Bedtime Routines Aren’t Just for Kids: Tips for Better Sleep as a Parent
As parents, we all know how difficult it can be to get a good night's sleep. Between juggling work, kids, and life admin, it can seem impossible to get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Not to mention if your wee one interrupts your sleep (I've got a...
Strategies for Coping with Sleep Deprivation as a Parent
Ah, lack of sleep. It's the inevitable reality of parenthood. No matter well your kids sleep, there will always be nights when you find yourself up late, soothing a crying baby or trying to convince your toddler to go back to sleep. But fear not! There are some tried...
The Power of Pregnancy Yoga & Aberdeen and Shire Pregnancy Yoga Classes
I owe my whole hypnobirthing journey (and career as a hypnotherapist) to pregnancy yoga classes! I went along to a wonderful pregnancy yoga class run by Judy Cameron at Queen's Cross Church, and it opened up my eyes to so many different things, but the main one was...
From Spicy to Strange: The Weirdest Pregnancy Cravings We’ve Heard Of…
When you're pregnant, your body goes through all sorts of changes, both physical and emotional. And one of the most well-known (and sometimes amusing) changes is pregnancy cravings. While many expectant moms might crave the classic pickles and ice cream, others have...
Breaking the Myth: Hypnobirthing for Medicated and Surgical Births
When many people think of Hypnobirthing, they might picture giving birth in a candlelit room with no medical intervention, calmly breathing through contractions while the birth partner provides supportive touch and positive affirmations. This image may not be entirely...
Boy or Girl? Can Old Wives Tales Tell us Anything?!
For generations, expectant parents have turned to old wives' tales to predict the sex of their unborn baby. From the way you carry your bump to your food cravings, there are countless myths and superstitions about how to determine whether you're having a boy or a...
The Realities of Parenting: Coping with Burnout and Stress
Parenting is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but it's also one of the most challenging. The demands of caring for children 24/7 can leave parents feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and burnt out. In this post, we'll explore what parenting burnout is, why...
The Baby Bump: When Will You Start to Show?
One of the most exciting parts of pregnancy is watching your body change and grow as your baby develops. One of the most visible signs of pregnancy is the baby bump - that round, protruding belly that lets everyone know you're expecting. But when does your baby bump...
A Parent’s Guide to Using Reusable Nappies: 10 Tips for Success
If you're looking for a more eco-friendly and cost-effective option for your baby's nappies, reusable nappies might be the way to go. But getting started can seem daunting - where do you begin, and how do you make sure you're using them right? There seems to be so...
Baby Brain: What it is and How to Cope
Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you went in there in the first place? Or spent 10 minutes searching for your phone, only to realize it's been in your hand the whole time? If so, you might be experiencing "baby brain." I once, whilst pregnant with my...
Coping with Loneliness as a New Parent: Tips and Strategies
Parenthood can be an incredible journey, filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. However, it can also be a time of overwhelming change, sleepless nights, and feelings of isolation. Many new parents experience loneliness, even when surrounded by family...
Early Signs of Pregnancy: Is There a Tiny Human in There?
So, you've been feeling a little off lately, and you're starting to wonder if there's something more to it than a tummy bug, or life being exhausting. Maybe you've noticed that your energy levels are almost non existent, or that your stomach seems to be in revolt...
From Joy to Exhaustion: How Newborns Affect Parents’ Mental Health
Bringing a new baby into the world is a momentous and joyous occasion, but it's also a significant life change that can have a major impact on parents' mental health. While of course there may be lots of moments filled with love, wonder, and new discoveries, they can...
Pickles and Ice Cream: The Classic Pregnancy Craving (And Why It Happens!)
Ah, pregnancy cravings. The strange and wondrous phenomenon that makes you crave foods you never even thought you liked before. Suddenly, you're daydreaming about pickles and ice cream, or peanut butter and pickles, I've been there! But why do they happen? Well,...
The Silent Struggle: Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum depression is a well-known and well-researched condition that affects many new mothers, but postpartum anxiety is less commonly discussed and understood. While postpartum depression is a serious and potentially debilitating condition, postpartum anxiety can...
What to Pack in a Birth Partner Bag
There are a never ending number of What to Pack in you Birth Bag posts and lists out there, we even have our own! But as a birth partner what do you need? If you have been chosen as a birth partner, you will want to be prepared for the birth. One important aspect of...
Spectra – Aberdeen’s Festival of Light
Well I think Spectra is technically Scotland's festival of light, rather than Aberdeen, but we're so lucky to have this in Aberdeen. This year was our third visit and it was one of the best. We did run out of time again, so next year we'll plan to do it over two...
A Return to Blogging (A weekly update from Jade)
Hello! It's Jade here, I've been thinking about memories and noting down things I want to remember as a parent, and just in general, it reminded me of my years of blogging. I started blogging when I was 26 and grew my personal blog for 5 years, until I had a baby and...
Breastfeeding three… is called ‘triandemfeeding’!
Breastfeeding three... ...is called 'triandemfeeding'! When I first knew that I was pregnant in 2018 I knew I wanted to breastfeed but didn't really know an awful lot about it. My understanding of breastfeeding was that some can do it with no problems and that many...
When Anxiety is Useful {Hypnotherapy Blog}
Anxiety is perfect for when you suddenly get plonked down in the middle of the jungle. Imagine you're suddenly dropped off alone in the middle of the jungle as the sun starts to set. Whilst it might look rather idyllic in this photo, ending up in the jungle,...
We’re putting the ‘Hypno’ back in Hypnobirthing!
Hypnobirthing - what does the name make you think of? Sometimes you'll see hypnobirthing teachers almost excusing the hypno part, stressing the importance of all the other things we share in class, downplaying the hypno part as relaxation, saying they wish...
What can you Learn about Preparing for Birth from the Queen’s Death?
It's been an historic week here in the UK, and I realised that as much as I knew the Queen couldn't actually live forever, part of my kind of thought she would. I've been reflecting a lot this week on the events that unfolded, and of course, I've been looking at how...
Donating Breastmilk – Teresa’s Experience
Donating breastmilk is a wonderful thing for those who are able to do so I have been lucky to be donating milk a second time now as I seem to have a really good milk supply. I started donating breastmilk with my first daughter Cora in 2018/2019 and I am currently a...
Teresa’s Back from Maternity Leave – Here’s how it’s been going…
I'm back... ...and with bells on! Hello everyone! Thank you for being so kind and patient with me these past two years! What a blur! As many of our lovely followers know we have had our beautiful third daughter Remy in August! I've certainly had my hands full this...
The Hypnoparenting Podcast – Show 9 – Lisa Gillbe talks about style of a parent
I'm delighted to welcome Lisa along to talk about fashion and style as a parent! I think this is such a great way to reconnect with your identity and boost your confidence as a parent. You can find Lisa's Facebook Group here: Style Power with Lisa Gillbe Get...
Fear and Pain in Labour – Is it just a mindset?
Mindset, according to the Oxford English dictionary, obviously one of my favourite dictionaries of all time, is a set of attitudes or fixed ideas that someone has that are often difficult to change. And I think that's quite an important point, they are difficult to...
The MicroBiome Effect {Book Review}
BOOK REVIEW of: The MicroBiome Effect How your baby's birth affects their future health By Toni Harman & Alex Wakeford With a baby on the cover, purple and pink writing and circular shapes that remind me of bacteria or cells, this book is very inviting. If you...
Birth Chat – How to Create a Helpful Birth Environment
This week on our birth chat, we're talking about birth environments, our choices, and how to consider all 5 senses when creating a birth environment.
Where’s the Mother by Trevor MacDonald
Book Review : Where’s the Mother by Trevor MacDonald Where’s the Mother is a memoir style, autobiography of a trans-man's transition, pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding journey and his experiences. Trevor MacDonald's style is instantly connectable. His transition...
What’s the best way to learn Hypnobirthing?
In this week's birth chat Jade, Georgina and Teresa talk about the different ways to learn Hypnobirthing. We are missing our in person classes but Zoom is a great option, we also discuss whether to pick an online course, read the book, go for a group or one to one.
Are you Prepared for Baby Coming?
I don’t mean have you got the cot, pushchair, breast pump, sling, sleepsuits, vest etc., etc., etc., etc. I mean, are you ready for the change of pace? Are you ready, for your day to day life, to slow down? When people talk about children and being a parent the usual...
Your Blood Type and Pregnancy
Hi all! Did you know that it is important for your midwife and healthcare workers to identify women who have a RhD Negative blood type? Unless you are currently pregnant and are a Rhesus negative blood type you may not even be aware of this. Many women don't know...
The Hypnoparenting Podcast – Show 3
Find our more about The Hypnoparenting Club here: https://courses.sonamum.com/hypnoparenting-club Our PDF of 70 self care ideas can be downloaded here too
The Hypnoparenting Podcast – Show 1
Thanks for listening to this week's show - What is Hypnoparenting? Here's a link to the 5minute relaxation I mentioned: And here is an example of my wonderful drawing skills of the primitive brain:
The Hypnoparenting Podcast – Show 2
Impatience and Being a Shouty Mum – Why and What can we do?
We've all been there, our patience is running low and we snap over little things, but why is this such a common thing with my clients right now, and what can you do about it? Anxiety, stress and uncertainty encourage us to operate from our primitive brains One of the...
Postnatal Exercise – And how important it can be!
Welcome back everyone! This is my follow up post on the topic “Exercising”. Today I'd like to highlight the importance of postnatal exercise! A quick recap: Pre-babies I was a very enthusiastic cyclist and runner. There was a fair bit of weight lifting, regular Les...
Help – I Can’t Get Back to Sleep
You know that feeling when you're tired and you really want to sleep, but your brain just won't turn off! In this video I talk about why this can happen and give you some tips to help quieten the chatter and let you drift off.
Magnus’s Birth Story (Georgina’s Third Birth)
I came to Hypnobirthing after having a traumatic first birth that left me feeling out of control and with no trust in myself or my body. I had my 2nd Hypnobirth baby in the middle of the Covid lockdown and wanted to share with everyone how I had 2 amazing,...
Exercise in Pregnancy – Teresa’s Journey
Exercise during pregnancy – listen to your body My pregnancy journeys have had many ups and downs. The good sort: I went up and down quite a few hills, on foot and on my road bike. For those of you who don't know me: Pre-babies I was a very avid cyclist and runner. A...
Calm Breathing – 2 minutes to feel calm!
It can be so easy to overcomplicate breathing techniques, when it comes to breathing for labour and birth it's really important not to over think it, practise helps techniques become second nature, but also keeping it simple goes a long way too. In the video below...
Two under 2s – What the…!
Hello all! Welcome to today's blog post with my chosen topic: Two under 2s! That is the situation I currently find myself in. For another month, anyway! My husband David and I found out that we were expecting another child when Cora was five months old. We hadn't...
Hello, I’m Teresa!
Hi all! I'm Teresa and mum to two little girls! Cora, who is almost 2, and Keeley, 9 months old. I teach hypnobirthing online and locally, covering South Aberdeenshire and Angus. When I'm not robed into parenting our two girls I am an enthusiastic cyclist and runner...
Iona’s Story
We have a gorgeous story to share with you from one of Georgina's client's today. A positive Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Midwife Lead Unit Hypnobirthing Birth Story. Iona attended Georgina;s October group courses and used the techniques of Hypnobirthing and her own power...
Alison’s Story
It’s been a few weeks since I gave birth to my second child, Annabelle. From around 34 weeks I was told she was head down and having had a c-section with my son, Angus, because he was breech, I was delighted that I was going to be able to give birth naturally using...
Why you need to LEARN to relax and how to start
I use the phrase "learn to relax" often, and when most people hear it for the first time it usually sounds strange, but we really do need to learn how to relax. Think about your day yesterday, did you take time out to relax? Is it something you prioritise? Often, even...
Yulia’s Story
My birth story started well before my second pregnancy. After I gave birth to my first child lying on my back with epidural on, purple face pushing and bad tearing, feeling hopeless and clueless and having to go through many months of painful postpartum recovery, I...
Laura’s Story
This was my 1st pregnancy and fortunately fantastic where my biggest issues were heartburn & sore feet! I had waited three years to fall pregnant naturally and loved being pregnant. I hoped to have a calm and positive birth so attended Jade Gordon's course at...
Cameron’s Birth
Today I have a lovely birth story to share with you, sometimes our local midwife unit has to close due to staffing etc., but as this mum experienced you can still create the same atmosphere in the labour ward, especially with such lovely supportive midwives. "Hi...
Florence’s Birth
After giving birth to my first daughter by induction, which ended in a cloudy memory of stirrups, episiotomy and pain (which continued after birth and through a traumatic breastfeeding journey) I was determined to have a far more positive and, more importantly,...
Elodie’s Birth
I'd like to share my positive birth story, it's been nearly a month now and I'm still in shock at how lovely and perfect it was. Sorry it's a bit long! With my first daughter I had to be induced due to ICP (cholestasis) at 38 weeks. I had wanted a natural water birth...
An Aberdeen Midwife Unit Birth
Right, as my baby has now been in the outside world as long as he was inside me I think it's finally time I posted my birth story! At a 39 week scan I was told the baby was big, already estimated to be over 8lb and packed off up to see a consultant. Fortunately I saw...
Felix’s Birth
It's taken me a long time to write this - not just because I have 3 very busy kids (!) but I have been left with some PTSD from my pregnancy and that's made remembering the details quite difficult. But I wanted to properly write about how Jade helped me, and I figured...
HypnoBirthing – Frequently Asked Questions
What is HypnoBirthing? HypnoBirthing is a full antenatal programme, it includes relaxation and breathing techniques and self-hypnosis. It helps women work towards birthing with confidence and trusting their instincts. The course covers : Education – understanding how...
HypnoBirthing Celebration – March 2017
It was lovely to meet up with some of the couples from last year's classes a few weeks ago. We got to chat along with plenty of supplies of tea, sandwiches and cakes, which I think is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon! I really enjoyed hearing more about your...
Aberdeenshire Breastfeeding Support
Breastfeeding support is vital, especially in the early weeks. Below you'll find a list of lovely breastfeeding support groups in the area. Most of this information comes from the local Breastfeeding Support Group on Facebook - I strongly recommend you join, it's an...
Agatha’s Birth
After a quick and smooth labour with my son Alex 2 years ago, I thought about a home birth early in my second pregnancy. My midwife was very supportive, but also very laid back so we didn't really discuss it in detail and she said I could decide later on, after 32...
Induction and HypnoBirthing
When most mums picture their HypnoBirth it’s a birth free of intervention, maybe it’s a home birth, a water birth in the midwife unit or maybe even a birth in labour ward which is calm birth, supported by their birth partner, and women focused. It’s not usually an...
Lucy’s Birth Story
I had birthed my first daughter the previous year at Montrose Maternity Unit and thanks to some self taught hypnobirthing and a bit of luck she arrived in the birthing pool two hours after my contractions started. I was shocked by the speed and relative ease of my...
Private Midwives and Scans in Aberdeenshire
We have some wonderful NHS services in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and some very dedicated midwives. Sometimes ladies want to use additional services though such as gender scans or private midwives for continuity of care. Scanning Services Baby Bond in Aberdeen...
Bonding with Baby
Today I want to share some information about Laura's award winning baby classes with you, baby classes are a great way to get out with your wee one and meet other mums! Hi, my name is Laura Henderson and I run ‘BONDING WITH BABY’. I am a fully qualified...
Rannoch’s Birth
Today I'm please to share Rannoch's beautiful birth story with you, Gemma and Gareth came to a group HypnoBirthing course late last year. Rannoch's birth was such a calm and positive experience. I love to hear back after a wee one's arrival, it's so wonderful to hear...
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Doulas
Doulas are trained to support you during pregnancy, birth and some work post-natally too. A birth doula will meet with you before birth to get to know you and discuss your birth preferences with you. They then support you during your labour, providing that important...
Islay’s Birth
Roberto and I are incredibly happy to welcome Islay Sofia (8lb 7ounces, 50.6cm) into our world, born naturally at home in the early hours of Monday morning, 14th November. A brief recall of my experience: I started to feel period like pangs throughout the Sunday. My...
Welcome to our shop!
Welcome to our shop! We've been busy behind the scenes getting everything together for our November launch, searching for our favourite products, making sure they've all been tried and tested and bringing them all to you on our website. If there's something you'd love...
Coby’s Birth
I think I was probably one of the first mums in the area to be offered induction under the new guidelines at 40 weeks +7 days rather than the previous 40 weeks +12, and had it not been for my hypnobirthing sessions with Jade informing me of the pros and cons of...
From One Mother to Another: Massage in Pregnancy, do it.
A quick introduction, I am Claire, owner of OmniMama and Omnia Health, a mother of 3 boys, from 18months to five years old. A big part of my clinic practise (and my favourite part) is working with pregnant and postnatal mothers. My own personal experience during the...
Cloth Nappies & Baby Wearing / Slings
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire has a great range of lovely fluffy goodness in the form of soft comfy cloth nappies and gorgeous wraps, both of which you can buys locally. There's also lots of lovely ladies who get you started with babywearing and help with any sling and...
Angus’s Birth
Just over three weeks ago, my husband, Craig and I welcomed our first baby, Angus into our family. The Tuesday before he arrived, we had a scan at the hospital. I was 36+6 and the scan revealed baby was breech. We were asked to wait to speak to a doctor about it....
Positive Induction Birth Experiences
"If you've made the decision to be induced, you've probably heard your fair share of negative birth experiences, we have a terrible habit of sharing our negative stories more than our positive. I asked some local mums to share some of their positive experiences with...
Pregnancy Yoga, Pilates, Fitness Classes in Aberdeenshire
Pregnancy exercise classes are not only a great way to keep fit but are also a great way to meet other mums to be. There's quite a range in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. All the classes below have been recommended to me by mum I know. Swimming Turtle Tums...
Complementary Therapies
There are lots of lovely complementary therapists locally, complementary therapists can be a great support during pregnancy. Please be sure to check the therapist has adequate training and is trained to work with pregnant women. If you're unsure of a treatment is...
Alastair’s Birth
This is the birth story of my third baby; I used HypnoBirthing with my previous 2 and had a refresher session with Jade a week before (2 weeks before I was due). My first was born in the midwife let unit in a birthing pool (7 hr labour), my second was born unplanned...
North Aberdeenshire Home Birth
One month ago we welcomed our second daughter at home in Aberdeenshire – I’m finally attempting to get my birth story down in writing! Our first daughter, G, was born in hospital in Bristol. My waters broke around 11pm on Wednesday, with contractions starting the next...
Leon’s Birth
On Friday morning I had my show. 'Finally! A sign things are progressing', I thought. I started having contractions on Friday late afternoon, the sensation was like a tightening or cramping from within. I'm not sure I fully noticed when they started but after a few I...
What to pack in your hospital bag
The important task of packing a hospital bag is an exciting prospect for a Mum to be – even if you plan a home birth it’s worth having all your supplied together and a small bag packed in case of any transfers. I thoroughly packed my bag, in fact, first time round, I...
Recipes for new Mums–some guidelines
I’m going to share some of my favourite recipes for new Mums – these are great for gifts in the early weeks, but I have a list of guidelines which I try to follow: Recipes should be full of nutrients – I particularly found it hard to eat enough veg the first month or...
22 Weeks – Affirmations
This week in our pregnancy week by week birth tips I'm sharing about affirmations.
