A Grateful New Mum!

Rebecca and Alexi

Hi

For those of you considering pregnancy massage - but unsure about its benefits - I thought I would share the kind words I have recently received from a client who is now a new Mummy!

"Hello Sarah

Thank You so much for my lovely massage that you gave me - being eight months pregnant, I was feeling very sore and fed up and your massage was exactly what I needed. It made me feel human again! What a lovely idea your gift voucher was to include a massage lesson for baby too..I can't wait!

Once again thank you for my massage - you made me feel comfortable and relaxed and safe in your hands.

Thank you!

Rebecca X

My new home clinic!

Hi again everyone!

I am pleased to announce that I now have a treatment room at my home! Bump 2 Baby Bliss is based on Stephenson Avenue in Grantham - only 5 mins drive from Grantham centre, and yet miles away from the hustle and bustle of a town! I have created a lovely downstairs treatment room especially with pregnant ladies in mind. The room has its own downstairs toilet facilities and there is also off-road parking right outside the door! It's a lovely quiet setting with a beautiful garden and countryside as far as you can see from the therapy room! I look forward to seeing you soon!

For those of you for whom town is more convenient, I am still also working from the lovely clinics in Grantham (Calma Wellness Centre) and Sleaford (Carre Street Clinic).

Sarah X

http://www.bump2babybliss.co.uk/

My First Bump 2 Baby Bliss Baby!

oooh - I am so excited ! Not only has the local paper done a fab article on me today, but I have just found out that I have had my first Bump 2 Baby Bliss baby!! (well, a client actually HAD the baby.....) FANTASTIC! It is such an honour to massage a pregnant woman, knowing that you are helping to nurture both mum and the life growing inside her. And when baby starts to actively take part in the massage, feeling your hands through mummy's tummy - wow! What a sensation! The brilliant thing is....I also get to meet this baby and teach mummy baby massage soon! What a fantastic job I have!!

Love to all you mums, bumps and babies

Sarah XX

http://www.bump2babybliss.co.uk/

info@bump2babybliss.co.uk

07786 150 998

Calm Kids - an alternative to the 'naughty step'

I know this may be a bit premature for some of you (who may still be at the bump stage!) but many of you will already have other children, and many of my pregnant clients have gone on to become regular clients with children who are now toddler age.... Either way, it is useful reading!

I have recently come across this technique and have used it with my daughter when she is in one of her 'naughty' phases - well, she is 3! What do I expect?! It must be very difficult for children to learn boundaries when we as parents keep shifting them! We change what they can and can't do on a regular basis as they grow and develop. For example, at first they must only go up and down the stairs when holding mummy's hand, then in a few month's time they are suddenly allowed to do it on their own - it's not surprising they keep pushing boundaries on other issues with us as well! We are doing this because as parents we can tell when it is safe for them to now do something on their own - but to a toddler's mind it must be very confusing!

Anyway, needless to say there are times when my daughter pushes the limits (of the boundaries and my patience!) and her behaviour becomes 'naughty'! The technique I now use was actually introduced to me on a relaxation workshop - nothing to do with children! However, I have found it really beneficial at quickly diffusing a situation. It is a Hawaiian technique called Ho'oponopono and it just consists of saying four phrases: "I love you", "I am sorry", "Please forgive me", "Thank you". I say each phrase first and my daughter repeats it back to me. What we are both hearing and acknowledging is our own input into whatever disagreement has taken place, rather than just blaming the other person. My daughter knows she has done something 'wrong', but also knows that mummy still loves her and it is OK to move forward with the day and having fun - no resentment is held. Try it and see! You understand your child's behaviour for what it is (just behaviour, and not the child themself) and learn where you need to be clearer in your communication with your child. Your whole relationship becomes much easier and more enjoyable.

Let me know how you get on! (maybe we should apply this technique with our partners too?!)

Sarah x

Bump 2 Baby Bliss - Specialist Pregnancy and Baby Massage

www.bump2babybliss.co.uk

info@bump2babybliss.co.uk

07786 150 998

Specialist Training - Pregnancy Massage Update

To further my knowledge of massage and pregnancy, I recently attended (April 2009) a course on Essential Oils for Pregnancy and Childbirth which was run by Julie Duffy who teaches Clinical Aromatherapy at the University of Wales Institute. This course is fully accredited by The Federation of Holistic Therapists, the UK’s largest holistic therapy organisation, and is fully insurable.

The course covered the different conditions which are common during pregnancy such as indigestion, stretch marks, oedema (fluid retention), back pain etc. and how essential oils can help. It covered essential oils which can be safely used during pregnancy, dilutions and blends, massaging techniques and positions, and essential oils to help during labour. Some people shy away from using aromatherapy oils for pregnancy, unsure as to their safety. However, the majority of essential oils can be used safely at any stage during pregnancy and there hasn’t been a single case of any harm coming to mother or baby from using essential oils in massage. There is also no evidence to suggest that either massage or essential oils can cause miscarriage. Indeed, massage is extremely beneficial to women at all stages of pregnancy and is very soothing to the baby.

If you have read the Aromatherapy Pharmacy blog post, you will see how safe essential oils are in comparison to many medicines we use regularly today as they do not leave any trace of toxins in the body. This really is a blessing as pregnancy brings with it so many things that we may normally use medicines for: muscular pain, digestive discomfort, headaches, sinus congestion, piles, skin problems, etc. All of these – and more – can be safely treated with aromatherapy and I am fully trained, qualified and insured to make up creams and preparations for you to take home and use yourself.

Sarah White

Bump 2 Baby Bliss - Specialist Pregnancy and Baby Massage

www.bump2babybliss.co.uk

info@bump2babybliss.co.uk

07786 150 998

Aromatherapy Pharmacy

When many people think of Aromatherapy they think of a deeply relaxing, beneficial massage – but that is selling Aromatherapy very short!

As well as being used to great effect in massage, Aromatherapy can be used in the bath, in a burner, in a compress, in moisturising creams for skin, as well as in lotions to treat a variety of problems (be it acne, warts, dry skin, veruccas, piles, inflammation…the list goes on!)

Aromatherapy is the use of organic essences of aromatic plants for healing and the maintenance of vitality. The essences, or 'essential oils' as they are commonly known, are extracted from wide variety of plants, either through distillation or extraction and are very concentrated. For example it takes the petals from about 30 specially cultivated roses to produce one drop of Rose essential oil and several kilos of lavender to produce a small bottle of essential oil.

As we all know, nature has provided mankind with a tremendously powerful and diverse medical material. Indeed, there are about three hundred essential oils in general use today by professional practitioners, each oil having its own medicinal use and other properties. Modern-day research has confirmed centuries of practical use of the essential oils, and we now know that the aromatherapy pharmacy contains, apart from its anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal qualities, essential oils which are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-neuralgic, anti-rheumatic, anti-spasmodic, anti-venomous, antitoxic, anti-depressant, sedative, nervine, analgesic, hypertensol, digestive, expectorating, deodorising, granulation-stimulating, circulatory-stimulating and diuretic, and much more besides.

One of the most satisfactory aspects of using essential oils medicinally and cosmetically is that they enter and leave the body with great efficiency (approx. 3 to 6 hours). Also, unlike chemical drugs they do not remain in the body and do not leave any toxins behind.

I am fully trained, qualified and insured to make up creams and preparations for you to take home and use yourself – so, whether you’re looking for a good, organic, natural anti-wrinkle moisturiser, an acne treatment, varicose vein preparation or something to help you sleep, come and see me!

Sarah White

Bump 2 Baby Bliss - Specialist Pregnancy and Baby Massage

http://www.bump2babybliss.co.uk

info@bump2babybliss.co.uk

07786 150 998