What is hypnobirthing?

Hypnobirthing offers you the tools for a calm and comfortable birth. It equips you with the knowledge to make confident and informed decisions, and to empower yourselves through pregnancy, birth and beyond.

During our courses, you will be taught the philosophy of hypnobirthing – the physiology of birth, the importance of connecting both mind and body, and how fear affects the birthing body and your baby. You will also be introduced to the practice of deep relaxation and equipped with tools to use during labour and birth.

As you work through the programme, you will see that hypnobirthing is made up of lots of little things. These little things make a big difference when they’re brought together, so if you come across something that doesn’t feel right, try to take another look with an open mind. Often our thoughts and beliefs are influenced by other people’s feelings and experiences, so it is important that you make your decisions based on your own knowledge and wisdom. An open mind and a willingness to commit to hypnobirthing are essential. Similarly, practice is. It’s all very well reading up on something, but it is the time you dedicate to practicing each day that will prove invaluable.

There are a few things you should know about what hypnobirthing isn’t.

1. First, it does not involve what you will think of as hypnosis. That means no pocket watches, no finger clicking, no barking like dogs. Sorry. When we hear the word “hypno” we automatically think of stage hypnosis used for entertainment purposes. In hypnobirthing, we use hypnosis as a deep state of relaxation with a heightened state of mental awareness. You will remain in control at all times. You will not be in a trance. You will be deeply relaxed and free of physical and emotional tension.

2. Second, hypnobirthing does not guarantee you a perfect birth. Why? Because there’s no such thing as a perfect birth. Every single woman in the world will birth her baby differently, because every woman and every baby is completely unique. One woman’s idea of perfect is another woman’s idea of disaster. I also can’t promise you a natural birth. Whilst there is a lot we can do to prepare for birth, we can’t dictate how things happen on the day. Sometimes things are straightforward and sometimes special circumstances arise. Either way, with this guide you are preparing to navigate whatever path your birth takes with calmness and confidence. You will have the tools to remain relaxed, make informed decisions and work as a team to create a truly positive birth experience where you feel in control and empowered.

3. Third, I am not going to tell you how you should birth your baby. Why? Because we don’t care how you birth your baby. I don’t care if you birth in hospital, at home, in a pool, in a car, roaring like a lion or like a little zen monk. I don’t care if you have an epidural, a caesarean, or a free birth in the woods. What I care about is that you feel fully informed in every decision you make, that you feel confident in your physical and emotional capabilities as a woman, that you trust your birth partner to create and protect a safe environment and to advocate for you, and that you have the knowledge and tools to create an enjoyable, empowering experience where you feel connected with your baby and supported by your caregivers. I care that you are respected and valued at all times, that you are the person making the best decisions for you and your baby and most of all that you realise how absolutely amazing you are.

In committing to a course with us, you have our support every step of the way.

So let’s get started shall we?