HypnoBirthing UK
The Mongan Method

What is HypnoBirthing?

HypnoBirthing is self hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques to be used for pain relief during labour and childbirth. Please see What Is HypnoBirthing? for more details.

Who is HypnoBirthing suitable for?

HypnoBirthing is suitable for first time mums and mums who've had kids before.

We help women who are scared of birth because they've never done it before, who are anxious because of a bad experience last time, or who just want a calmer, easier, more natural birth experience.

If you're pregnant, and looking for an alternative to the over-medicalised, pain-is-inevitable, "gimme all the drugs" mindset, then HypnoBirthing is for you.

Will I be 'out of it' if I use HypnoBirthing?

No, absolutely not. With HypnoBirthing (in fact, virtually all hypnosis), you are aware of what is going on around you but you can just 'tune out' the distractions. See our page on myths about hypnosis.

I'm scared of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Is HypnoBirthing safe?

Hypnosis is absolutely safe and nothing to be scared of.

Unfortunately, TV, film and stage portrayal of hypnosis has left a lot of people with a mistaken view of what hypnosis is, and what it can (and can't) do.

Because this is such a common problem, we've got a page dedicated to dispelling the myths about hypnosis.

Can you guarantee a completely pain-free labour and birth?

No. There are many factors that can affect a birth, some of which are outside our control.

Also, like any childbirth preparation class, the success of the techniques is related to the amount of practice you put in.

However, as a guide, we find that around 65-70% of HypnoBirthing mums don't need any form of pain relief. Nearly all the mums in this category simply don't experience any pain - just pressure.

Around a further 20-25% only require something mild, like gas and air.

The remaining 5-10% usually fall into what we call 'special circumstances', where medical intervention is required. However, the HypnoBirthing mums still tell us that HypnoBirthing really helped - even if they were induced, or ended up with a caesarean.

Remember - the aim of HypnoBirthing is not a completely pain-free and picture-perfect 'natural' birth (although that is possible).

It is to have a calmer, easier, more comfortable birth- where you are in control - and in a way that most mirrors Nature.

When and where do HypnoBirthing classes run?

We have practitioners all over the UK.

Each practitioner will pick days and times to suit their client, but the HypnoBirthing course should be run as five two-and-a-half hour classes, or alternatively four 3 and bit hour classes.

The HypnoBirthing course is designed to be run as weekly classes to give you the chance to go away and practise the techniques, and then come back and get assistance and guidance from your practitioner at the next class.

For exact days, times, course availability, etc., please find your nearest classes.

Does HypnoBirthing run in groups or just individual couples?

Again, this varies from practitioner to practitioner. The course is designed for running in groups (and many of our couples prefer the support and friends they make in a group), but it can also be run as a private course.

Please contact your nearest HypnoBirthing practitioner to find out how they run their courses.

How much do HypnoBirthing classes cost?

There's no single answer to this.

As you can see from above, courses run in a wide variety of locations, and both singly and in groups. This combination of factors makes it impossible to set a single price.

Private courses, with an individual couple, are going to be more expensive than group sessions. As a guideline, a practitioner running large groups may charge as little as £200 per couple (which includes all your materials), whilst private sessions may cost up to £450.

As we do not have a list of prices for all practitioners, you'll need to contact your nearest HypnoBirthing practitioner for details of their charges.

Do you offer discounts?

Discounts are entirely at the discretion of your local practitioner. Some may be willing to offer a payment plan, rather than paying the fee as a lump sum, or to offer a discounted place if you can get together a group of couples.

However, it should be recognised that our practitioners are highly trained, provide all the materials as part of the course fee, and are generally charging considerably less for HypnoBirthing on a per-hour basis than you would be charged for private hypnotherapy consultations.

To find out what options are available to you, please contact your nearest HypnoBirthing practitioner for details of their charges.

Is there a HypnoBirthing home-study course, or CDs, tapes and/or videos I could buy?

No. There are no authorised HypnoBirthing home-study courses.

Although the book and CD are available separately from Amazon.com and The HypnoBirthing Institute, they are designed to be used as part of an practitioner-led course.

HypnoBirthing is only taught through a series of classes as described on this site.

To enroll, please find your nearest classes.

Where can I buy the book?

If you cannot attend the HypnoBirthing classes, it is possible to buy the book on its own from the US (there is no source in the UK).

However, although the book and CD are available separately from Amazon.com and The HypnoBirthing Institute, they are really designed to be used as part of an practitioner-led course.

When should I start the classes?

Somewhere between 25-30 weeks is ideal, as the success of the course is strongly linked to how much practice you do. However, provided you can finish the course before you give birth, it's still going to help.

(In fact, we've just had a lady give birth half-way through the course and it still helped).

WARNING! Many of our practitioners book well in advance, so don't leave it too late. As soon as you know you want to do HypnoBirthing, contact your practitioner and book the course.

If you don't know your nearest practitioner, then use this site to find your nearest classes.

Does my partner/husband have to attend the classes?

Yes - birthing companions are a very important part of HypnoBirthing success.

However, if your partner/husband cannot attend all the classes and/or help you practice or attend the birth, your mother, sister or friend can also be your birthing companion.

Whoever you choose (and we strongly recommend it's the father if at all possible, as it helps build a strong relationship with the child), they must attend all the classes and the birth.

How do I train to teach HypnoBirthing?

Please see our "Training As A UK HypnoBirthing Practitioner" page for more details.

I am a journalist/researcher - who do I contact for interviews, media appearances, etc.?

Please submit any enquiries or requests for interviews, further information, media appearances, etc. through the Contact Us form.

Someone will get back to you as promptly as possible with a response, and discuss your request with you personally.

I have a question not answered above or elsewhere on the site

Don't forget to check if another visitor has already asked the same question on the "Ask A Question" discussion board at the HypnoBirthing UK Discussion Forum.

Finally, if you have looked at all our information and still have unanswered questions, then please fill in our contact form and we will do our best to help you.