Hypnobirthing is only for hippy people who don't want pain relief

Wrong! you can practice and learn the power of hypnobirthing and plan for a positive experience no matter whether you want or opt for pain relief and regardless of where you wish to plan your babies delivery for example hospital, home or birthing suite birth. The key is to be in control and know your options. Practice how to relax and to release your fears. Hypnobirthing allows you to be in control, be prepared with breathing techniques, access psychological anchors and understand how capable the body is.

Hypnobirthing involves hypnotising someone

Often people think of hypnobirthing and picture a person being hypnotised on a stage into doing silly things. This is not true and someone who has learnt the practices will focus and believe in themselves to feel calm and empowered.

You cant plan for birth it never goes to plan

There are instances when birth can change course and interventions are needed or wanted. However, you can totally plan for your best case scenario and focus on this being what you would ideally like. Know one plans for their wedding day and says "oh I wont bother finding the best florist or a great photographer because the day will go badly anyway" being prepared is key and knowing your choices are beyond important when birthing your baby.

There's no science or medical knowledge behind hypnobirthing?

False. Hypnobirthing is an antenatal education which focuses on teaching how the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, hormones, psychological and biological functions all impact the birth experience and overall well being of the birthing person.

Positive birth story Lucy

As I said goodnight to my 2-year-old son and read him a story I had no idea I would be meeting my second baby that same evening.

I started to feel cramps in my belly around 8pm and went to the toilet feeling like it was an upset stomach. I went downstairs and explained how I was feeling to my husband and in laws. I took two paracetamols for the cramps. I attempted to eat our takeaway tapas when it arrived at 8.30pm but could only eat a few mouthfuls before need to go back to the toilet. Next, I felt a trickle of water release that I couldn’t control. Yes, my waters had released walking up my in laws stairs. My husband came up to check on me and I said I think this is the start of labour. We called the hospital and explained what was happening they told me to come in or call back when my contractions were 2/3 minutes apart lasting a minute. This happened very quickly and by 9.20pm we decided to travel to the hospital the drive was about 30 minutes away and I just closed my eyes and focused on staying calm with contractions coming consistently for the whole drive. Once we arrived, we had to wait in the waiting room, but I didn’t feel comfortable having strong contractions continuously in front of strangers, so I hid in the toilet next to reception. Whilst I was in the toilet, I had a strong contraction and felt my baby/belly completely move down. I came out the toilet and said I can’t stay here waiting. I was then taken through to triage, but the midwives couldn’t do any checks on me such as take my blood pressure or check how far dilated I was because my contractions just kept coming. I sat on the floor in a squat position and waited for midwives to come back. I was then helped into the birthing suite and stopped on the way to lean on the midwife and breathe into her shoulder for a strong contraction. Once I got into the room, I was told they were running the bath and the gas and air was ready, but I didn’t make it into that part of the room. I said, ‘I need to go to the toilet’, and they asked ‘why?’ I said, ‘because I need to pooh’ the midwife then said, ‘Ok that probably means your baby is coming, don’t sit on the toilet’. I then squatted down in front of the toilet and held onto the toilet as I pushed my baby out, I could feel her coming down with each push. Her head came out and then there was a pause whilst I waited for another urge to push and then the body came out. I reached below and was passed baby by the midwife with her umbilical cord still attached to placenta inside of me. I was helped into the birthing suite to have skin to skin with baby. After this I was helped to the toilet and waited for another urge to push and birthed the placenta into a bed pan. Then my husband cut the cord and we carried on enjoying our daughter and encouraged her to feed. The midwife explained I had a small tear and I had gas and air whilst she stitched my tear. They always say the second baby quicker and I can totally agree with this statement now with my labour lasting 2hrs 57 minutes from first contraction. Lucy Rose Grant was born at 22:57 on 5.2.21 weighed 6lb 2oz.

Positive birth story Joshua

2am Easter Sunday morning 2019 my surges woke me up. They were every 15-20 mins. I kept feeling like I needed the toilet and did manage to go a couple of times, but that didn’t help, so I was certain then that they were surges and labour had begun.

It made sense as Saturday I felt a shift, I felt different. I told my sister as she gelled my nails and did my fake tan. She said “Maybe things are happening”.

Sunday later morning I had a shower and tried to carry on with the day, but couldn’t, so as Jack was cleaning his car I bounced on the ball, had my TENS machine on and read my notes from my baby shower that my friends had written for me for labour. I stuck Friends on and my lavender oil, and the day seemed to fly. Later evening I couldn’t face dinner, I called Triage and they said to keep going as my surges weren’t close enough to send someone out. We watched Towie then we went up to bed.

I called Triage again during the night and they were happy for me to keep going. I tried to lay down after that, but it was no good. The surges were coming stronger, quicker and I had my show. I called again and they said they’ll send a midwife out. Jack then ran me a bath as that comforted me earlier on Sunday, so I got in, but was then so sick. The midwife called and said she was on her way. As she arrived around 230am I was getting out the bath and brushing my teeth. She came in quietly, calmly and fitted in to our calm and peaceful environment. She checked me and baby and was happy.

The surges kept coming and either Jack or Lene the midwife would rub my lower back and help me breathe through each one. Jack made sure the lavender was always burning and my hypnobirthing tracks or the prayer we love was constantly playing. I kept saying to Lene I feel like I need to poop and she said it was because of baby’s position.

She offered me gas and air so I thought I’d try it, but I wasn’t getting anything from it. After a few tries I noticed it made me more sleepy and I didn’t need that when I was already tired enough.

Early Monday morning Lene said to Jack to fill up the pool. It took over an hour so it was just Lene and I, quiet, calm and safe. She helped me through each surge and every time I was sick. She encouraged me to try and eat, and we chatted when I could.

Eventually we headed downstairs to the kitchen where the birth pool was and it felt very comforting. However as time went on the surges slowed down and baby’s heartbeat dipped a little. After a couple of hours I got out so Lene could check me and I’d not progressed any further from 7cm. She called her colleague and they agreed I needed to be taken into hospital.

The ambulance arrived so quickly. Once in they asked how I felt, I said I just wanted to get there, so they switched the blue lights on and I got to hospital within minutes. As we pulled up I began to panic, I’d planned a homebirth, this wasn’t what I was hoping for, but having Lene still with us helped me to keep calm and reassured. She stayed right through until I was handed over to a hospital midwife. She got me a ball to bounce on and as she left gave us a hug and said I should be so proud.

After that, time flew. I was given pethidine to try help me sleep, but my surges then became so intense it was hard to sleep. My waters were broken and there was meconium, so they only left us for a short time. As I wasn’t progressing they wanted me to have a c section. Jack and I had a chat and a think. I knew it was best for the baby and me by that point. I was tired, the surges were so intense and I’d had no real food for almost two days, so didn’t have much energy left in me.

In theatre everything happened so fast, with lots of people in the room. I was in pain, anxious about having an operation, but also wanted the spinal ASAP so I could not feel the surges anymore.

Soon enough my labour playlist was on shuffle and I was looking at Jack, holding his hand. I seemed to focus on the BP monitor on my arm as it felt so uncomfortable. My favourite song came on and the staff were singing along saying how they loved Celine Dion. Next thing they lowered the drapes and my little boy was here!! He came out to my favourite song. Both of us were in shock, we cried and were over the moon. Joshua Richard, born 6pm Easter Monday, at 39 weeks, weighing 8lb 4oz.

Joshua was checked over and weighed, then wrapped up and handed to me. The most surreal feeling, it felt like a dream. The best experience of my life.

I stayed in hospital for two nights and was looked after so well. My recovery was amazing. The midwives helped me with breastfeeding as we were struggling after our first amazing feed. After trying all sorts, getting mastitis and realising Joshy had tongue tie, I ended up pumping exclusively for 12.5 months. It was hard work, but it worked for us and I’m proud.

Oxytocin The Love hormone

Endorphins Natural pain relief

Prolactin The mothering hormone

Relaxin Loosens and softens

• This wonderful cocktail of hormones prepares the body for birth, feeding and bonding with baby.

• Starts the surges of labour

• Prepares baby for birth and the big wide world.