when you doubt your power; you give power to your doubt.

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to read this. I’ve put my heart and soul into this website so regardless of if we have the pleasure to meet, thank you for being here. 

I am a certified clinical hypnotherapist, which means what I offer is different to hypnobirthing classes. I offer bespoke packages combining hypnotherapy and birthing techniques, all tailored to your needs and specific concerns. This is why I will refer to these sessions as “hypnobirthing” when we speak (as I acknowledge most people will recognise this term and feel comfortable with it)  and “hypnotherapy for childbirth” on here - because what is offer in these sessions is personal to you and is geared towards specific hypnotherapy techniques which you will feel comfortable using yourself to help with the calm delivery of your baby.

My sessions are, at their core, hypnotherapy based. We work together through various techniques, depending on whichever you respond best to, to help the body and mind work together to prepare for the birth of your baby. Techniques include Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Emotional Freedom Technique and many more which I wont list here but which can be found in my bio on the homepage. 

At its core, hypnotherapy for childbirth can help a woman process any fears or anxieties she may have around birth, after birth or the later stages of pregnancy. During our sessions we will have brief discussions around any anxieties and then most of the session will comprise of hypnotherapy work to take you through various visualisations and techniques specific to your concerns and needs. Recordings are then sent out after each session so that you can practice these techniques at home, ensuring your body knows how to enter self hypnosis easily and calmly. During the session and in your guided self hypnosis, you will always be lucid and in control. Please do go back to the homepage to read in the FAQs about hypnotherapy. 

Hypnotherapy for childbirth can help you manage stress hormones, such as adrenaline, and significantly reduce anxiety in the lead up to birth. During labour, your body will produce oxytocin which helps the progress of labour. Stress hormones negatvively affect the production of oxytocin and make labour longer. Managing stress reduces some of the fear and pain experienced during labour. Hypnotherapy has also been proven in some cases to reduce the need for pain management, such as epidurals. It can also reduce the risk of medical interventions such as c-sections. Hypnotherapy may benefit you after birth, with some evidence showing that it can lower the chance of postnatal depression. Lastly, hypnobirthing can help your birth partner to play a more active role in your labour - creating more of a connection and thus stimulating oxytocin. - (Tommy’s 2022)

Please do remember that pain relief is always an option- there will never be any push towards a pain relief free birth during our sessions together.

There is no right or wrong answer here. You can start hypnotherapy for childbirth sessions whenever you like, however usually I see clients from around their 20 week scan so that they can have plenty of time to prepare and get into a routine of practicing at home. 

If you have had a difficult birth in the past, it may be worthwhile looking into starting sessions before your 20 week scan so that you can give yourself scope to process any painful memories and to prepare for a calmer experience. 

It is important to note that seeking psychological support alongside wellbeing tools may be beneficial. Hypnotherapy is not a therapy for birth trauma and is wholly focused on your path forwards, it is a toolkit you can use to feel empowered and confident. There is psychological support available through your GP, I would encourage you to seek this support if you feel you need it. 

A birth partner is someone who is present during labour to help support you with what you need at the time. Birth partners may play an important role in helping you prepare for giving birth by supporting your choices for your birth and helping you with your birth plan. Research has shown that having a supportive birthing partner with you continuously through labour can help give you an added sense of control and comfort.

Hypnotherapy  is safe. You will not be asleep. You will be aware of everything happening around you and will be totally relaxed and in control. Some of the other benefits you get from hypnotherapy for childbirth are that it can also shorten the first stage of labour, when your cervix starts to gradually open up, and the second stage, when the cervix is fully dilated. Hypnotherapy can also reduce the risks of postnatal depression. Furthermore, hypnotherapy can help your baby experience a calm and gentle birth. This reduces the likelihood of your baby becoming distressed. Hypnotherapy  also creates a more integral role for your partner, which can enrich and deepen your relationship and make your partner feel more included.

Sessions are usually once a week, it is important to stick to a routine. There is then practice outside of our sessions that should be done to compliment this - it can be built up gradually, allowing optimum time for confidence to build. I offer packages of 6 or 12 sessions. The cost of these sessions are on the prices page. Sessions are between myself and the expectant mother, or birth partner, over Zoom. All that is needed is a comfortable space and some quiet. Recordings will then be sent to you at the end of sessions to encourage practice. Regarding practice at home, all will be made clear in our sessions. With labour being an intense experience, the more preparation you put into it, the less anxiety you will feel and and more comfortable you will be. 

Hopefully these questions have been informative and have put at rest any fears you have. If you have any more questions or would like to go ahead and book a free 20 minute consultation or a session, then please do get in touch at hello@theonlinehypno.com 

I look forward to working with you and helping you and others around you to prepare for the birth of your baby!