What is hypnobirthing?
Hypnobirthing is a powerful, proven way for women to engage their natural abilities to flow through the process of giving birth, using hypnosis. It is about mental and physical relaxation. It is about letting go of fear and anxiety related to giving birth, which can get in the way of a comfortable birth by causing fear and tension in the body during labour. It is about how our muscles, hormones, sensations, thoughts and emotions work and influence each other during labour. And although the effects of hypnobirthing can be amazing - and even seem magical - it is not hocus-pocus. It is as logical as the maths and science taught at school, and as sensible and practical as any physical techniques taught in fitness classes.
What do the classes involve?
Hypnobirthing courses vary considerably in content, depth and structure. I teach the Natal Hypnotherapy course, developed by clinical hypnotherapist and doula Maggie Howell. This course is extremely thorough and provides a great balance of theory and practice. It includes a series of five different hypnosis sessions that take learners on a step-by-step journey towards letting go of the fear and tension that can get in the way of a relaxed labour, and developing the feelings and responses they would like to have instead - such as feeling calm, comfortable, relaxed, confident, in control, and powerful.
The full course includes 12 hours of classes. The course can be taken individually or in a group, face to face or online, and over the course of two days or in smaller modules over the course of weeks or even months.
I offer classes for pregnant women attending on their own or with a birth partner*.
Here is what you will learn:
Resources
One-to-one sessions, refreshers, and Birth Rehearsal sessions
I also offer individual sessions to those simply seeking advice, some guided practice, or a refresher. And I offer a birth rehearsal session to those looking to further consolidate and test their knowledge and skills with helpful prompts and guidance. Partners are also welcome to attend their own one to one session if they would like to know more about birth and how to be helpful.
Course and session fees:
*Having a birth partner versus going it alone
A birth partner is someone who is present and supportive while a woman is in labour, helping her achieve the conditions she needs to give birth in the way that works best for her. This can be a friend, a relative, a spouse or partner, or anyone else she chooses to invite to support her during labour.
Some women know exactly who they want in the birthing room with them, and are lucky enough to have a birth partner who is supportive and shares her vision of labour. Other couples might not be on quite the same page. Some women have no one they feel confident about inviting to accompany them in this important experience. And some partners might want to help but feel apprehensive about being present at the birth.
I support women and partners in all of these situations. Where partners are involved, I place great emphasis on helping them achieve the knowledge, skills and confidence they need in order to be helpful while also having the most positive birth experience they can.
Who is suited to taking the course?
Any woman who is pregnant is encouraged to attend with or without a partner. You might be single or in a relationship. You might be in a relationship with someone you imagine to be a wonderful birth partner. Or you might not be keen to have a partner present during the birth. You might have given birth before, or it might be your first time. You might be planning to give birth at home, in a hospital or midwife-led unit, or somewhere else. You might be someone who finds it easy to relax and focus - or not. Whichever of these sounds more familiar, this course is for you.
I'm going to give birth soon! Do I have time to take the course?
Maybe! Get in touch via the contact form and we'll see what options we can offer you. It might be that you could benefit from the full course, some one to one sessions, or a Birth Rehearsal (see above).
I've got ages to go! Can this wait?
The sooner you start, the more time you will have to absorb and practice what you learn, and to communicate your birth preferences to any medical staff who might be involved. What you learn can also help you relax throughout pregnancy. Get in touch as soon as possible to discuss when would be the right time for you, and to book a space.
Hypnobirthing is a powerful, proven way for women to engage their natural abilities to flow through the process of giving birth, using hypnosis. It is about mental and physical relaxation. It is about letting go of fear and anxiety related to giving birth, which can get in the way of a comfortable birth by causing fear and tension in the body during labour. It is about how our muscles, hormones, sensations, thoughts and emotions work and influence each other during labour. And although the effects of hypnobirthing can be amazing - and even seem magical - it is not hocus-pocus. It is as logical as the maths and science taught at school, and as sensible and practical as any physical techniques taught in fitness classes.
What do the classes involve?
Hypnobirthing courses vary considerably in content, depth and structure. I teach the Natal Hypnotherapy course, developed by clinical hypnotherapist and doula Maggie Howell. This course is extremely thorough and provides a great balance of theory and practice. It includes a series of five different hypnosis sessions that take learners on a step-by-step journey towards letting go of the fear and tension that can get in the way of a relaxed labour, and developing the feelings and responses they would like to have instead - such as feeling calm, comfortable, relaxed, confident, in control, and powerful.
The full course includes 12 hours of classes. The course can be taken individually or in a group, face to face or online, and over the course of two days or in smaller modules over the course of weeks or even months.
I offer classes for pregnant women attending on their own or with a birth partner*.
Here is what you will learn:
- the physiology of birth: what goes on in the body leading up to, during and after labour
- why pregnant women and the people around them might feel anxiety and fear around the idea of birth
- how anxiety and tension can get in the way of a comfortable labour, and how to overcome these feelings
- why the key to a comfortable birth is relaxation, and how to achieve it
- how to use hypnosis, imagery, sounds and thoughts that are meaningful and inspiring to you to help you flow through each stage of labour
- how to use a wide variety of physical techniques to achieve greater comfort before and during labour
- the emotional changes underway during birth - how to read them; how to work with them
- how birth partners (fathers, partners, friends, or relatives) can boost their own knowledge and confidence, and help the birthing woman most effectively (rather than feeling useless or worried, or bringing tension into the birthing room)
- how to work confidently with medical staff to create a calmer, more naturally effective birth environment while still having access to medical expertise where it is beneficial for you
- how to stay relaxed and make decisions if medical interventions are suggested
Resources
- You will also receive a copy of the book Effective Birth Preparation by Maggie Howell, and a set of tracks to download and listen to in the lead-up to and during labour. These are to help you continue to practice and prepare beyond the course in an easy, relaxing way. You will also have access to other resources such as easy reminders of the techniques you've learned, and information to share with medical staff.
One-to-one sessions, refreshers, and Birth Rehearsal sessions
I also offer individual sessions to those simply seeking advice, some guided practice, or a refresher. And I offer a birth rehearsal session to those looking to further consolidate and test their knowledge and skills with helpful prompts and guidance. Partners are also welcome to attend their own one to one session if they would like to know more about birth and how to be helpful.
Course and session fees:
- Private lessons: The full course, taught privately to an individual or couple (or a woman with the birth partner of her choice) costs £400.
- Group courses: I will always look for opportunities to place people together on a group course if it is possible to find a regular time in the week that works for everyone. This can significantly lower costs for participants - and be really enjoyable. Please get in touch if you are interested in this option.
- Other options: If you are looking for a one-off session, or a refresher, if you've learned hypnobirthing before, or a birth rehearsal session, please get in touch to let me know what you need and discuss options.
*Having a birth partner versus going it alone
A birth partner is someone who is present and supportive while a woman is in labour, helping her achieve the conditions she needs to give birth in the way that works best for her. This can be a friend, a relative, a spouse or partner, or anyone else she chooses to invite to support her during labour.
Some women know exactly who they want in the birthing room with them, and are lucky enough to have a birth partner who is supportive and shares her vision of labour. Other couples might not be on quite the same page. Some women have no one they feel confident about inviting to accompany them in this important experience. And some partners might want to help but feel apprehensive about being present at the birth.
I support women and partners in all of these situations. Where partners are involved, I place great emphasis on helping them achieve the knowledge, skills and confidence they need in order to be helpful while also having the most positive birth experience they can.
Who is suited to taking the course?
Any woman who is pregnant is encouraged to attend with or without a partner. You might be single or in a relationship. You might be in a relationship with someone you imagine to be a wonderful birth partner. Or you might not be keen to have a partner present during the birth. You might have given birth before, or it might be your first time. You might be planning to give birth at home, in a hospital or midwife-led unit, or somewhere else. You might be someone who finds it easy to relax and focus - or not. Whichever of these sounds more familiar, this course is for you.
I'm going to give birth soon! Do I have time to take the course?
Maybe! Get in touch via the contact form and we'll see what options we can offer you. It might be that you could benefit from the full course, some one to one sessions, or a Birth Rehearsal (see above).
I've got ages to go! Can this wait?
The sooner you start, the more time you will have to absorb and practice what you learn, and to communicate your birth preferences to any medical staff who might be involved. What you learn can also help you relax throughout pregnancy. Get in touch as soon as possible to discuss when would be the right time for you, and to book a space.