®
 Anne  Linda About usAnne Haines and Linda Kimber are joint directors of Childbirth Essentials and have a wealth of midwifery experience spanning many years. We both have a strong belief in women's ability to birth their babies naturally; every woman should be offered support and guidance to explore their potential to achieve a positive birth experience. Anne has special interest and expertise in supporting women wanting a vaginal birth following caesarean section (VBAC) and finds that the LK Massage Programme works very successfully with these women. Mary McNabb an expert in the neuroendocrine responses to pregnancy and childbirth is part of our team as we explore the value of massage as a pain relieving option for labour. In October 2003 in collaboration with Professor Christine Mc Court, and support from the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit we conducted a feasibility / observational study on 35 women at the Horton Maternity Hospital, Banbury Oxfordshire. Following this we conducted a Pilot Randomised Controlled trial (ALPS) commenced in January 2005 at the Horton Maternity Hospital. This was completed in March 2006. In the process of publication. Anne, Linda and Mary have brought together their varying expertise and designed a series of courses for Professionals Anne and Linda also teach pregnant women and their birth partners antenatally. Anne is a practising midwife since 1985, midwifery manager. I have worked as a midwife for many years and gained an MSc Interprofessional Health and Community studies at Canterbury Christchurch College in 1998. My dissertation explored the infant feeding trends amongst term infants in Oxfordshire. In 2000, I qualified as a Lactation consultant (IBCLC). I have special interest and expertise in supporting women wanting a vaginal birth following caesarean section VBAC. This has been supported by the use of the LK Massage Programme and other non pharmacological coping strategies for women to use during labour and childbirth, including water. Since 2001, my main focus has been to promote normality within a consultant unit (1600 deliveries annually) and encourage environmental and practice changes to improve the birthing experience for women and their families. Meeting the needs of couples led me to explore the potential value of complementary therapies within current NHS obstetric practice. My interest and knowledge of their use evolved after meeting Linda and becoming involved with the LK Massage Programme. This partnership developed over the following years. In 2003, Linda and I completed a feasibility study in partnership with Mary McNabb, and Professor Christine McCourt, with support from the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit. During 2003, this observational pilot study was integrated into the delivery suite. It provided an exciting arena to explore the biological process of childbirth and mother - infant interactions. Skin to skin contact following birth is now widely encouraged, supporting the initial feed whilst the baby is in an alert state. Both parents have enjoyed this experience, with dads joining in! This practice minimises maternal-baby separation, and has been shown to stimulate suckling and lactation and to promote relaxation. The value of massage as a pain relieving option for labour and childbirth was researched further in 2005/6 when we conducted a pilot randomised controlled trial. Alternative Labour Pain Strategies (ALPS). Massage is often received well by women in mainstream midwifery and obstetrics if it is offered. We now teach midwives, doulas and therapists to work with the LK Massage Programme to offer women more choices. Recent Publications
Script writer and Producer of the DVDs 'Towards Natural Childbirth and Beyond for women and their birth partners' and the Professional series 'Towards Natural Childbirth and Beyond' parts 1, 2 and 3 Linda is a registered midwife since 1974, massage therapist, aromatherapist and reflexologist. I have many years of experience as a practising midwife; more recently I have been involved in researching the value of massage as a pain relieving strategy using specific techniques - The LK Massage Programme ®. I have used the massage within my practice and encouraged feedback from couples. This has been invaluable and helped direct the Programme to what it is today. Developing a strong partnership between the woman and her chosen birth partner is a fundamental part of the Programme. During the mid 90's I started developing the use of massage to support women, babies and birth partners during the antenatal and intrapartum period. This has continued to develop, following valuable feedback from couples and my own observations during my time as a community midwife. In 2003 Anne and I completed a feasibility study in partnership with Mary McNabb, and Professor Christine McCourt, with support from the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit. The study used the LK Massage Programme and explored the value of massage in reducing the need for pharmacological analgesia in labour; the environment was an essential facet of this study. During the feasibility/observational study, I observed the use of the Programme and as a team we examined in depth the psychological and neuroendocrine responses to its use. Following this we conducted a pilot Randomised Controlled Trial (Alternative Labour Pain Strategies (ALPS) commenced in January 2005 at the Horton Maternity Hospital and completed in March 2006. In the process of publication Mary McNabb, Anne and I have designed a series of courses for Professionals which have been accredited by the Royal College of Midwives, entitled. 'Neuroendocrine responses to massage in late pregnancy, labour and postpartum: theory and practice'. These courses are for professionals wishing to support women during pregnancy, labour and childbirth, to promote natural childbirth. The LK Massage Programme is the coping strategy taught in detail during both the basic and advanced courses. The aim is to equip professionals to offer women more choices. Mary, Anne and I work extremely closely, sharing and bringing together our own particular passions and skills to improve women's experience of birth. The three of us teach on the courses and speak at conferences. Recent Publications
Producer of the DVDs 'Towards Natural Childbirth and Beyond for women and their birth partners' and the Professional series 'Towards Natural Childbirth and Beyond' parts 1, 2 and 3  Mary Mary (scientific advisor) is a qualified midwife since 1972. I have worked for 10 years in and around London before training to become a midwife teacher. During this period, I worked with midwifery colleagues at Guy's and St Thomas' to undertake a Randomised Controlled Trial on the effects of regular exercise on labour outcomes. This study stimulated an enduring interest in neuroendocrine adaptations to different phases of the reproductive cycle. I developed this interest by undertaking an MSc in the Science of Physiology, at London University in 1992 and by writing the chapters on reproductive biology for Mayes' Midwifery. Since 1990 I have worked as a Senior Lecturer in Midwifery Education at London South Bank University. In 2001 I obtained a research grant from London South Bank University to pursue my research interest on the analgesic, anxiolytic and metabolic effects of oxytocin on mother, fetus and neonate. With assistance from the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, we have recently completed a feasibility study looking in depth at the psychological and neuroendocrine responses to the LK Massage Programme ®. Following this we conducted a Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial (Alternative Labour Pain Strategies (ALPS) commenced in January 2005 at the Horton Maternity Hospital and completed in March 2006. In the process of publication As a result of this study, Linda, Anne and I have designed a series of massage courses for midwives entitled: 'Neuroendocrine responses to massage in late pregnancy, labour and postpartum: theory and practice'. Recent Publications
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All content and photography featured on this web site are copyright © Linda Kimber and Anne Haines 2007
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