Pregnancy & Birth Preparation
Gentle Birth Method offers a holistic mind and body approach to pregnancy and birth preparation, designed to help mothers feel calmer, more supported, and more prepared for birth and recovery.
Our support is suitable whether you are planning a home birth, hospital birth, or caesarean birth.
A good place to begin is with a 90-minute consultation and treatment.
With Dr Gowri Motha: £300
With a Gentle Birth Method Practitioner: £150
How we support you during pregnancy
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General Note
Gentle Birth Method support usually begins between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, although some mothers begin earlier for support with symptoms such as nausea.
Your practitioner will guide you through the programme and help tailor support to your stage and needs. When you begin treatment, you will also receive the GBM Pregnancy Guidelines and complementary GBM MP3s.
We usually recommend a minimum of nine hands-on treatments, although some mothers choose to come weekly as they enjoy and benefit from the support.
We also support mothers both online and in person, in the UK and internationally.
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Physical Preparation
Physical preparation focuses on helping the body feel balanced, supported, and ready for birth. This may include nutrition, treatments, movement, yoga, and traditional practices designed to support comfort, alignment, and optimal positioning.
This may include:
nutritional guidelines
herbs and supplements
GBM Pregnancy Massage with Creative Healing
pregnancy reflexology
pregnancy yoga with micro-movements for pelvic release
tummy wrapping
perineal and vaginal oiling with self-stretching
rectal oil enema support
warm oil backpacks
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Mental Preparation
Mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation for birth. By helping to reduce fear and tension, the Gentle Birth Method supports mothers in approaching birth with greater calm, confidence, and trust in the body’s natural ability to give birth.
Mental preparation includes the GBM Hypnobirth ‘The Gowri Way’ course, which combines self-hypnosis, visualisation, and guided support for birth preparation.
Physical Preparation Treatments
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General Note
Gentle Birth Method treatments are physiologically designed for each stage of pregnancy, focusing on different systems as needed to make the mother ‘birth-fit’. Practitioners realign joints and detoxify muscles to promote softness and flexibility for birth, addressing common pregnancy discomforts like back pain, nausea, and fluid retention.
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Gentle Birth Method Pregnancy Massage with Creative Healing Techniques
Gentle Birth Method Pregnancy Massage uses Joseph B. Stephenson’s Creative Healing techniques as part of a gentle hands-on treatment designed to restore flow, release tension, and support the changing needs of mother and baby through each stage of pregnancy.
Treatments are tailored to the individual and may support common pregnancy discomforts such as back pain, nausea, fluid retention, and muscular tension.
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Pregnancy Yoga with Micro-Movements
Our specialised pregnancy yoga classes include micro-movements that help release the pelvic muscles and ligaments, support comfort, and encourage optimal fetal positioning and engagement.
These classes help mothers connect more deeply with their bodies and prepare physically for birth. Each class ends with a 30-minute GBM Hypnobirth ‘The Gowri Way’ top-up session.
Details
Location: Online live classes
Time: Wednesdays, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Price: £15 per online class
Block booking discount availableThese classes are also included in the 4-week GBM Hypnobirth ‘The Gowri Way’ course.
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Pregnancy Reflexology
GBM Pregnancy Reflexology is a therapeutic foot treatment that works on precise reflex points corresponding to different areas of the body.
It is used to support the systems that can become stressed during pregnancy and may help with common concerns such as heartburn, insomnia, fluid retention, digestion, and low energy, while also promoting relaxation and wellbeing.
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The Gowri Wrap (Pre and Post Natal)
From around 28 weeks, the Gowri Wrap can provide valuable uterine support, helping to encourage optimal fetal positioning and greater physical comfort during pregnancy.
It can also support postnatal recovery, making it a useful part of both prenatal and postnatal care.
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Ayurveda Support
Ayurveda is an integral part of the Gentle Birth Method and informs our wider approach to nutrition, herbs, supplements, and oils, helping to support balance during pregnancy and birth preparation.
From around 36 weeks, this may include:
Perineal and Vaginal Oiling
To help soften and prepare the lower vaginal tissues for birth. Self-stretching or the use of an Epi-No may also be helpful.Rectal Oil Enemas
To help soothe pelvic tissues, reduce rectal oedema, and improve comfort during the second stage of labour.Warm Oil Back Packs
To nourish and relax the lumbo-sacral area, helping to support comfort and ease in late pregnancy and during childbirth.
MENTAL PREPARATION
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General Note
Mental preparation is as crucial as physical preparation for a gentle birth. By dispelling fear and anxiety, which can cause tension and hinder delivery, mothers can embrace a relaxed and comfortable birthing experience. Gentle Birth Method classes recondition the mind, fostering confidence in the body's natural ability to give birth easily and strengthening the emotional bond between mother, father, and baby.
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Gentle Birth Method Hypnobirth ‘The Gowri Way’ - 4 week live Zoom course
A 4-week live online course designed to support confidence, bonding, self-hypnosis, and visualisation for birth preparation.
Mothers can attend by themselves or with their partners from around 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Location: Online via Zoom
Time: Tuesdays 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm or Saturdays 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Price: £350 for the 4-week course, which includes weekly online pregnancy yoga until birth.
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This Course Includes
Specialised hypnobirth techniques for a relaxed and confident birth experience: deep muscle relaxation, guided visualisation, fear removal, birth rehearsals, movements for birth, breathing exercises, pelvic preparation, and nutritional advice. All provided with the reassurance that the programme has been developed by a medical doctor with decades of experience in hypnobirth. Also includes complementary MP3s and weekly online pregnancy yoga with a 30-minute Hypnobirth session.
Explore other stages of support
Recommended Pregnancy products
This kit has been created for mothers to start the Gentle Birth Method:
Morning Herbal Birthing Tea: A two-month supply of a tea blend with raspberry leaf, cramp bark, and nettle leaf, designed to support the body’s natural preparation for childbirth.
Baladi Choornam Herbs: A six-week supply of traditional South Indian herbs to be taken with Dhanwantaram tablets, enhancing pelvic flexibility for an easier birth.
Dhanwantaram Tablets: These ‘baby pills’ come in a six-month supply and serve as a digestive aid, complementing the Baladi Choornam for pre-birth preparation.
Prepare for a natural birth with Self-hypnosis & Visualisation: An MP3 to download and listen to daily (you only need to listen to track 1 once). Part of our Gentle Birth Method Hypnobirth ‘The Gowri Way’ series.
Microflora Probiotics: Daily capsules provided in a new Terranova formulation, to be taken before breakfast.
Homeopathic Tissue Salt Programme: A regimen to be taken twice daily throughout pregnancy, providing essential salts, preventing anaemia and stretch marks, and maintaining nutrient levels. It includes Lactors, a bonus homeopathic remedy to support breast milk production post-birth
Energy Ball ‘Taster’. Our taster set has been designed for you to try our delicious energy balls, which you can then order separately later. Set includes 3 balls. Consume 1 daily. Provides health, strength, and nutrition to mother and baby; balances Vata, Pitta, Kapha; calms mind and emotions and supports digestion.
This comprehensive package supports a natural and gentle birthing experience, focusing on the well-being of both mother and baby. Additionally, purchasing this pack offers a saving of £36 compared to buying the items individually
‘The Gowri Belly Wrap’ is designed for pregnant and post-natal mothers
Use: For pregnant (from 20 weeks) and post-natal mothers.
Features: 3 levels of hooks and eyes to adjust as the baby grows and for post-natal recovery.
Benefits:
Encourages optimal fetal positioning.
Reduces bloating in intestines.
Prevents splitting of abdominal muscles.
Supports lower back muscles.
Post-Natal Recovery: Helps restore abdomen and pelvic anatomy, supports internal organs, and aids in returning tummy muscles to pre-pregnancy shape. Wear for 40 days post-birth in the tightest comfortable setting.
General Use: Offers tummy and lower back support for women of all ages.
Size Guide:
For size 12 at 20 weeks pregnant
Available options: Customers can choose between:
✅ Standard Kit – Includes Perineal & Vaginal Oil, an example tampon, 2 rolls of gauze for making additional tampons, and an instruction booklet.
✅ Pre-Made Tampon Kit – Comes with Perineal & Vaginal Oil and 30 pre-made tampons, eliminating the need for preparing your tampons at home.
What’s Included?
Perineal & Vaginal Oil (prepared by a registered Ayurvedic pharmacy in Kerala)
Standard Kit: Example tampon + 2 rolls of gauze
Pre-Made Tampon Kit: 30 pre-made tampons
Instruction Booklet: Covers tampon preparation (for standard kit), usage guidelines, and self-stretching vaginal techniques
Usage:
Begin daily use from 36 weeks until birth to support the perineum in expanding smoothly.
Benefits:
✔ Prepares vaginal tissues for birth - increasing the space and elasticity for delivery
✔ Reduces second stage of labour
✔ Reduces vagainal and perineal tears
✔ Increases mother’s confidence in ability to give birth vaginally.
✔ Reduces the need for surgical intervention.
Ingredients:
A carefully selected Ayurvedic blend, including:
Bala, Dasamoola, Devadaru, Kushta, Shatavari, Tagara, Chandana, Sesame Oil, and a minimal amount of Beeswax.
Technique:
Tampon Method: The tampon is soaked in the oil and inserted into the vagina for 4 hours a day.
Manual Vaginal Stretching: A specific self-stretching technique.
Alternative: Some mothers prefer using the EPI-NO balloon instead of manual stretching.
💡 This product , including pre-made tampons, is part of ‘The Final Stretch’ Kit, which includes essential Gentle Birth Method products for mothers from 36 weeks until full-term — available at a special bundle price!
Ayurvedic nourishment for Fertility, Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum Recovery.
Our Gentle Birth Method Pre and Postnatal Energy Balls are crafted from a blend of powerful Ayurvedic herbs and natural ingredients that nourish both mother and baby through every stage of pregnancy and beyond.
These wholesome herbal energy balls help maintain strength, vitality, and calm, balancing the body’s natural energies (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) to support digestion, emotional wellbeing, and milk production after birth.
How to Take:
During pregnancy: Enjoy 1 ball daily at any time of day.
From 36 weeks: Continue with 1 ball per day to prepare your body for birth.
Postnatally: Have 2 balls daily to aid recovery, energy, and lactation.
Supply Details:
1 Box: 16 energy balls - approximately half a month’s supply.
1 Set: 2 boxes (32 energy balls) - a full month’s supply.
Key Benefits:
✓ Supports maternal strength and nourishment
✓ Promotes healthy digestion and emotional balance
✓ Encourages natural lactation and postpartum healing
✓ Helps maintain hormonal and energy balance throughout motherhood
Ingredients:
Raagi flour, Ghee, Jaggery, Dry ginger powder, Arabic gum, Fenugreek seeds, Dill seeds, Fennel seeds, Ajwain seeds, White musli, Turmeric, Pippali mool, White pepper, Cucumber seeds, Gokme (small Caltrops), Kamarkaj, and Amba haldi (Curcuma amada).
Ayurvedic Insight:
Balances the three biological forces - Vata (air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (water) - to promote optimal health and harmony during pregnancy and postpartum.
Note: This product is part of two kits that have been created to bring mothers the key Gentle Birth Method products and to save you money!
1) The Final Stretch! 36 weeks to full-term kit — Gentle Birth Method
2) Baby’s Birth-day and Beyond Bundle - labour and postnatal
You may be interested in buying these bundles instead.