• Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

The Birth Gem Doula

  • About
  • Doula Services
  • Massage and Reiki
  • The postnatal pantry
  • Blog
  • Birth Art Mandala and Belly Painting
  • Placenta Remedies
  • Contact

Massage and Reiki

Loving hands massage and Reiki

One who works with the hands is a labourer.

One who works with the hands and head is a craftsman.

One who works with the hands and the head and the heart is an artist.

St Francis of Assisi 

I cannot stress enough the importance of massage and loving human touch for our whole well-being, body mind and soul.

I am passionate about massage and dedicated to helping people feel good in their wonderful bodies. Using my heart, hands and head as I do with all of my work I aim to provide loving touch using techniques and approaches developed over centuries of body work. Training with the Jing institute of massage in Brighton gifted me with their wonderful fusion of east and west and the power of an informed and caring touch.

Reiki healing £45

We are energy, that's just a fact. Our busy and sometimes chaotic lives can disrupt healthy energy flow which affects our whole being. I believe that if we do not protect, balance and care for our energy then we will suffer for it. I found that when I was led to train in Reiki I found a balance that I had long been searching for.

Reiki means universal life force energy, it can be traced back to Tibet thousands of years ago and was re discovered by Dr Mikao Usui of Japan, who I can trace my lineage back to. It is an ancient practice for modern life. Reiki is a gentle laying of hands while channelling healing energy through the body, it works on 4 levels, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.

Reiki is a gentle treatment and safely compliments any other therapy while promoting health and well being. It can be used during any stage of life and is wonderfully balancing for transitions. Reiki during pregnancy and the 4th trimester is perfection!

The wonderful thing about a treatment is that the healing energy will travel where it is needed. If you are feeling tired then you will feel refreshed, if you are anxious then you will feel calmer, if you are distressed then you will feel comforted. It balances at every level.

The treatment should last around 45 mins, as with all my treatments allow a little longer for your first visit.

Pregnancy Massage £50 - £65

Pregnancy is a time of major physical and emotional change. It an intense season in your life and I feel that every woman should treat her body with the tender and loving care she will undoubtedly give to her baby in abundance.  Taking time out for yourself is an important part of self care and very grounding. Reiki and massage provide a wide range of  benefits to your body, mind and soul during all trimesters of your beautiful pregnancy. Massage and Reiki can:

  • Alleviate stress on joints
  • Help remedy muscular pains and cramps
  • increases blood circulation and helps to maintain good blood pressure
  • Soothes and relaxes the nervous system which releases endorphins. this is great for relaxation and aids sleep
  • Promotes relaxation and is a stress reliever.

The safe, relaxing and nurturing space I provide you with offers the ideal support, loving touch and balancing energy that's just perfect to support you through this transition into your 4th trimester.

Postnatal goddess massage £65

Full body postnatal massage blended with the traditional womb massage with rebozo wrapping.  A treatment that is loving, warming, healing and celebrating your AMAZING postnatal body. With hand made warming oil and wrapping inspired by traditional methods of postnatal healing.

This massage goes beyond the physical benefit and has amazing spiritual and emotional benefits.

This treatment should take around one hour, allow longer for your first visit.

Full body woman worship massage £50- £65

This is a full body honouring and worship of your amazing body! Tender and loving of course. Great for releasing tension, soothing those aches and stretching out that stiffness, relaxing and comforting.  45 mins to 1hr allow longer for your 1st visit.

Scar tissue massage and fascia release £50

I have advanced clinical massage training including fascia techniques for treating scar tissue. This work is gentle yet effective. Women have noticed a difference in range of movement and in the comfort of their c section scars also a better relationship and connection to this part of their body. I believe that the emotions attached to the scar are as relevant to healing as the physical scar itself, so I give this treatment with gentle and loving care. There is no time limit to achieving results from this massage, the scar can be 12 weeks old or 12 years old, it's never too late. Contact me to discuss how I could treat you and your scar.

“It was so comforting to have my hips and stomach touched in such a loving way. I hadn't even looked at my body since giving birth 2 weeks ago. I feel so held and special thanks to those magic hands!”

"I felt so relaxed after just one treatment. I didn't expect my back and shoulder pain to improve so quickly. Gemma has such a natural and reassuring touch, I will definitely be going back!"

Contact - contact@thebirthgem.co.uk

07545061535

your beautiful 4th trimester

 

The postnatal period is often very overlooked. I aim to honour your birth experience and journey into motherhood by honouring all of you.

Sacred postnatal mother roasting is the care of the new mother focussing on the total health and gentle recovery of a woman as she embarks on this journey into motherhood. It is tender wrapping and healing of the soul, warming of the body and binding the mother through gentle, loving arms. Reclaiming the traditions of postnatal care my mother roasting service will offer all you need to seal your birth and ease you lovingly into motherhood with nurturing healing foods, sacred baths, warming, binding bellies and massage, tinctures, oils, teas, loving hands and an open heart is all available to you.

Every woman deserves to be welcomed into mothering through gentle and loving care

Sacred postnatal package £550

this package aims to lovingly care for you during the first 6 weeks after your birth. I will visit you once a week at your home with a food box (menu will be sent to you before), herbal/ floral bath and belly bind. I will offer a warm oil rub down with full body massage including healing womb and hip massage with 'rebozo' rocking, wrapping and tuck in with gentle meditation.

While you are settling and tucked in I prepare the herbal bath and while you are bathing I can prepare a dish from your food box, the cleansing broth is always good after a treatment and a pot of herbal tea with lactation cookie. Before or after you sit to eat I bind your belly (optional) which can be left for a week until I next visit or however long is comfortable for you.

I will hold baby if needed while you are tucked in, bathing or simply want to enjoy your tea and food with two hands! I will also wash the dishes and rinse the bath out if needed and so that after I leave you can just relax and enjoy the feeling of post treatment bliss.

I provide you with the space you need to share your birth story. Your experience and your feelings matter and I am a wonderful listener! You are welcome to share , unpack and reflect on your story as much as you need as many times as you need. I will listen, support and hold you in any way you need.

If you would like to extend the 6 weeks additional treatments can be discussed.

 

Birth goddess package £95

 

this healing mother goddess package welcomes you into motherhood with open arms and gentle loving care.

Warm oil rub down

I begin by smudging and cleansing our sacred space and preparing a beautiful alter.

I will then offer you a warm oil rub down with hot stone and herb tummy press

healing postnatal massage

traditional, warming full body massage and body blessing with rebozo wrapping and tuck in. This traditional and ceremonial massage adds a moment of stillness, meditative peace and reflection. The rocking and wrapping with the rebozo shawl is deeply relaxing and feels comforting and safe. The full body massage is warming and releases tension, bringing our attention back to the body and some much needed loving attention to your womb space.

Milk and honey bath

I will leave you tucked in following a gentle meditation and body blessing to spend some time in stillness.

prepare your milk and hone floral or herbal bath using handmade oat milk, organic honey and depending on the time of year either fresh flowers or dried.

Bengkung style belly binding (optional)

This important part of recovery and healing  is traditionally used to comfort, support and hold that womb space. benkung is originally a Malaysian method of postnatal care and recovery though many similar versions of this exist around the world, Mexico, China, Pakistan and many African cultures all have a version of a sacred postnatal recovery period including wrapping, massage and feeding. Belly binding can feel like a real spiritual closure of your pregnancy, it looks and feels amazing too! You are left in the belly bind either overnight or for 3 days or however long feels comfortable.

What is belly binding?

Belly Binding is an ancient technique consisting of binding a postpartum woman’s abdomen to promote recovery and provide comfort and support to her healing womb. Made from 100% cotton fabric, the bind is wrapped snuggly from just below the woman’s chest to below her hips. This can provide support to her abdominal wall and muscles, improves posture, supports loose ligaments and hips, and assists her organs to return to their pre-pregnancy positions.

Nourishment

the session ends with a serving of cleansing broth, herbal tea and a sweet treat.

You also have the option to end this experience with a food box at a discounted price of just £40

 

'Gemma supported me through a challenging pregnancy with her warm and nourishing approach. I had a magical closing of the bones ceremony and deeply relaxing massage. My body was still tender in places and Gemma took such care. It was such an empowering closure. Gemma is very sensitive and loving. She takes time for you; all the small details made my experience sacred. From organic home blend pregnancy oils and rose petals to her mother cards. I would highly recommend her taking care of you ✨🙏✨greatest gratitude xxx'
Natasha

Contact - contact@thebirthgem.co.uk

07545061535

 

 

Share
Tweet
Pin

Browse by Category

  • 4th trimester & motherhood
  • Pregnancy & birth
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Doula Services
  • Massage and Reiki
  • The postnatal pantry
  • Blog
  • Birth Art Mandala and Belly Painting
  • Placenta Remedies
  • Contact
❤️ Raw vegan brownie ❤️ Good fats & magnes ❤️ Raw vegan brownie ❤️ Good fats & magnesium a plenty here.
Date full and soooo good, the perfect birth room snack for energy and a perfect treat for your postnatal nest. So easy to prepare even for those who claim that they can’t cook, and this freezes well too. I make these for my love to take to work as well as for my clients. If I’ve served you you’ll likely recognise them! 
I’m not one for measuring but that doesn’t matter here as you just adjust this until you reach the right amount of squidgy ness for it to press into the pan. Today I used pecans for the base but have used other nuts and oats before. 
❤️Ingredients
2 cup pecan 
2 cup dates (I used medjool) 
6 tbsp cacao powder 
2 tbsp maple syrup 
100g bar dark choc 
❤️Method 
Line a square pan with grease proof paper.
Put 2 cup nuts in blender and blitz until fine.
Add the rest of the ingredients and blitz until it kind of comes together. Test it by scooping out a small amount and see if it all sticks together well. 
Spoon into the pan and press down with the back of a spoon until even. 
Freeze for 30 mins. 
Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. 
Pour onto the brownie *optional* top with crushed toasted nuts, a sprinkle of sea salt and dried rose petals. 
I happened to have a little of the trail mix I made left so used nuts from that but I recommend you get playful with it. Grated orange zest and coconut is good, any edible flower looks divine, goji berries or nothing at all. 
#rawbrownie #rawvegan #postnatal #the4thtrimester #theforst40days #brownies #recipeshare #feedwithlove #fooddoula #postnatalpantry #easyrecipes
I am absolutely disgusted by todays news and my he I am absolutely disgusted by todays news and my heart goes out to the people of the US most of who do not want this. But here they are, forced back to a time that should never have to be experienced again, the rights that so many women fought for over so many decades undone . Abortion is health care and restricting access to it does not make it go away, it only makes it more dangerous and life threatening as history has already shown, definitely most dangerous to the most vulnerable in society. This is just criminal, cruel and inhumane, people will die thanks to this vile decision. Just chilling really, We could see it coming and yet I am still shocked. You know all this and everything else I want to say of course and many could put it more eloquently but wow. Maybe one day women in America will have as many rights as a man that wants to carry a gun on his waistband?? 
To echo @hannah.dahlen , to those who say ‘only in America’ Since when has America not influenced the world?
“We are not without actions that we can take. We need to have hope, but we need to hang on to this anger because we can use that anger to fuel change,” ~ Elizabeth Warren 
#abortionishealthcare #womenshealth #roevwade #reversingroe #abortionrightsarehumanrights #wombwisdom
❤️Horchata where have you been all my life!? L ❤️Horchata where have you been all my life!?
Likely the roots of the plant milks we use a lot these days Horchata is a popular and often vegan drink usually served over ice throughout Spain, Puerto Rico, Central America & Mexico. It’s essentially a spiced and sweetened nut milk, traditionally tiger nuts it seems and strained just like other plant based milks. It struck me that a lot of the healing, comforting recipes I love from around the world include milk and rice, how comforting this would be alongside congee. During my self nurturing time I got a little playful with it and prepared a herbal Horchata for lung health, energy and immunity. It takes a while with the overnight soaking but is so worth it, I had mine this morning in my smoothie and will likely incorporate it into a few different dishes! I look forward to experimenting with variations on this gorgeous creamy drink, rose would be divine! 
Herbal Horchata - 
make an 8 cup serving of Mullein tea/ tonic (6 tbsp mullein 1tbsp dried ginseng root 8 cup boiled water steep 20 min) strain and set aside
❤️Ingredients 
1 cup cooked white or brown rice
1 cup almonds
1/4 cup marshmallow root 
6 tbsp dried mullein 
2 cinnamon stick 
1tbsp dried ginseng 
8 cup boiled water for the tea
4 dates or a couple tbsp maple syrup ( I used magnolia syrup)
1 - 2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup coconut milk
❤️method 
Soak the rice, nuts, cinnamon marshmallow root in the strained tea in the fridge overnight. 
In the morning transfer all the ingredients except the coconut milk to a blender and blitz. 
Pour through a mesh then a plant milk bag (I found this easier and less messy!) Then whisk in the coconut milk. 
Taste and add sweetness to your own taste but for me this was perfect dusted with cinnamon to serve. 
Enjoy! 
#horchata #herbalhorchata #comfortfood #herbaltea #plantbased #healing #nurturing #plantwisdom #mullein #ginseng #selfnurture #selfcare #radicalselflove
Happy birthing day to this absolute goddess! The s Happy birthing day to this absolute goddess! The surprise, joy and bliss in these pictures says it all. She waited so long and worked so hard to achieve the home birth of her dreams and achieved it. During the peak of covid lockdown #1 no less! 
I’ll celebrate you every year @s1naed and your absolute glory as I know you’re going to be busy with the double birthday! (Yes this mama only likes to have her babies on June 22nd )😆
This queen waited so long to meet her baby. When your 1st born arrived unexpectedly early going ‘post dates’ feels endless! So she waited, so full of baby in the heat and with the unique never before experienced challenge of parenting during the restrictions of a pandemic. We joked about baby choosing his siblings birthday to arrive on and of course it happened, the birth goddesses have a great sense of humour 😆
To support you on your journey as you achieved the birth you deserved was an absolute honour. I remember you saying that your biggest wish was to just go about your day and meet your baby. No fuss, no interference and I’d say you exceeded that. You took what you needed, left the rest and birthed your way, like an absolute goddess worshipped by your love and served by us just as it should be. Sending some big love out to you today, 
@s1naed YOU. ARE. AMAZING! 
#homebirth #birthworks #empowered #empoweredbirth #positivebirth #birthstory #waterbirth #birthdoula #birthingday #sacredbirth #birthyourway
💖Summer solstice essences 🌞 There couldn’t 💖Summer solstice essences 🌞
There couldn’t be a more perfect morning than summer solstice morning to lovingly gather blooms and make some flower essences and plant remedies. I believe that there is so, so much nature wants to teach and gift us if we are open and curious. After all we do not just live in nature we are nature. Having missed a trip to London today to see an exhibition on the divine feminine I found it in my garden. 
The radiant nourishing energy of the rose and sun are what I need to embrace right now so in the gorgeous light of today these soft divine flowers sit with local spring water in this crystal bowl for a while before the quiet ritual of bottling the essence at sunset. The appropriately named queen of flowers, Rose is such a heart opening, feminine and divine flower, i’m quite in love with her! There are a few reasons, the scent being just one that this magical flower is used so heavily in sacred art legend and poetry. you’ll see it revered, honoured and appreciated throughout time and across the world, attached to mother Mary, Aphrodite, Venus, Joun, Lakshimi and more. This year I have resisted gathering my roses for all my recipes and remedies right away, I have instead practiced patience and appreciation but today felt right to gather… not to mention I finally had the energy after being unwell. The energy of the solstice certainly worked for me today! 
Some of you that have been served by me through summer months might remember these roses and their gorgeous scent as I would often gift them and treats made with them 💖
#roses #divinefeminine #floweressences #giftsfrommotherearth #flowerpower #thepowerofplants #youarenature #plantmagic #greenwitch #keepyourheartopen #plantremedies
Just some beautiful photography from the birth roo Just some beautiful photography from the birth room in honour of Father’s Day. 
How lucky we are in birth work that we get to witness such rare and precious moments of becoming. Sending love to all the dads out there that advocated and held safe space, surrendered, held tired birthing bodies, wiped brows and tears, bravely scrubbed up for c sections, held each other as they became dads together, crouched next to their nicu babes and waited, love to you all ❤️
1. Amelia Lyon - Having a chat with Daddy 
2. Brooke Walsh - “These dads waited for so long for their baby — born via surrogate at a birth center — that they were just completely overcome with joy when they finally got to hold him.”
3. Maggie Trice - “This mother had been laboring for about 12 hours at this point and was absolutely exhausted. She was entering into transition, so each contraction was getting even more intense. Mic, the father, leaned in to pull her in close as she came down from the last contraction, wiping her tears from her cheeks. It was truly one of the sweetest moments I’ve ever captured between a mom and dad.”
#fathersday #dadsinthebirthroom #birthofafather #riteofpassage #dadsinbirth #birthphotography #birth #doula
It’s a hot one today mamas! I’m re sharing tip It’s a hot one today mamas! I’m re sharing tips on how to stay cool if you’re pregnant during a heatwave, this year using a pic of the gorgeous pregnant Rihanna in Barbados! We can’t all take advantage of the sea… or escape to Barbados so do comment with your own tips if you have any! 🌞 Stay hydrated! Keep a bottle of water with you at all time’s and drink regularly even at night. I know frequent loo trips aren’t fun but neither is dehydration!
🌞 wear loose, light coloured clothing in natural fabrics like linen and cotton, synthetics don’t help with heat. if you want to be covered then floaty beach dresses are great. If you’re not too bothered and at home then a bikini, pants or nothing will do! 🌞 Avoid being in the sun for long periods, get shade often and keep a spray bottle or the mist spray fan (in pic 2) nearby. Keep your body spritz bottle in the fridge overnight, rose water is perfect to spritz yourself with on a hot day, a relaxing and luxurious scent and great for the skin on top of being refreshing! If not available then chilled water will do just fine. Relaxing like a beautiful mermaid in a paddling pool is also a fab way to keep cool! 🌞 pregnancy is tiring in normal weather, in a heatwave more so, take it easy and rest with your feet higher than your heart for at least an hour a day. If your ankles and feet are prone to swelling do gentle rotations of the joints and alternate with chill packs on the joints ( the gel kind) and the back of the neck, basically wherever feels good. If you have willing hands don’t be shy, ask for a massage!
🌞 A few tips for a more comfortable nights sleep. Freezer blocks in your sheets for a while before bed can be very refreshing. Putting your sheet folded in the freezer for an hour before bed. A hot water bottle filled with ice cold water on your feet in bed with you can be very soothing. A fan in front of a bowl of ice, its worth noting that thr breeze of the fan can be quite irritating on your skin while pregnant. 
Take care of you and take it easy you beautiful mamas! 
#keepingcool #heatwaveandpregnancy #pregnancytips #pregnantinthesummer #keepcool #pregnantinaheatwave #pregnantgoddess #doulatips #rhianna
Doula down! The Postnatal Pantry and face to face Doula down! 
The Postnatal Pantry and face to face appointments are shut for the week while I practice what I preach and nurture myself. 
I once again tried to ignore the whispers of my body until they became calls ironically in the form of me losing my voice. This is something I have to re learn often as a lot of us do I’m sure but this path is a spiral and theirs always a deeper lesson in the revisiting of lessons. 
In this day of self nurturing after last nights wise full moon 🌕 I’m dipping into my healing plants both fresh from the garden and dried, drinking lots of greens and giving my body some care in the way of gentle stretching, self massage and a good soak with flowers of course. 
How do you care for yourself when your run down? Do you power through until you crash? What little self nurturing practices can you add into your life? 
Something as small as this green smoothie inspired me to take some time to rest and recharge this week. 
#selfcare #selfnurturing #listentoyourbody #youmatter #greensmoothie #plants #healingplants

Contact Details

The Birth Gem - Doula, Massage and Reiki
Boxers,
Royal Oak Lane,
High Hurstwood TN22 4AL
07545061535
Copyright © 2022 The Birth Gem. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy