Pregnancy
We take a unique approach to pregnancy care, with focused medical attention and ultrasound and antenatal screening combined with birth preparation for mum and baby, couples support, and parenting advice. We are proud to have an excellent reputation for individualised care and for our informative classes from conception, through birth, and beyond.
Your gynaecologist is here to support you and will stay in touch with your maternity care team and your GP. If you have received fertility care at Viveka, antenatal care may be an extension of this. If you have a miscarriage history then your gynaecologist may recommend in-depth ultrasound scans on site, as well as blood checks, to establish your need for further treatment.
We have particularly strong links with the Birth Unit at the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth in St John's Wood, which was founded by Yehudi Gordon.
Ultrasound scanning is a core aspect of antenatal care and screening. CDS sonographers are leaders in this field and offer 3D and 4D scans. You can even request a video of your baby in the womb.
Screening for Down's syndrome has been done at Viveka for many years. We have an enviable record for detecting affected babies using a risk-free non-invasive combination of blood tests at 10-12 weeks and a nuchal ultrasound scan at 12-13 weeks. Fewer than 5% of women require amniocentesis.
Lifestyle advice for pregnancy is one of our specialist areas, covering a range of issues from yoga and exercise to stopping work and relaxation. In addition to general advice from your gynaecologist, you may wish to have a consultation with a nutritionist for personalised tips and supplement advice before conception, during pregnancy and postnatally. You can continue this as your children grow and your family's needs change.
Complementary therapies are popular for their gentle approach. You may turn to complementary care to support your baby's wellbeing, to relieve pregnancy-related ailments or to improve your health, to prepare you for birth, and during birth (by personal arrangement). We'll help you choose if you'd like us to. Many women spend time with the Gentle Birth Jeyarani team, led by Gowri Motha, for birth preparation, reflexology, massage, visualisation and detoxifying dietary advice. Other popular choices include osteopathy, often to ease discomfort; acupuncture, e.g. for nausea, pain relief and labour induction; or homeopathy.
Viveka's 'Emo' (emotional support) team includes a highly experienced midwife who is also a personal and family therapist. She has helped individuals and couples and worked with groups for many years. Other team members include a hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner; a psychotherapist specialising in pregnancy and early life; and a life coach. Emotional support is frequently useful to prevent or address pre- and postnatal depression, to encourage bonding and security for the whole family, and to assist with relationship or emotional difficulties.
Pregnancy and Birth Classes and workshops
Gentle Birth Jeyarani - Gowri Motha
- Self-hypnosis for a Gentle Birth classes for couples
- Gentle birth preparation weekly meetings using reflexology, massage and diet
Active Birth and preparing for newborn care - Janet Balaskas
- Active Birth preparation and pregnancy yoga classes
- Natural and water birth classes and group classes on preparing for relaxed breastfeeding and newborn care.
Babiesknow - Yehudi Gordon and Kitty Hagenbach
- Parenting workshops for parents on how their baby feels and experiences the world with lots of fun, practical advice and state of the art scientific information.
After birth - for mums, dads, and babies to enjoy.
- Baby massage - Karen Eichorn
- Sleep clinic - Ann Herreboudt
- Babiesgrow parenting - Kitty Hagenbach and Yehudi Gordon
- Toddler group - Ann Herreboudt
