HypnoBirthing® is self hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques to be used for pain relief during labour and childbirth. Please see What Is HypnoBirthing?.
Who is HypnoBirthing® suitable for?
HypnoBirthing® is suitable for first time mums and mums who’ve had kids before.
HypnoBirthing® helps women who are scared of birth because they’ve never done it before, who are anxious because of a bad experience last time, or who just want a calmer, easier, more natural birth experience.
If you’re pregnant, and looking for an alternative to the over-medicalised, pain-is-inevitable mindset, then HypnoBirthing® is for you.
Will I be ‘out of it’ if I use HypnoBirthing®?
No, absolutely not. With HypnoBirthing® (in fact, virtually all hypnosis), you are aware of what is going on around you but you can just ‘tune out’ the distractions. See our page on myths about hypnosis.
I’m scared of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Is HypnoBirthing® safe?
Hypnosis is absolutely safe and nothing to be scared of.
Unfortunately, TV, film and stage portrayal of hypnosis has left a lot of people with a mistaken view of what hypnosis is, and what it can (and can’t) do.
Because this is such a common problem, we’ve got a page dedicated to dispelling the myths about hypnosis.
Can you guarantee a completely pain-free labour and birth?
No. There are many factors that can affect a birth, some of which are outside our control.
Also, like any childbirth preparation class, the success of the techniques is related to the amount of practice you put in.
However, as a guide, we find that around 65-70% of HypnoBirthing® mums don’t need any form of pain relief. Nearly all the mums in this category simply don’t experience any pain – just pressure.
Around a further 20-25% only require something mild, like gas and air.
The remaining 5-10% usually fall into what we call ’special circumstances’, where medical intervention is required. However, the HypnoBirthing® mums still tell us that HypnoBirthing® really helped – even if they were induced, or ended up with a caesarean.
Remember – the aim of HypnoBirthing® is not a completely pain-free and picture-perfect ‘natural’ birth (although that is possible).
It is to have a calmer, easier, more comfortable birth- where you are in control – and in a way that most mirrors Nature.
When and where do HypnoBirthing® classes run?
Classes are run from Clifton, Bristol. Classes are usually scheduled on a monthly basis over a number of evening or weekend sessions so that you receive a total of 12 hrs of instruction.
Does HypnoBirthing® run in groups or just individual couples?
The course is designed for running in groups (and many of our couples prefer the support and friends they make in a group), but it can also be run as a private course, depending on each couple’s availability.
Discounts are available for those couples who wish to attend classes but are unable to pay the full price. If necessary a payment plan can be arranged, rather than paying the fee as a lump sum.
HypnoBirthing® practitioners are highly trained, provide all the materials as part of the course fee, and are generally charging considerably less for HypnoBirthing® on a per-hour basis than you would be charged for private hypnotherapy consultations.
To find out what options are available to you, please contact us for an informal chat.
Is there a HypnoBirthing® home-study course, or CDs, tapes and/or videos I could buy?
No. There are no authorised HypnoBirthing® home-study courses.
Although the book and CD are available separately from Amazon.com and The HypnoBirthing® Institute, they are designed to be used as part of an practitioner-led course.
HypnoBirthing® is only taught through a series of classes.
When should I start the classes?
Somewhere between 25-30 weeks is ideal, as the success of the course is strongly linked to how much practice you do. However, provided you can finish the course before you give birth, it’s still going to help.
WARNING! HypnoBirthing classes book well in advance, so don’t leave it too late.
Does my partner/husband have to attend the classes?
Yes – birthing companions are a very important part of HypnoBirthing® success.
However, if your partner/husband cannot attend all the classes and/or help you practice or attend the birth, your mother, sister or friend can also be your birthing companion.
Whoever you choose (and we strongly recommend it’s the father if at all possible, as it helps build a strong relationship with the child), they must attend all the classes and the birth.