With a background in nursing and over a decade spent working in Neonatal care, Rebecca Brannelly has always been deeply connected to the sacred journey of birth and motherhood. After witnessing firsthand the limitations of modern maternity systems and experiencing her own challenging birth, she was inspired to create MindBodyBirth, dedicated to empowering women through evidence-based, holistic and intuitive birth support. Now a qualified Doula and passionate advocate for informed, nurturing care, Rebecca guides women to trust their bodies, their intuition and the transformative power of birth itself. Here she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the passion behind what she does, the challenges she has overcome, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
I always felt deeply called to birth. From early on, I knew I wanted to support women during this sacred transition. I trained as a nurse with the intention of moving into midwifery, but once I began working on the Neonatal Unit, I quickly realised that modern maternity care wasn’t aligned with the kind of support I wanted to offer.
I’d often find myself on the Labour Ward, witnessing high-risk births. What stood out to me was how overwhelmed and stretched the midwives were. There was no space for the kind of personalised, nurturing care that every woman deserves. Births didn’t feel magical; they felt clinical, rushed, and at times, brutal.
I stayed in Neonates for 12 years, completing my Qualification in Specialty, and over time, my favourite part of the role became supporting and empowering parents. I loved helping mothers bond with and breastfeed their premature babies – guiding them through those powerful first moments. There was something sacred in that connection, and I found myself drawn more and more to that side of the work.
The real turning point came with the birth of my youngest. I thought I was prepared. I had the knowledge, the birth plan, the mindset. But once I arrived at the hospital, none of that seemed to matter. I felt dismissed, unheard and left with a deep frustration that my birth had been taken from me. That experience lit a fire in me. I knew I had to help other women avoid feeling the way I had.
While on maternity leave, a close friend asked me to attend the birth of her baby. She was planning a free birth and said she couldn’t imagine doing it without me. She saw something in me I hadn’t fully owned yet – that I could bridge the gap between medical and holistic care, offering women informed, grounded and deeply intuitive support.
With her encouragement, everything fell into place. My background, my values, my passion for evidence-based care and my holistic lifestyle all aligned perfectly. Supporting women in birth is where I’m meant to be.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
And so, MindBodyBirth was born.
It all unfolded naturally – an organic evolution rooted in passion, purpose and deep trust in where I was being led.
I threw myself into learning, immersing myself in training and research that truly lit me up. I completed my Doula training in 2022, alongside a Freebirth course, and soon after, I had the honour of attending the birth of my friend’s daughter. That experience confirmed everything I believed birth could and should be: calm, sacred, undisturbed. The room was dimly lit by a salt lamp, the night was quiet, and there was no rush, no chaos. Just me and her partner, bearing witness as she moved through her powerful journey with grace.
From there, I knew I wanted to support women in every way I could. Not just at their births, but in the lead-up to them too. I expanded my offerings to meet women where they are, in whatever way they need support.
The 30-Minute Holistic Birth Preparation Course – Designed for busy women who want clear, concise and empowering information without the overwhelm. Perfect for those short on time but big on intention.
1:1 Empowerment Hour – A space to be truly heard. Whether in person or online, these sessions offer clarity, evidence-based guidance and emotional support for women who feel dismissed by their care providers or are navigating fear, uncertainty or complex decisions.
Personalised Empowerment Videos – Ideal for those who find face-to-face or video calls too intense but still crave connection and guidance. After completing a short questionnaire, I send back a completely bespoke video message full of encouragement, insight and support – something they can return to anytime they need a boost.
Full Birth Coaching Package – For women who want deep, continuous support throughout their journey. This includes everything from preparation to birth attendance, where I show up as the advocate I once wished I had – informed, intuitive and wholeheartedly in your corner.
Each of these offerings was created with intention – to honour the sacredness of birth, to hold space for women’s voices and to remind them of the power they’ve always had.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The biggest turning point in my business came when I made the bold decision to leave my NHS job. The shift was immediate and powerful – like a fog had lifted. I’d been feeling completely out of alignment with the workplace culture, the burnout and the lack of space to truly honour my calling.
Stepping away created the energetic clarity I needed to fully show up in my purpose. Since then, my business has grown naturally and intuitively, guided by connection and community.
I was recently a guest on Her Sacred Hustle podcast – an amazing platform that allowed me to share my journey and reach more women on the sacred path of birth and motherhood. And now – the privilege of working with The Natural Parent Magazine, further expanding my reach to women who deeply resonate with this transformational time.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
As a mother of five and a business owner, I’ve had to learn how to adapt.
One of the most powerful lessons? The importance of holding strong boundaries – both for myself and my children.
I’ve embraced what some might call an untraditional selfishness: a set of daily rituals that keep me grounded, focused and connected to myself. Because here’s the truth – women have been sold the idea that we can “have it all”, but rarely are we asked at what cost?
I’ve learned that slowing down, honouring your body, and prioritising rest aren’t luxuries – they’re essential. When you move from a place of regulation and peace, instead of obligation or burnout, the time you spend with your children or your business becomes so much more meaningful and impactful.
This isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing it differently, and doing it well.
