Patricia Whitworth
Hi, I’m Patricia and I live in Exeter with my partner John. We have two wonderful daughters, Francesca born in 1988 and Erin born in 1999. Giving birth and being a mum has been my life’s most challenging, enriching and rewarding work. Childbirth, whether in hospital or at home, is intended to be a powerful rite of passage, and as such will have positive benefits for the whole family. My passion is to offer women the opportunity to experience birth as it is meant to be.
My inspiration and commitment to working with pregnant women and their families came about as a result of my own experiences of pregnancy and childbirth. After my fairly clinical, yet normal, first birth, I recognised the need to be better prepared next time around, so on my midwife’s advice attended Active Birth and Pregnancy Yoga classes throughout my second pregnancy. I already had confidence in my body’s ability to birth, but the classes opened my mind and provided me with useful tools and knowledge about birth, that I felt was lacking in the NHS perspective, and which would allow me to understand the significance of the choices I made in pregnancy and during childbirth. As a result my second birth was totally empowering and hugely satisfying for everyone.
I qualified as a Doula in 2001 and as an Active Birth teacher in 2003.
I have attended many births as a doula since qualifying in 2001, and I am recognized by Doula UK, the governing body for doulas in the UK.
I am a British Wheel of Yoga teacher and have also completed a Meditation module with The British Wheel of Yoga.
I am a qualified Massage Therapist and Reiki Healer.
I continually keep myself up to date with the latest research/thinking and have attended courses with Michel Odent, Janet Balaskas and Pam England to name a few.
I currently hold weekly Pregnancy Yoga and Active Birth classes for women in Exeter and Taunton, regular Couples Birth Preparation courses, and monthly Motherhood Gatherings.
A little feedback...
“Thank you so very much for your help in preparing for the arrival and delivery of little Olivia. Your wisdom and guidance really empowered James and I, resulting in an immensely fulfilling and relaxed birthing experience, which we will never forget”
Davina, James and Olivia
“Having attended active birth and yoga with Patricia from week 14 until the very end of my pregnancy I truly believe that is was the key factor in my having such a positive labour with my first child. The classes enabled me to develop my understanding of both the physical and emotional process of labour. This allowed me to approach labour feeling empowered and emotionally prepared. I used the yoga positions and breathing techniques all the way through my 14 hour labour which enabled me to give birth without pain relief as I had hoped. Attending the class for such a long period also enable me to tone and prepare my body and gain the stamina required for labour, which paid off in my rather long second stage of labour. I really enjoyed attending active birth and yoga with Patricia and miss it already.”
Lizzie
“It was the most fantastic experience and I think I was lucky to have the birth that I did. The yoga classes played a huge part and helped me 100% focus and remain calm. After the time with SPD this is a great ending for me. Thanks for all your help and advice”
Hannah
You can contact Patricia on 01392 438586 or email birthwiseyoga@hotmail.co.uk