Calming crochet for expectant parents
Nesting: something that around three quarters of expectant parents report experiencing. The strong urge to clean, tidy and organise everything in sight in the last few weeks of pregnancy. But what to do when all the tiny clothes have been freshly washed & folded; the cot is built & the iso-fix-fixed; the kitchen cupboards rearranged and the shower grout is scrubbed - but your the little bundle is yet to make their appearance… What now?!
When you’re waiting for your baby to arrive it’s vital to take time to look after yourself, preparing your body and mind for the experience of birth. Leigh & Claire want to inspire and help you to do exactly that: discussing the importance of mindfulness & mindset for birth while crocheting a beautiful blanket to wrap your baby in when they arrive.
Calming Crochet for Expectant Parents will be led by Leigh from The Colour Dasher and Claire from Birthing Parents Club. Leigh will teach you how to make a cosy granny square blanket for your baby - beginner friendly! - while Claire explores the importance of relaxation in pregnancy & birth.
Why Crochet?
Crocheting is an incredibly relaxing & mindful activity; a powerful tool that can calm & distract you from feelings of unrest & anxiety. The repetition of the stitches releases serotonin that help to regulate your mood. The act of crocheting also releases oxytocin, the love hormone. Hypnobirthing teachers love Oxytocin as it is the ringleader of all the birth hormones - it’s number one job is to tell the muscles of the uterus to contract, a super important role in labour! We’ll discuss the importance of oxytocin in birth and super simple ways to help you boost it.
Crocheting your own beautiful blanket for your baby is something really special: you can wrap them in your love & warmth with a gift that you have poured your heart into. A lovely keepsake that your family can hold on to for years to come.
And once the crocheting is mastered, Claire will introduce you to hypnobirthing and explain why relaxation practices are a really important part of preparing your body & mind for birth. We’ll also touch on birth planning and an incredible hypnobirthing tool called anchoring.
And if you’ve never crocheted before - do not worry! This Granny square blanket is a great project for beginners, as you only need one stitch, and after a few rows it becomes second nature. We will get started with the basics in week one, and make sure that you're confident in week 2 so that you leave us as a granny square pro, and can spend the rest of your maternity leave creating something handmade for your baby.
All materials are provided for this event in advance so when you sign up just choose a colour and we’ll sort the rest! Claire will also provide you with templates for birth planning, resources for planning a positive birth experience and a hypnobirthing relaxation track. Packages will arrive in time for Christmas if ordered before December 16th.
Who is Claire?
A doula & hypnobirthing teacher from Edinburgh. I help my clients to feel informed & in control; prepared & positive regardless of the route their birth may take; confident in their decision-making; so that they are set up for a positive post-natal period with their new plus-one.
Who is Leigh?
Leigh has been crocheting for over 10 years, and is mum to an energetic toddler. Leigh runs The Colour Dasher, which teaches crochet workshops and courses with a focus on mental health and wellbeing in Edinburgh, Livingston and Glasgow, as well as online. Leigh is passionate about giving everyone to chance to fit in some relaxing, creative 'me-time' to their busy lives.
