I get asked this a lot. HypnoBirthing is an antenatal education programme or course that helps prepares you for whatever type of birth you are planning. You will learn ways to relax physically and emotionally, letting go of any fear or worries about labour and birth.

You will learn breathing techniques to practice during your pregnancy that will help you and your baby to remain calm and comfortable during labour and birth

When the big day arrives you are excited about meeting your baby whilst able to remain calm and in control. As your labour progresses you are easily able to get in the “zone” and get on with the task of birthing your baby.

Your birthing partner is better equipped to support you on this amazing journey and really feel useful on the day as opposed to fearful or useless. It’s a win-win all around.

No, it is not dangerous.

It is simply a calm state of mind and a comfortable relaxed body.

This relaxed mental state is good for absorbing new information and sometimes changing existing belief systems in your unconscious mind.

With HypnoBirthing we are talking about self-hypnosis something we all experience many times a day without even being aware of it like daydreaming.

So with HypnoBirthing you learn how to tap into this state and use it to your advantage quickly and easily. This can work like a distraction helping you feel more relaxed and confident and helping time to pass by quicker and easier It’s really quite magical.

Everyone that is pregnant would benefit from hypnobirthing.

For example a home birth or a planned caesarean and every birth in between.

Positive mental and physical preparation is key to a positive birth experience.

You don’t usually take on running a marathon without preparing in advance.

In the same way pregnancy and birth are journey and just like any big journey planning and preparation are key.

No, bring your partner along please and I promise you the scepticism will soon be replaced by science-based facts.

Many partners are sceptical but with the science explained and demonstrated they soon change their minds and become my biggest cheerleaders.

Every birth is different and I would be very careful about promising any couple a pain-free birth.

What I would say is most couples using Hypnobirthing techniques have a very positive experience and comfortable birth. A birth that brings great joy and a big smile to their faces when reflecting on the experience.I would go so far as to say your birth will be “the best birth on the day”.

My motto is to keep all your options open.

Sometimes long labour with unexpected twists and turns may involve unexpected medical interventions and pain relief may well be necessary for that birth.

There is nothing wrong if this happens provided the labouring woman knew all her options and was supported in her choices.

Similarly, a hypnobirthing woman using her techniques to stay calm relaxed and in control with the right support around her may find she can labour for longer and find herself staying in the ‘’zone ‘’ to birth in her own time calmly and confidently. Everyone is different and every birth is different.

It will give you the tools and techniques to remain calm, confident and in control of your labour and birth and also equip you to make informed decisions about your birth journey.

Research tells us some benefits also include:

• Calmer and more comfortable labour and birth.
• A more positive experience.
• Reduced need for medical interventions.
• Increased chance of a natural birth.
• Promotes bonding between couples and their baby.
• Partners become more informed and supportive to the labouring woman.
• Shorter calmer easier labours result in a calmer more relaxed happy baby.
• Better start with feeding, parenting and family life.

Yes everyone does and on the course, I will help you create one that is right for you.

Your partner will be there to help you implement your choices and support you all the way.

No birth plan is written in stone but having one means you can make informed decisions about your care.

As the saying goes “Fail to plan plan to fail”.

Hypnobirthing will help you with all types of labours and births.

More importantly, it will help you explore all your choices giving you the confidence to use whatever methods of comfort and pain relief you want whilst also demonstrating to your care provider you are in control and have done your homework.

Yes they do but I always recommend a partner comes along too.

It doesn’t take long to win them over with the science behind it.

In fact, the sceptics usually become my biggest converts after just session one.

Read some of my reviews and from birth partners and see it for yourself.

Yes, 100%.

Many midwives and hospital trusts are training in HypnoBirthing and the best ways to support couples using it.

Many midwives recommend hypnobirthing to couple, especially anxious ones.

This is a more difficult one to answer because Midwives are trained in supporting women in what’s normal in labour and birth.

For some Doctors, this is a bit tricky as they mainly see the problems and risks rather than the normal.

I’ve hypnobirthing many Doctors over the years and like most women they want a more comfortable positive birth themselves so when it comes to their birth they often do hypnobirthing themselves.

I recommend any time from 20 weeks pregnant and before 36 weeks when possible. But it’s never too late, I can help you even if you are reading this at 40 weeks just give me a call.

Yes, so many over the years here are just a few:

Kate Middleton and you can hear her talk about it on the podcast happy mum happy baby with Giovanni Fletcher who herself hypnobirthed for all 3 children

Katie Goodland and Harry Kane

Meghan Markel and Prince Harry

Ferne McCann

Ferne Cotton

Billie Faires

Sam Faiers

Miranda Kerr

Busy Philipps

Angelina Jolie (for a gentle caesarean)

Jessica Alba

Catherine Tyldesley

Dr Zoe Williams (this morning tv show)

Russell Brand and his partner (also did a great podcast on their hypnobirthing journey)

A birth doula is someone experienced in childbirth and early parenting who provides you with emotional, nurturing, and educational support before and during birth.

A post natal doula provides support in the days, weeks and months after birth. The word Doula is a Greek word and simply means a woman who serves.

“A doula enters the space of a labouring woman and is highly responsive and aware of her needs, moods, changes and unspoken feelings. She has no need to control or smother, every pregnant woman should have the benefits of a Doula “ By Christina Northrop MD

Author ‘Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom’

A doula will get to know you both early on in the pregnancy over tea and cake.

Your doula in getting to know you both will find out your hopes and dreams for your labour and birth.

Sometimes people choose the support of a doula to experience a healing birth after a previous traumatic birth, or a gentle home birth after a previous medicalised hospital birth, or caesarean birth, or it might be that comfort net to feel safe and supported having someone there for you and your partner to enable you both to enjoy the experience more.

Sometimes it’s the partner who needs a doula to help them be a better birth partner. I recommend that they also do a birth plan focusing on what they would hope to gain from the birth experience.

A doula offers a family unconditional support, encouragement and practical help.

At the birth, a doula will offer suggestions for birthing positions, massage techniques, nourishment and rest if it’s needed.

This is a plan to help new parents get used to a new way of life.

After giving birth we recommend you spend one week in bed, one week in your bedroom, and one week in your home.

Ask family and friends for their time as a gift rather than baby clothes, help with cooking, cleaning, laundry, and shopping is a good start.

Batch cook ahead of time and stock your freezer. Research local specialists for support after the birth and make a list like Postnatal doulas, lactation consultants, chiropractors, Osteopaths, support groups and drop-in clinics.

Get online shopping organised and have anything you need or have forgotten about delivered easily and avoid social media.

Birth partners are usually husband, boyfriend, wife, girlfriend, mum or sister.

They bring with them an emotional package and feelings, a doula brings a skill set gained over time, empathy rather than emotion which is an understanding of what the person is feeling and a doula is non-judgmental.

Partners have little or no knowledge about birth, the maternity services or medical procedures that go on in a labour room.

Doula’s do this professionally.

Doulas work alongside your partner providing support for them reassuring them along the way helping them be the best birth partner they can be.

This frees up a birth partner to concentrate on their role in offering loving support and comfort to you.

It’s your dream team of support, encouragement, strength, knowledge and love from all sides all working to help you have the best birth.

You can’t put a price on experienced support at your fingertips.

It’s a requirement in my books just for a few weeks to help you adjust and be there in a non-judgemental way for you.

Reflexology is a natural non-invasive treatment or massage of the feet.

It is one of the oldest therapies in the world and has been used effectively in the treatment of digestive problems, hormonal imbalances, circulatory problems, sleep disorders, sinus problems, pregnancy discomfort, morning sickness, back and pelvic pain and migraine.

I combine my knowledge as an aromatherapist to combine essential oils in my treatments.

It’s extremely relaxing, nourishing and restorative.

Perfect for that tired pregnant mind and body.

After 38 weeks it can be used to help prime and stimulate the body as it prepares for labour.

As an experienced maternity specialist, I see lots of pregnant women and offer a 90-minute session combining reflexology, aromatherapy oils and hypnobirthing tips as my most popular and sought-after treatment.