“A very personal account:
My husband and I have always talked about wanting a family but I had given it very little thought beyond the fact that I wanted children. Indeed, the idea that I would actually have to give birth was not something that had ever really entered my consciousness. It was not until I became pregnant therefore, that I realised just how terrified I was about birth and, more specifically, a birth in a hospital setting. Week upon week this fear, fuelled by endless scare stories from friends, colleagues and the internet, became so intense that I became very ill and genuinely considered taking steps to end my pregnancy.
The care and support offered to me by the hospital was excellent but nothing felt ‘right’ and in desperation I began to look at alternatives ways to reduce my terror of birth. I had read somewhere that women who used hypnobirthing techniques were calmer and more confident, more likely to have an uncomplicated birth and less likely to need pain relief but frankly I was sceptical. Nevertheless I was willing to give anything a go so called Janet. She explained to me what hypnobirthing involved and was obviously very passionate about its benefits so I decided to book on a private course of four sessions.
I really enjoyed the hypnobirthing sessions. Janet is an excellent teacher and her personal warmth and passion for hypnobirthing made our meetings something I really looked forward to each time. As I was doing a private, rather than a group course, Janet was able to skilfully tailor our meetings to meet my specific needs. In addition, she offered continual support by telephone, text and email and was always there to answer questions or give reassurance which I found invaluable. With each meeting my confidence in my body’s abilities to give birth gently and naturally grew and I decided that I wanted to have a water birth at home. With Janet’s support I was able to write a birth plan that was perfect for me.
Janet happend to be “on call” when I went into labour. Despite all the fears that I had felt, my baby’s birth was a calm and truly wonderful experience. He was born at home in a birthing pool by the light of the Christmas tree without any complications and with no damage to me. Hypnobirthing had equipped me with all the tools I needed to remain relaxed throughout my labour and birth (even when the gas and air ran out and my poor husband had to make a dash to the hospital to pick up a second canister!), to follow my natural instincts and to trust my body to do what it is designed for. My baby is the calmest and most peaceful baby I (or indeed anyone who has met him) have ever known and I am sure that his calm, relaxed and gentle entry into this world had a part to play in this.
I would recommend Janet’s hypnobirthing course to any expectant mother. The sessions and the continued care and support she offers to her clients are exceptional value for money and I can never thank her enough for the wonderful support she gave me during my pregnancy. Because of her, the birth of my baby was the most magical and empowering moment of my life and something I look back on with happiness and pride.”