Hypnobirthing is a hot topic in pregnancy, and with the aim of helping you to feel more prepared, informed and positive about birth, it is well worth a try.
Whatever stage of pregnancy you are in, you can benefit from applying hypnobirthing principles, such as practicing calming breathing techniques and repeating affirmations and mantras.
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Don’t believe us? While the benefits of hypnobirthing are hard to quantify, it has become so well recognised as a tool for birth that the NHS has announced plans to train more midwives in the practice, while Fearne Cotton, Giovanna Fletcher and the Duchess of Cambridge have all spoken of the positive impact it had on their own birth experiences.
There are a number of online courses and 1-1 coaching programmes on offer, but if you simply want to learn more about what hypnobirthing is and how to get started without splurging, these books are well worth a try.
Six of the best hypnobirthing books:
Hypnobirthing: Practical Ways to Make Your Birth Better
The Positive Birth Company is probably one of the most well-known providers of hypnobirthing courses, and their book, written by founder Siobhan Miller, condenses everything you need to know into one place that you will keep referring back to throughout pregnancy – and maybe even during labour, as there are a number of guided relaxation passages and exercises to work through with your birth partner.
Hypnobirthing: Practical Ways To Make Your Birth Better, £9.99, Amazon
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The Little Book of Hypnobirthing Affirmations for a Calm and Positive Birth
We couldn’t mention hypnobirthing books without including our own. The Little Book of Hypnobirthing Affirmations features 35 positive affirmations to support you during pregnancy and birth, along with space to add a further five favourite mantras that resonate with you. A must-have for your birth bag.
The Little Book of Hypnobirthing Affirmations, £5.99, Amazon
The Hypnobirthing book – Childbirth with Confidence and Calm
Katharine Graves is another well-known hypnobirthing practitioner who has personally taught hypnobirthing to over 3,000 couples, while her book – The Hyonobirthing Book – has sold over 100,000 copies. It’s clear to see why the book is so popular; as well as providing all the information you need to know about pregnancy, birth, and the role of the birth partner, it also features 15 relaxation scripts, and an audio download to accompany the book.
The Hypnobirthing Book, £10.35, Amazon
Your Baby, Your Birth: Hypnobirthing for Every Birth
You may think that hypnobirthing only applies if you’re planning a natural, drug-free birth, but Hollie de Cruz dispels that assumption by teaching hypnobirthing practices that work for any type of birth, and she has the celebrity fans to prove it. They include Giovanna Fletcher and Fearne Cotton, who says in a quote supporting the book: “After meeting with Hollie and learning integral breathing techniques and visualisations, the fear and expectation had been completely replaced with pure excitement.”
Your Baby, Your Birth, £9.75, Amazon
Mindful Hypnobirthing
Combining mindfulness, hypnosis, and relaxation techniques, Mindful Hypnobirthing by Sophie Fletcher could be the book you need if you’re feeling nervous or anxious about giving birth. Promising to help you feel positive and empowered before, during, and after birth, it will provide you will all the tools you need to stay focused and calm.
Mindful Hypnobirthing, £11.65, Amazon
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The Calm Birth Method
Providing an accessible introduction to hypnobirthing and the tried-and-tested techniques to help you relax during labour, Suzy Ashworth’s The Calm Birth Method, is a great option to help both you and your birth partner prepare for a calm and positive birth.
The Calm Birth Method, £9.45, Amazon
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