More HypnoBirthing STORIES

'Lisa kept the classes fun, informative and interesting and we would recommend HypnoBirthing to anyone who wants a calm and panic free labour. I also found it invaluable in alleviating the fearful thoughts of the impending labour as our first birth experience was pretty appalling. My labour was relaxed pretty much throughout, I didn't tear and the relaxation and breathing techniques made me feel in control and gave me something to focus on. We wouldn't change a thing about the whole labour and birth experience we had and I don't think many people can say that about their birth experiences!'
Jackie and Peter, parents to Ceira, Crystal Palace

'We had a very fast birth, so fast in fact that we did not have time to get to the hospital. We called but they said it was too early, 30 minuts later out Emilia popped. We called for an ambulance but it did not arrive in time so it was down to Dominic to deliver Emilia, but by then all the hard work had been done by Aurelija, Dominic literally just had to catch Emilia as she popped out - lucky he was good at cricket!... We both feel that the HypnoBirthing course was very useful, it gave us a lot of confidence, and we would recommend it to others. Thank you for all your help, Lisa.'
Dominic and Aurelija, parents to Emilia, Croydon

'I think HypnoBirthing is fantastic. It really gave me a different outlook on birthing (Frazer, who weighed 8lb 12oz, is our second son) and I felt prepared and positive.'
Nicola and Nigel, parents to Frazer, Croydon

'... I regulary listened to the Rainbow Relaxation CD during pregnancy and would encourage you to say to other mums if nothing else this really helps you relax and prepare as I found that on the evenings that I just listened to Rainbow I slept much deeper and better (and woke less to go to the toilet), which was brilliant. We all enjoyed the calm natural birth and the birth centre and the midwife we had was brilliant. I think the HypnoBirthing really helped prepare and calm me.'
Claire and Sam, parents to Oliver, Croydon

'... Thanks for the HypnoBirthing classes. We've been telling everyone about our amazing experience. Even the midwife asked some of her colleagues to come in once everything was over to meet the couple who had had such a "chilled out" delivery! You were quite right when you said they might not believe I was in labour. I was advised at around 8.30am that as I so obviously wasn't in "proper labour" I should come back the following day and they'd start me off. I knew my baby was ready to appear and two hours later, we were cuddling her! Already looking forward to seeing you again for a refresher course when No2 is on the way.'
Lizzie and Brian, parents to Astrid, Locksbottom

'Gave birth to Sophie today! All at home, and NO DRUGS!! Completely natural and it felt amazing!... When the pressure became very intense I did mutter to my doula Natalie that I might like to try some gas and air, but she distracted me brilliantly and I focused back on dealing with each surge... I kept visualising the blue satin ribbons and rose petals unfolding while repeating 'Totally loose, totally limp' and 'I approach the birth of my baby with confidence, baby is coming to me'. In my head I did have several moments of 'I can't do this' but I never said it out loud as that would have broken the spell. My doula said she had never seen anyone so calm. Although very painful, it was a different pain, only bearable by believing in how and why your body is changing... Then my body seemed to go completely still for a few minutes and within three to four huge surges Sophie was born. First she crowned, then her head, arm and body came out, it felt good, and I knew I'd only had a small tear... After a bath I sat on the couch and had tea and toast. The sun was shining brightly, what a perfect day!'
Suzy and Steve, parents to Sophie, Carshalton
To read the full account of this birth along with Suzy's birth plan, click here.

'... Despite starting our HypnoBirthing classes late at 37 weeks, the daily practice enabled us both to enter a deep state of relaxation, and in the latter stages of labour helped me to ride the discomfort with relative ease... When Scarlett was born, our midwife told me that she felt privileged to be a part of our experience and asked if she could come to our next birth. I'm not quite ready for another baby yet, but this experience was so positive that I would go through the birth again tomorrow with no hesitation... Thank you, Lisa, for providing us with the opportunity to fully experience the birth of our daughter in such a positive manner. Two months ago I was preparing myself for a hospital birth with possible interventions because I lacked the confidence and knowledge that HypnoBirthing gave me. In the end I let my body and baby take control, concentrating on the positives of giving birth and looking forward to meeting my baby for the first time. Scarlett Rose is a very chilled little girl and we are very proud parents.'
Jo and Niall, parents to Scarlett, London
To read the full account of this birth, click here.

'I went into natural labour on my due date but after two days of surges I had to have an emergency C-section. I used my HypnoBirthing breathing techniques and Rainbow Relaxation CD for most of the time before the op but after 48 hours I had only dilated 4cm... I don't think I could have got through the night without my Rainbow CD... I used the breathing when they administered the epidural which took two hours as they could not find the gaps in my spine... I'm glad that we attended the HypnoBirthing sessions with you as I don't think I could have got as far as I did with no pain relief.'
Anna and Steve, parents to Stefan, Purley

'HypnoBirthing helped by making me brave enough to have a natural birth and to go there with no fear. Starting from being terrified of giving birth naturally and wanting to have a Caesarean section, to giving birth only with the help of the pool, gas and air and the HypnoBirthing breathing techniques, was amazing for me... Involving Gareth so much with the birth was great as often he was the only one I could hear. The relaxation techniques that he learned from you really helped before giving birth as well.'
Anca and Gareth, parents to Louca, New Eltham

'We had our baby in the birth centre and had the water birth I was planning... I have to be happy because I was able to give birth without any pain relief at all - no gas and air, no TENS machine, no epidural... All the way through each stage was quite manageable - intense at times, but not out of control... Had I not done the HypnoBirthing class I would probably not have had the confidence to have my baby in a birth centre in water, naturally without drugs. Thank you, Lisa, for your sincere passion and instruction which put us on the right track.'
Lynda and Matthew, parents to Daniel, South Norwood

'Thank you again for your lovely classes - we learnt so much and although we didn't end up having a natural birth, your techniques contributed to us feeling more in control and calm throughout the pregnancy and delivery.'
Wei and James, parents to Emily, Beckenham

'The HypnoBirthing worked brilliantly at getting me through the first stage. I'm not sure whether the surges were actually any less painful than with my previous two births, but I was able to cope with them, and was able to relax between surges, rather than just dreading the next one... I think I would've been able to use the HypnoBirthing techniques more had things progressed more slowly. As it turned out, the whole labour was only four-and-a-half hours, from waking up as my waters broke until the birth, and there just wasn't time to use any of the deepening techniques. I do think that the positive outlook the classes gave me was enormously beneficial though... In all the birth was an extremely positive experience and we're all very, very happy.'
Helen and Ben, parents to Nyle, Dulwich

'I'd been worried about how Lesley would cope, and she'd been concerned about her pain threshold. In the end she coped magnificently, and I am still amazed at her drug-free, natural birth with no intervention... We didn't use the HypnoBirthing scripts we'd learnt, or the birthing pool, but I knew they were there and it helped me to remain calm. From Lesley's point of view the breathing was the key, along with using visualisations to move things along... I will always remember the wonderful way our lovely Ellie arrived into the world, breathing and crying straight away - I was so relieved Lesley had done it. The birth was 9 hours 18 minutes from start to finish and Ellie was 7lb 7oz. Lesley felt exhausted but exhilarated, grateful for the wonderful experience the three of us had shared.'
Paul and Lesley, parents to Ellie, Beckenham
To read the full version of Lesley and Paul's inspirational birth story, click here.

'Baby Theo arrived on 31 October and life since then has been a whirlwind - an exciting and fun one at that! We had the most natural birth I could have hoped for. The pre-labour warm-ups started on Friday 30th in the evening. We left for St Thomas' at 7:30am on the Saturday and I was holding Theo at 20:17pm that evening. I was in the birthing pool for about five hours and then had gas and air in the last couple of hours. Simon, bless him, remembered to read the script and play the CD - I really believe that all the breathing exercises kept us both calm. In fact, I managed to sleep through and between most surges. I was so relaxed that our midwife and consultant thought I might sink and drown in two feet of water!'
Ann and Simon, parents to Theo, Bickley, Kent

THE DAD'S VIEW: 'I think there are three key benefits that we got out of the process. Firstly, the deep relaxation techniques that we learnt and practised gave Kate a great tool not so much to control the pain she felt but to control her reaction to it. There was no panic and no fear throughout the birth. Even when we thought that our chance of a home birth had gone again Kate managed to remain focused and positive. Secondly, the HypnoBirthing approach gave us positive things to try throughout the labour. This was important psychologically especially when things weren't going to plan. Finally, attending the course and doing the practice together meant that I was totally involved. It gave me the confidence to know what I could do to help and when.'

THE MUM'S VIEW: 'On Saturday morning I was sat in bed reading the newspaper with Martha asleep in the Moses basket instead of being in hospital. We had the amazing home birth that we had hoped for and a lot of it was due to three fantastic ladies - our yoga teacher, Lisa and our midwife. Without yoga, HypnoBirthing and a calm, supportive midwife I am sure it would have been a different experience. So I wanted to say a big thank you to you all for helping to turn Martha's birth around (quite literally!).'
Kate and Duncan, parents to Martha, south Croydon
To read the full version of Kate and Duncan's home birth, click here.

'We decided to do a HypnoBirthing course since this was our second child and we did not want a repeat of the first experience which involved five days of contractions, followed by drips and an epidural. I was too exhausted to hold my baby and the recovery period was very long and painful... We were able to give birth to an 8lb 13oz bouncing baby boy with just a Tens machine and no other pain relief. The classes we had with Lisa helped explain numerous theories on birthing, for example, the impact of fear on the birthing experience. The midwife herself was very impressed with how we handled the birth, and how we remained engaged while staying in a calm, hypnotic state throughout all three stages of labour due to the many scripts taught by Lisa. This time I was able to enjoy my baby straight away and shower within the hour. I was discharged from the hospital the next day and the recovery has been a lot faster. Thanks Lisa!'
Meha and Jinal, parents to Niam, south Croydon

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