Frequently Asked Questions

Does hypnobirthing work?

Does Hypnobirthing work?

The most important thing when answering this, is to first ask you : what do you mean by 'work'?

Hypnobirthing will not guarantee you a home birth, or a vaginal birth, or a birth without drugs. It can't guarantee that your birth will follow your birth plan. It can't guarantee that you everything will happen exactly as you envisage it.

Hypnobirthing is about (1) preparing for birth with a realistic understanding about how birth happens in your body and understanding how you can optimise that and (2) developing 'emotional control' skills you can use however your birth happens and (3) making practical and realistic plans for your pregnancy, birth and fourth trimester.

I have attended many births over the last 10 years, and hypnobirthing was a factor in the majority of them. I've never seen a birth made worse, or more uncomfortable, by using hypnobirthing. And I've seen hypnobirthing used in all sorts of birth journeys: home births, birth centre births, Delivery Suite births, births that transferred from intended place into hospital, planned caesarean births, unplanned caesarean births and all the many and varied experiences in between.

Click here to find out more about 121 private hypnobirthing courses

How are hypnobirthing classes arranged?

I only offer private, 121 hypnobirthing courses and classes. That means that everything is arranged to suit you.

The usual order of service is to begin with the physiology of birth, how birth happens and what you're likely to feel and experience. In the second session we talk about the specific hypnobirthing skills and techniques, and how you might want to use them through pregnancy, early labout, established labour and in the fourth trimester. In session 3 we talk about birth planning that actually works, the practicalities, and birth partner support. Finally, in session 4, we talk about the role of the birth partner, contingency planning and how the last weeks and days of pregnancy may feel and happen for you.

Fundamentally, though, this is led by you. Different families have different anxieties and aspirations, so you choose which areas to focus on. For example, if you are planning to have an epidural we may talk more about monitoring and tips for staying mobile. If you are planning a home birth we'll focus on the practicalities of that, and comfortable coping strategies.

I suggest that classes take place at your home, at a time that suits you. Each class is approximately 90mins long, although depending on how involved we get in what we're talking about they can be up to 2hrs. That means I suggest our evening sessions start at 730pm or earlier. We can meet during weekdays between 9am and 2pm, or in the evenings or on Saturdays.

Click here to find out more about 121 private hypnobirthing classes

What do doula's do?

Doula's are non-clinical birth attendants, who support mothers and their partners through pregnancy, birth and the early stages of new parenthood. Doula UK is probably the leading doula body in the UK and a good source of information about the different types of doula, what doula's do and how to go about finding one.

Doula's in the UK are not formally regulated. The benefit of this is that we are not inhibited by rigid governance, rules or regulations (although there is a Doula UK Code of Conduct). This means doula's are free to provide the form and style of care that you want and need, whether that's helping you to navigate the labyrinthine realities of NHS maternity care, or discussing ways to prepare a physiology-informed birth room, or perhaps something more spiritual. Visit Doula UK to get an idea about the different services doula's near you offer.

DOULAS ARE NOT CLINICAL AND SHOULD NOT OFFER ADVICE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH OR YOUR BABY'S HEALTH

Although doula's are not clinical, we can sign-post you to information and resources that can help you to make your own unique, personal decisions about your maternity care. This can be invaluable if you want to make informed decisions and don't want to just float along the standardised care pathway. Many, many women (and their partners) have very little idea about what

Click here to find out more about birth doula support

How do doula's work?

Choosing your doula is a very personal thing, and so is the care and support they'll offer you. Every mother, pregnancy, baby and family is different, and so exactly how you'll spend time with your doula will be different from pregnancy to pregnancy. Even so, it's helpful to have an idea of the 'package';

Two 90minute antenatal sessions. In these sessions we'll get to know each other and discuss your aspirations and anxieties about birth. We'll talk about birth planning, what you specifically want and need, and anything you particularly want to avoid. We'll talk about contingency plans, and the realities of having a baby within the NHS
A WhatsApp group you can use to contact me whenever you want and need to. I am available to you from 9am until 9pm every day until I go on call for you
On call for you from 39weeks until your baby is born... whenever that is
When you feel that your labour is underway call me and we'll make plans! Depending on how your labour is progressing I may come to you straight away, or you may simply want a chat and some reassurance and for me to join you later. When you're ready for me call me, and I'll come and have a baby with you!
After your baby is born I'll stay with you and you get comfy and settled
Post-natally, I'm available to you by phone and WhatsApp from 7am-10pm every day for the first fortnight after your baby is born.
Post-natal session, to reflect on how amazing your birth was, and discuss any other support you may want or need

The nature of bumps, births and babies means that all of the above is completely variable, depending on your situation, your circumstances and your pregnancy. Email me to discuss what you might want and need

Where do you offer hypnobirthing classes and doula care?

I live and work in West Kent, and provide hypnobirthing classes and doula support in the areas around Crowborough, Edenbridge, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Westerham.

I offer online antenatal classes, hypnobirthing sessions and Pocket Doula care, so can support you anywhere in the UK and internationally.

Click here to find out more about all hypnobirthing and doula support, in-person and online

Do doula's support caesarean birth?

In short: yes, of course we do. Birth is birth, however it happens. And every mother deserves to remember the moment fondly and proudly.

There are a couple of different routes to a caesarean birth. You may choose an elective caesarean. There are all manner of reasons this may be your choice. You may choose early on your pregnancy, or towards the end. An elective caesarean birth means you'll know beforehand when your baby will be born. You're likely to be invited to attend hospital for either a morning or afternoon list. You'll probably walk to theatre.... and then your baby will be born! There are lots of benefits to a planned caesarean - and they deserve to be as celebrated and special as any other birth. I can help you to prepare practically and realistically, and think about what you'd like to build in to you birth so it's as calm and positive an experience as possible. I can support you in hospital on the day itself, and have often attended caesarean births as the birth partner in theatre.

You may have an unplanned caesarean - or a caesarean birth that is agreed on the day. This may happen after you've been labouring for a while, or may be quickly agreed for a clinical reason before you begin to labour. In both these situations you may know rationally that this is the best decision for you and your baby, but have strong (and sometimes conflicting) feelings about your birth plans changing. In this situation it's my role to make sure you and your partner understand what is happening and why. I can also help ensure you have the space and time you need to feel calm and grounded in the. moment. Sometimes after an unplanned caesarean you may want to re-visit and review what happened and why. I can support in that, and in accessing any services and support you may need.

Click here to find out more about preparing for a caesarean birth and about Pocket Doula care.

How can hypnobirthing help me?

Hypnobirthing isn't the magic answer. But it's a bloody brilliant set of skills to lean back on.

The skills, techniques and tools you'll learn in your hynobirthing course helpful tools for all women giving birth wherever and however you plan to have your baby. And you'll be able to rely on them whether your birth follows your birth plan or not (more on this later).

At it's core, hypnobirthing is about developing confidence and gaining control.

1) CONFIDENCE Knowledge is power. How your body works and how you can optimise your surroundings to make your birth more comfortable and positive

2) Control - it's true that you can't control all aspects of birth. There are many factors that are well outside your control, but which may influence your experience.

Getting to grips with this means you'll be able to;

* write a realistic and appropriate birth plan for your midwives

* write a realistic and helpful birth plan for you and your partner

* feel confident in the support you want and need from your partner, and that they will be able to give it to you

* take time during your pregnancy to check in on you and your baby and begin bonding

* have realistic expectations

* solid contingency plans

* emotional control and comfort strategies you can use however your birth plays out

Hypnobirthing skills and techniques are for you if:

You are feeling anxious about birth and want to be able to feel more relaxed and confident about what's to come
If you've had a previous traumatic birth and want practical and realistic tools to help you prepare and rely on
If you're planning a home birth
If you're planning to have your baby at a birth centre
If you're planning to have your baby in hospital
If an epidural is in your birth plan
If you're planning a ceasarean birth
If you don't like the idea of losing your dignity and autonomy during birth
If you're a control freak
If your birth partner wants to know more and get more involved

I won't promise you that if you learn a bit of breathing and listen to the MP3s then you'll feel no pain and everything will be wonderful. Birth is a bit too unpredictable for that, and there are plenty of factors that'll effect your experience but which are way outside your control and your hypnobirthing practice.

You can use the skills and techniques you learn in a hypnobirthing course to powerful effect, during pregnancy, labour, birth and into parenthood. These aren't just single-use tips. They're skills for life.