HypnoBirthing (as featured on Channel 4's Richard & Judy) is a complete antenatal preparation course that takes an in-depth look at the process of natural birth and explores simple and effective self hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques. This ground-breaking course also teaches birth partners how to play a crucial supportive role during childbirth.
HypnoBirthing been tried, tested and taught internationally for almost 20 years now - with thousands of women experiencing a calmer, easier and more comfortable birth as a result. Some women even report completely pain-free births - just experiencing sensations of pressure and tightening. Here are some of the significant research-based and reported benefits of HypnoBirthing:
- Shorter labour length
- Less reported pain
- Signficantly fewer caesarean sections (approx 12% compared to 23% for the general UK population)
- High number of comfortable, natural births with no technological assistance
- Calmer babies with higher APGAR scores at birth
- Easier bonding and breastfeeding
- Highly energised mums in good spirits following births that are calm and gentle
- Partners are involved in helping the woman maintain relaxation during labour and aren't a spare part!
- Techniques can be used for subsequent births and in general life
It's Not Scary!
Hypnosis is usually portrayed as scary mind-control, when in actual fact it is a natural state of consciousness that we all use every day. More and more people are turning to this effective method to help them change negative habits such as over-eating or smoking. Top business and sports people even use hypnosis techniques to help them achieve their goals. Hypnosis simply combines relaxation with positive suggestions to help the brain create whatever change is desired in that person's life.
How it Works
Hypnosis helps to reduce or even eliminate the fear associated with childbirth. This is important in our culture as we are bombarded with information about how excruciatingly painful and dramatic childbirth can be. We no longer live in close-knit communities where birth used to occur in a relatively straightforward fashion and was witnessed as a natural, normal event most of the time. The mass medicalisation of childbirth has reduced the amount of trust women have in their bodies - bodies that have evolved over the millennia to give birth effectively in the right conditions.
When there is less fear during the birth process, there is less tension and therefore less pain. If this fear isn't addressed, the increase in tension and pain becomes a vicious circle, and, unfortunately leads to longer labours, higher rates of medical intervention and associated complications in some cases. It's hardly surprising that we have an almost 1:4 caesarean section rate in the UK when most people are scared of giving birth!
Women giving birth in an instinctive, natural manner with supportive caregivers in an optimal environment are far less likely to encounter problems than those having a medicalised birth from the start, but very occasionally mother nature can get it wrong and if it turns out (despite your best efforts) that you require medical assistance, the HypnoBirthing course teaches couples how to remain confident in making decisions in partnership with the medical team plus how to remain relaxed and focused, no matter how you give birth.
Watch Nancy's Home HypnoBirth in Water on Living TV (not gory at all!)
A Few Reviews From UK Courses...
"Using the breathing and relaxation techniques we were taught, I was able to get through twelve hours of contractions with absolutely no pain at all. All I could feel was pressure. The final part, where I was pushing Mia out, stung a little bit but that was all, and I didn't need any pain relief - not even gas and air. What's more, my sister saw me soon afterwards and said I looked as if I'd just come back from a health farm, not just given birth!"
"Several of my friends have had babies recently, and many of them told me it was a traumatic and stressful experience.They said they felt powerless to ease the pain their partner was going through, and didn't know what they were supposed to do. Thanks to the techniques that Jenny taught us, I was able to help Catherine right the way through, and we both thoroughly enjoyed the birth - it was fantastic!"
"I gave birth to Fintan Joseph on Mon 10th May at 20.04. My surges started irregularly about 1pm, I then started timing them about 2pm. Called Steve home from work at 3pm, because I wanted to relax more. Had a long deep bath, and they seemed to kick in fully then. Midwife arrived at 7pm (when I was 7cm) and Fintan was born at 8.04pm. Pretty swift really. Oh and I had him at home as planned - which was lovely. Midwives were well impressed at how calm and serene I looked. I found that sleep breathing was excellent. It really did make the discomfort go away and is empowering as you know what your body is doing so you work with, instead of against it. Steve was a fantastic birthing partner, calming me and talking me through my breathing - I wouldn't have been able to do it without him. I played the CD constantly as well, and kept saying the affirmations in my head to make me focus on the job-in-hand. As for the J breath, I loved it - it made the actual delivery easy-peasy. I can't rave about it enough. Plus one push and the placenta was out - who needs drugs? Our community midwives actually said it was one of the easiest first time-mother births that they had seen in 20 years - now that is some recommendation!!" (Marie appeared on Channel 4's Richard and Judy show in 2004)
HypnoBirthing in Southwest Cornwall from Autumn 2008
I am delighted to be teaching HypnoBirthing from the autumn onwards. The course will comprise of 5 weekday evenings in groups of no more than 3 couples. The classes will be held near Praze-An-Beeble, near Camborne in southwest Cornwall.
If you'd like private sessions instead you can visit me at the above location, or I can come to your home or holiday accommodation anywhere throughout the UK (expenses payable). Private sessions can be arranged at your convenience - from 2.5 hour sessions to intensive days if you live far away or are close to your due date.
It's usual to begin the 5 week course around 25-32 weeks of pregnancy. This leaves you plenty of time to practice the techniques and build your confidence. The course will be most beneficial if you complete it before 37 weeks.
Fees include 12.5 hours of interactive tuition, your comprehensive HypnoBirthing book & CDs, unlimited telephone/email support and refreshments during the course.
In terms of the cost, you pay an initial, non-refundable £50 booking deposit and the rest is due after your first session, so you're under no obligation to continue if you're unsure about the course. The remainder can then be paid in £10 instalments over 16 weeks (or in a lump sum of £150 for a £10 discount) so the total fee payable is £200 - £210 overall. Significant discounts are available for those in receipt of benefits.
To register your interest and receive a priority notification when booking opens, please fill out the form below, including the code exactly as it appears (capital letters etc). Your details will be held in accordance with the data protection act and won't be given to any third party.
