Can Anybody Do It - is it Easy to Learn?

Yes! With time and practice Gentlebirth hypnobirthing has benefits for everyone and is very simple to learn.

Does it work in hospitals or only homebirths?

Most of my couples are having hospital births although these skills can be applied to any birth setting. Noises and sounds around you in the hospital will deepen your relaxation instead of distracting you (a huge benefit of learning these techniques).

Will I still be in control?

Yes! Lots of people worry that hypnosis for birth will be similar to stage hypnosis or that you'll go home barking like a dog everytime the phone rings. The fact of the matter is with Gentlebirth you are in complete control, all hypnosis is self hypnosis, it is not something that is done to you. You can accept or reject the suggestions given to you for a calm gentle birth. Nobody can make you do anything you do not want to do whilst in hypnosis and you will remain totally awake throughout the whole of your birth experience, just much calmer and much more in control and very relaxed.

I’m having a Caesarean Section – Will Gentlebirth still benefit me?

Yes! Gentlebirth isn’t just about natural, drug-free, vaginal births; it can be used for any type of birth experience. It is a wonderful way to help prepare you for the birth itself, but the benefits do not end there. Gentlebirth helps you experience a happier, more relaxed pregnancy,l helps with bonding with your baby, increases your confidence in breastfeeding (should you chose to breastfeed) and adjusting to life with your new baby as stress free as possible. (Your recovery is likely to be quicker too !) Call me about my Cesarean Preparation CDs and breech turn CD if your baby is breech.

Isn't using any Relaxation CD the Same Thing?

A relaxation CD can definitley help you to relax and may be of some benefit, but Gentlebirth is a complete antenatal education program in itself and helps you plan for a calm relaxed birth experience. Not only do you learn abou hypnosis you learn how to make informed decisions about your care. The CDs include specific imagery and suggestions to build your confidence for labour and keep you relaxed during the birth of your baby. Marie Mongan's HypnoBirthing book is a wonderful tool but was not designed to be a homestudy course.

When Should I Start?

As soon as possible.  It’s never too early and it’s never too late. I teach couples as early as 9 weeks of pregnancy and most recently - 2 days past a mum's EDD. Don’t worry you won’t ‘forget’ what you’ve been taught as we’re working with the subconscious mind. We are creating an automatic response in the body so that when your surges start you automatically relax...instead of panicking. The longer you have to practice the more confident you’ll become. The sooner you start the sooner you’ll get to experience the benefits of self hypnosis during your pregnancy – especially if you are still working.  You’ll find that once you start the practice your stress levels will drop dramatically and you can really enjoy your pregnancy with no fear of the upcoming birth.

Does My Partner Have to Come Too?

Ideally your partner will come with you but we understand that this is not always possible. You could bring along a friend. Doula Ireland also teaches single mums and it’s still perfectly possible to follow the program without a birth partner.

Am I Guaranteed a Pain Free Labour?

70% of Doula Ireland’s prior clients gave birth with no pain relief at all or just gas and air right at the end. We don't guarantee pain free birth and that is not the focus of the class....but we do guarantee that you will feel much more in control and calmer than if you didn't learn the technique.

Do you have Any Other Statistics?

Doula Ireland’s clients (of those taught from 2005 and given birth by May 2007) experienced:

6% emergency cesarean rate (Irish national average is approx 24%)
15% perineal damage (Irish average is 60%)
7.5hr average length of labour (Irish average is 12-16hrs for a first time mum)

How Much Are the Workshops?

For group workshops - €375

For private tuition at my office - €125 per 2 hour session

You will also be invited to join the online Gentlebirth group where you can connect with other mums using the Gentlebirth program around the world.

Due to the high demand for places in my workshop. A €100 non-refundable deposit is payable upon booking with the remainder payable either in full before your class or on the first day.

Do I Still Need to Take Hospital Antenatal Classes if I'm doing Gentlebirth?

No. With Gentlebirth we are retraining the subconscious mind to expect labour to be a positive and non stressful experience. We have found that couples who attend hospital antenatal classes particularly the labour class have their fears reinforced by the instructors own belief that birth MUST be a painful experience. Painful out of control labours is generally NOT the experience of Gentlebirth mothers. Gentlebirth is a complete antenatal class in itself.

The class removes the fear of labour and replaces it with confidence that birth can be positive and not a frightening experience but something to be looked forward to. We do however recommend taking a tour of the place where you will be giving birth and also taking a breastfeeding class and baby care preparation class.

Where are the Classes Held?

Classes are held at the new City North Hotel – right on the M1 for easy accessibility from the M50. http://www.citynorthhotel.com.

Classes are also planned for Galway and Waterford.

 

When should I Enroll?

Demand is very high for the workshops as couples travel from all over Ireland to attend so early booking is advisable. Click on the Enroll button at the top of the page to enroll now.

What Experience do you have?

 

• Mum to a wonderful 4 year old boy.
• 250+ couples have taken part in my hypnosis for childbirth workshops.
• Trained by the HypnoBirthing® Institute (by Mickey Mongan the founder of the program) and have been practicing as a hypnoBirthing educator since 2005 in Singapore and Ireland.
• Published the only research based guide to birth in Ireland - The Better Birth Book, (Taking the Mystery and Fear out of Childbirth)
• Founder of the Gentlebirth Homestudy birth hypnosis program.
• Active Doula working in Irish hospitals, my first hand experience of attending Hypnobirths in Irish hospitals is one of the main reasons Hypnobirthing couples choose my classes. 
• Certified Doula Trainer (DONA.org)
• Certified Hypnotherapist specialising in hypnosis for women's wellness (including fertility, pregnancy and areas unique to women)
• Elected Chair of Our Lady of Lourdes Consumer Group on Maternity Care