Michelle Pearson – Stroud Valleys Hypnobirthing

Initially both my husband and I were doubtful about the effectiveness of this form of childbirth. After reading the literature and watching various video clips we began to open up to the concept.

I met Michelle when I was expecting my first baby. She attended my home regularly for one on one Hypnobirthing classes. In very little time Michelle managed to help me connect with my unborn baby and help me understand my body and it’s changes during childbirth. She helped to relax me and prepare me for the wonderfully natural process of bringing a baby into the world with minimal fuss and strain.

So when I felt my first surge, I knew what to do. I went on for almost 12 hours in peace whilst practicing the techniques Michelle had taught me. I didn’t even tell my husband that I was in labour until much later.

When the time came for me to attend the birthing unit, my midwife was surprised at my composure and control. I was left to practice my learned techniques. With the support of my husband and midwives I delivered my baby relatively comfortably and naturally a few hours later.

I would highly recommend Michelle to anyone who is interested in engaging with the hypnoBirthing technique.

Greeshma – 1st baby

Thank you so much for the HypnoBirthing sessions, we had an extraordinarily good birth experience, everything just happened as we had planned and visualised (even the birth pool at Homerton was available!). We couldn’t have done it without you, your excercises kept Jenny in a relaxed state throughout, and she didn’t need any pain relief!

As for myself I felt much more involved this time round and used the breathing exercises to keep calm too. I also felt much more informed and understood what was going on.

I don’t think Jen would describe it as pain-free, but look at the expression on her face just half an hour after the baby was born!! I think you will agree she looks pretty relaxed…and the baby has been very calm so far.

The midwife was great and stuck to our birth plan almost to the letter, and our Doula was amazing.

Caspar & Jenny – 2nd baby

After a traumatic first birth experience, a friend recommended Michelle and Hypnobirthing for our second pregnancy.

I am so pleased that we did it! Thanks to Michelle and her course, our son’s arrival was an incredibly positive experience. I felt calm and in control all throughout the labour and birth and had the confidence to just let my body get on with doing its job without trying to second guess or panic about things. I am sure that having a drug-free birth enabled immediate and intense bonding with our baby.

The whole ethos of positivity that surrounded our son’s birth was carried over into our early days as parents, and we would not hesitate to recommend the course to anyone. In fact, I look forward to drawing on our Hypnobirthing experience with our next baby due in a few weeks’ time!

Elena – 2nd baby

I was well into my second pregnancy when I heard about Michelle. I had a traumatic emergency c-section with my first child and was desperate not to repeat the experience. Having a natural birth after a c-section is known as a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarian) and I had met another VBAC mother who recommended Michelle and Hypnobirthing.

Michelle was the best thing that could have happened to us. She encouraged us to visualise the birth as a joyful, natural process, and to help me to release my fears about a medicalised birth.

When my son was 10 days past due-date, Michelle gave us both the strength to resist the doctor’s pressure to have a c-section. Obi was born naturally two days later.

Thanks to the visualisation and breathing practice, I had no need for any intervention or drugs. I felt no pressure to ‘do’ the birth in any other way than the way my body and the baby wanted it.

Michelle also really helped my husband, too. His role as my supporter and advocate took all the external stresses out of my consciousness. In the hospital, he made sure the lights were dimmed, asked everyone to speak in low voices and ensured that all medical discussions about my ‘condition’ were held outside the room, so I could focus on relaxing and feeling what my body and our son was doing.

I have recommended Michelle to all of my friends who are pregnant, and everyone who has done her HypnoBirthing course is completely evangelical about her!

Fiona & Daiman – 2nd baby

One of my friends recommended I speak to Michelle after having two quite traumatic births. Personally I felt every time I went into hospital to have a baby things went wrong but I knew that I was capable of having a drug free birth. So when I got pregnant for the third time I felt I needed help with my confidence and management of the dreaded people at the hospital.

Michelle helped me and my husband to relax and really understand how birth is actually meant to be. She took us through the physiological understanding of birth and relaxation techniques to get you from labour to birth. She was kind and always understanding especially when me and my hubby would burst into hysterics.

Ultimately she gave me the techniques and confidence to have an amazing drug free birth. And my husband had the coaching needed to be a great birth partner.

Reena & Anton – 3rd baby