Jentle Childbirth Foundation
 Nurturing Pregnancy, Childbirth and beyond

A study day for midwives, obstetricians, anaesthetists and complementary therapists
24 September 2009
at ImperialCollegeLondon, Hammersmith Hospital

A study day planned by Jenny Smith (founder member of the Jentle Birth Foundation) which will explore an holistic approach to wellbeing in pregnancy and childbirth.
Registration includes a copy of Jenny’s book: “Your Body, Your Baby, Your Birth: The essential guide to feeling confident at every stage of your pregnancy and birth” published by Pan Macmillan.

Topics to be covered:

• What is a normal birth? The reality of birthing today: Mr Shane Duffy
• “The Gentle Birth Method”: a doorway to pain free birth: Dr Gowri Motha
• Nurturing - the little things make such a difference: Miss Jenny Smith
• Biological nurturing: laid-back breastfeeding: Dr Suzanne Colson
• Normalising analgesia and anaesthesia: Dr Felicity Plaat
• Acupuncture: Ms Lisa Sherman & Ms Jonquil Wetwood
• Reconnecting with the pelvic floor: Ms Ramona Peoples & Ms Nicki O’Clarey
• Yoga - the benefits for childbirth, incorporating the importance of posture, breathing and relaxation: Mrs Fenella Lindsdell

Full details can be found on www.symposia.org.uk or from The Symposium Office (Tel: 020 7594 2150)

Your Body, Your Baby, Your Birth

The Essential Guide to Feeling Confident at Every Stage of Your Pregnancy and Birth

Jentle founder, Jenny Smith takes readers by the hand through every stage of pregnancy, labour, birth and the first six weeks of their baby’s life. She encourages mums-to-be to approach birth with a positive, confident mindset and to be prepared for every eventuality - even if things don’t go according to plan. You will also find out about the NHS system and how you can make it work best for you - including the choices available and a who’s who of antenatal care. Armed with this insider knowledge, you will learn precisely what you can do to help yourself during each trimester so that you feel calm and able to deal with every eventuality. With a section devoted entirely to your birth, you will know what is going on at every stage - from the first signs of labour to holding your baby for the first time. This book is for every pregnant woman who wants to feel confident about the biggest event of her life.

‘I cannot rate this book highly enough. All parents-to-be need a copy.’ GABBY LOGAN

To buy a copy of Your Body, Your Baby, Your Birth at 35% off go to http://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Body-Baby-Birth-Essential/dp/1905744315

Jenny’s Speech at the launch of the Jentle Childbirth Foundation, Thursday 26 June 2008

This is amazing. I am so overwhelmed that you are all here tonight.

Tonight is the night we launch the Jentle Childbirth Foundation, a new charity that developed out of a shared passion to influence the direction of maternity care.

It is the passion of one midwife who has shared the passion of so many pregnancy journeys. I am so honoured many of you are here tonight. It is about trust, understanding, kindness and laughter. It is about dancing together with a recipe for birth that is constantly changing and adapting to suit individual needs. It is simply what dreams are made of.

Read more here

Everyone who has been through it has there own story tell, we would love to hear about the positive parts of the experience for both the mothers and birth partners. From the onset of Labour to post delivery. We’re after those moments that make you look back and smile. So lets hear your stories.

We want to know what you’d like to see on this website. Which information do parents and professionals need to help inform, educate and support. You can leave comments below. You’re help is vital to ensure we can work from the ground up in supporting and spreading Jentles aims.

Jenny Smith, a founding member of the Jentle Childbirth Foundation has jointly written a paper on Natural caesarean along side, F Plaat and NM Fisk. Here’s the abstract from the article, the full article can be seen here.

Although much effort has gone into promoting early skin-to-skin contact and parental involvement at vaginal birth, caesarean birth remains entrenched in surgical and resuscitative rituals, which delay parental contact, impair maternal satisfaction and reduce breastfeeding. We describe a ‘natural’ approach that mimics the situation at vaginal birth by allowing (i) the parents to watch the birth of their child as active participants (ii) slow delivery with physiological autoresuscitation and (iii) the baby to be transferred directly onto the mother’s chest for early skin-to-skin. Studies are required into methods of reforming caesarean section, the most common operation worldwide.

It was a wonderful night and lovely to see so many people at our launch party. Many thanks to everyone who supported us. The event was completely sold out and with the auction we raised over £15,000 pounds which is a great start for us. There will be pictures on the site soon and further updates. Many thanks to everyone who helped arrange the night, gave items for the auction and attended. If you leave us your email address we shall let you know when the photos are up.

We have a list of items to tempt you for the auction at the launch party on Thursday 26th June 2008, these range from Champagne, Jewellery, signed books to days out sailing on the Solent, have a look at the auction list here.