The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
I’ve faced seasons of doubt – it’s very easy to become discouraged when you don’t see a full inbox of enquiries or plenty of bookings flying in. But the drive really comes from the ‘call’ or ‘pull’ to this work. I’m not just doing it for fun, but it is a vocational and faith-filled drive. I have to trust that I’m doing the right thing and believe that God will provide what I need to do this work. It requires a lot of faith and a balance of relying on God and developing good business instincts and ethics at the same time!
Sometimes the weight of what people have been through is a lot to carry, but to be honest, God has always given me the grace to hand it over to him. It is a wonderful position to be in where you can hand burdens over in faith and receive the peace of God. It is very important to have trusted people to talk things through with, supervision from others who understand this work and a supportive faith community too.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The best part of running my own business is the freedom to follow my instincts and daily do the things I feel I was born to do. I can pursue the vocation of serving others in a deeply meaningful way. I also love being flexible with my time and being able to be there for my family – creating rhythms that work for us.
The hardest part is carrying the weight of every decision, and those patches where everything goes very quiet! It’s definitely a test of perseverance and faith, and growing in my ability to rely on God.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
My absolute heart is for all parents to feel confident, peaceful and equipped through pregnancy, birth and afterwards. I wish we didn’t see so many new parents traumatised after birth experiences. I would love more people to know about the connection between brain and body and how MASSIVELY it can impact your birth experience, which in turn has a ripple effect of a positive post-partum experience.
I facilitate a large Whatsapp group of Christian birthworkers, and am starting to offer them workshops and opportunities for ongoing development to equip them and sustain them in everything they do with the families they serve. I am looking forward to seeing how this community develops as they connect with and support each other too.
I’d love to create more spaces where new parents can be equipped to find the tools they need for birth and early parenting: emotionally, practically and spiritually. Recently I have been involved in setting up an online drop-in for new mums called ‘Mums Nourished’. We meet every Wednesday lunchtime at 1-2pm (UK) and it is a village-like community of support for prayer and encouragement as well as practical tips and resources from a range of perinatal and birth professionals. You can sign up to be on the mailing list here.
Visit www.christianbirthsupport.co.uk to find out more, and connect with Helena on Facebook and Instagram.
