Hypnobirthing classes may seem like another unnecessary expense when you are expected a baby.
I know what you may be thinking, Is hypnobirthing worth it? And I get it, with all the things you need to buy and prepare for when you’re about to give birth. Hypnobirthing may seem like another unnecessary expense on top of the pram, the carrier, cot and swing.
Yes, the baby will need all of these things once they are here, but when it comes to birthing this beautiful human into the world – what do you need?
How important is a positive birth experience to you and your baby?
As you’re preparing for the big day you may attend the free antenatal classes at the hospital, which will provide you with options on pain relief, have an overview of potential instruments that might be used for intervention, how to swaddle your baby and a tour of the hospital. However, if you are hoping for a natural birth, they do not provide you with skills to help you prepare for natural labour – unlike our antenatal classes.
Preparing for labour is like preparing for a marathon. You are pushing your body to a place it has never been before. You can watch all the videos, Netflix series and read all the books but nothing will prepare you for giving birth naturally more than an hypnobirthing class, whether in-person or online.
If you wanted to run a marathon you wouldn’t just decide to turn up at the start line on the day, it takes months of preparation. Training your body to push further, learning to maintain your breath through the race, stretching daily and having massages to keep your body in optimal fitness. Most of all, train your mind to believe that you can do it, and push past the mental blocks. Having a coach to support you on the side lines, someone who has run the same race and wants to see you succeed will provide you with the boost of confidence you need.
Birth is often a once in a life time event, immersing yourself in a group class practicing proven techniques, watching positive birth videos and having lots of laughs with other like-minded parents is designed to help you prepare physically, mentally and emotionally for one of the most important days of your life.
Not only will you be able to learn lots of natural techniques in depth, you will have ongoing support from a trained hypnobirthing practitioner who encourages you until you reach the finish line. You will be able to ask questions and get answers from an experienced Hypnobirthing Practitioner who understands just what the female body is capable of. You will also have the chance to connect with other mothers and birth partners who are planning a Hypnobirth. Surround yourself with others who are seeking the same type of birth as you and begin to grow your own mum tribe for continued support after the birth.
You may also be thinking – what if natural birthing isn’t possible? Did you know that you can still use all your hypnobirthing skills? So no matter how you birth turns out, you will be able to answer YES when asked: Is hypnobirthing worth it?!
In fact, the skills you will learn to support you in staying calm and relaxed are more important than ever, because a calm mum, equals a calm baby. You will also learn how to make informed choices about birth and possible interventions. I want you to walk out feeling confident in navigating any type of birth.
If you can look back on your birth and know that you did your absolute best with the situation you had, you can feel positive about your birth experience.
So are hypnobirthing classes worth it? If a positive birthing experience is important to you, the value of what you’re about to learn to bring this healthy baby into the world in calm and nurturing environment, will be priceless.