The Universe has been testing me since my last newsletter.
I’ve had a couple of requests recently, one from a Dr saying she knew all the antenatal stuff so could I ‘just do the hypnobirthing bit’ with her and today an email from a mum saying she didn’t think she could commit to three hours a week for a course so could I do a few hours of the ‘basics’.

My first instinct is to want to help everyone so I start thinking about how I’d cater for these requests. I keep coming back to the same feeling; it doesn’t serve anyone. The language, imagery, information, practice, sharing is all so closely intertwined in the 4 sessions I share with a group that to try and figure out what the ‘basics’ are is impossible. And that’s okay. In fact it’s more than okay, it’s my responsibility.

I’m passionate about what I do; that means being committed to it being shared effectively and responsibly. Anyone can claim to offer hypnobirthing and it’s your duty to ensure that you work with someone qualified and experienced. You deserve it.

I’m so grateful for the responses received after my last newsletter, particularly this email which I’ll remember when I consider trying to be something I’m not:

“I’ve been talking a lot about you in the last few weeks and the email you sent was pretty much exactly on the point that has come up. Two of my closest friends have recently had babies where the birth was very complicated and involved Lots of medical intervention. They have both spoken about feeling resentful to their hypnobirthing teachers and hypnobirthing as a whole for selling them a pup. What seems to have been the common thread was that they did courses over just one weekend and there was little depth in the teaching. For me and George the sessions felt more like group therapy and a safe place to really focus on the transition from a couple into parents. The hypnobirthing part was a part of the sessions but didn’t focus on a serene birth but more hypnobirthing techniques no matter the birth.
I wanted to let you know how much I’ve been thinking of you and how much you meant to us and helped give us a space to think and talk during that magical time.
Millions of thanks.”