and supporting you to make informed choices no matter what your birth plan.
Classes run in six week blocks. I signed up for active birthing classes with Nicola who covers the Hedge End, Whiteley and Fareham areas in Hampshire.
My Daisy Birthing journey so far
Where do classes take place?
I took Nicola’s class at Whiteley Leisure Centre on the edge of Fareham, but she runs a few in the area. The venues range from hotel spas to community centres.
There’s a network of other teachers across the country and you can find your nearest class on the Daisy Foundation website.
What other support is available?
Nicola was always sharing useful information on a closed Facebook group for the ladies in her classes. Thanks to her I have read so many useful pieces of guidance which are freely available on the internet that I would otherwise have no idea where there. You can also download and use Daisy relaxation recordings at home.
Overall experience
I found the whole antenatal side of the Daisy Birthing experience warm, friendly and inclusive. The Foundation does not promote ‘right or wrong’ ways to bring your baby into the world, just practical tools and information to support you on the path you decide to take.
So, I am now armed and ready for whatever the next few weeks throw at me. Wish me luck and I’ll let you know how I do when I put my Daisy Birthing know-how to the test!
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Please note: I paid for my own Daisy Birthing classes and all opinions are my own.
Wow, what a great birth story! It's so lovely to hear from other ladies who have recently been through labour using Daisy techniques and had such a good experience. It's a great confidence boost! Thanks so much for sharing x
So interesting to read about different things around. When I had James they pushed the NHS parent craft classes onto us which to be honest told us and taught us nothing. Plus they were during the day so my husband couldn't come.
I experienced a Daisy birth less than two weeks ago in water at home and it was amazing! Nothing like my first which was very hospitalised leading to a ventouse delivery. I attended Daisy classes for 12 weeks and a Daisy couples class. Like Claire I found the knowledge I learned about how my body worked in labour invaluable…I knew at what stage I was at throughout which was a bit overwhelming at first as I was in transition in less than 3 hours…my second stage lasted 14 mins where I breathed my baby out in to my pool…all 8lbs 6oz of him ☺️ I can't thank Daisy enough for the skills me and my partner learned…my partner was an active part of the process rather than an observer. He reminded me of the Daisy techniques I needed to use and kept me focused…so at 4.14am after 3hrs 14 mins from my first contraction I had my Daisy birth…stress and drug free. Within an hour of the midwives leaving we were all in bed sleeping. I would recommend Daisy to every woman first or fourth baby as you will learn things you didn't know and even if your birth bevines complicated you have a new set of skills to use. Good luck ladies xx
Thank you! You too x
Oh these classes sound brilliant and very similar to hypnobirthing 🙂 I'm so excited that you're all prepared for TBB's arrival soon! Good luck lady 🙂 🙂 #maternitymonday
I love reading posts like this, I didn't attend any classes when I was expecting Amelia so I find it super interesting to see how peoples experiences are and what they get up too. Sounds like a really relaxing sessions! Hope it all works out for you! Thanks for linking up #MummyMonday host xx
There were ladies in my classes who were having elective C sections and possibly being booked in depending on how their pregnancies progressed. Just attending the classes beforehand gave them the techniques they needed to relax during their pregnancy and in the time running up to their procedures. It's also about building up a support network with mums at a similar stage as you – something I didn't mention x
I've got to find time to read up on hypnobirthing. Anything that keeps you relaxed and calm gets a big thumbs up from me 🙂 x
So true! Fingers cross for a lovely birth x
It worked quite well for me last time, so fingers crossed I will sail through this about 🙂 x
Yes, I think it's very similar to antenatal yoga in terms of the movements and breathing techniques. You also get the education side thrown in x
It makes you feel better instantly – well worth a go in all sorts of situations 🙂
I use the breathing techniques in all sorts of situations. It's a good life skill. I think I'd need to practice a bit during form filling! x
I keep hearing a lot of good things about hypnobirthing. I'm going to check it out as well if Tin box Baby 2 stays put long enough for me to find a chance x
I can definitely recommend it for you 'you' time and thinking about the baby. It's so hard to find a moment when you're running around after another 🙂 x
I love the sound of the Daisy birthing classes and wish I could take advantage of them this time. Sadly with a C section on the cards it's not for me. Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested
I've never heard of Daisy birthing but it sounds like such a great way to prepare for birth. I did hypno birthing which was of a similar vein and I found the breathing techniques so relaxing and helpful
We have nothing like this round here, and these classes sound wonderful! Hopefully it all works for you, breathing is an underestimated relaxation technique, which is odd, considering it is something we do without thinking! #mummymonday xx
Ooo how e citing I can't wait to read if it works. I'm all for the power of the mind #MaternityMondays
Thanks for sharing – these classes sound fab! Also very similar in some ways to the pregnancy yoga class I did. Will defo look into these classes if I ever have another Baby!
X Becca #maternitymondays
Ooh this is interesting! I've not done anything this time…. might try and do some relaxing breathing soon…. #maternitymonday x
Stopping by from the #mummymonday linkup – as an adoptive parent this is a whole other world from all the meetings and from-filling that were my route into parenthood so it's interesting to hear about your experience! We use breathing exercises as a calming-down technique with our dysregulated children but that's as close as I'm likely to come to Daisy Birthing! 🙂
These classes seem really useful and informative, I definitely wish I'd had someone explain the stages of labour to me before my first time. I'm trying to read up on hypnobirthing for this time around. It worked well for me last time but I had a water birth, I'm not likely to have one this time so I will need all the help I can get!
I find posts like this so interesting as I didn't attend any classes when I was pregnant, but it's definitely something I'd like to try when I'm pregnant with my second! Purely for the time to myself! My local hospital now offers free hypnobirthing classes so I think I'll give them a go. Alex x #mummymonday