What is SIMPLE Hypnobirthing and what are the benefits?
Jackie Heffer-Cooke
Through simple self hypnosis, specific breathing and deep relaxation exercises, hypnobirthing leads you towards a calm and relaxed birth.
So, how does Hypnobirthing work?
Hypnobirthing is all about cultivating The Big 3...
😊 Endorphin – the body’s natural painkiller
❤️ Oxytocin – the birth hormone
🌬Oxygen – the fuel of the uterus
To cultivate The Big 3 our Hypnobirthing Method is based around the easy to remember acronym SIMPLE Birthing.
SIMPLE birthing stands for:
S – Self-hypnosis: deepening techniques, positive thinking,
affirmations, visualisations
I – Intuition: tuning in, listening and believing
M – Mindfulness: breathing, progressive relaxation, soft muscles, soft
jaw, soft gaze
P – Preparation for birth: places to birth, birth props, birth preferences
and birth positions of choice
L – Loyal birth partners: The Birth Protectors! Whether it’s a husband,
sister, mother or best friend.
E – Endorphins: how to promote and keep the body’s natural painkiller
Hypnobirthing is about using particular tools and techniques to promote The Big 3 so that mum and birth partner feel absolutely prepared and ready to birth their baby simply, without fear, with calm excitement and a sense of empowerment and joy.
“Giving birth should be your greatest achievement,
not your greatest fear”
– Jane Weideman
Hypnobirthing is about complete preparation for birth. When parents-to-be feel properly prepared for birthing, physically and mentally, we are much more likely to experience a rewarding birth. Hypnobirthing is about being calm and content in your birthing decisions and choices, whether your birth journey is a normal vaginal, vaginal induction or caesarean birth.
Over time we have been taught to fear birth, that it’s something our bodies are not capable of doing naturally and we are not encouraged enough to listen to our intuition. This quote sums it up perfectly…
“In the writings of the past 250 years, most gynaecologists and
consultants have in general commented upon the illnesses and defects,
rather than the normality of childbirth. This, in turn, has placed an
unnecessary anxiety and dread into the mind about childbirth. We
should educate pregnant women so that the inhibiting influence of fear
may be replaced by understanding and by confidence”
- John William Ballantyne, pioneer in prenatal care
We have won awards for our innovative and inspirational teaching of the successful Hypnobirthing Method, SIMPLE Hypnobirthing and Jackie Heffer-Cooke is the lead founder and lead trainer for the International ZenMuma teacher training school.
If you’re considering practising hypnobirthing for the birth of your baby, we have lots of options for you!
Jackie herself offers her SIMPLE Hypnobirthing Method, details and dates here. She also has an online option for those unable to make the workshops, or for those who aren’t local.
Jackie has also trained our wonderful ZenMuma hypnobirthing practitioners, have a look here for their up and coming courses.