Frequently Asked Questions
Sounds Spooky - I don’t know if I want to be hypnotized?!
Many people don’t like the sound of ‘being hypnotised’ and think they will not ‘be in control’ and some people make the assumption it is just like it is seen on the TV!
For those that have not had experience of it before hypnosis is almost certainly not what you think it is.
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Will I end up clucking like a chicken or munching onions?
Unfortunately, TV and stage hypnotism gives people in the main a rather negative and inaccurate impression of hypnotherapy in general. You may think of a stage hypnotist (as opposed to a hypnotherapist) making people eat onions, speak like a baby or bark like a dog at 3am in the morning. Not particularly useful for preparing for the birth of a baby I’m sure you will agree!
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I’m scared!
It maybe that you are simply afraid of hypnosis as it is something you have not experienced before. Perhaps concerned you will not be in control or be in a trance? Some people worry they may feel compelled to share some deep secret or do something they don’t want to or wouldn’t necessarily do?
Let me reassure you – NOONE can be made to say or do anything they don’t want to do. Hypnotherapy cannot override your basic instincts. No hypnotherapist can make you do anything you really don’t want to. You are totally in control. And it is much easier than many people initially think.
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What is hypnosis then?
Clinical and cognitive hypnotherapy, and HypnoBirthing®, means you are in control AT ALL TIMES.
Hypnosis is simply a feeling of relaxed concentration, just like when you’re absorbed in a good book. If it’s a really good one, you’re still awake, and aware of what’s going on around you - but you just ’tune out’ the distractions. You may have had times when you’ve driven a familiar journey, and when you arrive you realise you’d done it on ’auto-pilot’?
This is Hypnosis too.
Here’s how one client described her first hypnotherapy session:
"I thought I hadn’t been hypnotised, I didn’t think I felt any different until afterwards when I opened my eyes and realized my whole body and self had simply been very nicely relaxed. Most enjoyable." MA, Reading
There’s really nothing to be scared of. We all go in and out of hypnotic states naturally, on a regular basis.
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How do you know HypnoBirthing® works?
Hundreds of Thousands of women around the world cannot be wrong!
There is also much empirical data to support, following studies conducted, that regular practice self-hypnosis, specialized breathing, relaxation and visualization techniques really have quite a profound positive beneficial effect on both mother and baby throughout pregnancy labour and birth. Click here for Medical Information and Stats.
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So what is HypnoBirthing® providing?
HypnoBirthing® allows you to rediscover the truth that birth should be a calm and natural process - not a fraught and traumatic medical event.
Women in many other cultures give birth successfully and safely without all the intervention we in the West take for granted. HypnoBirthing® will teach you why... and how.
The focus of HypnoBirthing® is on teaching you and your partner some simple but specialised relaxation and breathing techniques. These easy to learn techniques make the whole birth easier, calmer and more comfortable.
HypnoBirthing® doesn’t require any particular belief system, or prior experience. Some of our mums (and especially their birthing partners) have been very skeptical at first - until they experience it for themselves.
Just imagine - instead of screaming and being in pain, welcoming each surge.
Feeling peaceful... relaxed... and even smiling as your baby comes closer to you.
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What is the difference between HypnoBirthing and Natal Hypnotherapy?
HypnoBirthing is the ultimate and original in Birth preparation with a reputation for results stemming 20 years. Whilst HypnoBirthing originated in the U.S., it has has been rewritten for the UK market taking into account the differences in our medical establishments, approaches to midwifery and UK attitude towards natural birth. HypnoBirthing focuses on helping a mother to fine tune the mind-body connection, preparing baby, body and mum for birth in a calm, gentle, confident manner. Not only is a Handbook and CD provided, the course focuses on teaching and enabling practical techniques to enable mum to remain calm and confident all the way through labour and birth.
All the techniques are simple, effective and can be taught, learnt and mastered easily by anyone, across the world! Natal Hypnotherapy in the UK first began their focus with the primary production and use of general CD’s focusing on suggestion and relaxation to be used throughout pregnancy and birth. They have more recently also been running birth preparation classes with the use of hypnosis.
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Can my partner/husband help me? Can he come to the classes?
Instead of your husband or partner being a helpless onlooker, they become a central part of the birthing process, helping you to stay calm and focused on the techniques you’ve been taught.
As a result, the fathers feel proud to have been able to help, and to be an active part of the birth.
Just imagine how close that makes you feel to each other and the baby...
Here’s what one delighted dad had to say:
"Several of my friends have had babies recently, and many of them told me it was a traumatic and stressful experience.
They said they felt powerless to ease the pain their partner was going through, and didn’t know what they were supposed to do.
Thanks to the techniques that Vanessa taught us, I was able to help Penny right the way through, and we both thoroughly enjoyed the birth – we are already talking about baby number 3!" John Howett – Tadley, Berks
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Still not convinced?
Here is a sample selection of stories from actual local mums that have used the services of Berkshire HypnoBirthing in the UK.
Here’s what some more of my mother’s have said about using HypnoBirthing®.
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So – is that it then?
Berkshire HypnoBirthing aims to provide a network of relevant contacts from Independent Midwives, Doulas, Breast Feeding, 3 and 4D scanning, local and natal information and service providers related to all aspects of both pre and post natal care. Much of this information can be found on the ‘Links’ pages.
We are also happy to provide a full available service via phone and email should you have any queries following class completion.
In addition to this – once your baby has arrived – we are happy to visit, upon invitation, to meet the new arrival and to write up your birth story for your future reference and pleasure. This service is presently free of charge.
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How do I book?
Please email me or telephone me to discuss the best dates for you.
Vanessa@berkshirehypnobirthing.com.
0118 376558
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