Hypnobirthing
Hypnobirthing uses breathing and relaxation methods to help you relax and go through the natural process of giving birth gently, calmly and in many instances without medication.
What is Hypnobirthing and how does it work?
Hypnobirthing is a complete
antenatal programme focussing on a combination of education,
self-hypnosis & deep relaxation to help achieve a more
comfortable birth. Hypnobirthing gives parents all the tools they
need to minimise the fear-tension-pain cycle, resulting in shorter,
more comfortable births.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srIa0RksSXc&feature=youtu.be
Who is it for?
From the confident to the
apprehensive; from first-time mums to those who have experienced
difficult previous births and caesarean births, Hypnobirthing is
confidence-building, and teaches gentle birth techniques that can
benefit just about anyone who is planning birth. Hypnobirth is for
all births.
Hear couples talk about how
hypnobirth has influenced their thoughts, perspectives and
attitudes to labour in this video,
produced for our colleagues at Colchester Hospital. We use
the same method of teaching in our classes.
What does a Hypnobirth class involve?

Here at Southend Hospital we
are introducing a comprehensive hypnobirth course taught by
midwives who are hypnobirth practitioners. Our skills as clinicians
coupled with specialist training in antenatal education, active
birth and Hypnobirth provide a unique course offering:
- Understanding the process of labour and working with the
body
- How to break the fear/tension/pain cycle
- Top tips for birth partners
- How to achieve an active birth
- Practice positions, Rebozo and massage for labour
- Breathing and visualisation techniques for labour
- How the environment influences labour
- Hormones and their effect on birth
You will learn:
- Everything you need to know to achieve a more comfortable
birth
- To explore the relationship with pain and labour and learn to
work with sensations
- Techniques of deep relaxation to help you eliminate the
Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome
- The role of hormones in labour and their impact on
birth
- How you and your birthing companion can create a birthing
environment that is calm and serene rather than tense and
stressful
- Breathing techniques
- To use relaxation techniques that will be essential for any
birth
Birth Partners will learn:
- Massage/rebozo skills
- How to create a relaxing birth room
- Quick techniques to slow her breathing
- Techniques to deepen relaxation
- How to use visualization scripts
Feedback
Visit our feedback page to hear what
participants say about our course.
How much does it cost?
The charge for 10 hours of
instruction is £100, payable in advance. This will provide four 2.5
hour sessions with a small group of participants, either evenings
(7pm-9.30pm) or weekends. Included in the course will be practice
scripts and supporting hand outs.
We recommend you also
purchase the supporting parents workbook (available from Amazon). There
is also a more comprehensive book by
'hypnobirthmidwivesuk', available here.
There are also audio scripts that
accompany the course and can be previewed and
downloaded (please note these are zip files designed for
download to a PC and then transferred to your audio device - please
see FAQ section on how this should be
done).
Your Commitment
Hypnobirth requires
practice. Please be aware there will be techniques to learn and
practice in between classes. Demand for classes is high and there
is usually a waiting list. Please make your enquiries early (after
16 weeks gestation). If you choose to hypnobirth you will not need
to attend our set of standard antenatal classes.
BEFORE you book hypnobirth
BEFORE you book, please
consider the following:
Hypnobirth is a training
program that requires practice. We will ask you and your birth
partner to commit to practice sessions at home. These will
include:
For the women
Surge breathing practice
Writing affirmations
Listening to the hypnosis relaxation daily to maximize post
hypnotic suggestions
Optimal baby positioning
For the birth partner
Learning the breathing
techniques to assist in labour
Using deepening techniques that we will show you in class
Using relaxation anchors
Using relaxation scripts
Understanding the importance of the birth environment and creating
a calm birth room
Light touch massage and positions for upright birth
Please be prepared to do
some work in between classes. Hypnobirth will only work with
practice and commitment. If you feel you cannot commit to the work
you may want to consider a standard antenatal class.
What next?
If you are interested in our
hypnobirthing courses, please email us on hypnobirthing@southend.nhs.uk
providing your name, hospital number and due
date. We will get back to you within 7 days to confirm
available dates.
We recommend that you start
your course between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, to
give time to complete the course and practice the techniques.
We anticipate that places will be booked up quickly, so its best to
contact us to book your place once you reach 16 weeks.
We look forward to seeing you!