3 ways hypnobirthing changed my life

Sounds a bit dramatic. But hypnobirthing has, in many ways (probably more than three), changed the way I experience challenges and how I think about my body. I write this because I strongly believe that birth preparation and antenatal courses are not just about getting baby earth side. It's not just coaching to get baby through that vaginal canal and into your arms (although that's still a pretty cool and important bit). It is an opportunity, at a huge turning point in your life, to listen to yourself and your body, to understand more about how it works and what is important to you - to take a step back and acknowledge what an incredible journey this is.

Everyone experiences things differently. That is an inescapable fact. My own experience of hypnobirthing changed my life in the following ways:

1. Knowing that I have tools to handle huge physical and mental challenges - the vast array of tools and techniques to remain calm, to make decisions, to remain in control and know when to let go - they are with me forever. Hypnobirthing showed me how I can relax in the face of fear and challenges. Work presentation, health scares, challenging kids - I've already got what I need in the bag.

2. Understanding my nervous system helps me rationalise when I feel overwhelmed - I'm an auditor, so I'm nosey and I like to know how things work. When I'm faced with something that I don't understand, when my mind and my body freaks out I find it hard to get back to safety. Hypnobirthing gave me a much greater understanding of what is going on when I feel a sense of panic or unease. Importantly it told me what happens in my body and how I might regain some element of control. This also gave me a much greater sense of compassion towards myself which is very much welcome!

3. Respect and understanding for the incredible things my body and hormones can do - where do I even start. The complex and beautiful ways in which your baby, your body and your hormones all work together to birth your baby - the way your body creates milk and adapts it to baby's needs. Let alone how you grow an entire human in you tummy without lifting a finger. Mind blowing. Understanding more about how this works through a hypnobirthing course was just incredible and a privilege. I walked away with even more respect for the vessel that I've been put in and that has stayed with me.

For an added bonus there's one more. Hypnobirthing has opened up other practices to me that I was already interested in, but with a deeper understanding and committment to. Meditation in particular I now have a better appreciation for and understanding as well as the power of sound healing and singing bowls to support this at home.

Let alone my subsequent journey to become a hypnobirthing teacher, running classes in my local town and surrounding areas of Weston-Super-Mare. I love bringing some of these realisations to couples in my antenatal classes and witnessing what they take away.

Get in touch if you'd like to talk more about my classes or book a course.