Denise Tiran

Midwife / Complementary Therapies in Pregnancy & Childbirth

I’ve been a midwife for over 30 years and developed an interest in complementary therapies in pregnancy and childbirth in the early 1980s. I’m qualified to use a number of different therapies, including reflexology, massage, aromatherapy and moxibustion for breech babies, and to advise on herbal homeopathic and Bach flower remedies.

I’m here to explain any aspect of complementary therapies in relation to your pregnancy and the birth of your baby. So, call me and I’ll answer any questions you may have.

My main specialism is in helping women suffering from morning sickness, having suffered with it myself when I was pregnant with my son. I use a range of complementary and natural remedies and can advise you on a number of things you could try to ease your morning sickness or other symptoms you may be experiencing, such as heartburn, excessive salivation, constipation and headaches. I have treated over 5,000 women with these conditions. It involves a manual treatment on the feet, which I developed and researched, based on osteopathic principles.

This technique is about 65-70% successful in easing pregnancy sickness in just one or two treatments, and I now train my team of midwives to use the same system. I’ve researched this subject extensively and have written a textbook for midwives and doctors, Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: An Integrated Approach to Care.

* I’m on the editorial committee of the Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice Journal, have previously written a health column in the Daily Express, have been an advisor to Pregnancy and Birth magazine and have featured on several television and radio programmes. I’m also a regular contributor to Prima Baby magazine.

* I’m frequently asked to speak at conferences, including the recent Hyperemesis (excessive pregnancy sickness) Conference at the University of Warwick.

* I work with numerous NHS trusts to train their midwives to use complementary therapies safely in their practice. I’ve helped implement complementary therapies in maternity care in Hong Kong and Iceland, and regularly teach midwives, doctors and therapists in Japan and elsewhere overseas.

* I have written 10 professional books and over 70 journal papers, as well as three books for expectant mothers, the latest being ‘Have a Happy Pregnancy’.

* I’m educational director of Expectancy, The Expectant Parents' Complementary Therapies Consultancy, which won the ‘outstanding contribution’ category in the 2010 Complementary and Alternative Medicine Awards.

* I’m also a visiting lecturer at the University of Greenwich, London, where I worked previously as a midwifery lecturer and later developed and ran a degree in complementary therapies.

* I’m often consulted by the Royal College of Midwives on aspects relating to safety of complementary therapies in pregnancy and childbirth - and I’m campaigning for this subject to be included in the training of midwives.