Frequently Asked Questions

Good question. A lot of people are put off by the name “Hypnobirthing” (myself included!) as let’s face it, it sounds like some sort of wishy-washy hippy nonsense!

In fact, it is a complete antenatal education course designed to fully prepare you for birth. By understanding the science of exactly what your body is designed to do during birth, Hypnobirthing will teach you practical tools and techniques to help you work with your body, rather than against it.

Yes, it really does!

Studies have shown Hypnobirthing can make our labour shorter, reduce our perception of pain, and significantly reduce rates of medical intervention, including the need for pain-relief, forceps/ventouse deliveries, and unplanned Caesareans*.

Many NHS trusts are now hugely investing in Hypnobirthing, as midwives and obstetricians have seen the incredible benefits it brings to pregnancy and birth.

You can read birth stories of Hypnobirthing in action on my blog.

The basic physiology of birth - what actually happens in your body on a muscular and hormonal level
How to release any fears associated with childbirth, and therefore avoid the ‘Fear-Tension-Pain Cycle’
How to relax deeply and quickly using breathing techniques, visualisations and self-hypnosis
How to promote the production of your birthing hormones
How to trust your body to work naturally and in harmony with your baby
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 can birth your baby more gently and efficiently
How to define a clear role for your birth partner so that they know how best to support you on the big day
And much, much more!

I strongly recommend birth partners attend so that you are both on the same page and able to prepare together. Often women are concerned about their partners being sceptical, and they may need an extra bit of initial encouragement to attend the course. But I promise, once they have understood what Hypnobirthing is, how scientific, logical and practical it all is, they will be completely on board! They will be your biggest source of support, and will have such an important role in the birth room. Being able to learn and practice the techniques together during your pregnancy will ensure you are both fully prepared for the big day.

No problem, you are welcome to attend by yourself! However, your birth partner doesn’t need to be your actual partner – they can be your mum, sister, friend, grandma…anyone who you trust and want by your side on the big day. Having a supportive birth partner can make a huge difference to your birth experience, so do think about who you might want to be there to support you. Otherwise, you can hire a doula to support you, and I can point you in the direction of where to find your local doulas.

You can get started any time after your 12 week scan. Most clients prefer to complete the course during their second trimester so that they have plenty of time to practice and perfect their chosen techniques before the birth.

Between 20 and 35 weeks is generally the ideal time in your pregnancy to get started!

Absolutely. If you are new to Hypnobirthing and didn’t use it for your previous birth(s) then I would recommend my Ultimate Birth Preparation Course for you. If you have previously used Hypnobirthing and want to brush up on your knowledge and expand your toolset for your next birth, then my Hypnobirthing Refresher course will be perfect for you.

Book The Ultimate Birth Preparation Course

Book Hypnobirthing Refresher Course

Don’t worry, the techniques you will learn in Hypnobirthing simply allow you to access a state of deep relaxation to help you focus during labour. This state of hypnosis is similar to our state of mind when we are engrossed in a film or driving “on autopilot”. You can always easily break out of a hypnotic state when you want to – you cannot get “stuck” in hypnosis.

Yes, of course! It is important to state that the objective of Hypnobirthing is NOT a pain-free, drug-free birth. With or without Hypnobirthing, the sensations of birth are one of the most intense things you will ever feel, and it would be unrealistic of me to promise you a pain-free birth. If you wish to have medical support, including analgesia or an epidural, your Hypnobirthing tools will still work in harmony with any interventions, and ensure your birth experience is a positive one.

Yes, definitely! Please be aware I am not medically trained so I will not be able to provide advice on any medical conditions you have in pregnancy. You should always talk to your midwife or doctor about this. I can however point you in the direction of the latest studies and guidelines, to help you make any decisions relating to your birth.

For a “high-risk” pregnancy, your care-providers may suggest that you give birth in a hospital delivery suite or labour ward. One of the great things about my course is that it is for ALL types of birth, not just water births and homebirths. Both my births were in hospital on dry land, and the tools you will learn may actually be even more helpful if you are giving birth in a hospital environment. Hypnobirthing is a valuable skill for ALL births, including inductions, assisted births, and Caesareans.

Yes! I run Group Hypnobirthing courses in person in Sidcup / Bexley in South East London.

For Private (1-2-1) courses, if you live in the following postcodes, I am happy to come to your home to teach face-to-face over a cuppa:

SE2, SE3, SE4, SE6, SE7, SE9, SE10, SE12, SE13, SE18, SE28
DA1, DA2, DA4, DA5, DA6, DA7, DA8, DA14, DA15, DA16, DA17, DA18
BR1, BR2, BR3, BR5, BR6, BR7, BR8

Thanks to the wonders of Zoom, I also teach my courses online, wherever you live in the world. It means you don’t need to travel anywhere, no need to find a babysitter, you can even join in your pyjamas if you want to!