YOUTOUS

We started YouToUs as we felt that there was a large gap in what was on offer in Brighton for pregnant women and their birth partners in the area of antenatal classes.

Our society has taken childbirth and medicalised it, placed fear around it and forgotten that all women do have an innate knowledge, (whether they know it or not) of birthing.

We teach from a realistic, honest, empowered and often humorous place. Our classes do not guarantee a perfect birth at the end, but encourage women to have an open mind and understand that childbirth is a profound rite of passage. Medical input can be incorporated into this philosophy when appropriate, but need not take away from the significance of this journey.

Our sessions are small and informal (around 6-8 couples) and we have witnessed wonderful and supportive friendships blossoming in our classes that have lasted beyond birth and into motherhood.

ante natal brighton hove

MEET THE TEAM

WELCOME TO TEAM YOUTOUS

Justine Garratty

Justine is the founder of YouToUs.

“I have lived in Brighton for 31 years. I have a 26 year old daughter called Maya who was born at home in Brighton after a pregnancy in India. Maya gave birth at home in Brighton last August with her partner and lucy Muirhead and myself as her midwives, absolutely mind blowing.
I am a practising registered midwife here in Brighton , l have worked in many areas of maternity running clinics, attending home births and running the Myzoomhomebirth session. I also have a lot of hospital experience  both in the hospital and out in the community. I enjoy travelling and making clothes and growing veg.

My passion lies in teaching women and their birth partners how to embrace and feel empowered about their approaching birth, and the fourth trimester.
My teaching comes from a realistic, open minded place but also deals with emotional mists that surround birth. 
I believe the purpose of these classes is to prepare mothers to give birth in awareness, not to achieve a specific birth outcome.

My style is funny, realistic, informative and slightly irreverent 😉

Alice Ciochino

“I began my midwifery journey in 2007 after I fell in love with the idea of helping women/people feel empowered by their birth experience. I am a midwife and antenatal educator, and passionate about offering comprehensive and holistic support to families. I am a birth rights activist and I aim to support women/people to follow their intuition and make their own informed choices. After many years of practising in different countries and different areas of maternity, I have moved to Brighton, which is where I met Justine and I now work as a homebirth midwife which I absolutely love!!!

My teaching is honest, and I offer an open and non-judgemental space to everyone wishing to learn how to navigate the system and enjoy their birthing journey.

I am also certified in midwifery acupuncture and holistic therapies, biomechanics, Bach Flowers remedies and I am a qualified KGH hypnobirthing teacher.“

Amy Ohelers

“Hello! I’m Amy, I’m a midwife and a mother of 3. I have experience across all settings in maternity and currently work supporting newly qualified midwives as they begin their careers. My passion is in midwife led care and birth outside of the hospital. All of my babies were born at home with fantastic Brighton midwives, and I’m determined to work towards ensuring that all women can have that same opportunity.

The older my kids get, the more I realise that there is a need for conversations around parenting to be real, compassionate, and non-judgmental, and this the type of space I aim to provide in class.

For me, midwifery is a political act that I am privileged to carry out. “

Nelly Pellegrino

““I am Nelly, Home Birth Midwife, Breastfeeding specialist and Tongue tie practitioner.

I love supporting women and pregnant/birthing people during this delicate, scary, powerful journey called maternity with a special focus on the immediate postnatal period and breastfeeding / infant feeding.

My aim is to share the best knowledge and tips to help you navigate the immediate post partum period with less fear and stress and a bit more of joy and pleasure!

I can’t wait to meet you all!”