What Is Hypnobirthing — And Is It for Me?
Hypnobirthing isn't what you think. It's not hypnosis, it's not woo, and it's not just for home births. Here's what it actually is and why it works.
Every time I tell someone I teach hypnobirthing, I get the same look. A slightly raised eyebrow. A polite smile.
“So you… hypnotise people during birth?”
Not quite.
What hypnobirthing actually is
Hypnobirthing is a birth preparation method that uses breathing techniques, deep relaxation, visualisation and education to help you approach birth feeling calm, informed and in control.
The “hypno” part refers to self-hypnosis — which is really just a state of deep relaxation and focused awareness. You’re not asleep. You’re not being controlled. You’re more present, not less.
Think of it like meditation with a very specific purpose: preparing your mind and body to work together during birth.
It’s not just for one “type” of birth
This is probably the biggest misconception. Hypnobirthing works for:
- Hospital births — including inductions and assisted births
- Birth centre births
- Home births
- Caesarean births — planned or emergency
The techniques are about how you feel during birth, not where or how it happens. They help you stay calm, make informed decisions, and feel empowered no matter what path your birth takes.
What you actually learn
On my course, we cover:
- Breathing techniques for every stage of labour
- Deep relaxation practices you can use anywhere
- The neuroscience of birth — how hormones, the nervous system and environment all interact
- Informed decision-making — understanding your options so you can advocate for yourself
- Birth partner tools — practical ways your partner can actively support you
- Fear release — because the stories we carry about birth profoundly affect how we experience it
Does it guarantee a “perfect” birth?
No. Nothing can. But here’s what it does guarantee: you’ll go into your birth feeling prepared, informed and confident. And that changes everything.
The clients who tell me their hypnobirthing training made the biggest difference aren’t always the ones who had straightforward births. Often, it’s the ones whose births took unexpected turns — because they had the tools to stay calm, ask questions, and feel like an active participant rather than a passive patient.
Is it for me?
If you’re pregnant and you have a body, it’s for you. Seriously.
It doesn’t matter if you’re planning a home water birth or a scheduled caesarean. It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time parent or on your fourth. The tools work because they’re based on physiology, not philosophy.
Curious? I run hypnobirthing courses in Dorset and online. Get in touch to find out when the next one starts.