Welcome to Childbirth Essentials
®
Home to the award-winning LK Massage Programme® 
Welcome to Childbirth Essentials ® UK site
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Our unique Programme has been supporting women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond for more than a decade.
Benefits of the LK Massage Programme
Developed by a team of experienced midwives and informed by current biosocial research findings, the Programme uses specific massage techniques, which are linked with breathing and visualisation, to deliver many benefits during late pregnancy, during labour and postnatally.
Supports natural birth
reduces the need for interventions before and during labour
Improved sleep
quality sleep from 30 weeks pregnant helps support the body’s adaptations to birth.
Natural pain relief
works to enhance the body’s natural pain relieving functions, e.g. rise in Melatonin.
Partnership
gives the birth partner a practical role and increases women’s sense of well-being.
Our Training Courses
For midwives, doulas and other maternity healthcare professionals
Midwives
This evidence - based Programme is ideal for midwives and student midwives working in birth centres, whether stand alone or alongside a consultant unit. Home birth midwives plus Independent midwives can integrate this Programme into their practice as another strategy they offer for couples they look after.
It also works extremely well for midwives or MSW's working on busy maternity units, since the primary supporter with the specific massage, breathing and visualisation techniques is the mother's birthing partner, creating a togetherness and control for the couple.
Because the Programme has been designed to complement and support natural birth, the midwife is taught a number of addtional massage techniques to use at different times and situations during labour.
The midwives will also be encouraged to complement the mother's circadian pattern from 30 weeks of pregnancy. This promotes and encourages natural birth
Our courses are detailed below
It also works extremely well for midwives or MSW's working on busy maternity units, since the primary supporter with the specific massage, breathing and visualisation techniques is the mother's birthing partner, creating a togetherness and control for the couple.
Because the Programme has been designed to complement and support natural birth, the midwife is taught a number of addtional massage techniques to use at different times and situations during labour.
The midwives will also be encouraged to complement the mother's circadian pattern from 30 weeks of pregnancy. This promotes and encourages natural birth
Our courses are detailed below
Doulas
This Programme is ideal for Doulas to add to the strategies offered to couples, whether they are Antenatal, Intrapartum or Postnatal Doulas.
So more choice.
The Programme is offered to women / couples from 30 weeks of pregnancy to help with troublesome sleep patterns, so has a pregnancy focus for the Antenatal Doulas.
For those supporting women during labour, the Programme starts at 35-37 weeks encouraging the birthing partner to use the Programme antenatally and continuing it through to labour. Learning a number of specific massage techniques will help the Doula actively support the couple if the midwife looking after the mother decides on different management.
The Programme extends to the Postnatal period, so for the Postnatal Doulas, the Postnatal course supports the mother and baby, particulalry if they have had an interventionist birth.
Our courses are detailed below
So more choice.
The Programme is offered to women / couples from 30 weeks of pregnancy to help with troublesome sleep patterns, so has a pregnancy focus for the Antenatal Doulas.
For those supporting women during labour, the Programme starts at 35-37 weeks encouraging the birthing partner to use the Programme antenatally and continuing it through to labour. Learning a number of specific massage techniques will help the Doula actively support the couple if the midwife looking after the mother decides on different management.
The Programme extends to the Postnatal period, so for the Postnatal Doulas, the Postnatal course supports the mother and baby, particulalry if they have had an interventionist birth.
Our courses are detailed below
Our Antenatal Classes
For mums-to-be and their birth partners from 30 weeks pregnant
Whether this is your first baby or you are looking for a better birth experience this time around, learning the Programme can help you.
Our friendly, informative classes include educational segments that aim to help you both feel prepared for the unique experience of your baby's birth as well as teaching you the specific techniques of the LK Massage Programme to support you during your pregnancy and labour.
The Team
Ms Sing ChuMidwife /Maternity Department Manager - Matilda International Hospital
