AN Ealing hypnobirthing instructor has been running online courses for pregnant women in lockdown, so that they can get the support they need in the run up to giving birth.

Louisa McDonald, 40, is a qualified hypnobirthing instructor and has been running Born 2 Birth since 2018.

She would normally run four week long courses, with group sessions consisting of a number of expecting mothers.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic however, many aspects of a pregnancy have been affected, including these courses.

McDonald told Nub News: "At the start of lockdown pregnant women were deemed very high risk and were told they couldn't have their partners with them during doctor appointments and even during labour.

"This period is very stressful for a woman normally, but now with the added strain of the pandemic meaning they would have to go through this alone, it could become unbearable for some."

COVID-19 has also meant that women don't get to go to antenatal classes which help them during the course of their pregnancy.

That's what McDonald wants to help with: "I now run sessions on Zoom where pregnant women can connect with each other and offer each other advice, but at the same time I provide them with different techniques to help them throughout their pregnancy.

"The sessions end with relaxing exercises in order to help both mum and baby ease some of the tension and stress they might be feeling."

McDonald wants her classes to be inclusive for everyone, so hasn't set a price, members are told to pay what they can afford.

"Some ladies pay a fiver, others a tenner, it's not about the money at all, I wanted to do something that can benefit people.

"A pregnancy yoga class normally would cost around £15 per hour, with massages costing £100.

"Having a baby is an expensive business and I don't want anyone excluded, which is why I invite everyone to join and pay whatever they can."

Sessions are available every Thursday at 7:30pm.