Frequently asked questions

The AIPAP method (Integral Aquatic Preparation for Birth) is a hospital-validated aquatic exercise programme for pregnant women. It combines pelvic floor and core strengthening movements with breathing and relaxation techniques in the water. It relieves the sensation of weight, eases lumbar pain and prepares the body for an active birth. Ana Belén delivers AIPAP together with pregnancy-specific pilates, normally from the second trimester until the end of pregnancy.

The maternal education programme with Ana Belén Méndez consists of four structured sessions covering pregnancy, alarm signs, birth plan, breathing techniques, breastfeeding, newborn care and the transition during the first weeks. Sessions are delivered in small groups or one-to-one, in Spanish or English, in person in Marbella or online by video call. It is designed for women from week 28 of gestation and their partners.

Yes, acupuncture performed by a certified midwife is safe during pregnancy. Only sterile single-use needles are used, and protocols are adapted to avoid points contraindicated in gestation. It is effective for treating nausea, first-trimester vomiting, lumbar pain, sciatica, anxiety, insomnia and other typical pregnancy disorders. Ana Belén Méndez has been certified in acupuncture and moxibustion since 2017 and applies this technique as a complement to standard obstetric care, not as a replacement.

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that applies heat to the BL67 acupoint on the feet to stimulate fetal movement and encourage cephalic version. Several studies indicate that it increases the probability of spontaneous version when performed between weeks 32 and 36 of gestation, especially combined with acupuncture. Ana Belén performs the treatment in clinic and provides a moxa kit for home use, along with a complementary exercise sheet.

Yes. Ana Belén Méndez is a native bilingual midwife, trained in the United Kingdom (University of York, 2007) and works equally in Spanish or English. All consultations, maternal education sessions, prenatal yoga, acupuncture and postpartum visits can be delivered in English, in person in Marbella or online. This makes her especially accessible for international families and expat residents on the Costa del Sol.

It depends on the reason for the risk and always with obstetrician approval. Prenatal yoga with Ana Belén is adapted to each trimester and each physical condition, avoiding postures contraindicated in cases of placenta previa, shortened cervix, pregnancy-induced hypertension or risk of preterm labour. In those cases, breathing exercises, guided visualisation and very gentle movement are prioritised. An individual assessment and a conversation with your obstetrician (if needed) is always done before starting.

The midwife in the public system (Hospital Costa del Sol or social-security primary care centre) provides covered obstetric care, normally with time-limited appointments and shared agenda. Private consultation with Ana Belén Méndez complements that care with longer sessions (60 to 90 minutes), continuity with the same professional, bilingual ES/EN attention, in-person or online format, and access to services not covered by the public system: prenatal yoga, acupuncture, moxibustion, hypnobirthing, AIPAP, in-home lactation consultancy. It does not replace the public system, it reinforces it.

A postpartum visit with Ana Belén lasts 60 to 90 minutes and takes place at home or in clinic, usually during the first weeks after birth. It includes perineal or abdominal wound check, breastfeeding and latch assessment, observation of a complete feed, newborn review (weight, umbilical cord, jaundice, stools), sleep and maternal mood evaluation, and answers to any newborn care questions. Urgent visits are prioritised in the first days if there are breastfeeding difficulties.