Supported Birth

Natal Hypnotherapy

From April 2007, Gina will be offering Natal Hypnotherapy courses in the Birmingham area. These courses will be run in partnership with another practitioner, Faye, and we have both completed full practitioner training in Natal Hypnotherapy.

The next course will be on June 8-9th (Friday and Saturday) in Harborne, Birmingham.

You can book your place on one of the West Midlands Natal Hypnotherapy courses through the Natal Hypnotherapy web site. This is also where you can find more information about Natal Hypnotherapy, the birth preparation course, related research and testimonials from parents who have used it.

Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.

What does the course involve?

This 2 day course will empower and prepare you and your birthing companion emotionally and physically for the birth. Based on a pre course questionnaire which you will both fill out, the course will be specifically tailored to meet you and your partners hopes and concerns.

What will you learn?

You will both learn :-

How to recognise and let go of fears
How to enter deep relaxation in seconds
Breathing exercises and body positions to aid the birthing process
Massage techniques
Decision making
Managing the medical team
The history and truth behind the so called “pain” of birth
The principles of Hypnosis
How hypnosis can benefit you during pregnancy, birth and beyond
Pain management techniques
How to write your own guided visualisation scripts

The course is very much designed as preparation for both the mother and her birthing companion. By attending the course as a mother you will benefit from learning how to:-

Overcome fear of birth
Dramatically reduce, even eliminate pain
Feel relaxed and calm at all times
Increase your energy and well being
Ensure good quality sleep
Increase bonding with your baby
Increase your sense of being in control
Reduced the need for intervention / drugs
Give birth to a calm, alert baby
Enjoy comfortable breastfeeding
Decrease the chance of postnatal depression

Your birthing companion will:-

Have a better understanding of the birthing process
Have the opportunity to discuss their fears, concerns and needs
Watch the mother let go of fears and learn to relax deeply
Learn effective ways to support and help her
Understand the medical approach to labour
Learn how to deal effectively with the medical team
Have an increased understanding to make informed choices and decisions
Learn how to help her have the birth that is right for her
Feel calmer and more relaxed about the forthcoming birth

How can hypnosis help prepare for birth?

By practicing Hypnosis daily before the birth, you are effectively “rehearsing” or "experiencing" your perfect birth over and over again in your mind, so that when the actual birth begins, your body responds in the way you have rehearsed it (similar to techniques used by top athletes) and as nature intended. In addition you are conditioning your body to be relaxed and calm no matter what is going on around you.

Therefore, your response during the birth is to remain relaxed, involved and in control, being conversant and aware of the experience. Being so relaxed leaves no room for the fear and tension, which are the main cause of pain. This calm state increases your natural pain killers (endorphins) and your blood flow, makes contractions more effective and so often reduces the need for intervention and the length of labour.

It is recommended that you attend a course between 28—34 weeks of pregnancy

How is this course different from others?

Antenatal courses focus on “ what is available ” - the theory of giving birth, hospital procedures, the kind of support and pain relief available and what to do when things that go wrong.

The Natal Hypnotherapy course is about how to have the birth experience that is right for you.

Learn practical and effective techniques
Prepare as an individual
Address your specific fears
Give the birth partner a clear role with practical, effective skills