Harry Potter and Hypnobirthing

Can Hypnobirthing help you have a magical birth experience?

I am a self-confessed Harry Potter nerd. And you may be thinking there is absolutely nothing in common between Harry Potter and birth, however J.K.Rowling wrote some wise words. So read on to find out more!

"There will be no foolish wand waving or incantations in this class." - Severus Snape

Hypnobirthing isn't magic. It isn't just for hippies. And it isn't foolish. It is evidence based, scientific and can lead to a positive birth experience. Positive affirmations are not silly incantations but can help you build a positive mindset for birth - the body achieves what the mind believes.

"You're a little scary sometimes, you know that? Brilliant... but scary!" - Ron Weasley

We are taught to fear childbirth, whether through stories from friends or scenes depicted in the media - but childbirth is absolutely brilliant. Our bodies were designed to birth babies, and through hypnobirthing you will learn all about the physiology of birth. That doesn't have to be scary but empowering!

"Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself." - Hermione Granger

To do hypnobirthing, you don't have to call contractions 'surges' or 'waves'. You can, it is your choice. But we can also just call contractions what they are - your uterine muscles contracting to move your baby into the optimum position for birth, and pushing baby down and out. During a hypnobirthing class you will learn all about the physiology of birth, as well as relaxation techniques to enable contractions or surges to work more efficiently and feel more manageable.

"It is our choices, Harry, that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities." - Albus Dumbledore

We all have the ability within us to birth our babies. Hypnobirthing will give you the information to make informed choices about how you do that. From where to give birth, to what interventions and pain relief you may or may not want, everything is a choice and it is yours to make.

"Accio BRAIN!" Ron Weasley

In Hypnobirthing, we learn to use the acronym B.R.A.I.N. to help us make informed decisions. Weighing up the benefits, risks, alternatives, instinct and what would happen if we did nothing. Every birth is different, and you have the right to ask questions about any advice you are offered - hypnobirthing gives you a toolkit to make that easier.

"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?" Albus Dumbledore

Your mind - and the voice inside it - is incredibly powerful and persuasive. It is the voice you probably listen to most when making any decision in life! In hypnobirthing we learn all about the connection between our mind and body. By working to create a positive mindset for birth, we create the best chance of having a positive birth experience.

"Don't let the muggles get you down!" Ron Weasley

You don't need to listen to Petunia who had a negative birth experience, tell you all about her dramatic labour in gory details. And you don't need to listen to Uncle Vernon who thinks Hypnobirthing is a load of nonsense - easy for him to say when he isn't the one giving birth! Surrounding yourself with positive birth stories, is a great thing to do when pregnant, whether hypnobirthing or not. Hypnobirthing classes will give you the toolkit to let the 'muggles' comments wash over you rather than cause stress or anxiety about birth. You are an intelligent person and you can choose to listen to the muggles or not!

"There are some things you can’t share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them."

Birth is another! Joining a Hypnobirthing group class is a great way to meet other like-minded couples and share the journey of pregnancy and birth together with. Through the various activities we do, you will make life long friends and your babies will also grow up with a great bunch of baby friends available for play dates too!

"Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic." - Albus Dumbledore

Whatever way you learn about birth. Through a book, through an online pre-recorded class, a group class or a 1:1 session - at the end of the day, it is all words. But how powerful, that they could change the way you view birth, change the way you think about birth, change the way you prepare for birth and change the way you experience birth. That is magic! And its the sort that lasts a lifetime!