When I first heard the term hypnobirthing back in 2014 I didn’t think it would be for me. I am a practical person who likes to feel like I have an element of control about things happening to me and I thought perhaps hypnobirthing was a stretch too far.

Especially when all around us we see and hear such negative horror stories of birth. Once in a while you will hear a positive story and thankfully that seems to be happening more and more now that hypnobirthing and sharing stories has become more mainstream.

This is not to say that negative stories are not valid, everyone’s story is their own, but just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you have to listen to everything everyone wants to tell you!

Hypnobirthing is much more than breathing techniques and relaxation – it is a full birth preparation course. It will teach you:

• How birth ‘works’
• How your hormones play a huge part
• Where your ‘fear’ or ‘anxiety’ might come from surrounding birth
• Setting up a comfortable birth environment and why that is so important
• Knowing your birth choices like setting, pain-relief, birth options
• Being able to advocate for yourself prenatally and during birth
• How a birth partner is key to keeping you protected and calm throughout
• Relaxation, self-hypnosis and meditation techniques
• Breathing techniques

Phew! This list is not exhaustive!

The key to hypnobirthing is practice, practice the way you speak about birth, relaxing with guided pregnancy specific audios, taking part in the classes, practicing the breathing techniques, so that when the big day comes, you are as ready as ever!