What Is Hypnobirthing? A Smart, Evidence-Based Approach to Feeling Calm and In Control in Birth

You're pregnant and googled what is hypnobirthing! So that means either you have heard about it and are curious, or you are thinking about it and want to know more. Well, you are in the right place, for 20 years I've been clinical hypnotherapist and doula.  I taught many of your favourite instagrammers, and hypnobirthing teachers, and I know what works and what doesn't. 

The truth is, the thought of birth brings up more questions than answers, in this you’re not alone. You might be someone who is usually in control – in life, work, and decisions – and suddenly you’re faced with a situation where it can feel like you have to hand that control over.  

There is so much information out there it can become overwhelming, what is true? what is myth?  One study says this, and another says something different. 

That’s exactly where hypnobirthing comes in. And no, it’s not whale music and fairy lights. It’s a science-backed, practical toolkit taught by professionals, designed to help you feel more confident, more in control, and more connected to the decisions you make during birth. 

What is Hypnobirthing?

In short, it's a modern birth toolkit for the modern mind. 

At its core, hypnobirthing uses simple but powerful psychological techniques to reduce fear and anxiety around birth. It combines:

• Self-hypnosis  and relaxation to reduce adrenaline
• Breathwork and imagery that shift your nervous system into a calmer state
• Neural networking techniques that help you stay present, focused, and able to make clear-headed decisions
• Guidance for your birth partner so they know how to support you (well, my course does anyway)

This isn’t about “manifesting a perfect birth” — it’s about preparing your brain to respond rather than react. It’s used by obstetricians, midwives, psychologists and clinical hypnotherapists around the world.  I've trained many midwives to teach this, and I've supported doctors at their own births using this - they know! 

It’s Not About Controlling Birth. It’s About Controlling How You Meet It.

Let’s be clear: hypnobirthing doesn’t promise a pain-free, intervention-free birth. What it does offer is a way to stay calm, connected, and capable — no matter how birth unfolds. 

In a system where options can feel limited or confusing, hypnobirthing helps you:

• Understand your rights and choices in birth 
• Prepare your partner or support team to advocate with you 
• Use simple tools to stay present and avoid fight-or-flight overwhelm
• Make confident decisions even if things don’t go to plan

If the hypnobirthing course you do is also trauma informed, there should be techniques in place to help prevent trauma. 

Why Free Hypnobirthing Isn’t Always Best: Hypnobirthing Needs Skill and Integrity

There’s a lot of hypnobirthing content floating around for free — on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Some of it is beautiful. Some of it is misleading. And almost none of it is regulated.  I get that not everybody can pay for it, and I've been known to offer my courses at heavily reduced rates. But it's all about priorities, I had one client who, at her baby shower, asked for money towards a course rather than a dozen baby gros, hats and cuddly toys. 

(Hint:You can buy my online course as a gift voucher option at checkout.)

True hypnobirthing is based on professional hypnotherapy and requires:

• Specific training in clinical hypnosis
• Ongoing supervision and insurance
• An understanding of trauma-informed care and birth physiology 

If you value evidence, integrity, and working with someone who understands both how the brain works and what actually happens in the birth room, then you need to learn from a properly trained practitioner.  The shocking thing is that there are hypnobirthing teacher training courses are being led by someone with NO training as a clinical hypnotherapist. 

There are even online courses out there by people who have not done ANY formal training. 

Hypnobirthing classes online

There are so many courses out there, choose wisely. Some lean more towards antenatal education, others towards hypnosis and the psychology. 

Online courses should not be a tick box, you should be able to follow them, practice and listen to tracks on a regular basis. I think support alongside a course is vital to get this right and I offer a community and weekly checkins with my course. 

You can checkout my course here 

When to Start Hypnobirthing

Most women begin hypnobirthing somewhere between 25–35 weeks — ideally with enough time to embed the tools into everyday life, so they’re second nature when labour starts. 

That said, it’s never too late to start. Even in the third trimester, these tools can help you reframe fears, calm your nervous system, and create a clear, confident birth plan. 

Hypnobirthing Isn’t Just for First-Time Mums

Second-time parents often turn to hypnobirthing after a previous birth that felt disempowering or out of control. Others want to build on a positive experience and go even deeper. Either way, the tools support you to:

• Reflect on past experiences
• Prepare for any birth scenario (induction, caesarean, home birth, etc.)
• Navigate NHS appointments or birth planning meetings with clarity

What Makes a Good Hypnobirthing Book or Course?

Let’s talk about quality. Not all hypnobirthing materials are created equal. When choosing a book or online class, look for one that:

 ✅Is written or taught by a qualified clinical hypnotherapist

 ✅Includes audio tracks that are psychologically informed

✅Helps you understand the science behind the method

 ✅Prepares you to communicate clearly with your midwife or doctor

Mindful Hypnobirthing Books well-recognised and is listed on reading lists for doctors. It's sold over 75,000 copies and is available as an audio-book, kindle and paperback.  

The Benefits of Hypnobirthing 

If you’re someone who:

✔ Likes to feel prepared

✔ Wants to understand how your mind works under pressure

✔ Doesn’t want to be passive in birth

✔ Values science and self-awareness

…then hypnobirthing offers something different. This isn’t a trend. It’s a skillset.

Many women say that the tools they learnt helped them far beyond the birth — supporting them through sleepless nights, decision-making, returning to work, and parenting with more calm and confidence.

In Summary:

✅            Hypnobirthing is a brain-based, science-backed method for staying calm and confident in birth.

✅            It supports decision-making, emotional regulation, and birth partner involvement.

✅            It should be taught by professionals, not downloaded randomly online.

✅            It’s ideal for women who value preparation, reflection, and autonomy.

 Want to Learn More?

If you're ready to prepare for birth in a way that respects your intelligence, your autonomy, and your nervous system, explore my online mindful hypnobirthing course — built by a clinical hypnotherapist and birth doula, and trusted by  thousands of families.

The Mindful Hypnobirthing Online Course

You can also do a face to face course with me or any of the practitioners I've training. Get in touch to find out more 🙂

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