Tell us a little about your background

My name is Nicky and I run The London Birth School  – I’ve been running antenatal classes in London for four years now and have two young children of my own (Theo aged 4 and Florence aged 2).

I studied Classics at Oxford and worked in the City as a litigation lawyer for ten years.  When pregnant with my son, I came across hypnobirthing and found a course the other side of London to me.  It was so different from the hippy dippy expectations I had of it and it totally changed my outlook around my experience of birth.  After my son was born, I spent the remainder of my maternity leave training and setting up my business to spread the word and to teach hypnobirthing to busy women who also didn’t think it was for them.

The London Birth School is now expanding to offer a wider range of antenatal and postnatal classes and online courses, and I am personally training to become a doula.

What are your current hopes and dreams?

I want The London Birth School to support women through their pregnancy and into motherhood, with a range of classes, courses and bespoke events to allow them to be confident and empowered and to meet other fun, sociable parents-to-be to share their journey with.

How has motherhood changed you?

It has definately made me work on my patience (not something I’m famous for!) but also taught me to enjoy and find the joy in the truly simple things and to slow down.

Any advice for a new mother?

Practise trusting your instincts – you are the expert on your baby.  Don’t compare your experience of motherhood to anyone else’s.  Everyone does things differently.  Also there is no point trying to rush a toddler!

What led you to where you are right now?

Having gone from being totally petrified of birth to having a calm and positive homebirth, I wanted to empower women to have the confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions for themselves and help them achieve their own positive birth.

Where would you like to be in a few years?

I would like to be supporting women and creating communities all over London (and beyond) for The London Birth School.

Favourite place in the UK?

Brighton – it’s where I grew up and went to school and where family still live and also North Cornwall (I love the beaches and the fish and chips!).

Favourite spots abroad and why?

Algonquin Provincial Park in Canada in the fall for the colours and South Africa for the food, wine, beaches and sunshine.

How do you handle a bad day?

Run a bath with some relaxing bath oil, dim the lights and light a candle.  Try and have an early night and know that tomorrow is a fresh start.

Work ethic?

I work best when I feel organised and I do love a beautiful journal for writing and planning.

In an ideal world I’ll do an online workout first thing, then when I’m back from the school run sit down to work with my second cup of tea and some homemade granola.  Working for myself and working from home means there can be quite blurred boundaries between work and home life but I’m a fan of multi-tasking and work best when there’s a little pressure.

Brands that inspire?

Neom Organics are a beautiful, ethical wellbeing brand that make simply gorgeous products.  Their plug-in diffuser is one of my favourite possessions.

Daylesford Organic Farm for the most delicious and high quality organic food for a real treat.

The Pig Hotel; country laid back hotels in the UK with kitchen gardens, inspired menus and creative botanical cocktails!!

What creates magic in your view?

Women supporting women and raising each other up?

www.thelondonbirthschool.com