SoundBirth for Expectant Couples
Let sound and music support you before, during and after the birth!
5 Benefits of Using a Crystal Singing Bowl During Labour.
Women feel more safe, confident and relaxed about using their voice when a resonant crystal singing bowl is accompanying them.
When a bowl is played in time with a woman’s contractions she feels heard and connected no matter where she ends up giving birth.
The resonant, pure sound of a crystal singing bowl gives a birthing woman something to focus on rather than pain, or unhelpful thoughts.
Vocal toning relaxes the larynx which relaxes the cervix.
When a woman uses her voice without inhibition she experiences the physical benefits such as lower blood pressure, less pain, increase in oxygen, release of oxytocin, endorphins, melatonin, serotonin and activation of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Testimonials
Learn How YOU Can be Supported During Labour Using Sound!
Step 1: Find someone who wants to play the crystal singing bowl for you.
If you too want to experience a SoundBirth you will firstly need to find someone to play a crystal singing bowl for you!
This could be your partner, your Mother, your doula, your midwife or any other willing participant!
Most people choose to have their partner with them at the birth of course which makes it a lovely, connecting experience for not only you, but for your partner too who is then able to support you throughout each contraction and BE with you throughout the birthing journey.
Playing the bowl also gives your partner an important role to play and keeps him/her calm and present which is definitely what you want!
Step 2: Choose 1:1 Session or Workshop
The next step is for your support person to learn how to play the bowl and for you to learn how to use your voice with the bowl!
1:1 Session:
If you are in a rush or time-poor, this can be easily accomplished in a 2 hour 1:1 session with me, in person (in Leeming, Perth or at your house) or via Zoom.
Workshop:
For those of you who enjoy a workshop environment book in to the next SoundBirth Workshop here!
1:1 Session
Learn how to use the SoundBirth Tools during this 2 hour 1:1 session.
For expectant couples and their support person
Where: Zoom or in person in Leeming, Perth.
Cost: $250
SoundBirth Workshop
Learn and experience the SoundBirth Tools at the next SoundBirth Workshop!
For expectant couples and their support person
Where: The Yogahub, Mt Hawthorn, Perth
Next Workshop: 20th January 2024, 1-4pm
Cost: $150
Topics:
The SoundBirth Story.
All the benefits … including the science.
Awareness of voice Issues and how to overcome them.
Voice exercises - simple and fun exercises that you can practice with your partner to assist with overcoming inhibitions.
Vocal toning exercises.
How to play and use your crystal singing bowl during labour.
How to Create a "Heart Song" for Your Baby - step by step instructions so you can start "singing your baby to you" even before the birth!
Music activities during post-natal period to assist with bonding, healing, relaxing, managing anxiety and putting your baby to sleep in the most nurturing way possible - by "Singing Your Baby to You"!
Other ways you can use your SoundBirth Bowl for the rest or your life!
A “SoundBirth” is when a woman’s contractions are accompanied by the resonant sound of a crystal singing bowl giving her “permission” to use her voice in a focused and uninhibited way allowing any pain to subside and her power to rise!
- Nicole Lloyd
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I have to have a crystal singing bowl?
To have a "true" SoundBirth experience YES it is better to have the SoundBirth bowl there to support you. You will feel more uninhibited using your voice, more in "the zone", your partner will have a role to play, it will create sacred space no matter where you birth and more!
To purchase or hire a bowl visit the SHOP!
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What is so great about the "SoundBirth Bowl"?
Over the years of working with sound I have found that the pitch I have chosen for the SoundBirth Bowl is the easiest pitch to vocalise with - it's not too high, not too low! Also, the size of the bowl isn't too small or too heavy and big! It is JUST RIGHT. So I just don't give people a choice anymore! Just trust me and go for it! You'll learn more about why in the course! Plus you and your partner will fall in love with it when you see and hear it!
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How long will it take for my bowl to arrive?
Your bowl will be drop-shipped within 2 weeks to your home. Please let me know when it arrives!
If you live in Perth and would prefer to hire a bowl you will be able to pick it up 3 weeks before your due date.
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Will hospitals let me bring a bowl to birth?
From what I know, it is up to the birthing woman as to what they want to bring into the birthing room. If that is a crystal singing bowl then so be it! So far I haven't heard of a doula, midwife or couple NOT being allowed to bring their bowl into the room. It's all been very positive feedback! It's a good idea to educate those who know nothing about SoundBirth by popping a sign on the door with all the benefits listed!
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What can I do with the bowl after the birth?
You can use the bowl to soothe yourself and your baby after the birth any time. I will talk about this in the course too. I will also give you include an e-book called "Magical Bowls" to give you other ideas on how you can use your bowl that's not birth related.
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When is the best time during pregnancy to have our session?
Anytime is a good time to book your 1:1 session or group classes!! But I recommend you learn about SoundBirth during your second trimester so you have time to practice toning with the crystal singing bowl. It is also a great relaxation tool, so starting to use it sooner is better than later!
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I'm not musical. I can't sing. Nor can my partner. Can we still have a SoundBirth?
OK OK … you need to first of all remember that EVERYONE IS MUSICAL! Since you were born you’ve been making sounds with your voice right? Plus, ANYONE can play a crystal singing bowl! So YES of course you can! I will give you some tips in our private session to make sure you both feel confident enough to use your voice and play your bowl during labour.
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What if my partner doesn't want to play the bowl?
So far I have noticed that most partners are keen to play the bowl once they have seen, heard and played one themselves! I've also found that once they understand how playing the bowl is going to assist you in using your voice which ultimately assists the entire opening up/birthing process, he is more than keen to give it a go! BUT if he is still reluctant or maybe if you'd rather he was holding your hand or rubbing your back, then maybe you can ask another support person to be THE bowl player throughout the birth ... because you just might NEED that sound during each contraction like many other women have!
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Can you attend our birth and play the bowl for us?
I'd love to and it would be a great honour ... BUT because of my busy life I just can't commit to attending births at the moment!
But I DO offer support before and after the birth!
OR FIND A TRAINED SOUNDBIRTH DOULA in the “Directory”
What is a SoundBirth Doula?
When I started sharing “SoundBirth” with people there were quite a few birth professionals who loved the idea, so I decided to run a workshop to teach them how to prepare and support a women before, during and after the birth.
I decided to call them “SoundBirth Doulas!”
Since then more and more doulas have become interested in adding the SoundBirth tools to their toolkit as they know how important it is to feel relaxed AND powerful during labour and how the use of a woman’s voice with the support of a resonant crystal singing bowl is the ultimate solution!
Why Choose a SoundBirth Doula?
Choosing to have a trained SoundBirth Doula at your birth is the perfect solution if your partner doesn’t want to play the bowl, or if you’d rather he was there holding your hand than playing the bowl, or if you already want a doula to be there so might as well choose a “SoundBirth Doula’ who is a trained doula AND owns a bowl!
The SoundBirth Doulas are trained to teach you all about the SoundBirth tools…
How to overcome voice issues before the birth.
How to use your voice in a focused and relaxed way during birth.
They know how to play their bowl safely and effectively throughout the birth and how to teach others to use it so the job can be shared around.
They know how to include background music if that is what you want.
They know how to assist and encourage you to create a “family lullaby” for your baby and will encourage you to sing it after the birth.
They know how to give you tips on how you can use music and sound after the birth to help you to bond with your baby and recover from the birth…
The best thing is that all SoundBirth Doulas own a “SoundBirth bowl” so you don’t need to purchase or hire your own … unless you want to of course!
All trained “SoundBirth Doulas” are listed in the “Directory” so you can contact them yourself and ask about their services!
First SoundBirth Doula Training - Perth, 2011
My first “SoundBirth” presentation to a group of doulas. Afterwards they all helped me carry my bowls to the car (before I had cases eek!) …
Are you a doula or other birth professional and want to add “SoundBirth” to your packages?
Learn how to support women before, during and after labour using sound and music!
If you are a trained birth doula or other birth professional, you can add value to your packages by adding “SoundBirth!”
Give your women the gift of sound during the biggest life transition they’ll probably ever experience!
The SoundBirth Story
SoundBirth began when my Mum intuitively started playing one of my crystal singing bowls that was sitting in the corner of my bedroom during my third home birth in 2009.
It was good timing because my contractions were starting to feel more intense and I was starting to want to moan and groan because of it's intensity ... but I felt embarrassed about making any strange sounds in front of everyone (midwife, husband, friend, Mum...). I had felt self-conscious and inhibited during my previous two home births too!
BUT as soon as I heard the sound of the bowl I started to make more sound with my voice and in return felt more relief! The entire room seemed to disappear and all that was present were the sounds I was co-creating with the bowl.
Soon the contraction dissipated and so did the sound of the bowl.
OMG. I couldn't believe the difference in my anxiety and pain levels!
From then on my doula was instructed by me to play that bowl throughout every contraction for the next 5 hours ... and then again during my fourth labour my birth team took turns playing that bowl ... this time for about 30 hours!
The sound of that amazing bowl HELD my hand and gave me the strength I needed to birth my babies!
From THAT moment on I KNEW I had to start sharing this tool with expectant couples and birth professionals so that women all around the world had the opportunity to experience a “SoundBirth” too!
Since then the SoundBirth tools have been used by doulas, midwives and partners at home births and hospitals throughout Perth, WA and other parts of the world, to soothe and support women in labour.
Hear me talk about SoundBirth Below!
