The day you find out you are pregnant you feel like you have entered a new dimension! A new territory to explore, new information to research and experiencing new and not always pleasant symptoms.

Throughout my pregnancies I have been very lucky. I suffered with morning sickness for 3 months and then sciatica near the end of one my pregnancies. Other expectant Mum’s had more uncomfortable symptoms and welcomed alternative ways to ease and help their issues.

Today, more and more mum’s-to-be are looking for complementary therapies to help with their pregnancy symptoms, such as, back and hip pain and poor sleep, along with ways to help them in later pregnancy and labour.

Herbal remedies and essential oils have become a popular choice through pregnancy. The right ones can be very effective, but there are others to avoid.

Botanical Bump Workshop

I was so pleased to hear that Asha, a Gloucestershire midwife of 20 years, is offering bespoke midwife led workshops full of information and advice on complementary therapies used for pregnancy Botanical Bump workshop.

The workshop is just over two and a half hours long. Full of top tips and advice for getting through the last weeks of pregnancy, labour and first days as a mum. Asha shares her extensive knowledge on how to use complementary therapy techniques to assist through these stages.

Meet Asha

Asha invited me to one of her Botanical Bump workshops. It was so informative, interactive and intimate. I am not pregnant, but how Asha delivered the workshop, with her friendly and welcoming demeaner, made me feel all warm and happy inside.

The venues that Asha has chosen to run the workshops at are situated within beautiful surroundings throughout the Cotswolds, really giving a luxury feel. The room is set up beautifully, creating a relaxing and calm environment to learn about complementary therapies used for pregnancy.

Asha speaks through her top tips, recommends herbal remedies and essential oils that have proven to be very effective, but also highlights the ones to avoid. It is such a relaxed space that everyone feels comfortable to ask questions from the start.

It was lovely to watch Asha work her magic by showing mums-to be-how reflexology, acupressure points and massage can help in the last few months of pregnancy.

Neal Yards essential oils are used in the workshop. These oils are natural and organic. Neal Yards use the highest percentage of organic ingredients, which is better for you and the earth. Essential oils can help with back and hip pain, poor sleep, and during labour can help with contraction discomfort, anxiety, tension, sickness and raised blood pressure, to name a few.

The oils were past around, so everyone could experience their aromas and see which scent gave them a positive and warm feeling. I loved the ylang ylang!

Each person is presented with what looks like a very fancy chemistry set. How cute is this!!

I love the interactive element of the workshop. Each person blends their own bespoke massage oil for use in late pregnancy and labour, spritzer spray for use in pregnancy and labour and one for healing of your tender areas after birth and a pregnancy roller ball remedy for use during pregnancy and after.

All these wonderful products that everyone has blended is theirs to take home.

A lovely touch to these workshops is, half way through there is a break for a chance to mingle over delicious botanical mocktails and tasty cakes.

Another really lovely touch is all attendees will have the opportunity to stay on afterwards and enjoy lunch, some pamper time in the venue’s spa, or having a discounted massage.

It was really lovely to see all these ladies together, sharing their pregnancy experience and learning about complementary therapies used for pregnancy.

If you would like to learn more or book onto a Botanical Bump workshop, please contact Asha here

On a different baby related subject, did you know that is it advisable to book a newborn photography session while you are pregnant?

They are only a newborn for a very short time and collecting beautiful memories of your baby’s tiny features only days old is an amazing experience and you will always look back to cherish these memories.

To find out more about my newborn photography sessions, please get in touch here