Why is birth / antenatal education so important for a positive birth experience, and why is everyone banging on about hypnobirthing?!
OK I’m going to put it really simply here to begin with…educating yourself for birth is ESSENTIAL. You need to take control of your birth experience and learn just how much you can influence in labour and how to advocate for yourself to get the birth you want and deserve.
Bringing a new life into the world is one of the most profound and life-changing experiences a person can have; it is totally normal to feel a mix of excitement and nerves the closer you get to the big day. Yet, for many expectant mums, the idea of giving birth can be filled with fear, anxiety and uncertainty (like I was back in 2019!) This is where antenatal education, in particular hypnobirthing, comes in. By arming yourself with the right knowledge, practical tools/techniques and mindset, you can turn those worries into confidence to promote a positive birthing experience.
There are so many reasons why doing an antenatal course is so important and should be top of your baby to-do list. Quite simply ‘knowledge is power’; the more you know, the more you can increase the chances of having the birth you want and making decisions throughout pregnancy and labour that are right for you. Let’s take a look at why antenatal education is so important.
Learning the Science Behind Birth
One of the best things about antenatal education, and in particular hypnobirthing, is it helps you understand what is actually going on when you are giving birth. So many times I've thought to myself "why isn't this stuff taught at school??"Girls should know just how incredible their bodies are from a young age, instead of the growing trend of uncertainty, doubt and anxiety that we are seeing nowadays. Hypnobirthing courses like mine help to explain the stages of labour, how your body responds, and what to expect at each phase. This knowledge really helps to reduce fear and anxiety, as you now know what is happening and why. When my husband and I did a group hypnobirthing course back in 2020 even just understanding what a contraction is and its incredible purpose all of a sudden made it feel less scary and actually felt quite exciting - each one you feel is one step closer to meeting your baby!
Positive Mindset for Birth
A lot of what we see, hear and read about birth (especially in the media, TV shows and movies) portrays quite a negative, medicalised and unrealistic image of giving birth. When you have been conditioned to think that birth is scary, painful, dangerous, something you need rescuing from, is it any wonder that so many of us are full of fear when the time comes to give birth? When I was first pregnant with Henry, my eldest, I was so scared of giving birth - "surely it can't be that bad if people go on to have more babies?!" I thought. Hypnobirthing completely changed my mindset and my whole outlook towards birth.
Your subconscious brain is there is to keep you safe; its primary function is survival. So when you go into labour and your BIRTH filing cabinet in your mind is full of negativity, there are big physiological changes that happen in your body to keep you and your baby safe - your heart rate increases, adrenaline is released and oxygenated blood is sent away from your uterus, to your vital organs allowing you to escape quickly to a place of safety. This is not what you want when you are in labour! Working on your mindset and transforming your beliefs around birth is one of the most important aspects of antenatal education and a side I feel particularly passionate about; this is where the real transformation happens.
Making Informed Decisions
Antenatal education empowers you to make informed decisions about your birth plan. In order for you to be able to give informed consent about anything relating to your birth you need to be given the benefits and risks of what is being recommended and also the benefits and risks of any alternatives. Only then can you weigh up all the information, decide what is right for you, and give informed consent. I teach families all about different medical interventions, pain relief options, and your rights in childbirth, making sure that you are an active participant in your birth experience. This ultimately is what helps lead to a positive birth experience, one where you feel knowledgeable, supported, informed and in control of your birth.
Building Confidence & Reducing Fear
Fear and tension can have a huge effect on your mind and body during birth, resulting in increased pain, longer labour, and possible intervention recommendations. Birth education helps to reduce any fears by building your confidence. You will learn techniques like breathing exercises, visualisation, and relaxation methods, helping you to remain calm at all times, and manage pain and stress during labour.
Birth Partner Involvement
Often birth partners feel like they will be a spare part, watching from the corner of the room feeling like they don’t bring anything to the party. The reality could not be further from the truth! I love teaching birth partners, as they start to see right from the very first session just how crucial a role they play. Antenatal courses show birth partners how they can provide physical, practical and emotional support during labour. Everything from setting up the birth environment, to bringing you essential drinks and snacks in labour, to advocating for you when needed, to allow you to stay in your birthing bubble full of that lovely oxytocin - the key birthing hormone!
Tuning Into Your Birth Instincts
Do you ever feel like you really trust your body, like you know what it is trying to tell you? Or that you just agree with what people suggest, when you have this niggling feeling that you think something different? We go through life with this ‘good girl’ mentality, striving to please others, confirming to societal expectations, and avoiding conflict at the expense of our own needs, desires and wellbeing. Well, birth education flips this on its head. It helps you trust and love your body, tune into your instincts, and gives you a total newfound respect for your body. I love seeing clients finishing my courses with so much confidence in their birthing ability - your body was absolutely designed to do this and it is incredible seeing people start to realise this!
But What Are The Key Benefits of Antenatal Education & Hypnobirthing?
There are so many to cover, but in my opinion the really key ones are:
Increased chance of vaginal birth
Reduced caesarean section rate
Lower rate of interventions
Improved birth satisfaction
Calmer, more confident, easier and shorter birth
More manageable and comfortable contractions
Reduced anxiety and fears
Increase breastfeeding success rates
Increased confidence in decision making and dealing with healthcare professionals
Reduced chance of experiencing postnatal depression and / or Birth Trauma
Investing in your birth is one of the best things you can do to ensure a positive empowering birth experience, where you feel in control every step of the way, regardless of what route your birth takes. You plan for a wedding, big job interview or any other major life event, putting so much time, effort and money into making sure you are as ready as you possibly can be - birth really is no different!
If you are ready to start your birth education get in touch with me today and book a free 15 minute Discovery Call, to find out all about my antenatal and hypnobirthing courses covering Hampshire, Berkshire & Surrey; it’s a great way to have an informal chat and see how I can help you prepare for birth.
My aim is for you to go into birth knowing exactly what may happen, how to make labour manageable and feeling confident that you can deal with whatever turn your birth takes.
Birth is not just one day, it stays with you forever, so take the leap and take control of your birthing experience.
Take care,
Fiona x
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