I'm sure the breathing techniques will also come in handy but the sections of the book focusing on birth stories and reinforcing that you can say no to any intervention were less informative for me. The book was just a basic primer on what you need to know for birth— the stages of labor, how to pack a hospital bag, writing a birth plan. Setting the environment is more important than you think, and the nurses/doctors kept saying how my room was full of good vibes and the one to be in. A positive birth, which is something we all strive for, is a birth experience that leaves a woman feeling empowered rather than traumatised, where the mother's wishes are respected, she is listened to and feels calm, confident, and informed.

When I was in labor, I thought upon SO MUCH that I learned from this book, the main take away being that I have one job, no matter what kind of birth I ended up having: to remain calm. By the time you finish this book you’ll feel relaxed, capable and genuinely excited about giving birth. Hypnobirthing certainly doesn't involve being hypnotised; instead, it teaches you how your body works on a muscular and hormonal level when in labour and how you can use various relaxation techniques to ensure you are working with your body (rather than against it), making birth more efficient and comfortable. By the time you finish this book you'll feel relaxed, capable and genuinely excited about giving birth.Whilst the information around what’s happening to your body during labour is informative, the concept of breathing and staying relaxed throughout labour using whatever means necessary (see previously mentioned tealights/podcast/room spray! Siobhan's advice and guidance will change your mindset and enable you to navigate your birth with practical tools that ensure you feel calm and in control throughout. However, as someone with a long-term medical condition who requires giving birth in a hospital and to be induced before 40 weeks, I instead was left feeling incredibly disheartened and quite often, frightened by my lack of "control".

It primes men to feel like useless spectators, and more importantly it primes women to fear giving birth. In this book, The Positive Birth Company’s founder Siobhan debunks common myths about hypnobirthing and explains why she believes it can make every type of birth a better experience - from a water birth at home to an unplanned caesarean in theatre.You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice.