About

ANGELA IVORY - FOUNDER OF BESPOKE BIRTHS (NZ)

- Leading Childbirth Educator & Holistic Birth Support

If you had said to me years ago my future would reveal the growth of an ‘extraordinarily passionate advocate for holistic health’ (childbirth education, hypnobirthing, reproductive health & natural fertility, homeopathy, Bach flower essences, birth and post-natal support) - yep, I sure would have laughed out loud!

Yet, this is where I am today in 2021! First and foremost, I am a mother of three children, now 20, 17 and 10 and somewhere in this timeframe, a vision developed and grew. A vision and focus that grew more with time. To seek to learn, to understand and to integrate holistic health principles and wisdom into women’s health and their wellbeing - particularly in relation to birthing practices. With this also began the process of closely researching and looking deeper at hormonal imbalances, Endometriosis, PCOS, menstrual disorders and infertility - which led me to study natural fertility (Sympto-Thermal method) as many of my friends suffered from hormonal disorders, be it PMS or anovulatory cycles.

Curiosity had always got me into trouble - but now curiosity helped me to explore the why’s even further. Having had a head start - giving birth to 3 children myself long before most of my friends, I went about listening to pregnancy stories from my peers, curious as to how they had planned to birth their baby - What did they know? What were they hearing? What were their beliefs around birth? Their choices? Where did their fears originate? Why was it that similar birthing experiences empowered some of my friends incredibly yet similar experiences created disappointment and even trauma in others? Was there such a thing as birth trauma?

For those who felt elation following their birth, on reflection months or even years later, WHY was it that they still wanted to birth differently the next time? What did they now know? What was still missing? What could be offered? Was there another way or more than another way? WHAT COULD I OFFER?

So, after years of interviewing mothers-to-be, new mothers and mothers in the year post-partum, I worked on compiling their stories, undertaking study in several modalities, ongoing research, and well, even more study and research.... alongside some patient and heart-warming health professionals. I wanted to know what worked for mothers to be, and how it worked. This is just the start as my ongoing path is still being constructed!

Like your journey, my journey is ongoing. I strive to work harder to provide women, mothers-to-be, new mothers and mothers who may not get the opportunity to hold their babies just yet, the opportunity to explore holistic health, well-being principles and birth practices.

And then……..Bespoke Births (NZ) was created!

I live with my other half Harry of 23 years, my 3 children, one handsome cat Mr Doos who is the Director of Cat Nap - (self-portrait on the right) and one 22 year old Pony, Misty (who belongs to our youngest daughter - picture below).

I LOVE coffee and have been known to pack my Nespresso machine when holidaying (even for a night), and a glass of red now and then. ‘Dad jokes’ are my favourite much to my family’s embarrassment - I always have eye-rolling jokes at the ready.

I look after myself by exercising daily (getting back into running..) yoga, eating a diet free from processed foods, dairy, gluten and sugar and spend my pocket money on really good quality supplements (and a great Holistic GP). However, I am human and tend to sometimes fall off the wagon….

I also love inspirational quotes and affirmations - you will see this throughout my website. If it’s uplifting, it’s in my life!

Education in 2021?

I have now completed further study with NZ Natural Fertility (Diploma in Reproductive Health & Natural Fertility), formal postpartum doula training with Jesse Remer at DONA International, in the process of completing Birth Coach Method and Traumatic Birth Recovery’s Supporting Baby Loss and Miscarriage course. Looking ahead, I will be adding a Bachelors Degree (soon to be revealed!).

Qualifications/Certifications:

• Anatomy & Physiology - Certificate in Health Science (SIT)

• Registered (NZQA Level 7) Classical Homeopath (Dip Hom) R.C Hom

• Bach Flower Registered Practitioner (BFRP)

• Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE)

• CD(DONA) - Certified Birth Doula

• Post Natal Doula - DONA trained & Graduate of Newborn Mothers

• Bereavement Doula/Support (Pregnancy loss/Stillbirth)

• Certified HypnoBirthing Educator (Mongan Method)

• Accredited Natural Fertility Educator - Diploma of Reproductive Health & Fertility (NZNF)

• NZCH Executive Member

• 2020-2022 MSR (Midwifery Standards Reviewer)

To keep abreast, I attend a minimum of 80-120 hours (2019-current 2020 CPD here) of professional development per year to ensure my knowledge is current and up to date - you can have complete confidence that my information is evidence-based and research quoted is recent. 

Read more about my work and my vision in The Natural Parent Magazine: https://thenaturalparentmagazine.com/bespoke-births-holistic-health-and-birth-support/

Membership:

• Dona International (DONA)

• Lamaze International

• NZ College of Midwives

• Australian College of Midwives

• HypnoBirthing International

• Evidence Based Birth

• La Leche League

• Bach Foundation (The Bach Centre)

• NZNF

• AIMA

• AHA

• NZHS

• NZCH

• NZLCA

• PADA

My statement?

Information. Individualisation. Inspiration. 

Welcome to Bespoke Births (NZ) - I look forward to supporting you every step of the way.

Angela Ivory: Founder, Educator