Calm and relaxed-"the most empowering thing I've ever done!"
Why:
As a first time "mum to be", I was scared of the unknown and worried that I might be reduced to a jibbering wreck in the delivery room, so I signed up to a "Wise Hippo Hypnobirthing Course", in the hope that they could help me!
Labour:
A few weeks later, whilst watching “The Real Housewives of New Jersey”, I started to get slight pains which felt like period cramps. My husband and I went for a walk, about 5 mins down the road. On the way back, I had a contraction, then another and another. Very quickly, only about 3 walking steps apart. With each one I stopped and swayed, doing my “Waves of Relaxation.”
The birth:
In the car, on the way to the hospital, I focussed on my breathing exercises and being “calm and relaxed”. It wasn’t hard at all. On arrival at Stepping Hill Hospital, I was suprised and excited to be told I was already 10cm dilated. I remember thinking "I’m ready to see my baby, I only have a bit of discomfort and tons of energy left in the tank. I can easily do this!” 20 mins later, my son was born, alert but calm.
From start to finish, my labour was 3 hrs and 8 mins. My husband told me later, that because I was delivering 8 weeks early, the room was flooded with people, frantically running around trying to get everything ready. I had no knowledge of any of the chaos, as I was eyes closed, focussed on staying calm and relaxed by using techniques such as "The Sea of Serenity". I was never scared, and I absolutely knew throughout that I could do it - a massive contrast to the jibbering wreck that started the course!
I was so proud of myself for birthing my baby naturally and without any pain relief. It is definatly the most empowering thing I have ever done. Afterwards I felt like I could do anything and I knew I had to help other pregnant women feel the same.
And now:
So now, rather than teaching secondary school children, I teach "mums to be" that with a bit of help they have the ability to do anything!



As a hypnobirthing practitioner....
Inspired by the experience of birthing my own child, I am fully committed to improving the birthing experience for all women.
I will teach you techniques to help you stay focussed during labour so you are able to distance yourself from any discomfort. In fact some mothers are able to achieve a completely pain free birth!
The knowledge you will gain will help you to feel confident about making the choices that are right for you and your baby.
As a Drama Teacher.....
Before becoming a qualified Hypnobirthing practitioner, I worked for many years as a Head of Drama in a Secondary School. Here I developed the communication skills and techniques for leading successful Hypnobirthing sessions.
My confidence and ability as an educator means that I can remove barriers and break the ice, and make everyone feel involved. That said, I promise there won't be any "Drama games!"
As a mother....
I feel the benefits of hypnobirthing long after my son's actual birth, as Hypnobirthed babies:
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Are often more relaxed and calm (meaning that they cry less!)
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Often adjust better to new surroundings.
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Often eat and and sleep better.
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Are often more confident.
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Often have less colic and digestive problems.
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Often establish breastfeeding more easily.