About Claire

"As well as co-ordinating the Newbury Homebirth Support Group, I am a proud mother of two energetic boys, a Clinical Hypnotherapist and HypnoBirthing practitioner. My background is in Biological Sciences and prior to having my two children I enjoyed a successful career as an international sales executive working in the Life Science Industry. Inspired by my birthing and early motherhood experiences I decided to retrain as a therapist and to specialise in antenatal and postnatal care. I am determined to offer an alternative to the culture of fear that currently surrounds birthing and instead enable women to celebrate birthing as part of their magical and transformative journey into motherhood.

At an early age I was convinced that when the time came my baby would be born naturally. I had read “Birth Without Violence” by Frederick Leboyer whilst still at school and the positive messages from the book stayed with me throughout the subsequent years. Even before we were married I had discussed and agreed with Kevin, now my husband, that we would have our baby, if we were lucky enough to have one, at home away from the bright lights, loud noises and general clinical atmosphere of hospital. Kevin was in full agreement with me on the matter from the beginning.

The Newbury Homebirth Support Group was set up by Charlotte Gander in 2005. The aims of the group are to provide local women with the opportunity to meet like-minded women and have easy access to unbiased information. Many women, particularly those having a first baby, dismiss the idea of having a home birth because they think that it is not as safe as a hospital birth. However, research shows that a planned home birth is as safe for healthy women having a normal pregnancy as a hospital birth. Compared to going to hospital, women planning a home birth are less likely to use drugs for pain relief. They are less likely to have an assisted delivery or Caesarean, even if they transfer to hospital during labour. They are also more likely to use upright positions for giving birth. All women have the right to give birth at home. If you are booking a home birth, you always have the option to change your mind; any time before or even during birthing you can always decide to move into hospital if that is what you decide is best for you and your baby.

I look forward to welcoming you to one of our monthly meetings whether you plan a homebirth, have already had a homebirth, support women who have homebirths or are just curious to find out more. However, if for any reason you are unable to make a meeting, please contact me at any time for your free information pack and access to our growing library of excellent birthing literature and DVDs."