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12 Tower View, Chartham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 7TQ
Hypnobirthing for Pregnancy, Birth & Post Birth
Why Choose Hypnobirthing?
Why Choose Hypnobirthing in preparation for your pregnancy and birth?
At Swan Hypnotherapy, I believe in taking a holistic approach to your treatment, treating the whole person and not just the issues you have brought with you to concentrate on. This means that I am aware that physiological symptoms can result from psychological distress, and distress can be experienced at varying degree's depending on a persons genetics and life experiences. It is very normal and natural with any birth, whether it is your first or subsequent births you are preparing for, that you are going to feel some apprehension, mild anxiety and/or fear. Every pregnancy is different. I use evidence-based techniques and work with my clients to help them achieve a more positive sense of well-being.
When it comes to hypnobirthing, my approach is to support you and your baby, with your birth partner if you choose, in sessions where we will explore your thoughts, beliefs and plans for the birth that you want to have. The sessions are designed to form a treatment plan with you along side your medical birth plan (not to replace it) that will enhance and encourage a calm, confident and in control you; even if the medical birth plan needs to be adapted at the birth itself. There is absolutely no reason why you cannot still feel calm, confident and in control with the medical staff.
You will go through an assessment process with me first where you can express your plans, your hopes and if need be, your fears and concerns, and I will listen to you and support you by giving your knowledge of hypnobirthing and teaching you hypnosis. My aim is to give you the techniques and tools to take away with you to help you be as relaxed and as calm as possible so that your body can do what it does naturally in the birthing process.; your body is designed to give birth.
Once we have made a plan, we can begin addressing any fears or concerns you have (it is very common for anyone to have anticipation and some concern within this very natural process of pregnancy and inevitable birthing process - you are certainly not alone), coupled with learning relaxation techniques and moving into using hypnosis. Hypnosis will help you manage discomfort and work with your body which reduces any anxieties. The more confident, calm and in control you feel, the more you can bond with your baby and your own natural body rhythm as your pregnancy and baby develop over time. You will then be ready for the birth.
It is well documented that hypnobirthing has wonderful results for women. Research shows that using hypnosis for relaxation and reducing psychological and physical tension has so many benefits, before, during and after birth. Being more relaxed enables a bond to become well established between mother and baby, and between birthing partner and baby, and as you guessed it between mother and birthing partner. Using hypnosis for relaxation significantly reduces anxiety and the detrimental physiological symptoms of anxiety, including muscle tension and a lack of oxytocin than can inhibit the birth canal opening leading to a longer birth and sometimes medical intervention. Oxytocin is necessary in birth to stimulate contractions, open the cervix, release the placenta and minimise blood loss.
( In the process of being formulated due to a change in website , please enquire directly if you would like to know more about my services. You an also find me on the easibirthing website where all of the practitioners who have qualified with easibirthing are listed: https://www.easibirthing.com/find-a-practitioner )
Designed with you in mind
PRIVATE Hypnobirthing Sessions - be calm & relaxed...
I aim to ensure sessions are welcoming, relaxed and calm, yet informative and insight, to help you prepare for the birth of your baby. I listen to you and adapt each session to suit you. Using the easibirthing method it couldn't be simpler, and with your birth partner (if you choose) you will be so glad you did this!
Designed with you in mind
Hypnobirthing classes - social & enjoyable
My classes are friendly, informative and fun so that you feel prepared for the final stages of pregnancy, birth and post-birth. Using the easibirthing method helps me to support you and your birth partner so that you feel confident and knowledgable and prepared for change if it occurs. Lets get excited!
the easibirthing method for whatever birth you want to have
1. Assessment & Introductions
What is hypnobirthing and how hypnobirthing can work for you. Using hypnobirthing techniques to significantly reduce the cycle of fear-pain-tension which often causes longer birth times. Fears and expectations.
2. How to work with mind and body
Relaxation techniques - breathing and mind-body awareness. How the muscles work, and how you can work with them to feel calm, relaxed and in control. Understanding how we can block the gateways to pain and discomfort.
3. . Connecting with your birth partner, body and baby in pregnancy and birth.
How you see the role of your birth partner, stages of labour and birth positions - using hypnosis and anchoring techniques.
4. Understanding your body, baby and birth partner in hypnosis
Learning self-hypnosis, visualisation and confidence in your own ability to naturally birth your baby. Communicating with your baby and working with your baby to bond and working with nature.
5. How to use hypnosis in times of medical intervention
Hypnobirthing techniques are designed to support your pregnancy and birth journey even when medical interventions are necessary - how to work with change, making decisions and still feeling calm, confident and in control, are all key elements of the easibirthing hypnobirthing techniques.
6. Hypnosis and pain - how it can feel like switching pain off
How different parts of the brain are activated in hypnosis, and how other parts 'switch off' so that you can feel more relaxed in mind and body to establish calm, confidence and to know that you are in control.
7. What happens when baby is born and how to continue using hypnosis
The time immediately after and following baby being born. Self-hypnosis can still be part of your routine - 5 minutes can make so much difference to your approach to self-care and baby
Feature: why have Hypnobirthing sessions?
Hypnobirthing with the easibirthing method and the reassurance that not only can you can have the calmer and more confident birth that you want, but you will look back on as a positive experience.
Calm, confident and in control...
Hypnobirthing has become very popular over the last two decades. The practices of hypnobirthing techniques by women and their birth partners is not just something people just try now, it is a recognised and professionally accredited practice that women do as a part of their antenatal care, and so many more people are talking about it than ever before.
Hypnobirthing teaches you many things, including how to use your own abilities to create a positive birth experience. Hypnosis itself is a widely accepted approach to positive psychological health and well-being and in pregnancy and birth it is no different. The aim of hypnobirthing is to teach you self-hypnosis and calming techniques that reduce tension and discomfort in your physical body as well as your physiology, so that the natural process of birth can take place without any restriction through tension or fear. It really is as simple as that.
It is understandable that growing a new life and bring that life into the world can be a daunting prospect, even with subsequent pregnancies. The hypnobirthing sessions at my practice aim to provide a homely feel with a professional service, so you can feel reassured that you are receiving the best possible support.
How i can help you Empower yourself in pregnancy and birth
A little about my knowledge and experience
I became a hypnotherapist in 2017, I then qualified as a psychotherapist in 2021. My hypnobirthing practitioner qualification is from The National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy. In 2009 I also gained a BSc in psychology and in 2012 a masters degree in criminology and this educational experience underpins how I approach my work. Previous to opening my own private practice, I worked in supportive roles with Victim Support, Cruse Bereavement Care, the Youth Offending Service (KCC) and with Circles of Support and Accountability - all supporting people with their mental health and well-being by demonstrating empathy, compassion and unconditional positive regard - .
I am a mother of two boys - one of 25 and one of 11 years. I have experienced 4 pregnancies in total. If you would like to know more about my personal experience, I would be happy to talk to you in the assessment session when we start. I think it is important that if you want to know what makes me a good therapist then you can ask and I will be happy to share what I am comfortable sharing with you. I believe in an openness where appropriate and understand as a woman that giving brith can be, but does not have to be traumatic. Allowing your body to work naturally, and working with medical professionals can give you an all round positive experience, even if complications occur, you will feel equipped to make the right choice for you.
why choose the easibirthing method?
The Easibirthing method: founded by Sharon Mustard in Salisbury
I believe and trust in the easibirthing method of hypnobirthing because its approach focuses on how nature works and this means that women learn to unitise what they already have in their psychophysiolocial tool box. The easibirthing method creates within you the ability to be calm, confident and in control in your pregnancy and whichever birth choose to have. Easibirthing helps you find your natural innate resources to birth your baby safely, with less likelihood of intervention, statistically less time in labour, improved bonding with baby from the moment you begin the practice of self-hypnosis, and the ability to reflect on the birth in a positive way - not to mention quicker recovery post labour and statistically improved development for your baby compared to a birth without hypnosis.
Achieving the ideal mental state in labour?
Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, and a focus of your attention
The hypnotic state is a natural state that we go into every day performing different focused tasks: watching TV, driving a car and being absorbed in a book - we move in and out of hypnosis all of the time. Providing you are otherwise fit and well, you can achieve putting yourself into the hypnotic state. In hypnobirthing you take yourself into hypnosis by learning the skills to be aware that you are doing it and utilise the power of your altered state of consciousness to direct your mind away from fear, axiety and discomfort and on to a much more pleasant and calm sense of awareness, for example, listening to a calm piece of music, or to a hypnosis script (provided on the course), and yes the mind is that powerful that you can divert your brain away from pain!
Book a free consultation
To arrange a free consultation, send me an email, text or leave me a voicemail and I will get back to you within 24 hrs.