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We started YouToUs as we felt that there was a large gap in what was on offer in East Sussex for pregnant women and their birth partners regarding antenatal classes.
Our society has taken childbirth and medicalised it, placed fear around it and forgotten that all women do have an innate knowledge, (whether they know it or not) of birthing.
At YouToUs we try to give a balanced approach to women, incorporating relevant information and exploring any fears that women may have around labour and birth. We teach from a realistic, honest, empowered and often humorous place. Our classes do not guarantee a perfect birth at the end, but encourages women to have an open mind and understand that childbirth is a profound rite of passage. Medical input can be incorporated into this philosophy when appropriate, but need not take away from the significance of this journey.
Our sessions are small and informal (around 10 people) and we hope that good supportive friendships will be made that will last beyond birth and into motherhood.
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Justine is the founder of YouToUs. |
"I am 43 and have lived in Brighton for 17 years. I have an 11 year old daughter called Obi, who was born at home.
As well as midwifery I have a background in Art, and have a degree in Visual and Performing Art. I enjoy travelling and growing vegetables on our organic allotment.
I am a practising registered midwife with both a community and hospital background.
My passion lies in teaching women and their birth partners how to embrace and feel empowered about their approaching birth.
My teaching comes from a realistic, open minded place but also deals with emotional mists that surround birth.
I believe the purpose of these classes is to prepare mothers to give birth in awareness, not to achieve a specific birth outcome.
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Ella is Brighton's breastfeeding queen. |
"After the birth of my two Children ( Joe now 17 born at RSCH and Florence 14 Homebirth) I became interested in the politics of breastfeeding and the work of "Baby Milk Action " This interest lead to my leaving teaching art and design and training as a Midwife. Throughout my training I became fully commited to BF support and effective communication. I have lived in Brighton since 1985 and still smile every time I see the sea or the Downs. I love the diversity of our lovely 'town'".
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Tania is the founder of Mamaheaven, a postnatal retreat for new mums and babies. |
“I first met Justine Garratty on a beach in Goa when we discovered that we both had the same due date!! I gave birth to Saba, now 11, in hospital in London and then moved to Brighton when she was one. Six years ago I had my second daughter, Roxy, at home. My background was in writing travel guides – a career which had to stop once I had two children in tow. Since then, I have worked part time for various organic businesses. Four years ago, with a doula friend, I launched Mamaheaven – retreats for mothers and babies. I feel passionately that today’s parents are often disempowered and not given enough emotional and physical support and I seek to temper this with my involvement in You to Us and Mamaheaven. Alongside work and family my interests lie in alternative therapies, the environment and all things hedonistic!”
For more info: http://www.mamaheaven.org
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