Commonly Asked Questions
What do I get for my money?
You'll get a structured but informal class format that teaches about the physical and emotional aspects of birth. You’ll learn why your body does what it does, as well as how.
Here are just some of the things you'll learn that a regular antenatal class would not teach you.
Breathing techniques that actually help the birth, rather than make it harder (And it’s not the panting that most people think they have to do. Think about it - why would anyone want to hyperventilate during labour??)
• How to dramatically reduce your risk of tearing during birth with this stunningly simple massage technique
• When it's right to question the medical staff...what questions to ask...and when it's time to let them take charge
• How to release any fears you might have about childbirth...regardless of where they come from
• How to induce your own labour with these simple, natural techniques, if you go beyond your "estimated due date"
• Most importantly, you'll know how to relax and stay calm and in control, regardless of what's happening around you
Why can't I just buy a CD or a book and teach myself?
You could buy a CD such as those by Natal Hypnotherapy or Gowri Motha's Gentle Birth Method and save yourself a whole heap of money, your birth could be great but HypnoBirthing® is about so much more than just reading a book or listening to a CD.
HypnoBirthing® isn't something that you can teach yourself. It incorporates specialist antenatal education, teaching of relaxation, massage and breathing techniques, your birth partner will be taught how to put you into a deep state of relaxation and we'll help you to come up with the perfect birth plan for you to use on the big day.
We'll make sure your birth partner is involved from the start - it won't be just you - the mother - listening to CDs or reading a book alone, your birth partner has an integral role in the birth with HypnoBirthing® . You'll also have a chance in the classes to release any fears you have concerning birth and you'll prepare yourself for a great birth using hypnosis with a trained professional - face to face - we'll also show you lots of great births on DVD and we'll be there for you with expert help and advice when you need it. You'll also get those CDs and books included in your course fees.
Think about it this way, most women are pregnant for around 280 days, how many times do you buy yourself a cup of coffee? a newspaper or a bar of chocolate? just £1 per day during your pregnancy could help you and your baby to experience the best possible birth, now what would you rather spend that £1 on? Could you see yourself fondly thinking back on your daily Starbucks in twenty years time? your baby's birth is a once in a lifetime event with lasting consequences for you and your baby.
What if things don’t go to plan?
Even if you experience complications - perhaps needing to be induced, or if you need a caesarean - you can still benefit greatly from the techniques...by feeling in control of your birth and being informed enough to be a part of the decision-making process.
We can’t promise you a ‘perfect’ birth - no one can - but we can promise you a much, much more comfortable and relaxed birth than you would have had otherwise.
These simple techniques do require practice - but the end result is worth it, don't you think?
Does it matter how many weeks pregnant I am?
Within reason, no. The sooner you start, the more time you have to practice. We normally start training at any time after 14 weeks, but even if you're late into your pregnancy, we can still help you.
We’ve had mothers who had only a few weeks left until the birth and still achieved the results they wanted.
Does it help the baby too?
Yes. We find that babies born using HypnoBirthing® tend to be calmer, feed better, sleep better and experience less trauma.
That sounds great! Anything else?
There's lots, but here's just a few more. With HypnoBirthing® you can:
• Reduce the length of the first stage of labour by anything from 2 - 4 hours
• Lower the chances of a breech birth by learning how to 'turn' the baby into the correct position using posture and self-hypnosis
• Reduce the risk of tearing or episiotomy during birth
• Increase your milk flow if you're planning to breastfeed, by using the relaxation techniques you'll learn – techniques you’ll keep for life
• Dramatically reduce your likelihood of suffering from post-natal depression, because you'll have had a much calmer and less painful birth
• Recover physically from the birth much faster, because you haven't 'wasted' energy in the process
• Develop the confidence in your own body to aim for a homebirth, if that is an option you want to consider
How about some hard facts and figures?
Sure, here is some data based upon over 100 births from 2007, all taught by Essex HypnoBirthing practitioners (note the UK Caesarean rate sits at around 25%):
