The Essex Birth Company

The Essex Birth Company Perinatal Specialist | Trauma Therapist | Birth Preparation | Counselling | Birth Pool Hire

10/09/2026

Watch to the end, to see my article in the magazine 😊

A big thanks to the for creating this fabulous magazine. It’s jam packed with some fantastic female led businesses.

I’ve been having a look through myself and I’ve found it really useful. I’ve already been in touch with which is an organisation that really resonates with me.

I suggest you go and take a look at https://online.flippingbook.com/view/472905595/

This year the school curriculum has changed slightly to include more about bereavement & grief & I think that’s a good t...
09/09/2026

This year the school curriculum has changed slightly to include more about bereavement & grief & I think that’s a good thing

We talk about birth. We talk about life. Little ones might learn about the life cycle of a frog or about babies & how we grow

But we can’t really talk about life without talking about death, grief & bereavement too

Children have a far greater capacity to understand than we often give them credit for. The information needs to be age appropriate, but it’s a conversation worth having

As a counsellor & trauma therapist, one of the areas I work in is pregnancy & baby loss. So many parents struggle with how or even whether to tell older siblings & other children about a loss

Every family is different, but in my experience, honesty is almost always the best policy. If a child later learns about a death & realises they were never told, that can bring its own hurt. I’ve seen it

Children deserve the knowledge & the chance to understand & grieve too

From around age 3, children can begin to understand loss, although their understanding develops as they grow

Sands has some brilliant, age-appropriate resources for explaining pregnancy & baby loss to children & there are lots of books written for different ages

If the idea of your child learning about bereavement at school feels uncomfortable or you’re struggling to talk to them about a loss in your own family or friendship group, it may be worth gently exploring what’s making that conversation difficult

We can’t shield our children from loss. All we can do is be honest, hold space, listen & let them process it in their own way and in their own time

Research supports this too. A 2023 study looking at what bereaved children want to know found that children benefit from opportunities to freely discuss their thoughts about death. Honest information & support can help them cope, while adults own reluctance can be a significant barrier to these conversations

Children deserve the opportunity to understand & process grief. Not to be protected from it but to be supported through it

If you’d like to explore anything mentioned here, please reach out

It’s World Su***de Prevention Month, and there’s a statistic every parent, partner, and family member should know:In the...
08/09/2026

It’s World Su***de Prevention Month, and there’s a statistic every parent, partner, and family member should know:

In the UK, su***de is the leading cause of direct maternal death between six weeks and one year after birth. Not a rare tragedy. The leading cause!

That statistic isn’t there to frighten you. It’s there because it means this is preventable, and prevention starts with reaching out before you get anywhere near crisis point

If you’re struggling, you will not be “a burden.” You will not be judged. Parenting was never meant to be done alone; it takes a village, and asking for help is you finding yours

In the West, we tend to be so hard on ourselves in those early weeks. Make-up on, house clean, visitors welcomed, back to “normal” almost immediately. Compare that with traditions in parts of the East, where a new mother rests for 40 days and nights; fed warm, nourishing food made by others, not lifting a finger, having her body cared for, simply resting and bonding with her baby. Research suggests these practices can help protect maternal mental health, however the practice matters less than what usually comes with it…real, hands on support

That’s the piece so many of us are missing. Not perfection. Support.

I’m not suggesting this is the only reason for suicidality, but it’s definitely a factor

So: less pressure. More village. And if you feel stuck, trapped, or like you’re drowning; postnatally or for any reason, please reach out before it gets to that point. You deserve support, and it’s there.

If you’re struggling right now, please talk to someone today:

Samaritans — 116 123 (free, 24/7)

I’d love to hear from you if you’d like to chat about booking some pre-crisis point counselling sessions www.theessexbirthcompany.com

***dePreventionMonth

Pregnancy, birth, parenthood & life as a woman can bring up more than anyone tells you about, fear, grief, identity shif...
05/09/2026

Pregnancy, birth, parenthood & life as a woman can bring up more than anyone tells you about, fear, grief, identity shifts, trauma, or feelings you can’t quite name.

You don’t need a diagnosis or a crisis to deserve support

Sometimes you just need a space that’s entirely yours, with someone trained to help you make sense of what’s going on

I offer counselling drawing on my background as a doula, birth worker & trauma therapist, so I understand both the emotional & practical sides of what you’re going through.

Support may cover (but isn’t limited to)…

Pregnancy & Postnatal: Tokophobia, anxiety, OCD, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, depression, birth trauma & PTSD, NICU trauma, breastfeeding trauma, bonding concerns, gender disappointment, unfulfilling feelings about motherhood

Loss: Pregnancy & baby loss at any stage & in any circumstance

Women’s Health: Menopause & perimenopause, gynaecological & sexual health concerns, late diagnosed neurodivergence, life transitions & identity shifts

Trauma & Abuse Historic abuse, ACEs, birth partner trauma, vicarious trauma in midwives & maternity staff

This is a confidential, judgement free space

Face to Face | Online | Walk & Talk

If something feels unresolved, you don’t have to carry it alone

Get in touch for a no obligation chat

[email protected] www.theessexbirthcompany.com


One thing I hate to hear about is people feeling they have to transfer from a home birth to hospital due to dehydration....
04/09/2026

One thing I hate to hear about is people feeling they have to transfer from a home birth to hospital due to dehydration. Such a shame when it’s easily prevented!

Where ever you’re choosing to have your baby, you need to keep hydrated

Your body is working super hard & it needs you to help it out💧

Labour is physical work, think marathon, not sprint. You’re breathing hard, you’re moving, you might be sweating, and if you’ve being sick, you’re losing fluids fast. Dehydration can slow labour down, make you feel exhausted & dizzy & in some cases is exactly what tips a straightforward labour into needing interventions

So here’s a few gentle ways to stay on top of it:

Coconut water…naturally full of electrolytes & kinder on the stomach than a big glass of plain water when you’re feeling queasy

Electrolyte tablets/sachets…pop a couple in your hospital or home birth bag, they’re small & make a big difference

Labour-ade…some people like to make their own mix (water, a little honey or juice, a pinch of salt) to sip through surges

Ice chips or ice lollies…brilliant if you’re struggling to keep fluid down

A bottle with a straw…sounds simple, but it means your birth partner can help you sip without you needing to move too much if you’re comfy

Drinking…such a small thing that can make such a big difference to how your labour goes.

Postpartum psychosis is rare, but when it happens, it’s a mental health emergency.It affects around 1 in 1,000 new mums ...
04/09/2026

Postpartum psychosis is rare, but when it happens, it’s a mental health emergency.

It affects around 1 in 1,000 new mums in the UK (rcpsych.ac.uk)

90% of episodes start within the first 4 weeks after birth, often the first 2 weeks (Psychiatry Online / Focus Journal)

Risk jumps to 1 in 2 if you have bipolar disorder AND a family history of postpartum psychosis (Royal College of Psychiatrists)

It can look like “just” bad sleep or new mum overwhelm at first. But this isn’t the baby blues, and it isn’t “normal” postnatal anxiety.

SIGNS TO WATCH FOR:

🔺 Rapidly changing moods; high one hour, low the next
🔺 Confusion or feeling “spaced out”
🔺 Racing thoughts or speech
🔺 Not sleeping, even when baby is
🔺 Strange beliefs that don’t fit reality (delusions)
🔺 Seeing or hearing things others don’t (hallucinations)
🔺 Feeling suspicious or fearful without clear reason

GETTING HELP:

This is always urgent. If you notice these signs in yourself or someone you love:

Go to A&E or call 999

Contact your GP, midwife or health visitor immediately

Call your local Perinatal Mental Health Team

Postpartum psychosis is treatable & with fast support, full recovery is very possible

You are not alone. You are not a bad mum. This is an illness; not a reflection of you or your parenting



Roxburgh et al., “Experiences of Mental Health Care Among Women Treated for Postpartum Psychosis in England,” Community Mental Health Journal (2022)

“Postpartum Psychosis: Updates and Clinical Issues,” Psychiatric Times / Focus Journal

It’s been a busy week I still have a few more days of school holiday. My little person is in the National karate squad s...
02/09/2026

It’s been a busy week

I still have a few more days of school holiday. My little person is in the National karate squad so we have a trip to Birmingham for the GB Open Karate Championship this weekend. We were at Ariana Grandes last ever concert last night, so it’s an exciting week for her too.

I’ve seen doula and workshop clients, plus lots of people for pool hire and our latest Bloom get together.

My area of research this week has been induction of labour, babies on the smaller side & misoprostol (in my area they’re apparently using this often for IOL to help reduce caesarean rates 🤔).

A very lovely midwife & my doula client invited me to today’s antenatal appointment. It felt really positive to be included.

Breech babies were the topic of conversation until a few days ago. One of my workshop clients & another worried mum have benefited from my breech babies knowledge. It was great to be able to send them ECV videos, podcasts, evidence based info & really useful turning techniques.

I’ve seen a few therapy clients this week, but I have a few spaces for perinatal counselling on a Monday & Wednesday at the moment.

I’m pleased it’s a little cooler & I’ve enjoyed walking my new walk & talk therapy routes.

There’s been lots more too, it’s been a busy one and I look forward to a quieter week after Monday.

Grief doesn’t always look like loss of life.In my work supporting families through perinatal experiences and women’s lif...
30/08/2026

Grief doesn’t always look like loss of life.

In my work supporting families through perinatal experiences and women’s life transitions, I support pregnancy and baby loss, but I see another kind of loss and grief too.

It could be the grief of the birth type you didn’t get to have.

Maybe the loss of your old life, your old self.

Perhaps your menopause transition is in full swing and you’re grieving your younger self.

Was it an emergency caesarean birth when you’d planned for something totally different.

The induction that took over when you wanted things to unfold naturally.

The moments you don’t remember because everything moved so fast.

The skin to skin that had to wait.

None of this means you’re not grateful for what you have. Gratitude and grief can live in the same body, at the same time.

If you’ve found yourself thinking “I should just be happy, everyone’s healthy” while quietly carrying disappointment, anger, or sadness, I want you to know, that grief is real, and it deserves space too.

You’re allowed to mourn the experience you didn’t get, or one that’s passed you by.

This National Grief Awareness Day, I’m holding space for all forms of loss, including loss of an experience.

If this resonates, you don’t have to carry it alone, I’m here to listen. Please get in touch [email protected]

Are you prepared for your birthing journey?Studies have shown that families who are informed and prepared for childbirth...
28/08/2026

Are you prepared for your birthing journey?

Studies have shown that families who are informed and prepared for childbirth tend to have more positive outcomes.

At The Essex Birth Company, you can choose from a range of bespoke workshops designed to help you feel confident and ready for this important milestone.

Led by Kirstie, passionate about preventing trauma and a highly experienced doula and therapist who has supported countless births. The variety of workshops provide personalised guidance and comprehensive resources. Here are some of the options available:

❤️ Hypnobirthing & Birth Preparation Programme
🩵 Birth Preparation Workshop
💛 VBAC Preparation Workshop
💜 Caesarean Birth Workshop
🧡 Birth After Trauma Preparation Programme
💙 Birth & Postnatal Planning Workshop
🩷 Home Birth Workshop

Each workshop includes a detailed guide up to 200 pages, filled with expert advice and practical tips to ensure a positive birthing and postnatal experience.

Discover more at
https://www.theessexbirthcompany.com

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Chipping Ongar

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