Natal Hypnotherapy Programme (Home Birth)

Maggie Howell Founder of Natal Hypnotherapy Having learnt self-hypnosis while pregnant, to help with the birth of her first child, Maggie Howell went on to give birth to her eldest son, Joseph, at home in a relaxed and comfortable environment: "When Maggie first mentioned that she was going to use self-hypnosis for her first labour, I was sceptical as to whether she would be able to achieve this. During her labour I was happy to be proved wrong. Her ability to remain relaxed, totally in control, yet fully communicative throughout the experience was impressive." Judy Aitkin, NHS midwife. Ria Haydon, NHS midwife agrees: "Maggie's demeanour was calm. She appeared to be 'sleeping' during most of her contractions, breathing slightly more deeply as they peaked. She used no pharmacological methods of pain relief and conducted her labour and delivery entirely under self-hypnosis. She appeared to experience no pain and very little discomfort throughout." The midwives were so impressed with the effects that they asked Maggie to talk to local antenatal clinics about her experiences. Maggie then decided to give up a successful career in the events and conference industry and train to be a Clinical Hypnotherapist. The aim then, and now, was to use the power of hypnosis to help women overcome their fear of birth and enable them to be more in control and manage the physical sensations involved in child birth. Maggie developed the Natal Hypnotherapy CDs as a result of her research and hypnotherapy work with individual mothers and antenatal groups. She has since used the techniques herself for the births of her second and third son. Maggie is a Doula (trained birth companion) and currently works with midwives, antenatal groups and hospitals running workshops and classes. She also runs 'effective birth preparation' courses for couples teaching them how to use hypnosis for an instinctive birth as well as training workshops for birth professionals. Cont/... -2- Maggie Howell Media Experience *TV - This Morning, London Tonight and The Baby Channel *Radio - BBC Radio 2, Woman's Hour, BBC London, BBC Solent, County Sound, Radio Leeds, Radio Belfast, Radio Dublin *National newspapers - The Guardian, Daily Mail, Daily Express, Daily Mirror, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Express *Articles/comments written for magazines - Prima Baby, Mother & Baby, I'm Pregnant, NCT New Generation, Flying Start, ABC, The Mother Magazine, Doula UK Newsletter, Boots Parent *Speaking appearances - Birth Professional Training at Royal Surrey Hospital, Hull Regional Midwives Conference, National Childminding Association Conference, Parent Craft workshops at Basingstoke Hospital, attachment parenting groups and home birth groups *Resident expert - Maggie is the "natural birth " expert for the Pregnancy & Birth magazine Maggie is also currently writing a book 'Calmer Birth, Calmer Baby' which will cover key areas including: Hypnotherapy (clinical and natal); birth preparation; doula; breastfeeding; baby sign language; communication skills; attachment parenting; co sleeping and instinctive parenting.

Step 1. The Pregnancy Relaxation CD is a wonderful introduction to using self Hypnosis and teaches you relaxation breathing techniques. Step 2. Begin listening to the Home Birth Preparation or Birth Preparation (hospital) version from 32 weeks. This builds on the relaxation and breathing techniques learned in step 1 and leads you into preparing for the birth Step 3. Relaxing birth music CD. This relaxing music (the same music used in the background of the Birth preparation CDs) is a wonderful edition to the Natal Hypnotherapy range. Mothers use the music when they go into labour as it is a subconscious trigger to relax and recall all the positive suggestions you will take in whilst listening to the birth preparation CD. Step 4. The Fast Post Natal recovery CD can be listened to in the last week of pregnancy and then as often as possible in the first few weeks after the birth.