The Peaceful Doula

Hypnobirthing is soundly based on established medical knowledge.” - MidwifeIn 1957, after two years of study by eminent neurologists and psychoanalysts, the BMA issued a statement that ‘hypnosis is an effective method of relieving pain in childbirth’ and proposed that all doctors should train in hypnotherapy. The seeds of the natural birth movement were first sown with the work of eminent obstetrician Dr.Grantly Dick-Read. After witnessing a homebirth in the slums of the London Docks in 1913 where the mother refused any pain relief and then proceeded to give birth quickly and with no pain, Grantly Dick-Read was truly amazed. The mother’s comment after giving birth when he asked why she refused the pain relief was “It didn’t hurt. It wasn’t meant to, was it, Doctor?” This experience was defining, and after a career of working on the battle field in the first world war and subsequently in hospitals as an obstetrician he theorized that fear was the overriding cause that led to the pain in childbirth. At the end of his career he wrote the book “Childbirth Without Fear”. He hypothesized that when you are fearful, you tense up and the natural birth process is inhibited and becomes longer and consequently more painful. Over the years his theories have been fully vindicated with research into how hormones work during childbirth. His principles have been further developed by a number of natural birth practitioners with Hypnobirthing being the most notable and widely practised. Today KG Hypnobirthing is known by every midwife in the UK and many have trained in KGHypnobirthing, including professors of midwifery and NHS heads of midwifery. Obstetricians are also beginning to understand the significance of the work we do and are coming to be trained too. KGHypnbirthing is practised internationally and rapidly spreading throughout the world.

Hypnobirthing will prepare you with the knowledge that it is possible to birth confidently and comfortably.

While other methods will teach you how to cope with and manage pain; Hypnobirthing provides you with the information needed to feel relaxed and ready to allow your body to birth in the manner it was designed to.

When you understand that pain associated with labour is caused by constrictor hormones, created by fear, you learn, instead, to release fear thus creating endorphins—the feel-good hormones. I use Hypnotherapy techniques to ensure that you work through all your worries and the scary horror stories you have heard or seen onTV to allow you to prepare positively for a more comfortable, calmer birth.

Rather than exhausting, shallow breathing and the distraction techniques of typical antenatal programs, you’ll learn deep abdominal breathing and total relaxation, enabling you to work in harmony with your body and your baby.

Great news as this sometimes helps mothers have quicker, easier births

I would advise doing the course any time from 20 week of your pregnancy so you can enjoy the benefits during your pregnancy as well as at the birth of your baby.

It is not so much a matter of learning facts so they are fresh in your mind, but more a matter of absorbing the information so that it becomes second nature, but KGHypnobirthing works whenever you do it. Also it's the same as everything else you learn, the more you can practice the better you become.

We are the original UK Hypnobirthing course which is designed especially for mothers in the UK. The course is constantly evolving to keep up-to-date with the latest evidence and research, and is now taught internationally. Katharine Graves has personally taught hypnobirthing to over 2,000 couples, probably more than anyone else in the UK and all KG Hypnobirthing teachers are knowledgeable and highly trained to support you in hypnobirthing. A KGHypnobirthing Course not only equips you with the hypnobirthing information, but uniquely gives you the knowledge to understand your options and the implications of the choices you make. As well as teaching you the techniques you need for a successful hypnobirth, it gives you the information to navigate the system in which you find yourself to achieve the best outcome for you and your baby.

No, they don’t, but they will be very glad if they did. Most partners arrive at the course utterly sceptical and leave extremely enthusiastic. We don’t expect you to believe in it. Why should you? We do ask you to listen to the facts and the logic so you understand how important it is and the difference you as a birth companion can make. Have a look at the birth reports from partners, and you can benefit from their experience. The caricature of a partner at a birth is someone who is nervous, feeling responsible for the situation mum is in, holding her hand and wishing they could help, but not knowing what to do. A hypnobirthing partner is knowledgeable and able to support her as she gives birth. They are a huge asset in the birthing room, and many mothers say, ‘I couldn’t have done it without them.’ They have practised together before the birth which brings them closer together, and they know they have played an important part in how baby enters the world. This deepens their relationship as a couple, and their relationship with baby

Yes, definitely. Many women have come to the course on their own. If they have a partner who is away on business, as a single mum, if it’s a second baby and they can’t find a babysitter for their elder child, or any other reason. Just remember that KGHypnobirthing works, and you are very welcome. If your partner can’t come, we would welcome your mother, a friend, or whoever will be supporting you at the birth instead. If you don't have a partner or your own support please do think about hiring a Doula.

The Birth Partner is a key part of the Hypnobirthing experience.

He or she practices with the mother in helping to prepare for deep relaxation during the pregnancy.

During labour the Birth Partner guides the labouring mother through hypnosis prompts, relaxation techniques, deepening methods, and visualizations, provides comfort measures, putting all that you’ve practised together into play. You will work together as a team.

Absolutely. Hypnobirthing classes will help you to learn relaxation skills that will be useful to both you and your baby, regardless of your birth experience.

If medical intervention is needed, you’ll find yourself better able to remain calm and in control.

Mothers who have needed scheduled caesareans report that they were totally relaxed before, during and after the procedure. Many report that they needed little or no medication following the birth, and they could return to normal functioning in a very short period of time.