More About Hypnobirthing
What is hypnobirthing?
Hypnobirthing is clinically proven to improve the birthing experience for both mother and baby. It is a complete antenatal course which will educate and prepare you to look forward to birth with positivity.
If I’m honest, I think the word 'hypnobirthing' puts a lot of people off. There is something about it that suggests I will probably be a tie-dye-wearing hippy with a pocket watch!
In reality, I’m just a normal mum to a little girl and boy. I had a successful career in publicity and, while pregnant, stumbled across something wonderful that I now want to share with others. That something wonderful happens to be hypnobirthing – a simple, logical antenatal education programme based on physiology – how the body works.
There is nothing strange or 'alternative' about it. It is simply understanding how our birthing muscles are designed to function and how they have become impaired by our fears and anxieties of labour and birth. Rather than the hypnosis you might have come across on TV or stage, hypnobirthing teaches self-hypnosis as a deep state of relaxation with a heightened state of mental awareness. When our mind is deeply relaxed, so are our muscles, and learning how to achieve this is the key to a lovely calm birth. Hypnomums tend to describe how they felt in labour as safe, empowered and calm.
I use the power of language, combined with easy to learn methods of deep relaxation, breathing techniques, visualisation and positive thinking to reduce anxiety, stress, fatigue, fear and pain. I also educate mothers and partners in the birthing process, which empowers them to feel more confident and in control of their baby’s birth.
Hypnobirthing does not promise a perfect outcome or to totally eliminate discomfort, but it does help you to remain calm and enjoy a positive birthing experience. Although I cannot predict what sort of birth you will have, it is well documented that hypnobirthing mothers will often have less medical interventions and a far more positive experience of childbirth. Whatever you plan for your baby’s birth, wherever you choose to have your baby and whatever path your baby's birth takes, attending a hypnobirthing course will make a difference to your experience.
For more information and resources visit KG Hypnobirthing, the home of hypnobirthing.
Hypnobirthing is clinically proven to improve the birthing experience for both mother and baby. It is a complete antenatal course which will educate and prepare you to look forward to birth with positivity.
If I’m honest, I think the word 'hypnobirthing' puts a lot of people off. There is something about it that suggests I will probably be a tie-dye-wearing hippy with a pocket watch!
In reality, I’m just a normal mum to a little girl and boy. I had a successful career in publicity and, while pregnant, stumbled across something wonderful that I now want to share with others. That something wonderful happens to be hypnobirthing – a simple, logical antenatal education programme based on physiology – how the body works.
There is nothing strange or 'alternative' about it. It is simply understanding how our birthing muscles are designed to function and how they have become impaired by our fears and anxieties of labour and birth. Rather than the hypnosis you might have come across on TV or stage, hypnobirthing teaches self-hypnosis as a deep state of relaxation with a heightened state of mental awareness. When our mind is deeply relaxed, so are our muscles, and learning how to achieve this is the key to a lovely calm birth. Hypnomums tend to describe how they felt in labour as safe, empowered and calm.
I use the power of language, combined with easy to learn methods of deep relaxation, breathing techniques, visualisation and positive thinking to reduce anxiety, stress, fatigue, fear and pain. I also educate mothers and partners in the birthing process, which empowers them to feel more confident and in control of their baby’s birth.
Hypnobirthing does not promise a perfect outcome or to totally eliminate discomfort, but it does help you to remain calm and enjoy a positive birthing experience. Although I cannot predict what sort of birth you will have, it is well documented that hypnobirthing mothers will often have less medical interventions and a far more positive experience of childbirth. Whatever you plan for your baby’s birth, wherever you choose to have your baby and whatever path your baby's birth takes, attending a hypnobirthing course will make a difference to your experience.
For more information and resources visit KG Hypnobirthing, the home of hypnobirthing.
How can hypnobirthing help me?
Even if you are super excited and looking forward to the birth of your baby, we have all been exposed to negative birth stories from friends, family and TV. All this input builds up and creates a background noise of fear and worry about giving birth, in both the conscious and subconscious mind.
Hypnobirthing lets you discover and experience the joy and magic of birth – rather than the horrific ordeal a lot of people may seem keen to tell you about. With hypnobirthing, you’ll discover that severe pain does not have to be an accompaniment to 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 will provide you with practical tools and techniques that will help you to relax and have a more positive, comfortable and natural birthing experience.
My hypnobirthing course will also educate and empower you to understand the birthing process and the risks and benefits of any medical interventions that you might be offered. You will have an increased confidence in your own natural ability to birth your baby.
Hypnobirthing aims to provide your baby with an optimum environment – calm, relaxed, when baby is ready – in which to be born. The first meeting between a baby and it’s parents, and its introduction to the world, are incredibly important. A calm arrival will impact positively on your baby as he/she develops.
Even if you are super excited and looking forward to the birth of your baby, we have all been exposed to negative birth stories from friends, family and TV. All this input builds up and creates a background noise of fear and worry about giving birth, in both the conscious and subconscious mind.
Hypnobirthing lets you discover and experience the joy and magic of birth – rather than the horrific ordeal a lot of people may seem keen to tell you about. With hypnobirthing, you’ll discover that severe pain does not have to be an accompaniment to 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 will provide you with practical tools and techniques that will help you to relax and have a more positive, comfortable and natural birthing experience.
My hypnobirthing course will also educate and empower you to understand the birthing process and the risks and benefits of any medical interventions that you might be offered. You will have an increased confidence in your own natural ability to birth your baby.
Hypnobirthing aims to provide your baby with an optimum environment – calm, relaxed, when baby is ready – in which to be born. The first meeting between a baby and it’s parents, and its introduction to the world, are incredibly important. A calm arrival will impact positively on your baby as he/she develops.
At what stage of my pregnancy should I join a course?
I would advise doing the course during the second trimester of your pregnancy so you can enjoy the benefits during your pregnancy as well as at the birth of your baby. This also allows you lots of time to practice. Hypnobirthing is not something you 'switch on' during labour - all the work is done well before so it will become second nature. But it’s never too late to benefit from hypnobirthing so don’t worry if you’ve only discovered it with a few weeks to go!
I would advise doing the course during the second trimester of your pregnancy so you can enjoy the benefits during your pregnancy as well as at the birth of your baby. This also allows you lots of time to practice. Hypnobirthing is not something you 'switch on' during labour - all the work is done well before so it will become second nature. But it’s never too late to benefit from hypnobirthing so don’t worry if you’ve only discovered it with a few weeks to go!
What will I learn in your class?
- Breathing exercises
- Deep relaxations
- Visualisations
- Very effective work to release fear and build confidence
- Comforting massage
- How your birth partner can be your powerful protector and support
- How your body is designed to give birth with efficiency and comfort
- Knowledge and information about the whole process of pregnancy and birth
- How ‘the system’ that you find yourself in works, and how to work with it to achieve the best result for you
- A simple practice regime to support you at home
- Understanding how the mind and body work together
What course materials are included?
- The Hypnobirthing Book by Katharine Graves, with an introduction by Michel Odent
- The KG Hypnobirthing course relaxation CD, Colour & Calmness.
- The parent course folder, which includes useful handouts and all the relaxation scripts to support your practice throughout your pregnancy.
- On-going support by phone, email or text throughout your pregnancy as needed
Should my birth partner/the father attend too?
It’s completely up to you! He/she doesn’t have to, but they will be very glad if they do. Most fathers arrive at the course utterly sceptical and leave extremely enthusiastic. We ask them to listen to the facts and the logic so they understand how important it is and the difference they as a father or birth companion can make.
The caricature of a father at a birth is someone who is nervous, feeling responsible for the situation she is in, holding her hand and wishing he could help, but not knowing what to do.
A hypnobirthing father is knowledgeable and able to support her as she gives birth. He is a huge asset in the birthing room, and many mothers say, ‘I couldn’t have done it without him.’ They have practised before the birth which brings them closer together, and he knows he has played an important part in how his baby enters the world. This deepens their relationship as a couple, and his relationship with his child.
My course focuses on the important role of the birth partner both during pregnancy and childbirth, and will actively involve them in the process. It will give them more confidence, make them more aware of the choices available to them, and will provide them with techniques and advice on how they can control the environment around mum, keep her calm and protect her and the baby.
Mum’s birthing partner (not always dad) plays a vital role in the birth experience and their support really makes a difference to a mothers’ labour. I welcome all combinations of mothers with or without birthing partners, no matter what your circumstance.
It’s completely up to you! He/she doesn’t have to, but they will be very glad if they do. Most fathers arrive at the course utterly sceptical and leave extremely enthusiastic. We ask them to listen to the facts and the logic so they understand how important it is and the difference they as a father or birth companion can make.
The caricature of a father at a birth is someone who is nervous, feeling responsible for the situation she is in, holding her hand and wishing he could help, but not knowing what to do.
A hypnobirthing father is knowledgeable and able to support her as she gives birth. He is a huge asset in the birthing room, and many mothers say, ‘I couldn’t have done it without him.’ They have practised before the birth which brings them closer together, and he knows he has played an important part in how his baby enters the world. This deepens their relationship as a couple, and his relationship with his child.
My course focuses on the important role of the birth partner both during pregnancy and childbirth, and will actively involve them in the process. It will give them more confidence, make them more aware of the choices available to them, and will provide them with techniques and advice on how they can control the environment around mum, keep her calm and protect her and the baby.
Mum’s birthing partner (not always dad) plays a vital role in the birth experience and their support really makes a difference to a mothers’ labour. I welcome all combinations of mothers with or without birthing partners, no matter what your circumstance.
Will hypnobirthing work for me if I come on my own?
Yes, definitely. Many women have come to the course on their own if they have a husband who is away on business, as a single mum, if it’s a second baby and they can’t find a babysitter for their elder child, or any other reason. Just remember that KG Hypnobirthing works, and you are very welcome.
Yes, definitely. Many women have come to the course on their own if they have a husband who is away on business, as a single mum, if it’s a second baby and they can’t find a babysitter for their elder child, or any other reason. Just remember that KG Hypnobirthing works, and you are very welcome.
I’m really scared about giving birth – Can hypnobirthing help me overcome my fears?
Absolutely! Hypnobirthing is one of the most effective ways you can overcome your fears about giving birth. It’s even more important if you have fears that stem from previous experiences.
Hypnobirthing builds your confidence, teaches you to achieve deep relaxation, can also help change your perspective on birth and help you deal with any negative previous experiences. Using gentle self-hypnosis, it helps to re-program your subconscious to release fears, build confidence and think positively about birth.
After attending a course women feel much more prepared to make informed decisions about their birth as well as having invaluable relaxation techniques at their fingertips.
Absolutely! Hypnobirthing is one of the most effective ways you can overcome your fears about giving birth. It’s even more important if you have fears that stem from previous experiences.
Hypnobirthing builds your confidence, teaches you to achieve deep relaxation, can also help change your perspective on birth and help you deal with any negative previous experiences. Using gentle self-hypnosis, it helps to re-program your subconscious to release fears, build confidence and think positively about birth.
After attending a course women feel much more prepared to make informed decisions about their birth as well as having invaluable relaxation techniques at their fingertips.
I’ve been told I'll need a Caesarean. Is hypnobirthing right for me?
Yes! Hypnobirthing is all about achieving the birth that is right for you and your baby, no matter what that involves. There are many reasons why you might need to have a caesarean section, either emergency c-section or planned. Hypnobirthing can make surgical birth much more enjoyable, through relaxation techniques enabling you to stay calm and helping you to connect with your baby.
Yes! Hypnobirthing is all about achieving the birth that is right for you and your baby, no matter what that involves. There are many reasons why you might need to have a caesarean section, either emergency c-section or planned. Hypnobirthing can make surgical birth much more enjoyable, through relaxation techniques enabling you to stay calm and helping you to connect with your baby.
I'm expecting twins/triplets. Can hypnobirthing help me?
Yes - hypnobirthing can absolutely help with a multiple birth! I have special resources for mums expecting twins or more, so the course would be tailored to your specific needs. Whatever kind of birth you are hoping to have for your babies, I can help to keep you calm and positive, and enable you to have the best birth for you.
Yes - hypnobirthing can absolutely help with a multiple birth! I have special resources for mums expecting twins or more, so the course would be tailored to your specific needs. Whatever kind of birth you are hoping to have for your babies, I can help to keep you calm and positive, and enable you to have the best birth for you.
Should I attend Hypnobirthing classes as well as or instead of antenatal classes?
Hypnobirthing doesn’t just teach relaxation and breathing techniques to use in labour, it is a complete antenatal training programme which covers how your body works during labour, what to expect, positions for birth, the role of the father/birth partner and helps you to release fears and build confidence for birth. It works well as a standalone course, but equally complements other antenatal courses such as NCT.
Group classes are also a great opportunity to meet other mums-to-be, share experiences and make friends.
Hypnobirthing doesn’t just teach relaxation and breathing techniques to use in labour, it is a complete antenatal training programme which covers how your body works during labour, what to expect, positions for birth, the role of the father/birth partner and helps you to release fears and build confidence for birth. It works well as a standalone course, but equally complements other antenatal courses such as NCT.
Group classes are also a great opportunity to meet other mums-to-be, share experiences and make friends.
Do I need to attend a course, or can I just read a book?
There are lots of hypnobirthing books available and online resources, so you may wonder if you need to join a course. Some women may find reading a book and practising alone is enough, but for many women it is not. With anything, practical experience is always invaluable. Having a teacher enables you to get the most from the course, as you can explore and ask questions as you go along.
There are lots of hypnobirthing books available and online resources, so you may wonder if you need to join a course. Some women may find reading a book and practising alone is enough, but for many women it is not. With anything, practical experience is always invaluable. Having a teacher enables you to get the most from the course, as you can explore and ask questions as you go along.
What is the history of Hypnobirthing?
“Hypnobirthing is soundly based on established medical knowledge.”
The seeds were first sown with the work of eminent obstetrician Dr.Grantly Dick-Read. After witnessing a home-birth in the slums of the London Docks in 1913, the mother refused any pain relief and then proceeded to give birth quickly and with no pain. Grantly Dick-Read was truly amazed.
The mothers comment after giving birth when he asked why she refused the pain relief was, “It didn’t hurt. It wasn’t meant to, was it, Doctor?” This experience was defining, and after a career of working on the battle field and in hospitals he theorized that fear was the overriding cause that led to the pain in childbirth. At the end of his career he wrote the book Childbirth Without Fear. He hypothesized that when you are fearful, you tense up and the natural birth process is inhibited and becomes longer and consequently more painful.
Over the years his theories have been fully vindicated with research into how hormones work during childbirth. His principles have been further developed by a number of natural birth practitioners with hypnobirthing being the most notable and widely practised. Today hypnobirthing is known by every midwife in the UK and many have trained in KG Hypnobirthing, including professors of midwifery and NHS heads of midwifery. It is practised internationally and rapidly spreading throughout the world.
“Hypnobirthing is soundly based on established medical knowledge.”
The seeds were first sown with the work of eminent obstetrician Dr.Grantly Dick-Read. After witnessing a home-birth in the slums of the London Docks in 1913, the mother refused any pain relief and then proceeded to give birth quickly and with no pain. Grantly Dick-Read was truly amazed.
The mothers comment after giving birth when he asked why she refused the pain relief was, “It didn’t hurt. It wasn’t meant to, was it, Doctor?” This experience was defining, and after a career of working on the battle field and in hospitals he theorized that fear was the overriding cause that led to the pain in childbirth. At the end of his career he wrote the book Childbirth Without Fear. He hypothesized that when you are fearful, you tense up and the natural birth process is inhibited and becomes longer and consequently more painful.
Over the years his theories have been fully vindicated with research into how hormones work during childbirth. His principles have been further developed by a number of natural birth practitioners with hypnobirthing being the most notable and widely practised. Today hypnobirthing is known by every midwife in the UK and many have trained in KG Hypnobirthing, including professors of midwifery and NHS heads of midwifery. It is practised internationally and rapidly spreading throughout the world.
Below are some useful sources of evidence based statistics and accurate information to help support your choices during
your pregnancy and birth:
your pregnancy and birth:
Still have questions? Want to book a class?
Contact Hannah on 07855050137 or at [email protected]
Contact Hannah on 07855050137 or at [email protected]