Here are a collection of press clippings featuring water births that emphasize the use of our method and the participation of our practitioners.
Gently Does It... the natural waterbirth pioneer
Carolyn Burdet
Kindred Spirit, September/October 2004
Kindred Spirit, September/October 2004
Synopsis
Dr. Gowri Motha, an obstetrician at a London hospital, pioneered water births in the NHS by purchasing the first pool in 1987. Frustrated with traumatic hospital births, she developed the Gentle Birth Method, combining massage, reflexology, ayurvedic herbs, and self-hypnosis to prepare women physically and mentally for childbirth.
Offered at the Viveka clinic and her Jeyarani Centre, this method promotes natural childbirth with notable success: shorter labor, fewer episiotomies, and lower Caesarean rates. High-profile clients like Elle Macpherson and Gwyneth Paltrow have benefited from her program.
Dr. Motha emphasizes spiritual aspects, including chanting and Reiki, to enhance the birthing experience. Despite challenges, her approach has influenced mainstream NHS practices, making water births widely available. Dr. Motha's work continues to evolve, with dreams of establishing a dolphin birthing center to further natural birth options.
Delivering babies underwater
Bangalore Times, 8 April 2003
Bangalore Times, 8 April 2003
Synopsis
Dr. Gowri Motha, a London-based obstetrician and gynecologist educated in Bangalore, is a pioneer of waterbirths and the acclaimed Jeyarani method. She emphasizes the "birth-fit" concept, preparing women both physically and mentally for natural childbirth through holistic practices like self-hypnosis, Bowen therapy, cranial-sacral therapy, reiki, and reflexology.
Having assisted in over 500 waterbirths, Dr. Motha advocates for waterbirths as part of her Gentle Birth Method, promoting a less traumatic and more enjoyable birth experience. She highlights the benefits of water as an analgesic, muscle relaxant, and hypnotic agent, facilitating a natural labor process and reducing post-birth trauma for both mother and baby.
Dr. Motha has conducted waterbirths globally, including in India, and expresses readiness to collaborate with Indian doctors to popularize this method further. Her approach emphasizes elegance and safety in implementing waterbirths, underscoring her commitment to enhancing birthing experiences worldwide.
Harmonious start for “water babies”
Val Weeks, Guardian Gazette, 23 September 1990
Guardian Gazette, 23 September 1990
Synopsis
Dr. Gowri Motha, a qualified gynaecologist and obstetrician based in South Woodford, has gained renown for her pioneering work in water births. Operating at Whipps Cross Hospital, she has delivered over 100 babies underwater, aiming to promote a gentler birth experience.
Alongside water births, Dr. Motha runs prenatal singing classes, fostering a serene start for infants. Her initiatives extend beyond childbirth; she founded the Jeyarani Health Centre to support families through various stages of life. This includes postnatal gatherings for new parents and holistic treatments like aromatherapy, reflexology, and homeopathy.
Dr. Motha's center also plans to introduce self-defense courses and Well Man clinics, enhancing community health in South Woodford. Her integrated approach combines medical expertise with holistic care, aiming to create a harmonious environment for families and individuals alike.
GP takes the plunge and tries an underwater birth
GP Medicine, 20 May 1994
GP Medicine, 20 May 1994
Synopsis
Dr. Jane McGrath, an east London GP, initially planned a managed hospital delivery with pain relief for her first child. However, a chance meeting with Dr. Gowri Motha, a pioneer of water births and hypnotherapy, changed her approach entirely.
Dr. Motha introduced Dr. McGrath to hypnotherapy sessions starting from the 24th week of her pregnancy. Skeptical at first, Dr. McGrath found the sessions focused on relaxation and mental imagery soothing. The goal was to achieve deep relaxation and mental detachment from the body, aiming to minimize pain during labor.
When Dr. McGrath's labor began unexpectedly on a Greek island, she was surprised to experience minimal pain, despite initially doubting hypnotherapy's effectiveness outside the sessions. Guided by Dr. Motha, she opted for a water birth in the hospital, which she found calm and stress-free. Her positive experience has made her a strong advocate for hypnotherapy in childbirth.
Dr. Motha's innovative approach combining water births and hypnotherapy has provided alternatives to traditional pain relief methods, influencing Dr. McGrath's perspective and enhancing her birthing experience significantly.
Water's a hit for mothers
Hospital Doctor. Volume C10 No 34, 13 September, 1990
Hospital Doctor, Volume C10 No 34, 13 September 1990
Synopsis
Senior registrar Miss Gowri Motha, based at Whipps Cross Hospital in North London, advocates underwater births as a method to promote relaxation and well-being for mothers and babies alike. Having overseen 150 successful water births, she emphasizes the benefits of natural relaxation techniques and self-hypnosis over conventional painkillers.
Inspired by water-birth pioneer Michel Odent, Miss Motha conducts prenatal singing classes alongside her delivery method, aiming to foster contentment among expectant mothers. Despite the need to set up temporary 2ft deep pools for each birth, she envisions establishing a permanent facility once water births gain wider acceptance at Whipps Cross Hospital, where approximately 5,000 babies are born annually.