What is HypnoBirthing? HypnoBirthing is a childbirth method that focuses on preparing parents for gentle birth.  In HypnoBirthing classes, you will learn proven techniques in a well-thought-out program of deep relaxation, visualization, and self-hypnosis. All of these are designed to help you achieve a more comfortable birth. HypnoBirthing encourages a calm, peaceful, and natural pregnancy, birth, and bonding experience for families.

How does HypnoBirthing differ from other childbirth preparation methods? Unlike other childbirth methods that teach you how to cope with and manage pain, HypnoBirthing is based on the premise that childbirth does not necessarily need to be painful if the mother is properly prepared and relaxed. When women understand that pain is caused by constrictor hormones, created by fear, they learn, instead, to release fear thus creating endorphins—the feel good hormones. They are then able to change their expectations of long, painful labor and are able to replace them with expectations of a more comfortable birthing.  Rather than exhausting, shallow breathing and the distraction techniques of typical “prepared childbirth” programs, HypnoBirthing parents learn deep abdominal breathing and total relaxation, enabling the laboring mother to work in harmony with her body and her baby. This allows her to achieve a shorter and more comfortable labor for herself and baby.

Will I be "out of it" when I use HypnoBirthing? No, absolutely not. With HypnoBirthing® (in fact, virtually all hypnosis), you are aware of what is going on around you but you can just 'tune out' the distractions.

I am scared of hypnosis and Hypnobirthing, is it safe? Hypnosis is absolutely safe and nothing to be scared of. Unfortunately, TV, film and stage portrayal of hypnosis has left a lot of people with a mistaken view of what hypnosis is, and what it can (and can't) do.

Can you guarantee a completely painful labor? No, there are many factors that affect pain at birth. Some of which are outside our control. Also like any childbirth preparation class, the success of the techniques is related to the amount of practice you put in. The remaining 5-10% usually falls into what we call 'special circumstances', where medical intervention is required. However, the HypnoBirthing® mums still tell us that HypnoBirthing® really helped - even if they were induced, or ended up with a caesarean. Remember - the aim of HypnoBirthing® is not a completely pain-free and picture-perfect 'natural' birth (although that is possible). It is to have a calmer, easier, more comfortable birth- where you are in control - and in a way that most mirrors Nature.

When should I start? Although the earlier you start the more time you have to practice, waiting until at least the 20 week stage will enable you to really feel your baby's response and interaction in the process (babies especially love the relaxation exercises and practice and you can really tell!)

I'm not sure I believe in hypnosis – and my partner definitely doesn't! I love hearing this because the biggest skeptics tend to become the biggest believers.  There is no particular belief system required for HypnoBirthing® or hypnosis in general.

Does my partner have to come? The course is designed for couples, although this could be a friend or someone else who can help you with your practice and possibly attend your birth.  I have taught mums whose partners are away and haven't been able to attend most of the classes or those without partners and, with their baby as their birth companion, they've had great births.

What if I have an induction or caesarean? HypnoBirthing® is not just about intervention-free, drug-less, wholly natural births.  The techniques learned are beneficial to any experience.  The preparation for birth itself and parenting is wonderful.  As is greater relaxation, enhanced bonding with the baby and the ability to be calm (and thus ensure a good supply of oxygen to your baby) in whatever choices you make or whichever turn your birth experience may take.

Will I be unconscious or will I remember my birth experience? Despite misconceptions and misinformation, you are definitely not unconscious during self-hypnosis. The HypnoBirthing mother is deeply relaxed, but she is also an active participant in the labor process.  Though she is deeply relaxed, she is totally aware and may return to a conversational state or choose to become mobile whenever she desires.  HypnoBirthing mothers often find that they experience time distortion and are not distracted by other people or their birthing environment, while they focus on their birthing and their baby.

Why Should I Do Yoga While I Am Pregnant? There are numerous benefits of Yoga for pregnant women, physical, mental and also spiritual. In a nutshell Pre-Natal Yoga is designed to give you a toolbox of techniques and methods for dealing with your pregnancy, your labor and even the stressful times of the first few days, weeks and months after the birth. People who complete Prenatal Yoga are better equipped to deal with the baby's delivery itself as well as the recovery period after the birth.

Is It Safe To Learn Yoga During Pregnancy? It is perfectly safe to start Yoga during your pregnancy provided you begin your class with a qualified Prenatal Yoga teacher. Prenatal Yoga is specifically designed for pregnancy because there are exercises and techniques in a regular Yoga session that are not appropriate for a pregnant woman. It's also recommended to wait until after the first trimester is complete before you commence a Yoga class as this first trimester is a time for babies to grow and develop, whereas later they will be increasing with size in preparation for the birth and the mother needs to take advantage of the opportunity Yoga presents to ease this process. Talk to your instructor about your pregnancy before the class begins so you can be sure that they understand anything unique to your pregnancy that may require exercises to be modified(for instance women carrying twins are encouraged not to do squatting exercises).

How Will Yoga Benefit Me Physically? Yoga is a discipline which is designed to regulate the blood flow and breathing as well as strengthen the body in general. All of these factor in the benefits to pregnant women. Blood flow is of course critical in ensuring that your body is getting all the nutrients and oxygen to all the organs that need it. It's possible for baby to get greedy and hog these resources, or the opposite could happen and the baby is deprived of what is needed to grow. The increased strength will help deal with the delivery by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. This can potentially shorten the duration of labor and it will definitely decrease the time it takes for the vaginal passage to recover from the birth. There is even strong evidence that the increased blood flow to the skin will assist in avoiding and/or recovering from stretch marks.

Should I keep doing Yoga after the Birth? Why not? You will keep getting all the benefits discussed above and more. You will probably want to go to at least one standard yoga class, as these can be quite different than the prenatal Yoga. Of course life can be quite hectic with a new baby so the opportunities to attend formal classes are probably going to be few and far between. Luckily one of the biggest benefits of Yoga as an exercise regime is that it doesn't require specialized equipment, so it's possible to do in the comfort of your own home during those few precious moments when your baby is asleep.

What is the recommend time to take the class, 1st 2nd or 3rd trimester? It is recommended to start pre-natal yoga as soon as possible. For some, this will be right when they find out. For others, they may need to wait until they are past morning sickness, especially if they are feeling it severely and all the time. It really depends on how the individual feels.

What should I wear? Loose, comfortable clothing that you can move around in.