Q: What is Hypnobirthing

A: You can read my explanation of what is Hypnobirthing here but to answer your question “Hypnobirthing” its self is a process not a method. The term hypnobirthing has become a recognisable term for the use of hypnosis for childbirth. Most methods out there share a similar philosophy and principles and all having the same goal. ‘Hypnobirthing’ is a process that focuses on preparing parents for a gentle physiological birth with the use of hypnosis for childbirth. Hypnosis for childbirth is not something new. In fact, many mothers have been using hypnotic tools for birth for centuries but were either unaware that they were doing it or what they were doing had a name. So to define ‘hypnosis’ it is a deep state of self induced relaxation, where you are in control. What if I also tell you, you have already been in a hypnotic state before? For example when you sleep and dream at night or daydreaming, when get lost in a fantastic book or really moving movie. Self Hypnosis is about accessing that state of mind while you are awake. You can read Hypnobirthing Australia's description of What is Hypnobirthing? Here.

There are different hypnobirthing courses out there but there is only one Hypnobirthing Australia™ program and that is because Hypnobirthing Australia™ method to hypnobirthing is uniquely Australian. It also is modern, up-to-date evidence based and highly respected program that provides women and their birth partner’s with the support, tools, knowledge and empowerment to create your own positive birth experience.

Q: Will you hypnotise me?

As a Hypnobirthing Australia ™ Practitioner my role is to guide you through the hypnotic tools and techniques while you are in complete control. Now I know some may be thinking how can I be in control of something that feels like it is happening to me or if you have experienced hypnosis before you might be thinking you felt you didn’t actually have control over it? Well let me now explain the secret weapon in achieving your calm hypnotic state for a gentle and positive birth is - your mind. 

Our mind is our place of programming and we can use our mind to change unhelpful or unwanted thought patterns and processes of our mind. The Hypnobirthing Australia™ program gives you a deeper understanding of how the mind works, the power our mind has over our body and how we can condition our mind to work with our body to achieve a calm and positive birth. Hypnobirthing Australia™ not only educates you about the physiology of the body and birth but has a strong focus on the mind/body connection and how to use that to help alleviate fear especially around birth with the use of hypnosis.

We know from research women who don’t fear childbirth have shorter labours than those who fear it because we know when the body is free from fear it is able to naturally open and relax, inviting the release of endorphins. When a birthing woman’s body is flooded with endorphins, a naturally producing love hormone and pain relief, her ability to progress naturally and calmly through labour is increased. 

Q: When should I do one of your Workshops? 

A: Anytime! The main thing is that you have the opportunity to learn the techniques before you birth. Having said that; the ideal timeframe is between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy. This gives you time to practice the techniques leading up to birth, conditioning yourself to the calm and positive mindset. However, don't worry, like I said the course can be completed at anytime throughout your pregnancy that works for you so if you're over 36 weeks just contact me and we can discuss your options. I am flexible and available to work with your needs. 

Q: How much are your classes?

A: My current Group Workshop cost is $550 per couple and private workshops are $900 per couple. Your investment includes over $150 worth of resources including your personal folio and mp3 downloads, 12hrs face to face class contact time with me, plus ongoing support from me and the option for an extra session if you feel you need it as you get closer to your birthing day.

Q: Do you offer private health insurance rebates?

A: YES! For NIB, CBHS, AMH, BUPA customers.

So if I don’t have a current private health insurance provider number with your private health fund, as my workshops are run by a Registered Midwife depending on your cover you may be able to make a claim so please check and enquiry with your chosen insurance company to see what you can claim.

Q: What are the Terms and Conditions?

A: A deposit of $150 is required at time of booking to secure your place in the workshop and full payment is due 7 days before the classes start. I do offer payment plan options for special circumstances so please contact me via email to discuss. 

Online classes require a $199 deposit with an optional 90 minutes with me for $150, to book into online classes check out my online course page here or send me an email to find out more.

Q: What happens if my partner can't attend the classes?

A: It is beneficial for you and I highly recommend to have your birth partner at the classes, this could be your life partner, husband, boyfriend, wife, or girlfriend to be there to support one another however if your birth partner can't attend that is fine and you are welcome to attend the course on your own. Or you also are welcome to bring another support birth partner along with you, this could be your best friend, mum, sister or doula, whoever you feel is the right support for you during your pregnancy, labour and on your birthing day if your partner can not be present for the classes. 

Q: What do we bring?

A: Just yourselves. If you are attending my 2 full day Group Workshop you are welcome to bring some lunch with you, we do have an hour's lunch break so there will be time for you to go and buy some lunch from the local Cafe Salted or go over the road to Westfield West lakes to grab a bite to eat if you like. I will provide morning and afternoon tea. 

Q: How many couples are in your groups?

A: I like to keep my group workshops a comfortable size to give each couple the opportunity to get the most out of the course and from me and to personalise it to their circumstances so I have a maximum of five couples per group workshop.

Q: What if I have already done hospital classes or do I still need to do the hospitals antenatal classes as well?

A: The choice is completely yours. The Hypnobirthing Australia™ Course is a very comprehensive 12 hour program in natural childbirth education. Hospital antenatal classes often cover a lot of information about childbirth, interventions and medical procedures during birth and can provide helpful specific information to the birthing practices in your chosen birthing hospital but from the feedback I received having previously taught hospital based antenatal classes that they can create fear with the use of the language, birth stories and policy based information.

So if you have already attend hospital classes, that's great and I can say doing a Hypnobirthing Australia™ class will greatly complement them, the knowledge and expertise you get from a Hypnobirthing class is priceless and the investment is invaluable for you and your baby. In your Hypnobirthing Australia™ classes you will learn all about the birth process, how we are designed to give birth, what to expect during pregnancy/the onset of labour/birthing, bonding with baby, how to release any fears associated with birthing and you will learn evidence based techniques (relaxation, breathing, visualisations, acupressure and deepening exercises) to use during your pregnancy and labour to help prepare for a calm and positive birth and you will leave feeling supported, engaged, calm and knowledgeable.

I am a big believer of ‘knowledge is power’ and the knowledge that you will gain through antenatal classes, along with your hypnobirthing classes, can help you to make informed decisions. If you have not attending hospital based classes or not sure if you should plan to attend ultimately the choice is yours, you can choose to attend just our course, or both.

What I do know is Hypnobirthing Australia™ classes provide women and their birth partners with the support, knowledge, education, preparation and tools you need to prepare for a positive and empowering birth that you deserve to have. Hypnobirthing Australia™ is a down to earth, straightforward and easy to learn program about inspiring women and their birth partners to have a beautiful and calm birthing experience no matter what turns their journey may take. 

Q: What happens if things don't go to plan in our birth?

A: Hypnobirthing Australia™ is all about preparing to calmly and positively meet your baby with whatever turns your birthing journey my take. 

Now I know there is no such thing as the perfect birth, each is unique and different and every woman has her own desires and needs for her birth and how birth looks for her is different to anyone else. Which is why the Hypnobirthing Australia™ course is about providing you with a variety of tools and techniques to create your own personal birthing toolkit that can be used in any situation so regardless of what turn your birthing journey may take you can make informed decisions calmly and confidently. The tools used are evidence based, up-to-date and proven techniques and remember knowledge is power. Hypnobirthing discusses safe effective ways for you to communicate with your chosen caregiver with the use of birth preferences, not birth plans because we know sometimes things don't always go to plan. Hypnobirthing helps in every birthing scenario so it prepares you for whatever turns your birthing journey may take.

If things do change before your birthing day even after you have done the Hypnobirthing Australia™ course we do have a online Change of Circumstances course and we also have our Positive Caesarean Birth course which is available as a 4 hour workshop or online - you can check out the Change of Circumstance Course here and the Positive Caesarean Birth Course here.

Q: Why do you teach Hypnobirthing Australia™ Classes?

A: I am passionate about helping women achieve having a positive and empowering pregnancy, birth and early parenting journey, one that they will want to remember for the rest of their life and want to share with all. I strongly believe ALL women deserve to feel respected, supported and confident about birthing their baby, in their care they receive and the informed choices they make. 

I truly believe Hypnobirthing Australia™ is the best program out there to help women prepare for just that. I personally know myself and the fact that many other women across Australia have experienced the power of these techniques and the positive overflow it has into in those early hours and days of motherhood. What I like most about the Hypnobirthing Australia™ course is that it is designed for everyone. There is no right way to give birth; every baby’s birth is unique. Hypnobirthing is not just for women planning a natural/vaginal birth, it is designed to support all women no matter what kind of birth you are planning, may it be a home birth, water birth, to give birth in birthing centres or public or private hospital or a planned Caesarean section.

I believe all women should have the opportunity to experience a beautiful, peaceful and positive birth. However, as a midwife I understand that no two births are the same. There is no such thing as normal or perfect birth, because each birth is unique and different and is defined differently by each individual, based on their beliefs, views and experiences. Each women has her own desires and needs, which is why Hypnobirthing Australia™ provide a mix of different tools and techniques, so you can create your own personal birthing toolkit, one that resonates with you and supports you regardless of what turn your birthing journey may take.