What is hypnobirthing anyway?
Hypnobirthing is a method of birth preparation, often delivered in a four-week course, aimed at informing you about many aspects of pregnancy and birth so you can feel more confident, empowered and positive in your pregnancy, labour and beyond. Some of what you’ll learn on my course: about the physiology of birth (i.e. anatomy, nervous system, hormones) so you understand how you can feel more comfortable in labour; how to make informed decisions and why this is so important; what you might expect in birth (including inductions and caesareans) and what you can do along the way to support yourself (birth positions, relaxation techniques, how your partner can support you, etc.).
How does hypnobirthing work?
We can’t reap the benefits of something we don’t completely understand; therefore, your scepticism (if you have any) is welcome. My goal on the course (as well as to make all this fun and interesting) is to answer all of your questions and explain HOW hypnobirthing works so you can make it work for you, but if I had to summarise...
Hypnobirthing works by building your confidence and shifting your mindset to help you better cope with any difficulties and have a more positive experience. Through information, lots of practice, planning for different outcomes and yes, self-hypnosis (which is very similar to a relaxing guided meditation), you’ll be able to tap into your inner strength more easily. Not every birth is straightforward and we all have different preferences, but I do believe hypnobirthing can help you feel more empowered and comfortable in your pregnancy and birth.
FAQ’s
When should I start your hypnobirthing course?
It's often recommended to book a course after your 20th week scan. 24-28 weeks is an ideal time to begin. Whenever you take the course, you’ll find it helpful, but the more time you have to practice the better! From 36 weeks, you may find it more helpful to do a private course so you can complete it more quickly. If you go into labour before your course begins, you'll get a full refund.
Why should I do a course with you?
I've been teaching yoga since 2011 and hypnobirthing since 2019, and I also have a BSc in Human Biology from the University of California, San Diego. I absolutely love my work and am a fully commited hypnobirthing and yoga teacher who spends a lot of time furthering my education and revising my courses to be the best I can offer. You'll never find a cookie cutter course from a larger organisation here. I question everything and try to give you the most up-to-date info.
What kind of things can I expect?
Once you enrol and pay your deposit, you'll receive five KGHypnobirthing mp3s so you can begin practicing right away. You'll receive a book (Your Baby, Your Birth by Hollie de Cruz), a couple small but mighty gifts, free access to The Birth Uprising's online course and the KGHypnobirthing parent's folder on the first day of the course.
You'll continue to have my support until your "fourth" trimester, and you'll also have a private, one-hour Zoom session with me so we can go over additional info and recap the most important bits before your birth. I'm always available for you!
Each session includes a break - if we're in person that means tea and biscuits!
Also, expect to enjoy the sessions! I've often had sceptical partners tell me they were surprised to enjoy the course.
What does your hypnobirthing course cover?
This is a complete antenatal programme.
• the mind, the physiology of the body (nervous system, anatomy and hormones) and how it all interacts. This bit is mind-blowing. Your body is incredible.
• how we can affect the mind and body through deep relaxations, visualisations, breathwork, massage, etc to help you feel more comfortable in labour (anytime, really).
• postitions in pregnancy and birth and other ways you can help your body and baby work more smoothly together. This is so important and an essential skill lost with the increase of recumbant births (lying on the back, though there is a time and place for this too - we'll discuss).
• the importance of being informed and being a part of the decision-making team for you and your baby’s care. It's not often easy questioning a healthcare provider, but they are held to hospital protocols and in my experience what they would do is not always what they're suggesting you to do.
• what you can expect: how labour might begin and progress, what practices you might use and when, places of birth and types of birth, etc. so you can feel as prepared as possible and get started writing your own birth preferences.
• what happens after your baby is born, especially that very important first hour after, and in those first several weeks with your baby.
Do I need to bring anything?
You don’t need to have anything other than a notebook and pen (you’ll also be provided with a set of notes you can write on if you wish).
Should I bring my partner?
Your birth partner (anyone you want present at your birth) has an important role in all of this, so I do recommend they join. They will come away feeling more confident and knowledgable, and also feel more involved and very much a part of your birth. You are welcome (and will be fully supported) if you choose to take the course on your own as well.
Even with a degree in human biology and as a longtime yoga teacher, there was so much about pregnancy and birth that I didn’t know. Two babies later and as a hypnobirthing instructor, I see the incredible benefits that come with filling that gap in knowledge. Knowing the physiology of your body-your hormones, your nervous system, your anatomy-is hugely confidence building on its own, but we also look at how you can positively affect these natural systems to help your body birth more comfortably (and what might inhibit them). We also consider the choices you may come across in pregancy and birth so you feel informed and in control of your
experience, with the support of your birth partner if you choose to have one. They will learn to be an advocate for you and become an integral part of the experience, in a way that can be truly bonding and deeply comforting to both of you. A healthy baby is one of the most important things, but I believe that equal importance should be placed on how you feel during and after birth which can have a big impact on your feelings toward birth, your mental health and/or your bond with your baby. While birth may not always go to plan, the whole of your experience from beginning to end should be considered, caring and empowering, and I hope you experience just that.