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 anything we set out to do in life, a successful outcome is related to the amount of practice you put in.

However, as a guide, according to the HypnoBirthing Institute, around 65-70% of Hypnobirthing mums don’t need any form of pain relief.

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 mums I’ve taught in this category always tell me that Hypnobirthing really helped – even if they were induced, or ended up with a caesarean, they felt calmer and more in control.

Remember – the aim of Hypnobirthing is not a completely pain-free and picture-perfect ‘natural’ birth (although that is of course possible).  It is to have a calmer, easier, more comfortable birth, no matter how or where your baby is born, where you are in control of any decisions you make along the way and birth feeling empowered and confident.