Maybe less than you think! Despite the name, there’s nothing mystical about hypnosis. HypnoBirthing uses well-established skills such as focused attention, relaxation, breathing, mental rehearsal and repeated practice to help you respond differently to fear, tension and uncomfortable sensations.

There are aspects of the traditional HypnoBirthing philosophy that may sound different from conventional childbirth education, but you don't need to adopt a particular belief system for the practical techniques to be useful.

My approach is evidence-informed and grounded in understanding the nervous system, while still leaving room for the very personal and individual experience of giving birth.

Yes. You remain completely in control. Hypnosis isn't sleep, unconsciousness or giving up control to someone else. It's a state of focused attention combined with relaxation — something most of us naturally experience when we're absorbed in a book, driving a familiar route or becoming deeply involved in a task.

In HypnoBirthing, you'll learn to intentionally create that focused, relaxed state for yourself. You can hear what's happening around you, communicate, move, make decisions and come out of hypnosis whenever you choose.

The aim isn't to make you unaware of labour. It's to help you stay calmer, reduce unnecessary tension and work more effectively with your body and the sensations you're experiencing.

HypnoBirthing isn't about achieving one particular kind of birth. The breathing, relaxation, self-hypnosis and communication skills you learn can be useful whether your birth unfolds with few interventions or includes pain medication, induction, assisted birth or a caesarean.

Plans sometimes change during labour. The goal is not to measure success by how closely your birth follows a plan, but to help you feel informed, supported and able to participate in decisions about your care.

There is no “failing” at HypnoBirthing because you chose or needed medical support. The skills are there to support you through the birth you actually have.

Ideally, yes. HypnoBirthing is designed for you and your birth partner to prepare together. Your partner learns the techniques alongside you and, importantly, learns practical ways to support relaxation, create a calm environment and advocate for your preferences during birth.

Your birth partner is the person you plan to have actively supporting you during labour and birth. This may be a family member, friend, doula or another trusted support person.

If attending together isn't possible because of your particular circumstances, please get in touch and we can talk about what might work best.

Most families begin HypnoBirthing sometime in the second or early third trimester, allowing plenty of time to practise the relaxation, breathing and self-hypnosis techniques before birth.

That said, there isn't a single “right” time to start. Beginning earlier gives you more time to practise and integrate the techniques, while starting later can still be very worthwhile.

If your due date is approaching and you're wondering whether there's enough time, get in touch. We can look at your timing and the available course options together.

Yes. My HypnoBirthing classes welcome expectant parents of all identities, family structures and paths to parenthood.

A birth partner is simply the person who will be actively supporting you as you prepare for birth and during labour. This may be a family member, friend, doula or another trusted support person.

I aim to create a learning environment where you and your family feel respected and where the language we use can reflect you, your relationships and your birth experience.

That’s a very good reason to consider HypnoBirthing. Fear around birth is common, and you don’t need to arrive at the course already feeling calm or confident.

We look at how fear and anxiety can affect the body and the experience of labour, and practise ways of responding differently through breathing, relaxation, self-hypnosis and preparation.

The aim isn’t to eliminate every anxious thought or guarantee that you’ll feel completely calm. It’s to help you develop skills you can draw on when fear or uncertainty shows up, so that you can approach birth feeling better prepared and more able to work with what unfolds.

The full HypnoBirthing® program includes five 2.5–3 hour sessions for you and your birth partner. You'll receive HypnoBirthing® – The Mongan Method by Marie Mongan, the Rainbow Relaxation audio recording, and class handouts including relaxation scripts and a birth preferences template. These core materials are consistent with the official HypnoBirthing program.

There is time between sessions to practise what you're learning so that the breathing, relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques become increasingly familiar before your birth.

Tuition is $495 CAD per couple, including course materials.

Yes. HypnoBirthing® can be taken as either a small group course or privately as a couple. The course content is the same, but the experience is a little different.

Group classes offer the opportunity to learn alongside other expectant parents, hear different questions and perspectives, and share some of the experience of preparing for birth together. Small groups can create a relaxed and supportive atmosphere while still allowing plenty of time for individual questions.

Private classes offer more flexibility and allow us to tailor the pace and discussion more closely to your particular circumstances, questions and birth preparation. They can also be a good choice when scheduling makes a group course difficult or when you simply prefer a more private learning environment.

Neither is a “better” way to take HypnoBirthing — it depends on what feels most comfortable and useful for you as a couple.

Private course tuition is $625 CAD per couple.