North Somerset & Bristol Hypnobirthing FAQ’s

They certainly don’t have to, but ideally they should attend all the antenatal classes (you will both be very glad if they do!). Our North Somerset & Bristol Hypnobirthing courses are as much for partners as they are for mums-to-be - it is often partners who arrive at the course completely sceptical but leave the most enthusiastic! They love how factual & logical Hypnobirthing really is.

A birth partner who has learnt Hypnobirthing is not a birth partner that is nervous, doesn’t know what is going on during labour or what to do to help. Instead they are knowledgeable and able to support you as you want them to. They can be a huge asset and my course is carefully designed to create your own personal superhero in the birth room!

It certainly will. All our birth journeys are different and whilst having a birth partner attend with you is the ideal, many women have come to the course alone if they have a partner who can’t make it, or are a single mum, or a second time mum without a babysitter. These antenatal classes adapt well for just you & your bump, but a relative, friend, or whoever will be supporting you at the birth would also be very welcome instead. Just remember that if you are committed to putting the practice in, Hypnobirthing works.

Honestly, for a few mothers just reading a book and using some audios may be enough, but for the majority it isn’t (though it will always make a difference). The trouble is, you don’t know which category you come into until after your baby is born. Hypnobirthing truly is a worthwhile investment in yours and your baby's future and if you want to experience the full benefits it is strongly recommended to attend a full set of our North Somerset or Bristol Hypnobirthing & Antenatal classes.

There really is no substitute for a course taught by a real, live person there in front of you to answer any questions and bring the content to life...with Little Passengers you will learn much more than what's in a book or in an online pre-recorded course, including having unhindered access to the knowledge and experience of a local practising midwife!

Despite common misconceptions about hypnosis that have arisen from TV and stage portrayals, you are definitely not ‘out of it’ during self-hypnosis. It is a perfectly safe and pleasant experience. A Hypnobirthing mother is in a state of deep relaxation, whilst also being fully aware of what is going on and remaining an active participant in her labour process.

Hypnobirthing mothers often find that they can 'tune out' the distractions of other people or their birthing environment while they focus on birthing their baby, but can return to conversation and focus on other things whenever needed or when they wish to. Our North Somerset & Bristol hypnobirthing classes will teach you exactly how to achieve that!

Often our South Bristol Hypnobirthing courses are taught over two full days (usually across two Sundays). I have found this is extremely effective and in demand with busy couples! Our North Somerset hypnobirthing courses are typically 4 shorter evening sessions (typically run over 4 weeks). Each format has its pros and cons, but there is no research showing that one method is better than another.

The bottom line is simply that Hypnobirthing works, so choose the format that is most convenient for you. Please also feel free to contact me to provide feedback about the dates/times/format of our antenatal classes as I'm always keen to know how we can respond to what you couples out there want!

Anyone expecting a baby!

If you are expecting your first baby, you may often ask yourself the question ‘What if..?’. Anxieties you may have are likely from dramatic labour scenes seen on TV or in films, or from hearing those 'horror stories' of birth from other well-meaning women. My hypnobirthing & antenatal classes help to explain the ‘What ifs’ so you can safely leave them to your midwife. She is highly qualified in ‘what ifs’, and your mind needs to be free of them to allow your body to work at it's best in labour.

For women who are expecting their second or subsequent baby, the words ‘If only…’ are more common. ‘If only I had known, I would have made a different decision.’ ‘If only someone had told me.’ My course saves you from saying ‘If only…’ after your birth, and helps you let go of a previous negative experience, so that the birth of your next baby can be a wonderful and empowering experience. It is the second time mums who REALLY know the difference that hypnobirthing makes as they have experienced the difference for themselves.

If you live in our local area then we have in-person dates for Bristol hypnobirthing groups and also North Somerset groups that you can book online here

It is also possible to attend our Bristol hypnobirthing dates via Zoom as well if that is your preference!

It is not so much a matter of learning facts so they are fresh in your mind, but more a matter of absorbing the information so that it becomes second nature. The relaxation part of hypnobirthing works in a 'conditioning' way so the more practice you get to do, the more effective Hypnobirthing will likely be for you, so completing your antenatal classes somewhere between 23-35 weeks is ideal. However, Hypnobirthing works whenever you do it. If you have discovered hypnobirthing later on in your pregnancy, check out our South Bristol Hypnobirthing dates, which tend to be taught over two full days on two consecutive weeks - ideal when you are pushed for time! 

Confidence - When you feel confident, you relax and work with your body in the way nature intended.

Control - With the knowledge you have, you are enabled to take control of how you give birth.

Choice - When you feel in control, the choices you make are the best choices for you and for your baby.

Calm - When you feel calm throughout the birth you are relaxed and your mind and body work together in harmony.

Comfort - The result is that your body works efficiently and comfortably.

Whilst many Hypnobirthing mothers do report having a pain-free birth or one that they were able to manage easily, Little Passengers cannot promise a perfect experience - no-one can! It is important to recognise that childbirth can be affected by many different factors, some of which are beyond your control. The aim is to have a calmer, easier, more comfortable birth - where you are able to make empowering decisions that are right for you, no matter what the circumstances are.

Achieving this aim is in part related to how much practice you put into the techniques before your labour, which is something you do have control over! Little Passengers antenatal classes are the signpost, we give you all the information and support we possibly can, then you make the journey!

If our pre-planned North Somerset or Bristol Hypnobirthing dates are not ideal for you, it may be possible to arrange private classes for yourself (or a small group of friends who are interested in learning Hypnobirthing together) with dates & times to suit us both. Please take a look at our Private Hypnobirthing page & make contact to discuss your needs.

The KGH training that we have received to teach hypnobirthing is accredited by the Royal College of Midwives - and of course as practising midwives ourselves, we are fully subscribed members of the RCM too! It is really important to choose a hypnobirthing provider that you can trust to be up-to-date & accurate with the information they are giving you.