ChildbirthJoy Prenatal Hypnosis

...for a safe, easier and more comfortable birth...naturally

$397 per couple

Includes all the prenatal information you need

plus:

self-hypnosis

pain management

and how your partner can support you

·         self-hypnosis

·         how to use hypnosis in the birth

·         a range of hypnotic comfort techniques

·         hypnosis practice to reduce pain perception

·         you and your partner doing hypnosis together

·         videos showing the use of hypnosis in birth*

·         releasing fears and reducing anxious feelings

·         review of the phases and stages of labour

·         when to call your healthcare provider in the birth

·         baby's position & avoiding ‘back’ or posterior labour

* detail of birth not shown 

All the hypnosis sessions are guided by myself.

Usually prenatal classes teach one pain management technique (breathing) while we cover over seven major techniques and test which one works for you.

Hypnosis can be used in all types of births and whatever situation you are in. Once you learn self-hypnosis you will be able to give yourself the specific suggestions you prefer. Partners are able to provide hypnotic suggestions to help you in the birth.

Hypnosis is a valuable tool when combined with the midwifery and doula support you will be receiving during your baby's birth. Hypnosis can assist you in feeling calm and focused even in the busiest setting. 

Once you register for the course, you will receive the ebook Hypnotize Yourself! and mp3s by email and you can start your practice right away.

The research shows that practice makes a big difference for the birth being more manageable.  

The information on birth in the ChildbirthJoy Hypnosis series is complete in itself. Breastfeeding and babycare are not taught, but I will provide resources for this for you if this series is your complete prenatal preparation.  

This series has about fifteen hours of content and practice, plus additional videos for home learning. Private hypnosis session fees are $105/hr, so a class is a cost-effective way to get the training that prepares you for an easier birth.  

While there are overlaps with my course and HypnoBirthing®, I offer more options for hypnotic pain management, I teach self-hypnosis, and I provide the information that is typically available in prenatal classes.

 Unless they have changed their format, HypnoBirthing® requires that you take an additional prenatal class to meet your information needs for birth. 

Length of Labour

On average, the length of labour for a first baby is 38 hours.

At 15.5 hours, women who take the ChildbirthJoy Prenatal Hypnosis series

have a reduction of about 60% in the length of labour.

Caesarean Section

For caesarean section (major abdominal surgery),

women who do the ChildbirthJoy Prenatal Hypnosis series

have a reduction of about 65-73%...(from approx 25% to 6.7%).

Epidural Anaesthesia

The rate of epidural use in Central Toronto is 74.2%.

The average in Ontario is 61.1%

And the rate of epidurals in most Toronto hospitals is 90 to 95%...

women who do the ChildbirthJoy Prenatal Hypnosis series

have about a reduction of 72-76%...


A natural birth is the safest for both you and your baby.

This 2016 publication was not a full study, but demonstrates that the drug used in epidural, which is an opiate (fentanyl), passes to the baby because it was found in the newborn urine after the birth.

"In conclusion, we provide evidence that fentanyl administered through an epidural for less than 12 hours will remain in the mother and neonate, even 24 hours after cessation of the epidural infusion. The clinical implications of this should be further investigated."

Maternal Epidural Fentanyl Administered for Labor Analgesia is Found in Neonatal Urine 24 Hours After Birth

Newborns have immature livers and cannot process drugs in the same way that adults can.

In addition, there is evidence that the birth process is such that the fetus/newborn is highly "imprintable" with the central nervous system much more open to being trained as compared to other times in life.

Your body's natural "drugs" (endorphins) are similar to the opiates used in birth, but are not only safe, but shown to be beneficial in animal research. Dr Sarah Buckley writes about epidurals:

"For example, epidurals can cause changes in the fetal heart rate (FHR) that indicate that the unborn baby is lacking blood and oxygen.

This effect is well known to occur soon after the administration of an epidural (usually within the first 30 minutes), can last for 20 minutes, and is particularly likely following the use of opiate drugs administered via epidural and spinal.

Most of these changes in FHR will resolve spontaneously, with a change in position, or, more rarely, may require drug treatment.

More severe changes, and the fetal distress they reflect, may require an urgent cesarean.

Note also that the use of opiate drugs for labor analgesia can also cause FHR abnormalities.

This makes the real effects of epidurals on FHR hard to assess because, in almost all randomized trials, epidurals are compared with meperidine or other opiate drugs."

Epidurals: risks and concerns for mother and baby

Data for epidural rates

Details

The cost of the series per couple is $397 plus hst.

This includes:

• the full series (either six evenings or a combination of three evenings plus three weekend classes)
• all classes are online
• all recordings
• all print material.

See below for dates and times of upcoming classes.

Classes are held with Zoom. This platform is easy to use - download the Zoom app and use your device of choice (phone, laptop, tablet or desktop. All that is needed is a camera and microphone built into your device (and the vast majority of devices have this).

Classes are interactive - there are some videos available for review outside of class time. Click here to view the YouTube channel. 

Sooner is better for

ChildbirthJoy Hypnosis

If you are wondering when is the best time to take the series...in general, sooner is better.

While I have had clients take the series in late pregnancy with good results, really great results usually occur with practice.

If you know already that you are talented with hypnosis, the timing of your series is less important.

But if you have challenges with relaxing and quieting your mind, get started sooner.

This series teaches you self-hypnosis and having some time (even a couple of months) for your practice will help you (and your partner) get really great at this.

The human brain works best with repetition - I'm told that research shows that for most of us, it takes a minimum of 21 to 30 days to change the brain (i.e. create new habits, etc).

Once you register, you will receive your copy of my ebook Hypnotize Yourself! with embedded recordings to get you started with learning self-hypnosis.

 ** ONLINE **

May 2024 

Accepting Bookings

Online Prenatal Classes

specializing in hypnosis

Class 1: Wednesday May 15, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Class 2: Saturday May 18, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Class 3: Wednesday May 22, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Class 4: Saturday May 25, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Class 5: Wednesday May 29, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Class 6: Saturday June 1, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

To Register

OTHER SERIES

Surgical/Caesarean HypnoBirth

Four classes plus a personalized private session

**This series is ideal for planned surgical birth

(Caesarean/C-Section) but is open to anyone.

Includes:

Hypnosis (general, self-hypnosis, hypnotic pain management strategies)

Tips and Tricks for a successful caesarean

Birth Preferences Plan

Positive Birth Affirmations mp3

Hypnosis mp3 for a successful caesarean

Hypnosis to handle specific issues (i.e. fears, potential risks)

...and more

To inquire about this series

Hypnobirth Refresher

Classes plus private personalized appointment booked separately

To inquire about this series

** This series is for second and subsequent births.

For those who have done a Hypnobirthing series other than ChildbirthJoy, please contact me first.** 

Contact

For additional series:

Contact Shawn at

416 255 8333 or

shawn@childbirthjoy.com

to be put on a waitlist

Since I started teaching this series in 1999, I have made constant and continual changes to the curriculum. Client feedback has been very valuable in this regard.

The ChildbirthJoy Prenatal Hypnosis Series has been a combined course that included both prenatal information as well as hypnosis (self-hypnosis, how to use it in the birth, etc).

As a Childbirth Educator, I am aware of the history of this field, starting with Grantly Dick Read's work in the U.K. in the 1940s, and Fernand Lamaze's work in France in the 1950s. Since then, practitioners in the field have been working diligently, but there has not been much innovation.

This changed with the reintroduction of hypnosis in the 1990s. As I used hypnosis very successfully for my first birth (a fast, easy, comfortable homebirth), it was a natural fit for me to start teaching childbirth hypnosis classes. As I don't teach HypnoBirthing® (explained here), I was free to include prenatal class content that parents would most benefit from. 

But for a long time, I have been wanting to update what I teach as well as have an easier format for participants to access (i.e. online). It's a big job, but I have been plugging away at trying to create my own because I could not find any training that met the standards I wanted (most are too focused on the medical model and used outdated information).  

ChildbirthJoy Hypnosis Series

The new format for the ChildbirthJoy Hypnosis Series is completely online and you receive a copy of the classes.

And remember that everything that you learn in the way of self-hypnosis can be applied in other ways: dental visits, golf game/sports performance, habit change, improved sleep, and much more.

The course fee for a couple includes:

• all the materials (video, audio, ebook, pdf)
• prenatal information that I've found to be essential (i.e. when to call in the birth, managing early labour, etc)
• online self-paced learning
• online classes
• Facebook forum for participants to support each other if you choose to join us.

The fee is $397.00.

Shawn: 416 255 8333

shawn (at) childbirthjoy.com

Other Information...

Please Note: it is best to complete the series earlier in pregnancy if you can as this allows you time to practice your self-hypnosis.

Some things to consider:

Prenatal visits with your health care provider are typically monthly from conception to 28 weeks,

every two weeks to 36 weeks

and every week thereafter to the birth.

SO...this means that the closer you get to your due date, the busier your life gets, which can add to stress if you are also fitting a prenatal series in...

AND...your belly is getting bigger, which can make it more of a challenge to sit through classes...

PLUS..."term" is defined as 37 completed weeks, which is 21 days before your due date - once you are term, the baby can be born any time and it is not considered too early.

I've had some clients be surprised by the birth happening earlier than they thought, meaning that they had not had a chance to complete the series...so plan early.

The way that this series is taught, you cannot forget what you've learned - not only will you remember it all, all the practice that you allow yourself (using your recordings, your self-hypnosis and even practice with your partner) will be constantly reinforced and be even more effective!

Frequently asked questions about ChildbirthJoy Prenatal Hypnosis...



Home

A client’s feedback...

Fourteen years on, I'm happy to see you thriving in your practice/ teachings. This thank you note comes unusually late but no less meaningful.

I was looking up your information for a friend and realized I never shared the joyful story of the birth of my 2 children. My partner Michel and I took a group hypnosis for childbirth class with you in 2000. We had planned for a home birth but after many hours of labour that didn't progress, my midwives transferred me to the hospital that they have admitting privileges at.

Our son was "stuck" and thanks to the obstetrician (an old school doc), we avoided a C section and even the epidural that was on order. Although this was an intense experience, I was in a deep trance like state which allowed me to handle everything without any panic or even much fear. Our son just turned 14 and it is a privilege to have him in our lives.

In 2003 we attended a refresher class as we prepared for child number two (I was age 40). When I went into labour with my second child in 2003, I sent my partner off to work thinking it would be some time before anything happened. I got into bed with headphones listening to the soothing sound of your recorded voice.

Around 1 pm, I notified my midwives that "something" was happening and because I sounded so calm, they said they'd stop by on their way to see another client. Well, much to their surprise (and mine) I was 9 cm dilated and our wonderful daughter was born at home soon after. Our son was at the birth and I must say, these two have a beautiful bond and supportive relationship.

Your teachings and support greatly contributed to our positive birth experiences.

I will always be grateful.

Linda M, Toronto

September 2014

Since meeting Shawn in 2004 we have had 4 beautiful children. We used hypnosis for childbirth for each of the four pregnancies/deliveries.

Our first labour was six hours start to finish. It was a completely natural birth and we had a beautiful experience. I was so amazed as I had been told by pretty much everyone I knew the horror stories of their labours. I went from being quite terrified to feeling very confident and prepared and positive that I could do it! I was so happy that I was able to not keep those negative thoughts, and instead was able to focus on all positive suggestions and have a wonderful birth experience.

Three years later we were pregnant again and made sure to use hypnosis through out the pregnancy – preparing to meet our second baby. This second pregnancy had complication after complication, and we contacted Shawn during these issues and she helped us with a script to talk to our baby – so that we could turn him and as well to go into labour naturally prior to being induced. During the script our sweet little one did indeed turn when we asked him to, and labour started on its own and we avoided needing to be induced. Again, another successful natural birth using hypnosis.

Our third pregnancy was 5 years later. I found myself nervous during pregnancy as this baby was after a miscarriage earlier that year, and so we decided to meet with Shawn again and she helped us with our worries. When the time came for baby to arrive we were even more ready than the previous 2 births. From the time the contractions began to the time I was holding my sweet son was almost an hour. Because I was so deep in the hypnosis I was quiet the entire time. My midwives had no idea that I was even in labour yet. I suddenly started to push and they thought I was crazy. Sure enough when they checked me - baby was there and out in one push. My midwives were amazed that I had appeared so calm and quiet that whole time, and that I felt so amazing immediately after.

For my 4th pregnancy I had the same midwives and boy did they remember me! This time we made sure to be prepared for a home birth, and I am so glad we did. Baby number 4 arrived suddenly in the middle of the night. I woke up to my water breaking, called my midwife, she arrived and baby was here in 45 minutes. It was a very relaxing birth. The contractions were incredibly manageable. I was again quiet and focused throughout.

I have been blessed as my labours have been amazing positive experiences and with each one I was able to focus better and go deeper into trance. I owe this all to Shawn and her amazing teaching. She not only introduced us to hypnosis but also to midwives – and that combination was powerful. I tell everyone I meet about it and share my positive stories to whoever will listen. People are always so amazed this 4'11 woman had 8 to 9lb babies in under an hour naturally. I just say I owe it to Shawn!

Jenn Gibson, Toronto

Oct 2017

The link below is a blogpost dated April 2016 from my client who gave permission for this to be shared.

From my reading of the birth, I suspect that the baby's position may not have been optimal (i.e. she wanted to be in a forward leaning position and had vomiting). A less than optimal position adds to the pain as well as the length of the birth. I think we can all agree that she was amazing.

Shawn

Client's blogpost about her birth