Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality

Lena MBlog

Just like physical health, mental health, spiritual health is thought of as a much needed human function/area of well-being need, so is sexual health. It is time that the term ‘sexual health’ was not purely linked to GUM clinics/STDs etc. “Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality; it is not merely the … Read More

Avoiding Burnout

Jay KellyBlog

Candle in glass dish

Burnout. I can’t use my own hands to count how many times people have recently said that they think I am burning the candle on both ends. I need to borrow some extra hands.In part, they are right. After 7 years of living with chronic fatigue, the spoon theory was such a helpful read. It helped me make sense of … Read More

Name claim!

Lena MBlog

Lena Mackenzie

Most people on here know me only by my nickname Jay. I’ve gone by this for 14 years, but over time, with more and more lads being nicknamed/called Jay too – I’m done! So I’ve gone to the end of my birth name, instead of the beginning. I was christened Jolene, and I’ve never liked it (much to my mum’s … Read More

Hypnotherapy for sexual health

Lena MBlog

Woman out of focus, behind sprouting grains

This topic has been very much on my mind for many years, but I have always been afraid to write it down in case it got my website labelled as ‘questionable’ and get it blocked! The time is right to stand my ground and share what should not be a taboo topic. Having worked with people with challenges such as … Read More

Workplace Wellness

Lena MBlog

online pre conception, fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum support

Do you have a Workplace Reproductive & Emotional Health Policy in place? Staff wellbeing, good emotional and mental health is crucial to the everyday running of a business. When it comes to Reproductive and Emotional Health, the subject is usually rather taboo and private, but it affects so many people. Although Human Resources professionals are well equipped to tackle most … Read More

Birth Trauma revisited 7 years on (surrogacy pregnancy)

Lena MBlog

Fern

Today is my 1st surrogate babies 7th birthday. This post comes with a big trigger warning of a traumatic birth/postpartum story. It was a day of such mixed feelings.  On one hand, it was THE BEST DAY! The day my friends finally got to hold their baby in their arms. It was amazing, and I’ve enjoyed being part of their … Read More

Supporting newborn sleep and University drop off

Lena MBlog

Parent holding sleeping baby

Supporting newborn sleep and University drop off… what do these two things have in common? Yesterday I dropped my firstborn baby off at her uni accommodation, all while remotely supporting families with newborns, with their emotions and practicalities of adjusting to life with a new baby. For those that don’t know, I recently added Sleep Coaching to my supportive services, … Read More

Birth & Postpartum During a Pandemic – 3 Step Rewind

Lena MBlog

Birth & Postpartum During a Pandemic. When lockdown first began, I thought that I may find some extra time. I made plans to do a twice-weekly Zoom meditation for the pregnant women that I support, and do some writing and creative stuff. Maybe get my garden tidied up. Then it began. The worries, concerns, fear, anxiety, the trauma from families … Read More

What will happen if I have to birth alone?

Lena MBlog

One of the most common birthing concerns right now is: What will happen if I have to birth alone? Hopefully, all women will be able to have their partner with them during their birth, but if it is a worry of yours, then my suggestion is to work out a Plan B, for just in case. Let’s plan for the … Read More

Early labour doula support (via call or video)

Lena MBlog

Newborn nose to nose with parent

Dear families, I’m adding this extra page temporarily to open up my support during these challenging times. Many parents hoping for various types of birth are being told to stay at home as long as possible before going into hospital, whilst I normally appreciate this advice for those planning a hospital birth, this is when it is mamas instinctive choice, … Read More

You guessed it… Only online birth & postnatal support only for a while.

Lena MBlog

online therapy and support

It won’t come as a surprise, and isn’t actually out of the ordinary for me to do my birth & postnatal support online, as most of my clients are international and we work via all manner of methods – Zoom, Google Hangouts, WhatsApp video & Skype. Whichever works best for you. So until the world shifts and changes a little, … Read More

Birth Plans: going with the flow…

Lena MBlog

Birth Plans

Going with the flow! …but whose flow is it? I want to shout out for you to be more assertive, and decide how you prefer to be looked after whilst YOU are birthing. Over the last decade I have seen repeat patterns. Most of the women that I see at sessions that involve any kind of planning are usually second … Read More

Looking after your relationship after birth

Lena MBlog

relationship support after baby

Relationship Support after Baby Not all relationships can be saved or are even worth saving, BUT then there are those that really are worth working for; those that just get broken-down due to stress, exhaustion, big new emotions following your individual birth experiences. There is a gorgeous new baby that draws all of the loving attention in (rightfully so!) but … Read More

Availability update!

Jay KellyBlog

Hello lovely people, a quick update about availability going forward. I’m taking on a new online role with an international company, and this is going to hugely narrow down the hours I have available for my private practice. As soon as I begin (next week is when training commences), I’ll be able to better see how to amend my diary … Read More

Pill, pill, bloody pill

Jay KellyBlog

Painted face, women's health

Are there any other areas in the medical world where one type of medication is given for so many health problems? Heavy painful periods? Here, have the birth control pill. Endometriosis? Here have the birth control pill. Fibroids or cysts? Here have the birth control pill. Acne? Here, have the birth control pill. Feeling ‘hormonal’? Here, have the birth control … Read More

New booking system!

Jay KellyBlog

Fertility Confidante, online support

You asked, I listened and actioned! We have a new appointment booking system. Online of course. Now you can book your appointments, whilst seeing all potential times available for the type of appointment you would like, and at any hour of the day, and easy card payments. I am yet to embed the link on to the website, so I … Read More

Undisturbed Birth

Jay KellyBirth, Blog, Pregnancy, Surrogacy

Sarah Buckley and Jay Kelly

Undisturbed Birth? Yes please! Birth plan following a Sarah J. Buckley, MD study day, Edinburgh 2013. After attending Sarah Buckley’s study day on undisturbed birth I was asked to write a report for it. A way of sharing with others what I had got from the day. Now, I’ve pondered over this for a couple of weeks and have decided … Read More

Use of Sound in Pregnancy

Jay KellyBirth, Blog, Parenting, Pregnancy

pregnancy and birth, harrogate

Article featured in Mother & Baby magazine 2013 – Use of Sound in Pregnancy. Jay Kelly is a Hypnotherapist and Mind-Body Medicine Practitioner, mum of four and soon to be surrogate mum.  Here she talks about how she uses affirmations and positive words as part of her therapy and tells her own personal experience of the power of music. “Affirmations … Read More

Emotional Bank Account

Jay KellyBlog, Parenting, Well Woman

Doula North Yorkshire Jay Kelly

How many of us are overdrawn, emotionally, physically, mentally? This is a technique that I first started using when I joined the Fertile Body Method training about 6 years ago! And something I have used since. It’s really quite simple, and for those who are very left brained you can make this super list worthy if you like! Even if … Read More

End Period Poverty

Jay KellyBlog, Parenting, Well Woman

End Period Poverty. The #endperiodpoverty is very much in the news at present. It is about time. So many people do not even know it is a thing. I didn’t until last year. I didn’t grow up with money, and after 11 years as a lone parent to 4 daughters, this is currently still the case, but sanitary products have … Read More

Mind-Body Fertility course – to help with conception

Jay KellyBlog, Fertility, Well Woman and Fertility

pre-conception care

Mind-Body Fertility 3 month course Mind-Body Fertility course – to help with conception. 5 sessions as a group, spread over 3 months. Includes an individual consultation and Mizan (fertility massage) appointment. Numbers limited to 8 people per series of workshops.   Location: Women’s Alchemy, Luna Treatment Rooms, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5BJ.   Give yourself every chance of natural conception. … Read More

What to expect at your first Mizan appointment

Jay KellyBlog, Fertility, Pregnancy, Well Woman, Well Woman and Fertility

Mizan Therapy

What to expect at your first Mizan appointment? Here is a little guide as to what you may experience at your first session with a Mizan Practitioner. Most first appointments take upwards of 2 hours usually, occasionally 3 hours. You may have already filled in your client intake/information form, and will go through it with your practitioner, or you may … Read More

What is Mizan?

Jay KellyBlog, Fertility, Pregnancy, Well Woman, Well Woman and Fertility

Mizan Therapy

What is Mizan therapy? I’ve been asked this so many times, and I never tire of talking about it, about wombs, about women’s bodies. Mizan (sounds like Milan) is essentially an abdominal massage. Focusing on the lower abdomen, the upper abdomen and the lower back. The massage helps to bring a fresh, oxygenated blood supply to the reproductive organs and … Read More

5 things to look for in a Fertility Therapist

Jay KellyBlog, Fertile Man, Fertility, Surrogacy, Well Woman and Fertility

5 things to look for in a fertility therapist. My top tips for finding the right Fertility Specialist for you are primarily coming from a Mind-Body perspective on Fertility. My specialist area covers Hypnotherapy, NLP, EFT in particular, and since I’m a passionate ‘NON-Jack of All Trades’ advocate, but I have a big passion for the fact that different methods … Read More

Save the midwife

Jay KellyBirth, Blog, Pregnancy

#savethemidwife campaign. Disappointed that we need it… but so lovely seeing all of the wonderful pregnancy and birth pictures supporting it. To very briefly explain my personal story for the backing of it, here are the two pictures I’ve posted so far, and the words that I shared on my Facebook page. “Having one to one care with an Independent … Read More

Loving Kindness Meditation

Jay KellyBlog, Well Woman

loving kindness meta meditation

Loving Kindness Meditation How I’ve only just come across the Metta Loving Kindness Meditation I have no idea! I will share a written version here and add a recorded version to the MP3 section for those who prefer a Guided Meditation. With my usual aim of keeping somethings in life simple and sustainable, I am keeping it a straightforward block … Read More

Pregnancy after loss

Jay KellyBlog, Fertility

life after loss

Hope this little testimonial gives you hope. Pregnancy after loss “I am grateful every day that life events caused my path to cross with Jay’s. I first met her when was I was going through a particularly difficult and challenging time having lost two much wanted babies in the space of 6 months. I can say with confidence that the … Read More

‘Think yourself fertile’ versus ‘TTC’

Jay KellyBlog, Fertile Man, Fertility, Well Woman, Well Woman and Fertility

pre-conception care

Think yourself fertile Vs TTC – the power of mind-body medicine Are the three little letters TTC all consuming? Whether you are hoping to conceive naturally, or are having assisted conception, Hypnosis and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) can really help support you. For someone who is going through the stresses of IVF, Hypnotherapy can be the saving grace when it … Read More

What is ‘hypnobirthing’ and will it help?

Jay KellyBirth, Blog, Pregnancy, Well Woman

What is ‘hypnobirthing’ and will it help? Hypnobirthing has become a massive business in the last few years. I love the positive birth focus, but I don’t much like the hypnobirthing hype. No technique should take credit for a woman’s birthing ability. No one should go into birth believing that they need to do this particular technique in this particular … Read More

Guided meditation for Fear releasing

Jay KellyBirth, Blog, Pregnancy, Well Woman, Well Woman and Fertility

Guided meditation fear releasing

Guided meditation for Fear Releasing. For some women, pregnancy brings excitement and giddy anticipation. For others, it can bring fear, anxieties, vulnerabilities… and endless “what if’s”. Before I go any further and paint a picture of pregnancy being doom and gloom, I want to tell you what I think pregnancy should feel like: Special, precious, invigorating, wondrous, amazing, exciting, blossoming … Read More

2 week wait & 1st trimester exhaustion

Jay KellyBlog, Fertility, Pregnancy, Well Woman and Fertility

pregnancy test 2ww

The 2ww – Mindful ways to help Implantation So once the miracle of conception has happened, whether through natural methods or assisted, the next physiological stage is implantation. Sticky vibes from well meaning friends is one thing, but what can you do to possibly help yourself during the 2 week wait? In no particular order, here are some bite-size ideas. … Read More

How sperm works

Jay KellyBlog, Fertile Man, Fertility

How sperm works

This subject is an entire breezeblock of book, not just a few paragraphs, but I thought a brief overview is worthwhile. So we know that we need millions of sperm, all strong swimmers, with stamina and all swimming in the correct direction. The millions and millions of sperm need to be deposited in a potentially hostile environment, cover a relatively … Read More

7 ways to improve male fertility

Jay KellyBlog, Fertile Man, Fertility

10 ways to improve male fertility

Male Fertility.  7 ways to safeguard your seeds. You may have heard the terms ‘low sperm count’ ‘poor motility’ ‘poor morphology’ being mentioned. You may have only heard your head sprouting out some not so nice thoughts. Terms related to ‘firing blanks’ was used as an insult to men at one point. I certainly hope it isn’t any more, and … Read More

Surrogacy

Jay KellyBlog, Fertility, Pregnancy, Surrogacy, Well Woman and Fertility

Surrogacy

Surrogacy: The art form and the miracle of growing a baby in another woman’s womb. I’ll clear up a bit of the terminology first of all. Types of surrogacy include straight surrogacy and host surrogacy. Host is when you use a embryo that has a different woman’s egg, not the egg of the surrogate mother. The egg can be that … Read More

Relaxing stress responses throughout IVF

Jay KellyBlog, Fertile Man, Fertility, Surrogacy, Well Woman and Fertility

overcoming stress during ivf

Relaxing stress responses throughout IVF. IVF can be a long drawn out and potentially stressful time. Endless appointments, hospital car parks, clinic waiting rooms, injections and timescales, and a body going through a synthetic hormonal rollercoaster. Using a self hypnosis and EFT program to help you keep calm, emotionally and physically, through the journey will no doubt have an effect … Read More

Ways to keep calm in pregnancy

Jay KellyBirth, Blog, Parenting, Pregnancy, Well Woman

conception, pregnancy, loss

You can never have enough support. And there’s a wealth of it out there. Netmums, Facebook groups, NCT classes, friends, I could go on… My most favourite support group in recent times is the Positive Birth Movement. A non-judgmental grassroots movement. The group aim is to enable free to access to support. An organisation aiming for all women to have … Read More

Overcoming blockages whilst deciding how to deal with fertility issues

Jay KellyBlog, Fertile Man, Fertility, Surrogacy, Well Woman and Fertility

Overcoming blockages whilst deciding how to deal with fertility issues. It can feel like such an overwhelming time when deciding what to do. Heart and head may have different thoughts. Too many pros and cons in all different directions. The impacts of decisions can feel too heavy to even think about. Your potential choices are obviously going to depend on … Read More

Happy womb, happy woman.

Jay KellyBlog, Fertility, Pregnancy, Well Woman, Well Woman and Fertility

Happy womb, happy woman, mizan, womb meditation

Happy womb, happy woman. How to have a happy womb? Have you ever talked to your womb? Think I’m bonkers for asking. No problem!! But have you?! How I think you have a happier womb: I suggest doing some womb meditations and some hands-on healing for a happy and balanced womb, and there are some incredible clean and accessible foods … Read More

Pregnancy care

Jay KellyBirth, Blog, Pregnancy

Pregnancy care

Even if you don’t plan a birth to whale music, it doesn’t mean that hypnosis isn’t for you. Hypnotherapy and EFT can help you manage fears and feelings. Letting go of fears, that frequently aren’t even your own, they were Great Auntie Joyce’s fear that has been passed on through fear based stories, even though they meant well. Loads of … Read More

Delayed cord clamping (or OCC) as the healthy norm

Jay KellyBirth, Blog, Pregnancy, Surrogacy

DCC Delayed ccord clamping OCC wait for white

Delayed cord clamping (or Optimal Cord Clamping – OCC) as the healthy norm. If someone told you that something that you can do to your precious tiny newborn could take away a third of his or her crucial blood supply, you wouldn’t do it, would you? If someone also told you that a routine procedure, with no known benefit, was … Read More

Childbirth Without Fear

iamjaykellyBirth, Blog, Pregnancy, Well Woman and Fertility

Childbirth without fear twin birth

All too  often I hear stories from mothers old and new about how traumatic and difficult giving birth is… so even though I can empathise, I feel frustrated and saddened at why so many women are repeatedly experiencing these difficult and horrid births. Then, just the other day, I heard a fascinating story/viewpoint from a […]

The mayonnaise jar and the coffee

iamjaykellyBlog, Fertile Man, Parenting, Well Woman

uplifting and positive story

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the coffee… A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty […]

9 Tips for Long-Haul Flights with small children

iamjaykellyBlog, Parenting

“You’re brave” is all that I heard for a month before embarking on my travels exploring Australia with my four children. The eldest being 6, a tantrum filled 3 year old & 10 month-old twins. Most people get their travelling out of their system before they have children and then settle down and enjoy ‘less […]