[This post was cross posted on Han's blog , You can read more about her birth preparations and generally gorgeous life over ..read more

I would (and I am) recommend hypnobirthing to every pregnant woman. This was OUR WAY. We went through all of it TOGETHER, strong, empowered. I enjoyed and sailed through my sensations. We navigated together the eventualities we faced. We went together through sun and storm. I accepted the unexpected turns and made the decisions we needed to make for me and my baby. As my third sleepless night went on, exhaustion started to take a toll on me. Still, I was encouraged by Clara, Atosa and the midwife to keep going so I found strength to keep on. Overall we had a very intense and beautiful experien ..read more

And that’s where the real stories of fatherhood can begin…. first. There was a bit of back and forth about how Sarah was doing. Surges were coming with intervals of just below four minutes and becoming more intense so we asked Bryoni to come to ours. In that time I started sending texts to our families letting them know that tonight may be the night.  Bryoni was with us within twenty minutes and I put the kettle on to make some tea. now gents, I will warn your here that there can be quite a substantial amount of blood involved. There are unfortunately, or fortunately for some, no pic ..read more

I would (and I am) recommend hypnobirthing to every pregnant woman. This was OUR WAY. We went through all of it TOGETHER, strong, empowered. I enjoyed and sailed through my sensations. We navigated together the eventualities we faced. We went together through sun and storm. I accepted the unexpected turns and made the decisions we needed to make for me and my baby. As my third sleepless night went on, exhaustion started to take a toll on me. Still, I was encouraged by Clara, Atosa and the midwife to keep going so I found strength to keep on. Overall we had a very intense and beautiful experien ..read more

As the world continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, however, it seems that fear has become a routine part of life. If you have a loved one who is pregnant, she may be having a harder time overcoming her anxieties and feeling reassured about the future.   You can support your friend by sharing the resources on the Birthing Instincts website and blog. Further, here’s a list (presented by Kent Hypnobirthing) filled with practical, safe, and budget-friendly resources for helping out during the pandemic.   Virtual Baby Shower Gift Ideas   Just because in-person gatherings are ..read more

It's not always easy to admit to feeling lonely as a new mum. You have a small child permanently attached to your hip, have a million things to do at home - not to mention find time to have a shower yourself - and yet somehow there's that constant feeling of being lonely. Loneliness is very different from being alone. You don't have to be a mum to understand that sometimes you can feel very lonely even when you're surrounded by people. When you have a baby, you are never alone. But you may not have adult company from early morning to late evening. If you are a single mum, you might not have ad ..read more

There can be a lot of confusion around the humble birth plan. Are they really that necessary? Will anyone even read it? Is there any point in writing one? Well, I strongly believe the answer is yes! You wouldn't throw a party without some sort of plan. And you wouldn't promote your business without a firm plan in place. So why wouldn't you plan for the birth of your baby? Birth plans are definitely necessary, and it is absolutely worth your time and energy to write one. And there are several reasons why you need a birth plan. Everyone should be on the same page Whether or not you have strong i ..read more

Induction of labour is becoming increasingly common in UK. The number of births where the woman was induced has risen from 20% in 2007-08 to 32% in 2017-18 (NHS Maternity Statistics). Induction can be offered for a number of reasons, most commonly because of “prolonged pregnancy” - over 42 weeks gestation. It is also offered if there are health concerns for mother or baby, or if for some reason, it is deemed to be a safer option to have the baby sooner rather than later. Do I have to have an induction? No. You do not have to have any procedure you do not want. Of course, induction is usually ..read more

Is it going to hurt? I hear so many women ask that when they find out they are pregnant. I remember it was the number one concern I had when I was expecting my baby. It has to be the biggest cause of fear and anxiety among first time mums (and maybe even some mums who have already given birth!) Well, I’m not going to tell you that doing hypnobirthing will give you a totally pain-free birth - if I could guarantee that I would be a very rich woman. But I am here to say that it can make a huge difference in your pain levels during labour and in how you manage that pain. How can hypnobirthing help ..read more

Words by Sophie This blog is for those walking alongside their pregnant partners. Helping, guiding, preparing, and supporting. You are vital to the whole act of birth because you have a most wonderful ability which no midwife or doctor can do quite as well as you. You can make your partner feel loved, cared for, and supported. You know better than anyone else what makes her feel safe, calm, and loved. You know better than anyone else what makes her feel scared, anxious, and daunted. Just by being with her, holding her and encouraging her will be creating more Oxytocin (the hormone so important ..read more