Birth Story Hypnobirthing

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A brand new hypnobirthing service for parents seeking a calm, confident & connected experience from pregnancy to parenthood | Contact: [email protected]

02/11/2026

Starting a new week with an awe-inspiring En Caul hypnobirth from Birth Story couple Charlotte & Sam. En Caul births are an extremely rare event where a baby is born completely encased inside an unbroken, fluid-filled amniotic which happens in less than 1 in 80,000 va**nal births 🫧 👶🏼 To read how Charlotte confidently birthed her baby boy into the world en caul using her hypnobirthing techniques, scroll through ⬆️ for the full birth story
Charlotte and Sam prepared ahead of birth with our one-to-one hypnobirthing course. Designed and shaped to your requirements, we will will guide you through hypnobirthing & antenatal education and share how you can eliminate anxiety attributed to birth by building a toolkit primed with positive relaxation, hypnosis and breathwork techniques. Plus you’ll access all this… . 💬 4 x 2 hour classes + 1 complimentary refresher class ahead of your EDD . 🎧 12 relaxation tracks, 1 post-birth healing track, over 100 hypnobirth videos, The Wise Hippo programme handbook . 📱24/7 teacher text service for UNLIMITED support upto and after the birth of your baby . 📝 Guided birth planning session including templates to help you shape a flexible birth plan  . 🎁 Birth Story welcome pack including positive affirmation cards, birth comb, relaxation tools & silk eye mask . 👶🏽 Courses available for ALL births including elective c-sections, breech, twins, VBAC and scheduled inductions . NOW BOOKING JAN & FEB ‘27 COURSES - 📧 email me to book your course at [email protected] or tap our bio link 🔝 to visit our website  . . . 

28/10/2026

THE JAW PELVIC FLOOR CONNECTION 🔗 Did you know that the jaw and pelvic floor are physiologically connected & the alignment and relaxation of each deeply affects the other for birth?
The mouth and pelvic structures form in close relationship during the embryologic stage and stay connected through breath, the nervous system and fascia - flexible connective tissue that supports and surrounds every muscle, bone, vessel and organ in the body. When we’re stressed or anxious the body tenses in the jaw, diaphragm, pelvic floor and hips. This is why the following connections are common…
👄 Jaw clenching = pelvic tightening
😮‍💨 Shallow breath = pelvic tension
The diaphragm and pelvic floor work in unison, so when one is restricted, the other is too. A tight jaw isn’t just isolated to the face and a tight pelvic floor travels all the way back up to the neck and face - relax one, influence the other 🔁 So for birth, a relaxed jaw and deep breathwork enable a relaxed pelvic floor, which in turn allows more effective contractions and room for baby to manoeuvre comfortably through the birth canal
In hypnobirthing we teach the importance of the jaw-pelvis connection, here’s 6 of our fave facial relaxation tips for labour and birth…
👅 Relax the jaw by resting the tip of your tongue gently against the roof of your mouth just behind your upper front teeth
😮‍💨 Sigh with your out breath to relax the throat and jaw as a means to releasing pelvic holding and allow for easier labour
🤚🏼 Birth partner can softly stroke your jawline not only stimulating your endorphins (body’s natural pain relief hormones) but also encourage facial relaxation
🧘🏻‍♀️ Pregnancy yoga poses that can integrate both the jaw and pelvis include squatting poses, pigeon pose & any poses that stretch the neck
🫁 Deep breathing always brings you greater body awareness and reminds you to open your jaw and breath into your diaphragm - our Bond & Breathe technique is ideal for progressive relaxation from head to toe
🤰🏼Posture is key - assess your posture, spine, feet placement and adjust accordingly. Good posture also offers baby more space to move

27/10/2026

LABOUR & THE LOO: Say hello to the dilation station AKA the toilet! 🚽 The lavatory may not be the first spot you think of when it comes to comfortably resting during labour, but I like many expectant mamas naturally gravitated towards the loo when working through my labour
Sounds a bit strange? Let me share 5 fascinating reasons why sitting on the loo is actually beneficial in labour…
↗️UPRIGHT & FORWARD: Working with gravity is key in labour, we want to keep an upright, forward and open position and sitting on the loo does just that.
👶🏻SQUAT & SPACE: Alongside resting in a UFO position, sitting on the toilet puts you in a supported squat with your knees being lower than your hips. When we squat this opens our pelvis by 30% helping baby engage and move gently down the birth path
🧘🏽RELEASE & RELAX: For years we’ve been conditioned to relax and release when sitting on the toilet. Sitting on the loo during labour will help relax your pelvic floor muscles thus releasing tension and resistance against your babies rotation and descent
🕯 PEACE & PRIVACY: A visit to the WC is a private moment and one which offers peace. Remember when our subconscious feels safe, we relax more easily and our oxytocin and endorphins flow freely. Dim those lights, close the door and take a moment to breathe through those surges in comfort
🧻BOWELS & BIRTH: It’s essential that we wee regularly when working through our labour (a full bladder can hinder baby’s exit). Being on the toilet can encourage mum to pass urine more comfortably and frequently
✨TOP TIP: If you’re uncomfortable sitting forward facing, why not straddle the toilet, rest your head on a few pillows and allow your partner to work with soothing strokes on your lower back
Not so silly sounding now right! Did you spend your time in labour on the toilet?

18/10/2026

What’s your pregnancy craving? 🍜 Sweet, salty, frozen or flaming hot? Plates of pleasure prior to pregnancy suddenly become banished in your first trimester. Some women even notice a strange sour or metallic taste in their mouths - dysgeusia, or a change in your sense of taste, is extremely common and often caused by pregnancy hormones. But what do our pregnancy cravings mean? We decode the dishes…
🥦 Broccoli: Broccoli is a great source of calcium and folate (vitamin B12) so if you crave it you could be lacking in these. Broccoli is also rich in vitamins A, C, K, B6, calcium & fibre.
🥒 Pickles: May reflect low sodium levels, but be careful to not consume too much salt. Snack on pickled cucumbers or olives or even eating roasted vegetables seasoned with salt and herbs.
🥜 Peanut Butter: My #1 craving! Nut butter craving could signal a need for vitamin B or protein. Slather on apple slices for a quick and tasty snack
🥑 Avocado: If one of your cravings is avocados in the third trimester, your body may need potassium. This mineral known to ease leg cramps, which are common in the later stages of pregnancy
🥩 Red meat: A common craving, red meat has high levels of protein and iron. During pregnancy, blood volume increases by almost 50%, so it’s even more essential to increase iron stores to ensure oxygen is transported efficiently around the body
🍨 Ice cream / Yoghurt: Gone off milk? Cheese giving you the ick? Need to top up your calcium? You may find yourself reaching for tubs of ice cream or yogurt, especially in your second trimester when your appetite for sweeter foods emerge
🍝 Pasta / Noodles: Spaghetti or soba noodles - a common first trimester craving and a source which releases serotonin — a feel-good chemical that the nervous system. Craving carbohydrate-rich foods may be because your blood sugar is low
🍚 Rice: Rice is an energy-rich carbohydrate and a source vitamin B6, which helps the body use and store energy from food. Try opting for brown rice - low in GI it can help regulate blood sugar levels to help you maintain steady energy levels
Which foods did you crave in pregnancy?
| 📷 Anya Tilden - Family Photographer

12/10/2026

5 BIRTH BALL POSITIONS FOR LABOUR: Birth balls are amazing to use at any stage of your pregnancy, however, from around 32 weeks, gentle exercises and movements on the ball can help with and getting your baby in to the correct position for birth, improve posture and alleviate any aches pregnancy may bring. But, which birth ball positions are best when we’re working through labour?
Here’s 5 of our favourite easy yet effective positions…
↔️ROCK SIDE TO SIDE: Sitting astride the ball and rocking your pelvis from side to side or back and forth. This is also great for stretching out any tightness and tension in your back and hips
🔁HUG & ROCK: Getting into a hands-and-knees position by hugging your birthing ball and lifting your bottom up from a kneeling position. You can then rock your pelvis from side to side
🔄CIRCULAR MOTION: Wonderful for helping baby get into the optimum position during labour. Simply sit atop the ball and rotate your hips in a gentle, circular motion
8️⃣FIGURE OF 8: Move your hips to draw a sideways figure 8 (infinity symbol) pattern. Designed to help open the pelvis, reduce lower back pain during labour & encourage the baby into an optimal position for birth
↖️STAND & LEAN: If you find it uncomfortable kneeling or sitting on your birth ball, why not try leaning over your birth ball from standing position with the ball placed on a higher surface
KEY BIRTH BALL POINTERS…
🦶Go barefoot if you can and place your feet flat and far apart on the floor, ensuring your knees are lower than your hips
📏 Buy the right size for your height. Your knees should be about 10cm (4in) lower than your hips when you sit on it
⏱ Be sure to switch up positions every 20-30 minutes to help baby’s descent down the birth path
😌 Go slowly - pace yourself and don’t rush between switching up positions
What was your favourite position when using your birth ball throughout labour?
hypnobirthingco

06/10/2026

Thank you Cecile for your glowing review of our one-to-one course 🤍 If you too would love to feel positive, prepared and primed with antenatal and hypnobirthing knowledge ahead of welcoming your little one, here’s a taster what you’ll learn across our one-to-one course…
CLASS 1: MIND & BODY 🧠 Tap into the science of our mind and body for birth - debunk hypnosis myths, learn how to take charge of your thoughts & understand how the mind interprets pain and discover how to manage it. Explore how the right mix of hormones can harness a calm birth and how our uterus muscles are made to easily birth our baby
CLASS 2: RESET & RELAX ✨ Learn incredible relaxation and breathwork tools to calm your mind and body in labour, establish control as your work through your surges & feel confident in distracting your mind away from any discomfort by counting yourself down to your relaxing place.
CLASS 3: PRE & POSTNATAL PLANNING ✅ Connect with your emotions through a cathartic fear release session, explore prenatal bonding techniques and postnatal preparation. Together we’ll shape your flexible birth plan from the right companions to calm environment, birth preferences to options for promoting comfort
CLASS 4: BIRTHING & BIRTH PARTNER 👶🏽Journey step-by-step through your labour and birth - understanding the starting signs, timing surges to super effective birth positions. Learn birth humming and how to make that golden hour shine with your newborn. Plus, focus on birth partner support roles including how they can confidently advocate your birth, make informed decisions and coach & calm you from home to hospital
BOOK YOUR COURSE: Tap ‘contact’ in our bio link to get started with a complimentary discovery call 📞

05/10/2026

WHAT IS CERVICAL EFFACEMENT? As your body prepares for labour, the cervix goes through an important change called effacement. Effacement means the cervix becomes thinner and shorter, changing from a thick, firm structure to a much thinner one
The cervix is the long, narrow end of the uterus that is basically the gateway between the uterus and va**na. Most importantly it’s also the exit for our baby to be born! 👶🏼 But before that happens, the cervix needs to thin and open…
HOW IS EFFACEMENT MEASURED?
Normally, your cervix is firm and closed. In the early (latent) stage of labour, the cervix starts to soften and thin out. This thinning process is called effacement. It’s measured in percentages from 0 to 100 percent…
0% – cervix is still thick
50% – cervix is about halfway thinned
100% – cervix is completely thinned out and paper thin
Your cervix must reach 100% effacement and 10 centimeters of dilation before you can start bearing down in a va**nal birth
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EFFACEMENT & DILATION?
Effacement refers to thinning, while dilation refers to opening of the cervix and dilation is measured from 0-10cm 📏 Both can happen as labour approaches, but they don’t always progress at the same rate. Remember, every pregnancy and labour is different, so cervical changes can happen gradually or more quickly
CAN I TRACK EFFACEMENT MYSELF?
Effacement can only be detected with a va**nal exam from your midwife, so you won’t be able to feel it happening. However, if you start to experience other early signs of labour, such as loss of your mucus plug, the process of effacement has most likely started and you’re one step closer to meeting your baby
SIGN UP to our one to one hypnobirth course at birthstoryco.com to discover the starting signs of labour and how to navigate calmly and confidently through the stages of labour

30/09/2026

From deepening relaxation and reducing pain to easing nausea and promoting surges, essential oils can be a wonderful addition to make your labour and birth more comfortable. These powerful plant extracts not only create a tranquil birth space but scientific research reveals that once oils are inside the body they can stimulate endorphins (body’s natural pain relief hormones), oxytocin (love hormone) and serotonin (natural sedatives)
WHICH ESSENTIAL OILS ARE SAFE FOR LABOUR?
The following oils are mentioned by NHS hospital trusts and birthing centres for their use during birth. Only a trained midwife in aromatherapy can use essential oils during labour…
Lavender
Frankincense
Peppermint
Roman Chamomile
Geranium
Lemon
Mandarin
Petitgrain
Patchouli
Ylang Ylang
Bergamot
Jasmine and Clary Sage - Both are essential oils which have very strong properties that can affect your baby and can speed up labour, therefore, it’s advised that these oils are not used without professional guidance. Most midwives don’t recommend until you’re 37 weeks and there are signs of labour
HOW CAN I USE ESSENTIAL OILS?
Essential oils can either be inhaled or used topically on the skin. Think sprays, spritzes and diffusers for inhalation. Massage is often a great way to use essential oils, however, never apply essential oils undiluted and use patch testing before using any diluted oil directly on skin
ESSENTIAL OILS & HYPNOBIRTHING
We often encourage couples to use the same oil(s) throughout practice that they want to weave through labour. Such consistency creates anchors to deepen relaxation and condition the subconscious into feeling safe during labour and birth
WHEN TO AVOID USE OF ESSENTIAL OILS…
🛁 Don’t use oils in bath if waters have broken
💉Avoid clary sage and lavender if you’ve had an epidural
🤰🏼Planning a VBAC – don’t use uterine stimulating oils such jasmine or clary sage
🌺 If you have mild asthma avoid essential oils from flowers which promote hay fever
👶🏼👶🏼 Expecting twins or multiples - avoid jasmine and clary sage
Always consult your midwife prior to using oils and check on your hospital policy for use

28/09/2026

HYPNOBIRTHING FAQs 💭 Are you thinking about hypnobirthing but not sure where to begin? We’re here to help with our hypnobirthing frequently asked questions…
Q. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO START A HYPNOBIRTHING COURSE? 📆
A. We recommend from 20 weeks in your pregnancy. This way you have ample time to work through the 4 classes, refine your relaxation tools and work in your complimentary refresher session nearer to your EDD
Q. ARE CLASSES ONLINE OR FACE-TO-FACE? 👩🏽‍💻
A. We offer both options! Based in Hertfordshire, you can relax and enjoy classes at Birth Story HQ or learn from the comfort of your home over Zoom
Q. IS HYPNOBIRTHING SUITABLE FOR ELECTIVE C-SECTIONS? 👶🏽
A. Absolutely! Our Confident C-Section Hypnobirthing Course is specifically for couples planning an c-section birth. Designed to educate and empower, you’ll explore what a gentle Caesarean entails, embrace relaxation techniques & explore birth preferences. Plus, postnatally we’re here for you with restorative c-section recovery support
Q. I HAD A TRAUMATIC PREVIOUS BIRTH, HOW CAN HYPNOBIRTHING HELP?🤰🏻
A. We work with numerous tools and techniques to help minimise birth trauma and anxiety - from cathartic fear release hypnosis and learning how to protect our emotions to understanding how to reset our subconscious and learning how to minimise habits of overthinking. Through gentle change, we can minimise feelings of fear and boost a sense of calm confidence
Q. CAN MY PARTNER JOIN? 👥
A. Hypnobirthing isn’t just for expectant mums, it’s for birth partners too! From simple nurturing to soothing strokes, coaching prompts to confidently advocating should curveballs arise - it’s all about teamwork when it comes to preparing for a positive birth experience
Q. WILL MY LEARNING BE SUPPORTED? 🩷
A. We pride ourselves on supporting every couple from pregnancy to parenthood. You’ll be personally guided by qualified hypnobirth instructor & founder of Birth Story Hypnobirthing Nicola Wilson. Plus, you’ll have access to our exclusive 24/7 teacher text support service
Do you have a question about hypnobirthing? Share it below & we’ll get answering…

Address

Saint Albans
AL21UA

Telephone

+447946221093

Website

https://birthstoryco.com/

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