What is Hypnobirthing?
Hypnobirthing is science-backed, brain-savvy birth preparation. It combines knowledge, mindset, and real support, so you can approach birth with confidence, not just cross your fingers and hope for the best.
Because birth isn’t something to simply ‘get through’. It’s a life-changing moment and you deserve to feel calm, informed, and in control.
What is the science behind Hypnobirthing?
Beyond the soothing techniques and positive affirmations, Hypnobirthing is underpinned by science.
Hypnobirthing is often described as “relaxation for birth” and while that’s part of it, there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface. This approach to your birth preparation is backed by real science, rooted in how your body and brain respond to birth. It’s about working with your body, not against it and using tools that actually make a difference, no matter what your birth looks like.
So let’s break it down, hormone by hormone, thought by thought.
Oxytocin is the love hormone that gives the muscles of your uterus the power to birth your baby.
Endorphins are the body’s natural pain relief.
The calmer and safer a mother feels, the more oxytocin and endorphins her body releases. This makes contractions more effective, more comfortable and reduces the chances of medical intervention.
You might be thinking, “Great, I’ll just stay calm during labour then.” Unfortunately, it’s not as straight forward as deciding to be calm when it’s time to give birth.
If you feel anxious, unsafe, or overwhelmed, your body releases adrenaline—the hormone designed for fight-or-flight, not for giving birth.
Adrenaline inhibits oxytocin, making your uterine muscles less effective and more uncomfortable. It’s your body’s way of saying, “This doesn’t feel like a safe time to give birth.”
So, how does Hypnobirthing help you stay calm, confident, and in control during labour and birth?
This is where neuroscience meets birth prep: your brain doesn’t always know the difference between imagination and reality.
When you consistently focus on positive, supportive ideas about birth, your brain begins to create new pathways, ones that associate labour with safety, calm, and confidence.
Over time, this rewires your response to birth itself. Instead of triggering fear or tension, your nervous system is more likely to stay grounded and calm.
In other words, the way you think about birth can genuinely influence how your body responds when the time comes.
This is neuroplasticity in action! You’re actively rewiring your brain to see birth as safe, doable, and empowering.
So, does Hypnobirthing actually work?
Short answer: Yes.
Longer answer: When you reduce fear and increase feelings of safety and control, your body is more likely to birth efficiently, with less need for medical intervention and more confidence, however your birth unfolds.
It’s not about pretending birth is easy - because it’s not. It’s intense, powerful and pretty incredible. It’s something your body was designed to do!
Birth With Choice gives you the knowledge to understand how your body works, and gives you the tools and confidence so that you can embrace and navigate whatever twists and turns your pregnancy and birth journey may bring.
Start your birth prep with our FREE Hypnobirthing Masterclass
If you’re curious about Hypnobirthing but not sure if it’s for you, grab my FREE Hypnobirthing Masterclass and discover how it will transform your birth!
In just 20 minutes, I’ll walk you through:
What the ‘hypno’ is all about
The science behind Hypnobirthing
How it can take you from dreading birth, to feeling confident and in-control.
Is Hypnobirthing just about saying “NO” to everything?
It’s actually about saying YES, with confidence…
A lot of people think Hypnobirthing is about refusing interventions and saying “no” to doctors. But actually, it’s about feeling in control of you birth experience - whatever that looks like for YOU!
Hypnobirthing Success Stories
Many parents who have used Hypnobirthing techniques describe their birth experiences as calm, empowering, and transformative. Even in situations where the birth didn’t go as planned, the tools they learned helped them remain in control, make informed decisions, and feel at peace with the process.
‘I cannot recommend Birth With Choice highly enough! Having anxiety from a previous birth experience me and my partner decided to look into hypnobirthing. From the moment we started speaking to Eleanor she put me at ease with how warm and friendly she is. We learnt so much from the course and it prepared us to feel confident in our decisions and empowered about our birth and we ended up having the most positive birthing experience.
Eleanor goes above and beyond to make sure you feel supported throughout. She has a clear passion for what she does and a genuine desire to help people.
Thank you so much Eleanor. So pleased we met you 😊’
Lizzie & Benji