Hypnobirthing with Birth Then Baby
Who I am and how can I help you feel confident for birth?
Feeling fed up of the endless google searches, trying to find out what exactly do you need to know about birth? Only to find your searches lead to birth horror stories, or more questions than you started with. Like what the heck is perineal massage anyway?! Or maybe you’ve excitedly shared your birth plans with others, only to be met with skepticism and warnings that "plans never go as expected." You might even be starting to wonder if there’s any point in preparing for birth at all?
Good news - I'm here to cut through the confusion, providing clear, reliable guidance on pregnancy and birth, turning uncertainties into confidence as we get you ready for birth and parenthood!
Hello, I’m Holly!
An accredited Hypnobirthing Teacher, Registered Mental Health Therapist and soon-to-be Mum (or Mam if you’re where I’m from) to two.
My Experience & Background
My journey to supporting families during pregnancy and postpartum began well before Birth Then Baby.
With over 12 years in healthcare services, I have worked as both a Registered Mental Health Therapist and Trainee Psychologist, where I specialised in supporting those navigating anxiety during pregnancy, or difficulties such as low mood, OCD, or birth trauma in the postpartum period.
My passion for supporting expectant parents deepened after my own challenging pregnancy and birth, where I overcame complex post-traumatic stress disorder through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
In 2023, I started Birth Then Baby, after becoming an accredited Hypnobirthing Teacher and have since supported families worldwide to prepare for birth and parenthood.
Why am I the best person to support you?
First of all, I’ve been where you are now. I know exactly what it feels like to be bombarded with information on pregnancy, birth, postpartum and then the actual parenting that follows after. It can feel bloody exhausting at times!
But here's the thing—I'm not just someone who's studied this stuff from a distance. As a registered mental health therapist, I've been right there in the trenches with people facing similar challenges. I've listened to their fears, their hopes, their struggles, and their triumphs.
So when I say I understand what you're going through, I really mean it. And I'm not just here to teach you hypnobirthing techniques—I'm here to listen, to support, and to help you navigate whatever emotional hurdles might come your way during this journey.
Whether it's anxiety about childbirth, understanding past traumas, or just needing someone to talk to, I've got your back. Together, we'll work through it all, so you can approach childbirth with confidence and inner strength.
How exactly will I help you prepare for birth and parenthood?
Well, first off, I'm not going to overwhelm you with a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we're going to tailor our sessions to fit your needs and preferences.
We'll dive into hypnobirthing techniques together, but it's not just about the breathing exercises and relaxation techniques (though those are important too!). We'll also explore your fears and anxieties, address any questions or concerns you have, and work on building your confidence and resilience.
And it's not just about the birth itself—it's about preparing you for parenthood too. We'll talk about everything from postpartum care to adjusting to life with a newborn. And hey, if you need someone to vent to about the challenges of parenthood, I'm all ears!
Bottom line? I'm here to support you every step of the way, whether it's helping you prepare for the big day or cheering you on as you navigate the ups and downs of parenthood. Together, we'll make sure you're as prepared and empowered as possible for this next chapter in your life.
What makes Birth Then Baby so special?
First off, my personal journey has shaped my approach in a big way. Having faced my own challenges throughout pregnancy and postpartum, I truly understand what you might be going through. This experience drives my commitment to providing empathetic and personalised support to each and every client.
I'm all about meeting you where you're at and tailoring my support to fit your needs. Whether you prefer the convenience of online courses, the intimacy of face-to-face sessions, or the camaraderie of group workshops, I've got you covered. And with my background as a registered mental health therapist, you can trust that emotional concerns will be handled with care.
But what really sets Birth Then Baby apart, is my dedication to accessibility. Through initiatives like my pay-what-you-can scheme for online group courses, I'm committed to ensuring that everyone has access to essential birth preparation resources, regardless of their financial situation.
And here's the best part: I'm not here to tell you how to give birth. Whether you're planning a vaginal birth, a medicated birth, or even a cesarean birth, I'm here to support you in making your own choices and having a positive experience, no matter what. It's about empowering you to navigate your journey with confidence and resilience, whatever path you choose.
I specialise in:
Subsidiary Diploma in Health and Social Care
BSC Psychology (First Class)
Postgraduate Certificate in Low Intensity Psychological Therapies
KGH Diploma in Hypnobirthing
Hypnobirthing Expansion Training accredited by Love Your Birth
Certificate in Supporting Families through Pregnancy and Baby Loss
My Qualifications
Get To Know Me
My favourite Instagram picture:
My pride and joy:
FAQs
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During childbirth, fear can make labour more painful and longer because it causes tension in the body. Hypnobirthing helps by relaxing the body and calming fears by using different Hypnobirthing techniques.
This relaxation helps the uterus muscles job a lot easier, making labour more comfortable and for some, quicker.
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Probably my most asked question!
My Hypnobirthing and Antenatal classes use a mix of Hypnobirthing methods, with therapeutic techniques I use within my work as a mental health therapist.
You can expect to learn:
Breathing Techniques: Designed to help you feel calm, comfortable and birth your baby
Visualisations: Designed to help you ‘escape’ stress, by helping your mind focus and creating a sense of relaxation during labour. Visualisations can also help make the pushing stage of labour more straightforward.
Positive Birth Affirmations: Their main job is to hype you up during pregnancy and birth, to help you feel confident, in control and focused during childbirth.
Creating Anchors: These are sensory cues that trigger feelings of relaxation
Birth Partner and Self-Hypnosis Scripts: Designed to be used throughout pregnancy and birth, these scripts can help ground your mind and feel calm and collected throughout your labour
Massage Techniques: To help you feel as comfortable as possible during pregnancy, labour and birth
Hypnobirthing Audios: Designed to help you release fears, physical tension and create a positive mindset around childbirth
Understanding and Managing Worries: I will use therapeutic techniques used within my therapy work to help you understand any worries you have about pregnancy, birth, or the postpartum period and how you can learn to manage these worries.
These are just the ‘main’ Hypnobirthing techniques used, but you will learn so many different ways to help you feel more confident as you approach labour.
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There are no rules as to when you should start a hypnobirthing course. It is totally down to personal preference.
I’ve had some clients who felt more anxious about pregnancy/birth, therefore started soon after their 12 week scan. And I’ve also had clients start within their last month of pregnancy.
There are are some things to practice in the run up to birth, so starting hypnobirthing earlier can give you more time to do this.
Generally speaking, most clients attend a class between 20-35 weeks pregnant. But I welcome clients at all stages of pregnancy!
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NCT (National Childbirth Trust) antenatal classes tend to focus more on teaching information on pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood. This might include topics such as the stages of labour, feeding options, safe sleep recommendations etc. Whilst is is important to understand all of this information, it does not necessarily prepare you to deal with the emotional and physical challenges of labour and birth. Simply ‘knowing’ about birth, does not prepare you for a positive experience. You can understand more about what I mean by this here.
My Hypnobirthing & Antenatal Classes cover not only the ‘stuff you need to know’ about birth and the postpartum period (such as stages of labour, how the body works during birth, pain relief options etc). But I also teach the techniques and skills you need to help you prepare for a more positive birth and postpartum experience. As far as I’m aware, this isn’t included in an NCT/Other antenatal classes.
Some of my clients have also participated in other antenatal classes and it doesn't necessarily have to be seen as a 'hypnobirthing vs NCT' situation! They have shared that while the antenatal information I offer covers similar content to other courses, overall, I provide a deeper understanding, leading to increased confidence in decision-making and managing unexpected situations during childbirth.
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Yes, you can absolutely use hypnobirthing techniques even if you're being induced or having a planned c-section!
In fact, my hypnobirthing classes cover what to expect during an induction, assisted or caesarean birth, so you can feel prepared and empowered no matter how your birth goes.
Hypnobirthing isn't limited to natural, unmedicated births—it can be beneficial for all types of childbirth experiences.
The hypnobirthing and therapeutic techniques taught in my classes can help you stay calm, manage discomfort, and maintain a positive mindset during induction, c-section, or however birth plays out.
My previous clients found that hypnobirthing helped them feel more empowered, confident, and in control, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their birth.
My courses teach you how to adapt the techniques to suit your unique birthing journey and preferences.
Birth Then Baby Hypnobirthing & Antenatal Classes
I’m here to support you in getting ready for one of the most precious experiences you'll ever have – the birth of your baby! My hypnobirthing courses will give you everything you need to feel prepared for birth, leaving you feeling calm, confident and excited.
