About Me
Hi there! I'm Rachel, a midwife, mum to two little ones (recently back from maternity leave), hypnobirthing teacher and antenatal educator.
I qualified as a midwife in 2015 and have enjoyed working with many mums and babies in various roles on the obstetric (delivery) unit, birth centre, postnatal and antenatal wards, antenatal clinic and in the community for a busy, diverse London hospital.
I distinctly remember caring for my first 'hypnobirthing mum' as a student in 2012 and marvelling at how calm and confident she was during her labour and birth. Throughout my work since, I have continued to see the positive effects that hypnobirthing techniques and a good antenatal education can have on women and their partners. Knowledge is most definitely power in the context of maternity!
Rachel Buckingham
RM, BSc (Hons), Dip HB (KGH), BA (Hons)
Qualifications and experience:
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Experienced Registered Midwife (RM)
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Midwifery BSc first class honours
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Clinical midwifery experience, including management of:
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low and higher 'risk' pregnancies
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vaginal birth
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instrumental deliveries
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caesarean
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water birth
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home birth
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multiple pregnancies
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diabetes
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pre-eclampsia
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high blood pressure
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mental health
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breastfeeding support
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care of the newborn
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Registered KGHypnobirthing teacher (course accredited by the Royal College of Midwives)
I decided to train as a hypnobirthing teacher in 2017 and have loved hearing about the positive impact the course has on women's confidence, preparedness and, ultimately, their birth experience. I'm all about giving women the whole picture - the information I provide is impartial and 'evidence-based', utilising the latest research, recommendations and guidance from bodies such as Cochrane, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Royal College of Gynaecologists (RCOG). I delve into the statistics behind these guidelines and recommendations to allow you to make your own personal decisions with your care.
No two women will ever have the exact same pregnancy or birth which is why it's so important that you are equipped to make the best, informed decision for you and your baby. Of course, we don't expect you to have the equivalent of a medical qualification by the end of it - that's what the midwives and doctors are for and you already have enough on your plate! But a firm grasp on hypnobirthing and it's techniques, alongside a good understanding of the big antenatal topics will benefit all couples and will help you to feel confident, calm, in control and able to choose the right path for you.