Hypnobirthing & Antenatal Course Dates & Booking

 FAQS

When should I join the course?

My group hypnobirthing & complete birth preparation courses are best attended during the second or third trimester of your pregnancy, so anytime from week 14 onwards. I have have folks attend right up to 36 weeks, and still benefited too (but if you can before that!)

Where is the course held:

Address: The Green, Acomb, York,YO26 5LR (Parking all day is easy, free and unrestricted on all streets around the venue). Also on bus routes from the city centre, and a short ride from the city rail station.

It’s a private, quiet, tranquil, warm and welcoming space.

Who can come to the course:

If you are in a couple, then both partners to come along if possible.

If you are a solo parent then you are welcome on your own, or with someone who’ll be your birth partner like a friend, family member or a Doula.

If you are a surrogate then both parents are welcome to come along with you. I hope to be an inclusive as possible, and I welcome and support all mothers and birthing people, however they identify, and all partnerships between parents to be. If you have any questions, or want to let me know in advance what would make you feel more comfortable, then please do let me know.

what to do cover on the course?:

There is SO much, but here’s an overview for you. My course is a blend of easy-to-digest and understand science (neuroscience, biology and psychology) , evidence-based research and practical skills and techniques. All presented in a friendly, fun and relaxed way that puts the birthing person and the birth partner right at the centre of everything.

1. Understanding Birth & It’s Many Influences

We look at what hypnosis actually is (it’s not swinging pocket watches and ‘look into my eyes’!) and how and why we use it in hypnobirthing. How mammals give birth, and how to understand our own human bodies better. You’ll get a real understanding of our nervous system and how this is so crucial in labour to be able to feel more comfortable, experience less pain and discomfort and also to eliminate any fear or worry you have about birth.

2. Learning The Skills

Learning how the mind affects the body and how external influences hugely affect your mind. You then are then shown a full compliment of techniques and skills: Breathing techniques, guided relaxation, visualisations for labour, positive affirmations, massage including light touch, ‘shaking the apples’ and ‘hip squeeze’ for discomfort in the back, aromatherapy for labour and birth, Active Birth and movement (so vital). And how to become the very best birth partner - so you move from a ‘by stander’ to a really key role in the birth of your baby. My course really gives the birth partner a strong role, and shows how and what they can do all through labour.

3. Giving Birth and The Birth Environment

We explore your options of where to give birth, how to set up your birthspace (home, hospital and birth centre), the importance of the birth partner (so you can be a real ‘dream team’ together). Also looking at the importance of Active Birth positions and looking at biomechanics and movement in labour. Plus what to do in pregnancy to help your baby be in the best position in late pregnancy - Optimal Foetal Positioning for baby. We’ll look at the whole process of labour and how you can use the techniques you’ve learned throughout, and what you birth partner can do throughout too. We’ll discuss pain relief and comfort measures you may like to consider.

We’ll also explore all things birth plans and preferences, for all types of birth (including induction and caesareans).

4. When Things Don’t Go To Plan

Here we explore how to have the best birth for you and your baby, if things aren’t quite as you’d hoped or expected. We’ll look at due dates and post-term birth, looking at induction of labour, Breech babies, through to Caesarean births. And the importance of using your newly learnt hypnobirthing skills in ALL situations. We also look at any specifc special circumstances the group wants to cover. We also run through the skills to make positive decisions both in of advance or during labour, and knowing your rights, as well as how to work with your medical and care team in a really positive way..

5. One baby arrives - now what? The postnatal bit.

We look at the ‘Golden Hour’ immediately after birth and why it’s so important, and optimal cord clamping as well as what happens when you birth your placenta. And you have access for as long as you want to my Fourth Trimester Online Course resource. Where I cover feeding baby, baby sleep, your feelings post birth, relationships and birth trauma support.

All is created with the purpose of infusing your journey through pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood with enhanced calmness, positively and confidence.

During this course, you will…

◦ Learn to release your fears and doubts surrounding childbirth and beyond
◦ Learn to strengthen your mind-body connection with guided relaxation and self-hypnosis
◦ Learn to manage special circumstances that may occur
◦ Learn to create your ideal birth space (wherever you birth your baby)
◦ Learn how to move through the phases of labor and birth with calmness and confidence
◦ Learn how to use movement and active birth positions in an instinctive way
◦ Learn to practice effective relaxation techniques (e.g massage, acupressure, aromatherapy etc.)
◦ Learn simple but brilliantly effective breathing techniques
◦ Learn to work with your care team in a positive and empowering way
◦ Learn to produce your own birth preferences and plan(s)
◦ Learn how to connect with your own mothers intuition
◦ And so much more!

By the end of this unique course you’ll feel fully prepared and empowered to move through the rest of your pregnancy, labour and birth and transition to motherhood with courage, self-compassion, well-rounded knowledge and a deep sense of connection and excitement.

Who can I bring with me to the course?

You can be accompanied by who you choose. Ideally your birth partner - which could be your partner, or your mum, your sister, a friend, your doula. Or you can come solo and be warmly welcomed. Whichever works best for you..

I have also taught a number of surrogates, in which case or you can come with both surrogate parents if you want to (no extra charge). Same sex couples are of course very welcome, and the course material is inclusive to all parents. And if you have a preference as to gender neutral or gender inclusive pronouns you would like me to use please just let me know. Everyone is warmly welcomed.