Frequently Asked Questions

How does it work?

Don't worry, there are no swinging pendulums, no clucking like a chicken - this is far from stage hypnosis! In hypnobirthing, we use a combination of language, information, guided relaxation and controlled breathing to gradually re-set our thoughts and emotions surrounding birth. This wonderful combination of birth education and practical techniques not only enables you to release fear and build confidence, but also puts you in the driving seat of your birth journey, and helps you to work with your body for a more comfortable and positive birth experience. These are skills for life and you will find them beneficial long after you've given birth to your baby.

I can't afford to do one of your courses as well as NCT, which is best?

Ok so call me biased, but I truly believe that an Every Breath course is the only birth preparation class you need.  Every Breath is so much more than a few techniques for birth, it's a full and comprehensive antenatal education. That means you'll learn EVERYTHING you need to know about exactly what happens to your body during labour, all the different care options available to you, how to select your birth preferences, how to communicate effectively with your caregivers at each stage of your pregnancy and birth, and how to make sure YOU are in control of your birth journey. On top of that, you'll also learn practical tools for releasing fear, relaxing and breathing during pregnancy and labour to help your body perform optimally, and experience a much more comfortable and positive birth, in any eventuality. If you are really struggling to make the decision between Every Breath and another antenatal class, I'm happy to chat on the phone or in person with no obligation.

Will hypnobirthing give me a pain-free labour?

This is a tricky one, because the concept of "pain" is different for everyone. We tend to call this a "pain threshold", but actually it's more accurate to say that everybody's brain interprets a physical sensation differently. Pain is our brain's way of letting us know that something is wrong, and is usually associated with fear. During birth your body is doing exactly what it's meant to do, so although the sensations can be intense at times, our brain doesn't automatically interpret them as pain. However, because many women enter labour feeling fearful and unprepared, their internal defence mechanism kicks in, which results in a painful experience (and intervention in many cases). What hypnobirthing does is to teach you exactly what your muscles are doing during birth, how to help this function, and how to keep your body and mind relaxed and calm during labour, which makes it possible for you to feel the sensations of birth without interpreting them as pain in your mind. You'll also learn breathing techniques that help you to experience these sensations much more comfortably.

Will doing hypnobirthing mean I have a simple labour, without interventions?

Again, every body is different, every baby is different. We can't predict what our individual birth journey will be. The World Health Organisation estimates that 96% of women COULD have straightforward births, but in reality many births in the UK end up in C-Section or medical intervention. This is not because women in Western societies have lost the ability to birth naturally, but rather that we have adopted a highly medicalised birth system over the decades and many women enter this system unprepared for birth and unaware of their options. Hypnobirthing helps you to navigate the UK birth system and understand your birthing body in order to give you the best chance of having a straightforward birth. It also informs and prepares you to deal with any unexpected turns so that whatever happens, you can have a positive and empowering experience. Hypnobirthing doesn't guarantee the 'perfect' birth, but it will help you have a positive birth experience. 

Is the course relevant to me if I'm having a planned C-Section?

Absolutely! Giving birth abdominally is no more or less of a unique and profound birth experience for a mother than vaginal birth. Mothers who are due to give birth by C-Section can feel anxious during pregnancy and unsure of what to expect. They can also feel that they are somehow 'losing out' on their experience of birth. Every Breath courses are tailored to individual couples' situations and can alleviate any anxiety, helping you to feel confident and prepared about your abdominal birth. The course can also help you to feel informed about the choices you have for your C-Section, and help you to work with your care providers to achieve an empowering and fulfilling birth experience. 

When is the best time to do the course?

Ideally, the best time to start the course is during the second trimester from around 20 weeks, as this gives plenty of time for you to practise the techniques so that they become almost second nature to you. However, it's really never too late to benefit from Hypnobirthing. Equally, you can start the course much earlier in your pregnancy if you'd like to get a head start. This is especially beneficial if you are feeling particularly nervous about birth, or have anxiety surrounding antenatal appointments, check-ups and hospital visits. Our course can help alleviate this fear and anxiety early on, so that you can enjoy your pregnancy and look forward to the arrival of your baby.

Does my partner need to attend the course with me?

It's not essential, but it's really helpful if they do and I promise they'll get a lot out of it! The birth partner is an integral part of the preparation and the birth itself, and hypnobirthing gives them practical roles in birth preparation and the birth itself.  The course promotes healthy communication and a team outlook for pregnancy and birth, which is a truly positive springboard into life as a parenting team (whatever form that relationship may take). Hypnobirthing does work perfectly well if you prefer to come on your own, but many partners find it really beneficial. If you're interested in Hypnobirthing but your partner isn't sure, why not have a look at our testimonials or arrange a phone consultation to find out more? 

Why are classes at Every Breath HQ only available during the week?

I love teaching at my home, surrounded by nature, and most couples find it really beneficial to step outside of their usual environment to really relax and learn. However, as military wife and mum of a small human, childcare is an ongoing challenge. Therefore, while I'll always endeavour to be flexible, I'm generally only able to teach on certain days. Did you know however that you're legally entitled to paid time off work to attend antenatal classes? Find out more about pregnant employees rights.
If you have any further questions about hypnobirthing or the course we offer, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

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