Hypnobirthing: Practical Ways to Make Your Birth Better

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So, what is hypnobirthing? Essentially, it's a form of antenatal education, an approach to birth that is both evidence-based and logical. Hypnobirthing certainly doesn't involve being hypnotised; instead, it teaches you how your body works on a muscular and hormonal level when in labour and how you can use various relaxation techniques to ensure you are working with your body (rather than against it), making birth more efficient and comfortable. In fact, when it comes to pregnancy, birth and parenting, a good rule of thumb is: never miss an opportunity to sleep. Once your baby is here you will come to appreciate every moment of sleep. Sleep is so important for your well-being." We are on a mission to show people everywhere that birth can be better. And not just better, but amazing! Expert hypnobirthing teacher and founder of The Positive Birth Company Siobhan Miller has made it her mission to change the way we approach and experience birth. Through her teaching she seeks to educate and empower parents - and their birth partners - so that they can enjoy amazing and positive birth experiences, however they choose to bring their babies into the world.

Presented by mum-of-two and hypnobirthing coach Clare, the Hypnobirthing Podcast is a series looking at the positive effects of hypnobirthing.Looking for the lowdown on all things hypnobirthing in Singapore? Searching for the best classes to get clued up? We've got all the intel from a mum who's a hypnobirthing sceptic turned convert... Marie learnt this through having her own four children and went on to develop the Mongan Method in which she uses her experience and research to help women to free their mind from the fear of giving birth, to make it a more calm and even enjoyable experience.

Hypnobirthingwill change your mindset towards birth and give you the tools needed so that you can navigate your birth - and any twists and turns - with confidence, feeling calm and in control throughout. Best of all, I hope you are excited to meet your baby and start your journey in the best way possible: calmly, confidently, happily, and full of love." Being pregnant for the first time, I was absolutely terrified about birth (aren’t we all?!). I usually (and still do) faint during a routine blood test. So the thought of bringing another human being into the world was beyond scary. For a while, I just avoided thinking about it; denial seemed to be a good default. That changed when a friend mentioned hypnobirthing. She was very much into yoga pre-pregnancy (I wasn’t), so I was a little sceptical that it would be for me. I thought it was really reserved for the wellbeing and mindfulness crew (not the chocolate and Netflix gang).There are currently 62 episodes, with two new ones released every month. For anyone wanting to research and learn more about hypnobirthing and how it can be put into practice, this is a great place to start.

There’s really no set time for this so it’s totally up to you. Obviously, the more time you give yourself to learn the techniques the better - especially if you plan on doing a course - but you can start as early as say six weeks or as late as 34 weeks, or even later. Remember, the mechanics of how your baby enters the world matter little long-term in comparison to how you felt when your baby came into the world."

Can you teach yourself hypnobirthing?

Best book about your feelings in pregnancy: What No One Tells You: A guide to your emotions from pregnancy to motherhood There were some really good takeaways from this book, and I particularly liked the science behind the labour. I also enjoyed that it explained different birth types and so even if things don't go to plan, the relaxation techniques can be put to use e.g. staying calm for an unplanned caesarean and how you may want it to be. By the time you finish this book you'll feel relaxed, capable and genuinely excited about giving birth. I should caveat that massively with I know birth without pain relief isn’t something to aspire to or brag about. Quite frankly, as long as a baby comes into the world healthy, and mum is safe and healthy too, nothing else matters. All mums are absolute champs, pain relief or not. But for me, not being so terrified of the whole birthing experience and thinking about the pain element differently was such a game-changer. Baby number 2: incoming! I then did the The Nurture Nest Essentials course later in the pregnancy which I found really practical for actually planning my birth and I liked some of the MP3s. She also has a podcast called 'The Hypnobirthing Podcast' which has so much info you might not feel like you need to pay for a course in the end! I bought her course purely because I wanted to support her as the podcast is so good!” (Recommended by Mumsnet user Justdeciding) Our verdict

Giving birth—however you choose to do it—is truly the most amazing thing you will experience in your life, and meeting your precious baby for the first time is one of life's most unforgettable moments." If you’re expecting a baby, you may be considering hypnobirthing, a technique that can help relieve pain and feelings of stress during pregnancy and labour. Like lots of things to do with becoming a parent though, it can feel overwhelming trying to find the right information, which is where the best hypnobirthing book comes in very handy. As home to the largest online network of UK parents, our Mumsnet forums are a wealth of useful information and recommendations for the best items for every stage of the pregnancy journey and beyond, from the best prenatal vitamins to take before conception to the most useful TENs machines for labour. Another hugely popular choice for mums-to-be is Beloved Bumps. From expert advice to classes, as well as social catch-ups, they cover everything. They also know a thing or two when it comes to hypnobirthing in Singapore, offering classes based on the KGHypnobirthing programme (the only hypnobirthing course in the UK that is accredited by The Royal College of Midwives). Over four weeks, you’ll learn all the tools you need for a calmer and more confident birth.

What is the best hypnobirthing book and tool to buy?

Combining hypnobirthing, mindfulness, breathing techniques, meditation and affirmations, the GentleBirth app is suitable for all kinds of births. The app sends daily recommendations to help you feel more calm and relaxed, and prepare you for childbirth. This includes playlists to help you sleep and manage anxiety and the app can also be used to support you during labour and even after your baby is born. By enrolling on this masterclass, you’re helping to support the Guardian, and this allows us to keep our quality reporting open to all. Yes, of course, women who don't know any better are convinced that they need inductions sooner than they are comfortable with, and sure, many might agree to interventions they don't understand, but for the love of god, let's not get on our Western high horse and convince moms-to-be that the absence of white coats will inherently make their births connect them to the divine feminine. In her book, Marie uses techniques like visualisation, positive thinking and breathing exercises to help women to relax during labour and feel less tense, which in turn can greatly reduce the pain of childbirth and help to shorten the birth and recovery time.