Trust invites mums back to talk about hypnobirthing

Mothers who have given birth using the innovative method of hypnobirthing at Wexham Park Hospital have been invited to a reunion to share their experiences.

On Saturday 24 September, couples who have attended hypnobirthing classes and given birth at Wexham Park Hospital will meet with other couples who attended the classes to talk about their personal experiences.

Hypnobirthing classes have been taking place for the last two years and are available for women delivering at the Trust. The technique of hypnobirthing can eliminate fear and tension, shorten the first phase of labour and help keep oxygen supplied to the baby during birth. It can also reduce and often eliminate fatigue during labour and limit intervention rates.

Gilly Gibbin, senior midwife, supervisor of midwives and hypnobirthing practitioner who runs some of the classes, said: “I have been a midwife now for 15 years, always with a passion for promoting normal birth, and teaching hypnobirthing has given me renewed energy. I love teaching it and get great satisfaction from guiding couples towards the calm satisfying birth they deserve”.

Hypnobirthing courses consist of four classes of three hours that take place in the maternity unit at Wexham Park Hospital and are open to both high and low risk women interested in having a calm, comfortable birth. The technique calls upon the body’s own natural relaxant so can lessen, or even eliminate, discomfort and the need for medication, leaving the mother alert, fresh and awake with energy.

Gilly continues: “I’ve had consistently positive feedback from my classes and no matter what the outcome of the birth, mothers I have talked to so far all tell me they are very satisfied with their experience.

“Hypnobirthing has a great deal to offer the normal birth agenda and I think it empowers parents with techniques to achieve a gentle, calm birth for themselves and their baby. It also gives the birthing companion an integral role which I think is really important”, continues Gilly.

The reunion is open to all couples who have given birth at Wexham Park Hospital using hypnobirthing and will take place on 24 September from 2pm – 4pm in the parentcraft room at the maternity unit.

If women are interested in the course and would like to book, the ideal time is after your 20 week scan. Most women start the class at approximately 29 weeks, which gives at least four weeks practice before your baby arrives. For more information, please call the birth centre at Wexham Park Hospital on 01753 633709, leaving your name, address and telephone number.