The birth of great idea for local mums

Not many women would describe giving birth as a '˜magical' experience.
Caroline Thompson, of Bispham, with her sign for the Bump Business 
Pic courtesy Jo's PhotosCaroline Thompson, of Bispham, with her sign for the Bump Business 
Pic courtesy Jo's Photos
Caroline Thompson, of Bispham, with her sign for the Bump Business Pic courtesy Jo's Photos

Typically, on television, social media and popular culture, women are pictured in pain, screaming and distressed at the moment their offspring arrives into the world.

But Bispham mum Caroline Thompson is on a mission to change things.

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The 34-year-old says giving birth to her son George in 2014 was “truly magical” and has set up a successful business to help other mums share the same feeling.

Caroline used hyno-birthing to prepare her for the moment of George’s arrival, and gave birth at the Fylde Coast Birth Centre using only the birthing pool and her relaxation techniques for pain relief.

Inspired by her own experience, she set up The Bump Business last year and has already helped many couples. The workshops are a complete birth preparation course and teach couples how to let go of fears, stresses and anxieties surrounding birth and look forward to a birth where they are in control.

Caroline says couples leave with a toolbox full of skills, tools and techniques to help them prepare for birth in the most positive way. 

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She said: “I knew as soon as my husband and I did the workshop when I was 32 weeks pregnant, the course was going to be life-changing. And not only did it help us prepare for the birth, it started off me in a new career.

“The Bump Business is a full birth preparation course. We look at rationalising what we are scared of when giving birth. A lot of people tell you how painful it’s going to be, we have TV programmes like One Born Every Minute – but it’s only really in the Western world there’s fear around giving birth.

“Women have been giving birth for thousands of years. In some tribes, a woman will just take themselves off and give birth quietly on their own.

“Years ago, when hospitals first started and were not the amazing places they are now, and women would sometimes die in childbirth, that’s where the fear started.

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“But when you are scared, your body tenses and can’t do what it needs to do. Then it becomes a vicious circle.

“If you can work with your body and relax, it’s a better experience.

“The course works with dads too, bringing them in and teaching what dads can do to help, to keep a calm environment.

“Rather than focus on the physical, we focus on the emotional – and giving birth of course, is a very emotional time.

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“I enjoy helping people and doing community and charity work. I felt so inspired by George’s birth and I realised I could make my job something I felt passionate about.”

Caroline’s business idea earned her a place in the finals of this year’s EVA (Enterprise Vision Awards) in the Solo Business category. She said she was delighted to even be nominated and hoped it would help with her mission “to put positive birth firmly on the map and raise awareness.”

Visit www.thebumpbusiness.co.uk

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