Hypnobirthing

The Foundation to Our
Birth Preparation Courses

What is Hypnobirthing?

Many people have heard of the term Hypnobirthing in some shape or form, but are still unsure what it is, whilst others have never heard of it at all!

The term conjures varying meanings for different people. It is not “hippy bulls**t” nor is it just for “crunchy, sandal wearing, muesli munchers”. It is not reserved for any particular type of person and you don’t have to have to think a certain way. It can and will help anybody willing to give it a real go!

Simply put, Hypnobirthing is the act of birthing whilst being self hypnotised!

Hence, Hypno…birthing!

Self Hypnosis!

We don’t hypnotise you, you hypnotise yourself.

There is no sign or hint of the stage hypnosis that many think of, with people clucking like a chicken or eating an onion whilst believing it’s an apple.

Self hypnosis is very similar to guided meditation, if not the same (opinions vary), and is becoming popular with apps such as Calm, Headspace and Buddhify. Hypnobirthing uses the same principles, just specifically focussed upon a calm pregnancy and birth.

Self hypnosis is a normal state of mind that everyone of us briefly drifts in and out of, multiple times a day. It allows our conscious minds to wonder while our bodies carry out everyday tasks.

Have you ever travelled a familiar journey, arrived at your destination and remembered very little of the journey?
If so, you were in a state of self hypnosis!

Practice Makes Perfect!

By practicing the techniques we teach, you will be able to deepen your own hypnosis, allowing you to extend the period of relaxation significantly. With the help and guidance we provide, you can be sure you’re getting the most out of your practice.

Practice is important, much like it is when learning to play an instrument. We can show you how to do it and guide you through any snags or difficulties, but ultimately hypnobirthing takes practice to perfect.

Dads Matter!

Hypnobirthing also focuses on the role of the birth partner.

When partners understand how a relaxed atmosphere will effect mum, baby and the birth in a positive way, dads start to understand and develop their role as the mums advocate.

Hypnobirthing dads feel far more involved in birth and are capable of fully supporting mum in labour, birth and beyond.

As part of our courses all Dads receive a copy of the award winning book – MEN, LOVE & BIRTH by Mark Harris.

Fear Release!

Fear release enables your mind and your body to work together and is a core component to all of Small Acorn’s courses.

We will help you release any negative thoughts or emotions you have about pregnancy, birth or parenting.

We have spent most of our lives surrounded by negative birth portrayals, some of which your conscious mind may not be aware of, but your subconscious will. We will help you deal with the subconscious thoughts and feelings and replace them with positive ones, so you are confident, relaxed and looking forward to giving birth to your baby.

We teach that where the mind leads the body will follow, which helps you to understand how words can sow seeds that influence success or failure. By replacing apprehensions with affirmations, Small Acorn Hypnobirthing parents look forward to the birth of their baby with excitement.

Hypnobirthing Myths

Hypnobirthing guarantees a 'natural birth'

The term ‘natural birth’ is overly used and often indicates a vaginal birth without any form of intervention… NOT TRUE! All birth is natural regardless of context.

What Hypnobirthing with Small Acorn does is stack the odds in your favour.

The thing we do guarantee is “A Better Birth”, because by completing one of courses you will be prepared, knowledgeable, and confident in your choices, whatever circumstances you encounter and regardless of how your baby chooses to enter into this world.

As proof, Hypnobirthing has been successfully used by Mothers in all kinds of birth scenarios and clients of ours have successfully Hypnobirthed through induction.

Hypnobirthing will make you lose control

Actually it’s the complete opposite, with Small Acorn we will help you take complete control in any circumstance. You cannot be compelled to do anything against your will, and you will always be aware of yourself and your surroundings. Yes, the mind is an amazing tool, but it also complex and has the ability to ‘get in the way’ of the birthing process.

The self hypnosis you will learn with Hypnobirthing provides you with the ability to quieten those pesky parts of your mind and imagination. This calmness will benefit you and your baby, not only during your birth, but also during your pregnancy and in the weeks and months after your baby has been born.

I have to be hypnotised to give birth

No!

You do not have to be hypnotised to give birth. Everyone on a daily basis goes in and out of a natural state of hypnosis, allowing your body to function without using your conscious mind. For example while walking, opening doors or brushing our teeth, our bodies know how to do these things and so we can allow our conscious mind to wander, thinking about what to have for dinner tonight or that we have to make a phone call later.

Giving birth is a skill our body can carry out already, we just need to hone in on our natural state of hypnosis, allowing our mind to work with our body in labour.

Hypnobirthing is only for people who want a home birth or water birth.

Hypnobirthing will leave you exposed

Hypnobirthing is all about the birth and that’s it

That is most certainly not the case with a Small Acorn course. We believe Hypnobirthing is only the start, integral to our courses is “Fourth Trimester” (see here for more info) education, so you are fully prepared for the transition from pregnancy into parenthood. The unrivalled support you receive as a Small Acorn Family Member, ensures you are never without support and guidance throughout your journey.

There are many things Hypnobirthing teaches that carry on after birth. The preparation during pregnancy helps to connect you and your birth partner, teaching them to support you and you to trust them. It also provides you with tools to manage and navigate through stressful situations with calm and ease. The time taken to bond with your baby will be even more rewarding once they are born and you’ll be able to take your skills onward into parenthood.

Hypnobirthing promises pain free labour and birth

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that your birth will be pain free. Why? Because pain is a highly subjective experience that varies immensely from one person to another and is also impacted by culture, temperament and situation.

One persons pain is another persons ache!

A lot of Hypnobirthing Mothers do not describe birth as painful, but more as a pressure, a force of nature, an overwhelming urge, all of which are completely natural and normal sensations.

What is true is that Hypnobirthing mums refer to birthing in comfort, not silence or sensation free, but comfort. Hypnobirthing can drastically improve your chances of a relaxed, stress free, gentle and therefore pain-free labour and birth. There are no rules as to how you will feel, and no one can be sure which category you will fall into. We can, however, guarantee you will have a better, calmer birth having completed one of our amazing courses, than you would have without.

You cannot hypnobirth with pain relief or intervention

Hypnobirthing sets you against medical professionals

Hypnobirthing is difficult

Hypnobirthing is only for certain types of people

What Makes Hypnobirthing Successful?

Much like breathing and our digestive system, birthing does not need input from your conscious or ‘thinking’ brain (neo-cortex) to function normally. In fact, our conscious mind can be the thing that gets in the way of our body’s natural birthing rhythms!

You may be thinking ‘I know how to relax and I’ll just think about birth positively!‘. That’s a great start! However, the relaxation we practice isn’t just kicking back with a cup of tea on the sofa, taking a few deep breaths, and thinking about birth positively – It won’t necessarily reprogram your subconscious mind to think of birth as normal.

Hypnobirthing needs a full understanding, education and support system, for it to truly have a chance in being successful!

With Small Acorn you will receive a complete antenatal education, ongoing support, and we will help you gain a full understanding of Hypnobirthing, birth, and beyond.
Because it’s important to us that you Achieve the Best for Baby and You.

“I learnt a huge amount about labour and birth over the four sessions and by the end of the course felt much more prepared to support my wife through it”
Gary

“If you are considering Hypnobirthing then you will be in very good hands with Small Acorn”
EP

You now know the foundations to our courses.

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Hypnobirthing Labours Are

0%

Quicker

for first time mums
6.4 hrs vs 9.3 hrs