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Hypnobirthing means the use of hypnosis or hypnotherapy for childbirth
What is hypnosis/hypnotherapy?
Hypnosis is a very natural state and everyone can be hypnotised, as long as they consent to be. You may be surprised to know that we all experience a hypnotic state every day of our lives. Every time you fall asleep and every time you wake up, you pass through the same brainwave patterns that you experience under hypnosis. Day dreaming is a form of self hypnosis. A good example of this would be the times when you have driven your car on a familiar journey, and arrived at your destination with no memory of certain parts of the route that you have just driven along. Your subconscious mind took over the process of driving whilst your conscious mind wandered. During hypnosis the subconscious mind is open to positive suggestions which can help you make positive changes in the way that you think, feel and behave.
What are the benefits of hypnobirthing?
By learning about the process of birth, learning self hypnosis, and using visualisations, affirmations and breathing techniques to help you remain calm and relaxed during labour and the birth of your baby, you increase the likelihood of a 'natural' and positive birth experience for both you, your partner and of course your baby.
Some of the benefits of hypnobirthing are:
- Shorter length of labour.
- Reduction in need for medication/pain relief drugs.
- Reduction in need for intervention.
- Quicker recovery time.
- Reduction in post natal depression.
- Calmer and more positive labour and birth experience for mum, dad and baby.
- Baby tends to have a higher Apgar score.
- Calmer more 'chilled' out baby.
- Father feels more involved.
How do I learn how to use hypnobirthing?
Option 1: You can chose to buy Hypnobirthing CD's and listen to them at home. This is bar far the cheapest option if you are on a restrictive budget. The CD's will be generic and you may doubt if you are doing it 'properly'. For many they are perfectly adequate though.
Option 2: If you chose to learn with a hypnotherapist, chose one that specialises in hypnosis for childbirth as they will have received extra training. They will teach you self hypnosis and help you release your fears and concerns, and feel more confident in your body's natural ability to birth you baby. They will probably see you for 2 to 4 sessions of approx. an hour to 2 hours in length. The cost will usually be in the region of £50 to £60 per session, but this may vary from one area to another. You will be seen individually, the sessions will be tailor made to your requirements and you may be able to include your birth partner if your hypnotherapist is happy to.
Option 3: You can chose to learn with a hypnobirthing teacher. Hypnobirthing teachers are not trained hypnotherapists but have learnt how to apply hypnosis to childbirth. They have also learnt to teach in a more ante natal class format, with more background information on the process of birth. This 'education' will help you to understand what is happening to your body and how hypnobirthing can help you to work with your body and your natural responses to the sensations experienced during labour and birth. You will also learn about what options are available to you for place of birth/ health care provider, how to inform your care provider of your preferences, breathing techniques, massage techniques, expectations for a 'normal' birth, preparation for breast feeding and so on. You can chose to attend classes, either on your own, as a couple or in a group setting. Again prices vary but may range between approx. £250 and £400 per course which covers between 10 and 12 hours tuition for both you and your partner.
About Me
Having used hypnotherapy myself, for the birth of my third and fourth children, I now feel strongly that all expectant women should be aware of the benefits of self hypnosis and how it can help them to achieve a calm and relaxed birthing experience. By learning self hypnosis, you too can learn how to remain calm and in control throughout labour and birth, and allow your body to do what it is so beautifully designed for.
My background was banking and insurance, which I left back in 1995 when I had my first daughter. I was very lucky to be able to be a stay at home mum until my youngest started playgroup and I began to think about returning to work. I had no desire to return to bookkeeping and accounts work and was so inspired by my own experience of hypnosis for birth, I decided to train with a company that had been highly recommended to me. I completed my training in October 2009 and I am now a qualified and fully insured hypnotherapist, registered with the National Hypnotherapy Society who have a strict code of ethics. I hold a Diploma (with distinction) in Hypnotherapy and Counselling Skills, a qualification that has been accredited by the Royal College of Nursing and the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council. To verify my credentials please go to www.chrysaliscourses.co.uk.
As soon as I had qualified I attended a CPD course for Pregnancy and Childbirth and since then have enjoyed working with many ladies and couples. I have since trained to become a breast buddy, which is a breast feeding peer supporter and I now volunteer at local breast feeding drop ins. I have also become an active committee member of both the Maidstone branch of the NCT and the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Maternity Services Liaison Committee, aka Birth Voices. Ever keen to further my knowledge and help as many ladies as possible, I have recently attended another CPD course for Hypnosis for Fertility as well as becoming a member of the Hypnobirthing Association and attending a Hypnobirthing Teacher Training course with it's founder, Katharine Graves.
I have spent nearly three years working with a wide variety of clients, helping them with issues such as stress and anxiety, public speaking confidence, weight loss, quit smoking, fears and phobias and much more, which I found to be very rewarding. However, I have now decided to focus my attention on helping clients with fertility, pregnancy and birth as this is the area that is closest to my heart.
Classes
If you decide to learn Hypnobirthing with me I would be happy to have a chat with you on the phone to discuss your requirements. I am in the process of adapting my way of working to fit in more with the training that I have received as a Hypnobirthing Teacher and, as my experience and knowledge grows, I hope to start to host group classes for couples in the near future.
I am happy to see you individually or as a couple and currently offer 3 sessions of approx. 2 hours each at a total cost of £180. This will include a copy of Katharine Graves' book, The Hypnobirthing Book and CD's to use at home.
For the past year or so I have also been offering small group classes for first time mum's. Due to lack of space this is for ladies only and is best suited to ladies with no particular issues but who are just apprehensive about the unknown and who would like to learn how to feel more relaxed and in control. These weekly classes take place over 3 weeks in my own home and last for approx. 1 to 2 hours each, at a total cost of £95 per person.
Venues
Daytime and evening appointments are available on Wednesday's at Barham Court Business Centre, Teston, Kent. ME18 5BZ.
Daytime appointments are available on Saturday's at Southcote ProActive Healthcare, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent. ME14 5ES.
Ladies only group classes take place on Tuesday's or Thursday's in my own home on Kings Hill, near West Malling, Kent. For dates/times of courses for 2013 please contact me.
Service Categories
Hypnobirthing
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