Further Reading

(click on links for more information)

Written by Brisbane GP Dr Sarah J Buckley on the science and spirit behind gentle birthing/parenting choices

The original HypnoBirthing book by Marie Mongan. Also contains Relaxation CD

Certified Lamaze instructor and activist Henci Goer brings women the carefully researched facts they'll want to have--the complete rundown on modern pregnancy and childbirth.

The original work by British Obstetrician Dr Grantly Dick Read - the principles upon which HypnoBirthing Childbirth Education Program is based.

This approach prepares a mother for what birth will be like from her perspective - to be in labour and give birth as a mother, not as a trained para-professional.

HypnoBirthing® Testimonials

“Amy and I spent the early hours of Tuesday morning putting into practice everything we learned with Helen. As Amy progressed through the early stages of labour, we stayed at home, maintained a relaxed atmosphere and with the help of massage, breathing and other hypnobirthing principles, Amy gradually moved into "labourland". We arrived at the Mater at 5.45am and were escorted into the very same birthing suite that Amy had visualised giving birth in. Amy was amazing! She stayed completely "in the moment" and trusted her body. At 7.18am on Tuesday morning (just an hour and a half after arriving at hospital) Amy gave birth to Jack without the assistance of any drugs and without the presence of any medical staff apart from [midwife]. Helen, thanks to your hypnobirthing sessions Amy was completely confident in her ability to work with her baby to give birth naturally. The entire "hypnobirthing group" gave Amy the support she needed to believe in herself. Thanks so much to all of you!” Clark and Amy, 2008

HypnoBirthing and Birth Companions

HypnoBirthing® welcomes and includes all Birth Companions as essential support and advocates for the birthing mother and baby. It is highly recommended that the partner or husband attend ALL of the sessions for the maximum benefit of the program. If a woman does not have a partner who can attend, then it is highly recommended that a suitable birth companion is chosen to attend the sessions and provide her with support. A suitable birth companion is anyone who has a positive outlook on birth, who the mother can trust and depend on, and who will reliably listen to, encourage and empower the mother in her choices – through pregnancy and birth. Suitable companions could be friend, mother, sister or other family member. It is more about the relationship that the pregnant mother has with the birth companion – Alternatively, I would strongly recommend hiring a doula for ALL mothers AND their birth companions. Please see “Doula” section below.

HypnoBirthing® Advantages for Partners and Birth Companions

* Breathing techniques taught to both mother and companion

* Light touch massage and other comfort techniques demonstrated f

* Visualisation and deepening exercises to allow Birth Companion and Mother to work and practice together to achieve deeper and instant relaxation for pregnancy, labour and birth

* Ideas for positioning and repositioning during labour – descriptions of how Birth Companion can physically support the mother and practice

* Stages of labour discussed – signs and signals to indicate that labour is starting and progressing

* Verbal relaxation and deepening prompts for supporting mother during and between surges

* Birth Plans discussed in detail, including questions to ask and negotiation without conflict

Doulas and HypnoBirthing

Doulas are a fantastic support to both the mother and her partner during pregnancy and birth. I highly recommend that couples consider a doula as an additional support, in conjunction with HypnoBirthing®. Please be aware that HypnoBirthing® and doula care are two separate entities. A doula cannot teach HypnoBirthing® unless trained and registered with the HypnoBirthing Institute. One does not substitute for the other. But the two work very well together and are complementary. When choosing a doula it is very important to make sure that your doula is supportive of, and informed about HypnoBirthing® philosophy, language and techniques. At the very least, check that they have read the book and are comfortable with the philosophy.

There are plenty of places you can find doulas. I can highly recommend the following doulas personally – as these doulas have supported mothers previously who have attended my HypnoBirthing classes:

Brisbane South and Redlands

Conscious Birth classes also available

M: 0421 691 068 E: kasslee@live.com

Kassandra's Conscious Birth Website

Brisbane North

Lucie Scott - Brisbane Northside

P: 3353 1625/0409 911 573

E: lucieandpete@bigpond.com

Shelley Lyne

doulacarechoice@hotmail.com

Brisbane West and Ipswich

Cheryl Sherriff

cheryl@idealbirth.com.au

Ph: 07-3378 8714

Mob: 0407-153412

What is a Doula?

"The Birth Doula stays with her client and the client’s partner throughout the labour, providing lots of physical and emotional support to the two of them. They will work endlessly at massaging a woman’s back, feet, bottom or brow for ten hours if needed or they will work on one leg while the partner works on the other. Doulas might use heat packs and aroma and music and darkness and many many more strategies for protecting the woman’s ‘space’ in order to allow her to birth her baby in her own way.

Doulas are self effacing. They become as steady as a rock if the client needs physical support and then melt away into the background when the woman has no need of them. For the Doula, the woman takes ‘centre stage’ and the Doula is the prop, or the resting place, attuned to the woman’s needs, ready to serve." - Dr Christine Vose from her article, "Doula Revolution".

"If we aim to create a nonviolent world, we must begin with love and nourishment in the womb" - Deepak Chopra, Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives

...one birth at a time.....I look forward to meeting you soon and wish you a very Happy Birthing Day!.

Helen Pywell, P: 043 003 6211, E: doulahelen@gmail.com