My own 'hypno babies'
About Ellen
Hypnobirthing helped me navigate three very different births, which included an emergency caesarean, forceps delivery and a natural water birth where I was able to remain calm, in control and came away feeling each one was a positive experience.
I love to meditate and follow Buddhist philosophy and teachings so my courses are sprinkled with mindfulness techniques which I feel are so valuable for birth and life in general. I am so passionate about hypnobirthing because I know it works.
My background is in Occupational Therapy and mental health and I currently volunteer with SHOUT, supporting people in mental health crisis.
Talking is powerful and healing. I want you to know that I am with you through your pregnancy and after. I offer birth debriefs for those that want it.
Hypnobirthing is for ALL births.
Whether you are wanting a homebirth, a waterbirth in a midwife led centre or if you prefer to birth in a hospital setting, hypnobirthing is for you.
A hypnobirthing course is a full antenatal course which will equip you with all the evidence based information you need to make choices that are right for you and your baby.
Hypnobirthing helped me through an emergency caesarean at 10cm, a forceps delivery following natural pain relief methods during the labour, breathing, positioning and water, and then thirdly a natural water birth. Throughout all 3 births I was able to remain calm, in control and came away feeling each one was a positive experience. I firmly believe that hypnobirthing and my mindset protected me from a traumatic experience and laid the best start to my postnatal journeys and my mental health.
Your birth prep is up to YOU.
Hypnobirthing will leave you feeling informed, calm and excited for your birth and ready to take on any challenges that may come your way.
FAQS
What is hypnobirthing?
Let's start with the name because I know for some it can be misleading. Although it may sound a bit 'woo woo', rest assured the practise is based in evidence and science and my clients have many 'light bulb' moments throughout the course.
But what about the 'hypno' part?
Don't worry, hypnobirthing is nothing like stage hypnosis you may have seen on television or in a show. At no point will you be under anyone's control or quacking madly around the birth room!
The hypnosis used in hypnobirthing is self hypnosis. Which means you are ALWAYS fully in control. Hypnobirthing is a beautiful form of deep relaxation for your mind and body that uses specialised breathing techniques, visualisations and a range of audio MP3s. It provides you with a toolbox that you can pick and choose from during birth.
When you are in this deeply relaxed state, you can fully access your subconscious mind and root out those fears or misconceptions you may have around birth in order to build a very positive, empowering and more helpful birth mindset. This can have a huge impact on how your birth unfolds.
Who is hypnobirthing suitable for?
Hypnobirthing is a full birth preparation course suitable for anyone who is ideally between 20 - 36 weeks pregnant. Of course you can do the course on your own depending on your situation but if you do have a birth partner then ideally you will do it together. Birth partners have a huge role to play during your labour and birth and hypnobirthing will get them fully clued up, excited and ready to be your advocate and rock during your birth.
Together you will learn all about the birthing process, including a full understanding of physiological birth, what helps a birth to go more smoothly and what hinders the process. You will build a sound knowledge of when interventions may be necessary and when they are not, and how to make decisions that are best for you and your baby throughout your pregnancy, labour and birth.
You will learn ALL of your options because it's so true that if you don't know your options then you don't have any. Hypnobirthing is for EVERY birth, whether you are planning a homebirth or an elective caesarean and for all births in between, the skills and knowledge you will gather will be invaluable.
Are you wondering if it will make your birth pain free?
The simple answer is no because I would never promise you that (although it certainly is possible), but what I will promise you is that your whole understanding of the pain in labour will change and this will change your experience of it.
I will also equip you with breathing and massage techniques. I will give you an understanding of how movement and positions can provide great comfort measures, as well as making your birth go more smoothly.
Such a huge part of hypnobirthing is about creating a positive and confident mindset so that you will feel like you can handle anything that comes your way. This in itself will transform your experience of labour pain.
