• Who is HypnoBirthing suitable for?

HypnoBirthing is suitable for first time mums and mums who've had children before.

We help women who are scared of birth because they've never done it before, who are anxious because of a bad experience last time, or who just want a calmer, easier, more natural birth experience.

If you're pregnant, and looking for an alternative to the over-medicalised, pain-is-inevitable, "gimme all the drugs" mindset, then HypnoBirthing is for you.

• Will I be 'out of it' if I use HypnoBirthing?

No, absolutely not. With HypnoBirthing (in fact, virtually all hypnosis), you are aware of what is going on around you but you can just 'tune out' the distractions.

• What does the cost of the course cover?

The fee covers both yourself and your birth partner, for a course of five two-and-a-half hour sessions. Also included on the course you will receive a relaxation CD, the HypnoBirthing book, and lots of really useful handouts, as well as refreshments.

• What do I need to bring to the classes?

During relaxation you need to be as comfortable as possible, so wear comfy clothing; socks, even slippers if you like! Also, you will need to bring cushions, blankets, whatever you want to help yourself feel cosy and comfy.

• When is the best time to come to the classes?

The ideal time to complete the course is around 25-30 weeks. The success of the course is strongly linked to how much practice you do. However, provided you can finish the course before you give birth, it's still going to help. If for any reason you would like to complete the course earlier in your pregnancy, we can arrange a top-up session closer to your due date.

• Can you guarantee a completely pain-free labour and birth?

No. There are many factors that can affect a birth, some of which are outside our control.

Also, like any childbirth preparation class, the success of the techniques is related to the amount of practice you put in.

However, as a guide, we find that around 65-70% of HypnoBirthing mums don't need any form of pain relief. Nearly all the mums in this category simply don't experience any pain - just pressure.

Around a further 20-25% only require something mild, like gas and air.

The remaining 5-10% usually fall into what we call 'special circumstances', where medical intervention is required. However, the HypnoBirthing mums still tell us that HypnoBirthing really helped - even if they were induced, or ended up with a caesarean.

Remember - the aim of HypnoBirthing is not a completely pain-free and picture-perfect 'natural' birth (although that is possible).

It is to have a calmer, easier, more comfortable birth- where you are in control - and in a way that most mirrors Nature.

• Does my partner/husband have to attend the classes?

Yes - birthing companions are a very important part of HypnoBirthing success.

However, if your partner/husband cannot attend all the classes and/or help you practice or attend the birth, your mother, sister or friend can also be your birthing companion.

Whoever you choose (and we strongly recommend it's the father if at all possible, as it helps build a strong relationship with the child), they must attend all the classes and the birth.

• I'm scared of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Is it safe?

Hypnosis is absolutely safe and nothing to be scared of.

Unfortunately, TV, film and stage portrayal of hypnosis has left a lot of people with a mistaken view of what hypnosis is, and what it can (and can't) do.

The misconception and impression that many people hold is that hypnosis is something magical, mystical and often dangerous. Hypnosis has even been portrayed by some, as a scary form of mind control, where people are made to give up control of themselves. Hypnosis is in fact the complete opposite, as people visit hypnotherapists or utilize self-hypnosis because they want help to gain more control over their lives, not less.

The phenomenon of hypnosis is firstly, and most importantly, a natural state of mind, which means that virtually every person has the natural capacity for response to hypnosis. There is nothing unnatural or supernatural about it. Hypnosis is simply a natural state of physical, mental and emotional relaxation, along with a heightened state of awareness.

This change of consciousness is extremely comfortable and relaxing, just like those moments before you fall asleep and as you start wake up in the morning. You'll feel very relaxed, yet your mind will still be highly focused and aware. This in itself is very beneficial, particularly for those suffering with stress and anxiety issues, as it relaxes, refreshes and invigorates the mind and body.

Hypnosis is a means of moving into a perfectly natural state of mind, that people actually move in and out of several times a day. Everyone has experienced this trance like state, although they may not have called it hypnosis.

We all go in and out of different levels of consciousness all day. Daydreaming, reading, driving are all examples of every day tasks when we may enter an altered state of awareness.

Have you ever had the experience of driving along the motorway and suddenly realized that you passed your exit several miles back?

Or have you ever been so caught up in a TV programme, a book, a film or computer game that you've lost track of time, or not realized that someone has been talking to you?

These are all everyday examples of a change of consciousness and an altered state of awareness. Hypnosis is just another example of an altered state of awareness. The difference being hypnosis is unique in that it can be utilized for self-change.

So you see, when a hypnotherapist guides you into hypnosis they are not asking you to experience anything strange that you haven't experienced before. This is why sometimes people come out of trance unsure whether they were actually hypnotized or not, as it is such a familiar feeling. However, the extraordinary quality of relaxation you experience with the hypnotic trance is usually very different.