hypnobirthing & antenatal course 1-1
Rayleigh, Essex

With birth I just wanted to go with the flow....

During pregnancy, I was taking on so much NEW information- all of the do's and don'ts of pregnancy, on top of preparing to welcome a newborn into the family and questioning how to navigate this alongside my career. So when I did have a moment to myself (in-between snacking or my 'all-day' sickness),  I didn't want to think about birth. I didn't like the idea of it, and definitely didn't feel like I had the brain space left plan for it. I just wanted nature to do its thing and for me to go with the flow...... But I am so glad that I did, because birth is powerful, but when you know all of your options and are fully informed about possible challenges, then so are you! 

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Hypnobirthing can help everyone, regardless of birth preferences and pain relief choices. Whether you are planning a home birth, or whether you want to learn how to cope at home in early labour, in the car on the way, or whilst you are waiting to be seen at hospital. With a local induction rate of 36%* and cesarean rate of nearly 42%* it's really important to me that you are fully informed and know how you can use hypnobirthing no matter what path your birth takes, for an empowering experience (*Southend Hospitals February 2024 Statistics).

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I compare it to my wedding day...  I wanted to be able to go with the flow on that day as well, which I did, but it took a lot of planning...  and everything was planned out ahead of time so on the big day, I didn't have to worry about... what to wear, how to do my hair, my make-up.  I had my team of bridesmaids knowing where everyone needs to be, along with all the back-up plans (like what if it rained...). Allowing me to just go with the flow- soaking up those magical feelings of love, excitement and happiness throughout the day. The last thing I wanted to be doing on my wedding day is making any last minute decisions with my husband-to-be because something didn't go to plan.

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Like the weather of a British Summer, birth is also unpredictable..... but you can approach it empowered with knowledge, with you and your birth partner armed with your tool-kit of calming techniques for a more comfortable birth, knowing what you can control, whilst being able to let go of what you can't. You would have already discussed with your birth partner the 'what ifs' and be aware of all of your choices and options. There may still be things that come up that you need to discuss or make a decision about, but this will be coming from a place of calm, instead of panic. For me, the power is not in the actual birth plan itself, it's in the process of becoming educated and the conversations you have with your birth partner when writing it... making it more likely for you to be able to go with the flow on the day.