Frequently Asked Questions
Who is HypnoBirthing suitable for?
HypnoBirthing is suitable for first time mums and mums who’ve had kids before.
We help 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 ship-them-in-ship-them-out, over-medicalised, severe pain is inevitable, “I'm handing all control over to the professionals” 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. With practice deep levels of hypnosis are achievable but no matter how deep you get, you are in control, you feel confident, you are steering the path of your birth.
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. Comparing stage hypnosis to that taught through HypnoBirthing is like comparing paint by numbers with a Picasso!
The World Health Organisation states that non-invasive, non-pharmacological methods of pain relief, such as hypnosis, during labour are demonstrably useful and should be encouraged. Sounds pretty safe to me!
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 falls 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 — hypnosis can provide VERY powerful results. Brain surgery has been carried out using hypnosis alone, with no other form of anaesthesia; such is its powerful analgesic effects! (Dezso Levendula M, A contemporary view of hypnosis, Headache: Journal of Head and Face Pain 2 (1) 15-19)
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.
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.
Does my HypnoBirthing Practitioner attend my birth?
No, the course is designed to empower women and their chosen birth companion. Techniques are taught in such a way that couples are fully prepared to birth independently of their practitioner’s presence with all the knowledge and conviction they will need.
Does HypnoBirthing run in groups or individual couples?
This varies from practitioner to practitioner. The course is designed for running in groups with many couples preferring the support and friends they make in a group. I do provide private courses which are available on a one to one basis. Please contact me directly so we can discuss this option further.