What is hypnobirthing?
Live online or in person courses available
What Are Hypnobirthing Classes Really Like?
Affirmations in the house
Calm Birth Preparation, Birth Confidence & Why More Parents Are Choosing Hypnobirthing
Whenever I tell people that I teach hypnobirthing classes, I usually get one of several reactions.
The most common is a slightly confused:
“Oh…”
Sometimes followed by silence.
Other people look intrigued but cautious, as though they’re trying to work out whether hypnobirthing is:
meditation
chanting
hypnosis
breathing exercises
or perhaps a cult involving whale music and crystals.
(For the record: none of the above.)
And then there are the people who become genuinely curious and start asking questions about what hypnobirthing actually is and how hypnobirthing classes work.
I love those conversations the most.
Because once people properly understand what hypnobirthing really involves, it suddenly makes a lot more sense why so many parents say it completely transformed how they felt about birth.
What Is the ‘hypno’ bit?
The word “hypnobirthing” honestly doesn’t do itself many favours.
The “hypno” part can make it sound a little intimidating, overly alternative or a bit witchy woo. But it refers to learning self hypnosis which is a deeply relaxed state we are all in at least twice a day. That moment you wake up but aren’t fully awake, or the moment before you go to sleep. Even arriving somewhere in the car and having no memory of how you got there. When we can access this state on command, we can deeply get into our birthing zone, let our muscles do their job and work with our bodies rather than against them to help baby be born more comfortably for them and for you.
Hypnobirthing classes are actually very practical, evidence-based birth preparation courses designed to help parents:
understand how birth works
reduce fear and anxiety around labour
learn relaxation and breathing techniques
understand their birth choices and options
feel calmer and more confident during pregnancy and birth
At its core, hypnobirthing is really about understanding the connection between the mind and body during labour.
Your happy place is always accessible!
Because when we feel safe, calm and supported, the body generally works far more efficiently than when we feel frightened, tense or overwhelmed.
Why I Chose Hypnobirthing Classes During Pregnancy
I actually discovered hypnobirthing completely by chance.
I was listening to the NCT lady talk about pain relief options and she mentioned hypnobirthing as a tool and then moved on.. I asked more questions about it but she said she didn’t really cover that in her course.
I wasn’t looking forward to giving birth at all and I was still suffering anxiety so much so that I had to have therapy. Like many pregnant women, I carried a lot of fear around birth. I didn’t want to spend nine months feeling anxious every time I thought about labour. So after the NCT class, I immediately googled hypnobirthing, found a class and signed up!
My husband did not want to go… I had to drag him kicking and screaming but actually, he was impressed and felt like he learnt a lot and felt more prepared to support me than he expected to feel. What stood out to me most was learning:
how the mind and body work together
why fear can affect labour
how understanding birth physiology changes your experience
how to feel more in control and informed
That felt logical to me — not fluffy.
Are Hypnobirthing Classes Just Breathing Exercises?
This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions about hypnobirthing.
Yes, breathing techniques are included.
But hypnobirthing classes are about so much more than simply “breathing through contractions”. You can’t just tell your body to relax and it does. You need to work and embed the techniques so they become second nature.
A good hypnobirthing course usually covers:
how labour works physiologically
the role of hormones during birth
birth partner support
labour positions and comfort measures
medical and non-medical pain relief
induction and interventions
hypnobirthing is for ALL births - even elected C Sections
understanding choices and options
creating a calm birth environment
reducing fear and tension
relaxation techniques for pregnancy and birth
Birth partners know how to support properly
My courses also include:
after care for as long as you’d like
preparing for your new normal as a team and work on protecting your relationship - yes - the bit nobody ever talks about but the bit you need most after baby comes!
Many couples say the biggest shift isn’t physical at all.
It’s emotional.
They stop viewing birth as something terrifying and begin understanding it as something they can prepare for calmly and confidently.
Why Relaxation Matters During Birth
One of the most important things hypnobirthing teaches is why relaxation matters during labour.
There are 8 MP3s included in the course
Understanding the science behind it changes everything.
When we feel frightened or stressed, the body produces stress hormones which can affect how we experience pain, tension and discomfort.
When we feel calmer and safer, the body is better able to produce hormones that support labour and comfort.
Hypnobirthing relaxation tracks and MP3s guide parents into a deeply relaxed state — often similar to the feeling just before falling asleep.
This isn’t about being “hypnotised”.
You are fully aware and in control at all times.
It’s simply learning how to relax your body and nervous system more effectively so it’s second nature and can be called upon during labour..
And honestly, many parents find these techniques helpful well beyond birth too.
Types of classes
There are now lots of hypnobirthing books and pre-recorded courses available, which some parents love for convenience and working through at your own pace. Many parents love attending in-person hypnobirthing classes and LIVE online ones because of the support, connection and accountability they offer. There’s no right or wrong way, it depends what type of learner you are and what type of experience you are after.
One of my favourite things about teaching hypnobirthing is watching friendships form between parents who are all preparing for similar due dates. Some of my parents from my first online course still keep in contact and meet up for weekends!
Pregnancy can sometimes feel surprisingly lonely, especially if your friends are at different stages of life.
Group hypnobirthing classes often become:
support systems
WhatsApp chats at 2am during newborn feeds
That community side matters far more than people realise.
Hypnobirthing Tips You Can Try During Pregnancy
Even before attending a hypnobirthing course, there are small things you can start doing during pregnancy to feel more comfortable.
Think About Your Sitting Position
From around 30 weeks onwards, it can help to become more aware of your posture and positioning.
The baby’s head is the heaviest part of their body, so upright and forward-leaning positions can help encourage optimal positioning for birth.
Many hypnobirthing teachers use the phrase:
UFO
Upright, Forward and Open
Try to avoid:
slouching for long periods
sinking into deep bucket seats
reclining constantly backwards
Birthing balls can also feel surprisingly comfortable during late pregnancy.
Tips for Sleeping Comfortably During Pregnancy
Pregnancy sleep can become incredibly uncomfortable as your bump grows.
Many women find sleeping on their left side more comfortable during later pregnancy, as it supports circulation and blood flow.
A few simple things can also help:
placing a pillow between your knees
supporting the bump with a small pillow
elevating your upper body slightly if struggling with heartburn
Sometimes tiny adjustments make a huge difference.
What’s Included in a Hypnobirthing Course?
Every hypnobirthing teacher runs their course slightly differently, but most comprehensive hypnobirthing courses include:
birth education
relaxation techniques
breathing techniques
birth partner preparation
hypnobirthing MP3s
course materials
ongoing support
My own hypnobirthing classes are designed to help parents feel:
informed
calm
supported
confident
emotionally prepared for birth and the time afterwards when hormones are everywhere and emotions heightened
Because birth preparation is about far more than simply “getting through labour”.
It’s about changing how you feel about the experience too.
Are Hypnobirthing Classes Worth It?
Honestly?
For many parents, yes.
Not because hypnobirthing guarantees a “perfect” birth — birth is still unpredictable sometimes — but because understanding your body, your choices and your mindset can completely change how supported and prepared you feel heading into labour.
Many parents describe hypnobirthing as one of the best investments they made during pregnancy.
And the skills often last far beyond birth itself.
Confidence.
Calmness.
Communication.
Understanding your nervous system.
Learning how to relax deeply.
Those are genderless skills for life and can be applied to any situation where you feel stressed. I actively teach my 6 and 8 year olds how to use some of the techniques in the recalibration section to solve their own squabbles in the playground - This aspect of the course made me a better primary school teacher too!
