It has been 7 years in the making, and finally I have qualified as an NCT Antenatal Teacher!

In that time I have had 3 children, moved house, completed a humanitarian mission to Kenya and opened my own business! This, as well as the usual juggling act of being a working parent, wife and mother, and both running and attending workshops, has meant that on every occasion my training has fallen to the bottom of the pile.

However, even when not actually attending tutorials, study days, preparing presentations or writing essays, my training is always with me. When I am performing the incredible feat that motherhood is, those valuable life lessons that I have learnt, frequently spill over into all aspects of home and work.

I regularly use the essential tools of becoming a good antenatal teacher, such as reflection and evaluation, listening skills, impartiality and intuition in all aspects of my life. As a result I feel I am now gentler, more approachable, more open, braver and a more thoughtful person. I have enjoyed the thinking time this course has brought me and the new paradigms and concepts I have learnt.

My long, strong held belief that the body is amazing has been affirmed. To follow ones instincts both emotionally and physically we can’t go far wrong.

I have spent my life questioning and pushing barriers, always to be told to conform, but through this course I have found these qualities to be valued and encouraged and it has given me a new found confidence.

I am keen to keep challenging myself and pushing myself out of my comfort zones. I have felt consistently encouraged to try new things, especially facilitating groups and have relished the reward and satisfaction it has brought me.

Looking forward to my future teaching, I know my main challenge will be setting myself realistic targets in course planning. As any working Mum knows, life becomes a juggle between home and work, and there are many obstacles in the way, such as childcare and balancing the needs of the family (including myself!). It will always be a case of prioritising and good time management to ensure I enjoy all aspects of my life without compromising any areas.

I am excited about the future opportunities my qualification will bring me. I would like to explore the options of different course formats to see what suits me best, and I will consider running labour days, and other formats, such as courses for fathers and early days. I look forward to having that flexibility and further developing my own styles.

I would also consider the possibilities of taking my teaching further, running more study days, into schools and perhaps even to Kenya, where I have worked as a humanitarian Osteopath.

I am indebted to the Winchester branch who have supported me financially and emotionally through this time, and to Bridget Mortimor (my antenatal teacher!) who sowed the first seed! Thank you!

Thank you also to all those that support and fundraise for our branch, as indirectly, you have supported me through my training too.

Emma Wightman, BSc(Hons)Ost  and now DipHE!

Emma Wightman, of the Stockbridge Osteopathic Practice, warns parents and teachers to think about the effect of heavy school bags on children’s health

For Back Care Awareness week this year (17-23 October), the British Osteopathic Association is calling for parents and teachers to consider the health implications of small bodies carrying heavy school bags.  The BOA wants images of children bowed down under the weight of their enormous school bags crammed full of books to become a thing of the past.

Heavy bags can put pressure on the discs between the vertebrae which can cause long term back pain in small and still-developing bodies and children can suffer muscular pain, headaches, tingling and numbness in the arms and legs and even mobility problems.

Osteopath, Emma Wightman from the Stockbridge Osteopathic Practice and a member of the British Osteopathic Association, who has treated some of the damage caused by carrying excessive loads, says: “Children should never carry more than about 15% of their own body weight. Parents can help by packing their children’s rucksacks and making sure that the heavier items are nearer to the child’s back. Heavier items on the outside of the bag tend to throw out the child’s centre of gravity out of balance, which leads to bad posture and increases the chances of them straining their back”.

Other suggestions from Emma Wightman include:

• A backpack is usually more comfortable than a bag that puts strain on only one shoulder, but even a backpack shouldn’t be overloaded.
• When buying a bag, buy a sturdy, well-designed bag with wide, padded shoulder straps that reduces pressure on the neck and shoulder area. Buy a bag with adjustable straps which can be altered as the child grows.
• Check your child’s posture after he has put the bag on. If you notice your child leaning forward or slouching, check if the bag is too heavy or if it has been packed incorrectly.
• Make sure your child is only carrying the items they need for school that day – remove any unnecessary books and equipment
• An increase of and more use of permanent child lockers for storing equipment or books that can be left at school.

The long term effects from carrying heavy bags include strains on the neck and shoulder leading to headaches, fatigue and an early development of poor posture along with strain to arms and wrists.

Another challenge to children’s health, and one which is specifically an issue for girls, are shoes in the form of high heels and flat pumps.  Wearing high heels (anything over 2”) is especially stressful on the joints of the foot because the whole weight of the body is forced into a narrow, pointed area.

High heels can contribute to knee and back problems because of the way wearers are forced to pay attention to their balance and to take shorter strides. Heels also force the thigh muscles to work harder, putting extra strain on the knee joints and tendon that runs from the knee cap to the thigh bone. Compared with walking barefoot, high heels increase the pressure on the inside of the knee by around 26 percent and over time this increased pressure on the knee can lead to osteoarthritis.

Emma concludes: “As with most things, moderation is the key here. Wearing the same type of shoe all the time can force your foot into an unnatural position.  Flat shoes are usually easier on your feet than heels, but with no shock absorbency and little heel support, there is a risk of developing a painful condition called plantar fasciitis (pain on the soles of you feet) and calcaneal bursitis (pain under your heel). “

The answer is to change your style of shoes regularly and avoid the extremes – don’t wear heels that are too high or shoes that are too flat.”

Additional information:

For information on osteopathy, download the British Osteopathic Association app, “Osteopathy - relief from back, neck and joint problems” from the Android market or via the Apple App Store as follows or visit www.osteopathy.org.

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/osteopathy/id427802141?mt=8&ls=1

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.oakley.osteopathy

About the British Osteopathic Association

The British Osteopathic Association (BOA) is the professional association for osteopaths in the UK, acting as an independent representative body whilst promoting osteopathy to the general public and government. Established in 1998 the BOA is committed to supporting, protecting and caring for its members and promoting opportunities for individual and professional development in osteopathic practice.  There are over 4,000 osteopaths on the UK register who carry out over seven million treatments each year, and nearly 70% of these are members of the British Osteopathic Association.  For more information, visit the website www.osteopathy.org

I was woken at 5am as a few of the group left early to catch their flight home. The campsite owner, Jesse, was in a foul mood and was yelling at them about an unpaid bill and she would cancel their taxi and would not unlock the gate until it was paid.

I blearily got up and explained that I was still there and she had my passport and wallet in her safe and to let the others go. Finally she relented, not a great start to the day!

Later we got up, just 4 of us left and had a rather subdued breakfast, during which time I arranged for Nav to come over to sort out the bill. We had a long and frustrating wait, just sitting in the campsite. Finally she arrived, sorted out the bill and we were able to leave. Our driver took us into town and we visited the Maasai market and did a little shopping.

Then the driver took me to visit some friends in Karen. It was lovely to see them and to chat through all my experiences and to hear their news.

We had a delicious supper, then they drove me to the airport. It was an easy ride through town for once and I whizzed through check in too! I met up with Bettina at the departure gate and we boarded together.

The flight wasn’t too busy, so I had a spare seat next to me and I was able to put my legs up. However, despite my midget proportions, I couldn’t get comfortable. I was constantly disturbed and unable to sleep. So I just dozed with a slide show of the last 2 weeks images in my head!

Then the lights went up, time for a dodgy cup of tea and we were nearly there.

Can’t wait to see the family!