Next Group Hypnobirthing Course 5th March 2025 - 7.15pm - 9.15pm @Leeds Physiotherapy & Pilates Practice | Oulton, Leeds
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What is Hypnobirthing?
Is Hypnobirthing Evidence Based?
Hypnobirthing is a growing trend and it has grow 500% since 2020. Many women are hearing the positive birth stories from other women, who used Hypnobirthing for their births. As a result, more women are booking onto Hypnobirthing courses during pregnancy and learning about the powerful, yet simple and easy tools and techniques that can really help them to have a positive birth experience. Many celebrities such as Kate Middleton (Princess of Wales), Fearne Cotton, Giovanni Fletcher, Ferne McCann and Angelina Jolie, all used Hypnobirthing during their labours and births.
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Hypnobirthing is a trend that will continue to rise, because so many women who use it during labour, have such positive feedback about it. Plus, it is science based and the tools and techniques make sense. A lot of it comes down to getting the right balance of birth hormones during labour. Managing the fear, tension, pain cycle and learning how to feel calm, relaxed and comfortable. We know that when we are scared, the body goes into fight, flight or freeze mode. We know that this creates adrenaline and we know that adrenaline during labour is bad. We know that the mind is incredibly powerful and it can have a huge influence over the body during labour, negatively effecting the labour process when we get scared. This is one of the things that Hypnobirthing teaches us and it's about how to remain calm during labour, how to switch on the parasympathetic nervous system and understanding how our body is working during labour. Very often we fear the unknown. Understanding the labour process, can really help us to see that there really isn't anything to be scared of. You see, the brain doesn't understand when there is a real threat and when there is a perceived threat and so it puts us into flight, fight or freeze mode anyway, just in case. Telling yourself during labour to "just be calm", won't be enough. You need to learn how to overrule your brain and take the control.
How Does Hypnobirthing Work?
Hypnobirthing is for everyone, for every type of birth and allows you and your birth partner (if they wish) to feel prepared for birth. It can be used as a form of comfort management, a way to feel calm, relaxed, empowered, confident and in control of your birth. It includes a variety of techniques, from breathing techniques, visualisation, hypnosis and relaxation. It is about changing the mindset of birth and the mind body connection. When using hypnosis when doing hypnobirthing, it works on the part of the brain called the unconscious or subconscious brain. This part of the brain stores a lot of our thoughts about birth, often negative and by applying hypnobirthing techniques, it can help us approach birth with a more positive mindset.
When we feel scared or anxious, this produces adrenaline. Adrenaline raises the heart rate and blood pressure, and oxygen gets diverted to our essential organs. The problem with this, is that adrenaline and fear, slow down labour by inhibiting oxytocin, the hormone that helps with contractions. Adrenalin makes muscles tighten and makes us feel more pain. Oxytocin allows muscles to relax and decreases the awareness of pain.
What I Hate About Hypnobirthing
Hypnobirthing is often misunderstood. This is often because of the 'hypno' part in the name. People often get the wrong idea of what a Hypnobirthing course is all about and I hate this. During a Hypnobirthing course, there is an element of hypnosis. However, during the practice of hypnosis, you will not feel out of control or have the urge to run around like a headless chicken, contrary to what you might have seen on TV, when people are 'hypnotised'. You will be fully aware of your surroundings and you will be feeling relaxed and comfortable throughout. It is during this practice of hypnosis where the mind begins to feel less anxious and more excited and it is such powerful stuff. Do not be put off by the name of Hypnobirthing! There is so much more to a Hypnobirthing course, besides the hypnosis element too.
Hypnobirthing Techniques
Hypnobirthing works best by repetition. By regularly practising many of the hypnobirthing techniques during pregnancy, it will work more effectively during labour and birth and you will be able to put yourself into a deep state of relaxation. Hypnobirthing will not necessarily give you a pain free birth, but it will help you to feel more comfortable and make any pain feel more bearable. It can be used as a form of distraction and can help the brain to focus on only one sensation at a time.
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The hypnobirthing techniques that you will learn are as much for the birth partner, as they are for the woman. A calm and in control birth partner, will help to create a calmer birth environment and this will help to make them a great birth support for you too. Birth partners can sometimes feel a bit lost and unsure of how to help during labour and birth. Doing a Hypnobirthing course and preparing for the big day can be a game changer. Do not worry if your birth partner does not want to do a hypnobirthing course with you though. I strongly encourage birth partners to do a hypnobirthing course and it is wonderful for them, but you are more than welcome to do it alone, if your birth partner is sceptical and doesn't want to get involved. Many birth partners can be sceptical to start with, but soon see the huge benefits of hypnobirthing, once the course starts.
What do you learn on a hypnobirthing course?
On my hypnobirthing courses, I will teach you all about the process of labour and birth and how the body works during labour. By understanding the process of birth, you will be able to manage stress hormones better, such as adrenalin and reduce anxiety, which should lead to a calmer birth. The course will teach you how to optimise oxytocin, which helps progress your labour and how stress hormones can affect the production of oxytocin, which can slow labour down.​ Hypnobirthing uses hypnosis (deep relaxation) which is really powerful stuff and this can help to reduce or remove any fears that you might have around birth and again, this can reduce stress hormones, which would lead to a calmer, more positive birth experience. Not only that, but by practising hypnobirthing techniques during pregnancy, such as calm breathing and relaxation, this can help you to bond with your baby and have a really positive effect on your baby too, making them feel less stressed and enter the world in a much calmer and relaxed way.
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"We really enjoyed the first Hypnobirthing session the other night and felt so utterly relaxed and calm after it, sleeping really well and I generally feel more positive. I’m surprised how much the positive birth story helped (I was a little bit nervous when it began!)" - Emma & Scott
The course will help you to navigate the maternity system, make informed decisions about your birth and feel more in control, by being aware of your choices. Hypnobirthing courses are different to antenatal classes, because on a hypnobirthing course, you learn about the mind, body connection and how to create a positive mindset for birth. On a hypnobirthing course, you are taught techniques to make you feel calm and relaxed during birth. You will receive an incredible mindset shift, through the power of hypnosis/deep relaxation on a hypnobirthing course. Antenatal classes are important for birth preparation too and although there is an overlap of topics on a hypnobirthing course and an antenatal class, antenatal classes do not prepare the mind for birth, which is incredibly important for birth preparation.​
Studies have shown that hypnobirthing may reduce the need for drugs and medical intervention. However, if your birth plan changes or you choose to have medical intervention or want additional comfort measures, hypnobirthing will come in really useful during the process, helping you to feel calmer, relaxed and help to reduce any fears. Todays Parent (2023) states that "a study conducted in 2022, found that people practicing hypnobirthing had lower rates of birth intervention (such as forceps), shorter delivery periods and higher rates of vaginal deliveries."
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Learning hypnobirthing skills can become a life skill, which can be used in future situations where you might feel scared, anxious or worried. Applying the breathing techniques that you will learn. will really help you to feel calmer and they can be used anywhere and at anytime. Whether you are feel worried about a medical appointment, your baby's first vaccinations or a job interview, hypnobirthing is a transferable skill.
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If you would like to increase your chances of having a positive birth experience, in ways that you desire and you would like to take a course with me, to prepare for the birth of your baby, please get in touch today and lets get you birth ready!