Mums to be can benefit from West Norfolk birth festival

A holistic pregnancy and birth festival will take place in a West Norfolk village this weekend and its organiser claims all mums to be can benefit from it.

Paula Cleary has worked as a doula, a professional who aids natural birth but works separately from a midwife, for many years and wants to introduce holistic women’s health to West Norfolk.

Paula said: “A doula is not a midwife, we work alongside healthcare professionals. My focus as a doula is helping a woman have a natural birth if she so wishes, and to add to her pre-existing birth plan.

“Women are amazing creatures, we have the hormones in our bodies to aid natural birth and holistic health is about exploring that. It doesn’t have to be spiritual, but it can be if a woman desires that.

“Many expectant mothers have been scared off from the idea of a home birth, as traditional medicine may advise against it, but it’s my job to help re-assure women about their chosen birth plan.”

The festival, which will take place at Castle Acre village hall on Saturday, between noon and 3pm, will have many holistic stalls.

Home birth Norfolk will be present to educate pregnant women about free birth pool hire available in the area as well as best-selling brand Weleda with their award winning mother and baby range for attendees to sample.

There will also be a stall where a placenta pro, who specialises in turning the placenta into nutritious supplement pills for mothers post-labour. Medically there has been little research on this, though over the centuries it has said to have benefits anecdotally.

Paula said: “It’s a great place for mothers to meet like-minded individuals and share their fears regarding birth and educate themselves about the range of holistic methods available.”

To follow Paula’s blog visit www.gowiththeflowdoula.com