Preparation for Birth Hypnobirthing 4 week Course

This course is suitable for women who may undergo induction of labour, or an assisted birth.

“We have found that even when a mum does not have a perfect birth, as things do not always go on plan, and they have ended up having to have a caesarean section, for example, they have used the techniques to remain calm and this has helped them be aware throughout and engaged with the arrival of their baby.”

Terri Gavin-Jones – creator of Hypnobirthing For Midwives

The Pros

• Reduces pain and length of labour.
• Reduces your need for medication and intervention.
• Increases your chances of a faster recovery.
• Makes babies calmer at birth.
• Can make breastfeeding easier.
• Fewer cases of post-natal depression.
• Babies are more alert and have a higher Apgar score.
• Highly beneficial for relaxing mums during caesarean sections.

My aim is for women and their partners to achieve a calm comfortable birth experience.

This essential preparation for birth course offers perfect blend of the physiological process of birthing and the relaxation techniques to assist the body in experiencing a more comfortable birth.

This course assists in:

• Helping you to relax and allow birth to happen.
• Teaches you essential birth preparation that enables you to release any anxiety or fear around birth, and to approach it with confidence.
• Gives you the support to feel mentally and emotionally stronger to believe in your body and what it is designed to do.
• Enabling you to feel in control of your birth, whatever route it takes.

What are the benefits of Hypnobirthing?

“When the woman is relaxed, her brain wave pattern moves from beta – fully alert, through to alpha – restful, into theta – hypnosis. During theta, the mind is much more receptive to suggestion. So, even if the conscious brain believes that birth is painful, the subconscious brain can alter that thought pattern.”

Partners have also found it has been hugely helpful in educating them on how to help their loved one as they go through labour.

“It means they can be far more involved in the process. They learn about how to make the room a comfortable environment, about hormones and also massage techniques.

The Cons:

• Perception is that not everyone can do it.
• It takes months of practice, preparation and dedication.
• Birth is unpredictable and you may not get to use the techniques unexpectedly.

Who is the course taught by?

This comprehensive hypnobirth course is taught by Nina Parnham, a Midwife and Hypnobirth practitioner. Nina’s skills as a clinician coupled with specialist training in antenatal education, active birth and hypnobirth provide the ultimate course. The course is unique in 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

What will I learn from the course?

• 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 Cycle
• 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

Your Commitment

Hypnobirth requires practice. Please be aware there will be techniques to learn and practice in between classes. The programme is 8 hours of face to face teaching plus 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

Make giving birth your greatest achievement.

Private Course Price – 4 weeks £500 per couple

• This is a private course for you and your birth partner.
• Includes 160 page handbook so you can practice the techniques at home
• You will need to bring your own refreshments/snacks, your own mats x2 and pillows x2 and either purchase/borrow from a friend a birthing ball (needed by week 3) and have a long scarf available for the practical sessions.

Course Price – Group sessions for a maximum of 4 couples – £250 per couple

• This course can also be run in a group for you and your birth partner alongside up to 3 other couples.
• Includes 160 page handbook so you can practice the techniques at home
• You will need to bring your own refreshments/snacks, your own mats x2 and pillows x2 and either purchase/borrow from a friend a birthing ball (needed by week 3) and have a long scarf available for the practical sessions.

Just need a refresher?

For those who have already completed the course during a previous pregnancy. This is a private session for couples. It includes a practical session on teaching your birth partner a full back massage, so you can use these techniques to relax you at home. Does not include Handbook.

£150 (Per couple) – Duration – 2 hours

This is highly personalised sound investment with a highly qualified midwife who can answer all of your questions and fully prepare you.

Please email Nina with your name, contact number, due date and whether you are a first time mum and if you have had any other antenatal education.