IS HYPNOBIRTHING WORTH THE PRICE?

From the Google research I'd done, I really thought that Hypnobirthing could be a massive help to me when it came to labour and birth but oh. my. god. THE PRICE!

As a first time Mama I was having the time of my life shopping for prams and co-sleepers and car seats (don't even get me started on the tiny sweet baby clothes!!) but it soon adds up, doesn't it?

And splashing out hundreds of pounds on a hypnobirthing course felt like a risk. What if it didn't work for me? What if it was just something for the hippy-zen-goddess-yoga addicts and I feel like a prat? Would I be better off saving that money for all the nappies we were going to need to buy in the next few years?!

There was always the option of a cheap online course but I really wanted that in person interaction. I was the first of my friends to be pregnant. And all of my Mum's advice was outdated (sorry Mum!).

I wanted to be able to ask questions about things I didn't understand there and then. I wanted support from someone who knew what they were talking about when it came to birth... because I was absolutely clueless!

Well, I obviously didn't stop going on about it because in the end, my birthday present from my partner, Alex, that year was a place on an in-person group hypnobirthing course.

And let me tell you, it was worth every penny.

The course taught Alex and I so much! Being there in-person meant we were both engaged in what we were learning, whereas I think it would be easy to get distracted from a pre-recorded online course. In fact, I feel quite confident in saying that there is no way Alex would have committed to sitting through an online course at all!

But the very best reason for spending our money on an in-person course was this:

My hypnobirthing teacher understood exactly how I was feeling about labour and birth and they were nothing but supportive.

Having the opportunity to build a relationship with a teacher who will be there to hold your hand through such a new and daunting experience is so powerful.

I would be honoured to do the same for you.

Working with me One to One will give you:

• Someone you can turn to with all your questions about labour and birth

• Ongoing support, no matter what you decide is best for your birth

• Bespoke course content tailored to your individual circumstances

• Someone to keep you accountable when it comes to practicing what you've learnt

I'm your best friend for birth prep Mama! And I'd love to hear from you if you're wondering what it would be like to have someone knowledgeable about birth in your corner.

Still not sure if Hypnobirthing is worth it? This November I'm offering my full One to One course for just £275 instead of the normal £350!! All you have to do to secure the offer is place your £50 deposit before the end of November!

If you'd like to find out more about my One to One Hypnobirthing Courses then this is the place for you:

One to One Hypnobirthing

Or if you'd prefer to have a chat so I can answer your questions directly, I'd love you to pop me a message on WhatsApp - 07757697593

I can't wait to hear from you soon!

What Does Labour Feel Like?

Does this sound like you...?

"My tolerance for pain is really low, I have no idea how I'm going to manage to get through labour!"

Or maybe you've thought something like this..?

"I'm just going to have to take all the drugs they offer because I know I don't cope well with pain!"

I completely understand, I too feel like the ultimate wuss when it comes to even a hint of discomfort or pain. And yet the birth of my son was entirely drug free! Seems like a bit of a contradiction, right?

Here's the thing, contractions are going to feel different to each person; so no one can accurately explain what they will feel like for you. But the fear of the unknown is a real doozy when it comes to labour and birth (especially if it's your first time!) so I'm going to have a right good go at describing how it could possibly feel!

Early Labour:

When your labour is just getting started the general consensus is that the sensations you feel aren't anything wild and are totally manageable! You could get a feeling similar to mild period cramps, a dull ache across your lower abdomen or back, or sometimes people describe a tightening or pinching feeling (a bit like getting a cramp from running). Sometimes people feel an aching/swollen feeling around their vulva and inside their vagina too.

People in early labour tend to feel able to carry on with their average day to day activities with no worries! Early labour is a great time to relax and conserve your energy. Do things that aren't too taxing but bring you lots of joy. Stoll to the local café with friends anyone? Or a snuggle on the sofa with your favourite feel good film?

Established Labour:

Okay so over time, those early labour sensations gradually build bit by bit. The period cramp or tightening abdomen feeling will probably be more intense now.

If you remember just one thing from this blog post, please let it be this...

Contractions come in waves! They start mild, build up to a peak and then ease away. And your average contraction in the height of established labour only lasts one minute. You can do anything for a minute, right?! Even better, the intensity of the contraction is only at the peak of the wave... so really only 20 seconds!

After each contraction has ebbed away you will have time to rest before the next comes along. There will normally be a couple of minutes before the next contraction starts to build, and in this space you'll probably feel totally normal!

You might also feel a pressure or pushing in your nether regions with each contraction. It's your baby pressing down on your cervix and can feel a bit like when you need a big poo!

Crowning:

You're so close now Mama - your baby is almost here!

Crowning is when your baby's head is right at the edge of your vagina and is about to be born. This moment is also quite commonly known as 'The Ring of Fire". Which sounds scary and not nearly as fun as the drinking game... I know. But the best thing you can focus on here is that your baby will be in your arms in just the next few moments.

So why is it called 'The Ring of Fire"?! Because it can feel just like that. A burning or stinging sensation which will only last momentarily as your vagina opens to the widest it will need to be. But it's what vaginas are designed to do!

And honestly... most people are happy to know they're at this point because it's like (staying on the theme of drinking games here) the last song of the night when you're OUT OUT and you know you'll be picking up that sweet greasy fast food, collapsing into a cab and heading home to conk out in bed in just a few minutes! Yes, the balls of your feet are burning like hell in your heels but you can easily manage and even enjoy that one last dance because you know it will all be over sooner rather than later!

So what do you think? Now that you have an idea of how labour might feel, will you consider planning your pain relief options? We chat lots about pain relief (drugs and other options) on a Mamakind Hypnobirthing course so please do get in touch if you'd like more info.

What's So Great About Mamakind?

It's my birthday! So I figured that there's no better day than today to write a blog post all about myself! Did that sound a bit narcissistic? Not really piqued your interest?! Fair enough! More specifically, let's talk about the qualities I have which could mean I'm the best hypnobirthing teacher for you!

Don't worry, I'm not about to list off a ton of preferable personality traits with nothing to back myself up! Let's have a look at some testimonials I've had from Mamas I've worked with before now.

"Elena was able to provide facts and scientific evidence and everything she said made sense" - Stace

I make sure to explain the 'why'. I don't think there's any use in me teaching you a bunch of practical tips and techniques if I've not explained why you're going to want to use them! Without knowing how something is going to make a difference to you, you'll be less invested in putting what you've learnt into action. So everything I teach you is rooted in science and logic - nothing woo woo about it!

"Thank you so much for all the hypnobirthing support, it was a god send and I was able to use different techniques throughout and gained the most wonderful experience for all three of us!!" - Jess

I'm here to support your family. A Mamakind Hypnobirthing course doesn't just benefit the person birthing the baby! A calm birth for you means a calm birth for your little one. And labour and birth can absolutely be a team effort if your birth partner knows exactly how best to support you, so a really important part of my course teaches birth partners how to do just that! Don't get me wrong, I've had Mamas do my hypnobirthing course without their birth partner and have incredible results too; but having your birth partner on board can really make the world of difference.

My support doesn't end as soon as we finish our last session either. You'll be able to get in touch with any questions you have right up until the birth itself. Even if you feel like you're having a bit of a wobble and you just need someone to listen, I'm here for that! And it's lovely to keep in touch after baby is here too. Something you should know about me is that I love a good, juicy birth story! Give me all the details!

So what do you think? Could I be the right hypnobirthing teacher for you? Get in touch if you're not sure - I promise I'm friendly!

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