HypnoBirthing®

Hypnobirthing, Taking the birthing world by calm.

So what is HypnoBirthing®?

HypnoBirthing® is a complete childbirth education programme, that teaches simple and effective self hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques for a better birth.

HypnoBirthing® is much more than just self hypnosis or hypnotherapy for childbirth
With HypnoBirthing®, you'll discover that severe pain does not have to be an accompaniment of labour.

You'll learn how to release the fears and anxieties you may currently have about giving birth, and how to overcome previous traumatic births.

HypnoBirthing® lets you discover and experience the joy and magic of birth - rather than the horrific ordeal everyone else seems so keen to tell you about.

Most importantly, you'll learn how to put yourself back in control of your birth - rather than blindly turning your birthing experience over to your doctor or midwife.

HypnoBirthing® doesn't mean you'll be in a trance or a sleep. Rather, you'll be able to chat, and be in good spirits - totally relaxed, but fully in control. You'll always be aware of what is happening to you, and around you.

HypnoBirthing® doesn't require any particular belief system, or prior experience. Some of our mums (and especially their husbands!) have been very skeptical at first - until they experience it for themselves.

In fact, the more skeptical they are to start with, the more evangelical they are when they discover the power of HypnoBirthing®.  Unlike traditional childbirth, husbands and partners play a central role in the birthing process; helping you to stay calm and focused on the techniques you've both been taught. As a result, the dads feel proud to have been able to help, and to have been an active part of the birthing team.

Just imagine welcoming each surge! Feeling peaceful... relaxing... and even smiling as your baby comes closer to you!

In short, HypnoBirthing® allows you to experience birth in an atmosphere of calm relaxation, free of the fear and tension that prevents the birthing muscles of your body from functioning as nature intended them to.

The HypnoBirthing® method of childbirth education is as much a philosophy as it is a technique.  It is based on the work of British Obstetrician, Dr Grantly Dick-Read, the pioneer of natural childbirth whose principles form the foundation of the National ChildBirth Trust (NCT).

HypnoBirthing® was originally established in the United States by Marie Mongan. Her book "HypnoBirthing ® - a Celebration of Life" was first published in 1989. Already well established in the US, and into its seventeenth year, the HypnoBirthing® methods are now being taught here in the UK.

Hypnobirthing

Why have I never heard of HypnoBirthing®?

HypnoBirthing® has been featured on Channel 4's "Richard and Judy" show, on the Discovery Channel, BBC News, in Pregnancy & Birth (regularly), Time Magazine (March 2004), the Daily Mail, and many others.

However, there are still relatively few qualified HypnoBirthing® (The Mongan Method) practitioners in the UK which is why you may not have come across it before.

What about other self-hypnosis birthing courses?

There are other hypnotherapists offering various kinds of classes and even cd’s centred on a more “relaxed” or “positive” birthing experience, but you can only be assured of a complete birth education programme when you choose the original HypnoBirthing® method and a qualified HypnoBirthing® practitioner. Rather than teaching you how to “mask” the pain, HypnoBirthing® teaches you how, and why, if you're relaxed, that there doesn't need to be pain in the first place.

How will HypnoBirthing® benefit me with my birth?

  • Eliminates the Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome before, during and after birthing
  • A more relaxed and enjoyable pregnancy
  • Shortens the first stage of labour by several hours
  • A calm, peaceful and secure birth experience rather than a stressful ordeal
  • Eliminates fatigue during labour, leaving you fresh, awake and with energy for actual birthing
  • Eliminates or greatly reduces the need for chemical painkillers
  • A special, integral role for the birthing companion
  • Fewer breech positions and other complications
  • Easier resolution in the event of a complication
  • Promotes bonding of mother, baby and birthing partner
  • More rapid postnatal recovery
  • Returns childbirth to the beautiful, peaceful experience that nature intended
  • Good-natured babies who are better sleepers and feeders

What will I learn on the HypnoBirthing® Class?

My enjoyable and informative HypnoBirthing® group classes will thoroughly prepare you psychologically and physically for having the best possible experience of childbirth. You will be given exercises to practice both on your own and together with your birthing partner. Classes are intentionally kept small to ensure that your individual needs are fully satisfied and that techniques are mastered so that you leave feeling confident in your ability to give birth using HypnoBirthing.

You will learn:

  • Relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques to eliminate the fear and tension that cause long labour and pain, replacing them with confidence, calm, and comfort
  • Other techniques to produce a short, more comfortable labour
  • Visualizations to enable you to work confidently with your own body
  • How your body is designed to work in neuro-muscular harmony with nature throughout labour
  • The creation and control of the body's own natural anaesthesia
  • Massage techniques to release endorphins
  • Practice in deep relaxation during and between uterine surges
  • The source of the myth that pain must accompany birthing
  • Why women in other cultures give birth almost entirely free of discomfort
  • The importance of prenatal and perinatal bonding
  • A transformative vocabulary that supports your calm birth, and much more.

When are classes held?

HypnoBirthing® classes run as four sessions (totaling 12.5 hours), one per week on a Saturday or Sunday morning, and are designed to be taught to small groups with a maximum of 5 couples per group. Some practitioners host larger groups, but I personally feel smaller groups work far more effectively for all involved. Please call me for the dates of our next classes. Midweek and evening classes can also be arranged.

Can I book a private session?

Individual-couple sessions are available by appointment, although if possible I would usually recommend you joining a small group, as the support, encouragement and connection is really a valuable part of the experience. This has proved particularly true for the dads, and actually many of our couples make friends and stay in touch long after classes have finished.

How often are classes held and where?

I run two group classes a month, and limit each class to a maximum of 5 couples. The classes are held at my home in Windsor, Berkshire so that couples are ensured a comfortable and relaxed venue from which to learn this amazing birthing method. Groups are kept small enough to ensure that individual needs are fully satisfied and that techniques are mastered so you leave feeling confident and secure in your ability to give birth using the HypnoBirthing® method.

Couples can also host a class (minimum of 3 couples) in their own home and I travel to them to provide the training. The host couple benefits through receiving a heavily discounted rate for the class.

Can I come alone to the class?

If possible, I recommend that you attend the classes together with your birthing partner; the person who will be present with you and participate in the birth of your child. However sometimes that isn’t possible, and of course you are welcome to come on your own.

How much does the course cost?

The price for the complete course is Ł285. This includes 12.5 hours of instruction (for you and your birthing companion), the 302-page training manual, a copy of the official HypnoBirthing® book and 4 supporting CDs.

The first CD is an introductory relaxation and birth rehearsal imagery CD (included with the book), to get you into the right frame of mind to practice deep relaxation.

The second CD is the Rainbow Relaxation and Birth Affirmations CD - great for relaxation and essential for training your unconscious mind to expect a positive birth experience (worth £12).

The third CD is the perfect background music, exactly as used during the sessions, to help you quickly and easily achieve a relaxed state when you practice at home (also worth £12).

The final CD is a unique fear release session , specially designed to reinforce what you'll learn in class about letting go of any fears you may have about the birth (priceless!).

I also provide completely free of charge on-going support and advice through to the birth of your baby (and beyond)!  Also for subsequent births, if you need a refresher class, you are welcome to join an existing class at no cost.

I also run regular relaxation and visualization classes for women focused on conceiving, expectant and new mums, please contact us for more details.