"Demand the original... Expect the best"
HypnoBirthing™ North London
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Quick Links
- What is HypnoBirthing?
- HypnoBirthing Course – Key Benefits
- What parents are saying / birth stories
- Watch a hypnobirth in action
- Course Dates, Location and Booking
HypnoBirthing - Preparing the Mind-Body for Birth.
Read Christine's article published in Positive Health Magazine
and discover why HypnoBirthing works. After reading this article, one HypnoBirthing family wrote to say
' ... what a compelling read ... a power piece of writing. We are looking forward even more than before to the possibility of a relaxed and positive birth experience.'
HypnoBirthing combines the powerful use of self-hypnosis with childbirth education, and special breathing techniques.
HypnoBirthing is as much a philosophy as it is a technique. The HypnoBirthing concept is not new, but rather a development of the philosophy of birthing as it existed thousands of years ago and as it still exists in many parts of the world today. Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, an English obstetrician, first forwarded the concept of natural birthing in the 1920s. The HypnoBirthing method, a modern progression of his work, teaches you that:
in the absence of fear and tension,
severe pain does not have to be an accompaniment of labour
The HypnoBirthing method was developed by Marie Mongan, a hypnotherapist who first used the techniques to birth her own children and in 1990 started the HypnoBirthing method in America. It has gained such popularity among women in the U.S. that she now runs the Institute, which teaches the method, not only to pregnant women but also to hypnotherapists and midwives who run their own classes all over the world.
The HypnoBirthing Course
The HypnoBirthing course in North London will give you an understanding of how the body works during pregnancy and labour so that when you are sufficiently relaxed, the birthing muscles can work in perfect harmony as they were designed to. You will learn how to achieve this kind of relaxation, free of the resistance that fear creates, and you will learn to use your natural birthing instincts for a calm, serene and more comfortable birthing.
When you have your baby with HypnoBirthing, you will not be in a trance or asleep but you will experience deep relaxation similar to yoga or meditation. You will be aware, fully in control, but profoundly relaxed. You will learn to relax into your body’s surges (contractions) using specific breathing techniques and focused visualisations. In this calm state your body’s natural anaesthesia, endorphins, replaces the stress hormones that cause pelvic muscles to constrict and cause pain.
With HypnoBirthing your partner or companion is also fully involved and is taught how to help you practice your relaxation techniques between classes and to help you maintain relaxation during labour. We encourage all pregnant women to bring their birthing companion to the classes, although this does not necessarily have to be the father it would usually be the person who will be present with the mother during labour.
The technique is designed to work equally well in a medical or home environment. It is complementary and is not meant to be an alternative to medical intervention when necessary. However the technique should allow women to avoid unnecessary drugs and interventions which tend to be used routinely in many hospitals.
When is a good time to start the classes?
Any time you feel ready. You can never start to learn relaxation techniques too early, as mother, baby and birthing companion all begin to benefit from the word go, making for a more enjoyable pregnancy. If you are very late in your pregnancy, HypnoBirthing® can still help you.
HypnoBirthing Course – Key Benefits
- Partners are given a vital role - both involved and supportive - making it more of a team effort
- A relaxed, peaceful birth experience rather than a tense, stressful ordeal.
- A more relaxed and enjoyable pregnancy
- Eliminates or greatly reduces the need for chemical painkillers
- Shortens the first stage of labour by several hours
- Eliminates fatigue during labour, leaving mother fresh, awake and with energy for birth
- Reduces risk of hyperventilation from shallow breathing methods
- Promotes special bonding between mother, baby and birthing partner
- Fewer breech presentations and other complications
- Mothers with high blood pressure have found that techniques can help BP return to normal
- More rapid post natal recovery (reduced incidence of post natal discomfort and 'baby blues')
- Better natured babies that eat and sleep well
- Returns birthing to the beautiful, peaceful experience nature intended
Some of the practical skills you will learn
- A range of simple but specialised relaxation techniques to practise both with your birth partner and on your own (Skills for Life)
- Special breathing techniques for relaxation and childbirth
- How it is possible to have a quick and easy birth
- Many ways of bonding with your unborn baby – both before and after birth
- Visualisations to enable you to work confidently with your body
- Easy positive affirmation techniques to empower you
- Creation and control of endorphins - your body's own natural anaesthesia
- Special massage techniques for a more comfortable labour
- Specific techniques to overcome fears or anxieties about birthing or parenting – crucial to achieving a comfortable stress-free birth
- Skills to remain calm and in control, no matter what is happening around you
- Many women using HypnoBirthing are re-discovering their innate ability to birth their babies in a relaxed, peaceful and even pain-free manner.
What parents are saying
The lifelong gift HypnoBirthing gives to parents and baby alike is just immeasurable and so wide-reaching, that it is impossible to encapsulate in just a few words. Mums looking into HypnoBirthing can hardly believe that they will get an immediate confidence boost to support the pregnancy as well as an empowering birth experience. This is how one Mum explains it after completing her course:
‘I know, I find it so hard to explain to my friends how beneficial it is and how good I'm feeling since doing the course! I think reading the book & listening to the audios just isn’t enough. I must admit, I was a bit sad the course ended, I loved coming every Sunday!
I also wanted to say thank you so much for whatever you did to transform my whole outlook on birth!!! I must say my whole mindset has changed and I’m so calm and relaxed now in general! I was so anxious before and making really bad decisions about my place of birth etc but now everything seems a lot clearer, calmer and I feel more in control! Its great feeling like this and is all very new to me as I seemed to always be uptight and anxious about the simplest of things!(especially the birth!)
I went to see Barnet birth centre today. It’s fabulous! Massive birthing rooms with double beds and big birth pools with lights etc, ensuite with shower, very calm environment and not busy whatsoever. The midwives are all up to date with HypnoBirthing and respect your wishes. Its good peace of mind having the consultant led unit just one floor down should you need it. There are 3 birthing pools in birth centre and 1 on the consultant led floor. The good news is that they will inflate a birth pool for you if they are all full as this was a deal breaker for me - heart set on water birth!’
Barbara
Here’s a phenomenal HypnoBirth story to further inspire you. Many thanks to Tracey for permission to share. When there are a few challenges to face along the way, the techniques are really tested and Tracey has proved their worth. She used the surge breathing throughout a long slow first stage (about 50hours) without needing drugs, successfully negotiated with staff to decline suggested induction, relaxed and slept through from 4 – 10 cm, and surprised the midwives by quickly birthing naturally, whilst the staff thought she was too relaxed! Tracey trusted that her body could do it, and proved to the midwives that she was right! It is stories like this that encourage me to keep going and teach as many couples as possible – thank you Tracey.
‘Two days after my due date, we decided to try out some natural methods to get things started. Later that day, after a long walk, my surges began. They continued for about a day and a half before we went to the hospital. When I was initially assessed by the triage midwife, I was only 3 cm dilated so they would not admit me and we had to wait in a small room euphemistically called ‘the nest’ with another couple going through surges in the early stage of labour. I was reassessed a few hours later and had reached 4cm so was admitted to the birthing centre. After about an hour we moved to one of the rooms with a birthing pool as it was our plan to have a water birth.
I found HypnoBirthing invaluable. The surges were intense but manageable. I had discomfort in my lower back but I never really felt I was in pain. My husband encouraged me to focus on my breathing, reassured me that I was doing well and provided lots of back massages.
Labour was comfortable but slow. My surges became less frequent and less intense over time. After about 7 hours I had only progressed to 4.5cm dilated. The staff were pressing for an induction and at one point I was told that either I transfer to the labour ward to be induced, or go home and go it alone. Thankfully, my doula friend managed to negotiate for us to stay a few extra hours as there was no indication that baby or me were in distress and the birthing centre was not full.
I had a couple of hours before the next examination. Having tried everything to get things going again (hugs before drugs, squatting, exercise ball, walking up and down 3 flights of stairs- twice) I began to accept that induction might be the only option. I’d still need energy to get through labour and birthing, so I might as well have a rest. I lay down on the couch and dozed between surges. I don’t think I could have managed that without HypnoBirthing. Anyway, about an hour and a half later a doctor from the labour ward came to explain the benefits of induction and to examine me again. I ran (well waddled) to the bathroom to have a surge and felt an enormous urge to push. This did concern me as I was worried that my baby would be distressed if I began bearing down too soon. After this, the doctor examined me and informed me that I was in fact fully dilated. It felt like magic, to go from 4 to 10cm whilst sleeping and I was hugely relieved as the midwife finally started to fill the birthing pool.
Husband and I went into the pool for about 45mins and my surges slowed again. At this point, I did depart from HypnoBirthing advice and was pushing desperately with each surge. I felt as if my energy was running out and I was desperate to meet our baby. The midwife suggested that the relaxation produced by the water might be slowing things down, so I began to get out of the pool. No sooner had I climbed onto the steps of the pool, than I felt another surge coming and I wasn’t sure whether to get in or out. In the end, I had the surge whilst standing on the steps and felt a loud pop. For a moment I thought I’d done myself some unspeakable injury, but thankfully it turned out to be part of the amniotic sac releasing, closely followed by our baby’s head. At this point, there was no time to move and our daughter was born on the steps of the birthing pool. She weighed 7lb 1oz.
I had two grade 1 tears (Grade 1 is the least serious level of tearing) requiring stitches. Perhaps this might have been avoided if I had been able to ‘breathe my baby down’. But overall our HypnoBirth was just as we had hoped- calm, comfortable and free from fear.
Thank you so much for the advice and guidance provided by the course. Before my baby was born, I was reluctant to speak about HypnoBirthing as some people feel compelled to dismiss the idea of birth without medical intervention and I did not want to deal with other people's negativity. Now that I have experienced it for myself, I have been recommending HypnoBirthing to anyone who'll listen.
May you help many, many more babies to be have a calm birth.’
Tracey
And here are some more testimonials, with many thanks to all the families for sharing. Every birth story is different, but with the calm confidence of HypnoBirthing every birth experience is positive and empowering in its own way.
‘Thank you so much for the HypnoBirthing training, it helped keep me calm, focused and understand what I can request of the medical staff. She was born by caesarean for her breech positioning, and I was able to have an incredibly positive experience which I felt like I had control over.’
Lucy and Ed‘Thank you for the wonderful course. The birth was fine and quite quick (waters broke 12.30am, contractions started 4am and she was born 3pm). It was a normal delivery and no forceps etc and no pain relief at all.. Partially I think it was fine because I felt calm and in control throughout. Early on in the labour I did some rainbow relaxation and then carried on breathing techniques throughout. My husband thought I was so calm that he didn't think I was ready to go to hospital, but I knew I was. He was so convinced I wasn't ready that he put only an hour on the hospital parking meter. When we got into the hospital they assessed me straight away and said I was fully dilated and baby was born 1.5 hours later. I think the HypnoBirthing and also pregnancy yoga really helped me. Thanks again for a wonderful course.’
Susi‘First of all, I'd like to thank you so much for the course. We got so much out of it and you always made us feel so relaxed and at home. I had such a calm, blissful pregnancy and credit HypnoBirthing for my frame of mind. I could not wait to give birth and felt only joyful anticipation, not an ounce of fear. I went into spontaneous labour early morning ... my surges started at 10 mins apart and stayed between 10 and 3 mins apart for the next 48 hours. I felt no 'pain' in this time, just a strong tightening wave and a powerful menstrual type cramp, but with deep breathing and the other techniques I learned with you, I coped just fine and carried on with my regular daytime activities...I slept on and off between surges at night.
I awoke at 3am on Saturday to an almighty surge. I got out of bed, put the kettle on and decided to start timing them again, but another came two minutes later. I left the tea, ... went to the loo, had another surge and felt the urge to push, then reached down and felt my baby's head!
It was too late for a taxi, so paramedics took us to the Whittington birthing centre, as was my birth plan. I was fully dilated on admission and crowned as soon as I got into the pool. I believe 100% that HypnoBirthing got me so far along, I felt proud that I hadn't turned up only three 3cm!
...baby (who I had been told was in optimum birthing position) was back to back. I was calm and quiet, doing my deep breathing between surges...but during them, no amount of deep breathing, or relaxation could take away the pain. I'm not complaining though, I got through it drug free and positive and I know that HypnoBirthing got me there.
I ended up delivering on all fours and the midwife received him, but he was in my arms a second later. It was the most magical moment. I'll never forget how soft he felt, or seeing his face for the first time...I get teary just thinking about it. He stayed on my chest until his cord stopped pumping, then Dad cut it and gave him a cuddle while I was stitched up (his back to back position and 8lb weight gave me a second degree tear).
I've healed up just fine though and would do it again tomorrow. I'm confident in what my body can do and so grateful to it for giving us our son. I've been recommending HypnoBirthing to all who will listen, becoming almost evangelical about it. If I was full of fear of the unknown, I have probably gone to hospital far too early and ended up taking pain relief, maybe ending up with the epidural or even a c-section. I feel proud to have had a drug free birth and blessed to have felt my son come into the world.
Thanks again so much for giving me the tools to achieve the birth I wanted (well, near enough!)’
Sarah‘I had been set on having a natural birth although I kept an open mind if things would not go my way. So Doctors had said that I would not be able to use the birth Center due to my low iron level (latest was 9.4 and I needed 10 for them to accept me so was slight disappointing)
As I was overdue by 4 days the Doctors wanted me to look at having an induction and also offered a membrane sweep as prior way to set me off which I initially declined. Also wanted to avoid that medical induction.
So had acupuncture session and reflexology with the last session we had, my mucus plug came out next day and I had contractions (although wasn't sure what they were so thought they me be Braxton Hicks) . The Cat stretches from yoga and rocking helped me with those.
I was due for a further acupuncture session the next day and the Doc wanted to see me for a growth scan and look at doing a membrane sweep. When they did the check they saw that I was now 3 cm dilated. I then had an acupuncture session who said the session was to look at getting me dilated quickly.
My contractions got to three within 10 mins and had them in the waiting room as they were saying the labour ward was full ! I asked if the birth center was free and explained I had done some HypnoBirthing and wanted to look at using this technique. I was lucky in a way that the labour ward was full as the midwife on duty accepted me in the birth center with the basis that I have a cannula in case I needed a blood transfusion.
The midwives were great they saw my Birth plan and were on board with the HypnoBirthing. So admitted around 14:30 and was now 4cm. Another check was done around 19:00 and the midwife said I was only 5 cm even though contractions were feeling much closer together.
I used the breathing technique in HypnoBirthing which really helped for my first stage of contractions. The midwives thought we were really calm. Husband was great too performing the light touch massage as the contractions grew closer.
I was a little disappointed that I had not dilated much by 7pm. A handover was being done with the night staff and they were looking to place the cannula in my hand. At this stage I felt like pushing and I was told not to push ..this I found really hard.
The not pushing part was difficult and water broke and they realised that I had gone from 5 cm to 10 cm within half an hour. They were still trying to place the cannula in my hand whilst I was going through these contractions. Not a good idea as the contractions kept coming. I didn't use Gas and Air either as had forgotton about it and thought it may be distraction from the breathing techniques needed from HypnoBirthing.
Kept with the breathing techniques as husband was coaching and support me and needed reminding of the J breath. Anyway after an hour and 15 mins of ‘pushing’ they were looking to call the doctors and I had just one thought that they were going to use forceps !
Husband kept saying that I needed to give 90% I was at 80 % ... then 5 mins before the doctor was about to come, baby was delivered at 10:25 PM. It was a very surreal moment, Husband shed a tear, I was still grasping the reality, as long journey in getting pregnant to having a lovely baby.’
Rakhi and David‘I firstly want to thank you for the 1:1 class we had with you shortly before giving birth. I was already 8cm dilated when I arrived at the birth centre. I played the HypnoBirthing CD over and over while in the water and the atmosphere was calm and tranquil. It was beautiful, and I will always feel very fortunate to have experienced part of the birth in that way. Baby was in the wrong position .. she arrived through a forceps delivery in the end. I feel very fortunate to have experienced partly what a natural birth feels like, it was truly magical and I'll never forget it. Without any doubt it was the HypnoBirthing which helped me maintain focus and helped ground me in my deepest instincts. My body did take over and I trusted in the process.
So a big thank you, even though I found HypnoBirthing rather late into my pregnancy it was crucial in helping to ground me and trust in my instincts and ability to birth.’
Nicola
'Just to let you know we had a beautiful baby girl last Monday morning (3 days after my estimated due date). She was 3.6kg so quite a big girl.
We actually decided at around 37 weeks to try for a planned home birth after meeting one of the midwives from the Homebirth team at Homerton hospital. We looked at all our options and felt this would be the place that we'd be at our calmest. It worked out beautifully and I feel so happy and proud I managed to calmly bring our baby into the world. We hired a birthing pool from Emma the birthing pool lady who was fantastic and we did it with no drugs or intervention, I really believe the HypnoBirthing practise and the water made this possible.
My surges came on so quickly that we didn't have any time to use the scripts in between (started as 60 sec surge then 2 min break moving to 6 min surges with 30 sec break) it was very intense but something inside me kept me level headed and calm and I found myself saying the affirmations over and over in my head. When the midwife arrived I was already at 7cm!
The affirmations, visualisations and breathing techniques were my best friends! While I can't say I didn't find it painful I can say I understood what the pain was and really felt I understood my body and what it was doing at each stage so I could calmly work through it. I hardly said a word for the whole 9 hours and just focused on my body and my baby. I used the rosebud visualisation and breathed through it as baby sat on my perineum for a long time, I stayed calm and didn't panic at the stinging and afterwards to my delight I found out I only had grazes and no tear, again I am sure this is due to my calm state.
We spent baby's first day in our own bed getting to know each other as a family. It couldn't have been more serene. Baby is a very content and lovely baby (other than not knowing night from day- lots of sleepless nights feeding on demand!)
Thank you so much for your great course, it really empowered me to have the birth that we never really thought of as possible. I felt a strange confidence that I could do it which I know I would not have had without HypnoBirthing.
Thanks again and best wishes for the future I will thoroughly recommend HypnoBirthing to anyone interested.’
Christine'Baby was born at 08:02 in Barnet birthing centre, weighing 8lbs 14oz. She really pushed it to the last minute as she was 2 weeks overdue but luckily as I was in active labour and all was well with us both they were able to let me birth in the pool.
We cannot thank you enough for your work with us, as the build up to her arrival and during was almost as beautiful as she is!
Having to be induced with the more natural methods first (thankfully) there was a time I was wondering where the birth would lead to but nature kicked in and I progressed quite rapidly and was sent from the ward to the birth centre in a matter of minutes. My waters broke at 2am, I was in the pool at 4am and baby was with us at 08:02! I had no drugs which I'm quite proud of. In between surges I set up the birth room with music, battery tea lights, incense diffuser and hung baby's first outfit up in sight for me to see- this was whilst husband ran to the car! The midwife was laughing saying how I was amazing but it's because I had visualised the birth so much that way I wanted it to be right so I could then fully get on with it and relax.
During the final stage I was a lot more vocal than I thought I'd be but I maintained the J breath and calm breathing with husband stroking me and putting cold flannels on my neck. He was amazing support and that was from our sessions with you!
Baby emerged in the water and was very calm when I scooped her up to reveal her sex. We left the cord on until it stopped pulsating and we did skin to skin for about an hour. Feeding wasn't straight away but I tried and then out of the water it came naturally and I feel I haven't stopped feeding since!
Unfortunately I wasn't able to birth the placenta naturally and time was ticking so I had to have the oxytocin to assist with that. I'm now waiting for my placenta capsules to be delivered and the baby balm which has also been made from the placenta.
Daddy also did skin to skin as I was being sorted which he's continuing to do and we can tell it's made such a difference. Baby is so calm and only whimpers when she's hungry.
At home I still play Steven Halpern's comfort zone to soothe Baby to sleep.
I love thinking back to the birth as it really went so well and calm! Again this is all thanks to you! Remaining calm and positive under all circumstances really does pay off!
Thank you so much again for your work with us, we cannot thank you enough!'
Love Ashleigh xxx‘This was our second child and we have now used HypnoBirthing with great success for both births. The breathing and relaxation enabled me to get through labour calmly and without the need for any pain relief.When I was told to 'push', my partner reminded me to 'breathe our baby out'. I stayed relaxed and the baby was out in 2 minutes; no damage to mum. The midwife was delighted and took away our HypnoBirthing book to read. We left hospital within hours with a beautiful, content baby girl. I think the HypnoBirthing philosophy is great - especially that birth is normal and natural, and 'I relax so my baby can relax'. And the techniques - especially the slow breathing - really work’.
Zoe.‘During the whole birth I can honestly say I felt no pain - just uncomfortable and constipated. I did use a TENS machine but only up to the third setting of ten and more to relieve the feeling of constipation. My Mum cannot believe how calm and in control I was throughout the process - the midwife said I was hardcore when I declined gas and air ... but I just didn't feel the need. The Midwife Consultant at Chase Farm said that I was an advocate for HypnoBirthing, and nobody believes me when I say I felt no pain but I know that it is true; not only that but although my birth did not go to plan (baby chose to birth at home) I felt completely calm, relaxed and in control throughout - thanks to HypnoBirthing. Christine - Thank you for teaching Sam and myself the skills of HypnoBirthing, we really do appreciate it.
Carrie and Sam
John and I feel the HypnoBirthing education we received was a great success and met our expectations fully. I laboured and got to full dilation ... with no need for pain relief, staying in control and working with my body. No-one believed that I was in labour until I was monitored, one mid-wife even asked me why I was pushing. When she examined me she found out why: I was 10cm dilated! I had conversations on the phone with family who were in awe of my calm and controlled manner. So thank you from the three of us! I am so glad we came across HypnoBirthing. We are living proof that labour is a natural and exciting experience to be enjoyed and celebrated. Many thanks,
Helen, John and Fraser DaughertyThe HypnoBirthing didn't exactly go to plan as we had no music or notes due to the circumstances but we followed the breathing techniques with me gently whispering calming words to Eileen and stroking her and she breathed the baby down and out without any screaming or yelling! She had absolutely no pain relief except the tens machine... Not even gas and air! We enjoyed your classes and will spread the word about HypnoBirthing to our friends. For us it was definitely the right choice.
Guy and Eileen‘The midwives were absolutely brilliant and very aware and respectful of HypnoBirthing requirements. One was even helping prompt Megan's relaxation and breathing techniques so rest assured that in Hackney, HypnoBirthing methods are being used by midwives and it's nothing unusual or 'out there'. So thank you very much for your training, it absolutely helped Megan to remain calm and definitely helped to make the birth as good as can be. Many thanks.’
Rob, Megan and Bart.We wanted to inform you that Maire had an amazing birth... The whole process went extremely well and really under control by Maire (Natural birth in a Pool at the Whittington hospital)
She broke the water in our car and managed to remain absolutely calm until we got home and packed our bags; once arrived at the hospital the midwife was really impressed by her calm and thought we should check out and come back at a later stage. An hour later the midwife realised that Maire was 6cm open and needed to go to labour. Finally after 2 hours in the water, Maximillian was born. We are extremely grateful for the training and the preparation to this event - while comparing our birth with some of our friends, we feel we are either extremely lucky or well trained. Maire has recovered very well already and the baby is in great health. Thanks for everything.
Maire and Olivier‘The surges were getting stronger and ...the birth centre advised me to come in. On the journey there my waters broke in the car and everything felt like it was moving very quickly. I struggled to feel relaxed until I was in the birth centre suite and in the birthing pool. Luckily I arrived just in time as I was 9cm dilated. I decided that the most comfortable way to be was on all fours. Then I felt the urge to push and Alex was born within a minute or so. Even though I didn't feel that I got to completely relax and go into myself I feel the HypnoBirthing helped considerably. I didn't need any stitches even though Alex was 8lb 5 oz...the perineal massage definitely worked. Will definitely be looking to use the HypnoBirthing techniques next time. Thanks for your help.’
Katie‘The safe arrival of baby Max ...He was a little late... In the end, it wasn't quite the birth we had planned and prepped for - but we were able to adapt and haven't been left traumatised by it! I was induced at UCH at just over 41 weeks....I decided to go with their advice. I was able to use the HypnoBirthing breathing techniques well and Bill and I had brought electric candles and specially-chosen music to set the tone. At the end of the 2nd night, the doctors said I should have a caesarean. Max's heart rate was never elevated, and my blood pressure stayed low throughout. It was just as if he'd decided that he was too big to come out using the usual route. There was no other explanation. The staff also couldn't believe I did over 12 hours on the hormone drip without any painkillers or gas and air. Apparently, that's very unusual - so I can assume that that too is at least partly down to the hypno breathing (and my TENS machine). .. Anyway, Max eventually arrived (!), weighing in at 9lb 1oz and measuring 44 cm in length. Quite a big baby! Best wishes to you and thanks for your help and support.’
Clare & Bill & Max‘Waters broke at 5.30am that morning and contractions were immediate and close together... We arrived at the hospital two hours later and I was only 1cm dilated. They wanted to keep an eye on me and within 3 hours (and after using the ‘hypnobirthing dial' and 'blue ribbon' visualisations) I was already 9cm! ... and the breathing was really effective. The midwives were totally respectful of our birth plan and Pete was incredibly supportive, calm and in control...couldn't have done it without him there. The midwives were so impressed that I was officially only in labour 3.5 hours and that I was so in control throughout, I didn't even use gas and air, it was really manageable. Isabelle is now feeding and sleeping really well ... a totally relaxed and content little lady. Pete and I have found ourselves to be calm parents and think that the classes were absolutely key to us being so confident and working as a team. So, just wanted to say a BIG thank you Christine for your guidance.’
Natali & Pete‘I woke early to what felt like a small release of fluid…about an egg cup full. ... When I got to the hospital they sent me through to be monitored. All was normal but they wanted to examine me to see if my waters had in fact gone. As I undressed for this my waters really did break and there was no need for an examination. I was sent home with a leaflet on what to do when I got home and an appointment for further monitoring the following day. I went home and carried on with my day; I went shopping and tried on and bought some new boots. I thought that might help get things going.
We had dinner as usual and went to bed early expecting that maybe things might happen in the coming days and it was best to sleep whilst we could. I slept well and woke early... I couldn’t get back to sleep as I was too excited of what might follow that day. I remember just focusing on my breathing and listening to the birthing affirmations in our dark bedroom. Still I didn’t feel in pain just more pressure. Adam called the hospital as things seemed to be moving very quickly, as he was noting down the frequency of my surges. The midwife suggested, as it was our first baby, It would be a while yet and I could get in the bath. Adam called the hospital again as I was in the bath… I just felt like I wanted to push. Adam called 999 and we made it to the hospital and into a consulting room. My next contraction came, the midwife told me to push... I pushed just once and out came Lucy’s head. I didn’t have time to think about my birth breathing .. it was all such a whirlwind. She said with the next contraction I should push again …. I did as I was asked and Lucy was born. I feel very blessed to have had such an amazing birthing experience. Lucy is now 5 months old and everyone I meet hears about our fantastic birth experience , thanks in my opinion, to HypnoBirthing, They all say it’s so refreshing to hear a positive birth story and are amazed at what a contented and chilled out baby she is. So thank you. I feel that it really helped me.’
Annie and Adam‘Even after a year time I´m so grateful that I decided to do the course. To me it has changed completely my view of birth itself and life as well. I think my HypnoBirth was really the beginning of something new in terms of looking at life and its challenges. Regarding baby Michaela she is the great baby; smiling, happy and very clever. I still use relaxation and breathing when I breastfeed her and also when the two of them become harder to deal with :) which sometimes happens especially once Michaela started to be interested in everything sister Anna is doing. And I think Vlado is also using it when he is tired from work and has to deal with kids so he calms himself. Good luck with your work and thank you thousand times.’
Kristina
Still not convinced HypnoBirthing works?
Watch this hypnobirth in action and see for yourself.
HYPNOBIRTHING NORTH LONDON
COURSE DATES LOCATION AND BOOKING
DATES
The HypnoBirthing Course requires your commitment to approximately 12.5 hours of class time, plus your own self-hypnosis and relaxation practice time. The course is presented over 5 weekly classes of 2.5 hours each.
Private courses can be arranged for individual couples scheduled to suit your needs.
Group Course Dates and Times – Evening or Morning Courses are available.
5 consecutive Weekday Evening Classes: 7.30 p.m. – 10.00 p.m. (North London)
5 consecutive Weekend Morning Classes: 10.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. (North London)
Group Courses are taught to a maximum of 6 couples to ensure that individual needs are fully satisfied and techniques are mastered. At the end of the course you will have discovered a new confidence and trust in your ability to have a positive birth experience.
CONTACT US FOR AVAILABLE GROUP COURSE DATES
If you are near your due date and other arrangements need to be made to complete your course in time, please contact Christine to discuss your requirements.
You are welcome to call Christine, your HypnoBirthing Practitioner, on 020 8360 2518 and get all your questions answered before making a booking.
LOCATION
Courses are held in North Londonwithin easy reach of Southgate, Cockfosters, Oakwood, Winchmore Hill, Enfield, Barnet, Palmers Green, Edmonton, Finchley, Potters Bar, Cuffley, Cheshunt and Goffs Oak.
Group Courses are always held in comfortable, relaxing venues in Winchmore Hill or Enfield, depending on numbers.
COURSE BOOKING
When you contact usfor available course dates, you will be sent a list of dates and a registration form. Please return your registration form quickly to secure your group place, as numbers are limited to a maximum of 6 couples.
Course Fees
The Fee is all-inclusive, for both you and your birthing partner, and includes £50 worth of materials
- GROUP COURSE £325
- PRIVATE COURSE from £475 ( at times and location to suit you )
If there are special circumstances and you have been advised by a healthcare professional to attend the course, you may be eligible for special rates.
The Course Fee includes:
- The official HypnoBirthing Text Book
- Relaxation and Birthing Affirmation audios
- Attendance for Mother and Birthing Companion(s)
- Course Manual and all course materials
- Refreshments
- Birth Preferences Plan
- Ongoing email support
- Facebook Group Membership
Please Contact Us for further details on HypnoBirthing North London.
Want to know more about our Hypnotherapy courses in North London