What IS Hypnobirthing?

Are you pregnant and feeling scared, anxious or even dreading giving birth?

At some point the reality of labour sets in. Am I really going to be able to birth my baby?! We have all heard the stories. There may the occasional positive one but people love to share their birth stories regardless. It can be difficult to shut out the negativity.

But you are strong and capable, and your body was made to give birth. Hypnobirthing can help you go from being anxious and worried to feeling calm and even looking forward to giving birth, using tried and tested techniques from The Little Birth Company.

The term 'Hypnobirthing' does a disservice to the collection of techniques that will enable you to have a positive birth. Lots of people see the 'hypno' element and discount it as Derren Brown-esque hypnosis, thinking it is not for them. Rest assured, you will not be strutting around in labour clucking like a chicken!

We all enter into and out of a trance-like self-hypnosis state multiple times a day (daydreaming for instance). A good analogy for hypnobirthing would be the preparation and mindset training that athletes use before a sporting event. An athlete uses visualisations as well as positive affirmations to help get into the right frame of mind, knowing that will affect how their body performs on the day. You wouldn't sign up for a marathon without preparing beforehand!

Hypnobirthing is all about using a combination of affirmations, breathing techniques, visualisation and massage, coupled with an in-depth understanding of what happens in a woman's mind and body during labour. You will be using this information and practical techniques to enter into self-hypnosis, and achieve a deep state of relaxation that allows you to work in harmony with your body. It's actually based in science, and there isn't a whiff of joss sticks about it (unless of course joss sticks are your thing).

The Complete Hypnobirthing Programme that I offer is also a full antenatal course covering lots of other detail, such as birth physiology, how to write a birth plan and what role your birth partner plays (clue: it's an important one!)

Have a look at the Courses page for more information on the exact course content and to find out more, and follow me on Facebook and Instagram to find out about forthcoming taster sessions.

The Little Birth Company’s Hypnobirthing Programme is a complete antenatal Birth Preparation Programme aimed at supporting you to plan for a calm, confident & positive birth. LBC was set up by Wendy Wood (a former midwife) and Melissa Maloney (clinical hypnotherapist) to provide a pragmatic and woman centred approach to pregnancy and labour. Wendy and Melissa's backgrounds are reflected in the course content, which combines practical information and advice, along with effective self hypnosis techniques. The LBC programme is approved and used within the NHS, so you can be confident that it provides relevant, evidence-based teaching.

It will give you the knowledge, tools and confidence to have a positive experience.

The programme is non-judgmental and will support you regardless of where or how you give birth. I will give you the confidence to plan for your best birth and the tools to manage the birth should your journey need to change at any point. Hypnobirthing is not about guaranteeing a completely natural, physiological birth. It's about giving you the tools to navigate birth no matter what journey you take, leaving you feeling empowered once you are holding your baby!

I will:

Support you to release any fear you may have about childbirth and encourage you to adjust your mindset so you are focused on a positive experience.
Teach you to trust your body, your instinct, and your baby.
Share with you great techniques for your birth partner to use so that they can support you, remain calm and enjoy the experience with you.

So what are the benefits of Hypnobirthing?

You are likely to experience a more comfortable labour and birth, though it's important to recognise that a pain-free birth is not the focus of Hypnobirthing.
Your baby is more likely to born into a relaxed environment, be alert, calm, feed better and sleep better as they have been brought into the world at their own pace in a more calm and gentle way.
The length of labour is often shorter when using Hypnobirthing.
It is more likely that you will require no or fewer drugs and less medical intervention.
Mums often return to their pre-birth wellness quicker.
Your birth partner will learn how to support you and have a key role in the birth.

Hypnobirthing is also beneficial once baby arrives! Early parenthood is a joyful but intensely challenging time for most parents. Using your breathing techniques and staying calm will go a long way to help with looking after a new baby in those early weeks and months. Having two small children of my own means I practice my breathing techniques on a regular basis! When you need a bit of time to yourself, listening to the relaxing mp3s does wonders to recharge your batteries.

What will I learn?

The basic physiology of birth
The positive belief that giving birth can be the most wonderful experience a woman and her birth partner will experience
To look forward optimistically to a gentle, safe, calm comfortable and stress-free birth
How to release any fears that may in some way be associated with childbirth, and thus avoid the ‘Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome’
How to relax deeply and quickly using breathing techniques, visualisations and deep relaxation
How to stay calm, relaxed and in control throughout your labour
How to promote the production of your birthing hormones
How to trust your body to work naturally and in harmony with your baby
How to prepare your birth preferences so that you can be better informed and be aware of your options
The knowledge and power to navigate birth should you require intervention or assistance
Positions to help you birth your baby more easily and comfortably
Breathing techniques that work with your body to maximise your body’s own natural expulsive reflex, so you may birth your baby more gently, rather than using forced and directed ‘pushing’ which is exhausting and less effective
and so much more…..

I'm always happy to chat about all things hypnobirthing so do get in touch if you have any further questions I can help with, or check out the Heavenly Hypnobirthing Facebook and Instagram for all the latest news!

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