FAQ

Need Answers? Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Is the online course as effective as taking face-to-face classes?

A. The Hypnobubs™ Hypnobirthing Online Course has been very carefully considered. We have adapted the course to ensure that you get the most from the online learning platform. We realised that not everyone is able attend face-to-face hypnobirthing classes due to location, work, family commitments and time constraints. Judging by the testimonials we have already received, we believe that we can say, with confidence, that the Hypnobubs™ Hypnobirthing Online Course has succeeded in providing the most effective online alternative available!

Q. I’m 37 weeks pregnant. Is it too late to take the course? Can I still benefit from it?

A. It is definitely not too late to do the course and benefit from it! In fact, the Hypnobubs™ Hypnobirthing Online Course is absolutely perfect for your situation. You get access to all of the videos, resources and learning from the time of enrolment – so you can ‘cram’ it and go through the content in your own time. The other advantage is you can then revisit the videos and learnings throughout your pregnancy. Melissa actually learnt the hypnobirthing techniques for her own first birth at 37 weeks (and has taught mums up to 39 weeks of pregnancy). If you have the desire to learn hypnobirthing before your birth, you can do this!

Q. How long do I have access to the course?

A. You have access to the full course (including any updates along the way) for a 12 month period. This will give you plenty of time to access all of the videos, mp3s, pdfs, eBook and other resources throughout your pregnancy.

A. Absolutely! When you are enrolled you can ask questions and make comments at any time via the comments section of each lesson. Melissa answers any queries that you may have personally.

Q. Is there a forum where I can connect with other Hypnobubs™ mothers?

A. Yes! We send you an invite to our Hypnobubs™ Parents Support Group (Closed Group) on Facebook when you enroll.

Q. What will I learn in the course?

A. Please click here to read our Course Outline which details what we cover in our Hypnobubs™ Hypnobirthing Online Course.

Q. What is hypnobirthing / hypnobirth / hypnosis for childbirth?

A. Hypnobirthing is a generic term used to describe the use of hypnosis during childbirth. It is NOT all about hypnosis, though! During the Hypnobubs™ Hypnobirthing Online Course, you will learn proven techniques in a well-thought-out preparation program of deep relaxation, visualisation, and self-hypnosis in ADDITION to building knowledge about childbirth, tools to help with the intensity of childbirth and learning ways that your partner can assist you. All of these components are designed to help you achieve a more comfortable birth. Hypnobubs™ encourages a calm, peaceful and positive pregnancy, birth, and bonding experience for families.

Q. How does hypnobubs™ differ from other childbirth preparation methods?

A. Other childbirth methods tend to teach you how to ‘cope with and manage pain’, whereas hypnobubs™ is based on the premise that a healthy woman, with an uncomplicated healthy pregnancy and healthy baby, should be able to birth in a more comfortable manner and without unnecessary interventions. We focus on the joy of birth and positively anticipate our birthing day. When women understand that pain is caused by constrictor hormones (created by fear), they learn to release fear and create endorphins instead. Endorphins are the ‘feel good hormones’ that we naturally produce when we are calm and happy. We also change our perceptions. Instead of thinking of a ‘long, painful labour’ – we replace this thought with expectations of a more comfortable birthing. Rather than exhausting, shallow breathing and the distraction techniques of typical “prepared childbirth” programs; hypnobirthing parents learn deep abdominal breathing and total relaxation, enabling us to work in harmony with our body and baby. This allows us to achieve an often shorter and more comfortable labour for mother and baby. You can CLICK HERE to learn more.

Q. I'm anxious about things that take away my control. Does the course include hypnosis (hypnotherapy)?

A. This course teaches you how to sink into a deep state of relaxation - similar to that which you are in when you 'zone out' reading a book or watching a movie. You are still absolutely in control, can hear anything you want, can snap in and out of this very normal state at will. Some call it 'deep relaxation' or 'self-hypnosis' or 'hypnobirth' or 'hypnobirthing'.

Women and female mammals have used this skill in childbirth forever... when we are able to approach our birth in a normal, non-fearful way. I'll explain more about this in the course.

Q. When should I start the course?

A. You can begin the Hypnobubs™ Online Course any time and mothers have benefited from starting the course, even when they have joined late in pregnancy. However, the ideal time to start is anytime from 18 weeks onwards. We recommend that you commence your learning as soon as possible to enjoy the benefit of having access to the course for as long as possible throughout your pregnancy. You will then be able to practice the tools of self-hypnosis, relaxation and other effective techniques for gentle, easy birthing effectively. If you are further along in your pregnancy it's not too late, you can still benefit immensely. Melissa actually learnt hypnobirthing only 3 weeks before the birth of her first child and went on to use it successfully for all three children! 

Q. Should I still attend hospital antenatal classes?

A. The choice is yours. The Hypnobubs™ Program is a very comprehensive hypnobirthing course focusing on natural and/or cesarean birth childbirth education. Hospital antenatal courses often cover a lot of information about interventions and medical procedures during birth. Hypnobubs™ course participants learn all about the birth process, what to expect during pregnancy/ the onset of labour/ birthing, how to release any fears associated with birthing and we learn techniques (relaxation, breathing, visualisations and deepening exercises) to use during labour. Having said that, we are of the belief that ‘knowledge is power’ and the knowledge that you will gain through antenatal classes, along with knowledge obtained from the Hypnobubs™ Childbirth Education Online Antenatal Course can help you to make informed decisions. So ultimately, the choice is yours whether you choose to attend just our course, or both.

Q. How is the birth partner involved & can they access the course from a different location if necessary?

A. The birth partner of the mother’s choice can be an integral part of the hypnobirth experience. He or she practices with the mother in helping to prepare for deep relaxation. During labour, the partner guides the labouring mother through hypnosis hypnobirthing prompts, relaxation techniques, deepening methods, and visualisations, provides comfort measures, and joins in welcoming the new baby. We have actually dedicated a lesson to this subject within the online course to ensure that you and your birth partner are both informed and are able to practice your hypnobirthing techniques together. If yourself and your partner will be logging in from two different locations, just send us an email to let us know. We pride ourselves on making our courses as accessible as possible for parents. 

Q. Will I be unconscious or will I remember my birth experience?

A. Despite misconceptions and misinformation, you are definitely not unconscious during self-hypnosis. The hypnobirthing mother is deeply relaxed, but she is also an active participant in the labour process. Though she is deeply relaxed, she is totally aware and may return to a conversant state or choose to become mobile whenever she desires. Hypnobirthing mothers often find that they experience time distortion and are not distracted by other people or their birthing environment, while they focus on their birthing and their baby.

Q. Will the course be useful to me if I don’t opt for a natural childbirth or if circumstances necessitate medical intervention or a cesarean birth?

A. Absolutely. The things you will learn during this course will help you to learn relaxation skills that will be useful to both you and your baby, regardless of your birth experience. In the event that medical intervention of any sort is needed, you will find yourself better able to remain calm and in control. Mothers who have needed scheduled cesareans for medical reasons report that they were totally relaxed before, during and after the procedure. Many report that they needed little or no medication following the birth, and they were able to return to normal functioning in a very short period of time. The hypnobubs™ program will provide you with the tools and techniques to help you remain calm, relaxed and in-control whatever turn your birth may take. 

Q. Can the course be beneficial to someone who has special circumstances, VBAC or who must have a C-section?

A. The hypnobubs™ program is very beneficial to mothers who have special circumstances. Many obstetricians, obstetric nurses, midwives and doctors are now requesting that mothers take our course before VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) because the preparation is so beneficial in reducing fear, providing tangible tools to assist in relaxation and is comprehensive.

In fact, we even have special tracks and an alternative program designed for cesarean birth - The Positive Cesarean Birth program! We want you to experience a positive and empowering birth; regardless of how your precious baby comes into the world. That’s what we are all about… positive birthing and parenting.

Q. Is it true that I will experience a pain-free birth with a hypnobirth / hypnobirthing / hypnosis for childbirth/ hypnotherapy / the hypnobubs ™course?

A. Hypnobubs™ does not promise painless birthing, though many mothers who complete our program do report having a relatively pain-free birth or one that they were able to manage easily. When the cause of pain ‘fear’ that constricts the birthing muscles—is eliminated, birthing can be accomplished in a shorter period and much more comfortably. A relaxed mother’s body will produce more endorphins, nature’s own relaxants. Hypnobirthing mothers may still experience sensations of tightening or pressure; but most describe their birth experience as working with their body through the sensations, and thus avoiding the excruciating pain that is frequently spoken of by women who have prepared for their birth differently.

Melissa can speak from personal experience (having used hypnobirthing techniques for her own 3 births) and says, “I can honestly tell you that when I worked with my body (in a relaxed state), I felt strong sensations, tightening, pressure, but not directly what could be described as ‘pain’. It was no ‘walk in the park’, it was at times very hard work, but there was no screaming or distress. I was calm, focused and working with my body to birth my children. My hypnobirths were beautiful, positive, calm and very joyful births and I believe that every woman deserves the opportunity to experience birth that way!”

Q. What if my doctor/midwife is not familiar with using hypnosis for childbirth?

A. More and more care providers are becoming aware of the benefits of hypnobirthing. If your caregiver is not knowledgeable about hypnobirthing, take the opportunity early in your pregnancy to discuss the techniques you will be using and the type of calm birthing environment that you desire. In class, you will learn how to create a plan of Birth Preferences, which will help you to communicate your birthing goals and preferences to your doctor or midwife.

Q. If I do the course and have questions can I call or email for a response?

A. You have several avenues to contact us with any questions you have.

If you have a question - it is very likely that there are other mothers doing the course who have the very same question! So you if are ok with posting your question publicly, then other hypno-mamas can also benefit from seeing that there are others like them, and being able to read the response.

So if you are happy to post your question publicly you can:

1) Post your question as a ‘comment' in the lesson of the hypnobubs™ online course.

2) If you have joined our ‘hypnobubs parents’ support group (this is a Facebook group that we have created that is only open to hypnobubs parents) - then you can post your question there. This way you will also have the benefit of support from the hypnobubs™ team of practitioners and hundreds of hypnobubs parents. 

However, I do understand that sometimes you may have a question that is more of a sensitive nature and you would prefer not to post it publicly. In this case, you have a couple of other options. You can:

3) Email us directly at [email protected] and we will get back to you within 48 hours.

4) If you have purchased the hypnobubs™ online course you have the option of upgrading to include a private session with a hypnobubs™ practitioner at the special price of $150 for a one-on-one 90-minute session (either in person or via Skype, depending on your location). Click here and chose the category 'Hypnobubs Skype Practitioner’ - to find your closest practitioner. This one on one session can be absolutely invaluable in building your confidence leading up to birth.

Q. I can't find the answer to my question here?

A. If you can't find the answer to your question here - then just email us at [email protected]. We'll get back to you within 48 hours (Monday-Friday).

The hypnobubs™ advantage!

Our course is comprehensive and at the same time very easy to follow. It prepares mothers and birth partners for a positive and empowered birth experience using a tried and tested five-tiered approach:

• mindset - understanding how to create and maintain a positive mindset through pregnancy and birth

• knowledge - about the functions of the body, the birth process and choices available during childbirth;

  because,

  ‘knowledge is power’

• tools - to help you to remain calm throughout your pregnancy and during the intensity of childbirth (tools include breathing, visualisation, relaxation and self-hypnosis)

• support - for you and tuition for your birth partner/s – so that they can take an active role and help you to achieve a more comfortable and satisfying birth experience

• preparation - for your mind and body, incorporating expert tuition, professionally produced practice albums and comprehensive resources

Give yourself the best opportunity to birth in a calm, safe, informed and empowered way. Come and join our Hypnobubs™ Positive Childbirth Education Online Course. It is...