Beautiful Starts founder Victoria Kerslake: Changing lives one birth at a time.

Victoria Kerslake’s CV is varied: From working in the corporate world to training as a teacher, working for charities and volunteering. 

“I’ve gone from climbing the corporate ladder, to giving back as a teacher, to now a Hypnobirthing instructor,” Victoria reflects. “All in my search to make a difference.” This sentiment encapsulates her journey towards finding a career that not only fulfills her personal goals but also brings incredible benefits to others

It’s this sense of her selfless nature that shines through in her offerings from her hypnobirthing business Beautiful Starts.

Not only is she a qualified hypnobirthing instructor but Victoria has branched out, meaning she can support people further in their journey with her dedication to providing comprehensive care. 

First came the awarding of the title ‘breastfeeding peer supporter’ and soon she’ll be adding to her list of qualifications in this area too. Not only that, but Victoria also works with her local Maternity Voices Partnership in Norwich & Norfolk to improve maternity services for everyone.

But what is it that made Victoria delve into the world of pregnancy and birth support?

Her website details her journey from events planner to high school teacher, but it was the birth of her first child that helped her to realise her ‘calling’. 

“I have always felt a calling to have an impact, as cheesy as that sounds. I have tried various routes such as teaching, working for a charity and doing volunteer work. I could never quite find something that fulfilled my heart 100% and literally changed people’s lives.”

And changing lives she is. From the testimonials on her website to the comments on her social media channels, the expectant parents working with Victoria sound empowered and confident about what lies ahead. 

“The difference between a positive birth and a horrible birth experience can be absolutely life changing as a parent”

At the time of writing, the UK government had just released a report on the Inquiry into Birth Trauma. Thousands of women from across the country have had their experiences and lasting memories of birth captured in the data.

Amongst the sea of negative stories, Victoria recognises the need for strategies outside of those the NHS can typically offer, not just for pain relief and calm, but for coping mentally when things don’t go to plan.

Her journey into this field was not merely professional but intensely personal, sparked by her own experiences during pregnancy.

“I was recommended hypnobirthing during my first pregnancy and really experienced the true power of it when things went south during my labour. On paper, the experience would have been enough to put me in therapy, but hypnobirthing ensured that I felt in control of all my choices and understood how each one would change the course of my birth.”

This is reflected now in Victoria’s hypnobirthing approach, centred around an evidence-based perspective. Her work allows people to speak up for the care they want, which can be difficult if you don’t know the system or the policies in place. Thankfully, through her work with the local Maternity Voice Partnership, Victoria has the insights she needs to support people with the practical realities they will face.

Speaking of her own birth she said: “Despite it not going how I had wanted, I still felt calm, empowered and positive. This to me is ultimate proof (hypnobirthing) does what it says on the tin.”

After her second birth, Victoria knew she could support others to navigate the maternity system with confidence, so she trained to provide hypnobirthing classes and hasn’t looked back since. 

Victoria’s hypnobirthing courses are comprehensive, offering over 10 hours of instruction along with a wealth of resources and support until the baby’s arrival.

She also offers shorter courses, calm caesarean classes and refreshers for those who are birthing a second or subsequent baby. Soon, she’ll have even more to offer with her breastfeeding support service plus birth trauma release support through the 3 step rewind process.

The feedback from her clients is a testament to the impact of Victoria’s work. “The biggest reward for me is not how the birth goes, but from hearing clients report positively on how it went,” Victoria says. “It brings me so much joy to receive a message from someone saying they have had their baby, and sharing their story.”

Some of these stories can be found on Victoria’s website. One new mother reported that, because of Victoria’s support, she understood what was happening to her body, how to stay in control mentally and how to manage pain successfully. She said “The feeling of staying in control during one of the most scary and unpredictable times of your life is life changing.”

Victoria runs her antenatal courses from Norwich and offers a range of different packages. You can download a free guided relaxation audio track and birth packing list from her website Beautiful Starts Hypnobirthing. 

Victoria’s story is one of passion, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of making a difference. Through her work, she empowers expectant parents to have positive birth experiences, thereby changing lives one birth at a time. 
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