Because there are some questions that get asked time and time again, here is a list of some of the most common questions and their answers. However, if you have a question or query that we haven’t answered here, or anywhere else on the website, then please do get in touch…no question is ever too silly!
1. What is HypnoBirthing™?
HypnoBirthing™ is a complete childbirth education programme, which teaches specific self-hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques to be used during labour and childbirth to enable a calm, relaxed and comfortable birth.
See ‘About - What is HypnoBirthing™’ for more details.
2. Who is HypnoBirthing™ for?
HypnoBirthing™ is suitable for any expectant mum including those expecting twins and more!! Whether you are first mum-to-be or have had previous births. Whether you are planning a hospital birth, birth centre, home birth or C-Section due to special circumstances.
HypnoBirthing™ can also help those who have had traumatic birth experiences in the past and are seeking a different way with their next child, as well as the first time mums who are just a little concerned about the unknown.
HypnoBirthing™ works for anyone who would like the chance to have a calm, comfortable, safe and gentle birth.
See ‘Classes - Who is HypnoBirthing™ for?’ for more details.
3. Will I be ‘out of it’ if I use HypnoBirthing™?
No, absolutely not. With HypnoBirthing™ (in fact, virtually all hypnosis), you are completely aware of what is going on around you, but you have the ability to simply 'tune out' the distractions.
See ‘About - Myths About HypnoBirthing™’ for more details.
4. I'm concerned about hypnosis and hypnotherapy - is HypnoBirthing™ safe?
HypnoBirthing™ is completely safe and absolutely nothing to be concerned about. Hypnosis is the same state you are in between sleep and wakefulness, a daydreaming sort of state, perfectly normal and naturally relaxing.
Unfortunately TV, film and stage depiction of hypnosis has left a lot of people with a false view of what hypnosis is and what it can (and can't) do.
See ‘About - Myths About Hypnosis’ for more details.
5. Can you guarantee a completely pain-free labour and birth?
No, unfortunately we cannot guarantee this, no one can. There are many factors that can affect your birth, some of which are completely out of our control.
Like any childbirth preparation class, the success of HypnoBirthing™ is related to the amount of practice and preparation you put in. It simply isn’t enough to just attend the classes; you need to really immerse yourself in practising what you learn. As with anything in life the more you put into something the more you will get out of it, the same applies with HypnoBirthing™ the more you practise the faster and easier it will be for your body to be able to reach that place of deep relaxation that you will need when birthing.
However, as a guide, around 70% of HypnoBirthing™ mums do not need any form of pain relief and nearly all the mums in this category experience no pain at all, simply the sensation of pressure myself included.
Around a further 20-25% only require mild pain relief, such as gas and air.
The remaining 5-10% fall into what we call 'special circumstances', where medical intervention is necessary. However, the HypnoBirthing™ mums in this category still say that HypnoBirthing™ really helped - even if they were induced, or ended up with a caesarean, as this is when the HypnoBirthing™ tools and techniques you learn really help you in making informed decisions and you and your birthing partner working together to truly support each other.
6. When and where do the classes run?
I run classes in Cheltenham and the surrounding areas and choose dates and times that best suit my parents-to-be. Please send an enquiry form or phone for class dates and locations.
Courses run over five 2.5 hour classes, generally held on a weekday evening over five consecutive weeks, to allow ample time for practise and any questions to arise. Classes usually start from 7pm till 9:30pm.
The exception to this is if you discover HypnoBirthing™ later in your pregnancy and are 35 weeks or more. In this situation I can teach the course in a shorter timeframe, though the full course will still be covered. It is NEVER too late, I have helped couples at 38 weeks and they have still had a huge benefit.
For private one-to-one classes the dates of classes are custom-made to your specific needs.
See ‘Classes – Upcoming Classes’ for more information.
7. Are the classes held in groups or just with individuals?
Because our modern lifestyles are often very busy, with us, or our partners, working away from home during the weeks, as well as group classes I also offer private one-to-one classes in the comfort of your own home and tailored around your specific needs.
For individual courses I offer the option of holding weekend sessions, as well as being able to alter the timeframe, enabling us to miss a week if necessary and pick up again the following week.
The course is designed to be run in groups and there are benefits to being part of a group – the added support from others, hearing answers to questions others have posed, meeting people in your area who are also expecting – but the course can also be effectively taught on a private one-to-one basis.
See ‘Classes – Available Classes and Prices’ for more details.
8. How much do the classes cost?
The cost for attending a HypnoBirthing™ course in a group setting is £260 and on a private one-to-one basis is £350. For private classes I am happy to travel for free within a 10 mile radius of Cheltenham. If you live more than 10 miles away from Cheltenham there will be an additional charge of 45p/mile.
As well as the 12.5 hours of tuition, you will also receive the course handbook, the Rainbow Relaxation and Birth Affirmations CD (which is a beautiful guided visualisation to practise relaxing at home), your own course folder and comprehensive weekly class hand-outs, together with my unlimited phone and email support from me right up to the birth of your baby and for the first few weeks with your newborn so that you feel completely taken care of.
Because I believe that everyone should be able to benefit from the extraordinary power of HypnoBirthing™, I also offer a payment plan scheme and a discounted rate to those with restricted finances. There are also gift vouchers available if friends and family wish to contribute to your classes.
See ‘Classes – Available Classes and Prices’ for more details.
9. Is there a HypnoBirthing™ home-study course or CDs that I could buy?
No. There are no authorised HypnoBirthing™ home-study courses it is only to be taught in the series of five 2.5 hour classes.
Although the handbook is available to buy from bookshops it is designed to be used as part of a practitioner-led course. You will not receive the precise teaching needed to perfect the techniques from just reading the book or receive all the additional information supplied on the course.
10. When is the best time to start the classes?
We recommend that you attend a HypnoBirthing™ course anytime from between 20 and 30 weeks of your pregnancy, as the success of the techniques is strongly linked to how much practice you are able to have. However, if you come to HypnoBirthing™ later in your pregnancy, do not worry, it is NEVER too late. I have helped couples from 38 weeks, and it has still had a huge benefit for them, so it really is never too late.
Class sizes are kept small, to allow for sufficient individual focus, so places are limited and fill up quickly. So it is advisable to get in touch and book yourself onto a course as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
11. Does my partner/husband have to attend the classes?
Yes - birthing companions are a very important part of a HypnoBirth.
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.
It is important that you have someone with you who you trust and who will support you and help you achieve the birthing that you desire.
1. What is HypnoBirthing™?
2. Who is HypnoBirthing™ for?
3. Will I be ‘out of it’ if I use HypnoBirthing™?
4. I’m concerned about hypnosis and hypnotherapy – is HypnoBirthing™ safe?
5. Can you guarantee a completely pain-free labour and birth?
6. When and where do the classes run?
7. Are the classes held in groups or just with individuals?
8. How much do the classes cost?
9. Is there a HypnoBirthing™ home-study course or CDs?
10. When is the best time to start the classes?
11. Does my partner/husband need to attend every class?
"And also a twice over HypnoBirthing™ Mummy which is why I have such empathy with my mums. Both my births were amazing and I put it all down to HypnoBirthing".