birth positive counselling
for the childbearing year

...because birth is both a journey and a destination

I remember briefly presenting at a workshop not so long ago about the links between early experiences of abuse and negative birth experiences, when a workshop participant came up to me as I packed my bag and said to me, "you mean the fact that I curled up in a ball at 10cm dilated, and started rocking and refusing to push, could be related to the incest I experienced as a child?" We sat and talked, she cried and we talked some more. This was the beginning of the healing process, years after the abuse had ended and her children had been born.

- Jodi Hinds

While birth is a fundamentally normal experience in the lives of most women, for some the experience of becoming pregnant, giving birth and becoming a mother can bring up feelings of fear, inadequacy and panic. These intense feelings can be related to earlier experiences of childhood sexual abuse, woman abuse or trauma from a previous birth experience. However, other women who have not had such experiences often benefit as well from discussing beforehand any apprehension they may have about the upcoming birth.

Birth Counselling is intended to reduce these feelings through a combination of talking therapy, birth planning, relaxation exercises, containment exercises, journaling and trigger work- identifying and problem-solving for events related to childbirth that could lead to an unpleasant reaction for a woman.

This type of counselling is short-term and goal oriented. Sessions take place in the centrally located office of birth positive ™, are confidential and each session lasts for 60 minutes. Birth Counselling does not replace psychotherapy or more time-intensive forms of individual counselling, but prepares women specifically for coping with potential triggers related to earlier trauma which may have an impact on their experience of the childbearing year. Referrals will be provided where appropriate.

Jodi Hall-Hinds has worked with women through the childbearing year since 1996 and has been employed as a full-time counsellor working with abused women and their children since 2002. Jodi has been the group facilitator of moms' groups for women who have experienced woman abuse and for their children who have been exposed to the abuse of their mothers. Jodi is a professional trainer and consultant on the impact of trauma on the childbearing year.

Fees are based on a sliding scale. Day, evening and weekend appointments are available.

If you are a survivor of abuse, or a professional who provides support to survivors or to women in the childbearing year, you are invited to visit and add contributions to 'A Safe Passage' blog and/or join 'A Safe Passage' yahoogroup:

http://spaces.msn.com/asafepassage/
A blog for abuse survivors who are in the childbearing year and the professionals who support them. The site was created to provide resources, information and support from and for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault and woman abuse.

http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/asafepassage/
This yahoo group is dedicated to supporting women survivors of abuse in the childbearing year. Many survivors do not realize that abuse can have a unique impact on them in pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Regretfully this information usually comes to women after the fact... usually after their memories are triggered and they are left feeling confused and scared as they embark on their motherhood journey. The body remembers what the mind tries to suppress... becoming a mother is a time when these "stored" memories can surface. I hope survivors will share services and information to support one another in their own unique journey to healing and to grow in confidence as a mother who has survived. Professionals working with survivors are welcome to share their experiences and expertise. Moderated by a woman abuse counsellor and certified doula in Ontario Canada. [Jodi Hinds]