A guide to HYPNOBIRTHING

Having both originally taught Hypnobirthing on a 1:1 basis, May & Jan decided to come together and share their experience and passion for Hypnobirthing to teach group classes to mums and their birth partners.

Who are May and Jan?

May qualified as a midwife in 2014 and trained as a Hypnobirthing teacher in 2017 after noting there was a real need in Jersey for fun, modern and realistic birth education that changed the way people think about birth. She holds a diploma in Hypnobirthing from KGH and is particularly passionate about ensuring women are fully informed about their options during birth, leaving them feeling empowered and confident.

Jan qualified as a midwife in 1988 and trained as a Hypnobirthing teacher in 2004, having used Hypnobirthing herself during her own labour. Jan has also gained a certificate and a diploma in Hypnotherapy with the London College of Clinical Hypnosis. Jan is particularly passionate about empowering women to have the best birth experience for them.

What is Hypnobirthing?

Hypnobirthing is about experiencing birth in an atmosphere of calm relaxation, free of the fear and tension that prevents our birthing muscles from functioning as nature intended them to. Using breathing techniques and selfhypnosis, parents can mutually benefit from a programme that will help you overcome your fears and learn to ignore the traumatic stories that seem to circulate and scare us about labour.

Positive Birth Jersey was established with the aim of providing mothers, fathers and birth partners with knowledge, tools and techniques to build positivity, strength and confidence in pregnancy and birth. Athletes will prepare (both mentally and physically) for months ahead of events, races or competitions - yet as women, we often feel totally unprepared for what lies ahead when it comes to birth and parenthood. If you don't know your options then, quite frankly, you don't have any - and that's where Hypnobirthing comes in.

How does Hypnobirthing work?

Hypnobirthing is an antenatal programme that gives you a vast amount of knowledge, tools and techniques for a positive and calm birth experience. Through Hypnobirthing you will be completely prepared to give birth however you choose, including caesarean section.

You will learn positive words, breathing techniques and visualisations to induce deep relaxation during labour and birth. When Hypnobirthing is practiced, you are likely to experience a more comfortable, quicker birth with your baby arriving in a relaxed environment. You are also less likely to request the use of pain relief and require less medical intervention during labour and birth.

To conclude...

Forward-thinking, modern, inspiring and fun, Hypnobirthing with Positive Birth Jersey will make a difference to your experience of giving birth, and give you the tools you need to give your baby the best start in life. May and Jan are both pretty confident when they say that you will leave their classes feeling inspired, informed, calm, confident and prepared for a positive birth and parenthoodwhatever that may look like to you!

 Find out more about Hypnobirthing online at www.positivebirthjersey.co.uk or email positivebirthjersey@outlook.com

Q. Q. Q.

IS HYPNOBIRTHING A WASTE OF TIME IF I DON'T HAVE A NATURAL BIRTH?

No! Hypnobirthing not only equips you with the Hypnobirthing information but gives you the knowledge to understand your options and the implications of the choices you make during labour and birth. Sometimes things do not go to plan and birth can, at times, be unpredictable. It is therefore so important for women and their birth partners to have the knowledge and tools to get the best from the situation that they may find themselves in during labour and birth. Your birth, your body, your baby – your choice.

SHOULD MY PARTNER ATTEND THE COURSE?

Your partner does not have to attend, but it can be very beneficial if he or she does. We do ask partners to listen to the facts and the logic so that they can understand how important it is, and the difference a partner or a birth companion can make. Hypnobirthing will offer you both good antenatal preparation and support before the birth of your baby. However, we have worked closely with women attending the course on their own and this is fine and fabulous - Hypnobirthing is for everyone, it will not be any less effective if you choose to hypnobirth on your own.

WHEN SHOULD I START THE COURSE?

We would recommend commencing the programme at around 28 weeks of pregnancy, but there is no ‘rule’ about this - you can start the programme earlier or later than this. It is never too late to work towards a positive birth experience.